If you visited Television Obscurities this morning looking for the latest installment of Television 365, I’m afraid you won’t find it. Effective immediately, I’m discontinuing all scheduled blog posts and columns. The only exception is A Year in TV Guide: 1989, which will continue through the end of the year.
Why the drastic change? It’s time for me to start considering this website a hobby, not a job. After spending the last three or four years struggling to pump out weekly blog posts and monthly columns, I’m throwing in the towel. As much as I’d love to be a professional television historian, I’m not. Maybe if I win the lottery I can devote my life to watching and writing about forgotten TV shows. Until then, I have to treat Television Obscurities like the hobby it is, not the job I want it to be.
If I can carve out 45 minutes or an hour each week to work on Television Obscurities, I don’t want to spend that time transcribing TV Guide listings. I’d much rather use my limited free time researching and writing about topics that interest me. I’m still going to publish an article about one season wonder Lucas Tanner (NBC, 1974-1975) but I won’t put an arbitrary deadline on when it will be published.
Likewise, if I watch a funny or interesting episode of a short-lived TV show, maybe I’ll write a Retro Review column about it. If I read a TV tie-in novel or comic book I think deserves to be discussed, maybe I’ll write a Bookshelf column about it.
I realize this is an abrupt announcement and I apologize if you’re one of the few people who enjoy reading my Television 365 posts. Initially, I had planned on continuing through September 2020, or at least until the end of 2019. But I need to make a clean break, if for no other reason than to stay sane.
Don’t worry. Television Obscurities isn’t going away. I plan on trying to writing a few blog posts every month, although with the holidays coming up I may not be able to get much done this month. All I’m doing is taking a step back and slowing down. Thank you for understanding.
So sorry that you won’t be posting those listings, they brought back fond memories!
I only just found your site today!! I’m sad you will be stepping away but applaud your ability to recognize what’s best for you. I’m excited to sort through all you’ve written here, and hopefully find a show that I’ve never been able to. Also my 12 year old son and all his friends love YouTube and content like you’re writing. If you haven’t already tried, I’d definitely make a video or two to go along with any future writing you do. I think you would have a whole other fan base there. Thank you for all of this.
Also that’s an error. My name is Whitney
As a personal preference, I would rather read interesting articles on “lost” or “forgotten” TV shows and topics than TV guide schedules. So, I understand and respect your sudden decision. Good luck!
That’s the plan, at least, to refocus on researching and writing about forgotten and/or lost TV shows.
Understand completely. I’ve had to slow down The Horn Section the last few months to recharge the batteries. Have to write when the inspiration is with you and not have self-imposed deadlines to meet. I’ve been enjoying every post here for over a decade and will continue to look forward to the new ones. :)
I was following the 1964 listings faithfully and loving it. I’ll really miss it.
Robert Jay, thank you for all your hard work. When I saw the title of this post I wished there was a way to send it to all the confused individuals who have ever left comments blaming you for schedule changes to Me TV and all the other digital specialty networks. Apparently some people believe that if you write about some aspect of TV you must be in charge of it, but I always understood that you were someone who put a tremendous amount of volunteer work into creating a website for the enjoyment and edification of others.
I’ve always felt bad that I am not financially able to buy DVD sets via your Amazon links so that you could earn a small commission. All I’ve been able to do is be grateful that others will be able to enjoy the new releases you’ve reported on.
I feel like one of my favorite TV shows was cancelled.
That’s a nice sentiment but don’t worry, Television Obscurities hasn’t been cancelled. It’s not even on hiatus. Think of it more like a series of occasional specials rather than a regular, weekly TV show.
Your work here is valuable, but nobody should begrudge you the right to make it fit into the rest of your life. Do what you can, when you can. I think I can speak for a lot of longtime readers when I say that we’ll be glad to read whatever you find time to do, whenever it appears.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Watching tv is hard work.
Watching TV is easy. Writing about TV can be difficult.
Thanks for all the work you’ve done for us tv fans. I’m sad that you won’t get to my birthdate on my 55th birthday next summer, but I can appreciate the time it’s taken you to do that for every day. I’ll continue to look for my favorite classic & obscure tv shows here.
It’s more the shows that are interesting rather than the TV listings or Neilson ratings. A monthly summary would probably suffice. if you did want to continue it. Of particular note would be the specials and short-run shows since the site is dedicated to TV obscurities. It would be more of a “This month in 19xx on TV.”
WHERE ARE THE BEST LINKS TO COMPETING TELEVISION HISTORY SITES THAT ACTUALLY KEPT YOU ON YOUR TOES HERE??? HUM……X— THERE IS ALAMAY / GETTY / AND FLICKR IMAGES THAT YET ARE TO BE EXPLORED ETC,,,,,,
Understand completely how you feel; there’s not much money in what we do. If we don’t get to read you as often, at least we can be consoled that this will enable you to do your fine in-depth pieces.