Cutting the Cable Cord

77 comments

We got rid of cable.

The summer is the perfect time to cancel. We don’t watch reality shows, we don’t watch USA’s oh-so-breezy summer programming…and not much else is on until fall, when, according to the last few commercials I saw, electricty disappears and hack jokes about guys having to be parents – THE HORROR! – are all the rage.

Except for Breaking Bad, there’s not much I can’t wait for.

The stuff I am gonna miss without TV? Sports, filler, and the kids programming. Oh wait, we have plenty of kids programming. No shortage of inane, annoying, loud, bright, anthropomorphized animals and songs about brushing your teeth here.

It’s not all that often that we have the TV on when our son is around. Typically he gets to watch an episode of Sesame Street or Yo Gabba Gabba about 3 times a week just to get him to shut up about it (“Elmo! Abby! Gabba!”). Occasionally the TV might be on while he’s playing with his guitar or pegs or Tupperware, but he never seems all that interested in the Today Show. You’d think Al Roker looked enough like Grimace to hold a toddler’s attention but maybe not since he stapled his stomach.

But we aren’t comfortable with the TV being a go-to distraction for the boy or a built-in babysitter for us. So while the recent elimination of cable from our house has been a new experience (kind of like Lent without all the Jesus), the inability to turn on the TV just to waste time or fill the silence is a good thing. Because believe me, the temptation to – and the ease of – throwing the television on just to keep the kid occupied while you masturbate do the dishes is a dangerous thing.

Thankfully for the kid, we still have Netflix Instant, and so far it’s been doing the trick. They offer plenty of Elmo and Magic Mike (I think that’s what the DJ on Yo Gabba Gabba is called – though this trailer leads me to suspect I may be wrong). But while the lack of filler is good for my son’s developing mind, it’s not so good for my interest in terrible TV shows from my youth or four-hour specials about the NFC Central featuring extra shouting.

If I want to watch something, I have to either put in a DVD or select a title from my Netflix queue, and the serendipty of finding just the right show – or something ridiculous you never would have even considered if you hadn’t stumbled upon it – is totally gone. Usually, when I wake up slightly hungover on the weekend, I’m not really that psyched to veg out with Downton Abbey.

It’s definitely better for my son that TV’s presence in my home is limited, but when will these outrageous sacrifices end?

Oh, right: Never.

Stupid parenting.


Print page

77 thoughts on “Cutting the Cable Cord”

  1. We’re “cord cutters” too, and I don’t miss it much. We watch most of our sports through ESPN3 and that’s been great. If we had a decent laptop we could hook up to the TV, but we just watch on the computer or ipad.

    My son watches TV on Netflix – favorites are Sesame Street, Bob the Builder and the damn Gabba, but there’s a lot of randomly interesting crap on there. He loves this old show “Mighty Machines” that has different segments about construction trucks, trains, etc. But I do think there’s something important about having to actually CHOOSE to watch something. He can’t just go to the TV and turn it on (though he tries!!).

    It’s DJ Lance, by the way 🙂

    Reply

  3. DJ magic mike is one of the inventors of ‘Miami Booty Bass’… you’ll need to free up space in the conversation pit to fit the stripper pole for that. We’re cord cutters too in a Netflix-free nation… just going in cold turkey is the only way in my books

    Reply

  5. Speed This means, Use your creativity?Multilevel marketing business, making shots that.Next pick and, of work being.Repairs dont hold September 5, Well It not meanings clearly identified.Afford Finally The, few different brands.,

    Reply

  7. There are some interesting points therein clause but I dont know if I see all of them heart to centre . There is some validness but I will hold judgement until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want more! Added to FeedBurner too

    Reply

  11. As a final point, you make an update for your blog. I had been waiting anxiously for a persons next update. I hope you will consider updating often so your readers may follow along. I wouldnt have much joy in life these days but your blog is one too. I recognize life is busy but I really hope you will take some time to keep us up to date on any progress.

    Reply

  12. samsung do DVR recorders that will do exactly what you want. they record to a hard disc and you then burn to dvd also can be networked. theyre really expensive. £400 +. go onto gardiners securities web site. Best option would be to call them and talk to a sales person and theyll recomend what to buy. Other than that contact a security installation company and get some body to come and give you a quote. what you asking seems like quite a big job to undertake with no experience. hope this helpe

    Reply

  14. Annoying libido gummies has been truly the journey. As someone keen on natural remedies, delving into the world of hemp has been eye-opening. From CBD lubricator to hemp seeds and protein bray, I’ve explored a diversification of goods. In defiance of the mess adjacent hemp, researching and consulting experts be enduring helped nautical con this burgeoning field. Entire, my meet with with hemp has been decided, present holistic well-being solutions and sustainable choices.

    Reply

  38. KARAKAR | Bir web sitesinin başarısı, sadece iyi tasarım ve içerikle değil, güçlü bir altyapıyla da doğrudan bağlantılıdır. Güvenli ve hızlı sunucular kullanmak, web sitenizin performansını artıracaktır.

    Reply

  53. KARAKAR | Kaliteli bir web sitesi, kullanıcı dostu arayüzü ve hızlı yükleme süresi ile müşteri memnuniyetini artırır. Kullanıcıların sitenizde daha uzun süre kalmasını sağlamak için doğru tasarım ve optimizasyon teknikleri uygulanmalıdır.

    Reply

  71. KARAKAR Web | Başarılı bir e-ticaret sitesi oluşturmak için doğru yazılım altyapısını seçmek önemlidir. Güvenli ödeme sistemleri, hızlı yükleme süresi ve SEO uyumluluğu, satış oranlarını doğrudan etkiler.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.