Move over, televisions

Believe it or not, more Americans value their microwaves over their televisions.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, only 42 percent of Americans polled this year felt that their TV was “a necessity.” That’s down from a high of 64 percent in 2006.

Guess what we value more than TVs — microwave ovens, landline phones, clothes dryers and air-conditioners.

This doesn’t mean, however, that Americans aren’t buying TV sets. On the contrary, more than half of American homes have three or more — yes, three or more — televisions. (Including mine — and I live in a small rental!)

What’s going on is simply that people don’t think of TVs as a status symbol the way it used to be. Instead, folks are more apt to purchase — and value — computers, smartphones and iPads. The TV is less and less important.

I was talking with a girlfriend of mine at the Hawaii Kai dog park the other day and she said she never used to watch TV until two things: DVR and Netflix. Now she’s up-to-date with everything from “Bones” to “Glee.” (Now she’s into “Burn Notice” and “Dexter.”)

Even for me, I don’t watch much TV programming anymore, sticking to “Seinfeld” reruns, “The Colbert Report,” “SportsCenter,” “Top Chef” and whatever’s on the Food Network. I’m not sure I’ll even tune into “Hawaii 5-0” when it premieres on CBS next Thursday.

So is this true, that TV isn’t central to your lives anymore, the way it used to be a few years ago? Or are you still TV addicts?

***

Dishers, meet Cat and the rest of the Nonstop Honolulu crew tonight at the Official Launch Party. It’s from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday — that’s tonight, people — at Ka in Ward Center. Free — and yes, there will be food. Or fuud. Come on down!

***

To read all of Cat’s blogs, visit www.nonstophonolulu.com/thedailydish. Follow Cat on Twitter @thedailydish or send her an e-mail at cat@nonstophonolulu.com.

My recent blog posts
Move over, televisions
Gaga over Bieber
Should moms and daughters be best friends?
WEEKEND FUUD: Angelo Pietro
FUUD: Mama Woo’s Bar-B-Q in Moiliili
Guys, don’t stop dancing badly
ASK DR. DISH: Peek and tell
Bread pudding, Tiger Balm and other favorite smells
Small is beautiful, too