Top 5: Things on TV to Fall Asleep to

Many nights I am not ready to go right to sleep, so I have to turn on the tv to make me wind down. Yes, this is an element I share with my mother, which frightens me. So if you suffer from a little insomnia once in a while, like I do, here are some suggestions to turn on in the wee hours of the night. These are much better than warm milk.

1. The Golden Girls.
You can always classify you and your friends as either a Blanche, Dorothy, Sofia or Rose. When I hear about St. Olaf I feel warm and fuzzy inside and then I can get settled to sleep.

2. The History Channel. Best for Saturday or Sunday afternoon naps.  You feel real good because you are getting an education, but within 7 minutes the dulcet tones of the narrator will have you out cold.  The problem, they use the same narrators over and over again, so set an alarm, otherwise you’ll be passed out for hours.

3. Johnny Carson.  Okay. Okay. This is not on the air anymore, but when I was a kid I would crawl into bed with my parents and watch the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and I would be asleep by the second guest.  I was so upset when he want off the air because Arsenio, Leno and Letterman did not cut it and I can’t wait that long to stay up and watch Conan O’Brien.  I am hoping to get Johnny on DVD so I can pop him in and fall asleep with childhood memories.

4. Turner Classic Movies.  There’s something about the crisp picture of a black and white film that makes me fall asleep.  Usually the movies start with a sweeping soundtrack and you recognize some famous actors’ names and you decide it would be a good one to check out.  This one takes about 12 minutes and I’m done.  I don’t even get past the exposition because the characters start to blend together or they sing a song.  There are a few exceptions to the rule, but those are mainly movies who are on my AFI Top 100 list and then it becomes a mission to complete the movie.

5. Roseanne.  How can this be? It is the most loud and annoying show on tv.  Well, it is on so late and runs for about 3 hours so with your insomnia you’ll eventually fall asleep while watching it.  Some times I struggle when they get too loud and start screaming, so keep the volume low.