The on-demand dilemma

Some praise DVR as the tool of the 21st century and that it has expanded and changed their TV viewing habits for the rest of their life. This is good, I suppose, but part of me thinks if it makes you watch more TV then it can’t be that good for you. Anyway, it’s neat idea and great technology.

The dilemma lies within the movies themselves. I have shelves full of DVDs that I rarely watch. I love the movies, and most are good movies, but every time I stare at them wondering what to watch, I usually end up not watching any because I know them by heart. I know that sounds stupid, but it’s true.

But, throw one of those same movies on regular television (or cable) and I’ll sit and watch. I don’t have a good explanation. Maybe it’s because it has that “watch or miss” feeling since it’s on a schedule I can’t control. This conundrum gets even worse with crappy movies.

I don’t own Rocky III on DVD and never will. It’s not a movie that I stop and think, “today is a good day to sit and watch Rocky III,” yet whenever it’s on TV I’ll sit my skinny ass on the couch and watch it. Go figure. (However, the power of Rocky is strong as I’ve covered before.)

I think recording movies and shows is a good ability to have, but it might actually thwart my viewing. When it comes down to it, I want a regular schedule that I don’t control. It adds a little anticipation to the entire event and gives me something to look forward to on a weekly basis. Much like garbage day, shows work best when they stay on the same day and happen at the same time. Moving a show from the accepted day and time makes me find something else to watch.

Plus I think if I had the power to save a show and watch it later I’d be in front of the tube more and doing other things I want to do less. At least when I have one night of must-see TV I can write it off and get on with everything else, knowing that TV time will be back.