keep an eye on that spot over the next few weeks, as i hope to share some thoughts about sex on television and the recent article in the new york times about the dvr industry. i also hope to introduce a new semi-regular feature. exciting things, i promise.

www.recordingtelevision.com

The new RSS feed is: http://www.recordingtelevision.com/recordingtv/index.rdf

These pages will remain online, but new postings will be made to recordingtelevision.com. As always, I'll continue to update my regular blog (balgavy.com/blog) on a sporadic basis.

here's the list of what's available:

1001 - special events on demand
1002 - aol music (videos)
1003 - kids on demand
1004 - g4tech tv on demand
1005 - comedy central on demand
1006 - food network on demand
1007 - diy on demand
1008 - hgtv on demand
1009 - golf channel on demand
1010 - a&e on demand
1011 - bbc america on demand
1012 - cnn showcase on demand
1013 - court tv on demand

i just finished watch a video from the donnas. in a few weeks i should be able to report how these on demand channels have changed by dvr recording habits.

update (8:15pm):
i'm currently checking out comedy central on demand. there's only one episode of http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/imwithbusey/>I'M WITH BUSEY on here (but jamie did note that when i called him thirty minutes ago). i'm watching that episode and it's fantastic. all of these episodes need to be made available pronto! filled with gems like gary busey's take on fear - "fear. F. E. A. R. - that stands for FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL." this guy is amazing. and it's got to be better than that ben stiller special running on a&e on demand.

Here's what my DVR is slated to record this week:

Tuesday (4 Jan)

THEY MADE AMERICA (WLIW (pbs), 11:30pm) - Based on the book by Harry Evans, this series looks like it could be interesting. I've opted to record the episode tonight because it features Ted Turner and Russell Simmons (perhaps two of the most profiled men in America). I just hope the show has some of the sassiness of MTV's CRIBS.

Wednesday (5 Jan)

DWELL (FineLvg, 1am) - Speaking of cribs, I was just reminded by Matt Haughey's new "my tivo" section on his pvrblog.com that DWELL exists. Somehow this show slipped off my radar and I stopped recording it. I was reminded why when I looked at the episode playing this week - it's one I've already seen. Maybe next week.

A COOK'S TOUR (Food, 4am) - Speaking of shows we've all seen before, it looks like Food Network is once again airing old episodes of A COOK'S TOUR. I feel like these disappeared for a few months. Now they're back. Last night I watched a recorded episode of Sundance's First Amendment Project (the episode directed by Bob Balaban). Eric Bogosian handled the hosting duties for the show. While drifting to sleep on the couch listening to Bogosian, I realized that he and Tony Bourdain sound really similar. My mind starting drifting into this weird cycle of who would play whom in the movie version of the other's life. They're both mid-level stars who get recognized but haven't lead these huge lives. Could one play the other in a bio-pic? Maybe they could team up and do a comedy food show? How awesome would that be? You'd never know who was talking! Yeah, so it made my brain hurt just thinking about it. It wasn't as exciting celeb casting as the time I decided ROSEANNE's Jonny Galecki should play Dave Eggers in the movie version of A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.

Thursday (6 Jan)

SECRET HISTORY OF SAN FRANCISCO (DiscoveryTimes, 4am) - I feel like Eggers got a bit of his creative start in San Francisco. Isn't that where he and some of his cronies created that first magazine they did? The one that only lasted 8 issues or so and featured the reported death of Adam Rich? None of that will be addressed in what I imagine is this dry documentary about San Francisco. I've got my fingers crossed that it'll be interesting.

Friday (7 Jan)

HENRY'S FILM CORNER (IFC, 2am) - I don't know why I'm going to watch this show again. I tried the first episode and was less than impressed. I'm watching because I hope the guests will be interesting. And I hope Henry Rollins has toned down his act. I will be proven wrong.

FRAZETTA: PAINTING WITH FIRE (IFC, 1:45pm) - Frank Frazetta is this crazy artist guy who is HUGE in the sci-fi/fantasy community. If you like monsters or swords or bodacious babes, I'm sure you're familiar with his work. During the past few months I've occasionally skipped past this doc, thinking I should record it. Now is that time - I will embrace my wannabe sci-fi/fantasy background!

Saturday (8 Jan)

DO YOU SPEAK AMERICAN? (13World (pbs channel 715 in NY), 2am) - This is a new show from PBS about American dialects. It could be neat. I'm sure it airs at different times and on different days across the country. Could be interesting, though. In sixth grade a friend of mine once reported to the class that sometimes his family would disappear on weekends and they'd take long drives to different parts of Virginia just to listen to the different dialects. I'm sure this would be right up his alley. Steve? Are you out there? Are you reading this?

Sunday (9 Jan)
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS (WLIW 21, 12am) - If you don't have AUSTIN CITY LIMITS set up as a regular record feature on your DVR, you don't know what you're missing. Every season there are three or four episodes of really great live music. Tonight's episode is one that could be hated, loved or loved and hated. It features Wilco and Bright Eyes. An upcoming episode features Modest Mouse and Guided By Voices.

What am I missing? Are there good shows I'm not recording?

i don't think there was a lot of support for this show. there was some. i liked it, but if faced with a list of five shows that should survive i can't say this is one i'd pick. (and i just made up that number five. i have no insight into the programming decisions at showtime.)

Alex recently purchased the Neko Case live album, THE TIGERS HAVE SPOKEN. I heard it the first time last weekend while playing poker with friends. It’s been sitting on the coffee table since then, just staring up at me, begging to be heard again. I’m not one to write a year end music list, but I’ve got to say that the Neko Case show I saw this summer at Southpaw was one of the year’s music highlights for me. This album is damn good and worth adding to your holiday lists.

Like last week, a lot of shows this week seem to be in rerun mode. I’m okay with that as tomorrow is trivia night (and I still feel like I overdosed on television this fall. But maybe I’m thinking of Russell (the Oliver Platt character in HUFF) snorting too much heroin in the backseat of a limousine earlier tonight. I’m telling you, this Musketeer’s performance is one of the reasons to watch HUFF (no matter what Mitch says). I mean, c’mon, Oliver Platt was the voice of Luther in SSX TRICKY.

Here are a few shows airing this week. It’s unlikely that all of them are on your radar.

TUESDAY (14 Dec)

HENRY’S FILM CORNER (IFC, 5:15am) – Henry Rollins talks about movies or interviews people. I’m really going to have to check the website to find out. It has something to do with the “subculture” blah blah blah. I think I read a brief description of this show in Time Out New York and they had issues with the fact that Hank has done so much TV before and fails so miserably here.

WEDNESDAY (15 Dec)

WORLD POKER TOUR (Travel, 9pm) – World Poker Tour action gets underway again, but I think this is just a special episode. It’s the “Ladies of Poker Night 2.”

THURSDAY (16 Dec)

TATTOOED TEARS (Trio, 12am) – Before he got all up in the business of the Hollywood Madam and Courtney Love, Nick Broomfield was making this 1978 documentary about a California detention center for young people.

FRIDAY (17 Dec)
AUSTIN CITY LIMITS (WNET, 12am) – I think Mitch and Dan are the only two people who check out this TV blog on a regular basis. As it turns out, they’re both Elvis Costello fans. I feel like I should’ve let them know when he appeared on BREAKFAST WITH THE ARTS a few weeks ago. In attempt to make up for that, please allow this to serve as notice that one of their favorite performers will be on television tonight (well, Thursday night, actually). I think this originally aired a month ago, but in case you missed it, it’s on again.

SATURDAY (18 Dec)

A WORLD OF ART: WORKS IN PROGRESS (WNYE, 2am) – Bill Viola, the noted videomaker is profiled during this thirty minute show. I have no idea what to expect. No idea at all. The program was made in 1997 and is part of PBS’ educational legacy. It should be a nice change of pace – it’s the kind of thing I wish Ovation would actually air on a frequent basis.

two more things worth mentioning:
on saturday afternoon i watched PROJECT RUNWAY, also on bravo (wednesday @ 10pm). it wasn't too bad. it's like every other reality show but so far the casting seems pretty good. it's one of those shows that you might want to record this week because everything else seems like a rerun.

i'm currently watching THE BIG IDEA WITH DONNY DEUTSCH. his first guest tonight was lake bell of BOSTON LEGAL. you may remember her as the bartender friend from MISS MATCH (which i loved). donny is great with interviewing guests. i know i say this every three months, but he seems to genuinely enjoy his role as tv host. it's the most amazing thing to watch. i also like that he usually has guests who are B and C level celebrities - the folks you might not normally see on television (or that i don't normally see because i don't watch too many talk shows). the interview with lake bell was great. she was relaxed. they traded some funny stories. it almost made me want to sample another episode of BOSTON LEGAL. i am in awe that there is no fan site for her. do people not do that any more?

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.