once when playing at a bar (hosting an open mike night where i attempted to encourage others to be creative as well) i made a
velcro curtain to cover the huge t.v. screen to remove it from
view. i insisted that the thing be turned off during our session!

Another place i have played is at a cowboy music and poetry fest
that happens on the same weekend as a large rodeo, so the local bar always has the rodeo on the big screens as we try to play music.
makes a nice backdrop, but there is not adequate amplification
for the musicians...