# TV Binge Watch (Part 1)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004>\
**Category:** Thread Games\
**Created:** [August 21, 2019, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004 "2019-08-21T15:27:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 387

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2021, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7729 "2021-12-16T14:27:45Z")

</div>

**We Interrupt This Broadcast… "** _– Events That Took Over The Airwaves_

1. The Moon Landing, July 20/21, 1969
2. The OJ Simpson car chase, June 17, 1994
3. R. Budd Dwyer’s on-air suicide, January 22, 1987
4. Ronald Reagan is shot, March 30, 1981
5. Twin Towers attack, Sept. 11, 2001
6. Hurricane Harvey, August 17, 2017 – September 2, 2017
7. Richard Nixon’s resignation speech, August 8, 1974
8. The Challenger explosion, April 4, 1983
9. JFK shot - November 22, 1963

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7730 "2021-12-20T20:15:41Z")

</div>

**We Interrupt This Broadcast… "** _– Events That Took Over The Airwaves_

1. The Moon Landing, July 20/21, 1969
2. The OJ Simpson car chase, June 17, 1994
3. R. Budd Dwyer’s on-air suicide, January 22, 1987
4. Ronald Reagan is shot, March 30, 1981
5. Twin Towers attack, Sept. 11, 2001
6. Hurricane Harvey, August 17, 2017 – September 2, 2017
7. Richard Nixon’s resignation speech, August 8, 1974
8. The Challenger explosion, April 4, 1983
9. JFK shot - November 22, 1963
10. “Max Headroom” broadcast signal intrusion on WGN and WTTW, November 22, 1987

Next: **Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\
**Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7731 "2021-12-20T23:11:41Z")

</div>

Next: **Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7732 "2021-12-21T00:03:50Z")

</div>

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bicycle\_Bill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bicycle_bill/32/6208_2.png) [@Bicycle\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bicycle_Bill)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7733 "2021-12-21T00:19:03Z")

</div>

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”  
_ **"… if this had been an actual emergency we would have fled in panic and you would not have been notified."** _
4. The peacock and the voiceover, “The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.”

_ **-“BB”-** _

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7734 "2021-12-21T01:44:59Z")

</div>

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”  
_ **"… if this had been an actual emergency we would have fled in panic and you would not have been notified."** _
4. The peacock and the voiceover, “The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.”
5. Aluminum foil wadded onto antennas for better reception

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Skunkdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skunkdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skunkdog)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7735 "2021-12-21T02:51:01Z")

</div>

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”  
_ **"… if this had been an actual emergency we would have fled in panic and you would not have been notified."** _
4. The peacock and the voiceover, “The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.”
5. Aluminum foil wadded onto antennas for better reception
6. A VHF and a UHF dial.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7736 "2021-12-21T11:52:38Z")

</div>

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”  
_ **“… if this had been an actual emergency we would have fled in panic and you would not have been notified.”** _
4. The peacock and the voiceover, “The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.”
5. Aluminum foil wadded onto antennas for better reception
6. A VHF and a UHF dial.
7. Instant On

> [@Skunkdog](#):
>
> A VHF and a UHF dial.

You kids! My family got a new TV with two dials ca. 1964, but there weren’t any UHF stations to watch until about five years later.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7737 "2021-12-21T11:57:18Z")

</div>

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”  
_ **"… if this had been an actual emergency we would have fled in panic and you would not have been notified."** _
4. The peacock and the voiceover, “The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.”
5. Aluminum foil wadded onto antennas for better reception
6. A VHF and a UHF dial.
7. Instant On
8. Television sets had horizontal and vertical hold dials.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7738 "2021-12-21T12:52:19Z")

</div>

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”  
_ **"… if this had been an actual emergency we would have fled in panic and you would not have been notified."** _
4. The peacock and the voiceover, “The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.”
5. Aluminum foil wadded onto antennas for better reception
6. A VHF and a UHF dial.
7. Instant On
8. Television sets had horizontal and vertical hold dials.
9. Having to get up and go across the living room to turn the dial to change channels

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7739 "2021-12-21T12:52:33Z")

</div>

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”  
_ **"… if this had been an actual emergency we would have fled in panic and you would not have been notified."** _
4. The peacock and the voiceover, “The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.”
5. Aluminum foil wadded onto antennas for better reception
6. A VHF and a UHF dial.
7. Instant On
8. Television sets had horizontal and vertical hold dials.
9. The Clicker (early TV remote)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7740 "2021-12-21T14:28:27Z")

</div>

Housekeeping.

**Remember when?**

1. Channels signed off with the national anthem.
2. “Snow” was a regular problem with reception.
3. “This is a test. This is only a test. If this had been an actual emergency …”  
_ **"… if this had been an actual emergency we would have fled in panic and you would not have been notified."** _
4. The peacock and the voiceover, “The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.”
5. Aluminum foil wadded onto antennas for better reception
6. A VHF and a UHF dial.
7. Instant On
8. Television sets had horizontal and vertical hold dials.
9. Having to get up and go across the living room to turn the dial to change channels
10. The Clicker (early TV remote)

Next up:

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7741 "2021-12-21T14:55:30Z")

</div>

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_
2. Jenny Schechter, _The L Word_

She did die in the last season, so that’s a plus I guess.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7742 "2021-12-21T15:07:51Z")

</div>

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_
2. Jenny Schechter, _The L Word_
3. Twitchy, smug, arrogant Detective Goren(Vincent D’Onofrio) in Law and Order: Criminal Intent

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7743 "2021-12-21T15:51:33Z")

</div>

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_
2. Jenny Schechter, _The L Word_
3. Twitchy, smug, arrogant Detective Goren(Vincent D’Onofrio) in Law and Order: Criminal Intent
4. Steve Urkel, _Family Matters_

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7744 "2021-12-21T15:58:57Z")

</div>

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_
2. Jenny Schechter, _The L Word_
3. Twitchy, smug, arrogant Detective Goren(Vincent D’Onofrio) in Law and Order: Criminal Intent
4. Steve Urkel, _Family Matters_
5. Serena Southerlyn, _Law & Order_

They did end up killing off an ADA who was actually _not_ annoying.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Bicycle\_Bill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bicycle_bill/32/6208_2.png) [@Bicycle\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bicycle_Bill)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7745 "2021-12-21T16:06:08Z")

</div>

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_
2. Jenny Schechter, _The L Word_
3. Twitchy, smug, arrogant Detective Goren(Vincent D’Onofrio) in Law and Order: Criminal Intent
4. Steve Urkel, _Family Matters_
5. Serena Southerlyn, _Law & Order_
6. Donald Trump, _The Apprentice_

_ **-“BB”-** _

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7746 "2021-12-22T17:54:35Z")

</div>

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_
2. Jenny Schechter, _The L Word_
3. Twitchy, smug, arrogant Detective Goren(Vincent D’Onofrio) in Law and Order: Criminal Intent
4. Steve Urkel, _Family Matters_
5. Serena Southerlyn, _Law & Order_
6. Donald Trump, _The Apprentice_
7. Riley Finn, _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_

Who woulda though that a military commando posing as a college student and working for a secret government organization to make a cyborg demon could be so dull.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7747 "2021-12-22T18:26:40Z")

</div>

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_
2. Jenny Schechter, _The L Word_
3. Twitchy, smug, arrogant Detective Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) in _Law and Order: Criminal Intent_
4. Steve Urkel, _Family Matters_
5. Serena Southerlyn, _Law & Order_
6. Donald Trump, _The Apprentice_
7. Riley Finn, _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_
8. Michelle Tanner, _Full House_

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Skunkdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skunkdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skunkdog)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004/7748 "2021-12-22T23:43:39Z")

</div>

**TV characters you wish had died in a fire but didn’t**

1. Raymond’s bitchy mom, _Everybody Loves Raymond_
2. Jenny Schechter, _The L Word_
3. Twitchy, smug, arrogant Detective Goren (Vincent D’Onofrio) in _Law and Order: Criminal Intent_
4. Steve Urkel, _Family Matters_
5. Serena Southerlyn, _Law & Order_
6. Donald Trump, _The Apprentice_
7. Riley Finn, _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_
8. Michelle Tanner, _Full House_
9. Eddie Haskell, _Leave it to Beaver_

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004.md?page=386)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-binge-watch-part-1/839004.md?page=388)