regarding recording television

wb vs. abc

my friends are on a tv writing hot streak today! after letting her anger over the poor portrayal of koreans on television boil to the surface, sujan finally vents today. she's not complaining that there are too few koreans in primetime, she's just very upset about their accents. run now to check out her thoughts on GILMORE GIRLS' lane kim, momma kim and quiet cousin kim. skip now to check out her thoughts on those mysterious koreans trapped on the island in LOST.

hbo vs. showtime

wow. mitch just wrote about THE WIRE and HUFF. if you've ever watched either of these shows or have even thought about it, go see what he has to say. it's a brilliant encapsulation of both series and has me sitting in awe of my well spoken friends.

more veronica mars

i'm slowly returning to the world of updating 'regarding recording television.' in the meantime, fans of VERONICA MARS (and those who want just one more TV show to watch), should check out this appraisal of the show in LA Weekly.

mid-season update

For the past four weeks my intention every Sunday afternoon has been to write the list of shows I’m currently watching and offer a brief mini-review of each, concentrating more on the new television series I’m enjoying.

I think today may be the day this gets done.

Before getting too far in, I should mention that THE FIVE OBSTRUCTIONS airs Monday night on Sundance (9pm). Early this summer while waiting in line for barbecue Mitch told me about this film. Basically, a director is called out of retirement by Lars Von Trier and asked to remake a short film five times with different “obstructions” in place. It sounded completely fascinating.

SUNDAYS

THE SIMPSONS (Fox, 8pm)

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (Fox, 8:30pm) – I repeatedly profess my dislike of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. When I watch it, I laugh. I don’t want to. It just happens.

THE WIRE (HBO, 9pm) – Let’s be honest, if I could watch six new episodes of THE WIRE every week I wouldn’t need to watch any other show. If you like drama and you’re not watching this show, you’re doing yourself an extreme disservice.

THE SURREAL LIFE (VH1, 10pm) – I stopped watching Jordan Knight and the rest of the gang about three weeks ago. There was a haunted hospital episode that I missed. I mean, I recorded it. I’ve just made the conscious decision to stop watching. This show took a nosedive when the recording of a “hit single” was spread over two episodes. Will I return to the franchise for season four?

MONDAYS

SUBTERRANEAN (MTV2, 12am) – There’s this weakness I have for music videos on television. I think that’s how they should be watched. I have no interest in watching them on my computer or downloading them to my desktop. I want to watch them on the big TV in the living room. Is that so wrong? It must be. This and NEW YORK NOISE are the only music shows on hundreds of channels that have my captive attention – and they only get about fifteen minutes of that attention – that’s how quickly I fast forward through the programs to find the new videos I haven’t seen. I just want product – new and original – turned out on a rapid basis. With videos, this should be the easiest thing to do!

HOME MOVIES (Cartoon, 4:29am?) – I’m experiencing some mild dega vu here. Have I already done a season recap this year? I think I’ve mentioned HOME MOVIES before. I record it late at night on the Cartoon Network and it’s a great nugget of television during the week.

EVERWOOD (WB, 9pm) – Sujan said she was about to give up on EVERWOOD. I thought about trying to get passionate about why she shouldn’t but nothing came to mind. I enjoy the show. The dialogue isn’t as funny as in past years, though. And dialogue is why I stick around. Sujan’s leaving because the show isn’t as exciting as it once was. Bailey just isn’t the superstar that Charlie is, I guess.

TUESDAYS

GILMORE GIRLS (WB, 8pm) – The vivaciousness of previous seasons (ignoring last season) seems to have returned. I have a great time watching the new episodes. Everyone better be sick of Dean; the producers sure are gearing us up for that break-up.

ONE TREE HILL (WB, 9pm) – I watch every third episode and LOVE IT. This is the trashy television show your mother always warned you about.

VERONICA MARS (UPN, 9pm) – I’ve spoken highly of VERONICA MARS before. After additional episodes, I stand by my initial take – this show has got the right mix of drama, detective-ness and spunk (and, no, not like that).

THE REAL WORLD - PHILADELPHIA (MTV, 10pm) – I only watch to see if that one “cast member” who goes out drinking alone accidentally ends up at Bob & Barbara’s.

WEDNESDAYS

SMALLVILLE (WB, 8pm) – I have a friend who watches SMALLVILLE just for Tom Welling’s Clark Kent hair. Anyone willing to bet she’s not alone? This season’s episodes that feature Lois Lane are the best. She’s the right gal for Clark Kent and we’ve always known it. But what is Lana doing with that mysterious tattoo on her lower back?

LOST (ABC, 8pm) – Oh, Matthew Fox (Charlie from Party of Five), where have you been all these years? Regarding what I said above about THE WIRE and it being the only show I need, I was lying. I want two episodes of LOST each week. That’s party of my TV viewing dreams! If you haven’t been watching this show, I think it would be best to wait for the dvd. And if you’re ABC, I think it would be best to give away dvd’s when the show goes offf the air for winter break – let everyone get caught up on this show and start strong in February.

JACK & BOBBY (WB, 8pm) – I’ve only seen snippets of AMERICAN DREAMS (NBC – Sunday nights) but I imagine JACK & BOBBY was created in response to that. It’s good, not great, filled with “values” and just enough light drama to keep everyone a little bit happy.

THURSDAYS

THE O.C. (Fox, 8pm) – In my personal blog I comment on every episode.

THE APPRENTICE (NBC, 9pm) – I am legally bound to watch one Mark Burnett created reality show each season.

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT (ABC, 9pm) – It’s not airing this coming week. That’s not a good sign, is it? Unfortunately, this show is just starting to find its groove. Sliding under the radar due to ABC’s new hits, LIFE AS WE KNOW IT is quietly winning me over. It’s frank and it’s funny and D.B. Sweeney consistently charms me.

ER (NBC, 10pm) – A guilty dramatic pleasure. Watching ER is like eating fresh pound cake drizzled in hot fudge. You know the characters and the character types and the only surprise is the super high calorie count that you remember in discussion with people who used to love the show in its heyday.

FRIDAYS

GROUNDED FOR LIFE (WB, 8:30pm) – Is headed for cancellation. It was not renewed by The WB. Once GROUNDED is off the air, my consumption of the traditional half-hour comedy will have ceased.

AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (repeat) (UPN, 9pm) – It’s like watching THE REAL WORLD and THE APPRENTICE all rolled into one.