The TV show Addict Thread!

[RStar]

This was brought up in another thread. There seems to be an amazing plethera of new shows on TV that are worthy of watching on a regular basis. And most seem to have a continuing story line, a la soap opera, that keep you comming back each week. The sitcom is out, reality TV is in.

I'm hooked on:

Smallville (VERY well written)

LOST (Wow is all I can say here. It's a movie in installments!)

Kyle XY (interesting mystery)

I started watching Heros last night. It looks to be pretty good.

So, what's in your Tevo?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

We're currently season passholders for:

Lost (there's already an excellent thread about this. Premieres tomorrow!)
House (though it stresses me out time to time. Hugh Laurie is quite a draw.)
The Office (just finished catching up in time for season three. Jim and Pam!)
Veronica Mars (probably my favorite right now.)
The Daily Show (no, maybe this is my favorite.)
The Colbert Report (OK, this is totally my favorite. You're on notice!)
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (Second episode was better than the first.)

[Moonliner]

I use a DVR (http://www.snapstream.com) rather than a Tivo but the effect is the same:

Survivor
Amazing Race
Most things poker (ie WSOP)
House
Mystery!
Rosemary & Tyme (<- for the Mrs)
Deal-or-no-deal (<- for the kids)
Misc Movies as they come up

oops, and of course Mythbusters. Gotta have that! (Thanks CP)

Oh, and I've stared converting all my DVD's (http://www.dvdtox.com/dvd_ripper.htm)into DivX format (1/3 the size of a dvd) so that I can add them to my DVR's list of avalible shows to watch.

[Snowflake]

I've never seen Lost, never seen House, never saw an episode of Friends, missed George Clooney's entire TV career, in fact. About all I watch at some point after I've tivo'd it is Project Runway. I tivo movies and PBS programs to watch at a later time.

I can't remember the last commercial tv show I watched weekly!

[Alex]

Law & Order
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

But mostly because after 15 years, Law & Order is a well established habit. The only show among the new series that I'm going to allow myself to watch is Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and I'll watch the first few episodes of Heroes and if it holds up I'll make sure to watch it on DVD when the series is over and I know the makers of the show were able to take it to some conclusion.

The current glut of serialized television dramas (like Lost and 24) is a good thing but I also read a lot of epic fantasy. For the same reason that I don't start a series of epic fantasy until I know the author has finished the series I don't want to start watching a TV under the threat that it will get cancelled 9 shows into the season. And the very nature of this type of TV show makes cancellation much more likely (for the most part they can only lose viewers rather than gain new viewers who will be lost if they jump in mid stream).

[Cadaverous Pallor]

LOST
Mythbusters
The Soup
Survivor

Those are the MUST sees.

[Not Afraid]

I don't have Tivo and the only thing I'm currently watching is Project Runway. I just have to try to remember when it is on or catch one of the many reruns.

[Stan4dSteph]

I use a DVR (http://www.snapstream.com) rather than a Tivo but the effect is the same:

Survivor
Amazing Race
Most things poker (ie WSOP)
House
Mystery!
Rosemary & Tyme (<- for the Mrs)
Deal-or-no-deal (<- for the kids)
Misc Movies as they come up

oops, and of course Mythbusters. Gotta have that! (Thanks CP)

Oh, and I've stared converting all my DVD's (http://www.dvdtox.com/dvd_ripper.htm)into DivX format (1/3 the size of a dvd) so that I can add them to my DVR's list of avalible shows to watch.Do you know how to get things off the DVR and onto DVD? I have some U2 live appearances on award shows etc. I'd like to grab off the DVR so I can edit them down and save them. Unfortunately this doesn't seem to be an option with my cable co. DVR. :(

Oh, and if you like Mystery! check out Wire in the Blood (http://www.bbcamerica.com/genre/drama_mysteries/wire_in_the_blood/wire_in_the_blood.jsp). Season 4 starts on BBC America next week.

The shows I can remember right now:

Lost
24
Survivor
Amazing Race
L&O: CI
L&O: SVU
Studio 60

[Scrooge McSam]

Countdown with KO

Tivo suggests a bunch of programs that I'll usually wind up deleting, unless it's a movie I haven't seen..

[katiesue]

I apparently don't have a life -

Grey's Anatomy
Gilmour Girls
Numbers
Cold Case
The Girls Next Door
The Soup
Studio 60
House
Bones
CSI
How I Met Your Mother
Shark
Two and a Half Men
Wire in the Blood (Stef is right it's great)
Life on Mars
Hex
Murder City
Lost

[Ghoulish Delight]

LOST
Mythbusters
The Soup
Survivor

Those are the MUST sees.I'll add the Office, My Name is Earl, Robot Chicken, Family Guy, American Dad to that.

[Moonliner]

Do you know how to get things off the DVR and onto DVD?

That depends on what DVR you are using. I don't have a Tivo so I don't know the steps but fortunately my friend Google does know (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-5568230-1.html). However that might not work for too much longer. (http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2005/09/copy_protection.html).

If you have a PC based DVR (like Beyond TV) then all you need is the DVD burning software like MyDVD (http://estore.sonic.com/upgrades/tivo/mydvd61_special.asp?o_src=&lang=enu&rd=21549&MailID=mydvd6tivo01150503&MID=)

[AllyOops!]

*Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
*Law & Order
*Without A Trace
*Justice

I like shows about the law. Or, the complete opposite in one respect- because I can't wait for The Sopranos to return!

I have only The Simpsons programmed into my DVR. I never miss that show! I admit, I love all of the Fox cartoons on Sunday night. I had no desire to watch Family Guy (despite all of my brothers being hooked). My boyfriend also loves it, and one of his birthday gifts that I bought him were all of the Seasons on DVD. I finally caved and watched, and now I'm hooked!

My Grandma is addicted to Grey's Anatomy, so I've seen that with her. And Desperate Housewives is another she enjoys. I watched that with her Sunday night. I don't really watch any "new" shows. I watch lots of syndicated stuff! :)

[Stan4dSteph]

That depends on what DVR you are using. I don't have a Tivo so I don't know the steps but fortunately my friend Google does know (http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10166_7-5568230-1.html). However that might not work for too much longer. (http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2005/09/copy_protection.html).

If you have a PC based DVR (like Beyond TV) then all you need is the DVD burning software like MyDVD (http://estore.sonic.com/upgrades/tivo/mydvd61_special.asp?o_src=&lang=enu&rd=21549&MailID=mydvd6tivo01150503&MID=)Unfortunately I have the DVR provided by Time Warner Cable. I do not have TiVO. I haven't found any information that gives a person with no concept of this stuff instructions on how to do it.

I have an iMac with iDVD and iMovie.

[Snowflake]

Unfortunately I have the DVR provided by Time Warner Cable. I do not have TiVO. I haven't found any information that gives a person with no concept of this stuff instructions on how to do it.

I have an iMac with iDVD and iMovie.

My roomie has a TIVO and while I love the convenience of it, I really miss being able to record programs on my DVD-R (I have a Panasonic DVD-R). In fact, I gave her one, but when Comcast came and set her up, they would not hook up the DVD-R. The damn TIVO has no outputs beyond what goes in the TV, which is a real pain. Maybe I should swap out the VHS? Anyone have thoughts?

My roomie said there is some thing having to do with comcast that we can't record the stuff in the 500's channels (which if true, can't be, that's TCM). Right now I'm just reluctant to pull eveyrthing out and figure out the hook ups

[Moonliner]

Unfortunately I have the DVR provided by Time Warner Cable. I do not have TiVO. I haven't found any information that gives a person with no concept of this stuff instructions on how to do it.

I have an iMac with iDVD and iMovie.

Humm.. The best I could find is this:


You can't do a digital transfer from the Time Warner box.

However, you can use a video capture card or USB video capture device to record the show in real-time from the DVR and capture it to a video file on your computer (I've done this).

The other option is to buy a DVD recorder and hook it up to the video out.

[Prudence]

Anything Law and Order. I just can't help myself.

Gained a Without A Trace addiction over the summer.

House. The accent creeps me out, but I can't not watch.

Lost. Damn you. Damn you all.

Veronica Mars. Why wasn't I that witty in high school?

Gilmore Girls. Although this season's pilot allegedly sucks now that the creator left.

Desperate Housewives. Just shut up, okay?

And the rest of the time is basically reality shows, which vary depending on the cast that particular run, but may include:

Survivor (this season hasn't really intrigued me yet.)
Amazing Race (the two most interesting couples were eliminated the first night, so not sure on this either.)
ANTM (look, sometimes I just want to see pretty girls do astoundingly stupid things, okay?)
Project Runway (yay! Snarky bitches make clothes!)
Whatever the chef show is that follows a season of Project Runway (yay! Snarky bitches make food!)
Dancing with the Stars - although now I basically just catch the routines on YouTube. Go Jerry!
And if everything else is in reruns: Wife Swap and Super Nanny.

None of the new shows have really grabbed me yet. Studio 60 and Heroes look potentially interesting, but so far I don't care enough to worry if I miss them.

[Stan4dSteph]

Humm.. The best I could find is this:Thanks. I used Google too. That statement really doesn't help me much. I started a new thread in Egg Head so as not to continue to derail this one more.

[RStar]

Smallville

LOST

Kyle XY

Heros



Oh, I forgot to add:

Bones

Ghost Whisperer

I think to record from a DVR to DVD, just hook up the DVD recorder to the signal out before the TV, and record it in real time. I have a freind who records from the Time Warner DVR to VHS this way.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I think to record from a DVR to DVD, just hook up the DVD recorder to the signal out before the TV, and record it in real time.I have a friend who does that, too.

Let's see...

Stargate SG-1
Stargate Atlantis
Survivor
Amazing Race

Studio 60 looks pretty good. We'll see.
Heroes might be OK. We'll see.

Daily Show and Colbert Report, but not as often as I'd like

I've given up on Lost. I'm convinced there is no plan for this show and it's just floating through time until someone calls the whole thing off. When I thought it was going somewhere, I was interested. Now that I'm fairly convinced it's not, I just don't care.

I'll need another show to replace SG-1 when it ends so I can get my sci-fi fix each week. (Suggestions, anyone?)

[Kevy Baby]

House
Grey's Anatomy
Desperate Housewives
Myth Busters
My Name is Earl
Mail Call
Monk
The Dead Zone
Meercat Manor
Queer Eye

I'll need another show to replace SG-1 when it ends so I can get my sci-fi fix each week. (Suggestions, anyone?)Try The 4400 (http://www.usanetwork.com/series/the4400/index.html) on USA. The wife likes it, but I don't much care for it. Also, I'm not sure if it is Science-Fictioney enough.

[Prudence]

Oh, I didn't think to add Monk or Psych because their seasons already ended.

[Matterhorn Fan]

The 4400 looks like it might be difficult to jump into mid-fourth season. (?)

[€uroMeinke]

I've been watching DVDs of Arrested Development, just finished up season three. It was good.

[CoasterMatt]

Monk is about the only show I watch regularly.

[RStar]

I've been watching DVDs of Arrested Development, just finished up season three. It was good.
That's how I watched LOST. I have never watched it on real time TV yet. I got the first season on DVD at Christmas, and just watched season 2. Now I can watch the third season in real time. It was so nice without comercials I'll have to get a DVR.....

And yes, I think LOST is going somewhere. I just don't know where......

[scaeagles]

Lost, 24, Survivor.

Those are what I have to see when they are on or I will stay up and watch them on the DVR if I get home late that night.

I will also record Mythbusters, but that can wait.

I used to watch Smallille, but that got...predictable. I'll probably watch it, but it won't be a priority.

[Prudence]

What - no "Pants Off Dance Off" fans?

[RStar]

I used to watch Smallille, but that got...predictable. It was terribly pridictable in the first season. Some kid with powers because of "meteor rocks". Every single time......

But it got a lot better after a while. I think they got a new set of writers.

I forgot Eureca as well! Also a little predictable, but light hearted and a little funny.

[MickeyD]

The three shows I'm totally addicted to are:

Grey's Anatomy
Gilmore Girls
Veronica Mars

The shows I TiVo but would't be particularly bummed if I missed are:
CSI
24
Desperate Housewives
How I Met Your Mother
Two and a Half Men
The Office
House
Without a Trace
Cold Case
Boston Legal

I've watched the first two episodes of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, I'll probably add that to the second category, although it's Aaron Sorkin, so it can easily become a total addiction for me.

And of course there's my 4 day a week addiction: The Daily Show.

[wendybeth]

I'd have to say that the only show I'm even close to an addiction to is 'The Gilmore Girls', but the writing has really taken a nosedive this past year and I may have to move on. Too bad- it is/was a smart show and I hate seeing it bite the dust. I hope they can pull it together.


Oooops- after perusing KB's list, I'd forgetten about Meerkat Manor. I love that show!!!!!!!! They can be mean little bastards, but I really find myself caught up in the drama on the Serengeti.

[Gemini Cricket]

South Park
The Daily Show
Mind of Mencia

:)

[DreadPirateRoberts]

CyberChase
Dora The Explorer
Curious George
Between the Lions
Dragon Tales

[AllyOops!]

*Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
*Law & Order
*Without A Trace
*Justice


Oops..I forgot:
Law & Order: Criminal Intent :) I knew that list wasn't complete!

[RStar]

It's interesting how you can tell something about each person from the list they gave here!

If I had the time (and wasn't worried about offending anyone;) ), I'd post something about each person's personality from their list.

[Not Afraid]

I heard a review of the new show - Dexter - on NPR yesterday and it sort of intrigues me. Of course, I don't have HBO or Showtime, so I won't be watching it.

I'm wondering if we're the only people here that don't pay for those channels.

[Ghoulish Delight]

*raises hand* No premium channels for us (though as I've caught episodes of Enterage and Curb Your Enthusiasm I mild regret it...but that's what DVDs are for).

[Cadaverous Pallor]

South Park
South Park is still a must-see for us. The other night we watched a rerun on KCAL-9 and were astounded to realize we had never seen it before. That's a rare thing.

[AllyOops!]

I forgot the one (and only) reality show I dare watch..

Laguna Beach.

Maybe it's because I haven't really been following this season. I just cannot warm up to the "new" cast! With the exception of Tessa & Rocky, the girls are just vicious. I miss Lauren "LC" Conrad & Kristin Cavallari. Even when they were being total vixens, they were completely charming. I can't watch a cast I loathe.

And why are they all fighting over Cameron? Especially Jessica? What a low-life goober (Cameron, that is). Sigh..we've all had our personal "Camerons".

More importantly, why am I, um, over 30 & watching this?? :(

;)

[CoasterMatt]

There's not any one SHOW I'm addicted to, but once I turn on the History Channel, it's tough for me to step away...

[Alex]

Until a year ago we didn't even have cable. And the when we got cable (for the internet) we asked for only the basic package of local channels (for $13/month, which is what we are paying) but they gave us the entire basic package.

The last time I was in a house that paid out for a premium cable channel I was 13. That's why god created DVD, pretty much anything on HBO that you might want to see will soon enough (or already) be available on DVD. Except the Real Sex series and Taxicab Confessions but those are meant for 14 year old boys who haven't yet figured out how to get past the parental internet controls for real porn.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I don't have cable at all.

[Kevy Baby]

I'm wondering if we're the only people here that don't pay for those channels.No premiums for us, though I would get HBO if it weren't for the fact that my only choice via Dish is all 749 channels for $811 per month.

[RStar]

my only choice via Dish is all 749 channels for $811 per month.:eek: Whaaa???

Why is that your only choice? That's practically rent for the house the dish sits on (or yard there of)!

I only have basic cable, plus Tier one digital (Disney, History, Sci Fi, Encore, ect.). No "premium" channels like HBO, Showtime, et al. I have Time Warner with phone, high speed internet, and TV. So my payments are $150 a month, I don't need to make it any higher, thank you very much.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

No premiums for us, though I would get HBO if it weren't for the fact that my only choice via Dish is all 749 channels for $811 per month.I hate to echo RStar but WHAT??? :eek: :eek: This is a joke, yes?

[RStar]

I hate to echo RStar but
Why, does it creep you out?:D

[Kevy Baby]

I hate to echo RStar but WHAT??? :eek: :eek: This is a joke, yes?Yes, joke. I think it is about 10 HBO channels for about an additional $15/mo. Maybe my expectations are a little wonky, but it is more than I need.

Or maybe I'm just being a cheap bastard.

[katiesue]

I have HBO but I need to cancell it. I don't really end up watching it very much.

[Prudence]

No HBO. Or any of the others. I resent having to pay for cable period, so I'm not shelling out any more.

[katiesue]

I guess it's never occured to me not to have pay for cable. Where I grew up we always had cable, we only got the three networks and PBS. We were far enough from anyplace that broadcast (and it was pre-dish days) that the only way you got anything at all was cable. We also had cable for FM stereo.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

We don't have the premium channels either. (But we do enjoy the pseudo-premium BBC America selection.)

I do enjoy having movie channels. The Starz free preview weekend was a few weeks ago and we Tivoed all we could. We just don't need the bill or the distraction right now.

[AllyOops!]

I must have every channel on the planet known to man 'cause I loves my TV. Seriously. My boyfriend freaked the other night when I sat, dying laughing, watching highlights of Sabado Gigante. I DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY’RE SAYING. Still, I can watch anything and be entertained.

However, I watch the same things over and over. I really don’t gravitate toward anything new!

Last night I discovered a new favorite: CSI NY.

Does anybody beside me watch Justice?!?! It's just so good, you guys! (Kerr Smith & Victor Garber, baby!) :snap: Last night's eppy was about gruesome death by Roller Coaster due to theme park negligence. and right after I conquered my fear of coasters on Labor Day weekend! Look like it’s back to It’s A Small World for me. Although, my luck, a doll will spring loose and nail me in the noodle causing me to hemhorrage to death in my mouse ears. :( :p

[katiesue]

Does anybody beside me watch Justice?!?! It's just so good, you guys! (Kerr Smith & Victor Garber, baby!) :snap: Last night's eppy was about gruesome death by Roller Coaster due to theme park negligence. and right after I conquered my fear of coasters on Labor Day weekend! Look like it’s back to It’s A Small World for me. Although, my luck, a doll will spring loose and nail me in the noodle causing me to hemhorrage to death in my mouse ears. :( :p


Yes I love this show, the first episode all the jumpy/choppy camera shots were making me sorta sea-sick. But it seems to have calmed down a bit. Last nights show was creeping me out a bit too. I'm going to freak a bit on coasters now.

I love CSI NY as well, but I only half watched last nights as the 20/20 Steve Irwin special was on and I was too lazy to go in the other room to set the dvr.

[Stan4dSteph]

I watched the first episode of Justice and liked it. It's up against Lost though, so Justice loses.

What was the reveal at the end of last night's episode? How did she really die?

[katiesue]

her seatblet came unblucked by itself. The ride operator was chatting up a hot mamma and wasn't at the control pannel to see the red light flashing. She's frantically trying to re-belt herself when she flies up and smacks her head on the beam. Landing back in the car slumped over her horrified daughter.

[Betty]

I'm shocked (SHOCKED!) that no one has mentioned Weeds! Love it. I don't have showtime though so I rented the first season, got hooked, and have downloaded it as a torrent since.

Also:

House
Prison Break
24
The Soup
Survivor
Numbers (eh - not so much anymore though)

South Park reruns (although I think we've seen them all - I just started watching this show! Yeah - it took me long enough)

Invasion - will it be back?

Lost - can't wait for the new season!


Sometimes Supernanny

The Soup - and sometimes best week ever

[Gemini Cricket]

And now for the GC Bleh Moment:

TV sucks. Truly.

I tried to watch 'Bones' last night on Fox and strained my eyes from rolling them so much. Her name is Bones?! lol! :D I kept laughing and laughing.

[RStar]

And now for the GC Bleh Moment:

TV sucks. Truly.

I tried to watch 'Bones' last night on Fox and strained my eyes from rolling them so much. Her name is Bones?! lol! :D I kept laughing and laughing.
No, the FBI guy has nicknamed her Bones because she can gather sooo much info just from the bones of a person.

And TV may suck, but having no TV BLOWS!!

[Kevy Baby]

I tried to watch 'Bones' last night on Fox and strained my eyes from rolling them so much. Her name is Bones?! lol! :D I kept laughing and laughing.We enjoy Bones. I want to pick up the book by the person that the character is based on.

[CoasterMatt]

For any of you "Justice" watchers - they never explained that in addition to her seatbelt there's clearly a lapbar :rolleyes: . The actual coaster used for that episode is the "Scandia Screamer", a custom coaster by Miler rides. One of my birthday traditions is riding the Screamer once for each year - yes, this year I rode it 32 times in one day (plus a few more for fun).

[Alex]

Invasion - will it be back?

No, Invasion was cancelled.

[RStar]

yes, this year I rode it 32 times in one day (plus a few more for fun).
So, it wasn't fun until those last few?;)

[Betty]

Okay - I know there's some stoners out there. Go rent the first season of Weeds and check it out. You won't regret it.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Okay - I know there's some stoners out there. Go rent the first season of Weeds and check it out. You won't regret it.

You don't even have to be a stoner (though it couldn't hurt. ;) ). "Weeds" is one of the best written shows I've ever seen on TV. It's worth getting Showtime for, as the second season has proved to as good, or better, than the first.

I never miss an episode.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Okay - I know there's some stoners out there. Go rent the first season of Weeds and check it out. You won't regret it.

You don't even have to be a stoner (though it couldn't hurt. ;) ). "Weeds" is one of the best written shows I've ever seen on TV. It's worth getting Showtime for, as the second season has proved to be as good as, or even better, than the first.

I never miss an episode.

[Not Afraid]

Two posts. Are you stoned? ;)

[wendybeth]

Two posts. Are you stoned? ;)

You have to ask?;)

I am planning on renting this show- we only have HBO (primarily for the Sopranos and Deadwood) so I'll have to hit the video store, but it sounds like it's worth the trip. (No pun intended).

[Stan4dSteph]

Yeah! Wire in the Blood is back! Woohoo!

[CoasterMatt]

So, it wasn't fun until those last few?;)
OK, so I should have said "A few more for extra fun" :D

[lindyhop]

Numbers
NCIS


Gilmore Girls on DVD (I just finished Season Four and from the little I've seen of the current stuff, I'm in no hurry to catch up)

I'd like to get House on DVD. I've never seen it but it sounds good.


No cable here. When we had just basic cable, it was hooked up to the TV no one watched which seemed pointless.

[scaeagles]

BY the way, Lost addicts, the Lost season premier is on Wednesday, October 4th. THAT'S THIS FREAKIN' WEDNESDAY! Woo-Hoo!

[RStar]

BY the way, Lost addicts, the Lost season premier is on Wednesday, October 4th. THAT'S THIS FREAKIN' WEDNESDAY! Woo-Hoo!
I know! I'm counting down the days and hours!! I can't wait!

The Smallville and Supernatural premieres were great!

Heros still looks pretty good. I just watched the second one tonight.

[Not Afraid]

I watched the first two episodes of Six Feet Under last night since Bravo is repeating the series. I saw season one long ago and I'll try and remember it is on on Monday nights so I can get a bit further this time. I'm not counting on it though.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Question...

What's on BBC America that's good to watch?

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Two posts. Are you stoned? ;)

Like.....Whooooooah! ;)


I blame the internets.

[katiesue]

Question...

What's on BBC America that's good to watch?

Lots - although the british TV seasons are shorter so things rotate more.

Wire in the Blood started the new season last night. I also like Murder City.

Life on Mars just finished it's first season. It was an interesting time travel twist show.

Hex will be back for halloween. It's a supernatural witches/fallen angels show, similar to a Buffy but not as campy.

Footballers Wives is kind of fun over the top.

The Kumars at No. 42 is a talkshow spoof with real celebrity guests. I love this show.

Ramsey's kitchen nightmares - he goes into failing resturants and helps them get back up and running.

The original What Not to Wear

Changing Rooms which is the original trading spaces. These are sometimes really interesting as some of the spaces are so small it's cool to see all the innovative storage ideas.

[Stan4dSteph]

Question...

What's on BBC America that's good to watch?Hello! Did you not see my post above?

[Stan4dSteph]

Wire in the Blood started the new season last night. I also like Murder City.We should start a WitB thread. I love Dr. Hill.

[belleh5]

Right now I'm hooked on:

Laguna Beach
Dancing with the Stars
America's Next Top Model
Day's of our lives
Flavor of Love

[Prudence]

I now have my first "must see" show of the new season. Anyone else watch The Nine?

[Alex]

I'm trying to avoid the serial dramas because the odds of them being cancelled are too high (things are already looking bad for Kidnapped, Missing, and Friday Night Lights) and there is little point in becoming invested if the show never makes it to the ultimate payoff. If they are successful, I'll watch them later on DVD.

Of course, this is self defeating since if everybody takes my attitude the show will have bad ratings, getting it cancelled.


As far as the season so far, I'm already growing tired of Heroes' conceipt after just two episodes but I'll hang in for another couple before deciding what I think. The writing on Studio 60 is good but the situation is boring so I don't know if I'll be sticking with it for long (and the ratings aren't promising, though NBC will likely protect their investment in Sorkin and give it extra trime).

[Prudence]

If The Nine doesn't make it I'll be shocked. It's similar in some ways to Lost, which is a pretty damn good lead-in. Even my mom likes it, and she's about as middle America as it gets.

[Alex]

It may be good, but the problem is with the genre (serial dramas). They have a very poor historical record for success no matter how much people like them.

Because of their format, if you miss a couple episodes you feel lost and once a viewer feels lost they just stop watching. And year to year you tend to only lose viewers since hardly anybody wants to jump in mid-story.

24 solves this by starting a new story every season. Lost is a surprising exception to the rule. But I link the more illustrative example will not be Lost but Murder One (remember that?) where everybody who watched the show loved it. It was the critical golden child. It started out to high ratings and quality wise people felt it improved as the season went on. But week to week it slowly shed viewers.

Who knows, I hope the new age of Tivo/DVR and DVD distribution will help these type of shows be successful that never could have before but the TV executives can't yet rely on that and keep or lose their jobs based on the overnight ratings, not the combination of live viewers, difficult to measure time-shifters, and year later DVD watchers.

[Stan4dSteph]

If it gets too expensive, American dramas might shift to the English model, which is similar to what HBO does: Shorter seasons, fewer episodes.

[Alex]

They've been trying that too, without too much success. Particularly with an explosion of summer series or split seasons. Pretty much all of the networks have taken a stab at year-round programming and have been pulling back from it.

But I would love to see them package shows like NBC tried in the late '60s with the Mystery Movie wheel. Rather than the same show in the timeslot every week, each week cycled through Columbo, MacMillan and Wife, and McCloud. It would probably be easier to keep an audience for a serial drama if it were on every two weeks instead of every week.

[Prudence]

I believe the episodes are available online for a bit after they air, which, with TiVo, might make it more sustainable. I think that those sorts of changes - plus the swift movement of seasons to DVD - make success more likely than in the past.

[katiesue]

I think it would help, although I realize with ratings etc it won't, if a series like Lost had a finite number of episodes. So you knew for instance that there would be 25 and then that's it. It would be easier to commit. With it being so open ended I think there's more reason for people to drop off after the first season and thereafter.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Who knows, I hope the new age of Tivo/DVR and DVD distribution will help these type of shows be successfulNot to mention the ability to watch the video (http://dynamic.abc.go.com/streaming/landing) for free (with commercials) on-line or download to one's iPod (for pay).

[Alex]

But the first requirement is that the programming executives be given credit for that stuff and so far that isn't the case. They are still fired and hired based on the broadcast ratings and therefore if a show isnn't generating those, it is probably going to get cancelled.

But it can't hurt. Still though, don't get your hopes up that Kidnapped or Missing will make it to November.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It would be easier to commit. With it being so open ended I think there's more reason for people to drop off after the first season and thereafter.I think part of what has kept Lost strong is that Abrams has consistently stuck to his claim, even after the show's runaway popularity, that he's got a specific plan (I don't remember if it was 5 or 7 seasons) and that he will end the story by then. Unlike, say X-Files where they orignally had a 3 season complete story arc...that they threw out the window the instant they sniffed success.

[katiesue]

Looks like Kidnapped is already finished. They'll air 13 episodes and that's it.

Link (http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/05/television.kidnapped.reut/index.html)

[Prudence]

Well, Kidnapped sucked. I tried to watch the pilot but it was so dull I wandered away.

[katiesue]

I agree, I started watching it then the phone rang or something and I never went back to see what happened. Forgot.

[Alex]

I saw the pilot a couple months ago and thought it was good enough but not something I was going to commit to every single week (great thing about my Law & Order habit, I can forget to watch for five months and it doesn't really affect my ability to watch a new episode).

[Stan4dSteph]

Good news for those of you who like Heroes. It's been picked up for a full season.

[thecorndogwalker]

Anyone watch Sopranos???

[mistyisjafo]

Current TV summer addictions: The Pick Up Artist, Scott Baio is 45 & Single and the Rock of Love.

After ages of avoiding reality tv, I now have 3 shows that I can't keep from watching this summer. Thank goodness 24 will be back with a vengence to save me from reality!

[katiesue]

I watch Magnum PI every night at 10 on Sleuth. I'm so lame.

MI5 and Murphy's Law on BBC America are my two others for summer.

I've caught a couple of episodes of Scott Baio and it's pretty amusing. Oh the Kimora Simmons one is kind of like watching a train wreck, and I keep on watching.

[BarTopDancer]

Jericho re-runs are being TiVOed but not watched :(

I love The 4400 and I think that is my only summer show that I follow regularly. And that is TiVOed too.

[Capt Jack]

Naruto!!!!!


yeah, Im a nerd. this is NOT a newsflash

[Stan4dSteph]

I watch Magnum PI every night at 10 on Sleuth. I'm so lame.It's all about the short shorts.

[Prudence]

Love Burn Notice. And Psych. And Damages. I love summer teevee.

[libraryvixen]

Pick up Artist and The Hills