GET IN THE GROOVE
New TV, or lifestyle upgrade?
WITH TODD LANCASTER
Not too long ago I made a purchase that drew a little heat in the family abode. Around Christmas I was swayed by the magic of the season and picked up a perfectly sensible 85” TV— and in hindsight, I believe it is the smartest thing I’ ve ever done.
I feel like after 30 years of marital bliss, I contend that the key to a happy marriage is that we watch TV in separate rooms.
It works, so upgrading to this visual behemoth makes even more sense. Separate TVs means more love; bigger separate TV means even bigger love.
In fact, after several years of having two 60”
TVs mounted in my man cave, I found out it eliminated all internal conflict with myself as well. Baseball game or basketball, NFL or college? Both, thank you very much.
Sadly, when my son and I brought home the white whale of televisions, it was my wife who was the one sharpening the harpoon. I reminded her that it was the same price as a 19” color console in 1968, and when inflation is taken into consideration, it’ s like after the initial purchase price, I was getting a $ 9,500 rebate today— and who doesn’ t want a savings like that?
And once we got it mounted and realized there was still room to throw a 60” above it, there was an added benefit.
Now I’ m not the first person to upgrade a TV, but I would say this was more of a lifestyle upgrade, and anyone who tells you differently is just a person with sadness issues.
The first time you watch the Hobbits march to Mount Doom or the Death Star blow up within inches of the closet where I keep the Christmas decorations, you will understand seeing a movie with the visual intent that used to be only available on the silver screen.
I think back to when my father brought home our first color TV in the mid’ 60s, and seeing The Wizard of Oz come to life or the wonderful world of Disney in living color absolutely made me a fan of the televised medium. By the time the 1970s rolled around, color and cable became the de facto setup, but everyone still had a little black-and-white on a kitchen counter or in the dorm room. You would have to adjust the rabbit ears or create a little foil cap to place on an antenna as you tried to dial in a UHF channel.
During my senior year at Purdue, I brought a little 13” color portable and 12 guys would crowd in my room to watch Star Trek after dinner, creating a higher level of social status that meant everything to people who spent late nights determining the inconsistencies in Klingon language.
I can only imagine what is coming in the future, and I’ m sure my future grandchildren will talk about the olden days of 85” TVs, or my kids waxing poetics of the Nintendo Wii.
So maybe I’ m late to the party with giant TVs, but if this is wrong, I don’ t want to feel right.
INSIDE KNOX & DAVIESS COUNTIES 6 SPRING & SUMMER 2026 | 5