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Susan Silver
As a TV viewer, ok, addict... and a former TV writer (Mary tyler Moore, Bob Newhart, Maude), I can make the arguement that TV is just as good as it always was. We talk about the "golden days" but there are always great shows in every season. We just used to have a more limited choice so we ALL watched the same things.

Whether they get the chance to survive in this new crazy economic arena is a different matter. I love Dexter just as I loved Six Feet Under...so maybe I just love Michael Hall. I haven't seen any of the Vampire shows but love vampires. I am hooked on a lot of very iffy reality shows which have been bad for my cohorts in the writing game, but I can't help myself.

I like Castle because the chemistry between the leads is like Moonlighting which I loved...and I am beyong addicted to House and Hugh Laurie. This new season with him in the rehab hospital should be amazing. Hugh...call me. Mostly... I have to get out of the house more or read instead of being glued to TV.

About Susan Silver
Susan was a writer for several of the greatest TV shows of all time, including "The Bob Newhart Show," "Mary Tyler Moore," and "Maude." These days, she writes a hilarious relationship column called, "The Search for Mr. Adequate." She is a frequent guest on NBC's Today Show whenever the subject turns to relationships, and she's a favorite repeat guest on the Growing Bolder Radio Show. 

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Lou Whitney
From its inception television has played a major role in people's lives, but there is no physical comparison to the 10 inch round black and white television of the mid 1940's, and the television of today.  However, the impact on from a relativity standpoint is just as profound.  The first time I viewed a television was in 1946 in the elementary school cafeteria with about 200 other people.  It was that 10 inch black and white set in a big cabinet.  I didn't actually see the details of what was on the screen, but I remember thinking to myself how amazing it was that they were able to show pictures over the airwaves.  My much beloved radio and "Crystal Set" became a little used appliance after we got our first Stromberg-Carlson television set, complete with rabbit ears (just a brief not of interjection....I actually retired from Stromberg-Carlson in 1991.  Stromberg-Carlson was founded in 1894, and was best known for its telephone business in later years).
 
The television was responsible for getting our extended family (our immediate family, along with my 2 uncles, my grandmother, and my great grandmother) together for dinner and to watch our favorite programs several times a week.  I remember the Kraft Theater being one of the early shows that we all watched.  Then came the Howdy Doody show, which my two sisters and I loved.  Then the Ed Sullivan Show, and of course, in the early 50's the Jackie Gleason, presented by  Texaco.  After that came the cowboy shows, which I will always remember.  Those were great days for a lot of reasons, and television stood out as a modern day wonder back then.  Our parent's used it as a way for us to do our homework, and it worked.  More and more shows became available, and television was not only a great source entertainment, but was the beginning of global news reporting.
 
Television as an entertainment and information source still plays an important role in our everyday lives, but the computer and cell phone is rapidly replacing television as a source for information exchange.  It's still nice to kick back and enjoy a good entertaining program, whether it be a well produced documentary, or an action filled murder mystery.  I love the action packed movies like The Unit, Law and Order, CSI and NCIS.  My wife and I love to watch programs like, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, and ice skating.  We also like some of the reality shows like Survivor.  My favorite TV celebrity is Jay Leno, basically because I'm a car guy, and love to laugh.
 
I think that TV like we know it today will probably evolve to something that can be a part of your classes, or even implanted in your eye.  Who know what direction technology will take in the future.  It's unbelievable how technology has advanced in the last 50 years.  Look at computers....50 years ago the power of a present day personal computer would file a huge room full of computers.
 
Sorry, I've got to leave because my favorite TV program is coming on.

About Lou Whitney
Now in his 70s, Lou does things not many people at any age can do. Whitney is not only a pioneer in Veterans Motocross racing -- he's a competitor. He's part of the fastest growing division of the sport, the senior division. And he's responsible for staging the Veterans Motocross Championships. He also does another type of riding -- adventure riding. He goes on an annual trek to places like Mexico, the West Coast and Canada.

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Sherrie Mathieson
I loved cartoons as a kid---all the Disney characters and Disneyland. Howdy Doody, Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey, Hopalong Cassidy were all on my list. Then it was shows like Gunsmoke and 77 Sunset Strip, Alfred Hitchcock and The Twilight Zone. I watched Sid Ceasar , Ed Sullivan, I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, and You Bet Your Life with my parents.

My favorite stars were Sid Ceasar and Imogene Coca, Dean Martin, Bobby Darren, Ed Burns(Kookie), Rod Serling, Lucille Ball and many more. I had enjoyed "Sex and The City" and I truly loved the Sopranos--so sorry it's over! Today there's a lot of junk on TV --but if you choose well--it's another way to learn, stay informed, enrich yourself..and oh yeah--be entertained! 

I  have a home office so I take TV breaks to watch the news or the new " Doctors" show because I'm interested in health issues. At times I linger with Martha Stewart, because I always learn something from her --it's also on of the few "class acts" of daytime TV. Jeopardy is great while I'm on the treadmill. I love Ovation TV on cable,  and movies on The Sundance channel in the evening hours some days. The History Channel, Channel 13, and Charlie Rose are sometimes very educational. For utter escapism and fun I love "Dancing With The Stars".

I have no favorite TV stars today, except the cast members of The Sopranos--notably Edie Falco who I think is unbelievably talented. The world is all too real, and silly reality TV shows have taken too much of the viewing audience. I'm not celebrity oriented-- but  I think  that people like Walter Cronkite will be terribly missed. The lovely and wonderful "fog" of my childhood has cleared.

About Sherrie Mathieson
Sherrie has worked in film, television and commercials, and she has clientele of all ages and all personal styles. But it’s her unique way of looking at baby boomers that sets her apart from all the rest. And now, she has done it again. She’s followed up her first book, "Forever Cool" with the must-read, "Steal This Style," which is full of ways women can borrow cues from the younger generation in a flattering way. 

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Pat Paciello
The invention of the wheel and the discovery of fire pale in comparison to the birth of television. If you combine the invention of the remote control and the television as one entity, then the Seven Wonders of the World, Landing on the Moon and the advent of Electricity are in comparison mere footnotes in the history of man, or at least according to this man.
   
Today, it's hard to believe that when we were young, we basically watched three network channels. Channel surfing consisted of bullying the youngest sibling to get off the floor and periodically change the channel. Today our children would call the authorities on us for this kind of abusive parenting.
   
It's hard to make a case that television was better in the old days. Our viewing options were limited.The picture quality was poor, and we literally saw the world only in black and white. On the other hand, those early years produced among others, I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners and the Twilight Zone. These shows are as entertaining and relevant today as they were back in the day. Call me crazy, but I'm betting that in fifty years shows like Rock of Love, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, and The Kardashians won't be on the oldies television network ... at least I hope so.

About Pat Paciello
Pat Paciello is pushing 60 these days, has three grown children, and has been happily married for over 30 years. (He says the first year wasn't so hot!) He has been retired from the workforce for almost a decade. During that time span Pat has been particularly adept at enjoying leisure pursuits, and earning the highest recommendation from his peers for his "I do nothing, but I do it well attitude." His book, Has Anyone Seen My Reading Glasses? offers a unique and fresh approach to the subject of Baby Boomer retirement. First, it's written by a Baby Boomer who is actually retired. Second, the book is long on humor and personal anecdotes, and short on statistical analysis. 

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Ted Skup
I loved "Leave it to Beaver", The Andy Griffith Show" and Father Knows Best".  By the end of everyone of these shows, life's little problems where always solved in thirty minutes. Some of my own life's family problems have not been resolved after thirty years, let alone thirty minutes. As much as I loved these shows, I always went back to The Dark Side, which were my idol's "The Three Stooges".  To this day, I still haven't sawed or hammered anyones head .... that didn't deserve it. Regardless of what anyone says, we are all slaves to our televisions. The best show on earth was when we crawled into a tubeless TV set found in the ally to preform our own variety shows as children. Now That's Entertainment!!

About Ted Skup
He believes that with obesity levels at an all-time high, fitness needs be a national priority. He says despite the fact we have an arsenal of exercise options at our disposal, the ultimate choice is, the simple push-up. Skup takes on the 35-billion-dollar fitness industry and explains why it is failing us, with its bogus claims, magic bullets, and quick fixes. Although the fitness industry may not want to hear it, push-ups are free, no equipment, no gimmicks and totally portable. He is the author of Death, Taxes & Push-ups.

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Dr. Ronda Beaman
Diamonds, daisies, snowflakes, That Girl” From the time I first saw Marlo Thomas, I wanted to be “That Girl”, living in my own apartment, having a nice boyfriend, crazy adventures and life with a promise.

That’s the power of good television, it can help you create a life bigger than your own, instill vivid dreams and hopes and make you believe and search for the wonder and world waiting for you beyond your living room. Stars like Mary Tyler Moore, Marlo Thomas, Michael Landon, Andy Griffith, in their shows and their scripts all pointed toward something better, something more, something good.

Television in my childhood was guidance counselor, loving role model, a hope-swollen messenger of potential, while I sat with my less than entertaining family, in a dismal house, munching bologna sandwiches.

So now, we get reality TV when what people really need is a break from reality. Forget Jerry Springer, bring back Mike Douglas, Goodbye Biggest Loser and hello Queen for a Day, and who needs Survivor rather than a nice cruise on The Love Boat!


About Dr. Ronda Beaman
Dr. Beaman is an internationally recognized expert on leadership, resilience, health and wellness, education, and coaching. She has conducted research, written many academic articles and books, and won numerous awards. Her current book, You're Only Young Twice, offers a definitive guidebook for growing younger, personally and professionally. She is also a certified executive coach and personal trainer. 

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Terri Dennis
Born in 1951, I was a TV addict from my earliest years. I spent many a Saturday morning watching my favorite kiddie show, Captain Kangaroo as well as cartoons like Looney Toons, Mighty Mouse and Bugs Bunny. I never missed Soupy Sales (remember White Fang and Black Tooth?) and I also loved the TV cowboys like Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, Sky King and Roy Rogers. In the evenings my whole family watched classic series like Father Knows Best, Dr. Kildaire, Adventures in Paradise, Uncle Milty and my Mom's favorite, Perry Mason.

After school I would run home to watch Howdy Doody or a favorite cartoon. But my sister, Patty, would insist on watching American Bandstand or a local dance show. If her show was on the same time as one I wanted to watch I was forced to give in to her demands. In those days I was still smaller than her and she had no problem using her physical advantage to bully me into submission! My brother didn't fight over the television in the afternoons because he was at Little League, but Saturday mornings he ruled the rabbit ears. The older sibling issue left me with a very small window of control over the TV programming!

To this day, I still love television. It is still my habit to get up early and watch a little television before I start my day. I use television to wind down and shut my brain off at the end of the day. Television is a window to the world with the news and gossip shows, a connection to far away places and long ago times. Even though the internet has encroached on television's territory, to me it is just another tube to watch, you can even watch television on the computer and your cell phone. What a world this has become in half a century.

For more from Terri on this subject, click here.


About Terri Dennis
The Pop Art Diva is an artist unlike any other. She's a baby boomer and proud of it! So proud, that even though she grew up during the Golden Age of TV, Rock 'N Roll and other classics of American Pop Culture she has embraced modern technology to advance her art. She's found the computer to be a great tool to feed her passion in art inspired by pop culture. She's also fascinated in how American history relates to pop culture mythology and understanding the influence it's had on our society. 

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Art D'Alesandro
In a house with 7 kids and one TV, the choice of what we'd watch usually came down to what my father wanted to watch.  As it turns out, that was a good thing -- his choices of THE UNTOUCHABLES, MAVERICK, GUNSMOKE, THE RIFLEMAN, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW and THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW served to establish a quality in taste and storytelling that stuck with me through life. 

So when I went out on my own it seemed only natural to gravitate toward shows like BOB NEWHART, MARY TYLER MOORE, LA LAW, HILL STREET BLUES and into today's "bolder" years to stalwarts like FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, SOUTHLAND and MAD MEN. 

I still seek out and enjoy watching many of the old series on TV Land, American Life and other networks and try to bring some of their  standards to my writing of films today.  It all boils down to character.  Glad the old man figured that out for me.

About Art D'Alesandro
The world is filled with people telling you that you can't do something or you can't do it your own way. This screenwriter and producer has ignored those naysayers and in the process, bucked two Hollywood trends. He does not live in Los Angeles, and he's over 50. His most recent project is the movie, The Final Season, starring Sean Astin and Rachel Leigh Cook. It's based on a true story about a small high school baseball team.

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Joe Neal
Had a television when we were growing up in the 50's! As I recall, only three channels offered. We just had a limited number of hours that they broadcast. In those years, I was busy studying for a college scholarship, which I won to the U.S. Naval Academy. As I recall, pictured myself in dress blues smoking a cigarette on American Bandstand!

About Joe Neal
Triathlons are difficult enough, but imagine competing against your spouse! Carol and Joe Neal have been married for 40 years and their relationship is as strong as their bodies. A former college athlete, Joe now relishes the opportunity get out and test himself in as many triathlons as he and his wife can enter!  

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