Arin Thompson
Daily Egyptian
It's been the trail guide to our youth. Along for the ride - all throughout our Sesame Street years - and it will still be holding our middle-aged hands when soap operas and the evening news take the place of that big, yellow bird.
In some aspects it's more a part of the American Way than warm apple pie and baseball - we've always fought for truth, justice and the inalienable right to watch TV.
TV Guide turned 50 this week, and in celebration of guiding a nation through a decade of visual history, it named its 50 greatest covers in this week's issue. Perhaps this is the only birthday party where the guests of honor are couch potatoes, and I am glad to be on that list.
The very first cover featured a photo of Desiderio Alberto Arnaz, Lucille Ball's famous baby and a price of 15 cents. That price has since risen to $1.99. Lucy also won the prize for most cover appearances, with a grand total of 34. Oprah racked up a mere 19.
Television has sometimes been the brother, the sister, the mother, the father and, most importantly, the best friend of countless children across the United States. As a nation raised on television, we own part or all of our success in life to the TV Guide.
I can remember a bleak time last semester when the cable in my room went out. I panicked and my eyes darted from computer to books in search of something else to do. But there was nothing I could do to take my mind off how much I missed and needed the television. I hunkered down and got in touch with my masculine side and fixed the cable myself.
As the tube warmed up and the brilliant color came back into my world, I felt at ease. Everything had righted itself through tiny pixels and blaring cartoons. Without the television in my universe, I cracked up. I lost control and realized that I am a television junkie. I am proud of it.
So here's to you, TV Guide. May you have the happiest birthday. From generations who made it through turbulent times, thank you for holding our hands and being there through the good times and the bad. You were right there with us when we landed on the moon, and you cried with us as the World Trade Center fell to the ground.
We salute you, TV Guide, for being there for us when everyone else was too busy doing something constructive.
By the way, Invader Zim is on Nickelodeon, Friday at 8:30 p.m.
Trust me. I checked.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
