I would recommend to use Atmel 89c51RD2 or ED2. They can be programmed with simple wire connection (with MAX232 logic levels conversion IC) to RS232. Free software (Flip) is available on Atmel site. Also, with these uC you can use FlashMon from Keil for easy hardware debug.
Re: anyone got 8051 programmer or development board circuit
hi
i started with 8051 and i suggest the same.
u can easily get AT89s8252 of 8051 family for which compiler is free on web
(keil) and the programmer is so simple as it can be assembled in a bread board
here it is