±«Óãtv

We can't bear to watch either, truly rubbish television. So we listen to music, have a glass or two of something, and have a conversation!

We find plenty to do on Saturday evenings. On *gasp* other channels, for example, there are re-runs of home building shows on More4, usually some decent music on ±«Óãtv4, perhaps even good movie or two to be found. Failing that, we have things called "hobbies" which force us to get up and do creative things instead of vegging out on the sofa in front of rubbish television.

If I were reliant on those two shows for something to do on a Saturday night, I think I would jump in the local canal.

I can watch paint dry, clear out the cat litter tray, cut my toenails... Let's be honest, any of those would be more fun!

I can't be bothered with either of these programs... Saturday evening means a good DVD, perhaps a glass of wine, and, if I'm feeling particularly rakish, a box of sweets.

Claire, what a truly radical suggestion! Who 'has a conversation' these days?
...
My husband and I, that's who. We've even been known to break out a pack of cards and play a game, too.

How about a few early evening drinks in the village pub, for conversation, laughs, a catch up on local gossip, a chill out after a day of rushing about. Compare that to vegetating on the sofa staring a the box - no contest!

(Incidentally, for those of us who don't watch either programme why does there seem to be incessant reporting/chat about them on tv news, radio, the bbc news website, etc.? For those who've watched it they already know what happened; for those who delibrately haven't we don't care!)

I call ceilidhs, pronounced 'kay-lees', on Saturday nights. English ones (cue angry Scots disavowing such things exist!) - a bit like barn dances only much, much better. Most people I know would rather be actually dancing than watching.

What do I do, I work too long to waste a Saturday evening on Strictly X Dancing Factor. I watch Deadliest Catch and have a nice Curry

Ok you got me - what are Strictly or X Factor?

Some sort of new scent?

To Jon C:

Not exactly a "new" scent...
...if you remember the days of phone boxes, it's like opening the door after a weekend!

During the hours these two programmes are broadcasting, I simply switch off the television, and sit staring at the blank screen, while patting myself on the back in an act of childish self-congratulation, assuring myself of my superiority resulting from my eschewing of the mainstream.

What do I win?

These are the two most banal programmes on mainstream TV and it annoys me that we have such a poor choice at prime time family viewing on a Saturday night. At least Merlin is worth waiting for.

wow, I want to go to a ceilidh! I rarely put the TV on any more, not so much so that I can pat myself on the back for being non-conformist but because I can literally feel myself losing intelligence and the will to do anything else once I start. I would much rather do something creative or constructive...failing that I suppose I could talk to the other half!

To Jennifer276: put 'webfeet' into any search engine and find your closest dance!

I have one of these things called a 'social life', which involves going out to pubs, bars, concerts, etc of a Saturday night. And if I didn't, and was forced to watch TV every Saturday, it woudn't be Strict Dancing or X-Idol.

and there was me thinking I was the only person in the entire country who watches neither Strictly Come Dancing nor X Factor!
Actually I am seriously wondering why I let the TV take up the space in my house that it does as it is barely watched nowadays.

Those programmes, and others of their ilk, are precisely the reason I no longer have a TV. Far better things to do with my life than watch rubbish.

Graphis: Those programmes, and others of their ilk, are precisely the reason I no longer have a TV. Far better things to do with my life than watch rubbish.

Yes, me too (although having my TV stolen for the second time was the trigger!)
It makes me a social outcast, though, since I can't talk about what was on TV at the weekend. And don't start me on the persecution from the TV licensing people :-)