The Language of Television
I, like I imagine quite a lot of you, have been watching a fair bit of television during quarantine. Now, that’s saying something for me, because I have always had a healthy diet for TV. We touched on this during my False Myth of Origin blog, but my brain can be a lot at times, so from an early age I gravitated toward things that would let me step outside my mind, filling it with something else like a story. Books were undoubtedly the primary resource for most of my life, especially since they were portable and permitted in school, but television always had the #2 spot on a pretty solid lockdown.
Not just cartoons and kids shows either, even as an actual child. I would stay up late into the night, past bed time, to catch the Nick-At-Night-Lineup of classics like Get Smart, Taxi, Bewitched, I Love Lucy, Mary Tyler Moore Show, and so-on. One could argue I was raised on more TV from the 60’s-70s than actual people from that generation, given how much more accessible it was in the era of cable and reruns. That was on top of keeping up with the shows of my own time, from Friends to Fresh Prince of Belair, the nineties had some hits as well.
My point is, I have always watched a lot of television, and if you know me from my writing then that might not be much of a surprise. As a writer, I often pace and build my books like they’re seasons of a TV show than a more traditional novel. I like using slow-burning plots that allow for lots of time hanging out with the characters, and my love for putting unusual characters in mundane situations is a clear manifestation of sitcom roots.
But in recent months, I’ve been thinking less about the impact of the TV we grew up with, and more about the TV we choose to share. Because that can be a deceivingly vulnerable gesture, in the right circumstances. Yes, a fair chunk of the time we share awareness of shows because we think them to be good and want others to experience the pleasure of watching as well. However, there are occasions where it’s more than that.
In ways, a television show can be a codex, a compilation of bits, callbacks, and in-jokes. After watching, the viewer might find themselves catching allusions in other works or better understanding when references are made. For example, if you haven’t watched I Love Lucy, you might wonder why so many comedy shows like to do an occasional gag with a conveyor belt, as well as why the audience usually responds warmly. That is the process of learning the language of television, it’s interconnected web of history and references.
Recommending a show to someone is essentially focusing their attention at a specific piece of the language, one that you already understand and want to share with them. Once they’ve had the same viewing, it not only allows for discussion of the material, but helps them understand quick bits, nods, and references you might have already been using. These things have a way to seep into us deeper than we realize.
This has all gotten fairly theoretical, so let’s pause for a real life example. Back when I was doing the corporate gig, or rather, trying to do it as I was between jobs, I had a particular interview. It went well, but I didn’t feel like any sort of lock-in, up until we somehow touched on the subject of Arrested Development. This was pre-Netflix streaming really taking off, so the show was still not getting the attention it deserved, and the interviewer lit up when he realized I knew what he was talking about. We traded the line about tricks (“I do illusions, Michael”) and that was pretty much it. I had the job.
Now granted, I was qualified for it, and had been doing well beforehand, but I have no question it was knowing Arrested Development that put me over the top. Because it wasn’t just a show, it was a way to signify that we spoke the same semi-secret language, enjoyed the same humor. It was a shortcut to not being seen as a stranger in his mind, and I know we’ve all had some form of that experience. You meet a new person, things are going through the normal social routines, and then they reveal a shared love, some hobby or topic that you also carry passion for. Just like that, the friendship feels like it takes a sudden lurch forward as you can both tap into a well of topics for ready discussion, not to mention share some in-laughs along the way.
There are a lot of ways to form that connection, don’t get me wrong. Meeting someone else who loved knitting when you’re handy with the needles would have the same effect. What makes TV significant is how easily shared it can be. To bring someone into the world of cooking, for example, would take time, practice, dedication, and money, cause ingredients aren’t free. A lot of effort to instill that hobby in someone who doesn’t already have it. A show, on the other hand, is a much smaller investment, especially with the short runs most programs these days are getting. In the span of a few hours, a new viewer could gain a fundamental understanding of the material, one that would deepen over time as they explored further.
Over the past few lockdown months, most of us have done a lot of television perusing, both of what’s new and scanning through our beloved classics. Now is an excellent time for sharing your favorites, as well as consuming what others recommend. If there’s a show that has heavily influenced part of your language, humor, or nature, this is a fine time to share it with those you care for, even if it might be too old or outside their usual genre. And the same goes on your end, be open to those heartfelt recommendations even if they might not your expected cup of tea. If there was every time for trying out on new potential sources of fun and joy, this is certainly the year.