Monday, July 27, 2009

Premature Nostalgia

I remember, when I was a child, the fond look my mother would get in her eye when she talked about the television shows of her youth.

Mickey Mouse Club. Roy Rogers (though, I understand she was an infant then). She would stare off into the distance as my sister and I heaped spoonful after spoonful of white sugar on our "healthy" cereal, and say something like, "You know, in those days television was special."

I have decided it is time for me to become nostalgic. Since neither of my children will sit still long enough for me to impart fond remembrances, it is to you, my bloggy friends, that I turn in my hour of need.

(Pause while Deb dons Granny-style glasses, shawl, and white wig styled in a bun.)

Gather around, my children, and let me tell you about a time when television was TELEVISION. When I was a little girl, in the 1970's, we knew what made good TV: guns and bosoms. Sometimes together. All of the best shows of my childhood: The Love Boat, CHiPS, Three's Company, Dallas...they all had bosoms and guns galore. Except Three's Company. No guns on that one. But, double bosoms. Triple, sometimes. The best one was Charlie's Angels. You couldn't beat the bosoms on those Angels, though many tried...

In my day, there was only one night that could rightfully be called "appointment television." It was Thursday nights on NBC. First with The Cosby Show and Cheers, then later with Friends, Seinfeld, and ER. My word, what we wouldn't do to be home on Thursday nights! Weren't no such thing as a TiVo in those days, my dears, if you missed it, you had to set the VCR, and nobody could figure out how to program the dad-burned thing, so like as not you'd come home to a tape of the OJ verdict and nothing else...

Sorry, Children. Mamaw's colloquialisms are feelin' frisky as a cat up a chestnut tree today. Where was I?

Hey, where'd you all go?

Con sarn it.

6 comments:

Kristina P. said...

My parents would not let us watch Cheers. When we heard that themesong, we knew it was time for bed.

3 Bay B Chicks said...

I about had whip-lash when I logged onto your site this morning. Where did my beloved Deb's blog go? WAIT! It is still here, only better, thanks to the design awesomeness of Sneaky Mommy. That Jill, there are no limits to what she can accomplish. :)

Ah, you make me reminisce today, my friend. Of course you were a fan to the Must See TV line up on Friday night, yes?

-Francesca

3 Bay B Chicks said...

Oh, and I still remember the episode when the Cosby family had to flush the dead goldfish down the toilet.

Now THAT was TV.

CMGould said...

I remember during the summer, everything stopped at 1 in the afternoon for the Monkees reruns....

Sneaky Momma said...

Oh, I remember the Cosby Show!!!! And Punky Brewster. Oh, the shame!!!

That Thursday night lineup with Friends followed by ER was absolutely the best. :)

Mr. and Mrs. Nurse Boy said...

Ahhh...yes!!! Thursday night TV!!! LOVED it! But, I must admit that I most definately love my DVR!

Mrs. Nurse Boy