control issues

Contrary to my personal claims, the couple that watches "The Hills" together does not necessarily stay together.

Here's one woman's testament to the marriage-saving power of TiVo.

All too often, I think the TV becomes the childless couple's baby. You get in this pattern where whether you're paying attention or not, it's always there as background noise. Or the reverse scenario: You're scheduling your alone time around elimination episodes and two-hour season finales.

And no matter how compatible you are, no one's expecting you to sit through each other's popular culture obsessions. Some shows are best watched in private.

Take it from me: Publicly crying at the end of "Extreme Home Makeover" can be a little embarrassing.