There isn’t much of quality on television lately.
(This is where you let out a huge sigh, shake your head at me and plan your “except for” response… Believe me, I’m looking forward to reading about your favorite shows. I could use the suggestions.)
For me there is too much violence and/or stupidity. I find neither entertaining. I was excited recently to watch Secrets of Highclere Castle, a documentary on the house featured in Downton Abbey. It told of a time when there were standards to uphold. The butler said something that caught my attention…
It’s important to maintain standards,
because once they disappear, they will never come back.
I believe this is true and here’s my evidence…
I grew up with Shirley Temple. (If you are young you’ll probably have to Google her.) She was sweet, charming and overflowing with talent. Now we have Honey Boo Boo. (If you are older you’ll probably have to Google her.) She can’t even speak English well enough to be understood so the show puts up captioning to translate.
Help… our standards have fallen and can’t get up.
So while I’m waiting to hear your show suggestions I’ll be watching my DVR’d episodes of Duck Dynasty and Dancing With The Stars… I have settled for non-violence and goofy. So far it’s working for me.
When all is said and done 
I like Castle and The Mentalist. I am getting to like Elementary too (Sherlock Holmes). You can see a pattern here. I used to love the old Perry Mason shows (youngsters will have to google!) and these come the closest. The old Perry didn’t show people dying or dead people being disected. It was just about figuring out the clues. As for Honey Booboo, I saw her once in an interview and couldn’t figure out what the fuss was. Someone needs to put her in school and teach her manners.
Kate… My grandkids love the show Bones… they laugh when I have to turn my head away and grab a book. Perry Mason was houshold staple for years. You’re right, catching clues ‘back then’ seemed less gruesome.
I watch Bones too but my husband doesn’t like the flesh and blood.
I love Castle, the Mentalist, and Elementary for all the reasons you mentioned, Kate. I love Bones too, but mostly for the interpersonal relationships. The gore I could do without. I DVR all my shows, and I make sure I never watch Bones while eating. Ugh!!!
Honey Boo-Boo is a blight on America. I mean, how embarrassing! If anyone ever bases what our society was like in the 2000s on Honey Boo-Boo, they’ll think we were a society of idiots! Truly. Goodness sake, I have NO idea why anyone would find that entertaining. I suppose it’s the same reason people are fascinated with monkeys in a zoo.
Oh dear, I’ve definitely been age classified. I love Perry Mason, and I don’t know Honey Booboo.
I think we should consider ourselves lucky! 🙂
Love this post! I like watching “Mountain Men” and Alaska, The Last Frontier.”
Hi Ellen! 🙂 I love reading your blog and so have nominated you for a wonderful team member award. Please follow this link to the details http://menopausediaries.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/wonderful-team-member-readership-award/ I do hope you feel you can join in 🙂
TV is in a very sad state, that’s for sure. The only show I watch with regularity these days is Parks & Recreation. Everything else comes from my DVD collection.
Mike…
Our time is too precious to throw it away sitting in front of programs we don’t really enjoy. I personally love shows that can give me a good laugh AND that can be watched with my grandkids without awkward embarrassment. o.0