“So ya gotta ask ya’self somethin’…” *click* “…HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SU…” *click* “…cculent flavor, so delicious and tender, it’ll make ya wanna…” *click* “…stay tuned for the next exciting episode of…” *click* “…YO MAMMA!”
Ryon and Shryp sat side-by-side on the couch, their feet propped up on Ryon’s coffee table, as Ryon flipped through various television channels.
“Nothin’ on yet?” Shryp asked, his arms behind his head as the afternoon sun warmed his hands.
“Not much that’s interesting,” Ryon replied, clicking the remote steadily.
“How can there be so many channels but nothin’ on, anyway?”
“There’s always ‘something’ on, just maybe not what you want at the time you want it…or you’ve gotta find it first.”
More channels passed them by, shows and advertisements blending as one. Eventually, Ryon stopped at a channel of animated programming, finally setting down the remote as bright colors and zany characters started to fill their vision.
“Anyone ever tell you that cartoons are for kids?” Shryp asked.
“I ever mention how I prefer cartoons to some of the other things on T.V. these days?” Ryon replied.
“Yup, and I do too…well, beyond a few movies and other types of programming.”
“I thought the kind of stuff you liked came on after hours?” Ryon grinned as he posed this question.
“Hey, why settle for a ‘tease’ on T.V. when the Internet has so many ‘real’ viewing pleasures?” he smiled, “Toss in the ‘real thing,’ and I’m set!”
They sat back for a minute or two, letting the animation play out. After a few chuckles at the classic cartoon, the short ended and a newer series started to play soon after. Another minute passed as they ‘analyzed’ this new show before Shryp spoke up.
“Shows ain’t what they used to be, y’know?”
“Yeah…I guess it’s something for the new generation?”
“Maybe, but that just makes me wonder why kids these days would wanna see crap like this anyway.”
“Heh, have you seen some of the stuff that we watched growing up?”
“Of course!” Shryp sat up a little, “Those were the good ol’ days, and we had the best animation of our generation.”
“Some of it was good, yeah, and seeing it as kids helps us to keep it in our minds when we’re older, but have you actually re-watched some of that stuff?”
“I watched it all the time as I was growing up, and I even have some of the old episodes back at my place.”
“And when’s the last time you watched those old episodes?”
“Uh…a few years ago, give or take.”
“Exactly,” Ryon turned the volume down on the television set before continuing, “The stuff we saw as kids sticks with us out of nostalgia. Sometimes a show doesn’t hold up too well after a few years have passed, but we just remember what’s stuck in our minds for so long. If you look at it again now, after years have passed, will make you wonder why we even liked those shows back then.”
“Not all shows are like that,” Shryp challenged, “There really are some gems out there that’ve withstood the test of time. Some of ‘em even got better now that we’re older and can understand some of the jokes.”
“Y’know, I can’t argue against that point,” Ryon admitted, “I saw a replay of one of my favorites a few days ago, and I couldn’t believe some of the things that they allowed on T.V. back then. A show does that today, that episode becomes “lost” after one airing.”
“I also remember a show that I hated as a kid: too technical, it used way too many big words, and I never understood what was going on. I saw a re-run of it the other night, and I’m now lookin’ for more episodes; it makes so much sense now and I wanna see what I missed.”
Ryon gave a brief pause as he thought about Shryp’s statement. He grinned as he glanced in Shryp’s direction, “Wait…you saw this re-run the other NIGHT? You, the mighty Playboy Pup, were watching T.V. instead of ‘entertaining’?”
Shryp rolled his eyes, “Yeah, such a shame, right?” he sarcastically replied, “How dare I relax at home sometime without the company of a ‘girl-of-the-night’?” He picked up the remote and turned the volume back up. They watched the program to its end, Ryon having laughed at least once while Shryp gave nothing more than a grin at some of the antics within. He turned the volume back down once the commercials started to run.
“Okay,” Shryp admitted, “that wasn’t so bad…maybe the kids of today aren’t doomed to mediocre television.”
“I thought it was pretty good,” Ryon spoke up, “For kids today, it’s not so bad. Like I said, some of the stuff we grew up on wasn’t exactly at the highest of entertainment quality.”
“Yeah, I suppose. Still, this show’s just one of many today that don’t seem to compare to what I’m used to.”
“You should see some of what our parents grew up watching then. I remember my folks talking once about how a show I once watched made no sense and how they only let me watch it because it kept me out of trouble.”
Shryp chuckled, “You? Out of trouble? I think I was much wilder than you growin’ up.”
“Considering how strict your parents originally were, it’s no wonder.”
“Uh, ‘were’? Yeah, I was to watch only the most ‘elite’ of programming, ‘so that my precious mind wouldn’t be corrupted by the iniquities of modern television.’ They still question some of the things I like to see and do.”
“That’s why my parents wanted me out of trouble. Though you’re pretty much one of the family, they wanted to make sure that I didn’t inherit some of your ‘rambunctious nature’.”
A different episode of the same program started to air the moment the commercials finished. They watched in silence once more, save for the occasional chuckle, until it was over once more. Ryon shut off the television after the last of the credits had finished.
“I think it’s because of how we think now compared to how we thought as kids,” Ryon reasoned, “If you don’t think too hard about some of these things, it’s pretty entertaining. Everything’s not gonna be aimed directly at us all of the time.”
“True,” Shryp rose, stretching a bit, “But I like to be entertained; that much I’m sure everyone can agree on.”
“Yeah,” Ryon agreed, rising and stretching a little before walking to the door, “So let’s see what entertainment awaits us outside.”
“Sure,” Shryp followed, “Don’t know where we’re gonna go, but I could use a good look at the ‘potentials’ for later.”
“Always the opportunist, aren’t you?” Ryon shook his head, grinning as Shryp walked out first.
“I prefer ‘optimist’,” Shryp admitted, smiling as he shrugged his shoulders, “but either one works for me.”
Ryon chuckled lightly as he left behind Shryp, locking the door behind him. The two took in the warmth of the afternoon sun for a few seconds before heading off. They knew not of their destination, but were both eager to see what sights and happenings would be along their journey.
