Why Aren't You Watching: Awkward.

With such an embarrassment of comedy riches today (Veep, Parks and Recreation, and Happy Endings among them), its pretty shocking that one of these gems airs on MTV of all places. Even more shocking, the show's modern high school setting would seem to suggest Awkward. (currently airing its third season Tuesday nights at 10) belongs in guilty pleasure territory, but there is absolutely no need to feel guilty about loving this refreshingly quirky little comedy. For anyone who enjoyed Mean Girls, Juno, and Easy A (and who didn't?), Awkward. comes from the same mold, centering on a Sophomore nobody named Jenna Hamilton (the adorable Ashley Rickards). However, an innocent accident that suspiciously resembles a suicide attempt (she slips and breaks her arm in the bathroom while trying to open a bottle of Aspirin, throwing pills everywhere and knocking her hairdryer into the tub) quickly gives her a prominent, though not very positive, reputation at school. Similar to the aforementioned high school girl movies, Jenna narrates each episode with her own musings, typically in the context of her personal blog diary.

A great aspect of the series comes from its title, as each episode opens with a classically awkward high school experience (like the first episode's, which places Jenna in a thick cast that leaves her arm raised distinctively above the hallway's crowds). Awkward. also presents a few mysteries for its star as well, such as a harshly worded letter Jenna receives right before her accident, demanding her to be more adventurous and simply signed, "a friend." This mystery is solved by the end of the first season's twelve episodes, but a couple others are introduced in season two. This being a female-driven high school show, a large aspect is Jenna's romantic life as she houses a serious crush for the popular Matty McKibbon (Beau Mirchoff), who deflowered her at camp, but doesn't give her the time of day at school. Meanwhile, Matty's much more outgoing and earnest best friend Jake (Brett Davern) begins to get close to Jenna, establishing the requisite love triangle (a strong emphasis of the second season).

Although the show is prominently centered around Jenna, there are a variety of great supporting characters as well, including Jenna's mom (who had her at 16) Lacey (Nikki Deloach). A great source of hilarity is Lacey's constant demonstration of how her skewed values are so divergent from Jenna's, such as encouraging her to get a boob job. Jenna's spunky best friend Tamara (Jillian Reed) is also a riot, being the worst offender of made-up slang by far (which is saying something in a series that coined "skitch," "sexcretions," and "DTR aka Define the Relationship"). Another significant abuser of the english language (and the rest of the high school) is resident "fat bitch" Sadie Saxton (Molly Tarlov) who's family wealth provides her with power over everyone including the faculty, as she also never misses a chance to make Jenna's life a living hell. Finally, the kookiest (and perhaps most unbalanced character) is the school's guidance counselor Val (Desi Lydic), who takes a special interest in Jenna after her "attempt" with very questionable tactics and a not-so-secret desire to become her best friend. So whether you still harbor your own attachments to high school, or just want to watch a delightfully original and hilarious comedy, check out Awkward. and prepare to get hooked.

So, How Is: The Americans

The Americans, which premiered January 30th on FX, is a Cold War drama set in the 80s that centers on a married couple who are actually undercover Soviet spies. As far as anyone else knows, including their unsuspecting children and the FBI agent who lives across the street, Phillip and Elizabeth Jennings (played to perfection by Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell) are just a typical, DC-area suburban couple who run a travel agency in the city. Although the show can feel a tad unrealistic at times, it paints a fascinating picture of the Cold War and pre-digital spying tactics as two national superpowers scramble to acquire intelligence, by any means necessary.

Since the show was created by a former CIA officer, it portrays modern spy craft in authentic detail, instead of going the quick and dirty route that most spy shows and movies employ. This is one of the show's greatest strengths, as it is quite gripping to witness how each mission is accomplished with seemingly roundabout tactics that ensure security, maintaining the audience's attention with simple curiosity as well as tension. Attention is demanded even further as both KGB and FBI agents rely on a variety of assets for information and tactical support, and those assets usually don't even know who they are truly helping or why. That deception is sustained by the extensive cover identities and disguises the Jennings employ (here's another reason to pay close attention, I almost missed that it was Phil a few times myself).

In addition to this espionage-thriller aspect, the show is also an excellent relationship drama. Phillip and Elizabeth's marriage was arranged by the Soviet Union so they could infiltrate the US and, despite having two children, they were explicitly instructed not to get to know each other by discussing their Russian past, they are only to know each other as Phillip and Elizabeth Jennings, the Americans (those are of course not their actual birth names). Not only do these orders prevent them from becoming close, they breed distrust as well, with Phillip's enjoyment of American culture (and his intense bond with their actually-American children) leading the passionately communist Elizabeth to grow suspicious. However, where the series picks up, they are beginning to see new sides of each other and grow closer, tempting them to try making their romantic relationship real. Add an expansive supporting cast of interesting characters to their personal drama and covert operations and you have one compelling, original take on the spy genre.