In order to give our blog readers a taste of what The Baby Boomer News Magazine has to offer, occasionally we’re going to post an article directly from its pages.
Those Were the Days My Friend…
By Mary Ann Dore
I think I’m turning into an old and crotchety Boomer! I’m tired of watching yet another police squad use a battering ram to break down the door of suspected drug house. The Housewives of (fill in the blank) are not women with whom I’d want to associate. Watching the turmoil on another episode of John and Kate doesn’t make me feel good. Entertainment Tonight doesn’t entertain me.
When did reality TV and CSI become the standard fare of evening TV? When did hundreds of channels from which to choose help make my choice of the off button easier? Do the kids of today or even yesterday know what comedy without personal injury or off-color language is?
I want to escape from reality shows, I want to be entertained with rib-tickling, bellylaughing, side-splitting comedy. I want to be able to turn back time and let the pressures of my day dissolve in laughter.
I want to watch Vicki Lawrence and Harvey Korman make Carol’s shoulders shake as they veer from their rehearsed lines, to hear Goldie’s infectious giggle as she “Socks It To Me”. I want to hear Sonny and Cher’s banter and I’d even listen to Captain and Tennille sing “Muskrat Love” again.
I’d prefer to get the day’s news from Rosanne Rosannadanna, to hear Ernestine snort as she dials the phone and asks “is this the party to whom I am speaking?” I want to watch Flip as Geraldine exclaim “The Devil made me do it!” I want to hear Flo’s southern drawl exclaim “Kiss My Grits” again. I’d love to imagine sipping a beer at the bar and joining the other patrons as they yell “Norm!”
I want to see John Belushi’s antenna wiggle as he portrays a Killer Bee on SNL, or John Cleese lope up the stairs at Fawlty Towers. I’d love to laugh until it hurts at Tim Conway’s Siamese Elephants or Dentist’s sketches.
I’d venture to guess that with 90 million Baby Boomers in North America, I’m not alone in my longing for the return of the funny side of TV. The good news is that Hulu.com and YouTube provide the escape I’m seeking in short excerpts from some of the classic comedy shows.
What shows would you like to see return for your viewing pleasure? Inquiring minds want to know – voice your opinion in the comments section of this post or a post of your own through the Boomer Voices section.
