Wesley’s Personal Blog

I watch a lot of TV, at least compared to how much I used to watch, and especially considering my cable bill: $0.

I bought a computer to hook to my TV and stream Hulu through. I can also stream Netflix through my Xbox. Via either of these devices I can watch DVDs either rented or owned. Between these multiple outlets, I have all the TV I could ever hope to watch¹ for far less than I would pay for any cable service, no matter how basic. And with far less commercials, as well.

So I figured I’d wax poetical on the shows I DO watch. Maybe it’ll give you a window into my mind or at least give you some ideas of shows that, if you like what I like, you might like.

Like Burn Notice

Michael Weston (Jeffrey Donovan) is a spy. Or, at least, he was a spy until he got his burn notice. Kicked out, with no resources and no contacts and forced to live in the hellhole (because his mom (Sharon Gless) lives there) of Miami, Michael uses the only things he has left at his disposal: His wits, his trigger happy ex-girlfriend Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar), and Sam (Bruce Campbell), an old friend who has retired from the business to weasel money out of rich single women.

This is the premise for one of the few, and in my opinion the best, non-science-fiction show I watch: Burn Notice.

Every week² the show is packed with home-made gadgets, explosions, bikini-clad women, and the show’s signature voice-over by the main character, Michael Weston. As he’s building a cell-phone jammer, spraying security cameras with paint-gun bullets, or tailing a drug lord to a cache of loot, Michael explains how, why, and what he is doing in an easy, conversational tone that not only gets the point across but makes it clear that he knows exactly what he’s doing. All the time.

The show is not perfect. I’m not a big fan of Fiona. She’s too skinny and could use some curves. And I would never, EVER trust a guy who smiled at me like Michael smiles. And late in the past (3rd) season, Sam switched from expensive fruity drinks and good beer to - of all things - Miller 64. I know they gotta make money but come on. Miller 64?

All told, this is a great show. You should watch it. It’s not available in total on Hulu (though you can see new episodes and some funny short clips and interviews) but you can get the DVDs from Netflix or (if you’re the jump in with both feet type) Amazon.

1. It seems I actually have more than I can watch. I’m constantly struggling to keep up and new shows keep coming out [↩]
2. When it bothers to be on. Each of the first three seasons has been less than a full run. I’ll take what I can get but I’d rather have 22-24 episodes a year [↩]

Wesley Television