Aside from short-term classes and part-time jobs, there isn’t that much to do during the summer.
If you’re a TV addict like me, however, the summer is none other than a big fat chance to catch up on old shows or take a few new ones on a test ride. It is the one time of year that allows for the rectification of missed episodes, forgetting to record or just not giving new shows a chance.
With the fast-growing popularity of TV on DVD, streaming video and TiVo, it is now easier than ever for viewers to find out what happened when the Oceanic Flight 815 survivors opened the hatch or who got kicked off “Project Runway” last week. Before these innovations, it was almost impossible to see a show from the beginning unless a person didn’t miss an episode or waited patiently until it was syndicated.
Thankfully, the future of TV is here.
Cable and satellite companies often offer Digital Video Recorders with their services. These allow viewers to record an episode, or an entire season of their favorite show. This beats frantically rushing to Wal-Mart to get a tape to record a juicy episode of “90210.”
DVD studios have been on the ball as well. Since the early 2000s the latest season of a show is typically available four or five months after its finale. Many of these releases coincide with the next season premier in an attempt to let the viewer catch up before the new season starts.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Many networks have employed online streaming video players to show a new episode the day after it premiers. While this isn’t of much use to people who haven’t seen an episode of, say, “Grey’s Anatomy,” it is very handy for the religious viewer who missed because they had a lab to go to…or something equally lame.
So, in short, there’s no good excuse for missing a show anymore. No more can one say “oh, I want to watch this!” or “I haven’t had the time.” Between DVRs, DVDs and streaming video, it is the age of the TV show. Viewers can ensure they aren’t missing a single episode and have the courage to branch out and try new shows.
Series worth catching up on:
These shows are still in the early seasons of their life and are worth trying out, so go find the DVD’s or look them up online.
“Bones:” FOX: 3 seasons old: Starts its fourth season this fall.
“Supernatural:” The CW: 3 seasons old: Starts its fourth this fall.
“Heroes:” NBC: 2 seasons old: Starts its third this fall.
“Gossip Girl:” The CW: 1 season old: Starts its second this fall.
If you’re really adventurous, or just really bored, these somewhat veterans aren’t too far along that you can’t catch up:
“Grey’s Anatomy:” ABC: 4 seasons old: Starts its fifth this fall
“Desperate Housewives:” ABC: 4 seasons old: Starts its fifth this fall
“LOST:”: ABC: 4 seasons old: Starts its fifth early next year.
And just for fun, a few series that have long since been off the air. These gems are all available on DVD and are worth the time and money.
“Veronica Mars:” 3 seasons
“ALIAS:” 5 seasons
“Tru Calling:” 2 seasons
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