Miss old TV | Mumsnet

Finlesswonder · 2023-10-07T22:56:57+00:00

I miss old TV. When you didn't have to make a decision. You just just flicked between the channels and thought "urgh this looks shit" but an hour later you were engrossed

NoNoHellaNoNoHellaNoNo · 08/10/2023 00:03

Can’t you do that now? There are 100s more channels of shit to flick through too.

CesareBorgia · 08/10/2023 00:09

Remember when Pink Floyd's lyric 'I've got 13 channels of shit on the TV to choose from' seemed like a wildly amazing number of channels?

Also remember my awe aged about nine, when someone at school with relatives in the USA told us 'they've got a channel that shows children's programmes all day"

What I didn't realise in the 80s was that a larger number of channels on the TV simply means the decent programmes are spread more thinly.

runoutofgoodusernames · 08/10/2023 00:12

Totally agree. The problem is, so much shite to choose from I don’t bother. It’s overwhelming. When there were fewer channels life was so much easier. Sighhh.

Lancrelady80 · 08/10/2023 00:14

Yes! Had this conversation with dh the other night. We all grew up with this shared knowledge of things because the choice was limited, and so whether we liked it or not we were exposed to The Great Escape, West Side Story, James Bond, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Magnificent Seven, The Sound of Music etc etc. Every bank holiday for years there would be some combination of those and we just kind of absorbed bits whether we were actually watching or not. And then there were things which drew you in even if you weren't bothered until you realised you had found something great you would never have actively chosen. Now there is so much choice you have to actively search things out, and that collective sense of shared experiences can't develop.

Saoirse82 · 08/10/2023 00:15

Same, we appreciated (and enjoyed) any aul shite back then when there were only 4 channels. I hardly watch TV at all now.

Sugarfree23 · 08/10/2023 00:15

Agreed, limited channels also meant everyone watched the same shit so had something to talk about at work the next day.

It bugs me that so much sport is only available if you splash the cash. Kids aren't exposed to as much sport as they used to be. I really miss things like Paddles Up and Kick Start (kayak & motorbike programmes)

Chickenkeev · 08/10/2023 00:16

Permanent Tipping Point now. No escape.

Flymetothetoon · 08/10/2023 00:21

I remember when there was only 2 channels full time - BBC2 was only part of the day and when it wasn't broadcast you had the Testcard.

CesareBorgia · 08/10/2023 00:26

I remember the test card. If I was waiting for something to start, I used sometimes to shout into the speaker on the TV over the testcard music, imagining that others might be able to hear me and respond.

Also, on the BBC, to fill in gaps between programmes, they'd put on a slide showing the upcoming programme, or a list of what was on that afternoon/evening. Trailers as we know them now were relatively rare, and no idents with dancers or sportspeople etc. just the channel's logo or the BBC globe.

Gowlett · 08/10/2023 00:34

Hate it. We have so many channels here, and I have no idea how to work with DH elaborate tech set-up. Toddler knows more about the remote than I do. I don’t watch anything apart from Friends repeats. I used to enjoy television… Plus I hate the TV itself. It’s fucking huge, ugly & the picture is flat. It looks terrible in my lounge. I’d happily live without the damn thing!

runoutofgoodusernames · 08/10/2023 00:38

Gowlett · 08/10/2023 00:34

Hate it. We have so many channels here, and I have no idea how to work with DH elaborate tech set-up. Toddler knows more about the remote than I do. I don’t watch anything apart from Friends repeats. I used to enjoy television… Plus I hate the TV itself. It’s fucking huge, ugly & the picture is flat. It looks terrible in my lounge. I’d happily live without the damn thing!

That made me chuckle! I hate it too. In my fantasy world my living room would be a tranquil area with ambient lighting and a reading corner. And no bloody great flat screened monstrosity!!! Bloody men!! 😂

Rosykitten · 08/10/2023 00:43

Lancrelady80 · 08/10/2023 00:14

Yes! Had this conversation with dh the other night. We all grew up with this shared knowledge of things because the choice was limited, and so whether we liked it or not we were exposed to The Great Escape, West Side Story, James Bond, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, The Magnificent Seven, The Sound of Music etc etc. Every bank holiday for years there would be some combination of those and we just kind of absorbed bits whether we were actually watching or not. And then there were things which drew you in even if you weren't bothered until you realised you had found something great you would never have actively chosen. Now there is so much choice you have to actively search things out, and that collective sense of shared experiences can't develop.

This is such a good point and one I've tried to voice to my DH but couldn't put into words. I've said the DCs won't have grown up watching X or if they have then their friends haven't necessarily, or vice versa, and he would say "but they can just search for it and watch it any time". It's still not the same as, like you say, collectively watching something because it was on one of the few channels.

CesareBorgia · 08/10/2023 00:47

I've said the DCs won't have grown up watching X or if they have then their friends haven't necessarily, or vice versa

When I was a student, lounging in someone's room discussing half-remembered TV programmes from childhood until 2:45 am was almost compulsory. Trying to list the full complement of Whacky Racers (which, of course, nowadays would be Googled in seconds, taking the fun out of it).

GilChesterton13 · 08/10/2023 00:49

I miss how you'd get all excited about a good film coming on TV, like at Xmas when Jaws or Watership Down or Raiders of the Lost Ark would be on, or ITV would have their big film 'premiere' - not the same now that you can get anything at any time.

Sugarfree23 · 08/10/2023 00:50

Kids seem to watch the same stuff binge watch a series from beginning to end Zero variety.

Dunnoburt · 08/10/2023 00:53

Ahhhh I remember being sooooo lucky to have Nickelodeon when i was about 14.....Hang Time...Sabrina.....Kenan and Kel....Sister Sister....Secret world of Alex Mac 🤣.....too much choice nowadays!!!

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 08/10/2023 00:57

Saoirse82 · 08/10/2023 00:15

Same, we appreciated (and enjoyed) any aul shite back then when there were only 4 channels. I hardly watch TV at all now.

And because there was no heating except the coal fire everyone sat in the one room and you had to watch the shite (Benny Hill) your parents (Dad) watched .

Sloelydoesit · 08/10/2023 00:57

I still get excited when I see a much loved movie being played on terrestrial. It's like my choice has been validated

Netflix in the old days.... Go down to Blockbuster. Browse the selection. Hope it was in stock. If it was you were committed

I do love the choice these days. But also hate the procrastination

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 08/10/2023 01:00

I do remember me and my siblings getting up before our parents and watching the test card waiting for Bagpuss coming on.

CesareBorgia · 08/10/2023 01:02

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 08/10/2023 00:57

And because there was no heating except the coal fire everyone sat in the one room and you had to watch the shite (Benny Hill) your parents (Dad) watched .

Show quote history

My dad made us all sit through 'The Money Programme'. Its stupid farty theme heralded half an hour of deep boredom.

Sugarfree23 · 08/10/2023 01:06

Haha I'd forgotten about the Money Program no clue what it was about but id bet youd now get the info in 20 sec via Google 😅

I also miss the wildlife programmes

Appalonia · 08/10/2023 01:08

Yes, apart from things like Strictly ( and some sport ), TV is no longer a shared experience anymore, which is sad 😢

GilChesterton13 · 08/10/2023 01:08

*Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · Today 01:00

I do remember me and my siblings getting up before our parents and watching the test card waiting for Bagpuss coming on.*

I remember me and my brother sitting in front of our two bar fire watching Gordon Honeycomb on TV-AM...

Guiltyfeethavegotnorhythm0 · 08/10/2023 01:09

@CesareBorgia That's funny as years ago my husband spoke to me previously that his dad made them go through the Money programme too . I don't know why as they had no money to speak of but maybe that was the point .

Appalonia · 08/10/2023 01:10

And I hate it when there's a review of a series that looks really good, but it's on Apple or Disney or Hulu etc, which means I can't watch it! 😢