[oattes]

OK, based on your guidance, here is a trace from a 'just now' occurrence:
Update: a bigger section of the log http://pastebin.com/sN2qcvs9

Was the issue fixed in last update ? I've added a small delay in the code for refreshing the widgets as it does indeed seem to be a race condition.
If not, I'll have to extend the delay some more.

Sorry, the problem is now much more prevalent ;-{. After starting a 'fresh' Kodi, the updates for the widget(s) work for two or three times. After that they freeze solid. Unlike before, replaying the show will not cause a refresh. I notice that both the 'next episodes' and 'recently added movies' are affected -- perhaps others, but those are the two I use all the time.

er, in kodi_monitor.py/process_db_update: line 156 'self.bgtasks += 1' should surely be 'self.bgtasks -= 1'.

Also, I would say your 'todo' is pretty important. This logic appears to just discard work if the system gets busy and will never recovery it.