Dear LPG, 

I am not sure if you would count it as a hobby, but since I have stopped working, I have taken up the sport of watching far too much television. It has been a decade since my retirement, and I always felt that television was the best way to avoid getting things done when I was a full-time worker. Back then, I prided myself on having far too much to do to indulge, although I must have watched a lot more than I thought, because now, when I come across some of those channels that show all the programmes that used to keep us entertained long ago, I often surprise myself with how many I recognise and can go into a fair amount of detail about. 

I wonder just how many other readers have found themselves a bit ‘hooked’? I can often remember, when they were young, telling my children about all the other things they could be doing instead of watching, but I would have it on while doing the housework or cooking, and a lot of what I watched must have sunk in. 

Everyone has their favourite type of programme, and I suppose what you enjoy most changes as you get older. I have moved from soap operas to game shows, and answering some of the television-inspired questions has made me realise I know a lot more about them than someone who once professed little interest should. I would tell my family that you know you have a bit of an addiction if you find yourself so invested that you go as far as to ignore the phone if it rings in the middle of the action. 

I now find myself preparing to watch my favourite game shows without the pretence of needing something to keep me company as I get on with my daily routine, and most of my friends know better than to phone me in the mid-afternoon. I have engineered most of my days so my cup of tea and accompanying snack are ready at just the right time. I would not want anyone thinking that I never go out, but of course there is no rush anymore because if you miss the start, you can always wait for the ‘+1’ showing or have them all taped on your set-top box, although even they are thought old-fashioned now with the streaming options taking over. 

These days, nearly every television game show also has its own app so you can play along on your mobile if you know how, and many of them use time limits to heighten the challenge. But I am no longer that quick, so I truly value the pause facility on my remote. My view of them as a waste of time has also changed. I am convinced that trying to be better than the contestants is my way of keeping the grey matter working.  

I looked online recently and found a list of the most difficult UK TV quiz shows over the years, and the fact that I remember all of them indicates that I am and have always been more of a game show television addict than I thought…  

Sadly, I found a list of things that the internet says will be history in 30 years, and Television was included. It only proves that nothing lasts very long these days. The internet says the first-ever game show in the UK didn’t happen until 1938, meaning this era could end before its 100th anniversary.  

HA, Beckenham  

 

 

HA offers a trip down TV quiz-game lane…

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