“Older people spend a great deal more time watching TV than younger people, yet they enjoy it less,” ….
…according to author, Colin A. Depp, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry ( UCSD’s Stein Institute for Research on Aging.) “What the study underscored is that alternatives to television as entertainment are needed, especially in older adults.”
Watch more, enjoy less
The study looked at over 3000 American adults between 15-98. Adults over 65 reported spend three times more of their waking hours watching TV than did younger adults. Older adults do not seem to experience the same “stress buffering” effects that younger adults do from watching TV, and TV use among older adults – unlike time spent on other leisure activities, such as socializing or physical exercise – was related to lower life satisfaction.
Health risks
The researchers concluded that increasing public awareness of alternatives to TV watching and reducing barriers to alternative activities that are more socially and physically engaging could reduce TV use in older people and diminish the potential for associated negative health effects.
Obesity, diabetes and dementia
Data from other studies indicate that the average American household spends 4.5 hours watching TV per day and, in those over age 65, about 25% percent of their time is spent watching TV. Recent work suggests that sedentary activity, such as TV watching, is associated with negative changes in many aspects of health including cardiovascular, bone health and cellular function. Television use in particular has been linked with greater risk for obesity and Type2 diabetes, lower life satisfaction, less frequent engagement in social and physical interaction, and increased risk for dementia.
But an irresistible attraction
TV is a great escape for many reasons. No expenditure of energy, be it physical or intellectual; one can simply sit back and watch the program unfold in a reactive mode as opposed to and active. Of course, generalization can lead to erroneous conclusions.
Suspense, thriller, detective types of shows can engage one’s mind if one will allow that to happen. Trying to guess the villain before the revelation at the end of most shows, is very engaging and if the viewer is able to solve the puzzle, it can be a gratifying challenge. Hawaii Five O and Lethal Weapon at times are engaging in that way, though more often they are simply comedic escapism.
Then there are shows which engage the viewer emotionally. Blue Blood, Gray’s Anatomy are examples of TV drama which have emotionally engaging plots which can anger, anguish or bring a near tear to the eye. Well acted and developed stories will hold viewers’ attentions and draw empathetic engagement always.
Comedies have always been popular with viewing audiences. In the past, All in the family (Archie Bunker), Mary Tyler Moore, Seinfeld and others have attracted strong viewership and a loyal following. They have been arguably replaced by very popular shows such as Big Bang Theory, Mom, and Mike and Molly. Many TV fans may not even know these shows.
Old stalwarts on Canadian networks continue: This hour has 22 minutes, Mercer Report, Corner Gas, The Red Green Show and Trailer Park Boys have had strong followings. Today, CBC claims Schitt’s Creek as beign a hit show. This may be moot as either one has to have a very free but strong sense of humour or else, that show demands a number of viewings to make it stick.
Personally, I am attracted to political-legal dramas: Madame Secretary based on a fictitious secretary of state has consistently good stories and again, good acting helps the show keep its deserved popularity. The Law and Order series wins many votes because episodes are based on true events adding validity to the old adage truth is stranger than fiction. Bull, a legal ‘who done it’ or ‘who might get away with it except for …’ is a new show which shows promise because of its legal theme with a technology complement to its court room plots.
Give your feedback
What genre of TV do you prefer: comedy, suspense, drama? What are your favourite two or three shows?
