Things I've Learned from Television

Written by Shae Rufe

Throughout the various things I’ve learned, I can say some very interesting life lessons have come from television. Anything from comedies to reality TV, every show has something to learn from. As such, why not write about it?!

Friends taught me so many things. I actually watched the premiere of that show and the end of it. Every single episode was seen from the couch, in my parents living room, with my parents. Every single Thursday night; typically, with pizza too. The first thing I learned from this show was that OCD was totally okay to have. Growing up, my mom was a little on the neurotic side with her cleaning. On the show, so was Monica. That was really cool to see. Aside from that, this show also proved that Italians are totally stereotyped. I’m just saying….

Friends also taught me that it was really okay if the girl you really liked and dated broke up with you. Because in the end, you’d both get back together, and break up, have a kid, and then get back together again. If there were any major life lessons in that, it was don’t date your friends. It makes things really awkward when things don’t work out. Also, they were on a break. I always liked how these six different people got along so well with their distinct personalities. Watching this show as an adult I can honestly say I have a different view on it.

Seinfeld taught me that being snarky is totally okay. I’d like to say that this show is where I get my snarky attitude from but let’s agree that some of that is genetics and move on. No, but really, this show was really fantastic. I recently watched the first season on TV the other day and I can’t believe how dated it is. It’s so fantastic. This show made me want to live in New York. It also taught me that the normal lives of everyday people are hilarious and filled with sarcasm. With so many quotable lines, and always a hidden Superman, this show was really amazing. The ending however, robbed me. Kind of like How I Met Your Mother. This show was really good. Except for the Robin/Ted constant love thing. It was no different than Ross/Rachel and their thing. The ending of the show was beyond not at all what should have actually happened. Regardless, this show taught me a lot about being an adult. Mostly, New York is expensive and seems to always be raining. It also showed a lot less traffic than what actually exists in real life. Yet, this show makes me want a relationship like Lily and Marshal have. Barney is utterly amazing but taught me that being promiscuous is hilarious and has a great story to tell. That and really, Canada. That’s all I have to say. Canada.

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Of course, there are other shows out there. Modern Family, for instance, made me realize that my family isn’t so bad. It also taught me the value of being there for your family, and that sometimes, you just have to laugh at the disasters. Arrow was good for life lessons like, ‘don’t be a super-rich bad person’. While Supernatural taught me that maybe learning how to do an exorcism isn’t such a bad idea. I mean, you never know when you’ll need to do one. It also taught me to get into shape for fighting demons. Firefly was great for learning that the government is probably going to be a bad thing in the future. And stealing is okay. The Walking Dead made me realize I really need to work on my cardio…and become a ninja.

Reality shows have even more life lessons to them. For starters, Real Housewives taught me that I never want to be on that show. Ever. Below Deck is a good reason to never go yachting. Or that if I do, that its really expensive and people working the yacht expect a really, very, large tip. Million Dollar Listings has shown me a different side to real-estate. I honestly had no idea that that industry was so cut throat. Also, multimillion-dollar homes are either super large and extravagant, or normal looking. Really, it depends on the area. Unless it’s New York City, then, they’re all small apartments worth millions of dollars and everyone wants to live there. The Millionaire Match Maker taught me that just because you’re rich, doesn’t mean you will find love. And just because you’re pretty doesn’t mean you’re a gold digger. But you have to be super pretty in order to be set up on a date with a millionaire. Like, seriously, you have to be stunning or you’re not allowed in that club.

Catfish taught me that I will never date anyone I meet on the internet ever…because they’re probably a liar and trying to mess with me. Unless they’re a genuine person with genuine intentions…It’s a confusing show. Half the time things work out for the bad…. like more than half the time. On that note, any crime show ever, has taught me that regardless of what I do, I will get caught. Because police and investigators have super vision and senses that will magically find that one tiny skin follicle left behind. And they will throw me in jail. And I will be sad. I guess the better answer is that to just not commit crimes…

Any cooking show ever has taught me that I really cannot cook. Like, seriously guys, I can’t. Chopped is the main show that proves no matter what I do, I will never be able to make ramen noodles and tortillas into delectable 5-star appetizers that every chef in the world will drool over. That and I burn water. How do you burn water? I don’t know, I just do. Most importantly, cooking shows just make me hungry.

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