TV News

Guest post by Sarah T.

Typically, one would expect that September is the most depressing month of the year because school resumes and everything starts getting colder. But when I was a kid, I believed that the worst time of the year was May because all the great shows went on hiatus. Then after two months, the excitement would start to build just in time for the TV network’s new fall line-up previews. But now, if your fav show runs on a specialty or cable channel, hiatus-time is anytime. For example, the Mad Men Facebook group members are agonizing about the very long wait until season 4 starts next summer. It really is painful. But that’s the new TV reality with these shows that are run on cable or pay channels. It’s the trend that we must all accept.

It can be quite a shock if you’re a late-adopter like me. Just recently, my 13-year-old tube TV finally went caput. It lasted until my move to a new apartment when it literally started smoking. It happened on a Saturday and I needed a new TV immediately so that I didn’t miss my Mad Men episode. Little did I realize that this new HD wonder meant that I would never again miss my favourite shows and I would never have to leave my apartment—like ever. The wonderful world of glossy TV is heaven! I quickly became acquainted with shows that I had only read about, namely True Blood. Raise your hand if you were once into Twin Peaks. I was totally fanatical about that show, even though it scared the living Irish out of me. Have you noticed that True Blood owes a little something to Twin Peaks? The show is so Lynchian. Even the theme song sounds like Chris Isaac, but hotter—if that’s possible. So here’s the deal: I only found out after a season 2 marathon this past Halloween that the show’s on hiatus. *GASP!* How am I supposed to wait until next summer for TB-3? Believe it or not, there is hope.

Here’s five suggestions to help you get through this rough hiatus period:

(1) Take up a sport: there are tons of indoor leagues to join, so get off your duff and get moving!

(2) Read a new book. You never know, you might have your hands on the next best TV show or movie. Bragging rights rule!

(3) Start watching a new show. If you have the “On Demand” feature on your HD TV listings, it may offer full seasons for shows like Hung or Bored to Death. Maybe you’ll find a new “diamond in the rough.”

(4) Go shopping. Doesn’t matter for what—just put down the remote and slowly step away from the TV…

(5) Check out your local multiplex. Movies are just as good as TV…Or head to live theatre. I dare you to go by yourself—people watching is so fun!

Whatever you do over the next few months, don’t forget to breathe. Our favourite actors have worked their keisters off; they need a break. And of course the producers need to keep us hot for their shows. So be patient. May will swing back around just as you least expect it. Then it’ll be only a few more sleeps until your show premieres once again. It’s sweet agony, but well worth it. Trust me.

Sarah T. lives in Toronto and is a media relations professional by day and a pop-culture enthusiast by night. She loves Mad Men, True Blood, Big Bang Theory and the Tudors, to name a few. She longs to be right of the red velvet rope, especially during the Toronto International Film Festival.