Seema Boesky
Sex, Drugs, and Television?
I think of myself as a relatively intelligent woman who has spent her time wisely with loving family and friends. I’ve had my fair share of accomplishments too, with few regrets and no desire to change much about my life. That is, until I had lunch with a group of lady friends recently. It was a rude awakening that caused me to reassess my entire life!
These were women I greatly respect and admire, each a leader who has successfully balanced work and family life. After we ordered our meals, one asked, “So, what is everyone liking on television these days?” In typical Seema fashion, I jumped right in with a response.
“After ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Sex and the City,’ I thought nothing would ever compare, but I was so wrong!” Then I rattled off my current favorites, until their ready smiles were turned to shock and dismay. I had clearly embarrassed myself, so I feebly tried to backtrack. “I don’t really follow all of these,” I murmured. Thankfully, someone changed the subject.
Their surprise made me wonder how much time I really do spend on mindless programs. That I had so readily admitted to “Treme,” “Madmen,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Bachelor,” “Private Practice,” “Weeds,” and “Californication”–starring its very own admitted sex addict, David Duchovny, made me question if something was seriously wrong with me.
My preferred shows hardly qualify as “higher education.” In fact, nothing I record does! It seems that all I’m interested in is sex and drugs, or a combination of the two. There was a time when my preference was for news or educational shows like those found on The History Channel. So what happened? When and how did this transformation take place, and can I overdose on sex and drugs simply by watching them?
I feel an unhealthy addiction coming on! When a power surge erases a recorded program or otherwise causes my DVR to malfunction, I’m way out of control. If my remote switches channels unexpectedly during a torrid bedroom scene, I nearly have heart failure!
Years ago, I forbade televisions in the bedrooms. Today, I have one in every room; even the bathrooms! And my kitchen has—yikes—two sets! Television is usurping my life! Have I turned into a shallow person who has lost her way…or have my friends lost theirs? I take some consolation in knowing that my selections are among America’s most popular shows, so millions of viewers are watching with me. Why aren’t my friends among them?
And, come to think of it, why do men get a free pass? Why aren’t they considered bubble heads when they squander their intellect? After all, it’s a known fact that men have multiple thoughts of sex daily, and devote much of their leisure time to thinking about women. When they aren’t so preoccupied, they are either attending a sports event or watching one. And men ENJOY commercials! At least I don’t waste my precious time on ads! But this knowledge hasn’t assuaged my feelings of guilt. Could sitting in front of the boob tube watching sex and drugs be the real reason my to-do list numbers in the triple digits?
To resolve this matter once and for all, I have decided to take serious inventory of how I spend my time to better understand who I’ve become and why. Yes, and I intend to seek professional guidance in an effort to make a positive change. I will record “Dr. Oz,” “Dr. Phil,” and “Oprah.” With their help, I should be cured by year’s end! Of course, I’ll continue recording everything missed during those hours, for future viewing.
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