Television Woes

Before we left for Kazakhstan, I checked out which shows I could watch via the web and only set the shows that I couldn't live without to DVR while we were gone. Yesterday I discovered that all the networks and hulu.com will only let you view their online programing from inside the US. Well, I guess the joke is on them becasue I likely just won't bother watching *most* of those shows any longer. Of course they don't have to know it will probably have more to do with my lack of time as a new mom than some statement on their inability to satisfy my television needs while traveling over seas.

The local television options are a mixed bag. The only programming we get in English is World Fashion Network which barely has language at all, and the music video channels, which surprised me since the music video channels in the US haven't actually showed music videos for years. In the morning when I wake up, I can usually catch the 3rd period of an NHL game on one of the sports channels. I can also watch Animal Planet and National Geographic, which is dubbed in Russian. There are several other American channels that have largely the same programming as in the US, just dubbed in Russian, such as Discovery Channel, Science Channel, Cartoon Network, Hallmark Channel, and most odd, the outdoor channel. I can't for the life of me figure out why watching a tv channel about Americans catching bass would hold any appeal at all for the Russian speaking world, but there it is.

We did bring lots of DVDs to watch and books to read and hopefully once the weather climbs out of the single digits we will actually brave the cold and do some sight seeing here in Astana.

Joss Whedon Fix

So you've probably figured out by now that I'm a Joss Whedon fan. I'm anxiously awaiting the new series Dollhouse that will air in January '09. During the writer's strike that ended earlier this year, Joss created a three part internet show Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. I finally got around to watching it this weekend and thought I'd share it here. A couple things ... (1) I've ascertained the girl’s wardrobe comes exclusively from one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie, and I even have the blue dress she’s wearing in the final act. (2) Thoroughbred of Sin, that’s freakin’ hilarious!

EEEEEEEE!!!!!

(that's my way of expressing extreme excitement)



UPDATE: ok, i had to repost the link because the original version was no longer available. This is the trailer to the new Joss Whedon (buffy, angel, firefly) series Dollhouse coming to FOX in January.