Nothing is more cliché than a reference to a man and woman fighting over a television remote.  It’s the punch line of dumb jokes, it’s sprinkled into sitcoms, and it’s a comic strip staple.  I can’t stand gender stereotypes or clichés, but I have to admit, this particular tired refrain has a ring of truth.  While this couple really enjoys sharing their regularly scheduled programs, it’s a much more contentious story when it comes to channel surfing.

She Said:  I like television; I’m not too erudite to admit it. I aspire to be well read. I love traveling and expanding my horizons; but I also like Glee and Modern Family.  I’ve always had a handful of TV shows that I’ve followed and my husband and I even have a few guilty pleasure reality shows we hunker down and enjoy together.  C’mon, who doesn’t get giddy with excitement over the weekly train wreck that is The Bachelor?  My husband isn’t as interested in scripted, half-hour comedies as I am, but even he appreciates the humor of The Office and 30 Rock.  When nothing we’ve planned on watching is on, however, the remote control is always caught in a tug of war.  If it were up to me, I’d watch a steady stream of old sitcoms, like Seinfeld or even Cheers.  My other favorite kind of programming is the medical mystery variety.  Any show that focuses on an unexplained illness or super weird condition has got me hooked.  Did anyone else see that special on the three year-old boy who could do chin-ups and had a six pack?  Strange and intriguing works for me!

He Said:  Like my wife said, I’m all about our regular reality show fix.  I enjoy abusing bad auditions and laughing at Steven Tyler’s insanity on American Idol.  And I won’t lie, while I don’t watch it every week, I’ve been known to check in with the gang on Jersey Shore from time to time.  This planned fluff is fun for the whole family, but I cannot abide the way my wife channel surfs.  I don’t ever want to watch an episode from season four of the Gilmore Girls and I’m not charmed by a show devoted to unidentified ailments that sometimes result in a home birth because the mother didn’t know she was pregnant.  When I’m in charge of the remote I land far away from scripted banter and medical marvels.  I really like history; especially programs about ancient civilizations.  I also dig documentaries about nature; like a two hour special on the exotic animal trade or Shark Week.  I like features on old rock bands and I also have an unnatural love for the NFL network.  I have watched countless “top ten lists,” old Super Bowls and documentaries on my favorite players.  Who doesn’t like watching Joe Namath’s cocky monologues or witnessing Earl Campbell knocking over the UT mascot during his college days?

Even the most in-sync couple can differ over television programming.  My advice to the TV watchers out there is agree on a few favorites and choose to channel surf separately.