fandomhigh | TeeVee for Beginners, Friday Period Two

"Today, we're going to be talking about people," Mitchell said, once they'd all filled into the classroom. Anyone paying attention may have noticed the large table full of bags upon bags of crisps off to the side of the room. "People watching television, to be precise." You know, in case they'd thought he was going to talk about something a little less savoury. "Academics call television the 'electronic hearth', because where families used to gather before the fireplace, they started to gather in front of the television instead. It grew very very quickly from being a novelty to being in every household, in every family."

He gestured at the television. "Others call it being couch potatoes," he said, wryly. "People who spend too much time in front of the television. They have a little food, have a little drink, and let the programmes flow on past. Wasting their lives away, never looking for some meaning in life, never bothering to find out who they really are, what the world's really like." He smiled once. "The truth, as it generally is, lies somewhere in the middle. Television nowadays is a unifier, it brings people together, but it also sets them apart."

He wandered over to the table, patting it with his hands. "Now for the fun part," he said, "Snacks are a vital part of the modern television experience. Sometimes, it's entire meals, pizza and Chinese food." Mitchell was a great appreciator of the art. "But at this hour, that may be pushing it. Crisps," he picked up a bag and waved it around, "Are excellent television chow. I want you all to pick what looks like it may taste good, and if you're not sure, ask your fellow classmates about it." He set the bag down. "Today is all about people. About audiences, which we all are when we're watching the television. So go on, make yourself comfortable. Be an audience, meet people, see what the social contexts are all about."

He took a seat on his own couch. "Have fun. That's what television's all about."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Make notes, pass notes, admire Mitchell's knowledge of couches and snacks.

Dinah blinked at the teacher. And remembered Yakko's standard greeting, but managed not to say it out loud. This being her first TeeVee class, she was utterly charmed to have her own mini-couch. Yay!

Tony was paying close attention to the teacher.

Was there a lecture?

Dinah leaned waaaaay over to see if she could catch Tony's line of sight. No dice.

Instead, she TK'd a note at his head.

You said 'hot', but you left off the 'coooooool'. I demand reparations.

Tony hid a grin and wrote a note back. He teaches a TV class! I thought it was obvious.

Dinah grinned, paid attentive attention for a minute because hi, that's not difficult, then wrote back:

He might have been a social anthropologist or something like last night's DJ. You did not say the accent was this good! I am cheated of anticipation! Fetch me snacks!

Tony rolled his eyes, gave her a Fine! look and whispered the Come To Me spell under his breath. A bag of chips flew to his hand and he tossed them to her.

Dinah blew him a kiss, then gleefully broke into her bag of chips. And enjoyed listening to Professor Mitchell talk.

...what was he saying again?

Penelope paid attention, just as she always did, even jotting down a few notes.

Alex was a fan of any class that let him eat and be lazy at the same time. He could deal with a boarding school if the classes were like this.

Adora took notes, unsure just what a crisp was, but excited to learn!

Jack had no idea what a crisp was, but he was used to passing much of his time in this world in a state of mild befuddlement. He was too happy today to care, anyhow. He had a couch, he had people to admire, he could listen and learn.

TeeVee for Beginners, Friday Period Two

Listen to the Lecture

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Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture

Re: Listen to the Lecture