Let’s make this week’s Confessional a feel-good one, shall we?
Last weekend, I found myself debating with friends whether their friend, who’d just bought a Ferrari the same model year and color as Magnum, P.I.’s, was crazy. Now because the buyer is only a friend of a friend, I’ll just say this about the motivation for the purchase: Magnum meant a lot to him when he was growing up. (The verdict, in case you’re wondering: still sane.)
From there, we segued into a discussion about a DVD I’d recently reviewed, How William Shatner Changed the World. It’s a Shat-hosted documentary (which you may have seen on the Discovery Channel), that explains how Star Trek literally inspired some of today’s greatest technological advances. For instance, the inventor of the cell phone, peeved that he could never get from his patio to the kitchen phone in time to answer it, got the idea one night while watching Captain Kirk flip open his communicator. Another noteworthy fan, NASA’s chief propulsion engineer, recounts how a Trek ep marked the first time he heard the words "ion propulsion" and thus shaped his career. To me, that’s TV at its best — when it sparks an enthusiasm or fascination that adds to your life.
So, here are the stories we’d love you to share this week: What haveyou been inspired to do because of a TV show, movie, book, or song?Maybe you chose a certain profession, planned a particular vacation,took up a new hobby, or made a bold romantic gesture…
My confession: In college, I took two flying lessons because I loved that the guys on Wings (Steven Weber, front, and Tim Daly, with Crystal Bernard) could fly to another state for breakfast if they wanted to.
Your turn.
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This one is too easy, so I’ll take it. “Cheers” inspired me to find a friendly neighborhood bar (where everybody new my name and was always glad I came), shoot some bull, and drink beer.
When a group I was a member of was looking for a fundraising idea, I drew inspiration from the Gilmore Girls episode where they had a basket auction. Seemed like a simple thing, in a way, but everyone had so much fun making theme baskets, plus a cookout, that we raised every single penny needed (plus some) in that one fundraiser.
Right now I’m planning a vacation to Cape Cod. I’m looking for a cute B&B/inn to stay at. Totally inspired by Gilmore Girls because Lorelai owns that cute inn. I want a relaxing vacation in a cute little town like Stars Hollow!
As corny as the show was, Saved By the Bell: The College Years cemented my decision to go to college (a decision made in 5th grade) because college seemed so cool on the show. When I finally did get to college, it was still great but absolutely nothing like the one on the show (Their dorm room suite was bigger and better furnished than my entire first apartment).
When I was 16, I started taking karate and spanish lesson because I loved “Alias” and “24″ so much because I thought, one day, the government might recuit me as CIA or FBI agent. Everyday, all I thought about was going to some exotic places fighting terroist who might sound like 007 rejects getting to kick their monkey a$$. BOO-YA! However, thank God I became a lazy person and stop 6 months later because there is no way I would want to work for the government now, well, not under the Bush administion, at least.
I travelled to Ireland solely based on the charm of the people in the movie “Waking Ned Devine.”
I let got of the steering wheel in my car and just drifted because of ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’
I decided to move from Massachusetts and my only real idea was Washington, DC. This was based completely on my West Wing fantasy of finding the real Josh Lyman or Sam Seabourne.
my first trip to hawaii was inspired by an episode of step by step. i wish i was kidding.
“So You Think You Can Dance” inspired me to start dancing again. As a child, I danced for twelve years, but then I stopped when I started high school. I continued dancing on and off for the next 18 years or so, but I didn’t do anything consistently. After last season, though, I was so pumped by the show that I started taking ballroom and social dance lessons in September. I’ve been dancing (and improving!) ever since.
This is a little obscure and dorky-
But when I was 7- Alex Trebek hosted a special program on your memory- and all I can remember from that program was that Alex said “you can learn and remember anything, as long as you put your mind to it.” So right after it aired- I went to my bedroom, sat down in front of my US map, made a list of the states in alphabetical order and memorized it. 18 years later- I can still rattle them off- and I can do it in about 14 seconds.
It’s not life-changing- but it’s a skill that has helped me win a few trivia contests. Plus, it is true. You can remember anything- if you really put your mind it.
When I was ten, I went to my first Red Sox game, and I wore white, because I wanted to be the “Lady in White” from the Natural (which I had just seen with my dad in the theater). It must have been so annoying for the people behind me, because I kept standing up. Luckily, you’re pretty short at age 10.
And I went to law school because, when I was a teenager, I wanted to be a judge like Harry on Night Court (I’m not, but I still went to law school!).
OOOOH, I love the Inspirations!
Gi Joe’s lessons at the end of every episode were pretty inspiring. I know them all, and knowing is half the battle.
On a more serious note, the Tao of Steve was my bible for meeting and dating women out of my league. Just as Lost helped me meet the woman of my dreams, the Tao of Steve helped me reel her in.
The rules: #1 Eliminate your desires (be friends with a woman because you like her, not because you want to be in her pants) #2 Be awesome (like dancing salsa or speaking fluent Spanish in front of a woman who speaks one language) and #3 be Gone (make her call you, don’t ever act desperate).
I highly recommend this movie to regular looking schlubs (like me) who have always dreamed of dating women “out of their league”.
After watching the Laguna Beach kids take their Spring Break Trip to Cabo, I some how managed to talk my parents into taking me there for our summer vacation. My mom hated it and when she realized why I picked it she said that I will never again have a say in the vacation planning process. But, I got to see the club where Stephen told Kristin she was a slut, so it was totally worth it.
Well I would have to say TV inspired my mother…to name me! I am named after Monica Quartermaine from General Hospital.
I lived in Maine for a few years because of Murder She Wrote. Seriously.
I went to Italy because I loved the scenery in Under the Tuscan Sun. And yes, the Tuscany region really is that beautiful.
Back when Gilmore Girls was brimming with pop culture references, I would watch an episode and get completely lost in a conversation because I had no idea what they were talking about. So I went out and bought most of the books, movies, and CDs they mentioned, fell in love with them, and went back and watched those episodes, which instantly became even funnier.
I think everyone has at least downloaded one song used on The O.C. or Grey’s Anatomy.
Forgot to mention that I don’t ever ask anybody to come inside my house at night in fear that they’re vampires. Thanks Buffy.
Hey monica, I’ll raise your GH name to my middle name Brianne, after Brianne Leary of CHiPS (yes I said CHiPS) fame!
I currently have a beat up ‘67 Chevy Impala in my garage, hoping that one day I can get it to look half as good as Dean Winchester’s on Supernatural.
I confess! It’s not a TV show, but I started taking swing dance lessons largely based on how cool that one GAP commerical was featuing “Jump, jive and wail.”
Been doing it for about 5 years now, and I’ve met some of my very best friends (and continue to meet tons of outstanding people on a weekly basis) through dancing.
I’m not gonna lie either…it’s also helped me immensely with the ladies. I used to be painfully shy, but through time I’ve acquired a self-confidence I don’t know I would’ve attained otherwise. Apparently, ladies like a fella that can dance.
Thank you GAP.
Hey esbeerod-
I’ve got you beat- My first and middle names are Brianne Lea (pronounced Lee). Betcha can’t guess where my parents got the inspiration for that from?
TV inspired my mom naming me too. I am named after Queen Elizabeth. And remember what time I was born, see was watching MASH when I was born. Thanks Mom
When I went to see “The Crying Game” in the theatre, they had a sneak preview of “Strictly Ballroom”. I loved it so much, I got dance lessons and eventually became a teacher.
I once watched an episode of the Simpsons where Homer was a truck driver, and he needed to stay up all night, so he pooped a whole bottle of caffeine pills, then balanced it out with sleeping pills to reach equalibrium. I had to stay up to watch a marathon of X-files on TNT, and went out to the 7-11, bought caffeine pills, and swallowed 15. If it couldn’t hurt Homer, how could it hurt me? Well, later that night, I told my bro that probably needed to go to the doctor so they can pump my stomach. I ended up not being able to sleep for 2 days, and my hand has a hidden tremor. Thanks alot for making me feel good, EW!
Oh dear, I have become so Obsessive Compulsive after all the Monk I’ve watched. I can’t sleep without checking doors or pill bottles, etc. I never noticed any of that stuff beforehand.
Scrubs has influenced my vocabulary so much. I say frick, eagle, and elongate words now.
Jem and the Holograms is what made me, at the age of seven, explore hair bands. This led to a slippery slope of Bon Jovi, followed by Queensryche, and eventually leading to Alt-Rock. I still do not own a single album that doesn’t have an electric guitar involved in the recording (not counting Nirvana Unplugged, of course!). Wow. from Jem to Nirvana. Random, but true.
watching countless episodes of my super sweet 16 inspired me to, um, never be like them.