And remotes were not even heard of. You had to get your ass up off the couch if you wanted to change the channel.
TIS
I remember my dad yelling at us because we would would spin that dial like it was a roulette wheel.
Oh yea, I remember. TV Dials???? Thing of the past.
On another note, if we had tv problems, I remember my dad taking the panel off the back of the tv. He's look at the tubes and if one was burned out he'd take it off and send us to the local appliance store to buy a replacement. Geez, now try figuring out the insides of a tv?? Yes, those were simpler days weren't they?
TIS
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
You had to get your ass up off the couch if you wanted to change the channel. 
Yes, those were simpler days weren't they?