Instant holiday gifts for couch potatoes ontv
TV Goddess
Published: December 21, 2006
Last Modified: December 21, 2006 at 05:30 AM
As the days before Christmas wind down -- for those not counting, they are winding down quickly -- it's time to take a look at your shopping list and finally head out to buy those last-minute gifts.
Whatever you're looking to spend, and whomever you're looking to spend it on, the time is now to find that gift. Let me play Santa's little helper with perfect gift ideas for the TV lover on anyone's list:
Netflix subscription ($5.99 and up): Any regular TV viewer will love a subscription to this convenient, comprehensive DVD service. First, Netflix has all of the movies and TV box sets that many DVD rental stores don't have, without any late fees. The service is great, and monthly subscriptions start with one DVD at a time and go up to as many eight.
iTunes gift cards ($15 and up): In this digital age, almost everyone has an iPod. And, even if they don't, they're likely to have a computer on which they can watch hours of TV programs available for purchase at iTunes. Eliminating the wait for DVDs, season passes to current TV shows are available now, and viewers catch up before major shows return in 2007 (think "Heroes" in January and "Lost" in February).
Giant universal remote ($35): You might as well face the fact that it's nearly impossible to do everything with your home entertainment system without a good universal remote. Media junkies rely on them. They also lose them, which is why Brookstone's 5-by-11-inch Super-Sized TV Remote is perfect: It's difficult to lose. You can probably find one in stock at Anchorage's temporary Brookstone locations, or you could give your loved one an IOU and order online at www.brookstone.com.
Complete series box sets (about $50 and up): Last Christmas, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was available as a complete series box set with bonus features, making it the perfect gift for TV lovers. Since then, many other series have trickled in, from "Greatest American Hero" ($99.99) to "Friends" ($299.98) to "Six Feet Under" ($279.98). Even recently wrapped-up "Alias" ($199.99) has a cool Rambaldi edition complete set.
TiVo ($69.99 and WAY up): Now that the original and best digital video recorder has made major improvements, there isn't a better way to say "Merry Christmas" than with the sleek box that will change the way the recipient watches television. If they already have one, you can also purchase a gift subscription (starting at $12.95 a month) for the subscriber in your life.
If you're still stuck, you can always go with the old standby -- an Amazon.com gift certificate. Whatever you decide, your TV-loving friends and family will thank you.
• TV reviewer and Portland, Ore.-based freelance journalist DeAnn Welker can be reached at deann@tvgoddess.com. To read more of her TV ramblings, visit www.tvgoddess.com.
A Christmas Story
9 p.m. Sunday and all day Monday, TBS: In what's become an annual tradition, TBS shows the best holiday movie ever made again and again and again. So, when you get tired of your own family, join Ralphie (Peter Billingsley) for his own miseries during his quest for a Red Rider BB gun.
A Perfect Day
10:05 p.m. Friday, TNT: Rob Lowe and Paget Brewster star in this tale of a successful author who has forgotten what's important in life -- his family -- until a mysterious stranger (played by the always weird Christopher Lloyd) surprises him with bad news. Think "It's a Wonderful Life" for a new generation.
Friday Night Lights
Anytime, www.nbc.com or tv.yahoo.com: Like almost every other major network show, this one has taken an end-of-the-year hiatus. Unlike many of those, NBC has made all episodes of "Friday Night Lights" available free online. Take this opportunity to catch up with one of the best and most underrated shows to hit airwaves this season. It's a critical hit, but the masses have yet to figure it out. Now is the time to jump onboard and catch up.
Dexter
7 p.m. Saturday, Showtime: The first-season finale is repeating -- again and again, actually -- so we can all relive the Ice Truck Killer's latest clues, and Rita's ex warning her about Dexter. This series is excellent, and Michael C. Hall's riveting portrayal of the conflicted killer make it well worth watching a second time. And a third.
Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
Midnight and 4 a.m. Monday, Cartoon Network: If you haven't seen this star-studded episode of Pee-Wee Herman's brilliant children's show (in constant repeats as part of Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim"), you've missed out. But it's never too late to watch Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Whoopi Goldberg, K.D. Lang, Little Richard, Oprah Winfrey and, of course, Santa Claus pay a visit to Pee-Wee's fantastic Playhouse.
-- DeAnn Welker
