--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I love television because it's the most…" description: "\"I love television because it's the most alive, because you don't know how it's going to end. It's a living thing. Sometimes the writers are watching yo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/901/margo-martindale-18521_alive_i-love-television-because-it-s-the-most_19050.jpg" --- # I love television because it's the most alive, because you… ![“I love television because it's the most alive, because you don't know how it's going to end. It's a living thing. Sometimes the writers are watching you to see how things will unfold. Sometimes the writers have written it, and you come to it, and they have to change their way of going because of…” quote by Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/901/margo-martindale-18521_alive_i-love-television-because-it-s-the-most_19050.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/901/margo-martindale-18521_alive_i-love-television-because-it-s-the-most_19050.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/901/margo-martindale-18521_alive_i-love-television-because-it-s-the-most_19050.jpg) > “I love television because it's the most alive, because you don't know how it's going to end. It's a living thing. Sometimes the writers are watching you to see how things will unfold. Sometimes the writers have written it, and you come to it, and they have to change their way of going because of what you've done.” [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote celebrates TV as an interactive, evolving narrative where audience reactions can reshape storylines, highlighting its unpredictability and vitality. **In simple terms:** TV is a dynamic, responsive storytelling medium. Key Takeaway Audience influence can alter a story's direction. Themes media theory narrative dynamics audience participation creative process storytelling media evolution Mood curiosity excitement engagement Type observation analysis commentary When to use this quote - watching a live series - participating in fan forums - following serialized dramas - engaging with reality TV voting - experiencing streaming cliffhangers Key Concepts interactivity authorial intent viewer agency media feedback loops Practical Applications - designing interactive TV formats - studying audience impact on narratives Questions to Reflect On - How does viewer feedback reshape creative decisions? - What are the limits of audience-driven storytelling? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end/) [Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/living/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-television/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) [Television Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television-alive-391323/) [Watching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching/) [Watching Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/watching-things-391325/) [Writers Watching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-watching-391324/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“From what I can tell, morality is a word. Nothing more. There're the things people do when others are watching and the things we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-kuehn/from-what-i-can-tell-morality-is-a-word-nothing-more-there-re-the/) [Stephanie Kuehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-kuehn/) > [You can learn a lot, watching things eat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-costello/you-can-learn-a-lot-watching-things-eat/) [Frank Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-costello/) > [People love television; they're watching a lot of it in a lot of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-reilly/people-love-television-they-re-watching-a-lot-of-it-in-a-lot-of-ways/) [Kevin Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-reilly/) > [When I started doing television, I had no idea that people were watching it. But then things opened up for television in such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fawad-khan/when-i-started-doing-television-i-had-no-idea-that-people-were/) [Fawad Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fawad-khan/) > [I've always been a very observant person, a visual person. That's my way of learning. Things on paper, notes and things like that, don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-thielen/i-ve-always-been-a-very-observant-person-a-visual-person-that-s-my/) [Adam Thielen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-thielen/) > [“What use is care ? What good is watching for that matter? People are forever watching things. They should be seeing . I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/what-use-is-care-what-good-is-watching-for-that-matter-people-are/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [I think for me, what I'm doing on set is I'm watching things happen as an audience member and trying to just look at,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-nolan/i-think-for-me-what-i-m-doing-on-set-is-i-m-watching-things-happen-as/) [Christopher Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-nolan/) > [If at the end of the day, people look at it and say, oh, yeah, I liked his stuff, or for the most part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-mantegna/if-at-the-end-of-the-day-people-look-at-it-and-say-oh-yeah-i-liked/) [Joe Mantegna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-mantegna/) > [I remember kind of doing early acting and thinking, 'God, they don't paint behind the sets.' It's a bit of a shame, really -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/i-remember-kind-of-doing-early-acting-and-thinking-god-they-don-t/) [Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/) > [“She understands all at once, with a small shock, exactly what it is she always needed to tell Harland: being there in person is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/she-understands-all-at-once-with-a-small-shock-exactly-what-it-is-she/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [Even if we're not doing anything wrong, there are certain things we want to do that we don't think can withstand the scrutinizing eye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/even-if-we-re-not-doing-anything-wrong-there-are-certain-things-we/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [I've been watching things like 'Master of the Flying Guillotine' since I was 5.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/i-ve-been-watching-things-like-master-of-the-flying-guillotine-since/) [Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/) > [“i hope god isn't always watching - there are a few things i want to surprise him with - you being one of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darnell-lamont-walker/i-hope-god-isn-t-always-watching-there-are-a-few-things-i-want-to/) [Darnell Lamont Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darnell-lamont-walker/) > [My taste in watching things runs from dramas and low-budget films to high-end fantasy/science fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/my-taste-in-watching-things-runs-from-dramas-and-low-budget-films-to/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [When you're watching, I find two things happen. You either watch a film and it's really good and then you think, "Why can't I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-knight/when-you-re-watching-i-find-two-things-happen-you-either-watch-a-film/) [Steven Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-knight/) ## More by Margo Martindale > [I'm gaga over Richard Jenkins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/i-m-gaga-over-richard-jenkins/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [And I love having the job to go to every week. With movies, there's a lot of downtime. I like working, and television really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/and-i-love-having-the-job-to-go-to-every-week-with-movies-there-s-a/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [In order for me to have fun, I have to be able to not be buttoned down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/in-order-for-me-to-have-fun-i-have-to-be-able-to-not-be-buttoned-down/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [My favorite thing to do is just sit outside on the stoop and talk with all my neighbors. I can go out with curlers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/my-favorite-thing-to-do-is-just-sit-outside-on-the-stoop-and-talk/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [I played an old woman in a wheelchair at 18.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/i-played-an-old-woman-in-a-wheelchair-at-18/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [Texas people are very open, because it's open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/texas-people-are-very-open-because-it-s-open/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [I loved Paris, Je T'aime. It's like my top favorite things I've ever done and I think it was a beautiful. I think it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/i-loved-paris-je-t-aime-it-s-like-my-top-favorite-things-i-ve-ever/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [I love, love, love acting, so if you can just go in and play, who could ask for more?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/i-love-love-love-acting-so-if-you-can-just-go-in-and-play-who-could/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [I am just so grateful for every single day, and if I could just not think past today, I would be living the life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/i-am-just-so-grateful-for-every-single-day-and-if-i-could-just-not/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [So many actors who are really gifted and talented just don't get the opportunity. I happened to get that opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/so-many-actors-who-are-really-gifted-and-talented-just-don-t-get-the/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [I'm from East Texas, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/i-m-from-east-texas-yes/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [If you need things, you work harder to get them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/if-you-need-things-you-work-harder-to-get-them/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [I love just being at Lincoln Center - it's so New York! Those fountains!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/i-love-just-being-at-lincoln-center-it-s-so-new-york-those-fountains/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [I'm delighted with how my career unfolded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/i-m-delighted-with-how-my-career-unfolded/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) > [Wine has class. I love wine. The drier, the better. But beer? I just can't do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-martindale/wine-has-class-i-love-wine-the-drier-the-better-but-beer-i-just-can-t/) [Margo Martindale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) [Explore all 34 Margo Martindale quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-martindale/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I love television because it's the most alive, because you don't know how it's going to end. It's a living thing. Sometimes the writers are watching you to see how things will unfold. 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