# TV shows you're forced to watch because of your spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 4, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317 "2005-05-04T02:23:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/21 "2005-05-04T13:24:48Z")
The WryGuy has a thing for Cops and World’s Most Dangerous Police Chases. I truly cannot stand the noise - sirens, screams, helicopters, and on the latter, a seriously annoying voiceover narration. I don’t watch (I actually got carsick once watching Cops) but I can’t escape the audio. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/22 "2005-05-04T13:32:13Z")
Every single made-for-Sci-Fi movie that is shown. _Mansquito_, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/23 "2005-05-04T13:34:30Z")
My wife forced me to watch _Buffy_, for which I am grateful. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/24 "2005-05-04T13:35:02Z")
I’m not forced to watch them (since I can always get on the computer and the Dope Board, or go to the other TV and watch a tape, or something), but since I like to spend time with my wife (rubbing her feet, snuggling, etc.) I find myself watching some of thde shows she likes that I would otherwise never sit through, at least not for long: **What not to wear Antiques Roadshow This Old House Treasures in the Attic CSI: Everywhere Law and Order: Every Damned Thing Random BBC Programming** Interestingly, I’m anSF geek, but it’s **Pepper Mill** who is addicted to **star Trek: Enterprise** Besides that, there’s my daughter, **MilliCal**. I love her, but we’d watch a lot more of **60 Minutes** and **Jeopardy** if we weren’t watching: **Spongebob Fairly Odd Parents Avatar Fioster’s Home for Imaginary Friends Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy Ed, Edd, and Eddie America’s Funniest Home Videos House of Mouse Random Disney Channel Offerings America’s Haunted Hotels** on the Travel Channel Ed, Edd, and Eddy is, I’m convinced, the modern answer to The Three Stooges. Billy and Mandy has some amazingly esoteric writing – Mandy quotes Aleister Crowley, one episode was based on Frank Herbert’s _God-Emperor of Dune_, etc. I’m sure this is all going over MilliCal’s head. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/25 "2005-05-04T13:35:43Z")
> [@LifeOnWry](#): > > The WryGuy has a thing for Cops and World’s Most Dangerous Police Chases. I truly cannot stand the noise - sirens, screams, helicopters, and on the latter, a seriously annoying voiceover narration. I don’t watch (I actually got carsick once watching Cops) but I can’t escape the audio. Sounds like my wife! She _loves_ those shows. ---
**Author:** ![whistlepig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/73ab20/32.png) [@whistlepig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whistlepig)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/26 "2005-05-04T13:42:38Z")
My ex HAD to watch the movie, “Selena” every time it was on. No talking, just slack-jawed staring at the screen. I don’t think it bears up to repeated watching. OTOH, I could guarentee her taking a shower every Sunday night at 8:30 by watching “The Man Show”. - “This is so stupid - why would you want to watch a show with girls jumping on trampolines?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_of_the_Lake)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/27 "2005-05-04T13:55:36Z")
My husband likes the same sort of shows I like, but my sister used to try to trick me into watching Oprah! ---
**Author:** ![Cadabra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@Cadabra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cadabra)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/28 "2005-05-04T14:06:43Z")
Cooking shows. My wife is addicted to the food network, especially that damn Jamie Oliver. (I can’t understand a word the man says. What the hell is “Pukka-Tukka”?) Of course I don’t mind when that delightful Rachel Ray or Nigella are on, I even like “Good Eats” allthough I am convinced it is more of a comedy show than a cooking one. ---
**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:** [May 4, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/29 "2005-05-04T14:11:29Z")
My wife has never forced me to watch anything she was watching, bless her. She did, however, begin watching “Star Trek: The Next Generation” when I did, just to keep me company and to better understand my fannish devotion. I knew she was hooked when I was going out of town and she asked sheepishly, “Now, what time is ST on again?” ---
**Author:** ![Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/30 "2005-05-04T14:36:52Z")
My girlfriend and I seldom watch TV together, but that may change. If it does, I’ll probably have to get into _The Gilmore Girls_ and she’ll probably have to get into _Family Guy_. I’ve seen _The Gilmore Girls_, and frankly, I can live with that. Who knows if she will? Most of the rest of the stuff we agree on: TV quiz shows, political debates, bad movies. I may have to tell her I’ve been a closet _Full House_ fan for years and see what happens. (No, I’m not really one…) ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/31 "2005-05-04T14:45:25Z")
> [@LifeOnWry](#): > > The WryGuy has a thing for Cops and World’s Most Dangerous Police Chases. I truly cannot stand the noise - sirens, screams, helicopters, and on the latter, a seriously annoying voiceover narration. I don’t watch (I actually got carsick once watching Cops) but I can’t escape the audio. Ha, I love watching World’s Most Dangerous Police Chases also. My wife hates it. She also can’t be in the same room because of the **seriously annoying voiceover narration**. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/32 "2005-05-04T14:56:04Z")
_Gilmore Girls_. Could be a lot worse. The show’s pretty well written and Lauren Graham makes my pants get all tight. ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/33 "2005-05-04T14:56:31Z")
> [@Silentgoldfish](#): > > It just wouldn’t be the Dope without someone getting their nose out of joint for no reason! Yep. I rolled my eyes so therefore I’ve got my nose out of joint. Oh, let me add. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/34 "2005-05-04T14:58:26Z")
> [@MissGypsy](#): > > Of course, he cringes when I find a Brady Bunch marathon. 😛 The solution here is clear. Leave him, hook up with me. We’ll have a groovy time together. My girlfriend made me watch Alias all the time. I put up with it, but just barely. My ex used to make me watch some “reality” show about young people who were given a mansion, didn’t have to work, and could spend all day boinking each other then whining about it. For some reason this stupid crap was called “Real World.” ---
**Author:** ![Renob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/35 "2005-05-04T15:03:55Z")
> [@Chance the Gardener](#): > > My girlfriend and I seldom watch TV together, but that may change. If it does, I’ll probably have to get into _The Gilmore Girls_ and she’ll probably have to get into _Family Guy_. I’ve seen _The Gilmore Girls_, and frankly, I can live with that. Who knows if she will? That’s hilarious, since that’s exactly our situation. My wife and I live in a studio apartment, so needless to say, there isn’t a place to hide when the TV shows are crappy. She loves \*Gilmore Girls \* and I despise it. The only redeeming part of it is that Lauren Graham is on it, and she gets points because she’s hot, a good actress, and was in a couple episodes of _NewsRadio_. Everyone else on the show couldn’t act their way out of a paper bag. Of course, I made her watch _Family Guy_. At fist she hated it but now she’s a big fan. Score one for the good guys. She also sits through Howard Stern on the E! channel. She doesn’t really like it, but at times finds it amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Gr8Kat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gr8kat/32/18668_2.png) [@Gr8Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gr8Kat)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/36 "2005-05-04T15:22:47Z")
I can sympathize. My SO is a big Dr. Who fan, and I absolutely don’t see the attraction. He also likes The Family Guy, which I find aggressively unfunny, but repeated viewings on Adult Swim have pummelled me into submission. And whenever there’s nothing else on, he has to put it on VH1 Classics or the IMF video channel and watch the same videos over and over and over again. Even when I’m on the computer, listening to these shows in the background can be annoying, but I figure fair’s fair: when I’m online, he gets to choose the TV programs, and vice-versa. I even encourage him to watch his Dr. Who tapes so maybe he won’t complain too much when I watch my crap, like Malcom in the Middle and Everybody Loves Raymond. 😉😛 ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2005, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/37 "2005-05-04T15:39:44Z")
My wife loves Extreme Makeover. Not the house version, we both watch that one. I’m talking about the “massive plastic surgery” edition. My interest in the show hovers between zero and 0.00001. Usually, when I see it on the cable guide, I try to skim past it before she notices. If she’s watching it, I usually play around on my computer until it’s over. ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/38 "2005-05-08T16:56:24Z")
I can’t believe we’ve been thru 37 posts and nobody’s mentioned **Desperate Housewives**! I mean, it has its moments, but I don’t see what the big deal is. Unfortunately, **L & O:CI** has had Vincent D’Onofrio practically sleeping through each episode, so I’ve been trying out **DH**.I also thought Survivor was a really stupid idea until I started watching it with my wife. She also got me watching Big Brother last summer. Not this year, TYVM. ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317/39 "2005-05-08T20:44:53Z")
Two words: Test Cricket I must be in love. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-youre-forced-to-watch-because-of-your-spouse-boyfriend-girlfriend/302317.md?page=1)