While this is a cool idea, don't forget that once you can read an IR signal, you can do anything you want with the output.
We use PIC 16f627a chips programmed with PIC Basic Pro (
www.melabs.com) to read the Sony IR Control System (SIRCS) codes. In PIC BASIC Pro this can be done in about four lines of code if you are using an IR receiver such as the PNA4602m.
Then we use the PICs to control an L293d motor driver and run mini-sumo robots around. The PIC also has a nice serial interface, so you could build an IR receiver that you could hook up to your PC.
In the reverse direction you could use the PIC to control an IR LED and send out randomly timed signals to turn the TV on, off, or change the channel. Hook it up to a battery, cut out the middle of an old textbook, and sit it on a friend's bookshelf across from their TV.
Check back later to see if you still have a friend!
There are many, many fun things to do with IR remote control that don't involve sticking pointy conductive things into high voltage boxes. On the other hand, if you MUST control an old TV... consider using a servo to turn the volume knob manually, and a geared down motor to change the channel. That way you have a mechanical challenge as well as a software one, and don't risk learning the hard way that capacitance is a really, really amazing thing.
Jason
P.S. You can believe Don... really... TV's are nasty little buggers.