Where we live, we subscribe to a TV channel called Book Television; however, in our house it is known as "The Walton's channel."
We refer to the channel this way because Book Television plays Walton's reruns 15 hours a day, Monday through Friday. They broadcast five Walton's shows from 9 am to 2 pm, repeat the same five shows from 4 to 9 pm, and replay them once more from midnight to 5 am.
Book Television broadcasts all the original Walton's episodes - 5 per day - in order; from #1, "The Foundling," straight through to #210, "The Revel;" whereupon, they go right back to the pilot and on it goes.
The Walton's television series was based on the life of writer, Earl Hamner Jr., as described in his bestselling novels, The Homecoming and Spencer's Mountain. Hamner, grew up in a large family with many siblings during the great depression. The heartwarming family drama ran 9 seasons from 1972 to 1981, and it's likeability continues in reruns to his day.
To be fair, Book Television also broadcasts quality writing and publishing related programming and interviews during the 9 remaining hours each day; so, as a writer with an aging parent, this station offers a great mix, and has become one of my favourites.
My mother, in her early 80's, has developed mild cognitive impairment that makes operating the television and TV remote quite difficult. She also has difficulty following many of the new TV shows, or finds them inappropriate to her sensibilities.
Mom loves The Walton's, though, as do we all in our generational home. If mom just wants to take it easy, she could watch up to 5 shows in a row without having to change channels: If she has something else to do, it's possible to catch up later in the day, or skip an episode or two altogether.
Many times, several of us will sit and watch an episode together ... even mom's 4-yr-old great-grand-daughter will make comments like, "I like Jason," or "What is John-Boy doing, GG?" I watched one of our favourite episodes, "The Pony Cart," guest starring character actress Beulah Bondi, twice today with my mom.
How wonderful it is that my mother, who also grew up in a large family with many siblings during the great depression, can immerse herself in a televised family drama to which she can relate.
So, here's to Book Television's "Walton's channel!" I hope we'll be able to enjoy this heartwarming family entertainment far into the future.
Update - August 29th, 2016
Book Television is no longer "The Walton's Channel."
Book Television's new fall schedule includes reruns of shows like Diagnosis Murder, Matlock, and JAG, which are not as cognitive impairment friendly.
I'd like to thank Book Television for giving us "The Walton's Channel" for as long as it lasted.
