Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Daytime Drama...or 57 Channels and Nothing's On

When I was in high school, many of the popular girls watched soap operas, or as they are called today, DAYTIME DRAMAS. And because I wanted to be popular too (I wasn't part of that group), I started watching soaps as well. I started with "All My Children", since that was the one I had heard the most about. Once I was hooked there, I added "General Hospital" to the list. Eventually, since "One Life to Live" was right between the other two, I ended up watching three hours of soaps each day that particular summer.

Alas, if I could only have THAT time back!!!

Since then, I have cut out watching television during the day. I simply don't have time for it. Yes, ladies, even Oprah. I actually never really got in to Oprah (GASP!!!). I did watch her show a few times, and each time ended up being a huge emotional investment, usually either tears or anger. As I said before, I just don't have time, or energy, for that.

Oh, and no offense intended to those of you who do watch soaps. They're just not my thing.

Once Baby Bit was born, however, I needed something to do while nursing her. Normally I would've grabbed a book and polished it off by the time she was done feeding. But I was typically in a sleep-deprived stupor, so if I read anything, I would have to go back and read it again later since I wasn't quite coherent enough to grasp it. So I grabbed the remote and started flipping. It took me a while, but I ran across a few daytime shows that I actually like. Some I had heard of for some time but had never seen; others were completely new to me. So here, in no particular order, is some of my favorite mindless drivel from daytime TV:

1. Clean House & Clean House Comes Clean (The Style Network): okay, this one really is my favorite. They ask such great questions when helping a family declutter their home. So great, in fact, that it has inspired me to go through my stuff and get rid of some things with which I thought I would never part. My grandfather's rocking chair, for example. I never sit in it, and neither does anyone else. I don't even remember my grandfather sitting in it, for that matter, so it doesn't really hold any memories for me. All it does is act as a catch-all, so out it goes. Too bad...it's a beautiful chair with a great creaking noise. :-) But I'm getting rid of it. Little Bit has begun tossing a few things as well. Maybe by this time next year my house will be a Clean House! :-)

2. Airline (The Biography Channel): THIS one scares me a bit. It shows typical daily drama for airline employees. It's amazing what is required of the employees in this industry. One episode in particular showed a passenger that had been removed from the plane because she was drunk. The poor employee that had to deal with her got a verbal assault full of expletives that went on for quite some time. Makes me a little nervous about flying. I think I'll stick to ground travel.

3. What Not To Wear (The Learning Channel): This is a fun show! I LOOOOOOVE before-&-after shows, and this is a good one. Stacy and Clinton are just a bit on the pompous side, I think, but I suppose they can be because they are good at what they do. Nick and Carmady, the hair guy and make-up babe, are incredibly compassionate with the people they help. Stacy and Clinton could use a dose of that. After all, there's no need to ridicule someone who doesn't know better. If they know better and don't act on it, well, THEN they can be uppity. But some of these people just plain don't have a clue and DESPERATELY need the help. All in all, they do a good job, and I love the show.

4. Carter Can/Red, Hot and Green (HGTV & DIY Networks): These two shows have Carter Oosterhaus as their host, and I just like to watch him. He makes my eyes feel good. ;-)

5. Ace of Cakes (Food Network): Love, love, LOVE Duff and his gang!!! These people are absolutely AMAAAAAAAAAZING when it comes to decorating cakes!!! They seem to have a lot of fun doing it too.


So those are my top favorites, but there are a few others I like that didn't make my favorites list: Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and Food Detectives (both on Food Network); I Want That! and any of its "sub-shows" like I Want That! Tech Toys/Kitchens/Bathrooms (Fine Living Network...actually this one should be on my list! It's awesome!); What You Get For The Money (also on FLN), and Cool Tools (DIY Network). That last one is an oddity for me. I'm not a tool-gal, but some of the tools this guys shows are pretty cool, even for those of use who are "DIY-challenged".

So maybe daytime TV isn't quite so mindless after all. :-)

5 comments:

The Daily Bee said...

I never watch daytime TV and only selected nightime TV - I just don't have the time. Not because of kids, but because of myself. lol. I'm too busy taking care of me! Wow, that doesn't sound too good.

Anyway, I never knew anything about the soaps and had no clue who was who. My sister worked for this company a few years back and became friends with the companies attorney. The attorney was engaged to a guy on General Hospital, His name in real life is Wally Kurth aka Ned Ashton. Anyway... We were invited to their Christmas party in LA. Of course we went to do some star viewing. We met a ton of producers and actors from the show. All beautiful and stick thin. Made me feel right at home (not really). lol

I love What Not to Wear!

(This may be the longest comment I've ever left. haha)

Jenster said...

Hey! Are you me???

A) I used to watch Soaps in college but quickly gave them up because, well, just because I don't like them.

B) I don't watch Oprah, either! Except every once in a while when she has someone on I really admire or something - can't honestly think of the last time I watched her. And frankly, I have a few Oprah issues.

C) I haven't watched Clean House, but I've watched shows like it and I love them!

D) Haven't actually heard of Airline.

E) LOVE What Not To Wear - except I never want to be on it.

F) Carter - He makes my eyes feel good, too! Reeeeeeaaallly good.

G) Is Ace of Cakes the funnest show ever or what?? My Katie thinks she might like to work there some day. lol

Katybug said...

Deb, that party sounds like fun, getting to hang out with the super skinny. Okay, maybe not. But WNTW really IS a fun show, isn't it?? Part of me wouldn't mind being on the show, only because I know my style desperately needs a bit of tweaking.

Jenster, we must have been separated at birth, of that I am certain!!! Oops, gotta run...Carter's on!!! ;-)

Shawn said...

Hey girl! Can't wait to see ya'll on Friday for some us time and Wii time.

I've been cathing up on my blogs and was glad to see you are continuing yours. It's therapeutic isn't it!

Have you seen the chefography of Duff? He is a musical genious too. Kinda like Emeril. Who knew?

Be careful of watching food tv too much, it can make you gain weight.
So does that mean the organizational shows can make you more organized? Don't we wish!

Merry Christ-mas!

Becky said...

I know I read this, and could have sworn I commented!

We have been without cable TV in our house for a long time...mostly because Jeff and I would never communicate with each other, except to fight over who got the TV while he watched endless ESPN and I watched endles HGTV. Well, and the cooking shows. We only keep a TV for the occasional movie night or video games. Works great for us, because we're all avid readers.

Hope you and yours have a WONDERFUL Christmas!