From Dreams From My Father, BO states that the TV show he wanted to watch (this was at Christmastime) was "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," an animated holiday special. This was in the days long before VCRs and DVDs and Tivo, so that meant he had only that evening to enjoy it. As a former 10-year-old American child (I'm about BO's age) I can sympathize with young BO's desire to watch it. His father's ban on it shows his unfamiliarity with American culture as well as his insensitivity to his son's feelings.
That is one story from his book that I actually believe and he says because of it long buried hurts and resentments surfaced between the three Dunhams and Obama Sr. By the time the arguing had ended Jr was only able to watch the last few minutes of the special.