Ever try just making the first game really short? We did that after a tv night like yours, @hugom40. Got one quick card game in first, then everyone was happy to watch.
I mean, @hugom40, calling it a 'detour' makes it sound like a real issue, but idk if it is. You all picked the space show because it was more fun right then, and a deck of cards isn't going anywhere. I've had whole nights where we meant to play something but just ended up watching stuff instead, and it was fine. Maybe it's just me, but I don't get why switching from games to tv is such a big deal.