Brothers In Blog

The current writer’s strike has put nearly every show for this season into reruns. 80% of readers that answered our poll question back on January 17th didn’t care about the writers strike. So if no one cares, then what, if anything, are they watching?

Reality T.V. appears immune to the writer’s strike — but who’s watching?

The big three reality television shows this season don’t promise much relief. The celebrity version of The Apprentice is completely ridiculous (they should have left the show canceled instead of bringing it back from the dead). American Idol peaked two seasons ago and lost its credibility last season with the Sanjaya phenomenon when “Vote for the Worst” showed America that the votes could be manipulated. Survivor won’t be back on till some time in February so there is some hope on the horizon.

The writer’s strike hasn’t stopped all shows — as far as we know

There are a few series that don’t seem to be affected by the writer’s strike at the moment. Lost is scheduled to start its new season on January 31, and last week Barry reviewed the newest series on Fox, “Terminator: The Sarah Connors Chronicles.” Anyone have any idea how these shows have managed to rise above the writer’s strike?

DVD rentals — the television oasis during the writer’s strike

Topping the list, in my opinion, as entertainment alternatives during the strike has to be DVD rentals. And, I’m not talking about movie rentals but rather television series rentals. I’m sure everyone can think of a couple television series they wished they had watched while they were popular but didn’t. Now is the time to catch up on some of those great shows, and it might even change the way you watch television once you get started.

Over a year ago my wife and I decided to start watching Lost. We were a full season behind so in order to quickly catch up we rented the entire first season from NetFlix. Since watching that first season we’ve found a whole new way to watch television: commerical free and on our schedule. Since starting this trend, we’ve discovered some great television series that we never had time to watch when they were originally aired. Here’s a short list:

• The West Wing: I never watched this series when it was on but heard it was a good show. Well we’re now into our third season of it and loving every episode. Also, it’s a pretty good pick for the whole family if your kids are teens.
• 24: What can I say? Jack Bauer is the new MacGyver. The show has an interesting format where each episode represents 60 real minutes. While the format is different, you do have to suspend reality during each episode because it’s hard to believe that much action can take place in 60 real minutes and that Jack’s daughter can be that insanely stupid. One final warning about 24: do not move from one season to the next without a break from the action. Too many seasons in a row and the show becomes very predictable and somewhat annoying.
• Alias: From the makers of Lost the series weaves an elaborate plot centering around Sydney Bristo (Jennifer Gardner) and her life as a spy. The plot is different, entertaining, and action packed. I watch it with the whole family but must warn you that the torture scenes become more frequent as the seasons progress.
• The Sopranos: Don’t have HBO? That doesn’t mean you have to miss some of their great series like The Sopranos. It’s a interesting series about mobsters in New Jersey. Not a show for everyone and definitely NOT a family show, but my wife and I have enjoyed each season and are finally starting part 2 of the final season. Can you believe I still don’t know how it ends?

It sounds like we watch a lot of television in my house but we really don’t. I work at home which affords me the luxury sit down with my wife and watch an episode with lunch. Do the math and that’s 5 episodes of some series a week. What used to take 5 weeks of viewing takes me 1. Also, once you remove the commercials a 60 minute show is 40 minutes and a 30 minute show is 20. If you’ve never watched a television series on DVD, you don’t know what you’re missing. Sure, you have to pay for something that is normally free, but for the cost of a single movie rental you get 4 to 6 episodes that you can watch on your schedule without commercials disrupting the flow of the show.

Writer’s strike, bad reality television, and few new shows getting aired — who cares? I’ve got plenty of television in my Netflix queue to keep me entertained for a very long time.