If there is still a "battle of the sexes", consider this the primary battleground.
I'm confident both men and women will agree with my point.
In general, I believe most women have a VERY low tolerance for what is viewed on TV.
I also believe, in general, most guys will watch ANYTHING on the tube, just because it moves.
For example, no matter how many times it's on, I will ALWAYS watch any "Rocky", "Godfather", Mel Brooks comedy, or "Star Trek" episode/movie, even though I can quote the dialogue word for word.
While I use my wife Nancy as an example, I have seen the same behavior in my mother-in-law. A random poll of the News Room seems to echo my sentiments. As a matter of fact, Chuck Custer cowered in fear when I brought up the subject.
I am also allowing programs that are mostly "guy" oriented anyway; sports, the Three Stooges, and "adult" channels.
The focus is on TV programs and movies.
It is my belief when women were created, they were given what I call an internal "Junk-O-Meter"
(I can easily use a different word than "junk", but we are family friendly).
In Nancy, hers goes off after watching what she considers "junk" no more than five minutes into the program.
When it does, I will hear one of the following;
"Turn it now."
"Record it and watch it on your own time."
"What were you thinking?"
Occasionally, I don't get a single word, just "the stare". I've learned to never question that.
When it comes to me and the shows Nancy likes to watch, I've learned to just give up.
When I see she's watching "What Not To Wear", certain cooking shows and most dance shows, I half pay attention while I hit my magazines.
When there's no magazines, it's time to clean up after dinner or hit the computer.
Finally, experience has taught me that no matter what I say, I can/will NEVER change her mind, so why even bother?
I consider it a compromise so I can watch wrestling.
And for that, at least I have my grandsons to watch with me.
They'll learn the cold hard facts of life soon enough.
Mike Patrick
