Top Ten things Not to do When Trying to Decide What to Watch on TV

October 4, 2021 · by John W. Howell · in top ten things not to do · 73 Comments

I originally published this list on October 6th, 2014. I hope you enjoy it.

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Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Top Ten Things Not to do When Trying to Decide What to Watch on TV

This list was inspired by a recent visit to a friend’s house and observing how the friend decided which shows to watch.

10 If you are trying to decide which TV show to watch, do not take a suggestion from anyone ages fourteen to eighteen. If you do, at best, you will be lost in the translation. At worst, you will see and hear things that will keep you up at night.

9 If you are trying to decide which TV show to watch, do not use the newspaper reviews as a guide to good programming. If you do, at best, you will be asleep earlier than usual. At worst, you might find yourself wondering if you should discontinue your cable service.

8 If you are trying to decide which TV show to watch, don’t ask someone else what they want to watch. If you do, at best, you will get an icy stare when you ignore the suggestion. At worst, you may end up watching this and other shows in the privacy of the garage.

7 If you are trying to decide which TV show to watch, do not scroll through the guide hoping something good will jump out at you. If you do, at best, you will have to review one-hundred and sixty channels that are basically the same. At worst, those in the room may call an audible, and you will lose your remote privileges for heaven knows how long.

6 If you are trying to decide which TV show to watch, do not call a friend for a suggestion. If you do, at best, the friend will want a report on the show. At worst, you will hate it and either lie to the friend or hurt their feelings.

5 If you are trying to decide which TV show to watch and your in-laws are there, simply hand over the remote. If you don’t, at best, they’ll miss their favorite show and hate you forever. At worst, they might like your selection and decide to return on the nights that it is on since they can’t remember which channel to tune.

4 If you are trying to decide which TV show to watch and your significant other wants to do something else, turn the set-off. If you don’t, at best, you will be watching the show alone. At worst, you might be watching the show, and it will be your only company for the long cold winter.

3 If you are trying to decide which TV show to watch, do not rely on the network hype about the “best new show of the season.” If you do, you do, at best, you might waste a half hour. At worst, you might waste a whole night depending on how many network hypes you followed.

2 If you are trying to decide which show to watch on TV, do not think the DVR will help. If you do, at best, you may end up with a bunch of shows and no disk space. At worst, you may have recorded all the clinkers of the season and, while reviewing them, miss the best.

1 If you are trying to decide which show to watch on TV, do not use any gambling prop like dice to help with the decision. If you do, at best, the odds of getting something you want to watch are the same as getting a lousy program. At worst, your prop will be no more favorable to you in selecting an excellent show to watch than it has been in delivering your sure thing, lotto win.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, Eternal Road - The final stop, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, My GRL, Our Justice, The Contract with Gwen Plano, Top Ten Things Not to Do

73 comments

Klausbernd · October 4, 2021 - 4:33 am ·

Absolutely GREAT, dear John 👍
Now we know why we don’t have a TV.
Wishing you a happy week
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 6:52 am ·
  
  Very smart decision , Klausbernd. 😊
  
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Jill Weatherholt · October 4, 2021 - 5:15 am ·

Great list, John! I never have these problems with books.😉

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1. Liz Gauffreau · October 4, 2021 - 5:24 am ·
  
  Good point, Jill!
  
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  1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 6:55 am ·
    
    😊
    
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2. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 6:53 am ·
  
  Very true, Jill. 😂
  
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shoreacres · October 4, 2021 - 5:27 am ·

No decisions necessary here. It’s a great list, but I tossed the televisions in 2011.

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 8:34 am ·
  
  Good decision, Linda. 😁
  
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Liz Gauffreau · October 4, 2021 - 5:28 am ·

I always think #7 will work–but it never does.

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 8:46 am ·
  
  That one is always a disappointment. Thanks, Liz.
  
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  1. Liz Gauffreau · October 4, 2021 - 11:25 am ·
    
    You’re welcome, John.
    
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davidprosser · October 4, 2021 - 5:52 am ·

Good advice John. I read them so closely I missed the best programmes on TV.. Oh well, there’s always the radio.
Hugs

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 8:46 am ·
  
  The radio might be the better choice. Thanks, David.
  
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Joan Hall · October 4, 2021 - 6:01 am ·

Love all these, John. We recently disconnected Dish network and haven’t regretted it. All those channels and nothing on! Had to chuckle about number 10.

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 8:48 am ·
  
  And the fact that we pay through the nose to have nothing on is what gets me. Good for you on the disconnect.
  
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  1. Joan Hall · October 4, 2021 - 11:25 am ·
    
    We honestly haven’t missed it.
    
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Dan Antion · October 4, 2021 - 6:02 am ·

Good list, John. I think I’ve done No. 9 at least a few times. I’ve also flipped back and forth between a good show and a good game, missing the best parts of both.

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 8:49 am ·
  
  I was doing that Saturday. Notre Dame, Baylor and WVU all took a loss.
  
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  1. Dan Antion · October 4, 2021 - 3:46 pm ·
    
    I only saw WVU, but it was sad.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 5:33 pm ·
    
    Yes it was. No more sad than Notre Dame and Baylor. Both were outplayed.
    
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coldhandboyack · October 4, 2021 - 6:20 am ·

I’ve had the failure in #2 happen to me.

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 8:53 am ·
  
  I think we all have. I love it when all the recorded shows are old reruns that the DVR picked up. We used to be able to set the DVR to record only new shows but that feature is no longer available.
  
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Charles Yallowitz · October 4, 2021 - 6:40 am ·

Not sure about #10. I’ve seen the mysteries and crime shows my parents watch. Those can get really messed up.

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:04 am ·
  
  Yes, indeed. I could add don’t take the advice of any one over 60 as well.
  
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  1. Charles Yallowitz · October 4, 2021 - 9:19 am ·
    
    True. Only listen to us maniacs in our 40’s.
    
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Gwen M. Plano · October 4, 2021 - 7:16 am ·

This is a great list, John! #10 had me laughing out loud. I’m not a TV person, though I watch movies with hubby. BUT I rarely understand ads. I think they must be created for the younger generation or maybe the aliens among us. 😂 Have a wonderful day!

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:07 am ·
  
  Ads are a bit of a mystery for sure. Thanks, Gwen.
  
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Teri Polen · October 4, 2021 - 7:52 am ·

Hubby does #7 regularly – drives me crazy.

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:08 am ·
  
  Drives all women crazy.
  
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T. W. Dittmer · October 4, 2021 - 8:12 am ·

Good one, John. 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:09 am ·
  
  Thank you, Tim
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan Sikes · October 4, 2021 - 9:04 am ·

Good advice, John! #9 is almost obsolete. Does anyone have cable anymore?

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:11 am ·
  
  A lot of it around here. Always hear the hue and cry when it goes out.
  
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Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister · October 4, 2021 - 9:10 am ·

I’m a scroll the guide girl and it seems I may need to increase the font a bit. 🤣 And spent the better part of my evening in another area of the house because its October and teenagers watch things that keep me up at night. The joys of parenthood. Read this list then and now and it is still fun!

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:13 am ·
  
  I’m glad you enjoyed it again, Audrey. You have a remarkable memory. I didn’t even remember writing it in the first place. 🤣
  
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  1. Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister · October 4, 2021 - 9:18 am ·
    
    Haha. Well my memory fades in and out innthe moment. Things I read stick with me and when a talented friend writes who could forget?! ♡
    
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noelleg44 · October 4, 2021 - 9:16 am ·

So true, John. We often fail miserably by relying on newspaper reviews and network hypes. We must be too gullible.

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D.L. Finn, Author · October 4, 2021 - 10:45 am ·

Fun post, John 🙂 If I can’t decide it’s time to shut it off and read.

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mindbeautysimplicity · October 4, 2021 - 11:17 am ·

haha this post made me laugh. great list, john.

B | https://mindbeautysimplicity.wordpress.com/2021/10/04/what-to-watch-this-october/

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Baydreamer · October 4, 2021 - 11:19 am ·

Great list, John, and #10 cracked me up! 🙂

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Debbie · October 4, 2021 - 12:16 pm ·

There are so few programs I watch on TV nowadays that I’d probably be ahead by tossing the entire thing out the window, John. Good list, though, and I appreciate your reminding me why having a TV can be … controversial(?) … um, challenging.

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GP · October 4, 2021 - 12:55 pm ·

This list was outstanding – never could yu be more right on each one!! lol

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B R Chitwood - My Mission: Writing to Discover Me · October 4, 2021 - 3:18 pm ·

💕💗😇

Billy Ray Chitwood

https://www.billyraychitwood.com http://about.me/brchitwood

On Mon, Oct 4, 2021 at 2:01 AM Fiction Favorites wrote:

> John W. Howell posted: “I originally published this list on October 6th, > 2014. I hope you enjoy it. * * * Top Ten Things Not to do When Trying to > Decide What to Watch on TV This list was inspired by a recent visit to a > friend’s house and observing how the friend dec” >

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 5:31 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Billy Ray
  
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Sorryless · October 4, 2021 - 4:38 pm ·

This post had me wondering what my system for watching a show is. And really, it could probably be Number 11 on your list because it’s so random as to almost be gambling itself!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 5:38 pm ·
  
  They should have chambers on the remote that we could twirl.
  
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  1. Sorryless · October 4, 2021 - 5:39 pm ·
    
    It’s not too much to ask.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  2. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 5:44 pm ·
    
    Could be called the Peacemaker remote.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  3. Sorryless · October 4, 2021 - 5:45 pm ·
    
    You’re a genius.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  4. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:04 pm ·
    
    😁
    
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Resa · October 4, 2021 - 4:57 pm ·

LOLOL!
#5 is a Gem!

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 5:43 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Resa. I remember my in-laws coming over for TV.
  
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  1. Resa · October 5, 2021 - 12:01 pm ·
    
    😂🤣
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 5, 2021 - 5:45 pm ·
    
    🤣
    
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Book Club Mom · October 4, 2021 - 7:44 pm ·

Good advice, John. And your last one highlights the fact that watching television is a gamble at best!

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:02 pm ·
  
  Yes it is.
  
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petespringerauthor · October 4, 2021 - 9:07 pm ·

Super list, John! I would say that #4 registered the most with me. No television program is worth messing up your marriage.

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1. John W. Howell · October 4, 2021 - 9:11 pm ·
  
  If a marriage can be messed up by television, you have to wonder. Thanks, Pete.
  
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  1. petespringerauthor · October 4, 2021 - 9:51 pm ·
    
    True. 🤣
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
OIKOS™- Art, Books & more · October 5, 2021 - 5:00 am ·

Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.

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1. John W. Howell · October 5, 2021 - 7:16 am ·
  
  Thank you, Michael. 😊
  
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OIKOS™- Art, Books & more · October 5, 2021 - 5:01 am ·

I love your “Top Then Things”, John! Thank you for sharing another one, also for fun. 😉 xx Michael

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1. John W. Howell · October 5, 2021 - 7:16 am ·
  
  Always nice to hear you like them, Michael.
  
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Andrew Joyce · October 5, 2021 - 3:49 pm ·

My vote is for #5. A very smart move.

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Dale · October 6, 2021 - 2:12 pm ·

I know I’m breaking the rules but there are times where something is suggested and it turns out fabulous (something I would never have considered watching in the first place!)

Always a fun list (and I am so far behind!)

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1. John W. Howell · October 6, 2021 - 5:31 pm ·
  
  I have had that happen. Not often though. Don’t worry about being behind. You are okay though ,right?
  
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  1. Dale · October 6, 2021 - 7:10 pm ·
    
    There are some pleasant surprises, for sure.
    Oh, I’m fine. No worries. I’ve been trying to step away from the computer. Which I did when I went up to my aunt’s for part of the weekend. Felt nice.
    
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  2. John W. Howell · October 6, 2021 - 9:39 pm ·
    
    Stepping away from a computer is always is a good thing. 😊
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  3. Dale · October 7, 2021 - 6:57 am ·
    
    I think so. 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennie · October 10, 2021 - 9:12 am ·

Haha! The remote is as complicated as the five million choices on TV.

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · October 10, 2021 - 9:16 am ·
  
  😁
  
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markbierman · October 13, 2021 - 6:51 am ·

Reading this post reminds me of that Bruce Springsteen song, “57 Channels and Nothin’ On.” 🙂

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1. John W. Howell · October 13, 2021 - 7:32 am ·
  
  Good song for sure. Thanks, Mark.
  
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