Meet the bloggers: Sara Boyd

Every worthwhile enterprise eventually expands, and Channel Surfing couldn't ignore Press-Gazette reporter Sara Boyd's devotion to the idiot box any longer. "The Brady Bunch" had Cousin Oliver. "Full House" had Nicky and Alex. "Growing Pains" had that DiCaprio kid.

Meet Sara Boyd. Our DiCaprio.

Spend one hour with me and my friends and I can guarantee – you’ll want to kill us. I mean, we’re nice girls but we tend to annoy any newcomer to our group who’s within earshot.

You see, we’ve contrived a bit of our own language – something that could only be described as the language of using “Friends’” quotes for any and all situations in everyday life. And yes, we've had many complaints because of this.

Those who don’t get the inside jokes or obscure “Friends” references are dealt a swift, cold, “It’s from Friends, you wouldn’t get it.”

Sure, it may be harsh but I think it illustrates my love – nay – life obsession with TV.

If you think about it, there's really nothing else that is as loyal and loving as TV. As a child, the television becomes your first babysitter – luring you in to the sounds of Captain Kangaroo and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, while mommy sneaks away for some peace and quiet and a large glass of wine.

Television gives you your first taste of violence, sex and drugs when your older brothers make you watch COPS with them or trick you into a viewing of America’s Most Wanted by telling you it’s not real – yet John Walsh begs to differ.

It’s TV who gets you through your adolescence by constantly showing you what you should look like, what to wear and who you should unattainably try to be – beginning with Brenda’s bangs on “Beverly Hills, 90210” to Rachel’s layers on “Friends.”

It follows you through your high school and college days creating “Grey’s Anatomy” viewing nights in the dorms and perfect opportunities to invite that attractive co-ed over for “Entourage.”

Once you hit the real world – no TV pun intended – let’s face it, TV becomes your life. Finding yourself with no social life, lame co-workers (excluding the ones in this blog, natch) and money for the cable premiums, you live and breathe TV. If you could, you would send out Christmas cards to family of you and your beautiful TV set and cable box. OK, maybe you wouldn’t. But I would and that’s why I’ve decided to be a part of this blog.

All-time favorite TV shows: Friends, Seinfeld, Sex and the City, Law and Order, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Current favorite shows: The Office, Flight of the Conchords, Project Runway, 30 Rock, Gossip Girl, Friday Night Lights, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, Law and Order: SVU, So You Think You Can Dance

Guilty pleasure: Randy Jackson’s America’s Best Dance Crew, Making the Band 4

Go-to channel when there's absolutely nothing on: Bravo – I’ll pretty much watch anything they put on the air

All-time TV crush: This is a tough one. I’d say JTT on Home Improvement was a big crush of mine for most of the 90s, but has now been replaced with Jim Halpert on The Office.

Pick your TV family for one day: Jason Seaver (of Growing Pains, the all-time wanna be cool but is a huge nerd dad), Marge Simpson (yes, she’s a cartoon, what’s your point?), Rachel Green (could you imagine being able to share her wardrobe? Oh wait, I’m not a size –2) and Cory Matthews (of Boy Meets World – he always hung out with hot friends). If there’s room, I’d want to adopt Leonardo DiCaprio and have Charles in Charge baby-sit on the weekends.

If you could be an extra on a TV show: a random audience member that Conan O’Brien makes fun of

If you had to save one TV on DVD set from a burning building: Friends, season four

Reality show you're not ashamed to admit you like: So You Think You Can Dance – I probably should be ashamed, but it’s too good.

Favorite old-school show from childhood: The Cosby Show – non-Raven era.

Show you are into that others could care less about: Making the Band 4

Show others are into that you've never paid attention to (but wish you had): Lost, The Wire

TV channel I wish I could afford on my journalist's salary: I’ve sacrificed food, shelter and warm clothing for all the premiums.

Favorite TV-related Web sites: This one, of course.

-- Sara Boyd, sboyd2@greenbaypressgazette.com