In other words, it could happen to anyone.
“But it could never happen to me.”
Or so I thought.
It’s 8:30 on a Sunday evening. As I’m preparing to leave the house for a night on the town, I do what millions of Americans (and Canadians) effortlessly do each day: I head over to the TV so I can TIVO the shows I’d otherwise miss while out. I click on over to the ‘guide’, see Entourage, push the record button and… Oh my God… say it isn’t so…
My TIVO is full!
How did this happen? Surely, I don’t TIVO that many shows! Am I THAT addicted to TV? (If you’re reading this site, we might well share a common affliction!)
With only a few precious minutes remaining before I absolutely have to leave the hosue or cancel my dinner plans, I face every TIVO owner’s version of Sophie’s Choice: What can I delete to make room for the shows I absolutely can’t miss?
I quickly flick over to the “recorded programs” list and am amazed by the number of backlogged shows waiting to be watched. The final seven episodes of 24… the last four episodes of Scrubs… an entire season of Beautiful People… and then there are the repeats of 90210, The West Wing… so many shows, so little room on the TIVO. But what can I possibly delete?
I’m already late for dinner and pressure is mounting. Little beads of sweat fall off my forehead.
Do I really need to watch Beautiful People? (Yes damit, I have to support all Melrose Place alumni!), What about 24? Thanks to the deadly combination of the internet and my inability to leave a spoiler unread, I already know how Jack’s day will end. 90210? Sure, the show died long ago, but when TVtropolis began airing reruns, I swore to watch every episode from the beginning). And Everwood will remain alive on my TIVO until the day I die (or the WB gets its act together and releases the remaining seasons on DVD).
In the end, sacrifices must be made. Wincing, I decide the only answer is to delete the movies which I can always catch on their next viewing. So I bid Mr. & Mrs. Smith farewell, knowing I eventually will return to the birthplace of Brangelina. Farewell, National Treasure (Yes, it stars Nicolas Cate, but I still love this flick. We all have our secret shames.)
With the movies I’ve deleted, I finally have enough room for the Entourage gang and anything else I might randomly decide to record.
Crisis averted. For now…
So before you dismiss this warning and naively allow yourself to think that your TIVO – being the latest model with all the bells and whistles – would never put you in this unholy position. I’m here to tell you it can — and will.
So take a minute to scroll through your Recorded list. If you still have the final season of Friends, Frasier and Sex & The City on your TIVO… you may have a serious problem. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
theTVaddict question: What shows should be delted from your TIVO but you just don’t have the heart to?