When Watching Shows Was a Big DealBefore the days of endless streaming and on-demand everything, we had something special: appointment television. You know, back when Thursday night meant new episodes of your favorite sitcom, and missing it meant waiting for a rerun or begging someone to tell you what happened. It was a time when watching TV wasn’t just entertainment—it was a shared weekly event.B
ack then, you didn’t just watch a show—you planned for it. You raced home, finished homework early, popped popcorn, and claimed the best spot on the couch. Friends and families would gather around the screen like it was a campfire, eyes wide, hearts ready. There was something thrilling about watching a show live, at the same time as everyone else in the country.Shows like Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Seinfeld, TGIF Fridays, and Must-See TV created not just fans but moments. Monday morning at school or the office was all about “Did you see it last night?”—a shared cultural buzz that bonded people together.
Appointment TV made the experience communal. No spoilers online, no binge-watching marathons in isolation. Just millions of people laughing, crying, and reacting in real time. It was an era of countdowns, cliffhangers, and commercial breaks that gave you time to breathe—or run to the kitchen.
Sure, technology has made watching more convenient today. But there was something magical about looking forward to a specific night, knowing that everyone else was tuning in too. It gave us rhythm, anticipation, and connection.So here’s to appointment TV—the original social media. It made watching a show more than just passing time; it made it an event. And even if we don’t do it the same way today, the memories of those cozy, exciting nights still play reruns in our hearts.
