To watch or not to watch

[TryToKeepUp]

I go through phases with watching television. Sometimes there are too many shows on that I love to catch them all and other times I feel like there is absolutely nothing on! Right now, I'm totally into TV and my DVR is pretty much full. What shows can you guys just NOT MISS?

[mimitabby]

once you turn it off, you find there are NO shows you cannot miss.
except when you have children, and it is snowing, and you want to find out
if school is cancelled. :D:D

my kids are grown. I don't even know how to operate the TV we have now.

[bluebug32]

Brothers and Sisters is the only show that I will actually plan on watching. Most nights and weekends the TV stays off.

[Andrea]

If I watch, it's something like Good Eats, CSI, or a couple of the Cartoon network Adult Swim cartoons.

I don't watch very much, though.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Haven't watched tv at ALL in 10 years. Don't miss it a bit. :cool:
We rent movies a couple times a month, that's it.

[Zen]

The Office.
30 Rock.
That's pretty much it for TV. Radio is a different story...:rolleyes:

[Geonz]

Weather Channel :)

[GLC1968]

There really isn't anything that I feel like I CAN'T miss. I do laugh out loud at "The Big Bang Theory" when I catch it. And I love "What Not to Wear". Oh, and if I see the first 3 minutes of CSI, I'm hooked for the show. :mad::p

Yesterday I had HGTV on while I was cleaning and I swear it took me twice as long as I kept stopping to watch something on TV. DH and I are seriously considering not getting cable or satellite when we move into our house. The only thing I think I'll miss are sports (TdF, pro football, baseball, Wimbeldon, etc).

[wackyjacky1]

My guilty pleasure: Survivor. Yup, I watch it faithfully and I love it. (And if you saw that dude James running around half-nekkid, you'd be a fan, too. :D )

I also have my DVR set up to record 30 Rock, Project Runway, and Top Chef.

Oh, and I'm an NFL fan (Hail Redskins!) so I never miss pro football. And tennis, gotta have my tennis (French Open coming up soon).

Yeah, I guess I'm a bit of a TV-aholic.

[minn]

LOST!!
Jon & Kate plus 8

Best two shows ever! Plus, you can catch up with Lost on abc.go.com and there seem to always be re-runs of Jon & Kate plus 8.

I'll have to admit that I'm glued to the TV when the Brewers are playing, I can't miss seeing my boys win (or lately..lose).

[farrellcollie]

I like the Big Bang Theory and It's Me or the Dog.

[malkin]

We are channel surfers when we're bored. Sometimes we stick to Food Network, and I always love Mythbusters. Sometimes watch sports. I used to knit during TV time, but now we have a projection one, so it has to be dark. I'm a little too ADHD to watch most times.

[rocknrollgirl]

Survivor- I have never missed an episode and Deadliest Catch. And I like Top Chef.

[solobiker]

DH and I dont watch much tv at all. We occasionally will watch King Of Queens and Criminal Minds other then that we don't have the tv on except for the occasional movie

[surgtech1956]

CSI, Dexter, Criminal Minds, The Closer, Saving Grace, The L Word

[salsabike]

I often forget to watch the stuff I like, so can't say "can't miss". But the best stuff I've seen for years---Saving Grace and The Closer. When I remember to watch them--they are just fabulous stuff.

[emily_in_nc]

You're all so good -- I am really bad about TV (DH says I'm an addict). I do computer stuff during commercials, like now, but right now I am watching:

Sunday - Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters
Monday - Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor (I know, I know....) :D
Tuesday - Idol, Hell's Kitchen
Wednesday - Idol, Top Chef
Thursday - Survivor, Grey's Anatomy (on right now!), Lost

I watch a few other things off and on on cable, HGTV, etc, but those are my "must-see TV" shows that are airing right now.

Emily

[kelownagirl]

I go through phases with watching television. Sometimes there are too many shows on that I love to catch them all and other times I feel like there is absolutely nothing on! Right now, I'm totally into TV and my DVR is pretty much full. What shows can you guys just NOT MISS?

I used to wacth ER without fail but I haven't seen it in 3 years and haven't watch any TV for months. Our main TV died a few months ago and we haven't even talked about replacing it. We have one in our room that we watch movies on once a month, that's it. I never thought I could live without TV but once I got out of it, I am AM happy that I don't watch it anymore. Gives me more time to be online. LOL...

[PinkBike]

My DVR is set for:

Survivor - (+1 for James)
Hell's Kitchen/Kitchen Nightmares
Deadliest Catch
House

Then during the week when I'm on the computer I'll run full episodes of The Office and 30 Rock on nbc.com in the background.

[farrellcollie]

I would probably watch more but gf and I do not have the same tastes at all - her stuff is scary drama and I am light or documentary.

[bmccasland]

I'm very bad...
Mythbusters, CSI, Moonlight, This Old House, NCIS.....

But I have NEVER watched Survivor. Seeing the first few minutes on the first show, and all the commercials have turned me off.

Next week I get to do the Nielson ratings :D I just LOVE the thought of tweeking the statistics! I don't watch most of the popular shows!

[guanajagirl]

Jon and Kate Plus 8
Little people big world
Top Chief.
Thank goodness for Tivo tho because thats the only way i get to see anything.

[indysteel]

There are other shows that I enjoy but 30 Rock and Project Runway are about the only shows that I "can't miss."

I put myself on a TV diet this past winter and limited myself to PBS, news and weather. If there was nothing in those departments on, then I had to turn the tv off and read. I liked it, but now that I'm riding full speed ahead again, I basically fall asleep after reading only a few pages so I'm back to mindlessly watching tv.

[crazybikinchic]

Dancing with the Stars until its over.

May 12, American Gladiators starts.

[dachshund]

Only the "big brain" stuff for me. :D

30 Rock
My Name is Earl
Lost
Weeds
The L Word

Although sometimes I have to engage my brain to understand Lost. I hate that. :p

And -- drum roll -- my favorite, the WNBA starts May 17.

[uforgot]

In the past two months, I've had my TV on once, and I saw an episode of Dexter. I haven't turned it on since. I don't miss it.

[divingbiker]

Can't miss American Idol, House, Jon Stewart.

Can't live without Tivo. I thought I'd hate it, but I love it. No more mindless watching, since I can record the stuff I want to see.

[7rider]

What shows can you guys just NOT MISS?

I'd prefer not to watch any of it. Maybe an occasional movie from Blockbuster dot com (they make a mint off me! :rolleyes:).
But, for the past three years, I've gotten sucked into the American Idol vortex. And I do like Bones and House. I can pass pretty much on the rest of it.
Oh...and the Superbowl, so I can bang my head against the wall for a day....like I don't do that routinely anyway!

[Tweet]

The Office
Project Runway
Deadliest Catch

[rij73]

I only watch the Daily Show and Colbert Report religiously. I watch zero network television. I watch classic movies on TCM and nature, history, and science documentaries on Discovery, History, TLC, Science Channel, etc. I probably average two hours of TV a day. That does not count DVD's. My TV is used much more for watching DVD's than watching shows.

[surgtech1956]

I forgot - the WNBA - Detroit Shock home opener - MAY 17TH.

[latelatebloomer]

Haven't owned a tv (and therefore no dvd player) for 10 years or more. If I were the kind of person who could watch 1 or 2 shows a week, that'd be fine. But if it's there I watch all kinds of stupid crap! Same w/ ice cream - if it's in the house, I eat it all day. When I need a little down time, I read or visit my animals. No TV is how I have a writing career, work a day job, create a homestead, ride my bike and work out. If they made a dvd player that wasn't also a tv, we'd get that and treat ourselves to some movie watching (our iMac is too old to help us out with that one.:rolleyes:)

[emily_in_nc]

Oops, I forgot House -- love that show! It conflicts with my ABC Monday night shows now (a pox on Fox for moving it to Mondays), so I plan to watch the episodes online. I also love Project Runway, but it seems to alternate with Top Chef, so at least I don't have both of them to watch now. :D

Emily

P.S. For those who do watch Survivor, how sweet was that girl power last night!!?! :D :D :D

[singletrackmind]

Nothing I just can't live without...
ER when I remember.
When the hubby turns it on-House, Deadliest Catch, Mythbusters, How It's Made, Adult Swim.
I used to watch Rally Car races with him too, but they haven't been showing those. Also Iron Chef, but I don't like Iron Chef America. We do turn on the news in the morning to catch the weather and headlines.
TDF, of course, and any other races available, though they are few and far between these days. Also Westminster.

[roadie gal]

Since 9/11 I've watched the news, usually CNN, religiously in the morning when I get up. Other than that I don't turn on the TV. My SO likes watching TV, so we'll watch Top Chef, The Biggest Loser, and football together. Otherwise I'll just read or do something else when it's on.

[sundial]

Lost!

[Bad JuJu]

Boston Legal, and whatever Netflix movie we have at the moment. That's pretty much it.

[MomOnBike]

I've never much cared for TV. It makes me twitchy and I have to leave. I'd really be happiest without a TV in the house.

That being said, I watch my Broncos, or did before the weekend job. (Sound off, radio on, preferably.)

[wackyjacky1]

P.S. For those who do watch Survivor, how sweet was that girl power last night!!?! :D :D :D

Hilarious! Poor Erik -- what a dumba$$. :D

[rocknrollgirl]

He was BAMBOOZLED!!!!! He is the dumbest palyer ever!!!!!!!!!!! This is the season of the blindside.

[KnottedYet]

Next week I get to do the Nielson ratings :D I just LOVE the thought of tweeking the statistics! I don't watch most of the popular shows!

I got to do the Nielson's once. That was fun. Days of not even turning the TV on...

(when they did the phone interview thing, and I asked the rep how I filled out the grid if I didn't watch any tv that day, she just laughed. She didn't believe me!)

[Zen]

I like that new game show Wheel Of Cheese.

[Smurfette]

+1,000 for Lost! I also just recently became obsessed with The Wire and have been making good time in getting up to date with the DVDs. I must admit I have a soft spot for Top Chef as well, don't throw things :eek:.

[TryToKeepUp]

Thank you for all the good suggestions. a bunch of my favs just ended so i'll take these into consideration. I'm definitely going to check out Lost and Army Wives because i've heard really good things about both of them.

[SlowButSteady]

NCIS--I'm totally head over heels for Mark Harmon's character...but then I even liked him when he was Ted Bundy.

Survivor.

True crime shows.

[JennyPi]

- John and Kate Plus 8

- Top Chef

- Big Bang Thoery

- Ace of Cakes

And there you have it.

[denda]

Lost
Survivor
Little People, Big World
Dancing w/ the Stars
American Idol
DALLAS COWBOYS
Ugly Betty
NASCAR

[shootingstar]

I don't seem to watch much..just bits and pieces..while I'm running around in the kitchen:

1-2 British series - 1 of them a detective show, another about a country doctor

Jamie Oliver's latest series
Iron Chef of America --certain shows have been good, especially those with difficult/cheffy foods . But it was interesting to see Iron Chef from Japan when it did run.
Weather network -for 5 min.
Pilot travel guide shows

The fact that I can't even remember a series tv title indicates I'm not a much of a tv watcher or tv guide reader. :p

I actually don't enjoy Survivor like-shows or team-race-endurance shows that feature North Americans doing their sports endurance stuff in foreign countries while the local natives on.

[ReadMyMind]

I keep hearing really good things about Army Wives. Seems like a lot of people are pumped. I never really got into it. What is all th hubbub about this show?

[Smurfette]

i agree with most of this thread. John and Kate + 8 is incredible. I watched a marathon for like hours on end. Whenever I need to zone out I like to watch a little lifetime... keeps me entertained.

[coyote]

I keep hearing really good things about Army Wives. Seems like a lot of people are pumped. I never really got into it. What is all th hubbub about this show?

I've watched the first season, its like peaking into a secret life. Its pretty dramatic. Once you think they are really going to 'go there' the producers/writers wimp out. All the characters are too perfect. The one soldier guy who was really self-centered and a jerk to his family, comes back a perfect husband. A young man who hit his mother runs off and joins the Army instead of going to college at West Point. Things like that. It is entertaining, just a bit surreal.

I've been getting into the Secret Lives of Women and Women Behind Bars.
I'm such a tv addict. I even sleep with the tv on. DH and I sat outside the other evening, sans tv. We talked. It was such a nice evening. I'm thinking about doing more of that.

[Trekhawk]

Now we are back home and get decent free to air tv I watch a few shows.
Most of them are on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) which is great as they are advertisement free.
I love Foreign Correspondent, Dateline and The Catherine Tate show.:)

[Bruno28]

Dr Who

Don't know if you get that over the pond. Best thing on tv - ever. And its been going for about 40 years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/

[ReadMyMind]

I've watched the first season, its like peaking into a secret life. Its pretty dramatic. Once you think they are really going to 'go there' the producers/writers wimp out. All the characters are too perfect. The one soldier guy who was really self-centered and a jerk to his family, comes back a perfect husband. A young man who hit his mother runs off and joins the Army instead of going to college at West Point. Things like that. It is entertaining, just a bit surreal.

I've been getting into the Secret Lives of Women and Women Behind Bars.
I'm such a tv addict. I even sleep with the tv on. DH and I sat outside the other evening, sans tv. We talked. It was such a nice evening. I'm thinking about doing more of that.

Okay so I was going to watch the season premier of Army wives yesterday and man am I pissed... I missed the beginning.. I got so caught up in something else i was doing I totally forgot about it and by the time i realized there was only 15 minutes left... The show was pretty good from what i saw in the last 15 minutes.. can anyone tell me what i missed??

[withm]

how could you miss it? It was on 3 times here last night. Yep, on at 10, repeated at 11, repeated again at 12. No I didn't watch 3 times, but I was working on computer with my back to the tv, and left it on for "noise" while I worked. That and was probably too lazy to get up and go turn it off.

The Army Wives website usually has a very detailed synopsis of what happened in each episode, and you may even be able to watch it online? (not sure).

[TryToKeepUp]

I have gotten so into army wives this season, the whole thing about Denise getting a tattoo made me want to get one. I'm so upset that it is ending.. Does anyone else here watch it or am I the only one here that never misses a show???

[tulip]

I've never heard of Army Wives. When I moved in August, I did not take my cable with me. And I did not sign up for the TV option with Verizon. So I have my rabbit ears on my little TV. If I'm particularly thoughtful, I put my TV in the closet and forget about it for a few days or weeks, and I really don't miss it at all. If I leave it out, I inevitably turn it on and I have three channels that I surf. I usually end up watching some sort of crime drama (CSI, Without at Trace, Mentalist, etc.) I like them, but they all seem to blend together. I detest reality shows, so if that's all that's on, I have no trouble turning the thing off.

Still not decided on getting more channels. Come February 9, I guess I'll have to make that choice. But college basketball starts soon, so I'll likely be getting the most basic package that carries ACC bball.

[Tweet]

Tulip you really have never heard of army wives?? Im with Trytokeepup It is such a good show I cant wait til the finale on Sunday it should be really good!! check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWjPvu9YsSc

[Blueberry]

We don't have cable, and don't watch much TV. I've gotten disgruntled with most of the shows I was watching and have stopped.

The current list:

Boston Legal and Lipstick Jungle

We're also working our way from the beginning of Bones and 24. Liking both of them. Of course, we've watched all that's on Hulu (from the beginning) - now we're considering Netflix. Any opinions?

Tulip-

We actually get more channels with our digital tv receiver ($10 after the rebate coupon) and rabbit ears than we did before. More PBS channels, local weather channel, etc. My vote would be just to get the receiver and keep the rabbit ears. Of course, I HATE paying to watch TV.

CA

[tulip]

Tulip-

We actually get more channels with our digital tv receiver ($10 after the rebate coupon) and rabbit ears than we did before. More PBS channels, local weather channel, etc. My vote would be just to get the receiver and keep the rabbit ears. Of course, I HATE paying to watch TV.

CA

Good to know, thanks. I, too, hate to pay for TV, especially since I find it such a time-waster, but I do like some shows. I don't have any PBS now, which I would like to have. And not being in an ACC market here in Richmond, I sure would like to have ESPN, which is cable only. Ho-hum, I guess this will make it to the top of my To-Do list eventually.

[Blue_Wildflower]

On Nov. 5th (okay, probably Nov. 6th), I will call Comcast and cancel my cable. I have gone without it before. I loved it. Besides, most of my favorite shows I can watch on the internet. For the past 11 months I have been tied to my television. I am a political junkie and it is time to kick the habit. Hopefully, blogs and newspapers will help me with my television withdrawal symptoms. lol.

[Skierchickie]

In July:
the Tour! (the only reason we have something like 180 channels is to get VS, which we only watch biking on)

Otherwise:
Chuck
Heroes
30 Rock
Masterpiece Theater or Mystery, if they are showing something good

[Crankin]

The only show I regularly watch is NCIS. I've been addicted to this show since it started. I don't like the other CSI shows, too gory for me. I think I like it because there's a connection to the Marines and hence, my son.
I also like Ugly Betty, but I don't always watch it.
But mostly, I watch news; local news, national news, CNN, Dateline, 60 minutes. I also read 2 newspapers a day.
Next semester, I have class on Tuesday nights, so I will have to watch NCIS on On Demand. Of course, that means I have to learn to use it!

[shootingstar]

I lived for 20 years in several households without a tv. So it wasn't until 2002, I began living in a home with a tv. :D:p

During that time, I did fit in some tv whenever I was staying over at my partner's place. However my home didn't have one.

At this time, I just flip on the food network channel or the travel channel when I come home. I don't have particular favourite shows at this point in life.
If he is watching some of his favourite British series, Heartbeat, etc., I will sometimes join in to watch.

No tv, is not the end of the world. I consider Internet access a greater priority. Otherwise I couldn't be here. :)

[Blueberry]

Next semester, I have class on Tuesday nights, so I will have to watch NCIS on On Demand. Of course, that means I have to learn to use it!

Or just watch it online: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ncis/

CBS usually puts them up not long after they air (like the next day) and they stay up for a while. Commercials are short, so they're not really a hassle.

CA

[colby]

I guess I could live without TV, but we do have "every" channel (everything but the PPV/pay sports type channels). We watch a lot of movies on the movie channels, and TiVo a lot of shows so we don't have to watch commercials. I guess since we TiVo I know pretty well what we actually watch. Mostly a lot of background noise and not a lot of dedicated watching of the tube. :p Dang, this looks like a long list...

Regularly watch (and pay attention to):
Dr Who, Torchwood (BBC America or Sci-Fi)
The Office
Daily Show, Colbert Report
South Park
Kitchen Nightmares (both Fox and BBC America versions)
How It's Made (so very addictive)

Current additions:
True Blood (my husband especially watches it, I think it's just so-so)
Entourage (annoying and addictive at the same time :p)

Also record and watch as time permits (or background):
Futurama (seen them all, lower on the list ;))
Star Trek Voyager, TNG, or DS9 (we rotate)
You are What You Eat, How Clean is Your House (more BBC America)
News Hour, Democracy Now, other boring news shows (perfect for doing dishes) ;)
ER (don't watch religiously, usually gets wiped without watching)
Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU
Saturday Night Live (perfect for TiVo, lots of fast forwarding!)

Good background TV:
History Channel, TLC (I've been sucked into those Jon & Kate + 8 marathons, too, but Trading Spaces lost me a while ago), Animal Planet, Discovery
Local sports, depending on season (record an hour or so, then fast forward through crap)

We get interesting "new" stuff via TiVo suggestions. The reality show about the Philadelphia Parking Authority is pretty funny. There's another where a class of students goes through the LA sheriff's department training, which is kind of interesting - it's interesting to see what kind of training they go through. Sometimes we watch Airline, which was originally a suggestion, too.

[Crankin]

CA, the On Demand also has the show on the next day, with no commercials. I really don't get watching TV or movies on line... my age is showing. I mean, I don't have to have the biggest screen, but I don't think I could sit in front of my lap top and watch a show! Both of kids do this. Neither have TVs.
I don't read the newspaper on line either. Love that ritual of reading the paper and drinking coffee.

[beccaB]

I used to HATE sports on TV. After I discovered how much fun HOCKEY was to watch, I had to have cable, and then HD. I recently realized I ONLY watch sports. I like any snow sports even though I don't do any, and HOCKEY!
A football game is good if I need to take a nap!

Lets go Red Wings!

[kermit]

I have to say I love my tivo. I am not a huge tv fan but NCIS, Bones and House are the weekend marathons in my house. Oh and any South Park or Family guy.

[TryToKeepUp]

So did anyone else catch the finale of army wives?? It was so good.. but i cant believe they got rid of Claudia Joy.. and talk about cliffhangers, there were so many.. I really cant wait til the third season.. I wonder when it starts. Anyone know?

[katluvr]

Have trouble watching things on a regular basis....life gets in they way.

Project Runway is a MUST...good thing it shows repeats a lot so I get caught up.

Love HBO and ShowTime on demand...that way I can catch up on series....
Just got caught on on Dexter...hmmmmm wonder what will happen next.

Just started watching True Blood.....another can't wait to figure it out type.

So those 2 series are the current thing...do a lot of going to bed early and reading. Especially now that it is getting dark! And I am 2 weeks out from 1/2 marathon....need my sleep!:D

[RolliePollie]

After February 2009 when everything goes digital, I probably won't have TV at all :(. My antenna works pretty well right now, but I don't get perfect reception as I live in the mountains about 50 miles from the TV stations. I heard that the DTV channels will all be on UHF channels and I don't get any UHF reception. I could get cable or dish, but I don't want to pay for it!!!

[Miranda]

I do not watch tv.

DH just informed me last night that our old small tv/vcr combo is not HD whatever, so OMG! *gasp* we can't get stuff while camping next season, we have to do something about that asap!

Uummm... we're "camping"... ya know:rolleyes:, to be out near Mother Nature's wholeness and beauty. All I can say is thx gawd I have my mtb bike and trails to ride... alone.

[Momonbikemob]

There are no shows on right now that I can't miss. TV just doesn't have much appeal anymore for me. I use to love Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy, but they have changed so much, I don't like them much anymore. Now I just watch Heroes, the Sara Conner Chronicles, and Top Gear with my husband, when we remember. I do like How its made and some stuff on the science channel... educational and interesting. And of course, Dora the Explorer, Oswald and Zaboomafoo are incredibly popular with my kids.;)

[badgercat]

I use to love Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy, but they have changed so much, I don't like them much anymore.

Have you given Grey's a shot recently? I was getting pretty fed up the last couple seasons, but so far I've been enjoying this current season a little more.

I'm one of those people that once I get hooked on a show, though, will almost always stick it out until the bitter end... I even rode out the last two seasons of The X-Files, and sometimes I still like to pretend it never happened. :eek:

[Blueberry]

Have you given Grey's a shot recently? I was getting pretty fed up the last couple seasons, but so far I've been enjoying this current season a little more.

I haven't watched it this year, but gave up middle of last year. I've stopped watching desperate housewives also.

I used to watch all shows until the end, but I've been doing a "time audit" and have figured out that I really need to only watch them if I really enjoy them:)

CA