I feels like there’s an entire class of TV show that people only watch when they go to visit family. One of the ways my dad and I interact when I go home is by watching gearhead marathons. I’ve spent hours and (consecutive) hours watching shows like American Chopper, Street Customs, and Overhaulin’ — series I never watch on my own, but fall into like a beloved habit when I cross my parents’ threshold. I got a sneak peek at what I’ll no doubt be watching over the holidays: the new TLC reality special Family Armor, (premiering Nov. 19) about a large Mormon family in San Antonio who runs Texas Armoring Corporation, a company that custom bullet-proofs vehicles for celebrities, heads of state, and regular old people who’ve got something to fear. So picture lots of explosions, gunfire, and a baby-faced CEO who says things like, “It’s not about Big Love. It’s tough love.”
So, tell me: What are your TV shows that you only watch when you’re with your parents?
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Any of the CSI shows…they are hooked on all of them, but the only time I watch them is when we’re visiting them.
Me too – they’re my dad’s favorite shows. I’m a fan at my own place but not enough to watch. Though I watched last week’s trilogy and it’s not the same without Grissom *sigh*
My in-laws like those, too. Really any of the CBS crime shows–CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, whatever. Honestly, I think CSI is poorly written and predictable and would NEVER watch it on my own, but am compelled to sit through it with them.
NCIS
Yes, any of the procedurals. I never watch them, but parents seem to love the Cold Case, CSI, NCIS type shows.
Any remodeling show on TLC or DIY channels. Even when I am with them, I can only handle about an hour and a half, then I’m hunting for the remote control.
Wheel of Fortune
My family too! and Jepordy… my step-dad actually DVR’s it!
same here on the wheel of fortune
Yep, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune…they never miss it.
Wheel of Fortune for sure! Plus the stock market channel – riveting stuff.
My parents and I will obsessively watch Bones, Boston Legal, and The Tudors whenever I’m home. I’m talking four or five hours at a time–we seem to have a problem limiting ourselves!
Definately not gossip girl.
Clean House and Design Star. I’m an interior designer and I think it’s mom’s way of connecting with me, but those shows drive me nuts!
My family is obsessed with Antiques Roadshow.
Monk. I know a lot of folks are obsessed with it, but I just find it to be OK. Yet my parents love it, and I enjoy seeing them get such a kick out of it.
Old television shows like M*A*S*H and All in the Family. My dad loves TVLand. I also find myself constantly watches the Game Show Network when I’m at their house. Stuff like Match Game and Family Feud.
Pretty much any of the Law&Orders and the Food Network.
What a funny topic! And so funny too that so many others only watch game shows when parents are around. Jeopardy & Deal or No Deal are our routine at 6pm these days, if I am over there. My 3 yr old just recently drew a person without hair & told me it was “Howie”!
defintely game shows like millionaire and wheel of fortune.
also nature shows and the history channel. we all sit around and discuss the topic, and usually ends up becoming a heated debate lol.
my dad loves ncis, i never watch it alone, but i end up watching with him whenever im home
My Dad loves NCIS too, and I only end up watching it when I’m with him.
My dad worships 24 and he hates FRIENDS, I mean, seriously. The first time he saw Friends, it was TOW the “seven” with Mon, Rach and Chandler, and he hated the show since. But I think he just hated it because me and my brothers loved it lol.
My mom only watches soaps like the Bold and the Beautiful
My family loves the Food Network, and it seems like “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” is always on!
Leno. Sigh.
My condolences.
America’s Funniest Home Videos. I knew they were old when they turned that on.
That’s the one my folks always watch too. I can’t stand more than 5 minutes of it though.
I don’t watch TV with or without my parents.
Wrong website for you to be reading, then.
BUUUUT Arlene van skim through all the junk on TV without really having to watch anything-smart move. I do that all the time
Wow. That was passive aggressive of you. Did you accidentally click the link to this article or just feel like gettin’ a little judgin’ in before bed?
I can’t watch much of anything with my parents (who are in their late 60’s) I am a political and even a cultural opposite of them. News is out. CNN is too liberal for them. Most any ABC, FOX (broadcast net), or NBC show are too gay or too complicated for them. Can’t even watch House Hunters (HGTV) for the owners make stupid decisions (in my parent’s opinion) Soooooo… I keep my wine glass full and turn the TV off.
I ended up starting watching Heroes because of my family. I felt extremely left out in the dinner conversations before I started watching it. Now I only watch it when I am home because they dvr them for me.
My mom is totally hooked on true crime shows– she was strangely elated when “The First 48″ started filming in her hometown. (Because that’s a good thing?) Anyway, that’s our TV routine when I’m chez Mom– “The First 48,” “Locked Up Abroad,” “48 Hours,” pretty much the entire ID channel lineup.
football, anything on HGTV, or anything on CBS.
Spanish soap operas (“telenovellas”). Do I understand what’s going on? Heck no. Do I laugh every time some guy appears in a crazy costume? Heck yeah.
thank god! I thought I was the only one that did that!
Oddly, my 82 year old, liberal, before-her-time mother would watch Walker, Texas Ranger whenever it was on. Still don’t understand it, but Chuck Norris now has a special place in my heart!
COPS and golf.
yep, golf, tennis, football, baseball.
And Everybody Loves Raymond. Thats all my mom ever wants to watch.
Watching tv with the folks is like navigating a minefield; no crass jokes, nothing too political, minimal swearing, try to avoid references to casual sex, etc. So I will only watch L&O, Twilight Zone marathons, Cash Cab, and sporting events that don’t give too much attention to scantily clad cheerleaders (read: no football). But once I’m home, bring on the risqué programming!!!
My mom and I watch “Cash Cab” every week-we’re all about the nerd TV, but I will watch on my own too. But at least I come by my nerdiness honestly.
Any game show. My family is the yell at the TV type, and not everyone is into sports. So game shows tend to get us all in the living room together
Well, I don’t only watch these shows with my parents, but I enjoy watching it with them. Lost, The Office, Modern Family and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Oh, but I only watch Eastbound & Down with my parents. They’re weird like that.
Surprisingly, I watch all my tv shows with my parents. The one that I’ll watch only with them and never on my own though is definitely American Idol.
For me, it’s What Not To Wear and America’s Funniest Home Videos. Coronation Street used to be another one, but then they got my sister and I into it lol
food network. its the only thing my mother watches.