BS: Do women watch more TV than men?

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 09:26 AM

Well, in comedy, at least,the characters are generally worse than Aristotle's average. But I meant not that t.v. represents cultural reality in its depiction of characters but is a cultural reality itself. It's handy to know some for reference. As I said on another thread, the better efforts tend to fail because nobody watches them. And many people thought literature was escapist garbage long ago, and they were mostly correct. The good stuff grows out of the mud.

Why should anyone want to stay in touch with cultural reality? To help you communicate with people you find hard to relate to, so you can share the good you know with them, and be surprised once in awhile that there's more to them than you'd have guessed. To be an open sort of person, is my reason. But maybe I just have to make an effort, and it comes more naturally to other people.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 06:19 PM

Why should anyone want to stay in touch with cultural reality?

But in any case, most people you meet in real life are reasonably decent people who get along reasonably well with others in spite of disagreements. (Not unlike the Mudcat.) There are of course exceptions. (As there are here.)

Most people you meet on TV seem to be crazed ego-maniacs, and if they moved in next door you'd be desperately trying to move yourself. Even when I emjoy watching this kind of thing, I hope it's not cultural reality, and I don't believe it is. (And even if it is the case, I refuse to believe it's the truth.)

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 10:54 AM

Wolfgang, it's not that amazing really, since James asked for other experiences, rather than survey data. Little Hawk--you're nuts, guy-- most people interested in fiction and theatre as art ought to know a bit of t.v., if only for the commercials, and there's some very good stuff here and there. Whether one tapes or watches is merely an expedient choice.

   I always like to try to see the oscars, because it restores my lack of faith in humankind. If you go around listening to sane intelligent sources all the time, you lose touch with cultural reality.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: wilco
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 10:35 AM

My take would be to ask the question concerning the availability of various types of television programing, and if there is more TV viewing in households with wider selections (cable or dishes).
   Also, someone who is home-bound would probably use the TV more.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Wolfgang
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 10:06 AM

I am always amazed when Mudcatters answer with personal experiences to a general question.
Survey data from Germany show unequivocally that the response for Germany is YES.

Two reasons for that comes easily to mind (and I could think of more):
(1) old people watch more (for lack of other opportunities to spend the time) and an old person is more likely than not female.
(2) The probability to sit without job at home is still higher for women. So what do you do when you sit at home during day time?

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: bflat
Date: 01 Nov 02 - 12:26 AM

Not in my house.

Ellen

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: mg
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 10:46 PM

I watch Bob Villa marathons...I love him but I love Norm Abrams even more. Don't care for the new guy that Norm is now with. That was a great team..like Lucy and Ethel..Abbott and Costello..and remember the comedy about a bunch of young African-Americans..and one was the maintenance supervisor for the apartment and he worshipped the ground Bob Villa walked on. He was absolutely hilarious..wish I could remember his name. He was later on another show but just didn't have as funny a character... mg

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 07:48 PM

I think women are more likely to notice that something needs doing that should take priority over watching TV.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: GUEST,Bill
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 07:39 PM

Yes
Bill

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Bearheart
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 03:52 PM

Have a TV that was given to us and a VCR too. We don't watch television, very occasionally a movie.
I spend my leisure time playing music; beading and making jewelry while my husband reads me Terry Pratchett novels (mostly); writing; painting.

I love chocolate but try to avoid icky chocolate. Dark chocolate and organic when possible; this makes my chocolate consumption self-limiting. Otherwise I'd have no self-control at all.

Beer: I am really picky. Home-made stout when I can get it. Guiness when out on the town. Occasionally some other interesting dark beer.
But I try not to make a habit of it. (Another of those fattening foods...)

Bekki

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 03:05 PM

Yes, Morticia!

I finally -- about 17 years later -- got to watch the whole series (and without having to wait a week between episodes). My sister moved to San Francisco from Milwaukee and de-accessioned a bunch of videotapes to me (in New Hampshire), including "Brideshead" (and "Lillie" and "Flambards" and piles of movies). But thanks for your offer!

I usually know whatever I need to know about TV without actually watching it (from reading or what people are talking about) -- and if there's something I need to see ("Twin Peaks" comes to mind, "Homicide" and the occasional "X-File"), I get somebody to tape it for me. Then, when the phone rings, I don't miss anything. (And I can go to the bathroom as well -- or go downstairs for a snack or just stop the tape and finish it the next evening.)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 11:51 AM

I don't know if women watch more TV than men on average, but I do know that my mother watches more TV than anyone else I have ever seen, and she totally dominates the choice of what is on (over my father, I mean). I hardly care. I don't watch TV at all most of the time and have never owned one.

I can live happily having NEVER seen "Eastenders"... :>) Commercial mainstream TV destroys brain cells at a shocking rate.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: JenEllen
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 11:45 AM

LOL Willie-O! I suppose the difference would be akin to "gawd, didja see that thrid quarter?" versus "dya think Rachel should marry Joey or Ross?"

Honestly, I used to go and do all my shopping on Thursday nights. NBC here in the states had proclamed it "must-see t.v!" (who are they to tell me what I must and must not do, eh?) The stores were abandoned simply because everyone was home doing what they were told.

I asked a friend about this one, and he speaks thus:
"The television networks are run by MEN, and MEN want to watch TV too, so the MEN program all of the FEMALE dreck during the week, lighten up a bit in the evenings, and then overload the programming on the weekends with back to back Rambo movies, football games, and Bob Villa marathons. It's only fair."

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: rock chick
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 11:31 AM

That takes me back a few years when my gran was alive, Bless her, she would always talk when something on the telly of any interest came on, really annoyed me, now don't bother with TV at all, who needs it when you can go out and meet good friend and play / listen to good music.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: GUEST,Bagpuss
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 11:11 AM

I find it amazing that people think TV kills the art of conversation. In our house, if the telly was off, it was usually quiet, with nobody talking. But as soon as someone switched the telly on, numerous conversations would spring up and the person would never manage to watch their programme properly!

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Morticia
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 10:28 AM

Bat Goddess, did you ever get to see that episode? I have the whole series on tape, and would lend if you would like.And to answer the question, I don't watch tv at all, it's just there to keep my clock at eye level.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: HuwG
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 09:12 AM

Personal opinion, only: I think the amount of TV people watch goes with intelligence, rather than gender. (Of course, those more intelligent than I am, and with more channels available than the four or five terrestrial channels in the UK, may well watch a lot on subjects of particular interest to them, but let's put them to one side for the moment).

I was once asked whether I had seen the latest episode of some soap or other ("EastEnders", I think). I replied that I didn't watch that series at all. My questioner looked me up and down and said, "You sad bastard". Now, in England, "sad" in this context doesn't mean, "unhappy", it means "narrow-minded, sociophobic, anally-retentive sufferer from Asperger's Syndrome". I didn't pursue the conversation, but wondered how many people regard it as a virtue that they should let a TV seried live their lives for them.

There are other examples; such as the people who protested to the Home Secretary when the character Deirdre Raschid (formerly Barlow) from "Coronation Street" went to prison for fraud, others who accost actors in the street and threaten them if their screen persona continues an unpopular course of action (this is sometimes a problem for the cast of "Coronation Street" in Manchester).

I won't risk too much statistical correlation, but I wonder how many people's life and attitudes are modelled on TV series, which in turn are modelled on Arts Graduate's views on how "ordinary" peoples lives are lived ? And in turn, who has a closer grasp of reality - me, or the "EastEnders" junkie ?

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: GUEST,Fred Miller
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 09:04 AM

I'm always interested in odd gender distinctions, and collect them. I've known several people who seemed to explain every aspect of human behavior with (often ludicrous) gender distinctions. Women aren't audiophiles, don't seem to obsess about sound quality the way men do. If you go to sleep on a couch, and there's a woman in the house, there will be a blanket on you when you wake up. Etc.

   I didn't have a t.v. for 15 years, but make an effort now to be aware of pop culture, especially the youth culture stuff. Watch much more than my wife, even though I watch little. On the other hand I've never watched a ballgame of any kind in my life. I've seen them, but can't follow them through, can't "root," I am rootless. But I think guys do talk things over later, quite a bit. Before I ever saw the Simpsons I knew many episodes through young male oral history. And since ball teams trade players, the team is basically defined by what they're wearing, and guys talk about that stuff a lot too.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: rock chick
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 08:39 AM

Seeing it from my household my son and husband watch more TV than me, I'm either out playing music or practising in another room, if I had my way I would never have a TV, just a radio. It killed all the art of conversation and the family gatherings, well thats my thoughts on it anyway for what it's worth

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Willie-O
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 08:25 AM

Do women watch more TV? Do men go out more? I dunno, what are you getting at?

We've had satellite for about nine months. I keep meaning to call them up and reduce the package but I never do, maybe today though. Good idea, it's the last day of the month.

What're you saying Jen, men don't pay attention to stories? Like, are you saying we have short attention...

W-O
no sports please, I'm lazy.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 31 Oct 02 - 07:03 AM

I've never owned a TV, tho I had my brother's TV while he was overseas, around 1978, & watched some of the classic British comedies like Fawlty Tiwers!! (I might leave that typo in as it is authentic) & news shows for a few months till I got fed up with it as I wasn't able to do anything, like make dinner. The TV & kitchen were separated by a wall & if I wanted to watch the news, then the current affairs program, then 1 or 2 comedies I ate late. Stuff this I said & turned it off & got back to living (well my version of living, anyway).

Last TV I watched was 9 years when visiting my 2 year old nephew & we watched all the great kids shows - Bananas in pyjamas, Sesame street. We had fun.

I never got in the habit of TV as we didn't get one till I was 14, the same time I got a room of my own & started pretending to study & listening to my own radio & record player. I moved out when I was 24 & in that period saw some episodes of the classic US, UK & Aust programs of the 50, 60 & 70's so can hold my head up conversations.

But give me a radio & CD/tape player anyday

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 08:48 PM

It depends on what is "ON" !

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 08:28 PM

Among the people I know, TV watching is about evenly split. Different programs, though. My wife and I are also evenly split. We haven't watched for at least 20 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 07:45 PM

I'm not really going to touch this one... there are certainly statistics available, because businesses buy commerial minutes with every conceivable measurement at hand. What I want to know is do more men watch tv with their dog than with their wife?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 07:45 PM

Nice to know I'm not the only one without a TV - and I only dont eat lots of chocolate cos its fattening and at my age I have to be careful.And I am male ( I think).

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 07:36 PM

Well, this old girl watches NO TV. Haven't since 1983 when one week while trying to catch a middle episode of "Brideshead Revisited" on Masterpiece Theatre, I discovered that it was a lost cause -- no matter how many times it played during the week, I just couldn't schedule seeing it. So I said, "F#@k it," and stopped trying to watch anything. We live in the middle of the woods and it was pre-cable and we could only get 2 stations anyway. So we (my male-type partner, Curmudgeon, and me) watch videotapes instead. (Since we're movie freaks.) We can turn them on and off at will. And we read a lot.

I drink more beer than I eat chocolate, too. (And -- is this heresy? -- I actually prefer several types of other sweets to chocolate.)

And neither 'Mudge nor I "do" spectator sports -- and Tom shys away from car crash and explosion flicks. (Well, so do I.)

So . . . wanna make something of it?

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: JenEllen
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 05:08 PM

In my experience, it's been about equal, but with the simple division that women watch STORIES. The guys get hung up on sports and movies, where the women watch serials. The time spent is the same, but the fact that once the game/movie is over, the guys don't rehash what happened or what everyone was wearing.

Subject: RE: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: bernil
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 05:07 PM

As for me I don't own a TV and I almost never watch TV when I visit friends either because then I want to talk! It's probably 10 years since I sold my old TV (which was inherited; I've never bought a TV!) and thought I should buy a new smaller one soon... But I never did! I live in Sweden, I'm female and 46 years old.

Berit

Subject: BS: Do women watch more TV than men?
From: GUEST,James
Date: 30 Oct 02 - 04:37 PM

I don't mean to judge here, so please don't take this wrongly. Women eat more chocolate, men drink more beer. Fine by me.

I read the thread with interest.

Tonight, I've been phoning a few old friends (all male and all with female partners). With most, the woman had been watching TV whilst the man was off doing something else.

Is this usual, or just the people I know?

My girlfriend watches about 10 times as much TV as me.

As I said, no judgement, just curious to know other views.

James