This past weekend was spent cleaning up my video files. For a change, I started the week with my DVR at zero percent and all my videotapes rewound and put away.
If this had been any other fall television season, that feat would not have happened. At one time, I was quite proud to say I watched the first episode or two of every new drama on network television. I usually ignore sitcoms, and I avoid reality shows at all cost!
It’s been different this season. First, there weren’t as many new shows. The five networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW) scheduled a mere 22 shows (and several have already been canceled). For some networks, that was a normal fall pilot season back in the days before the writers’ strike. There is an interesting midseason contingent waiting in the wings, which may salvage the 2008-09 television season in the end. But I’m not holding my breath.
Second, I find myself reaching for a book rather than the remote. My lackadaisical attitude where TV is concerned is coming through loud and clear, and it’s good for the bookworm but not for the videophile in me.
So what are you watching? What have you given up on?
Of the new shows, I’m still watching The Mentalist (it’s improving after the first two episodes failed to impress), Fringe (I’m liking the characters and their interaction, though the cases are often fairly gruesome for network television), My Own Worst Enemy (that may change in the weeks to come – it’s off to a rocky start as far as I’m concerned), Life on Mars (loving this one!), Eleventh Hour (I’m still giving this one a chance even with its similarities to Fringe) and Crusoe (I liked the premiere two hours; we’ll see about the next episode).
After the writer’s strike, I stopped recording several shows. As of last week, I stopped recording several others, as well. I quickly gave up on new shows The Ex-List and Easy Money. I didn’t even give Knight Rider a chance after the crappy movie last season (who would guess I’d miss David Hasselhoff, and that I wouldn’t warm to the voice of Val Kilmer as KITT?)
So, what am I watching, you might ask? Here goes (and it’s still a lot!), and not in any particular order: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Chuck, Heroes, Eli Stone, NCIS, Bones, Grey’s Anatomy, Supernatural, Ghost Whisperer, Numbers, Life and Cold Case. And on the cable networks there are The Shield, The Closer, Saving Grace, Stargate: Atlantis, Sanctuary, Battlestar Galactica, Burn Notice and Eureka.
Midseason holds a bit of promise with Castle, Dollhouse, Harper’s Island and the returns of Lost and 24.
I’m still enjoying Chuck, Heroes and Bones, I love Supernatural, NCIS and Life (watch this one, please!), and the jury’s still out on Grey’s, Ghost Whisperer, Cold Case and Sanctuary. I need to see The Shield and Battlestar Galactica through to their ends, and I can hardly wait the see what happens next in the returns of The Closer, Saving Grace, Burn Notice and Eureka.
Guess it’s time to go check the DVR to see what’s waiting for me and the remote!
