the chutry experiment

I actually read that book back in December, and I always get excited and feel smart when it's brought up. As a television addict, this book makes me really happy. Although naturally, the book has its issues. As good as television is today, there are some things you just can't learn by watching Lost. Except what lottery numbers not to play.

Which shows are you looking at?

Funny, I thought about teaching sections of Bad in one of my media studies courses (senior seminar, IIRC) but didn't because it wasn't critical enough.

I haven't been watching anything terribly groundbreaking, but it's nice to have regular access to The Daily Show, Colbert, IFC, and the Sundance Channel. I'm enjoying Entourage and have been trying to get into Big Love (so far, I like the actors much better than the show itself), especially since HBO has been running it non-stop. Based on all the good buzz, I'm also going to try to get caught up on Deadwood, too. Do you have any show suggestions?

I really liked the book, but I dunno how to teach it for longer than a day. That's why I'm not the teacher, I guess.

Well, most of mine are network and readily available anyway. My network favs are Lost, Desperate Housewives (so trashy and enjoyable!), 24, Family Guy, Scrubs, and House. For cable? Not as much, actually. South Park, Doctor Who (yay for Tenth Doctor downloads!!), The Boondocks. And I surf the rest, or won't admit to them. I started watching Big Love, but I couldn't get into it. Dead Like Me was good.

I also highly reccommend Arrested Development, although you've probably seen it, and it's cancelled now anyway.

TiVo or some other DVR is essential these days - you will always have something interesting to watch...
Do you have IFC and Sundance channels? They are fantastic. And HBO has some amazing series, like Rome and Big Love.
Actually, I have every channel and am not ashamed. Hey, I'm a single guy and it keeps me out of trouble. And movies are my passion. I still go to the movies a couple times a month, too, though.

Taylor, I probably would have taught the book for only one class period (and I wouldn't have required reading the whole thing). At the time I was interested (if not entirely convinced by) in his argument that television narratives are becoming more complicated. I've been wanting to watch The Boondocks for a while; maybe I'll try to catch a few episodes later this summer.

Chris, I do have IFC and Sunance, and both channels are highly addictive. When I lived in DC, I'd see at least five movies a month, but there simply aren't enough movies playing in my new location to get me out to the theater that often. I'm still thining about getting a DVR; after all, most shows on cable eventually play again (and again and again), but I'm more curious to see how I would use a DVR.

I'm also single and find that cable, DVDs, and movies are a nice distraction (today, oddly enough, it was a "state" marathon with Garden State and Sunshine State).

If you are interested, there is a website dedicated to refuting Mr. Johnson's argument.

www.tvSmarter.com

Thanks for the pointer, Terry. As my comments imply, I'm not entirely convinced by Johnson's argument, but I've been intrigued by teh discussion it raises.