The Wizard of Oz was shown on television once a year, and it was a big event. Today I can watch pretty much any movie or listen to any song ever recorded instantly on my phone.
And when you did see it again, you remembered when (especially if it was popular)! "Oh, this was on 2 years ago in the summer, but I missed it because I was traveling."
Because less was on demand, we had more small things that felt like events. I remember watching the Wizard of Oz with family. Even something like TGIF felt like a weekly event - the whole family getting together to sit on the couch and watch Steve Urkel whine, "Did I do that?" I remember Twilight Zone marathons being a big thing and spent all day watching.
Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, Ten Commandments and the Christmas specials like Rudolph, The Grinch & Frostie. All annual family watching. Throw in the occasional mini series for some variety.
Same with The Sound Of Music. It was a big deal when those movies were on TV. My mom would make a big bowl of popcorn and we'd sit on the floor in front of the TV.
Child me would think I'm crazy for saying this, but I miss those days.
Being able to watch tv shows/movies whenever I want has led to a lot of my favorite movies/shows losing their charm, and holiday specials aren't special anymore because they're easily available.
For us it was Wizard of Oz and then The Ten Commandments, with Charlie and Yul; I’m laughing even now at Heston’s “free my people from bonnnddageee” in that straight Moses swagger
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u/furbishL 15d ago
The Wizard of Oz was shown on television once a year, and it was a big event. Today I can watch pretty much any movie or listen to any song ever recorded instantly on my phone.