Why couldn't he just buy Alice the TV ? (despite being cheap)

Rent: 35.00 (336.68 in today's dollars)

Weekly Salary: 62.00 (596.40 today)

TV cost: 150.00 (1442.89 today)

Less than 3 weeks pay to brighten up Alice's day in that dismal apartment.

You wanna know the reason? You wanna know the reason?...The reason? Okay, I will tell you the reason. He was waiting for 3D Television. (Side note: Ralph would have to wait 55 years for that to happen...and another few years later for 3DTV to fizzle out.)

You would think Ralph would want to watch TV too, and would like to have a TV set ! :) Sports would be on right ? I think lots of boxing back in those days ? ;)