The Problem with the DVR

Ok, before you drop your laptops on the ground in a rush to hug your DVR, assuring it that there is no problem with it at all, please understand this: I have been a fan of the idea of skipping commercials, recording TV on one channel while watching another, and can generally agree that this device saves time.

Same with watching television shows on DVD. I love watching my Gilmore Girls one commercial-free episode at a time while I do other mundane things like laundry. However, I have started missing something.

I think that I have become less of a "gotta have it" consumer and more of a "I'm out of this thing called food and should probably replace what I've eaten" consumer. I know, it's long. But it's the truth. Having missed out on innumerable commercials for the past few years has probably brought about this change in me. Either that, or the birthdays that keep coming have increased my wisdom.

But here it is: I miss commercials. Not only do they fascinate me when I happen to see one (sometimes, and only because I rarely see any at all), but they served a special function in my life. They were a nice gap between laughs, space between clues in a mystery, opportunities to grab tissues during tearjerker episodes.

Sure, I can pause my DVR or DVD player, but that's not the point. First of all, it irritates me when things get paused because it's generally not a great time and dialogue gets messed up or missed. Rewinding happens and therefore, rewatching what you JUST SAW happens. I don't like it. Second, and this is most important, I really liked having the opportunity to comment on what just happened with the person next to me.

Commercials are strategically timed within episodes. They happen at cliffhanger moments, just when a person (ok, it could be just me) would want to turn around and say "hey! I bet __________ is about to happen!" or "Ooooh, that was awesome." Perhaps you just want to get up to get a beverage or use the "facilities." Commercials provided you with a convenient window to do all of those things without inconveniencing the other people in the room. No waiting for Jane to come back from the bathroom. Bob can make a joke about the main character's lack of masculinity and no one has missed anything in the episode. Main character doesn't get paused mid-sentence. Nothing is interrupted and you get to benefit from Bob's quick wit.

I'm sure that I'm mostly alone in this and that people are completely satisfied with their television watching. I'm just a bit sad to see the commercial break (which, by the way, was originally invented to sell cereal) fade into obscurity. Even if it is pretty trivial when it comes to actual content, it provided an opportunity for connection with the person or people you're next to.

That is all.

Mrs. V