| I love television, and consider a contest over who watches the least preposterous. There are all kinds of movies, some pretty good sitcoms, and drama series of distinction, like NYPD Blue. I often read with the tv on, or spend time talking to my wife and child; my son spends most evenings on the computer; and we go out when there is something good to do. But the tv is the contemporary hearth, and it is always pleasant to revisit a favorite episode of the Simpson's or MASH, stop the conversation or look up from one's book, and chuckle over a good scene. And if I am tired, and need to vary my sensory input, moving from reading to watching a series drama or a movie can be very refreshing. I watched a documentary last night on Turner Classic Movies, "My Voyage to Italy", by Martin Scorsese, about classic Italian directors. Some movies I had not seen went on my "to do" list; I savored the recollection of some others; and the segment on Fellini, a personal favorite, put tears in my eyes. Recently, I saw Pedro Almoldovar's "All About My Mother" again, and was once more moved; saw "To Kill A Mockingbird", and savored Atticus Finch's invincible rectitude; and caught "My Favorite Year", which is one of the warmest comedies of the '80s, and gave me good cheer. I have seen artless travelogues of Naples, Rome, and Florence, all the more valuable for being shot plainly, and watched arch re- runs of Seinfeld. What I cannot understand is those people who watch sports, when there is so much else on........ |
