i'm calling it "the device"
I can�t help it. I�m totally in love with the digital video recorder that now serves as my cable box. During the past few days I�ve combed the surface of the internet looking for a good website that lists EVERYTHING that�s worth recording on television for a given day. So far, I haven�t found it. I don�t think I�m up for the task of creating that, but I do want to share what I�m recording and what I�ll be recording in the near future.
Time Warner Cable�s DVR is set up into three sections � Series Manager, Saved Shows and Scheduled Recordings.
As of Wednesday evening, here�s how I have the device�s Series Manager set up:
Degrassi: The Next Generation - I never watched the original Degrassi and, frankly, I�m embarrassed that it�s not part of my tv knowledge. Now I�m hooked on this latest important from Canada. Network: The N. New Episodes: Friday nights
Gardening by the Yard � The host, Paul James, is completely ridiculous and over the top but I�m hooked on this show. I don�t have a garden, but all the tips seem really helpful. Zipping through this show with the remote is ideal for weekend mornings. Network: HGTV. I tape episodes on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Track 2- I�m not really sure what this show is. I saw it listed on the guide and thought it might be worth recording. I�ve got the device set up to record new shows only. I imagine I�ll check to see what artist is on, and then delete the show without watching it. Network: mtv2. I have no idea when this is on.
The OC � I have no idea how I�m going to handle October when this show is off the air! Network: Fox. New episodes on Tuesdays (moving to Thursdays after the baseball playoffs).
Unwrapped � I grew up watching �Double Dare� on Nickelodeon. How can I not watch Marc Summers presenting stories about classic American foods? Network: Food Network. New Episodes: Monday nights
Dinner for Five � Jon Favreau hosts a roundtable discussion, usually with film-related guests. It�s a fun show. Network: IFC. New Episodes: Monday nights.
The Screen Savers - I�m hooked on watching this show late at night while I�m at the computer working on my website. I don�t watch every episode, but the �witty banter� between hosts Leo and Patrick is fun and informative. Network: TechTV New Episodes: Daily.
Breakthrough Video - I�m not really sure what this show is. I saw it listed on the guide and thought it might be worth recording. I�ve got the device set up to record new shows only. I imagine I�ll check to see what artist is on, and then delete the show without watching it. Network: mtv2. I have no idea when this is on.
Subterranean - I watch this show with my finger hovering over the fast forward button. The show is an hour long and usually there�s only one or two videos worth watching. One out of every six episodes will have a musical guest worth watching. Unfortunately, the host of the show asks pretty lame questions. Network: mtv2 New Episodes: sometime during the weekend - Friday nights, maybe?
The Simpsons - I programmed this into the device because it seems like it should be there. I�ve got it set to record new episodes only. I imagine we�ll be waiting until November before anything actually gets recorded. Network: Fox New episodes: Sundays.
King of the Hill � I programmed this into the device because it seems like it should be there. I�ve got it set to record new episodes only. Network: Fox. New episodes: November 2nd.
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy - I guess this was the show of the summer. It�s usually on the funny side. But I�m often cringing in horror. I�m glad there aren�t too many people examining the way I live and dress. Network: Bravo
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart - The device is set to record new episodes but it never records any of them. I�m not quite sure what the deal with that is. Network: Comedy Central
Food Finds � Ideal for interesting food related nuggets. Network: Food Network
Once and Again � I probably watched ten episodes when this show originally aired on ABC a few years ago. A few nights ago I watched three episodes in a row! It was incredibly relaxing. I�m much more into this show than I should be. Network: Lifetime Real Women
Keeping Time: New Music from America's Roots � I started recording this on Sundance and now I can�t stop. The opening title sequence is gorgeous. The segments about various musicians are also pretty interesting. So far I�ve managed to catch a segment about the Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players and a segment with Gillian Welch talking about the religious influences in her music. I have no idea how many episodes are in this series or how long it will run. I�m also frustrated that the cable�s online guide doesn�t tell me anything about the individual episodes. Network: Sundance
Extreme Homes �I recently added this to the series manager � but only to tape new episodes. I have been taping random episodes every so often. Like a lot of shows, it�s a fun twenty minute diversion worth watching with your finger hovering over the fast forward button. Network: HGTV
Coupling - I raced out and bought the first season on DVD as soon as it became available. I�ve missed episodes from seasons two and three. Dan, Sujan and I can�t get enough of this incredibly funny British sitcom. Network: BBC America
A Cook's Tour � Sujan recently added this to the list of shows to record on a regular basis. I�ll probably watch, but I�m afraid it�ll just remind me that I�m really not a �foodie.� Network: Food Network
Book Television � I stumbled over this show when setting up the dvr. I�ve watched two episodes so far, and I couldn�t be happier with what I�ve found. One episode featured a segment on Michael Chabon. A second episode featured a segment on Paul Feig of �Freaks and Geeks� fame. The Paul Feig episode was about his book �Kick Me� and was filled with photographs taken of him while he was growing up. Like �Keeping Time,� I wish the television guide let me know the content of the segments before I started watching the show. Network: Trio
Everwood � New episodes from the second season start Tuesday! Network: The WB