There's only so much weekly "appointment television" I can watch, despite the life-changing invention of TiVo. Reality shows (ranging from Jon Stewart to Survivor to sports) tend to get selected first, since their impact is more closely associated with real-time viewing and water cooler discussion.

Comedies and dramas are the first casualties. But, in this new world order I've learned that if I fall behind more than one or two shows, then I'm just as happy to "wait for DVD". TV on DVD is awesome... no commercials (or even hitting the "skip" button... man, how lazy do I sound?), high-resolution, and none of the pesky waiting-a-week to solve the cliff-hanger episode ending.

I have well-meaning friends and associates who want to introduce me to shows that they think I will love. In general, they're completely correct... but I just don't have time for new weekly commitments.

TV on DVD saves the day again! In the doldrums of summers with uninteresting TV and movie theater-fare, I could take the advice and finally catch Enterprise, Lost (drool.... soooooooooo good) and Firefly... if only to get the TV-pushers off my back.

I never got in to Buffy or Angel, so Joss Whedon's name brings no excitement to me. The ads for Firefly during its initial run were intriguing enough for me to watch a few episodes, but it simply didn't make my live TV cut. Then it goes off the air and you'd think the entire internet (or maybe just the Star Wars-portion) was kicked in the gut or something. That was attempt #1 at trying to like Firefly.

OK, so the DVDs come out... Fine, maybe I missed something. I put Firefly at the top of my Netflix queue and give it another change. Disc 1... nothing, but everyone says it'll get better. Disc 2... I'm asleep. I just don't care. Attempt #2 at trying to like Firefly.

OK, so the Serenity movie comes out this weekend. I'm desperate for a fun movie theater experience, so despite it all, I'm "in" for the film. While I'm sure they're making it completely accessible to folks who've never seen the show... I feel like I want to do it right.

I'm on day 5 of trying to jam through the entire run of Serenity. I have one disc left to complete before Friday. The show is growing on me, but I just can't get excited.

Why is EVERYONE on the show Han Solo? It's good to have one Han Solo (as prequel detractors will tell you), but it can't be everyone. Where's the Luke? The R2? The Vader?

To all those of the "Joss Whedon is the next George Lucas" among you... I'm afraid I just don't get it. Maybe the movie will convert me. Does the Emperor have no clothing, or am I just too out of it?

(Early casualty of this season: HBO's Rome. Meant to watch it.... just couldn't. Waitin for DVD...)