I don’t have cable so I’m generally usually blissfully unaware of what awesomeness I’m missing while the rest of the planet is frontal lobe deep in Lost or 24 or whatever variety of smack is being peddled this season. And by “the rest of the planet” I’m obviously referring to Boo Mama, Big Mama, and my many more mama friends who blog and tweet and Facebook regularly about their love of cable programming and tempt me toward a $60 month contribution to Comcast. I have not tasted these addictive morsels of broadcast television…however.
One vulnerable night in a hotel room last Spring I happened to land on a rerun of House. Now, every Tuesday night I scurry over to Hulu.com to score a free episode. I am slightly obsessed (and proving you don’t need cable).
Because I’m a total pharisee I have to justify this hypocrisy, this addiction – and I’m quite skilled at the art of justification so this is no problem. Not at all.
You see, House is a philosophical – nay, a theological discourse disguised as a run-of-the-mill vapid medical drama. It makes me smarter, better, unlike the crap you watch. (Pride and arrogance, by the way, are not problems I deal with on a moment by moment basis. Nossir. I’m the most humble person you know.)
For instance. (The following is an instance of House making me better, not of my humility. In case you were confused. It happens. The confusion, not the humility.)
A dwarf came into House’s hospital doing the usual stuff patients do as soon as they’re under House’s “care”: coughing up blood, bleeding out the ears, getting defibrillated repeatedly, etc. As usual House and his team couldn’t figure out why the little lady was dying. Until House saw an x-ray of her leg bones. He got that “aha” look in his eyes and a member of his team said something like, “What? Her x-ray is normal.”
Exactly, house pointed out. “Normal isn’t normal if you’re not normal.”
A dwarf’s bones aren’t supposed to be like everybody else’s. That’s an essential part of being a dwarf: being different deep down in your bones.
Turns out she wasn’t a dwarf at all. She looked like a dwarf only on the outside. She thought she was a dwarf through and through. But she actually had a busted pituitary and a little surgery and a couple pills made her right as rain again…and a lot taller.
But now see, that’s profound. Normal isn’t normal if you’re not normal.
If I say I’m something different from normal then I’d better not be normal deep down in my bones. I better be quite different – all the way through. Or else I’m not what I think I am.
Take that Jack Bauer.
Kristie Wooten says:
WOW! That was truly excellent! Quite a parable indeed! Maybe I need to start watching TV again? I knew there had to be more life-changing programming than Curious George.
Ron says:
Q: What is “Normal?”
A: “Merely the setting on the dryer.”
Life proves this true every single day.
Stretch Mark Mama says:
We don’t have cable either. But even with my busted (thank you, children) rabbit ears, we’re able to get the five main channels. Which is just enough to develop a nice addiction to Lost / American Idol / 30 Rock / Community / Parks and Rec / So You Think You Can Dance. Oh, maybe I’ve said too much.
Laura @ Texas in Africa says:
Not to be too off-point, but House is on Fox, which means you don’t need cable to watch it. ๐
pendy says:
Where I live (rural area), you have to have cable to watch anything. ๐
Amy @ My Friend Amy says:
Yeah TV…it’s not always as bad as you think.
(there is much to think about in LOST much much more than House. ๐
Rebecca in e.tx says:
man – that is a great post – hilarious and thought-provoking – just like House ๐
and I am glad you don’t struggle with pride – it is tough!
rebecca
Joy says:
you do realize that every show you listed, LOST, 24, House…are all on network TV right? You don’t have to have cable to watch any of them…and now that we’re in the digital age you can watch them all in HD for free ๐
On a side note, LOST has tons of spiritual applications, but at this point I’d suggest waiting till the end and watching the DVD’s the week long wait is so killer.
Shaun Groves says:
Yes, I’m aware of the various definitions of the word cable. And aware that you city folks can pick up Fox through the air magically but I cannot. Therefore, I must pay to watch it on a television. If I have to pay for it I call it “cable.” I realize this is not normal but, well, that’s sorta consistent with the post now isn’t it?
Jami says:
The next time my husband asks me why I watch House, I’m directing him to your post. Thank you!
Karen says:
You do realize Shaun with that cutting sarcasm of yours and slightly shorter cropped hair, you could BE House!
Chrissy says:
Your last paragraph is perfect. Absolutely perfect! If we say we’re Christians, we should be different from the world all the way down to our bones. If we don’t look different to them, but we look normal (just like the world), we need to re-evaluate our Christianity. Thank you for this post. It’s brilliant!
Dawn~Canada says:
I have watched House from time to time. I find it intriguing and yet uncomfortable. I get uncomfortable that is. And grouchy. There are too many times when in the end House points out some obvious run of the mill human character flaw and magnifies it, shedding light on those wee grey areas none of us like. Lies are lies, but we all justify them somehow. Or how we all manipulate others or use their misfortunes to build ourselves up. It’s nasty stuff, and yet so every day. The writers kinda stick it right in your face. Who’d a thought conviction would arise from a mainstream, non-Bible based show.
aggiejenn@ReflectingHim says:
hilarious. and so true.
misty says:
Just wanted to say….
My husband and I do not have cable/local channels, anything. We cut our satellite off about 3 years ago and it was the BEST decision we have ever made! We still have TV and can watch DVD’s but we have so much more time to spend together and do the things that the Lord has called us to do.
Parke Ladd says:
huh. that actually made sense to me. Thanks Dr. Shaun. Glad I found your blog.
Kacie says:
Okay, so House is great. I agree with Amy, LOST is better, and it is not just this season’s buzz – it’s six seasons and still buzzing!
And… you can watch it online.
FREE.
No more excuses
Online Singles finden says:
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