Winter before Christmas is
delightful. Picturesque snowfalls and brisk temperatures enhance the holidays
and traditions of the season. But come January most of us have had enough.
Unfortunately, winter never gets that memo, and lingers like an unwanted
houseguest for months.
Television becomes a more
desirable (or at least, more attainable) entertainment option on cold winter
nights. Maybe that’s why I’ve always felt that classic TV viewing, which is
hardly a seasonal pastime, somehow feels more satisfying when it’s cold
outside.
Of course, no advance
preparation is necessary for spending a few hours with the great programs of the
past – just pop in a DVD or find a few vintage shows on your streaming service
of choice, or on nostalgia networks like MeTV and Cozi, and you’re good to go.
But with a little extra effort you can turn this activity into a memorable
evening perfect for sharing with family and friends, or even when you’re by
yourself.
As someone who spends more
time in TV land than the average citizen, I’ve developed a few viewing habits
that always accentuate the occasion, which I now humbly share for your
consideration.
Let’s start with room
preparation. Some prefer to watch TV in the dark, as a way to create a more
theatrical experience and to help center everyone’s focus on the program. There
is something to be said for this, but watching television is not the same as
watching movies, and most of us are more accustomed to normal room lighting. My
preference is to split the difference – low light, perhaps from one lamp not
too close to the screen, so the room is somewhat darkened but still bright
enough that you won’t bang your shin on a coffee table en route to the
bathroom.
I like to keep the
temperature on the cool side, as this creates an appropriate environment for
the incorporation of pillows, quilts and blankets, the ultimate comfort
providers for comfort TV viewing. Two options here: drape them over the couch,
or toss them into a haphazard pile on the floor in front of the screen. If you
grew up with the shows you are watching, that’s the vantage point from where
you probably saw them for the first time.
Pajamas are the obvious
choice of attire, even if your evening is a communal occasion. Tell those you
invite to come prepared. There’s nothing wrong with a slumber party even at
your age.
Food and drink are also
necessary, and there are no restrictions on your menu options save one –
nothing that is served should in any way be considered healthy. Pizza delivery
is never a bad idea, served with anything from wine to soft drinks. If snacks
are more appropriate there’s chips, popcorn (try a caramel/cheddar mix) or
sugar-coated cereal served in bowls on (what else?) TV trays. If you dwell in
one of those regions where January isn’t fooling around when it comes to frozen
conditions, another option is hot cocoa paired with a bakery item like spice
cake.
And now, with everything
else in place, all that is left to determine is what to watch.
Even when a small gathering
of classic TV fans get together, it may not be easy to reach a consensus. One
solution would be to have everyone bring a DVD with a favorite episode of a
favorite show. Or choose a theme –perhaps detective shows or family sitcoms, or
television from the 1950s (or 60s, 70s. etc.).
Another suggestion is to
recreate a network program lineup from decades past, something I’ve often
enjoyed doing (as covered in a previous blog). Or build an evening
around guest-starring roles from one actor – for instance, check out John
Wayne’s appearances on I Love Lucy,
The Beverly Hillbillies, The
Dean Martin Show and Maude.
Do you have any rituals or
comfort TV viewing preferences? Please share them – we could all use some fresh
ideas for getting through what’s left of these long, dark winter nights.