television and the kampong days





today in singapore, the vast majority of all families have two or more television sets, and a large number of children have a television set in their own bedrooms. we have three sets in the flat, one in the dining area, one in the living area and one in my bedroom.

back in the 60s not many households could boast of a television set in the house. it was a luxury item which not many families could afford. we did not have one. neither did most of our neighbours. whenever i wanted to watch television - in black and white, in those days - i would visit one of my better-off neighbours. but it was not so convenient because sometimes the show would end way past their bedtime.

i remember this kind malay neighbour - not exactly a neighbour because he lived on the other side of the kampong - who had a set and who made it a point to leave his door wide open so that the disadavantaged ones like us could enjoy a free show, standing there outside his house. his family did not go to bed till the end of the last programme of the day and the national anthem was played.

i am still able to list some of the programmes that i watched, standing outside the threshold of his house: bonanza, have gun will travel, what's my line?, jack benny show, 77 sunset strip and candid camera. yes, candid camera went back more than 45 years.