I wish I watched less TV, but with Kurt’s sports obsessions and our HDTV / PVR / 5.1 surround sound system, we are drawn to the zombie box nearly every night. It’s amazing how having quality HDTV makes you watch shows that you wouldn’t otherwise. Who other than HDTVers admit to religiously watching PBS?

Anyway, this year, there’s too much TV and too little room on our PVR. Some of the (relatively) new shows out that we’ve been tuning in for:

Our joint addictions:

  • Discovery Atlas: new Discovery HD show that highlights a particular country for one hour. Each show is narrated by a celebrity native to the land. Tonight’s Australia feature was narrated by Russell Crowe; Italy was narrated by Isabella Rosselini.
  • Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip: Great new Aaron Sorkin series (of West Wing fame) about the machine that is live sketch TV production.
  • The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: the original comedy newshour that spawned the careers of Jon Stewart, Steve Carrell (The Office, Little Miss Sunshine), Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report, Strangers with Candy), Rob Corddry (Blackballed), and Nate Corddry (Studio 60).
  • The Colbert Report: Funnier than the Daily Show; you’re basically watching to see how far Stephen Colbert will push his interview subjects, or induce web vandalism.
  • Lost: I don’t think I need to tell you why this one’s good. It’s like TV heroin!
  • How I Met Your Mother: Doogie Howser as Barney = Gold.
  • Two and a Half Men: Witty repartee and great acting all around. Very catchy theme song…”men men men men, manly men men men, oooooooooh….”

Kurt’s addictions:

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm: Larry David stars as himself at his most annoying. If you hate Seinfeld like I do, you’d despise this show. But Kurt loves it.
  • Weeds: Showtime series about an attractive Suburbian single mom of 2 that is the neighbourhood’s marijuana dealer. The last episode was called “MILF Money” and featured a funny cameo with Snoop Dogg.
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: FX series about a petty foursome that constantly try to find a path to easy money. If you like Seinfeld or CYE above, you’d probably like this show too. Danny de Vito also stars as the corrupt father of two of the foursome.

My addictions:

  • Heroes: new NBC show about ordinary people that suddenly awaken with superpowers.
  • Smallville: What can I say; I love superhero plots.
  • House: I remember a different Hugh Laurie from Blackadder days gone by. He’s traded in his dimwit slapstick comedies for sardonic medical dramas, but he’s still a joy to watch.
  • Avatar: The Last Airbender: An anime with better story and character development than Sailor Moon, but sadly, no Tuxedo Mask equivalent.