Ode to Television- Rachel Roberts

Television, one of America's favorite pass times.

But is this a good thing? Mindless hours of binge watching can't be good for anyone's sanity. We know that television isn't healthy, so why to we watch so much?

Television is a great source of entertainment when there is nothing else to do. You can seriously watch anything (and I really mean ANYTHING). They have documentaries on mermaids and shows about finding Big Foot to shows about shopping for wedding dresses and documentaries on marine life. There is so much out there, it's hard to be board with it.

It's also an incredibly convenient vehicle for advertisements. As annoying as commercials are, they are effective and they do stick with us. It's a semi-genius way for quick advertisement. I guarantee you can quote at least 5 commercials of the top of your head. As much as we hate them, we do here what the companies want.

The reason I personally watch television is that I was raised on it. We have a television in nearly every room (I know it's bad, we have a problem), so it's near to impossible to avoid. I have vivid memories of watching Johnny Bravo, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Power Puff Girls, and Samurai Jack with my Dad when my mom worked late. I remember watching SpongeBob and Tom and Jerry with my Mamaw. I remember watching Bear and the Big Blue House and getting so excited when I saw him in Disneyworld on my fourth birthday. I remember getting up early on Saturdays just to watch Saturday morning cartoons. I remember building blanket and pillow forts with my cousin in front of the television in our grandparents' basement and sitting in it and watching Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. I remember my older cousins babysitting me and letting me watch all the shows my mom wouldn't let me watch. I remember watching The Price is Right when I was sick. It's been ingrained in me since I was a little girl, I can get away from it now, it would be like taking a piece of me away.

I watch most shows, but at some point even I have to draw the line. I CAN NOT STAND Alaskan Bush People (yes that's a show). It is easily one of the stupidest reality shows I have even seen. Its about a family who moves into the Alaskan bush, which I know on the surface doesn't sound that bad, but these people are so incredible weird and stupid it's hard to watch. It would be very easy to avoid, except that it's my brother and Dad's favorite show. So whenever it's on, they refuse to change the channel and put it on just about all the televisions. Needless to say I avoid those rooms.

As I said, I watch many shows, but  there are a select few that I actually love. I absolutely love to watch The Walking Dead, kind of a total fan girl. When a new episode is on, I'm impossible to communicate with because I'm so emotionally invested in it. I also recently got hooked on Fear the Walking Dead. I also love to watch The Middle because I am Sue Heck and Sue Heck is me. And its not really a love but I have more of an addiction to Dance Moms thanks to my Mom who is absolutely obsessed with it. Not even going to try and hide this one, I absolutely adore Arthur.