<b><a href="http://www.overheardintheoffice.com/archives/003467.html"> 9AM Waiter, I'll Have the Couch Potato with a Side of Gullible</a></b><br/> <!-- ID = 35668 -->Caller: I just arrived at my lake house for the summer, and the satellite TV isn't working! Why is it off?!<br/>CSR: Sir, please stay calm. It's simple: we just need to reset your receiver since you've been away for a while.<br/>Caller: How long will that take?<br/>CSR: It's easy, sir. Do you have a potato handy? <br/>Caller: Um, let me see... [Pause] Yes, we just picked some up at the store on our way in -- stocking up.<br/>CSR: Great, sir. An apple would also work. Now, what I need you to do is to cut that potato in half. Then I need you place one half of the potato face-down on top of your receiver. Please make sure it's dry.<br/>Caller: What?<br/>CSR: Trust me, sir, I'm a professional. We'll have your service back on in no time.<br/>Caller: Okay... [Long pause] Alright, done. Now what?<br/>CSR: Great, sir. The potato will act upon your receiver's magnetic field and will bring the service back online momentarily. It's a built-in security feature so that no one can use your dish while you're away for most of the year. <br/><br/>CSR presses service reset button, remote satellite transmits 'wake up' signal to inactive receiver, TV comes on.<br/><br/>Caller: That's amazing! Who'd have thought... a potato! Will this work every time?<br/>CSR: Just give us a call if you have any problems in the future, and thank you for using this service.<br/><br/>Bradford Drive<br>Huntsville, Alabama<br/>via <a href="http://www.overheardintheoffice.com/">Overheard in the Office</a>, Dec 20, 2006