WIST Quotations

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Column (1958-11-05), “My Day”

Dave — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 17:58:25 +0000

If the use of leisure time is confined to looking at TV for a few extra hours every day, we will deteriorate as a people.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) First Lady of the US (1933–1945), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1958-11-05), “My Day”
(Source)

Buchwald, Art -- Have I Ever Lied to You?, ch. 4 “Live and In Color” (1968)

Dave — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 14:32:59 +0000

Every time you think television has hit its lowest ebb, a new type program comes along to make you wonder where you thought the ebb was.

Art Buchwald (1925-2007) American humorist, columnist
Have I Ever Lied to You?, ch. 4 “Live and In Color” (1968)
(Source)

Bradbury, Ray -- “Why Cartoons Are Forever”, Los Angeles Times (3 Dec 1989)

Dave — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:53:49 +0000

I wonder how many men, hiding their youngness, rise as I do, Saturday mornings, filled with the hope that Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam and Daffy Duck will be there waiting as our one true always and forever salvation?

Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) American writer, futurist, fabulist
“Why Cartoons Are Forever”, Los Angeles Times (3 Dec 1989)

Martin, Steve -- L. A. Story (1991)

Dave — Wed, 02 May 2012 14:52:34 +0000

HARRIS: When I really analyze it, Trudi wasn’t for me anyway. The only good times we had were having sex and laying in bed watching TV.

ARIEL: I hate to tell you this, Harris, but if you can find somebody you can have sex with and lie in bed and watch TV, you’ve really got something.

Steve Martin (b. 1945) American comedian, actor, writer, producer, musician
L. A. Story (1991)
(Source)

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1989-05-28)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

CALVIN (as he and Hobbes ride a wagon downhill): I think life should be more like TV.

CALVIN: I think all of life’s problems ought to be solved in thirty minutes with simple homilies, don’t you? I think weight and oral hygiene ought to be our biggest concerns.

CALVIN: I think we should all have powerful, high-paying jobs, and everyone should drive fancy sports cars. All our desires should be instantly gratified.

CALVIN (as the wagon flies off a cliff): Women should always wear tight clothes, and men should carry powerful handguns.

CALVIN (as he and Hobbes tumble in mid-air): Life overall should be more glamorous, thrill-packed, and filled with applause, don’t you think?

HOBBES (as they pick themselves up from the ground): I think my life is too featherbrained already.

CALVIN: Of course, if life was really like that, what would we watch on TV?

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1989-05-28)
(Source)

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1990-10-13)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

CALVIN: Oh, Great Altar of Passive Entertainment … Bestow upon me thy discordant images at such speed as to render linear thought impossible!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1990-10-13)
(Source)