Words & Banter

Turkeys & TVs

Red assets.rebelmouse.io	I know it can't be avoided, but I feel bad that Mom's spending Thanksgiving alone, but given the coronavirus it can't be helped.
Black assets.rebelmouse.io	Unfortunately, there are many people in that situation this year. Myself included.
Red assets.rebelmouse.io	Please. You only "do" Thanksgiving because it's expected of you. Unlike Mom, you don't even want me to make you a Thanksgiving dinner care package.
Black assets.rebelmouse.io	Not a fan of turkey – but did you know that TV dinners were created because of Thanksgiving?

Red assets.rebelmouse.io	Sorry, but you can't convince me that someone thought lonely people would want to sit in front of their TVs eating Thanksgiving dinner. Or are you going to tell me it's related to all those televised football games?
Black assets.rebelmouse.io	Neither. Swanson, the frozen food company, had greatly overestimated demand for Thanksgiving turkeys in 1953, and in desperation put out a call for ideas to its employees. A salesman suggested they turn the turkeys into frozen dinners using three-compartment aluminum-foil trays similar to what airlines used for in-flight food service.
Red assets.rebelmouse.io	I used to love TV dinners as a kid! My favorite was the fried chicken. But as long as there were mashed potatoes, I was happy. Although, I remember them having four compartments – a meat, two veggies, and dessert. Usually apple cobbler.
Black assets.rebelmouse.io	They added desserts in 1960. But, admit it, you loved that the different foods did not touch each other. And, I bet you ate the food one compartment at a time.
Red assets.rebelmouse.io	Of course, I did. But does it really matter why I loved them? And since you've become a TV dinner expert, what inspired them to call them "TV" dinners?
Black assets.rebelmouse.io	Marketing. Frozen meals was not a new idea, it just never gained traction. But, this was 1953 – television was a new phenomenon. So, tying the two together was brilliant and TV dinners quickly became a huge market.
Red assets.rebelmouse.io	That's an understatement as I remember eating them a lot growing up.
Black assets.rebelmouse.io	It was a major convenience for women – whether or not they held a job outside the home. Although, eating dinner in front of the television may have contributed to the decline of family meals together. But that is another topic altogether.
Red assets.rebelmouse.io	Well, Thanksgiving's supposed to be celebrated with family. And with a big turkey!
Black assets.rebelmouse.io	This year Thanksgiving will be different. And, I plan to celebrate with sushi.

P.S. – Black loves to do research, and while looking for an image of Swanson TV dinners, came across this wonderful television ad from 1955 for Swanson TV dinners. Boy, how times have changed.

thanksgiving trivia

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