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To stretch or not to stretch? That was the question I posed to you, dear readers, last week in my column on buying an HDTV. Readers were pretty evenly split on whether to keep shows in their standard size, with black bars on the side, or to stretch the image out to fill the screen. That and other musings follow in this week's mailbag.

Congrats on the new HDTV, Dalton — welcome to high-tech world with the rest of us! My husband and I decided to not watch TV shows in 4:3 because (a) those pesky black lines distract us from the shows, especially with those giant ''HDTV'' letters in them; (b) we paid a mint for a bigger and clearer picture, and the black lines just make a mockery of that investment; and (c) it's refreshing to see all those stick-thin TV people look almost normal when the picture stretches them out. Happy watching! — Martha Culver

Yeah, that's what had me stretching at first — trying to get my damn money's worth. Still can't help but feel everyone looks a bit funky that way, though.

If you are a guy that likes big butts then stretch that s--- out! It works for all hotties, with real big butts or not. However, be careful when watching Jessica Biel, the sides of your TV will crack. — Billy

Why are the sweet sounds of Sir-Mix-a-Lot suddenly dancing in my head?

After nearly a decade of watching widescreen versions of The Matrix, the SE Lord of the Rings movies, the Alien movies on a regular TV, I've come to have a sense of pride seeing the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. It meant I was watching the movie in widescreen the way it was meant to be watched. I still to this day judge people who buy pan & scan DVDs (die, pan & scan!). With a widescreen TV, I kind of miss the black bars when I watch a movie, so it's oddly nice to see them on the sides when watching non-HD TV. — Mike Z

Yeah, you know, the black bars don't really bug me anymore, and, like you, I'm used to them on top and bottom from years of watching widescreen movies. As I mentioned, I think the stretching thing was more about me trying to maximize my screen size, but I also was concerned with...dammit! Just got Sir-Mix-a-Lot stuck in my head again. Seriously! Once it's in there you can't get it out! Let's just move on.

Oh Dalton, how I laughed in an ''Oh-my-God-I'm-reading-my-life!'' kind of way as I followed your HD journey. The initial hesitance, the online reviews, the all-important HD envy that sent me spinning in the first place...I know how you felt. I went through it three months ago...but man, was it worth it! But the detail that got me to write were those dang balloons. You know, those hot air balloons over Vermont? The Sunday night after I got my TV, after DVRing much randomness on Discovery HD, I found myself staring at the slowest-moving TV program I had ever seen. And I LOVED it! Because it was AMAZING! Ahhh, Sunrise Earth. I was captivated, hearing naught but the occasional bird and the firing of heated gas as they propelled the balloons along their lazy, lazy journey. I found myself imagining myself preparing for the week by watching it every Sunday night, exploring my world through the incredible sharpness and detail that was Sunrise Earth. I imagined it as a time of meditation and relaxation — just me and my HDTV. Then, of course, I was introduced to the rest o' the world of HD and though I've tried to recapture the magic of my first HD sunrise, I can't. Why? Because holy freaking COW, it's sooooo boring! But I'll never forget my first time...and I'm glad that you can relate. — Patrick LaFleur

It's hypnotic, really. I just sat there watching it and could actually feel drool slithering down my chin because I was too entranced to close my mouth. Even my hyperactive kids just sat there like nature-appreciating zombies. Holy crap, I totally just came up with the best movie idea ever — zombies in a hot air balloon! What are they doing in a hot air balloon? Beats me. How can they hunt down and feed on human flesh from a hot air balloon? I have no idea. But it still would be funny as hell. I have to get the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center on this, pronto.

Dalton, get out! No, seriously, I can't believe you watch Get Out. My husband always slips this onto the TIVO list — I innocently watched the first recorded episode thinking it would take me back to our lovely vacation in Mexico, only to be subjected to a 15-minute interlude of Tiffani and Ashli frolicking in an outdoor shower. For shame!! — Shannon Reid

I agree completely! It is shameful. But I have no shame — you know that, Shannon. And I swear, I'm looking at the...uh, nature. Although it is somewhat odd to have a nature show where the hosts are not all completely ''natural,'' if you know what I'm saying…. You don't, do you? Boob jobs. I'm talking about boob jobs.

Please tell me you didn't miss Planet Earth on Discovery HD. It's amazing — find someone with the DVDs. I am also addicted to the MOJO HD network. Three Sheets (which airs on said network) is my new favorite show. — Jackie Malicki

Wanna know what a loser I am, Jackie? I actually held on to the Planet Earth DVDs for months, just waiting to properly view them on my HDTV with up-converting DVD player. Didn't even open the package until I had the right equipment. You're right — it's mind-blowing. Even, dare I say, better than the balloons.

Couldn't agree more about Entourage. My roommate and I watch it every Sunday night but continue to be in awe of how ridiculous it's gotten. Now, ever since the Dennis Hopper episode, whenever something really convenient happens, we just say, ''The hippie forgot to place the bets!'' — Aaron Fullerton

Yeah, it's pretty sad how lame it's gotten. I've seen good shows go bad and then bounce back, but I can't say I hold out that much hope in this case. It's a lot harder for comedies to get their groove back.

Sick of me dissing Vincent Chase and the boys? Are you a TV-on-DVD addict? And what summer shows do you argue about with your friends? Send your questions, comments, and quibbles to theglutton@ew.com, or just fill out the handy-dandy form below. See ya next week!