Have you ever watched The Big Bang Theory? I ask because I was recently at a trivia night and won the round because I knew the name of Raj’s dog. (The answer will be revealed at the end of this post.)
No one else at my table knew the answer, and so I proved my value as a member of the trivia team.
Here’s the problem. The Big Bang Theory is one of the few shows I enjoy watching. If the trivia questions had been about much more popular shows from recent decades, like Ted Lasso or Suits, I would have been an embarrassment to my teammates.
Why? Because I’ve never seen a full season of either show, nor many others that my friends have loved and begged me to watch. (I’ll pause briefly here for you to pass judgment on me.)
And it’s not because I don’t have streaming services. We have all the biggies: Hulu, Netflix, Prime, and Apple+. If the show doesn’t catch my attention–or even if it does–I probably won’t make it to the end. I’ll be asleep by 9:30 pm. So, I would much rather read my book, catch up on emails, or be productive around the house than sit in front of the television.
Additionally, I’d rather watch the Phillies game, which is a three-hour commitment at the very least. When the game is over, I need to get up and move my body. I’m too antsy to sit there for another few hours and watch a show.
Finally, I don’t watch a lot of new TV because I would rather re-watch episodes of shows I’ve loved and missed, such as The West Wing, Mad Men, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, This Is Us, and the aforementioned Big Bang Theory. In a world full of uncertainty, I enjoy the comforts of television shows where I know how it ends.
The only exceptions I make are shows like The Great British Baking Show and The Amazing Race. I quite enjoy picking favorites and see if they make it to the next round.
For the record, I do watch late night television like The Daily Show and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. That’s because I am tired of all the political pundits and need my news fed to me with a healthy side of comedic timing.
Here’s the thing. As a writer, I need to watch more TV and become more in tune with 21st-century pop culture. One client asked me to help her write a speech that included humorous television references to shows like Breaking Bad and Stranger Things. And guess what….these are also shows I’ve never watched. (I know! I know!).
So, I guess it’s time to sit in front of the TV and pick a show that is new to me and will solidify my reputation as a good trivia player. (By the way, Raj’s dog’s name is Cinnamon.)
And also, so that I don’t have to turn down freelance work because I’ve never seen Squid Game.
What shows do you watch and can’t believe that other people haven’t seen them?
XO,
Elisa
Tamara
July 10, 2025 at 2:57 am (5 months ago)If you’re ever on a game show that offers a “phone joker” and there’s a question about suits, just call me 😉
I applaud you for rather reading your beloved books than to spend your time watching mindless shows. If it’s for work though… yeah, you probably have to sacrifice some time to get up to speed on what your target audience is interested in.
My husband watches the Big Bang Theory. I love that there’s a dog called cinnamon 🙂
Jane E. Herman
July 9, 2025 at 10:12 pm (5 months ago)I never watched “Grey’s Anatomy”…until I started binge watching it on Netflix. I’m in the middle of Season 6 and loving it! It’s the perfect weeknight escape.
Mark Peters
July 10, 2025 at 6:36 am (5 months ago)Kudos on the shoutout to British Baking, one of our guiltiest pleasures! Keeping it mostly on the shows you mentioned:
— we are SO done with laugh tracks. I’ll sit and stare at a wall first. Five seconds of even Big Bang make me want to leave the room.
— Ted Lasso is a wonderfully feel-good show if you get past one character’s frequent F-bombs.
— (one non-mentioned show): Schitt’s Creek, despite a (sorta) curse word title, is one of our favorite shows EVER and the warmest show around because the family truly loves each other and NEVER wavers from having each other’s backs.
— finally, not about a show but a finale: I can’t believe so many people hated the Sopranos finale. It’s perfect. Life doesn’t rap up every loose end. Often we’re left to wonder.
Elisa Heisman
July 11, 2025 at 8:08 am (5 months ago)Love the British Baking Show – I keep checking to see when the next season will start. Thanks for reminding me about Schitt’s Creek. I need to add that to my list of shows to get to. I agree about the laugh track, but I don’t even hear it anymore. Thanks for commenting!
Elisa Heisman
July 11, 2025 at 8:10 am (5 months ago)My daughter watches that show and loves it. I watched the first couple of seasons and then dropped off.
Amanda
July 9, 2025 at 10:05 pm (5 months ago)I don’t really watch tv but when I do I catch one of Netflix mini series, they are short and you can finish it in a few days.
Elisa Heisman
July 11, 2025 at 8:11 am (5 months ago)I watched Nonnas – not a mini series, but a cute Netflix movie. Any recommendations for the mini-series?
Kebba Buckley Button
July 9, 2025 at 9:53 pm (5 months ago)Elisa, you’ve raised some great questions! I could go on and on. I’m not on a trivia team. I watch what I feel like watching. Often that’s cozy British mysteries b/c the scenes are very beautiful, the accents are fun, and whatever is wrong, it’s solved by the end of the episode– or occasionally, the several-episode story arc. I like to solve, and many of today’s national and global issues have no apparent solutions in sight. So I take in the news in the morning and relax with cozies in the evening. Thanks for asking!
Elisa Heisman
July 11, 2025 at 8:12 am (5 months ago)I know there are some great British mysteries out there. Any recommendations?
JP Winters
July 9, 2025 at 8:45 pm (5 months ago)I have the exact opposite problem in that I watch way too much TV! I watch new shows, I have my comfort shows that are on an endless loop when I’m not discovering the next great show, and I’m a big sports fan, so there’s always something to watch. I wish I got more antsy when I’ve been sitting too much, but I’m working on that and trying to find a good balance! By the way, Breaking Bad and Squid Game are incredible, you should definitely check those out!
Elisa Heisman
July 11, 2025 at 8:12 am (5 months ago)I don’t think I have the stomach for Squid Game, but I will add Breaking Bad to the list.