I like T.V. There are quality shows out therre...and there are shows that are a lesser quality and still entertaining.
Additionally, if you want to communicate with other people it's good to know what they're watching and have similar cultural touchstones. This is something CleverDan and I have discussed because as a pastor he will have to be able to communnicate with a wide spectrum of congregants. Even if you don't watch/listen to everything out there, it's good to have an accurate knowledge of what is popular.
For example, when I was teaching junior high school students, I was able to refer to 50 Cents in the proper context. I never listen to him, but I knew the kids did. Andit made the example I was using more relatable for them.
I like the first two CSI shows, 1 2 & 4 Law & Order shows, The Amazing Race, Survivor, Third Watch (which ends Friday,) Without a Trace,and American Idol. We've been watching the Apprentice, the Contender, Deperate Housewives, and Boston Legal, as well.
I like rereuns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and we have seasons 1-7 of M*A*S*H* on DVD.
We watch football, from pre-season through the Superbowl, and I like basketball...although not as much as I used to. I rooting for the Miami Heat to win the NBA championship. I like Alonzo Mourning and I want to see Shaq thumb his nose at the Lakers for choosing the wrong marquee player to keep.
I also tape and skim through several soap operas...I've been watching those pretty much my whole life...now I write for a soap website. Who'da thought watchin' daytime dramas would ever payoff!
Most everything is taped in our house, so we can watch without commercials and at our leisure. Somethings build up and we watch in summer during rereuns of other shows.
We still do active things outside the house...we still write articles for publications...CleverDan still gets his classwork done and is getting "A"s...nothing is suffering just because we enjoy some entertainment.
I think people who declare there's "nothing good on T.V." are throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater. there is quality T.V. to be found, especially on the History and Discovery channels...and occasionally on PBS (I watched some excellent documentaries lately.) And people with children need to be more careful...but that's a parent's duty in every respect of life.