Rethinking Netflix, and what's on the DVR

There isn't a movie rental store nearby, and Netflix was the best way to see new releases. However. Netflix isn't very good about getting those new releases available in a timely fashion so I'm waiting almost as long as it takes for it to go to a movie channel. I don't take any extra movie channels, and never use pay-per-view. It can be a long while before they show up in the ones that are included in my Dish Network package.

Netflix recently changed their pricing and packages, and a lot of people weren't happy about it. One change is in DVDs by mail. I can't stream movies so I have to stick with DVDs. I didn't mind that so much since that bill would go down by only subscribing to DVDs. Since I got the DVR, I don't watch rented movies as much. They often sit around for weeks while I catch up on the DVR. Netflix was getting their money's worth out of me, instead of the other way around. So I cut back from 3 out to 2 out. But (grr) not before Netflix soaked me for the new bundle package bill.

I do buy DVDs but only the ones that fit in my library. Like Sci-Fi, fantasy, comic books, etc. Even those are sitting waiting for me to get to them after the DVR. Is Netflix worth it at all anymore? I'm thinking not. I think I could live with waiting for movies to show up in my Dish package. Or maybe occasionally using pay-per-view for the ones I really want to see now.

What's on the DVR.

So You Think You Can Dance just wrapped up. The winner Melanie was predictable. I was bored this season. Way too much contemporary (samo samo) and not enough of other styles. Very few routines I wanted to rewind and watch again. A lot of new choreographers were brought in, but there wasn't anything exciting and new. Even hip hop was bland under these new choreographers, and even the regular ones. One new premise that I liked was mixing the All-Stars with the usual contestant pairings. The top 20 danced with each other, and then the top ten got the All-Stars as well as each other. That worked for me since I enjoy seeing the All-Stars again, but I think the contestants need to dance with each other as well.

A note on a particular choreographer. Mark Ballas (Dancing With the Stars) was brought in for the semi-final and had Sasha and Tadd for his version of a cha cha. It was so painful to watch, and the judges felt the same. Sasha is a fierce and beautiful dancer (2nd place) and B-boy Tadd has proven he can take on pretty much anything. That they couldn't do justice to a cha cha (the beginner's dance on DWTS!) speaks for the choreographer, not the dancers. Mark is so desperate to prove himself as an edgy choreographer, he ruined it for these 2 outstanding dancers. Just as he did for his partners on DWTS. It's time for Mark to go away, maybe concentrate on his music career instead. He can do anything he wants there.

America's Got Talent. Does it? I think America ran out of talent. The only things remotely interesting this season are the light shows. As of now, there are 3 light shows I think. A guy on a black light painted bike, a variation of Fighting Gravity from last season, and Silhouettes. No really good singers or magicians, or anything. I'm not into stunt acts and there are a couple of those. Even You Tube didn't yield anything amazing this season other than the guy on the bike.

I like Howie Mandel. Always have, and I thought the show would improve with him on the judge panel. Not so much. I'm so over his feud with Piers. Piers is the voice of reason. Most of the time. Sometimes I don't know what he's thinking when he puts something really bad through. Because he's a comedian, Howie seems to think anything trying to be comedic should go through, even if no one but him is laughing. Sharon is the buffer between these two, but too often she goes for the adorable, such as kids and animals. Everybody seems to forget this competition is for a prize that includes a Vegas gig. That means they have to draw paying customers and provide a show worthy of the admission price.

Covert Affairs (USA). The main reason I watch this is to see Auggie (Christopher Gorham). He's one of my crushes these days. I was so glad for the episode that focused on him and how he lost his sight. Surely he and Annie will hook up someday? It's obvious that he is in love with her, just a matter of time until they both realize it.

Warehouse 13 and Eureka (Syfy), and Leverage (TNT) are back! Yay! Nuff said.

Haven (Syfy). This show was gone for too long, and I completely forgot about it until this 2nd season. I like it. Would have been nice if they had rerun last season to get us back up to speed.

Alphas (Syfy). Interesting, but I'm not sure if it can sustain itself. The most interesting character is the strange autistic boy.

Suits (USA). I like court room dramas, and this is one of the best new concepts since Boston Legal. It's slick and funny.

Franklin & Bash (TNT). It's Ok. It's a lot like a recently canceled court room drama (title escapes me right now) but with younger guys.

I'm also catching up reruns of Harry's Law (NBC). I hope that means it will be back in the fall.

I've recently become an avid Daily Show (Comedy Central) viewer. This is the way to get political news! Jon Stewart cuts through the crap to get to the heart of what's wrong with our government and the media that covers it. I tried to watch the Colbert Report that comes on afterwards, but I got sick of it always being about Steven Colbert. Can we say full of himself?

Attack of the Show (G4). This is for geeks. I fast forward through much of it, but watch for certain things. Around the Net samples viral videos. The Feed gives technical news, Gadget Pron reviews gadgets. There's the occasional celebrity interview that I sit through because they're stars of current or past sci-fi things. Oh yeah, and Chris Gore gives DVD reviews. This guy is far from most anyone's idea of sexy (makes me think of a bulldog), but he's another of my current crushes. I'm really tired of the hosts' attempt at comedic banter that goes on for way too long. I have to fast forward through that, too. Kevin comes off like a douche bag and Candace as a ditz. Then for some reason there's squeaky voiced Sarah who was apparently a Playboy model. I guess she and her hooker outfits are for the nerd boys who watch the show.

Some of my guilty pleasures: (none are very well written or acted, but I can't help myself)

Teen Wolf (MTV)
Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family)
Nine Lives of Chloe King (ABC Family)
Gossip Girl (CW, in reruns)
Royal Pains (USA)


Good morning.