I e-mailed Bethesda to get some answers to my problems as to what I could do to fix the fact that Tolfdir would just stand there instead of teaching me the lesson in "first lessons: talk to tolfdir." I also asked about the issue of text cut off and fuzziness on my standard def television and this is how they responded to my issues:

Bethesda:

"The game requires, for PS3, an HD Video Output with either 480p, 720p, or 1080i.

For the quest not advancing, please do the following.

a. In the XMB home menu, go to (Game) > [Game Data Utility].
Important: Make sure you select [Game Data Utility]. Do NOT select [Saved Data Utility], as this will delete all of your saved games files.
b. Highlight the game data utility file (i.e., name of a particular game you have been playing) you wish to delete.
c. Press the button and select [Delete].
d. Highlight "Yes" and press the button to confirm the deletion.
e. A message indicating the file is being deleted will appear.
f. A "Delete completed." message will appear once the file has been successfully deleted.

Also, be sure that you are connected to the PSN to get the most recent patch for Skyrim."