This finally completes the three-point play. First music, then movies, now TV. Could my posts be any more predictable? Oh well.
Now that Lacey and I's TV shows are on summer vacation, we have had more free time in the evenings (sheesh, it sounds like TV is our job or something). So we have been doing other things, and such. But I found myself being tempted to watch TV shows on DVD, that I either haven't seen in a while or missed. Now, I always swore to myself that I would never watch TV shows on DVD. It always seemed like such a waste of time. Other than that one time that we watched the first two seasons of 24 in like a week, but that was only to catch up. I just never wanted to do it. But we succumbed. I know, I know, it's terrible. It started with just wanting to see episodes of the OC that I had missed in the beginning before I started watching it regularly. While Lacey was out of town, I watched 12 episodes in 2 nights...and now I'm hooked. We watched the complete first season of Lois and Clark the New Adventures of Superman (one of my favorite shows of the 90's back when I had a crush on Teri Hatcher...plus I'm a Superman freak) in 6 days. And we're back to the OC season 1. Man, that's a great show. Josh Gibbs has taken a lot of flak on his blog for his love of the OC, but leave the guy alone! The show kicks ass! The music is always hip to that generation and it rocks for old guys like me as well. The relationships explore real issues. It does a great job of being dramatic, while also keeping it fairly light and realizing that they are still just in high school. It has a GREAT sense of humor, and the writing is actually excellent for what is pretty much a prime-time soap opera. But I'll tell you, what really holds the show together is the Cohen men. The dad and son. Sandy and Seth. Pretty much every character, I've decided, is replaceable, except for Peter Gallagher (eyebrows and all) and Adam Brody. That kid is hilarious! Now, maybe it's mostly the writing, but I find myself laughing throughout each show, especially on little tiny quips that most people probably miss. Anyway, it really is quality programming despite what you've been hearing. And now I'm a TV on DVD junkie. Yikes.
Posted by jmmelton at June 16, 2005 10:04 AM | TrackBackI, too, fell victim to the great compromise once. I watched the first season of 24 in 3 or 4 days, staying up till 1 or 2 o'clock every night. I don't know if it was worth it in the long run, but I sure had a good time while I was doing it!
The OC, though . . . I'm not sure I can back you on that move, UJosh. The commercials make it seem so racy and disfunctional--even debauched--Desperate Housewives for teens. I haven't watched more than an episode or two of either, so I admit I am speaking from a weak position. Do the OC ads misrepresent the content of the show? (Answer that, if you can! Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha . . . [Just a little diabolical super-villian speak for a superhero lover])
Posted by: Courtney Huntington at June 16, 2005 02:29 PMCourtney,
There's no doubt it is somewhat racy. But it is television, so it's about like a PG-13 movie. Every now and then there's a bit that I don't like, but that goes for pretty much everything. As far as dysfunctional goes, yes there are dysfunctional relationships and families, like everywhere else in the world, but the family at the center of it all is a husband and wife that love each other, and love their children, and they are the family that everyone else looks up to. Are they perfect? Absolutely not. Is it a perfect show? Absolutely not. But it's funny, dramatic, entertaining, culturally relevant, and good TV. I'm not saying it's for everyone, but Lacey and I like it a lot.
Come on, TV on DVD is great. I'll take bonus features over commercials any day! Plus, you can fast-forward, reverse, pause, etc; if you're in a hurry, you can even watch at x1.5 speed (if your DVD player allows) - not that anyone would ever really want to do that, but at least it's an option.
Posted by: jon at June 17, 2005 08:31 AMyeah jon, but i can do all of that with DVR (tivo) as well, so it all comes out in the wash. with my hectic work schedule, i usually end up recording most of our shows anyway, and then doing all of that you mentioned. but i am definitely a sucker for special features. good point.
Posted by: UJ at June 17, 2005 09:08 AMTV.... on DVD.... It's like the new thing of the 21st century......
Posted by: Lacey at June 18, 2005 11:26 AMJosh,
Your point about it being PG-13 is a good one. When I go to the theater and see a PG-13 movie, I don't have as much a problem with it. Perhaps that's a confession, but either way, you've called my bluff, so to speak. Perhaps, I'll try out the OC one day.
Jon,
I agree wholeheartedly that TV on DVD is great, but that doesn't mean that 5-6 hours per day of TV on DVD is worthwhile! Watching it at x1.5 speed would reduce it to only 3-4 hours per day, though. Maybe I should try that next time . . .
Posted by: Courtney Huntington at June 21, 2005 07:37 PM