I’m sympathetic to the plight of advertisers: everyone has DVRs or they pirate their shows or stream them over the net. As a result, no one watches commercials anymore. Advertisers still need the ad revenue, but how can they get it when viewers are fast forwarding through commercials or skipping them entirely?
That said, I’m not happy with the intrusive tactics of the new era. For example, I spend some time with 30 Rock and what happens? An ad for Tina Fey’s movie Baby Mama comes tripping across the screen--in mid scene. From the looks of it, five minutes of 30 Rock is ten times funnier than that entire movie. And even if it was a comedy classic, I don’t need to hear about it when I’m enjoying Kenneth’s comedy antics.
Then there’s my TIVO. I finish watching Battlestar Galactica and I try to delete the episode. Immediately, I get yelled at:
TIVO: Would you like to download more Battlestar Galactica?!?!
ME: Uh, no thanks.
TIVO: But you can catch up on all the episodes from past seasons! Only $1.99!
ME: Uh, I’m pretty caught up. I just want to watch the current season and find out if Starbuck is a cylon, and stuff.
TIVO: Then you can download classic episodes of Battlestar Galactica from the ‘70s! Again, only $1.99!
ME: No thanks. That show sucked. At one point they went to like this space heaven and their uniforms turned white and it was really lame.
TIVO: I have that episode! Only $1.99!
ME: What did I just tell you? No classic Battlestar Galactica. Which, by the way, is a contradiction in terms.
TIVO: No problem! Hey, listen, find out about a new Lexus!
ME: Do I look like I can afford a new Lexus?
TIVO: Then find out about a new Kia!
ME: Look, I’m going to work. I’ll see you later.
TIVO (following me out the door): Comparison shop for wool socks! Get more out of your shampoo! Buff and polish your abs with the Abflexor Flexis!
ME: Get back in the damn house now.
TIVO: I can get you the phone number of the actress who plays Boomer on the new Battlestar Galactica!
ME: ....wait....really?
TIVO: HA made you look. Now back to business. Download Michael Bolton’s entire discography!
I miss my TiVo. I have DVR from the evil conglomerate that starts with a C and ends with a T and it rarely does what I want or need. It’s like DVR is a snooty cat and TiVo is a lab puppy.
I HATE those stupid ads that come on as I’m watching my shows. I do not want to see an ad for The Closer with a mini Kyra Sedgwick shining her flashlight around my TV screen when I’m watching Law & Order unless she’s actually there trying to help solve the case.
Uhm. There are still ads if you watch TV online (at least on the major networks). And there’s no way of skipping them. Of course, that just means I have 30 seconds to check for email (none! moving on) and play a Scrabulous move (Ooh. All vowels! Gonna need more time for that one! Next!) so I guess I really can’t complain too much about the commercial interruptions.
ah gregory you made me laugh
I didn’t know about the travails of TIVO as I am not wealthy enough to partake in its convenience. My boyfriend always brags about recording his favorite shows on it, but when I ask if perhaps he could bring over a copy, he likes to scathingly retort, “On what? A VHS tape?!”
I need a new boyfriend or some updated technology
I celebrate the guy’s entire catalog.
I have the same problem with my TiVo. The only thing that prevents me from seeking a restraining order against it is the mindblowing sex. And for only $1.99!
That was funny. What do you think of the current season?
We broke down and got cable again. This time we have the on-demand thingie, so we’re watching BSG at our leisure and with limited ads (only for more on demand choices). We haven’t had quite the come-on experience you’re having with TIVO.
Here’s what I think of this season: It’s not as high energy without the constant pursuit of the cylons. They’re up to something of course.
There’s been a bit of fighting of course, but not as much as past seasons. The main thing so far—lots of characters are showing how cut throat they can be. There’s been no love and only a bit of loveless hanky panky to balance it. So I’m waiting for something big to happen. Only I’m sort of not in a rush because I know the show’s going to end. I wonder if the story really needs a bunch of more episodes to wrap up.
I like the season more than you, it sounds like. I’m pretty much over Baltar but I’ve been engrossed the whole way. Poor Callie.
Hmmm...Netflix keeps recommending the Battlestar Gallactica, and my thought is always, “dude, it hasn’t been that long since I’ve gotten laid.” I’m not sure if your endorsement refutes or substantiates my reasoning.
Kenneth’s antics indeed! No way should those be interrupted.
My DVR doesn’t do that - and everyone’s always trying to tell me Tivo is better. What the FRAK?
I don’t have Tivo. Instead I have two marvelous little buttons called “mute” and “off”.
“Never follow a hippie to a second location.”
--Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock