Why I decided to quit watching TV - and why I’ve never regretted it
August 19, 2006 – 12:27 pmRecently I caught wind of a blog post where one author was extolling the virtues of another about quitting TV watching. It turns out he quit watching for a whole month and his friend was extremely impressed. Well then, I wondered, how impressed would the world be when they found out that I quit watching TV in March of 2005 and never even looked back. I’m pretty sure some people would be amazed, so I plan to chronicle my adventures.
The reason I quit watching TV
One day I was in my home and doing some work. “In the background” was Maury Povich, entertaining the masses with one of his inimitable shows. Apparently a ‘baby momma’ was having some problem identifying the paternal rights of her heir. Apparently 9 other men had been identified as potential fathers, and not one had proven to be. I realized what an unlikely situation this really was for the average person. As I realized this, Maury said simply: “I am 99.9% sure you are NOT the father“, and the latest contestant in the Paternity Olympics had just won his gold medal.
I realized that Maury Povich was a complete idiot and I was an even bigger one for letting this garbage penetrate my psyche for even one more day.
I turned off the TV. I decided if I ever, really, truly needed to watch TV again, I would. But so far that day hasn’t come and it’s been 18 months. I still rent DVDs, but my total time spent watching any type of video is now down to a very managable 10 hours a week, or usually less.
I’ve noticed a number of changes to how I think. I can tell you that I’ve felt more emotionally raw in the last 18 months. TV really is a type of low-level drug that dulls your sense of reality. When you remove it, things become that much more accute.
I plan on looking into some of these changes, and I also plan on offering some tips on you can break bad habits in upcoming posts. There’s nothing more empowering then quitting a habit that you know is no good for you.
18 Responses to “Why I decided to quit watching TV - and why I’ve never regretted it”
I quit watching television almost forty years ago. Decades of programs have come and gone, from Dallas to Friends, Mork and Mindy to All about Raymond…never saw a single one.
I’ve never looked back and since I have no idea what I missed, I could care less. What have I done with all that spare time? A lifetime of reading, learning and reflection teamed with years of peace and serenity.
By Phil on Aug 19, 2006
I don’t think the world will be impressed. If you don’t want to watch TV, good for you, have fun with it, but don’t worry what the world thinks. The world has better things to do. (You’d know this if you saw some of the fun stuff on TV.)
Seriously, more power to you if TV isn’t your thing, but broadcasting your TV celibacy like it’s some sort of virtue makes you sound like a smug dope, and admitting that you allow Maury Povich’s show to represent all of television makes you sound like an ignorant fool.
By Jameson on Aug 19, 2006
I too quit TV just about a year and a half ago. For me, it was the number of commercials. Having nothing better to do, I was watching some kid’s movie I’d never seen, Toy Story, and just when Buzz Lightyear was watching the moving van go away, … ANOTHER commercial! Honest to God, this movie was very nearly 50% ads.
I called up Dish Network, canceled, and have never regretted it.
Maury Povich (who ever he is) may be bad enough: but all the commercials make it worse. The average show is just about 1/3 commercials. Too much, that, and I quit. Just can’t stand it.
And, good for you. TV generally sucks, anyhow.
By Kenneth Johnson on Aug 19, 2006
Wow, that’s awesome. I wish I had that kind of determination sometimes. You’re right though, a lot of what’s on TV is complete garbage. We usually pick and choose to find educational shows or ones that aren’t rated “mature” because yeah, watching people get killed every day really can numb you.
By Spectra on Aug 19, 2006
It’s amazing that someone would actually get mad at me quitting TV. Jameson must work for the industry.
As the two who quit. Of course it was the commercials. The mind numbing commercials about “attending culinary arts school” or a “truck driving institute”.
I plan on going more in-depth on the whole issue.
By Darren on Aug 19, 2006
It takes a lot of the “static” out of the air on a daily basis.
I hated the fact that commercials would “crank up” by about 15 decibels. They were so loud. I haven’t missed television, either.
By Heather McLaughlin on Aug 19, 2006
I quit watching TV 25 years ago when I came to live in Thailand. Apart from the language barrier when I first arrived (I now speak Thai) if you ever see Thai TV you will understand. Stupid game shows featuring freaks and stupid childish pranks, endless soap operas that all have a woman who never stops crying, a young and another older woman who are both total bitches and always evil, and cheating husbands/boyfriends.
As a result I have studied English and become a story writer, I have learned computer programming, and I am so much happier not seeing scenes of carnage, war and disasters every day. Throw out the boob tube and DO something with your life. You’ll never regret it.
By ThaiTai on Aug 20, 2006
All you dorks need is a tivo so you can skip commercials and only watch good programs such as nature specials and the simpsons. I am not going to defend crap like maury povich though.
By tivofan1 on Aug 20, 2006
Yes, of course you can edit your TV watching. That’s what I did, in effect. I guess I could have been more clear in indicating that “unmetered TV watching” is bad for you.
I could have just as easily used the idea of “American Idol” or “The Real World” to get my point across.
By Darren on Aug 20, 2006
Have you ever watched people and noticed how set in their ways they are? It amazes me that people can criticize another for making a change in their life. What are people afraid of? We are all different. We are all individuals. We are all thinking beings. Just because one person does something differently from another doesn’t make it “wrong” just as it doesn’t make it “right”. If what we do does not hurt others or ourselves then there should be no static from anyone!
By Nova on Aug 21, 2006
People are most defensive about their habits because they identify so closely with them, IMHO.
But people shouldn’t feel attacked just because others choose a different path.
By Darren on Aug 21, 2006
i must admit i don’t watch too much tv myself either …and i plan to work in TV/Film! …mainly due to the fact that i don’t have enough time …I start to feel guilty if I was watching tv hours on end when I could be doing something more constructive …there are of course certain programs that I would always watch such as Lost and a few more
By quinny on Aug 23, 2006
hey, i want to quit watching television but i fear that i will just replace that addiction with internet addiction. I think maybe getting involved in activities is the way to beat the T.V. addiction. I.E. sports and arts ect. But yes the whole being re-acustomed to reality thing is the hard part. All the nagging thought patterns dragging us into our old drug are just so strong its hard to resist. But what i feel its a worth while thing, to re-define your existance basically. isnt that what we’re doing when we leave T.V. behind? Also i want to know what you do at home in your free time, do you still get restless and angsty like you did initially?
By Andrew A on Jan 27, 2007
I am interested in hearing more about the effects of quiting TV. That is my goal now.
By Nadir on Sep 20, 2007
I admire you for giving up television. For me, it IS like an addiction. Putting the stupid programming aside, I enjoy watching movies so I have all the premium channels. No commercials. But even though there’s no commercials (and sometimes the movies are actually good), my complaint with tv is it can suck the life out of you. I find myself living vicariously through through the fake lives of people on tv at the expense of my own. I gave up tv for a shore time once (actually I didn’t pay my bill so the cable was disconnected), and I was very productive with all the extra time. I’d like to give it up permanently so I can be the star of my own movie. Did you post your tips on breaking bad habits?
By Joe on Jan 4, 2008
Joe, thanks for the comments. I will put together a post about breaking the bad habits because that is a topic that deserves some attention. Thanks for stopping by.
By Darren on Jan 4, 2008
I think giving up T.V. is fantastic.
The idea of living your own life and creating a fabulous existence for yourself is something that can only be realized if we free up time and eliminate negativity.
Quitting T.V. and stopping living vicariously through people who are a lot like imaginary friends is well worth it.
By bigjohn on Feb 10, 2008