TV Talk

I have this theory that TV exists for two forms of entertainment: primary and secondary.

The primary form, of course, is the joy we get from laughing out loud/cringing in horror as we watch the latest twists and turns on our favorite shows. We are also entertained by the regularity of it; you know that every Thursday night from 10 — 11 PM (with the exception of this horrible winter hiatus) you will be at the mercy of Shonda Rhimes' writing, subject to any emotions she forces you to feel. And you love it.

The secondary form, however, is less obvious (at least at first). TV exists so that we–as Americans–have something to talk about, argue, and bond over that is not politically charged or controversial. The biggest arguments are usually whether or not so-and-so deserved to be eliminated on Dancing With the Stars (no, she didn't) or how much nudity was in the season premiere of Girls (an expected amount). We can go to work/school each weekday morning eager to discuss with our colleagues/classmates what we think about the latest plot, what we think is going to happen next week, how we would do it differently if we were the writers of the show, etc. 

It's crazy, actually. I know television has been part of our society for a long time now (and of course, for my entire lifetime), but seeing as it occupies so much of our current conversations, I can't help but wonder what people talked about before the existence of primetime television shows. 

I would spend more time thinking about it, but I have to catch up on Parks & Recreation before someone spoils it for me.