The Fun Zone: The Fun

It's time to begin the logistical adventure!

The new TV season is about to start (in the case of Fox, it's already started), and Stef and I have been studying the Fall Preview issue of Entertainment Weekly, trying to figure out what shows we want to continue watching, which new ones we want to pick up, and how in the world we're going to make it all work (especially on Thursdays, those network weasels).

In most cases, the TiVo will be able to handle the load (51 Season Passes and counting!) with occasional help from the VCR. Unfortunately, there are a few times when I will actually have to be in front of the TV at a specific time in order to watch a show I want to see. I hate it when I have to do that. Of course, things may clear up as programs change time slots or when at least one of the 6 new shows we're giving a try dies out after 3 episodes.

Ready for the full schedule? I warn you, it's not for the feint of heart.

Follow up:

Monday
Despite 7th Heaven's rise from the dead, I've managed to convince Stef that we still shouldn't be watching that crap. Monday has the most new candidates of the season for us. We'd be watching How I Met Your Mother anyway, so picking up the new Jason Ritter comedy about a guy who reassembles his third grade class is worth a shot. I'm psyched about the concept for Heroes, and how could you turn down the cast and writer of Studio 60? This should be an awesome night.

8:00-9:00: The Class/How I Met Your Mother (CBS), VCR gets Deal or No Deal (NBC)
9:00-10:00: Heroes (NBC)
10:00-11:00: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC), VCR gets What About Brian? (ABC)

Tuesday
Tuesday just kind of fell into place for us, especially now that Fox seems to have moved House permanently to 8pm. Our only new show for the night is a comedy that Stef wants to see about a group of misfits trying to rob Mick Jagger's apartment.

8:00-9:00: House (Fox)
9:00-10:00: The Knights of Prosperity (ABC, original title Let's Rob Jeff Goldblum)
10:00-11:00: Law and Order: SVU (NBC)

Wednesday
Wednesday fell into place even better than Tuesday. I'm psyched about Tina Fey's comedy 30 Rock, and how could I pass up Jeffrey Tambor and John Lighgow? ABC's doing a neat thing with Lost's timeslot. Lost will run with all-new episodes until November 15th, when it moves out of the way for Daybreak's 13-week run. That show follows a cop (Taye Diggs) who's been framed for murder as he's forced to live the same day over and over again. Sort of Law and Order meets Groundhog Day.

8:00-9:00: Twenty Good Years/30 Rock (NBC)
9:00-10:00: Lost (ABC), Daybreak (ABC) when Lost goes on break
10:00-11:00: CSI:NY (CBS)

Thursday
This is the day that pisses me off. Why must everything air on Thursday at 8 or 9? No new shows here, just a lot of deciding what the hierarchy should be.

8:00-9:00: My Name is Earl/The Office (NBC), VCR gets Smallville (CW), Survivor (CBS) must be viewed live
9:00-10:00: Grey's Anatomy (ABC), VCR gets CSI (CBS), Deal or No Deal must be viewed live
10:00-11:00: nothin'. We gave up on ER a long time ago.

Friday
Nothing on the networks interests us on Friday, which is fine. It gives us time to enjoy SciFi's lineup. Currently it's Stargate SG-1/Stargate Atlantis, and in October it becomes Doctor Who/Battlestar Galactica. How can you beat that?

Saturday
The networks abandoned Saturday a long time ago, but I am going to check out the new syndicated run of the original Star Trek series. Producers have gone back and re-rendered the opening titles, exterior shots, and some special effects, as well as digitally remastering the whole deal. Even the theme has been re-recorded. It may be utter garbage, but I'm giving it a chance for now.

Sunday
Grey's Anatomy's move to Thursday gave us a little breathing room on Sundays, but not much. Again, it's nothing new, just some of our favorites on a new night. I've lost interest in American Dad, but I'll be recording it anyway as insurance against the dreaded football time shift.

8:00-9:00: The Amazing Race (CBS), VCR gets The Simpsons/American Dad (Fox)
9:00-10:00: Desperate Housewives (ABC), VCR gets Family Guy (Fox)
10:00-11:00: Without a Trace (CBS)

So there you have it. I guess I'm a bit concerned that we're watching too much television. It doesn't give me nearly enough time to play video games.