What's On Scott's DVR?

My wife and I watch our fair share of television (I more so - one of the advantages of being a borderline insomniac is all the extra hours in the day to play with).  The DVR has to go up there with the microwave and sliced bread on the list of all-time great inventions.  Other than sporting events, we almost NEVER watch anything live anymore.  The DVR turns hour long shows into 40 minutes and means never having to wait for a commercial if you want a drink - just pause.

I thought it might be interesting to run down our DVR list and comment on the shows that we watch regularly - kind of like my own little TV Guide.  While a large portion of at least my viewing is sports (I find athletic contests to combine the ultimate in drama, action, and reality), I'm only touching on weekly shows that would be programed into our DVR to record every new episode.  I'm listing them alphabetically:

• $#*! My Dad Says - This CBS show was canceled after one season and won't be back.  The only reason we watched it is that I'm a big William Shatner fan.  In truth this one was just OK.  About every other episode was amusing and we won't really miss it too much.
• 30 Rock - This is an NBC show about, well, an NBC show.  Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) is amusing in a quirky way, but the real star is Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) as an NBC exec with ultra-conservative views (even more amusing since Baldwin is ultra-liberal).  The show is OK, but if Baldwin ever leaves they should shut it down.
• American Chopper: Senior vs. Junior - The Teutul family has been battling their way through custom motorcycle builds since 2002.  The latest season has more drama as Sr. and Jr. now own competing businesses and don't speak - except through their attorneys.  Nel doesn't mind this one, but it's really just me that watches it.  The bikes are OK, the drama is a little old but real, but what really caught me this season was the legal battles.  Paul Jr. has handled it well and comes out looking like the more rational Teutul (which is like saying Mussolini was the more rational dictator).
• Big Break - This Golf Channel regular reality show is one that only George (our cat) and I watch.  Golfers compete to win the season which usually puts them in a PGA or LPGA tournament and provides sponsorship as they attempt to make a career of golfing.  Like most reality shows, they look for loud personalities and promote drama.  That said, in the end you have to play well to win.  This season (Indian Wells) is about the worst one yet, but still watchable.  The best seasons have been the ones that pit men against women.
• Bullrun - This SpeedTV reality show hosted by Bill Goldberg ran for three seasons, but I'm not sure if there will be a 4th.  It's not particularly good TV, but it's kind of fun watching people "race" their own cars and at times destroy them in challenges trying to win. 
• Chaos - This CBS "spymedy" is a new show that I actually like.  It's fun and clever, but apparently not clever enough.  CBS is airing all 13 episodes, but doesn't seem interested in a 2nd season.  It's too bad.  The ODS team of the CIA has an entertaining way of dealing with international issues.  With decent plots, exotic locations, and great casting, this one should have been a winner.
• Chuck - Everybody loves Chuck, and we are no exception.  That said, we both agree that the show is going in the wrong direction and has been for some time now.  This is another "spymedy", but one that has a huge following.  The show is cute, and occasionally really funny, but the writer's insistence on dragging out plots lately is ruining some of the charm that existed in early seasons.  Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) are great, but what REALLY makes this show is an outstanding cast of supporting characters that mix in and out of weekly plots like Morgan, Big Mike, Jeffster, Captain Awesome, and especially John Casey (Adam Baldwin).  The show hasn't "jumped the shark" yet, but they seem to be loading up the Ski Nautique.
• Community - This NBC sitcom has redefined hit/miss.  Over the course of a few seasons they have produced some of the funniest and some of the worst episodes of any sitcom out there.  When they're good, their REALLY good so we keep watching.  The paintball episodes and the Halloween zombie episode were fantastic.  They just need to get more consistent.
• Cougar Town - This ABC comedy is another one that we could take or leave.  It's funny from time to time, but it suffers from a lack of a real 'top' character and occasionally gets a little too serious - especially considering the characters are never serious about anything.  It's OK, but it could lose it's spot if the DVR fills up.
• Deadliest Catch - I'm not sure what it is about the Discovery Channel's long time reality hit that we like.  Perhaps it's that it really is REALITY.  Unlike most 'reality' programming, nothing here is staged or even over edited.  You can't fake 40-foot waves and negative 30 degree temps.  Perhaps it's the fact that their normal day is so far from other peoples normal days that it just fascinates to no end.  Captain Phil Harris passed away last season and the cameras were rolling the whole time.  Eventually someone is going to die in an accident on one of these boats and the cameras will probably be rolling the whole time as well.  You can skip the hour-long "After The Catch" that follows every episode.  These chain-smoking men of the Bering Sea aren't likable or interesting enough to want to hear them talk about the show.
• Dexter - If not for a poky little British motoring show on BBC America, Dexter would probably be the best show on television.  It's not for everyone though.  Nel can't watch this hit on Showtime due to it's serial killer darkness and occasional blood letting.  The show, named after the main character, is fascinating in that there is almost no reason for you to root for this monster...but you do!  While the acting is so-so, the premise and character development is so good that nothing else matters.  The use of inner-monologue is the best on television since Magnum P.I.  Dexter discussing his attempts to live a "normal" life while feeding his "dark passenger" make even the most mundane actions riveting.  The only potential pitfall for Dexter could be attempts by the writers to develop the other characters on the show.  If they keep it all about Dexter, I'll be there every week.
• Entourage - This long-running HBO hit starts it's final season this month, and it's time.  Entourage was a great show that has really slowed down a bit over the last few seasons.  We're committed though, so bring on Vince and the boys for one last ride.  Ari (Jeremy Piven) makes the show, but a good mix of humor and irony has worked well over the years.  The biggest problem with Entourage (and many other premium channel series like Dexter) is the long gaps between seasons.  It makes it hard to stay interested.
• Expedition Impossible - This new reality race series on ABC has been interesting so far.  It basically consists of 3-person teams competing in an adventure race across Morocco.  Some of the teams have no business being there, but unlike most reality shows, they are being eliminated accordingly.  It's not great, but it has been a welcome pleasure during the slow summer season.
• Firefly - Long since ended, this one-season Sci-fy show has been airing on, aptly, the Sci-Fy Channel.  It's only 16 episodes plus a very well done movie titled "Serenity".  If you like this genre at all, give Firefly a chance.
• Football Superstar - This is an Australian show that airs on Fox Soccer Channel that I watch (Nel has no interest in this one).  Basically, it's a reality show that follows 15-20 teenage soccer players as they compete for a contract with a 1st division Australian professional team.  It's not particularly well done, but Australian TV is a little more light-hearted than US television, so it's entertaining. 
• Franklin and Bash - I just started watching this one and the jury is still out (pun intended) on this TNT legal comedy.  I like Breckin Meyer and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, but the show may be a little too "soft" for my tastes.  The title characters are womanizing, too-cool for everyone and everything attorneys with a reputation for unorthodox behavior, but they drive a Prius and have a conscience.  It's ridiculous, but I'll give it a few more weeks.
• Friday Night Lights - This NBC drama based on a movie that was based on a book (that I, as a young Boys Club football player, am actually referred to in, by the way) is finished with only a couple episodes left.  The critics have LOVED this show from day one, but the ratings have never really taken off.  Nel and I love it, but I can see why it wouldn't catch everyone.  If you aren't from Texas and don't like football, why would you ever give it a shot.  What those that have tuned in discovered is about the most REAL drama on television.  It's also very well (and uniquely) done and has benefited from some very  good actors over the years.  We will be sad to see it go, but maybe we can head on up to Dillon and throw one back at The Landing Strip for old times sake.
• Game of Thrones - This is one that I accidentally let myself get hooked on (Nel doesn't watch it).  It's bazaar, because I can't figure out who the hell I'm supposed to be rooting for in this HBO mid-evil drama.  Basically, everyone I started to like died so I just kept moving on to another poorly developed character.  I don't want this to go on forever, but I seem to tune in every week because I want to know what happens.  It's a show I seem to have to watch but don't really enjoy.
• Hawaii Five-O - Branelle and I were late to the party with this CBS hit, but we enjoy it now.  As a week to week crime drama it was cheesy but fun.  The season ended on a serious note with the potential to drag out the plot line though, so it remains to be seen if it will maintain its charm.
• How I Met Your Mother - We both like this CBS comedy, although neither of us cares at all about how Ted met his kids' mother.  Horribly named but well written, this show provides one of the better characters on TV - Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris).  The more episodes are about Barney, the better the show becomes. 
• Human Target - This Fox show was canceled after two seasons.  It was another fun "spymedy" that we will miss.  It certainly got a little hokey at times, but we enjoyed the banter and loved Guerrero (Jackie Earle Haley). 
• Justified - Nel doesn't indulge in Marshall Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) efforts to survive the drug wars of Kentucky as well as his ex-wife, but I love the show.  Season one was fantastic.  Season two stumbled a bit, but hopefully they will recover.  I like flawed hero's, but let's just make sure they aren't TOO flawed.  This one is on FX.
• Modern Family - Probably the best sit-com on TV.  Every character on this show adds to the humor.  When I first started watching, Phil (Ty Burrell) was the one character I didn't particularly care for.  Now I love him.  It's well written and superbly performed.  It's also a fun, warm comedy.  If you aren't watching this one but you like comedies in general, what's wrong with you?
• Rules of Engagement - We both really like this CBS comedy and laugh out loud about every week.  Jeff (Patrick Warburton) steals the best episodes, but all the characters add to the fun.  They even managed to pull off one of the most difficult things to do in TV - add a character without ruining the show.  The addition of Timmy (Adhir Kalyan) as Russell's (Davis Spade) assistant and some times nemesis was brilliant.
• South Park - I have maintained for years that South Park is, at times, the best political commentary show on television.  At other times it's complete garbage.  Due to the fact that they can do a show in about a week, they tend to be very timely with current events.  Unfortunately, when it's a slow news week in the world, they revert to pointless shock humor that drives some people away.  Still, Cartman is one of the all-time great TV characters.  
• Spartacus: Blood and Sand - This Starz drama based on the true events of Spartacus and his slave rebellion that almost took down the Roman Empire was FANTASTIC.  Unfortunately, Andy Whitfield who plays Spartacus was diagnosed with Lymphoma forcing a halt in production after a very successful season one.  They shot and ran a six-episode prequel while waiting for Whitfield to recover.  Sadly, he has relapsed and they were forced to replace him for the remainder of the story (with his blessings).  It won't be the same, but I'll still watch.  Nel, however, will not be watching this one.  As one of the most graphic shows on TV, it's very explicit and intense.  The funny thing is though, you get used to it as a realistic portrayal of Roman life and start to not even notice that everyone is walking around naked or driving swords through peoples eye sockets.  It's not for everyone, but it's great for those that aren't squeamish.
• Survivor - We like this long-running reality king from CBS.  It's ridiculous at times, and the best people almost NEVER win, but it's still an interesting and well done show.
• The Amazing Race - This is our favorite of the reality type shows.  It's also the one we would most like to be on.  I really think we would be hard to beat if we ever applied and got selected.  Sadly, we aren't a dysfunctional couple with baggage, so there's no chance. 
• The Big Bang Theory - Great CBS sitcom about four geeks and a hot chick.  Sounds simple (and it is) but it works well.  Sheldon (Jim Parsons) won the Golden Globe and Emmy last year.  He makes the show with his super-neurotic mega-nerd from East Texas, but the other characters are good too.  Like Rules of Engagement, BBT managed to add a character to the improvement of the show with the addition of Amy Farrah Fowler (Mayim Bialic - yes, Blossom) as Sheldon's girl who is a friend, but not girlfriend. 
• The Challenge - Not much watchable programming shows up on MTV anymore, but The Challenge reality shows (this season is called "Rivals") is a guilty pleasure for Nel and me.  Imagine a group of Real World and Road Rules 20-somethings sent to a mansion in some foreign country to compete in some VERY physical challenges for a lot of money.  Throw in an unlimited supply of alcohol for these mostly unstable idiots and you basically have it.  Some of the returning regulars are amusing - Kenny and Evan have grown on me over the years - but mostly it's just a train wreck waiting to happen.  This year marks the return of CT who is a ticking time bomb but nearly unbeatable in challenges.
• The Mentalist - We just recently discovered this crime drama with some humor on CBS even though it's been on for years.  Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) is a consultant to the CBI who has a real gift for reading people.  He seems to enjoy not playing by the rules and tormenting his fellow CBI crime fighters but is tolerated due to his success rate.  It's usually fun, occasionally a little dark, but always interesting.
• The Office - This NBC comedy has been different and successful since 2005.  With Michael Scott (Steve Carell) leaving at the end of last season, it remains to be seen if the rest of the cast can maintain the show without its obvious star.  We love the "mockumentory" style it's shot in which during early seasons was a big part of the show.  Over time you get used to it but the stories still carry the load.
• The Soup - There is a lot of really bad programming on TV these days, and The Soup on E! takes full advantage of it all with a weekly half hour rundown hosted by Joel McHale (also the lead actor on Community).  It's occasionally hilarious, but usually just a harmless good time at the expense of others.
• Top Gear - Nel and I both agree that this British motoring show that airs here on BBC America is THE BEST show on TV.  It also happens to be the MOST WATCHED show on the planet with over 350 million viewers worldwide.  It's a simple concept really - an hour (or 1 and 1/2 when they show it in its unedited British version) of three presenters talking about and doing things relating to cars.  The writing, editing, and camera work is fantastic, but what really makes the show is the banter and relationship between the three blokes who share the hosting duties.  Clarkson, Hammond, and May are hilarious without trying to be.  While most American viewers may not know about Top Gear, American stars show up repeatedly for a segment called "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car" where they spend a day taking laps in a Kia C'ed or some other regular car.  Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz were one and two on the lap board for a good while last year.  It's hard to describe, but to make the point:  Nel could care less about cars really, but she agrees that this is the most entertaining show on TV and nothing makes her laugh harder every week.
• Whale Wars - I don't really like this Discovery Channel show, but I keep watching hoping that something good will happen for the Sea Sheppard guys as they attempt to stop the Japanese from illegally killing whales every summer despite an international ban against it.  What they need is one good ship - maybe a former US Coast Guard Cutter - that can outrun the whaling fleet.  Doesn't Texas A&M have some of those down in Galveston.  I see a possible semester at sea course here. 

OK - That was WAY too long.  I had no idea we had that many things scheduled to record.  Summer is a dead time for shows and sports, but we'll have the DVR cleaned out ready for this fall.