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Back in December of 2009 I put out a list of shows I called Pringles for the Brain. They were shows that I enjoyed zoning out to when running on the treadmill. I thought maybe it was time for an update on what shows populate my Treadmill DVR. The current roster includes:
Chuck (NBC – Mondays 8PM) – currently one of the best shows on TV
CSI (CBS – Thursdays 9PM) – always good.
The Cape (NBC – Mondays 9PM) – New, campy and fun
Fringe (Fox – Fridays 9PM) – I think this is my favorite, it is The X-Files improved
30 Rock (NBC – Thursdays 10PM) – possibly the funniest show since Seinfeld
V (ABC – Tuesday 9PM) – New, after starting slowly, the show is picking it up
The Mentalist (CBS – Thursdays 10PM) – one of the more entertaining shows on TV, I wish I could do what Patrick Jane does
Family Guy (Fox – Sundays 9PM) – New – raunchy fun…sometimes crosses the line
Lie to Me (Fox – was on Mondays) – similar to the Mentalist
The Event (NBC – Mondays 9PM) – if LOST and 24 had a baby, this would be it
Human Target (Fox – was on Wednesdays, may be cancelled) – reminiscent of shows from the 80’s
The Good Guys (F0x – was on Fridays, may be cancelled) – would be a shame if this were cancelled, Bradley Whitford is extremely entertaining
Chase – (NBC – was on Mondays, may be cancelled) – Annie and her crew were growing on me, I hope they bring the show back
So there it is. This army of shows has helped me through several long runs when the roads were just too icy to risk injury. It’s tough to stay motivated for 20 miles on a treadmill without something to distract you, right? If you have a treadmill but don’t have a DVR hooked up nearby, I highly recommend it, otherwise you’re stuck watching whatever is on the tube at the time. At 4AM, when I run, there ain’t much on.
I would love to hear what you like to watch while zoning out and putting in miles.
Run Luau Run 
I love the phrase Pringles. In ’09 we had a tradition of watching Friends on DVD on my daughter’s laptop as we just allowed ourselves to veg and recover from the long runs. I would suggest the Amazing Race and Mad Men as two shows that we love to veg out to and which would move those miles right along on the treadmill.
I may have to put Mad Men on my Netflix queue.
While I currently shut the TV off on the treadmill at the gym for the short runs I’m currently on, I love the new show Chicago Code on Fox. Do you watch House?
Never did get into House. I know people love it though.
I had to do 16 on the mill last weekend and actually went all NPR podcast: ‘Wait wait don’t tell me”. I have 20 due tomorrow and it is snowing here in Portland Oregon so will definitely need a Pringle hit. Mad Men is my favorite.
Love “Lie to Me” and “The Cape!” However, I’m still working-on hooking-up the cable in the basement, but I have Netflix Streaming from the Wii all hooked-up. Currently watching Seasons 1-2 of Whale Wars and Seasons 1-2 of Dexter… On the treadmill at work it’s usually Sportscenter, NFL Channel or MSNBC (or if I really need some extra anger for motivation… Fox News).
I actually have the Wii set up with Netflix as well, just in case I need back up…my only problem with streaming Netflix is that their selection is still a bit limited. Can’t wait ’til they expand their library.
You should give it a thorough look again. They have a CRAP-LOAD of TV shows, the entire Starz network library, kids shows and movies, and my favorite… Documentaries (I’m a documentary freak)!
You are my hero for pounding out 20 on the ‘mill. Keep up the great work, buddy!
Thanks Claire! Looking forward to seeing you for Boston!
You have a bunch of shows on your list I have never watched! I agree with you about 30 Rock! That show is hilarious! I am also really loving Outsourced and Couples (or maybe it’s Perfect Couples… something like that) both of those are also on NBC on Thursdays.
When I have a long run to do on the treadmill I like to put on a movie. Something I have seen a million times and love but don’t need to finish it to enjoy it. Like Princess Bride, Shrek, Office Space, any of the Kevin Smith movies (Clerks, Chasing Amy etc), Anchorman, Austin Powers… there are probably some others I am forgetting. Or sometimes I will just put on the Turner Classic Movie channel, watch an old black and white I have never heard of. That’s always fun too.
Love the Pringles! I’ll add Perfect Couples and Modern Family to list – both laugh out loud funny.
Wow, you have quite the list! I’m a regular Family Guy viewer – if you really want to see a “crosses the line” joke, search for “Peter Griffin Britney Spears Tampon” – it’s unbelievable.
Searching it now!
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Love pringles for the brain.
Luckily this season, I’ve only had to suffer through 2 long runs on the TM. 10 miler – I watched my 6yo son play trains. That was AWESOME. He counted up to 100 with me for the last mile.
The other one, a half marathon at 9:30pm after the kiddos were in bed. I don’t know what the heck got me through. Music. And M&Ms every 3 miles I think.
Ooo! M&M’s…I’m gonna have to try that one!
Great list! I found myself wishing I had a treadmill for probably the first time ever 🙂 You would roll your eyes at my list of guilty pleasure tv- totally girlie, but definitely has the Pringles effect! 🙂 Amen for DVR’s too!
in the raunchy category, i liked “the league”, maybe something you would enjoy, i don’t know. fun.
i just bought the first season of justified, for the treadmill, not sure how that will go, but we’ll see.