Tackling summer TV without cable

Katie D. Austin TX — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:52:25 GMT

I do love Dexter and Drawn together. As for non cable tv, I like Dirty Sexy Money, The Game and Girlfriends. It's a shame that Big Shots got cancelled. What about Cashmere Mafia??

Tackling summer TV without cable

TT, Bessemer, Mi — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:52:29 GMT

I too do not have cable, it is not offered where I live. I a just fine with it. My kids on the other hand are not. They didn't even know who sponge bob square pants was utnitl they went to shcool! Again, I,m ok with that.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Jeff Gaus, Portland Oregon — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:00:27 GMT

My family (wife, two boys--11 and 12, me) voluntarily gave up TV in December. We restrict viewing to movies from DVD.

I am a recovering CATV news junkie and my boys are sitcom junkies. This was very hard; however, our family life has improved dramatically.

There is more quality time among us, there is less fighting between the boys, and I stay more informed via the internet.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Christine, Lewisville, TX — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:02:15 GMT

My summer Netflix viewing last year was Firefly and Brisco County Jr. Now I'm a die-hard fan of both. This year I have Slings & Arrows in my queue. Thank goodness Burn Notice just started again and Monk and Psych start tomorrow!!!

Tackling summer TV without cable

mbw, atlanta, ga — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:17:48 GMT

I'm in the same boat. We gave up cable for the summer and have spent quite a bit of time fiddling with the rabbit ears looking for a clear picture of Arthur on PBS for my kids. I'm loving the lack of the distraction. Once my favorite shows kick back in, we'll sign back up. But in the meantime,if you have to get your fix, Showtime and HBO shows on DVD are the way to go. I just discovered the Tudors!!!

Tackling summer TV without cable

Cyd — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:18:04 GMT

I highly recommend CBS "Swingtown." It's much more than the scandalous labels its been given, more about how society was changing about that time in our history (women working, etc)and it hits close to my own experience with my parents. The characters are well written and interesting, the sets and clothing really are 70's authentic. I love it and hope it isn't just a "summer" show.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Jennifer — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:54:19 GMT

We don't have cable but have found plenty to watch on TV. So You Think You Can dance is my can't miss of the week- Wednesday's and Thursdays.

On Monday's I watch American Gladiators, the first hour of Nashville Star and then The Mole.

On PBS- Rick Steve's is always worth watching, though I've seen most of them by now, and Frontline is always excellent.

I'm looking forward to the Olympics, where I will get addicted to sports I normally don't care about at all.

However, I'm anxiously awaiting the return of my non-summer favorites: The Amazing Race, Scrubs, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, and The Office

Tackling summer TV without cable

sharon, Grant, AL — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:00:37 GMT

Agree on swingtown. It is a really well written show with authentic sets. It also features the actress from Deadwood who is excellent. I missed last week and am anxious to catch back up tonight.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Tiffany, Goodyear, AZ — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:02:30 GMT

If your hitting up the Netflix option, and haven't fallen in love with it already, I insist you check out Arrested Development. It is by far the best comedy thats ever been on TV. Also good - Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the BBC version of The Office, Extras, and Flight of the Conchords.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Lauri, Bellingham, Wa — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:08:24 GMT

Weeds!!! Netflix has seasons 1 & 2 for instant watch & can rent season 3> i just discovered it & I can't get enough!

Tackling summer TV without cable

Heather, San Gabriel, CA — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:30:27 GMT

I recommend The Mole. Highly intelligent and mentally stimulating reality TV (and here I originally thought those things were mutually exclusive!).

Tackling summer TV without cable

Rebecca, Albion, MI — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:39:09 GMT

I was reading this article and thought perhaps I had written it in my sleep. It sounds EXACTLY like me, t.v. junkie and all. The only difference is besides Dexter I also watch Weeds and Life On Mars (this one will definitely make you crazy trying to figure it out).

I am also a big fan of America's Got Talent and Super Nanny...

Tackling summer TV without cable

Scout in Nebraksa — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:52:04 GMT

Sans cable, you are missing The Closer and Saving Grace, and for that I feel sorry for you.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Robin, Las Vegas NV — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:15:46 GMT

We've only ever had basic cable in my house. I would be lost without HGTV or Food Network. I do love Netflix and currently have 57 movies on my list.

I am looking forward to the Olympics. However, I get really ticked at the networks for showing the same old events time after time. There are a few good network series on; Fox's So You Think You Can Dance is a favorite of mine.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Julie, Nashville, TN — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:23:34 GMT

The Closer was a great catch for us last summer, and so we rented seasons 1 & 2 on Netflix (I think all 3 seasons are there now - Season 4 just started on cable). This is the best drama on TV; Kyra Sedgwick is awesome in this role, and the supporting cast is great too.

We've been watching the John Adams miniseries from HBO on Netflix, and I highly recommend that too. Having read the book, the series portrays everything very well, and the cast is great, especially Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney.

Tackling summer TV without cable

robin hood — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:57:39 GMT

I agree with Tiffany: Arrested Development is great! Amazon sells all 3 seasons in one packet. And, if you never saw Wonderfalls, you should really watch it now.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Shirley, Texas — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:09:16 GMT

Well, I don't know what I'd do without cable! I do watch a lot of the crime shows: CSI (all versions), Law & Order (all versions), Cold Case, Without a Trace, NCIS (although they'll lose me if they split up the team), and Criminal Minds, as well as Ghost Whisperer and Medium, all on network TV.

On cable, I watch reruns of some of the above, as well as The Closer, Saving Grace, Monk, etc. I like documentaries on the History channel, but their new emphasis on "reality" shows turns me off cold!

Nothing could persuade me to waste my time on the histrionics of "reality" shows. I did watch Greatest American Dog last week. The people were all flaky, but the dogs were adorable.

I don't know about getting anything from Netflix, since I don't really have time for movies and I don't have a home computer. If I get stuck with nothing worth watching, I usually put the TV on CNN and leave it on while I read or do a crossword puzzle. At least CNN doesn't yell at you like Fox.

Tackling summer TV without cable

Me, Maple Valley, WA — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:48:59 GMT

I stopped watching tv in 2005 when I could not afford cable tv. I do watch some shows on the internet, Ugly Betty and Eli Stone. But have not watched anything since the end of the season. I find that the lack of exposure to tv actually helps to decrease the drama in my life and give me so much more peace. I also have so much time to do things that I put off in the past

Tackling summer TV without cable

Sophie, WA — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:17:34 GMT

Arrested Development, Tudors, Weeds. At least I can always watch stuff on hulu.com

Tackling summer TV without cable

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:06 GMT

http://www.hulu.com offers tv shows and movies on their website, for free. My sister is addicted to this but I have yet to watch it (we have satellite). There are some older shows, like Facts of Life, Who's the Boss?, The Highlander, Bewitched, etc, as well as newer shows like The Starter Wife, Law & Order, Lipstick Jungle, etc.

Tackling summer TV without cable

marilyn — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:45:33 GMT

I get tired of all the people who primly announce, I don't WATCH television! Is this supposed to announce a higher life form to the reality and commercial watching minions of network tv? The Nielson ratings hint that millions upon millions are watching tv, so I think some of these pompous denouncers are lying through their sanctimonious teeth.