The Digital Matriarch: My Grandma, Her Entertainment, and the Evolution of Popular Media
Music from the Golden Age
- Netflix: offers a wide selection of TV shows, movies, and documentaries
- Amazon Prime Video: offers a range of TV shows, movies, and original content
- Hulu: offers a selection of TV shows, movies, and documentaries
The daytime soap opera remains a cornerstone of the geriatric viewing schedule. Unlike the fragmented, binge-able content preferred by younger generations (Netflix, TikTok), the soap opera operates on durational time. My grandmother does not "watch" The Bold and the Beautiful; she visits it.
- Crooners: Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin
- Classic rock: Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones
- Oldies but goodies: Motown artists like Diana Ross and The Supremes, The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder
This review aims to provide a general overview and suggestions based on common preferences among seniors. Personal tastes can vary widely, so direct feedback from your grandma can further tailor these recommendations.
Interestingly, my grandma's consumption of popular media has also influenced her interests and hobbies. She began taking cooking classes after watching a lot of food shows, and she even started a small garden after watching a gardening program. She has also become more interested in history and culture, often watching documentaries and historical dramas to learn more about different periods and places.