We have the Trek Magneto Cycle Ops. It's fine, definitely not one of the fancy ones, but the trainer is never really gonna be a fun time anyway.
Personally I have a hard time using it in front of TV shows because it feels so tedious, although I did once do a challenge where I did at least 4 miles on it every day for a month. I don't know if I got much out of that really. I highly recommend trying to get your hands on videos like Sufferfest or Coach Troy. They provide a GREAT workout. I'm always a sweaty mess after a Coach Troy video. On the bike you always hold back on the intensity SOME because you know you need to stay upright and get back home -- neither is an issue on the trainer, so you can hit your limits. Once my father did fall off one because he went too hard. I've been close to that myself to be honest! Those are a pretty good way to not be bored, because it's lots of varied short interval style efforts, with rest between, and gives you a serious endorphin kick which can help with winter blues.
Another option are rollers. I hate the rollers and pretty much refuse to use them, but my husband pulls them out every now and then. It basically feels like you are riding on ice -- I clearly never got the hang of it. Those aren't boring because you are fearing for your life the entire time. The benefit there is that it greatly improves your bike handling skills on the road. You probably can't watch TV while doing them though, if you can manage that you are a champ. ALSO don't use them next to glass coffee tables. (Seriously, people have died).