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Who knows TV better than us? As America's largest online DISH Network dealer, we've got the inside dirt on the channels, shows, and events that keep you tuned in.
 Channel: MTV
DISH Network channel number: 160 (available in America's Top 100 or higher and DishLatino or higher)
The DISH: MTV revolutionized the music world, playing the first music video on television in 1981. The channel was an instantaneous sensation among teens and young adults everywhere, becoming the IT channel for music.
But now, we wonder what happened to the days when music channels actually played music videos? If we turn on MTV today, we get a bratty fifteen year old planning an over the top sweet sixteen, celebrities getting duped by Ashton Kutcher in Punk’d, and two exes get down and dirty in a private bungalow while their current significant others watch. Hmm, what do these shows have to do with the music industry again? Perhaps the tide of our obsession with reality television has over swept our interest in music. Out of a 12 hour primetime showing on MTV, possibly 2 hours are devoted to music and 10 hours are devoted to reality television.
As much as I keep ranting, I’m guilty as charged, as I tend to indulge in the occasional rerun of the Real World. Most of the shows aren’t all that bad, abiding to a serving of a pinch of inspiration, main course of drama, and side dish of kookiness. So here’s what’s on the menu:
MTV loves cooking up an array of dating shows with a not so average concept, and a ton of drama to spice it up. Take for instance, Parental Control that has parents, who apparently hate the person their child is dating, set their kid up on two dates while they watch with the current beau. If that’s not enough to break a couple apart, then MTV has really stripped themselves of their morals with their latest new show, The X Effect. They bring together two exes and have them stay in a luxury resort in the honeymoon suite, while, get this, their current loves secretly watches everything that happens from a spy cam in a nearby bungalow. They watch in misery as their boy/girlfriends throw themselves as their exes and rekindle their love. Hm, doesn’t this violate some television ethics code?
The master chef on MTV, of course, does not fail to provide a main course of inspiration. For instance, a stint like MADE coaches a lucky teen to become whatever they wish to be. True Life also takes a sneak peek at a group of individuals, who live a not so normal life. There’s a mountain of other reality television like Road Rules, Engaged and Underaged, and My Super Sweet 16. Believe me, the list goes on.
What about the music you say? I introduce to you the MTV house special: TRL, or a pathetic attempt to squish in an afternoon run of two minute glimpses of videos, and 90 minutes of screaming teen fans. It’s just enough to whet your appetite for music, then on to more reality shows.
So how could a music channel not play music? MTV, clearly realizing that they have a reputation to uphold, created a new channel, MTV2 (Channel 161, available in America's Top 100 and higher) that played music videos, old and new, throughout the day, with an occasional re-run of a show.
If you enjoy listening to music, and MTV just doesn’t do it for you, then Dish Network offers over 100 SIRIUS music channels to satisfy any of your moods. These channels play all types of music 24/7, ranging from an Elvis station, to a Hawaiian station.
So MTV, please put some music on! Best said by Jennifer Lopez in her song, Play: “DJ, play that song, just play my favorite song.”
 Channel: Travel Channel
DISH Network channel number: 215 (available on America’s Top 100 or higher and DishLATINO Max)
The menu: Original programming all about Travel and Leisure. Whether you are looking for local hotspots or hidden treasures throughout the world, the travel channel offers a variety of programs that lead you through global adventures.
The DISH: For the most part, the Travel Channel shows follow a similar format… One of the hosts takes a trip to a different destination and acts as your travel guide; showing you the ins and outs of where to stay, what to eat/drink and do for fun. Some of you may wonder, “How varied can a show about travel be?” The names of the shows alone demonstrate how creative and diverse the programming is. Check out Most Haunted, Bizarre Foods, and Not Your Average Travel Guide, to name a few. The show I find most entertaining is 1,000 Places to See Before You Die (Thursdays 9p.m. ET/PT). This show is hosted by a newlywed couple that takes a 14 week trip around the world to see as many of the locations from the bestselling book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz. The complete series only visits around 100 places on the list so don’t forget to pick up a copy of the book to see what you’re missing. World Poker Tour (Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT) is also a popular Travel Channel Show, although it’s a bit unclear how much it has to do with travel.
Primarily, the tone is set by the host of each show. If you find one that is entertaining or intriguing you could never get sick of ‘traveling’ with them. On the other hand, if you are indifferent you may have a hard time focusing on the content as I did when watching Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. The style was not my taste so I think I will stick with my newlywed couple hosts.
Check, please: It begins to get depressing watching other people travel the world. Unless you are lucky enough to land a hosting job on the Travel Channel, I don’t know many people that get unlimited vacation. – it may be hard convincing your boss to pay you for 14 weeks of vacation and maybe even through in a bonus so you can afford your travels. I do however keep dreaming.
Weekly Scoop. Posted on June 11, 2007 by Anita Dish 2007 MTV AWARDS: Each year, MTV tries to outdo itself by airing the annual Movie Awards with a more eye-popping stage, coupled by outrageous moments that will be talked about for days (Channel 160/Available in America’s Top 100 and higher). This year was no exception, as MTV decided to be brave and ask the risqué Sarah Silverman to host the awards. Not holding anything back, Silverman, knocked jokes on many of Hollywood A-listers including Paris Hilton, who refused to crack a smile. MTV’s censors had a good workout that night as the show was invaded by dirty four-letter words from the hosts and celebs. Someone give them some soap and water, please. I don’t particularly like watching a show where every other word is bleeped.
But it could not have officially been labeled a successful MTV awards show until it gets sleazy. So what is MTV notorious for? Kissing. That’s right, lots of raunchy, unexpected smooching between celebrities. Of course, nothing will beat the triple threat lock lip between Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears, during the 2003 MTV Video Music Award. Yet, they tried to come close with an almost-about-to-kiss scene with Sarah Silverman and Jessica Biel. Will Ferrell and Sasha Baron Cohen, who won Best Kiss for the movie Talladega Nights, (premieres on Starz July 7/ Channel 340/Available in Dish’s Premium Package) put on a performance that had to make you squirm. While accepting their award, Cohen heads in for a passionate kiss and drags Ferrell to the floor as they continue to fondle each other and roll around the floor. Oh, and you know that saying its not over until the fat man walks? Apparently, MTV does, as they tried to spoof a scene of Borat, and have an extremely fat man walk across the stage in his birthday suit. Now that’s MTV for you.
ARMY WIVES: The tide of America’s obsession with the inside look on wives has now reached its peak. Last week’s premiere of The Starter Wife on USA Network (Channel 105/ Available in America’s Top 100 and higher), and ABC’s reality show Ex-Wives Club, joined the ranks of the successful Desperate Housewives, and Footballers Wive$ (BBC Channel 135/Available in America’s Top 200 and higher). Now these shows have another competition, as Lifetime premiered a well publicized new series, Army Wives 10pm ET (Channel 108/Available in America’s Top 100 and higher.) Army Wives fits perfectly into Lifetime’s line up of a PG drama about the not-so-ordinary life of military families. These spouses have to face a battle that’s fought in the home-front, as they try to fit in and abide by military tradition, while still keeping a close relationship with their spouse. They build an alliance, protecting each others dark secrets and helping one another through tough times.
Don’t expect any shocking Desperate Housewives-type of scenes, as this is still a cookie cutter Lifetime series. But the show is definitely worth watching, as it brings themes and real life situations to our TV screens about issues that might hit some of us too close to home.
What other mobster was able to captivate our attention and glue our eyes to HBO (Channel 300/available in Dish’s Premium Package) every Sunday for the past seven years. On June 10th, the guns drop, the murders stop, and our favorite Italian mobster family retire their brass knuckles, as we say good-bye to The Sopranos. I have to admit, I haven’t been this excited about a finale since Sex in the City’s Carrie Bradshaw, traveled half way across the world to France, to live with the self-involved artist, Aleksandr. But at last, to no one’s surprise, she ends up with Big, her on-again/off-again businessman beau. Although I wasn’t terribly amused by that finale, I know my Sopranos will not disappoint. Especially since, last Sunday’s episode proved to be the perfect bridge to what will be an amazing final two shows of the series.
In case you missed it - Phil Leotardo turned down Tony Soprano’s offer of compromise over a business deal, while one of Phil’s men made a derogatory comment towards Tony’s daughter. Just when you thought the storyline couldn’t get juicier, the show made a sharp right turn when A.J. Soprano, Tony’s son, tried to commit suicide. My hunch for the final episodes is that Tony will end up being shot by someone he thought was close to him – his wife. Having had enough with the lies, cheating, and the heartache, she will snap and end the life of one of America’s favorite wise guy. A tad bit dramatic? Not for The Sopranos.
What will HBO think of next?: HBO (channel 300) struck gold in 1999 when they decided to air a modern crime drama set in New Jersey that took a look at the life of the mafia. Six seasons and over 10 Emmy awards later, The Sopranos have become one of television's most critically acclaimed series. Somehow that’s not surprising since HBO has always had great success with their original series line up such as Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, and Da Ali G Show. Luckily for us, this might not be the final goodbye for The Sopranos. Take for example, Sasha Baron Cohen, who produced Borat, a character from his outrageously hilarious Da Ali G Show, and even the ladies of Sex and the City are clamoring to start filming their big screen movie. My guess is if the pattern repeats, then the cast of The Sopranos will surely be approached with a movie deal.
HBO wastes no time. The network has already sought out the next great television drama. John from Cincinnati, which will premiere on June 10th immediately following the finale, is about a peculiar young man of mysterious origin, and the effect he has on a dysfunctional family of professional surfers in California. Another addition to the line up will be the new comedy series, Flight of the Conchords, on June 17th. It takes two wacky guitarists from New Zealand and follows their trials and tribulations as they make their way in New York City. It adds a Broadway-like twist as the duo randomly breaks into a song that expresses their feelings. No matter what the network features, deep down, no show will capture America the way Tony Soprano and his gang have for the past seven years. On June 10th, it will truly be the final bada-bing for this mobster.
Need to catch up on all the old episodes of The Sopranos, then be sure to tune into A&E (Channel 118/ available on America’s Top 100 or higher) with 2 back to back episodes every Monday and Wednesday 9pm EST.
Channel: DIY (do-it-yourself) Network
DISH Network channel number: 111 (available on America’s Top 250 or higher and DISH Latino Max)
The menu: The name speaks for itself…from arts & crafts to home renovations; this channel boasts a variety of do-it-yourself programs.
The DISH: This network is your source for the best how-to when it comes to do-it-yourself projects. DIY’s 90-percent original programming includes a broad range of categories including arts and crafts for children, room rejuvenation and redecoration, and even complete home renovation. Don’t be fooled into thinking you will watch a state-of-the-art home built from the ground up while the family is on vacation, similar to ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition (on your DISH locals). You will be able to see, however, through homeowner participation that these projects really are do-it-yourself. The shows on DIY offer practical, useful, and creative tips and answers to your most sought after questions. There are a couple programs that you do NOT want to miss. Bob Vila (known widely as the former host of This Old House – also on DIY Channel 111) is found hosting Bob Vila’s Home Again. Stay tuned daily to see each venture through to completion. For you moms, whether you are a working or stay-at-home mom, Creative Juice is the perfect outlet for creative projects you can do with your children. Catch it daily at 5pm EST or on HGTV DISH Channel 112 daily at 7:30am EST.
Get interactive…diynetwork.com features instructions for all projects you see on its shows. To most of you, the thought of redoing an entire room from top to bottom is unimaginable, but this supplement enables you to carry out projects seen on TV with detailed step-by-step instructions.
Check, please: The project simplicity that is brought to you through this entertaining medium makes it “a lot easier than it looks”. Be careful and thoughtful before starting your own project: you don’t want to be left with your basement halfway dry walled.
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