I picked up a TV and a VCR from a departing PCV. I don't really need it. I have lived without a TV for a long time and could continue to do so indefinately. However, it is another good insight in the culture.

I have a remote control, but I can't exactly sit on the couch and channel surf. There's one channel here: Televise Samoa. (There is cable, but it's damn expensive) It's important that I keep track of the programming because it's the major water-cooler talk at the office.

TV Samoa shows some western programming, kids shows from Australia, "Ed", a few other various and sundry items. There's news from the BBC and New Zealand. There's lots of sports, but mostly rugby. There's a great music show on Sunday's called "My Kind of Music", which shows videos or concerts for an hour from one performer or group (last week: J-Lo). And there's a movie every night. It's not always great, but it's there.

TV Samoa is so small that I we can call up and request movies and they will played later in the week. How cool is that? I suppose the programming director just goes to the local video store and picks it off the shelf. I don't think there's much consideration about copyright issues.

Sarah, who sold me the TV, also left me a massive box of videos. Some movies. Some TV shows taped at home and sent here. A lot of crap, really. But there are two tapes of "The Sopranos" and I'm slowly going through the episodes. Bada Bing Baby!