So what program — maybe a certain episode, special, movie, concert, awards show — do you keep saved on your DVR for when you need a quick pick-me-up? I’m asking because I made an alarming discovery last night at 1 a.m. Not that I’m saving four episodes of Hee Haw — I already knew that and have dealt with it emotionally. But that apparently, I’m now one of those people who watches October Road because it’s "a cardigan sweater," "a Joni Mitchell record on a rainy day," "a cup of hot chocolate."
Here’s how it went down: I was bummed because my recorded shows list had no new Ugly Betty and the America’s Next Top Model finale — which my rogue DVR had decided it didn’t need to record Wednesday — still hadn’t magically appeared. I clicked on the new-to-the-queue Law & Order: Criminal Intent repeat, but knew in my heart that I wasn’t in the right state to fully appreciate Andrew McCarthy’s guest appearance. And then, my eyes fell on Monday night’s October Road. I remembered that scene where Eddie gave Janet her Christmas present in his plow truck. I thought about how long it must have taken them to light the interior of that plow truck. I knew I’d be happy looking at Geoff Stults (pictured), all bundled up, sitting in that plow truck. Damn it.
Your turn.
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I thought my college rommate was the only other person on Earth who enjoyed rewatching stuff! I keep a VH1 Depeche Mode interview from 2005, a 1999 performance of “Oklahoma!” with Hugh Jackman and an episode of “Cold Case” called ‘Forever Blue.’ Weird.
I definitely do my fair share of saving programs that have a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” effect. Most recently I have the 30 Rock from two weeks ago- I’ve been rewatching it and laughing every time, and am trying to decide what is the best quote from it. Here is my current pick: “Have you been to Knuckle Beach? It’s a totally different world; a world where orange soda is an acceptable substitute for breast milk!” Also, for a long time I had last year’s musical episode of Scrubs saved on my DVR. And while I don’t rewatch the episodes, I do record General Hospital everyday because its just good, mindless entertainment. On that note, I wish EW would just every once in a while cover daytime TV.
i don’t own a “DVR”, so HA!
i also don’t own a “Hi-Def” DVD player
ditto on a cell phone too
i think stephen king would be proud
A couple of “Project Runway 3″ here, a couple of “Grey’s Anatomy Season 3″ there. But for the longest I had all of Season 5 episodes up just so I can watch all of Elliott Yamin’s performances. It ALWAYS cheered me up. Then if I’m in the mood for some laughter I’ll watch Season 5 audition special where Eccentric Panther was featured. Best. Audition. Ever. Please, peeps, look it up on YouTube. You won’t be disappointed.
correction: Season 5 of American Idol and this season 6 audition of American Idol.
I too have saved a “30 Rock” but it was last weeks “Secrets and Lies” which had the highsterical lines like “Cajun Style” and “OH Monsters, why did I create you?” among other jems, of course “Banter!”
I also have a Kathy Griffin special which makes me cry with laughter.
I have ‘Batman Begins’ saved in HD. It’s great to watch when nothing else is on. I’ll probably increase the frequency of my viewings leading up to next summer’s sequel.
I’m “one of those people” too. I know its total crap, but I still watch October Road, because it really IS comforting. This is mostly because of the Janet and Eddie storyline, as well as Physical Phil and Pizza Girl (my eyes tend to glaze over and roll back into my head anytime Laura Prepon comes on the screen – just like when she was on That 70s Show – or anytime Nick starts moaning on and on about her. Gah.) Still, I watched it twice last week. Good times.
Lauren -I wish I had some Depeche saved on my DVR; I’m jealous.
I got a DVR a few months ago because some people in my life felt I was not being a very good friend/co-worker (whatever) by not coming out with them since there were some shows I just had to watch when they were on. But, I saw the light, got one and it has been nothing short of AH-MAAAAA-ZING! The shows on mine are: Gossip Girl, ANTM, L&O:SVU, Pushing Daisies, Oprah, 30 Rock, UB, Scrubs, The Office, Chuck, Nip/Tuck, HIMYM, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, anytime Larry King has in interesting guest, and whenever TCM has movie on I want to see or just random TV specials. Looking back at this list now, I watch wayyyyyyy too much tv and movies, and I love it!
Oh, and how could I forget Project Runway.
Guilty pleasure DVR favourite: Young & the Restless. Darn it, I can’t give up that show despite the fact that it’s pretty awful (I’m talking soap standards here).
My rainy day pleasure…I DVR’ed a rerun of JT on SNL last February so I can rewatch Dick in a Box at my pleasure. That recording is going to die with my DVR.
By the way Mandi, I’m still waiting for an update on the Ab-watching with the Stults man.
I keep the “towelie” episode of South Park in my tivo for the dryspells.
I’ve had the boxing episode from Battlestar Galactica Season 3 on my tivo for the longest time. It’s good for when I’m sick or had a bad day.
Life on Mars and Top Gear(BBC America). I’ve already seen the entire second season of LOM and most of the TG episodes, but I like to re-watch and feel like I took a trip across the pond. My life is really very sad.
I had to part with the season finale of Six Feet Under when my first tivo died. I’m almost over it. Currently, and especially with the strike, I’m holding on to all my 30 Rock’s and all episodes of the Office. I also get very excited when “Causa Mortis” from Law and Order (Carey Lowell’s debut episode) is recorded. I hold on to that for a bit before I let it go.
I too watch October Road. I wouldn’t admit that to anyone that I know, but I do and I like it.
I have several Pushing Daisies on my Tivo. Another program that I saved was BBC America’s miniseries North and South. The final scene between Mr. Thornton and Margaret at the train station is, hands down, the most romantic ending I’ve ever seen. It definitely warms my heart.
I have most of the newest season of psych saved…that show is hi-larious…i crack up everytime I re-watch it…
i’m too broke to own a DVR but whenever i’m down in the dumps, i pop in a Golden Girls disk and wrap myself up in their world of gaudy clothes, wicker, and endles platters of cheesecake…
by the way, for this time of year, i also put on Love Actually – i LOVE bill nighy’s character!!! oh, i could go on and on about how lovely that film is…
What is so bad about watching October Road? It’s surprisingly warm, gooey, and filling, much like cheesy bread. My friend and I obsess over our show and gush about our love for it constantly!
I have a bunch of How I Met Your Mother episodes saved on my DVR. My favorites from seasons past to most recent. My favorite of course being the Slap Bet episode. Robin Sparkles’ “Let’s Go to the Mall” is a classic.
Since the “Slap Bet” episode of How I Met Your Mother first aired, it has never left my DVR. When nothing else is on, a little Robin Sparkles goes a long way.
I HATE October Road with a fiery passion–the stilted language, the way they attempt to Dawson’s Creek their conversations and fail….BUT every Monday I DVR it and it is often the first thing I sit down to watch. Damn you ridiculous plotlines!
But my favorite comfort things (even though not on my DVR)–the Beers and Weirs episode of Freaks and Geeks (“Let’s tear this mother doooown!”), Get Over It (and really only the ridiculous Shakespeare musical), and Camp (and really only the ridiculous musical numbers).
seinfeld reruns (ah, elaine dancing, festivus, the merv griffin talk show set reruns!) and i constantly watch old hugh laurie talk show interviews on youtube. everything about him from his voice to his face is so pleasant.
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched “The Righteous Brothers”- the season 2 finale of Arrested Development. It always makes me happy.
There are four things that will stay on my DVR to be watched over and over again.
(1) The Office – “Casino Night”: Jim’s declaration of love, the first JAM kiss, and one of the best ensembles eps ever.
(2) The Office – “Women’s Appreciation”: This one brings back fond memories.
(3) Pushing Daisies – “The Pie-lette”: A damn near perfect hour of television, the likes of which I may never see again.
(4) SYTYCD – From S2, Allison & Ivan’s Mia Michaels contemporary routine to “Why”. So beautiful and emotional.
My Chicken Soup for the DVR soul is:
Medium – episode “Twice Upon a Time” – it aired over a year and 1/2 ago I think. I just love PA and JW’s “alterna-life” versions of their characters. Such a fun ep and SO freaking romantic.