Don't touch that dial - when was the last time you used a dial television? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 08-08-2025, 12:20 PM

Al Michaels has used the phrase "don't touch that dial" several times when they have cut to commercials on Amazon Prime Video's streaming Thursday Night Football games in the last few years.

Al Michaels leaves NFL fans baffled with bizarre ‘dial’ remark moments before Amazon Prime commercial break on TNF

Quote:

During the Bengals and Ravens divisional clash, the longtime broadcaster made his best efforts in hopes of persuading viewers not to click away.

But Michaels is a tad out of touch with technology these days, possibly forgetting that the game was streaming and that television sets no longer change the channels using dials.

"Don't touch that dial," Michaels said as the screen faded to a commercial.

Dial televisions went out long ago and haven't been manufactured since the 1990s.

When was the last time you used a dial television? I would say I last used one in 1983. I had a small black and white TV similar to this one. I still have an old console TV that I use as a table.

Dude111 is probably still using one since he doesn't like modern technology.

icecream · 08-08-2025, 04:06 PM

Never. I bought my first TV in 2003.

Dude111 · 08-09-2025, 01:11 AM

I guess in the 80s Todd when I still had my Black and White TV

opus · 08-10-2025, 10:55 PM

Dude111 · 08-11-2025, 01:57 AM

I mi$$ the good days!!

opus · 07-07-2026, 10:26 PM

When’s the last time you actually touched a dial?

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Dream Canteen · 07-07-2026, 10:39 PM

That’s a very personal question, Opus, and quite frankly, it has given me the vapors.

Dude111 · 07-07-2026, 10:48 PM

I touch my radio dial alot

opus · 07-07-2026, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dude111

I touch my radio dial alot

I think you just gave Dream more vapors.

Zoneboy · 07-07-2026, 10:58 PM

I touched a Dial about 30 minutes ago.

Dream Canteen · 07-08-2026, 12:38 AM

The last time I used a TV with knob dials was probably the mid-’90s. I had a small, older color TV in my bedroom for a while back then. I bought it for like $30 at a yard sale with money I’d earned mowing lawns.

franciis · 07-08-2026, 12:49 AM

jan 5th 1990

opus · 07-08-2026, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franciis

jan 5th 1990

Welp, I don’t think any other reply is going to beat this one for specificity.

Zoneboy · 07-08-2026, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

I think you just gave Dream more vapors.

Here's some more.

Bonniegirl · 07-08-2026, 05:19 AM

I had a little tiny TV I bought in the early 2000's . I mean tiny! Maybe a 6 inch, 8 inch screen ? I had an office job back than and kept it in my desk drawer . My boss would leave at around 4- 4:30 ish everyday , and I worked till 6 . Out came my tiny TV to watch after he left.

Had a little dial, no cable of course. I left that job in 2008, and ended up selling it in a yard sale. Now that I think about it, I wish I had held onto that mini TV.

08-08-2025, 04:06 PM	#2
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,789	Never. I bought my first TV in 2003.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

07-07-2026, 10:26 PM	#6
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,510	Don’t Touch That Dial! When’s the last time you actually touched a dial?

07-07-2026, 10:39 PM	#7
Dream Canteen Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 11, 2023 Location: California Posts: 471	That’s a very personal question, Opus, and quite frankly, it has given me the vapors.
	__________________ In stereo (where available).

08-09-2025, 01:11 AM	#3
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,348	I guess in the 80s Todd when I still had my Black and White TV

08-10-2025, 10:55 PM	#4
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,510

08-11-2025, 01:57 AM	#5
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,348	I mi$$ the good days!!

07-07-2026, 10:48 PM	#8
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,348	I touch my radio dial alot

07-07-2026, 10:58 PM	#10
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,391	I touched a Dial about 30 minutes ago.

07-08-2026, 12:38 AM	#11
Dream Canteen Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 11, 2023 Location: California Posts: 471	The last time I used a TV with knob dials was probably the mid-’90s. I had a small, older color TV in my bedroom for a while back then. I bought it for like $30 at a yard sale with money I’d earned mowing lawns.

07-08-2026, 12:49 AM	#12
franciis Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 09, 2021 Location: tn Posts: 478	jan 5th 1990

07-08-2026, 05:19 AM	#15
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,789	I had a little tiny TV I bought in the early 2000's . I mean tiny! Maybe a 6 inch, 8 inch screen ? I had an office job back than and kept it in my desk drawer . My boss would leave at around 4- 4:30 ish everyday , and I worked till 6 . Out came my tiny TV to watch after he left. Had a little dial, no cable of course. I left that job in 2008, and ended up selling it in a yard sale. Now that I think about it, I wish I had held onto that mini TV.