Calvin is lucky that he didn’t grow up during the state owned TV monopoly we had in Norway up to this time. About 15 minutes of upbuilding children’s programming at 6pm, maybe a little more on Saturdays. Hardly any cartoons, and no advertising! How were children supposed to know what products to pester their parents into buying?
Things were changing around this time, though. People were getting foreign commercial channels by satellite, and it was around now that the monopoly was dissolved.
“Help me learn this theme song?” They’re written so you can’t not know them. I bet, (and it’s almost 60 years later,) if I were to write Come sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a majority of readers could finish the theme. Both versions.
If those numbers are correct, Calvin is awake for only 9 hours a day. Of course, babies do sleep quite a bit, and don’t watch much TV, so that might throw the average off, but still, an average of only nine hours per day seems a little low.
Sadly, he has a point. Lots of people use lines from popular shows or movies to express their thoughts or insinuate their meaning. If you don’t know, you don’t get it.
A few years back, a comedian asked his audience for a show of hands as to who knew the words to the Star Spangled Banner (first verse only). About a third of the people present raised their hands. Then he started singing the Brady Bunch theme.
I have been told that the character who played Hyde , Danny Masterson,Got in trouble for an alleged sexual assault. Not sure if true or if he was convicted.But, I was told that the PC police jumped all over this and canceled every show he had been involved with including, That 70’s Show! I would condemn his actions if they are true but, I hate to see that show removed forever from reruns because of that.The show was just too good! All the best!
Of course, with a father who’s really against television and refuses to get cable, who can blame Calvin? (And of course, we know what Watterson thinks of TV…)
I was 6 in 1942, NO TV. Had to be in bed by 8:00pm. But could listen to my Pilot AM & Short Wave radio next to my bed to hear my favorite programs broadcast on short wave late at night.
It’s funny. I watched TV pretty much whenever I wanted when I was a kid. Now I watch TV as a social activity with my wife but almost never watch it by myself.
Star Trek: Enterprise. “It’s been a long time. Gettin’ from there to here. It’s been a long time. But my time is finally here! I will see my dreams come alive at last…”
BE THIS GUY over 2 years ago
Good to see that Calvin doesn’t want to be left behind his peers.
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover over 2 years ago
Today he’ll be going for social media followers.
codycab over 2 years ago
What do you think is the best TV theme song? I gotta go with SpongeBob.
eastern.woods.metal over 2 years ago
I cut the cord on TV 20 years ago. Wish I could do the same with youtube
C over 2 years ago
Call of Duty
rklynch over 2 years ago
Hobbes sure has a way with words dosen’t he?
Yngvar Følling over 2 years ago
Calvin is lucky that he didn’t grow up during the state owned TV monopoly we had in Norway up to this time. About 15 minutes of upbuilding children’s programming at 6pm, maybe a little more on Saturdays. Hardly any cartoons, and no advertising! How were children supposed to know what products to pester their parents into buying?
Things were changing around this time, though. People were getting foreign commercial channels by satellite, and it was around now that the monopoly was dissolved.
Ryan B Premium Member over 2 years ago
I always loved how Watterson drew the TV’s like that when Calvin’s watching.
in.amongst over 2 years ago
Finally, Calvin serious about studying something.
Susan00100 over 2 years ago
Ah yes, the electronic baby-sitter!!
I’ve always loved how that one dances in mid-air when turned on.
William Bednar Premium Member over 2 years ago
Well, Darwin claimed that “all life on Earth is descended from a common ancestor”. That would include vegetables as well as humans, right?
Skeptical Meg over 2 years ago
“Help me learn this theme song?” They’re written so you can’t not know them. I bet, (and it’s almost 60 years later,) if I were to write Come sit right back and you’ll hear a tale, a majority of readers could finish the theme. Both versions.
Troglodyte over 2 years ago
The idiot box notches up another victory (sigh)…
KennethPrice2 over 2 years ago
Its about time its about space its about two men in the strangest place.
Count Olaf Premium Member over 2 years ago
Wait Calvin gets an iPhone his TV Watch time will drop significantly.
Purple People Eater over 2 years ago
If those numbers are correct, Calvin is awake for only 9 hours a day. Of course, babies do sleep quite a bit, and don’t watch much TV, so that might throw the average off, but still, an average of only nine hours per day seems a little low.
Jeffin Premium Member over 2 years ago
Sit right back and you’ll hear a tale…
Pabucat1 over 2 years ago
I think the same punchline has been used in another one of his comics
MS72 over 2 years ago
“We’ll have a gay old time!”
tripwire45 over 2 years ago
Today its the mind-numbing smartphones.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 2 years ago
Sadly, he has a point. Lots of people use lines from popular shows or movies to express their thoughts or insinuate their meaning. If you don’t know, you don’t get it.
well-i-never over 2 years ago
I can’t remember the music from a single drug commercial, but there must be some.
pathamil over 2 years ago
Brusha, brusha, brusha…
Sir Isaac over 2 years ago
“Those were the days” sung by Archie and Edith
cor_en_fa over 2 years ago
Anything by Mike Post, with Rockford Files leading the pack.
nathan.sheriff3 over 2 years ago
Looney Tunes and The Pink Panther.. hands down, the two greatest TV theme songs.
gantech over 2 years ago
A few years back, a comedian asked his audience for a show of hands as to who knew the words to the Star Spangled Banner (first verse only). About a third of the people present raised their hands. Then he started singing the Brady Bunch theme.
The entire room joined in.
mourdac Premium Member over 2 years ago
The theme songs are harmless. Commercials saturating their minds do the damage.
mindjob over 2 years ago
I made a list of the TV shows I was going to watch with the day, time and station they were on. I’d watch them and do homework at the same time
bigcatbusiness over 2 years ago
No Calvin! Don’t be like the others. Do you want to wear glasses? Form a belly? Brain bleach?
sandpiper over 2 years ago
I truly enjoyed Hobbs’ comment. Very inventive.
Tetonbil over 2 years ago
I have been told that the character who played Hyde , Danny Masterson,Got in trouble for an alleged sexual assault. Not sure if true or if he was convicted.But, I was told that the PC police jumped all over this and canceled every show he had been involved with including, That 70’s Show! I would condemn his actions if they are true but, I hate to see that show removed forever from reruns because of that.The show was just too good! All the best!
mistercatworks over 2 years ago
I remember when there were children’s favorite characters that didn’t try to sell you things. Yes, I’m that old.
Tails ( "Real tails" is cringe!) over 2 years ago
5000 hours?!?!?!
wiley207 over 2 years ago
Of course, with a father who’s really against television and refuses to get cable, who can blame Calvin? (And of course, we know what Watterson thinks of TV…)
Banjo Gordy Premium Member over 2 years ago
I was 6 in 1942, NO TV. Had to be in bed by 8:00pm. But could listen to my Pilot AM & Short Wave radio next to my bed to hear my favorite programs broadcast on short wave late at night.
WCraft Premium Member over 2 years ago
And this was written before the unending moral wasteland known as subscription cable/satellite channels
felipenollaFFA over 2 years ago
That is a really SMART TV, knows when to jump with joy……
Neat '33 over 2 years ago
Here’s a few I’d throw in: Barney Miller, M Squad, Peter Gunn, Night Court, Welcome Back Kotter, Have Gun, Will Travel, and so many more.
AlienHillbilly over 2 years ago
My favorite theme is from ’Fistful of Dollars ’ – you cannot sing it, but you can whistle…..
Nyan cat over 2 years ago
Best theme song is the where you go home from school.
Nick Danger over 2 years ago
Star Blazers (Space Battleship Yamato)
Underdog
goboboyd over 2 years ago
Whew! Just in time!
willie_mctell over 2 years ago
It’s funny. I watched TV pretty much whenever I wanted when I was a kid. Now I watch TV as a social activity with my wife but almost never watch it by myself.
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 2 years ago
30 years later, it is likely worse. Calvin really missed the point, didn’t he?
Gordo4ever over 2 years ago
“Have Gun, Will Travel” sung by Johnny Western. EOS!
Lightpainter over 2 years ago
Just think how much TV you are missing by going to school, Calvin!
globalenterprize1990 over 2 years ago
Star Trek: Enterprise. “It’s been a long time. Gettin’ from there to here. It’s been a long time. But my time is finally here! I will see my dreams come alive at last…”