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.

Why Aren't You Watching: Happy Endings

Here's another classic television scenario: a critically acclaimed show that can't quite seem to catch on in the mainstream as well as it should, making its fans fear for its survival (the campaign to save this hilarious show begins now!). With all the fantastic comedies on TV today, its expected that a few might get lost in the shuffle, especially when they're place on the schedule gets shuffled more times than a deck of cards after going head to head with another comedy targeting the same demographic, but a stronger brand (the also fun New Girl). For those of you who enjoyed watching Happy Endings after Modern Family last year, you may not have even known it is already halfway through its third season and will finish it by doubling-up episodes on Fridays at 8pm starting March 29th on ABC. For those of you who have yet to appreciate the wacky fast-paced humor of this modern-friends gem of a show (more modern than How I Met Your Mother even), now is the perfect time to catch up and join in, and hopefully we'll all get our own happy ending as well. Seriously, just watch the opening minutes of the Season 2 premiere and tell us you're not enticed to stick around.

The series begins at the wedding of Dave (Zachary Knighton) and Alex (Elisha Cuthbert), who grew up up together along with Alex's older sister Jane (Eliza Coupe) and perpetually single Penny (Casey Wilson). However the wedding doesn't go to smoothly as some guy on roller blades comes in to declare his love for Alex and she runs out, leaving Dave at the alter. The initial premise then becomes how a tight-knit group of friends manage when their long-time couple friends split up, though this idea really only sticks for the first 5 episodes or so (for those catching up: ABC aired the first season out of order, so to spare yourself the potentially confusing or just annoying inconsistencies check here for the correct order to watch them), until each episode basically becomes a stand-alone, similar to Friends. The rest of the cast is filled out by Jane's husband Brad (Damon Wayans Jr., recognizable to those who saw the first episode of New Girl, this is the reason he couldn't stay on that show) and Penny's college ex-boyfriend Max (Adam Pally), who she inadvertently helped come out in what he describes as "his first gay relationship" since she is essentially his gay husband. All together they get involved in all sorts of shenanigans, helping each other out while never missing an opportunity for pile-ons (aka a good natured barrage of insults).

One part of what makes Happy Endings so original and modern is its tendency to play with sexual and racial stereotypes, as Max is a selfish slob (who turns into a hibernating Winnie the Pooh for the winter, eating honey by the fistful and speaking in growls) and Brad is a confident flamboyant ("So now a brother can't twirl?"). Furthermore, the theatrically clumsy Penny (who hits her big head so many times she's instructed to wear a helmet) is often seen dating a new guy every episode, something they all make notice of, including her ("Ah yeah David, I did take a whore's bath okay? I had a one night stand and didn't have time to shower so did I rub some dryer sheets on my pits and throw some water on my hush at Au Bon Pain? Yes I did": her eloquent response to being offered a '20s style drink called Whore's Bath). And despite the show's existence in a heightened multiple-jokes-per-minute and fast-paced world, the characters are aware of this and their own excessive quirks. However, these characters are much more than their most prominent traits, like how Jane's extreme type-A personality is much crazier than a simple obsession and far more versatile as she can be as wild as she is organized ("You lightly bite one security guard and they act like you're a criminal!"). Even the initially less-exciting characters of Dave and Alex have also grown into more vital parts of the group, with Alex's enthusiastic stupidity (she buys a racist parrot on Craigslist and names her clothing store Xela, pronounced "Shay-la") mixing well with any other character and Dave's... well, Dave-ness (once you see the season 2 episode where they discuss each of their roles in the group, you'll understand how he is the odd one out, without knowing himself quite as well as the others and constantly thinking he's the best at something: "If I'm not the cool one who am I?").

So if you're a fan of any of the other shows mentioned above or just love to laugh, come check out this ah-mah-zing show, you'll love its fun-loving characters and quick-witted writing as much as we do (and not just because of Penny's words of wisdom)

Retrospective: Veronica Mars

We've all been there, having a show that we love  get canceled, and it really stings when they can't wrap up all their storylines or end on their own terms (and its especially frustrating when it goes out with a cliffhanger). Dozens of shows bite the dust each year, and time was that any prospects of a revival were just wishful thinking. However, in today's television climate, we are very fortunate that cancellation doesn't always mean gone forever. It is getting more and more common for competing networks to pick up their rivals' low-rated-but-quality shows (TBS saving Cougar Town from ABC, TNT saving Southland from NBC, for example), and with the rapid growth of online-viewing, this trend should only increase (Netflix is reviving Arrested Development this May and helped AMC revive The Killing as well). In the internet age, fans no longer have to resort to mailing peanuts (a notable campaign that convinced CBS to revive Jericho for a second season, despite canceling it afterwards) to save their shows. With resources like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, fans can make their voices heard more loudly than ever before. Now Kickstarter, the crowdsourced funding site, is getting into the program revival game with Veronica Mars. Thanks to the tireless efforts of creator Rob Thomas (Party Down) and star Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), fans like myself could contribute directly to fund a Veronica Mars movie, which reached its goal in record time. This brings us to our Retrospective on the series, encouraging you to catch up in preparation for the film.

Much more than the show that launched Kristen Bell's career, Veronica Mars premiered back in 2004 on the WB and ran for two and a half seasons. Then WB merged with UPN to form the CW, where the second half of its third season got lost in the transition and the series was unjustly cancelled. The first season (also the best one) begins with Veronica Mars' Junior year at Neptune High (yes Veronica Mars lives in Neptune, California), nearly a year after her best friend Lilly Kane (Amanda Seyfried) was murdered. Veronica's dad, Sheriff Kieth Mars (Enrico Colantoni), was convinced Lilly's family was responsible, but a few months later an anonymous tip led to a Kane Software employee, who then confessed. Lilly's billionaire father had Kieth ousted as Sheriff, while Veronica was dropped from by her rich clique (and her boyfriend Duncan, Lilly's brother), making them local outcasts and leading Veronica's mother to abandon them with the town. Kieth then became a private detective with Veronica working after school as his assistant, typically taking on her own clients (both within and outside the school) as well. She also starts her own investigation into the suspicious elements surrounding Lilly's murder, determined to find the real story and culprit, all in a modern-noir setting.

Despite all she's been through (including a suspected rape--she can't remember what happened--at a party right after her outcasting) and her pariah status, Veronica, as we know her, is far from a victim. Instead of being sullen, wistful, or angry, she is proactive, persistent, and tough. Armed with a camera, a taser (not to mention her dog, Backup), and her own quick wit, she never backs down from a fight and readily defends herself from the popular bitches and douchebags she once called her friends. The most prominent of them being the wise-cracking Logan Echols (Jason Dohring), the wealthy, broody son of actors (played by Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna) and former boyfriend of Lilly (Ryan Hansen plays another named Dick Casablancas who provides some dimwitted comic relief as well). Veronica does end up finding a friend in the form of new student Wallace (Percy Daggs), and eventually teen motorcycle-gang leader Weevil (Francis Capra) as well, who helps demonstrate the steep class separation present in the small town. To delve deeper into these characters and their relationships with Veronica would be to spoil the surprising and rich developments that ensue as the primary mystery is slowly uncovered, along with various other twisty cases.

Yes despite the show's cancellation, the mystery of Lilly's murder is solved by the end of the first season, with another central mystery introduced and resolved in the second season, and two more that divide the third (which moves the setting to college, changing the show's formula slightly). You won't be left with lingering mysteries, though you will be left wanting more of Veronica, her snarky insults, and her inquisitive narration. So come discover this high school noir gem and get sucked into its fairly dark plotlines, but often hilarious characters, and then join us for the high school reunion in 2014. (the first two seasons are available for free at www.thewb.com)

So, How Is: Arrow

Although it only just premiered this past fall, Arrow (which returns March 20th to Wednesdays on the CW) seems to maintain a fully realized and complete vision for its entire series, setting up various villains and plots while delving deep into the history of its main character. Thanks to its comic origin, Arrow has a vast catalog of material to help it stay on the air for a very long time, much like Smallville before it (which actually featured its own, shallower, version of the Green Arrow character), though they are considerably different in their execution. Heavily influenced by Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins and its gritty, more realistic, portrayal of the comic book word, Arrow follows billionaire heir Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) as he returns to Starling City after being stranded on a mysterious island for five years. Through chronological flashbacks (of course there are flashbacks, what show today doesn't have flashbacks?), we witness Oliver's transformation from irresponsible trust fund kid to solemn hero as he is forced to survive in a very inhospitable, and surprisingly far from desolate, island environment after his father's yacht sinks off shore leaving no other survivors.

In the present, Oliver is reunited with his remaining family members and former friends who presumed him dead along with his father. His secretive mother Moira (Susanna Thompson), wild sister Thea (Willa Holland), and fun-loving buddy Tommy Merlyn (Colin Donnell) struggle to accept this darker and scarred version of the Oliver they once knew, while a mysterious hooded vigilante begins to threaten the rest of the city's one percent. Armed with a bow, quiver full of arrows, and an insane physique capable of even more insane acrobatics and combat, Oliver works to save Starling from the selfish upper crust like his father who "have failed this city." However, Oliver's careful planning goes even further as he recruits his imposed bodyguard Diggle (David Ramsey) to his cause, while elaborately evading Detective Lance (Paul Blackthorne), who has sworn to catch the murderous vigilante, and protecting his secret identity.

Despite the character's similarities to Batman, unlike that caped vigilante, the Green Arrow has no qualms about killing criminals when necessary. Very much like Batman however, Arrow has been developing an eclectic stable of enemies as it introduces additional DC Comics villains, such as the expert assassin Deadshot, and leaves the door open for them to return and grow throughout the series. Another introduction was the character Huntress, whom Oliver clashed with over the definition of justice and vigilantism (and who will be returning as well). Although it employs its comic roots effectively for story and character development, the show is far from restricted by them. Much like AMC's The Walking Dead, Arrow tends to switch things up from the source material, keeping even the fans guessing as to what will happen with a character such as Assistant DA Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy), who is Oliver's ex-girlfriend, and according to the comics, eventual crime-fighting partner Black Canary. Add to these rich characters and twisty plotlines some expertly choreographed (and truly exciting) fight scenes, and you have a show that should keep any Batman fan (and come on, who doesn't like Batman?) satisfied for years to come.

Guilty Pleasures: Pretty Little Liars

Unless you are a girl between the ages of 12 and 22, Pretty Little Liars, currently airing the second half of its third season (the show splits seasons into a summer and winter segment) Tuesdays on ABC Family, is probably one of the best examples of a guilty pleasure you could ever find. However, as anyone who's seen a decent part of the show can attest, it is addictive as hell, roping you in with mysteries on top of mysteries and their solutions yield twice as many new questions as they do answers. Pretty Little Liars follows four high school girls, picking up as the body of their fifth  BFF, classic mean-girl Alison, is found after she went missing a year earlier, her murder completely unsolved. At the funeral, the girls all receive a text from someone only known as A, who seems to know all of their secrets and continues to mess with them throughout the series. Those are the two primary mysteries of the show, and even though the identity of A was eventually discovered, there turned out to be more than just one A-ntagonist. Similarly, the case of Aly's murder has also yielded a variety of seemingly sure-thing suspects, only for crucial new information to be revealed (often through flashbacks, naturally) that of course clears the person you were so sure did it an episode ago. Add those to the ever increasing number of other mysteries involving the upper class citizens of Rosewood, PA, and you have the twistiest and most secret-filled town this side of Twin Peaks.

In addition to these perpetual mysteries, the other main aspect that keeps you coming back are the show's four talented leads and, as a guy, their attractiveness certainly doesn't hurt (and like most high school-set programs, they are all well into their twenties of course). Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario) is the over-achiever, facing constant pressure to live up to her family name and her sister's academic success. Emily Fields (Shay Mitchell) is the sensitive athlete who experiences an awakening as she realizes her sexual orientation. Aria Montgomery (Lucy Hale) is the artsy old soul who becomes romantically involved with her English teacher. And Hanna Marin (Ashley Benson) is the formerly-hefty rebellious one who never met an authority figure she couldn't flout or a situation she couldn't lighten with a sassy line. Together they attempt to fight back against the A-team, uncover the true identity of Alison's killer, and the reason for her murder. All while simultaneously trying to navigate the academic and social drama of high school (and never wearing the same outfit twice apparently). This being a show directed at teenage girls, there are of course a variety of guys present as well (ones who typically end up shirtless at least every other episode), but the show also devotes a substantial amount of time developing the adult characters (parents, teachers, school alumni, etc.) as well. Add these fully developed characters to Pretty Little Liars' juicy mysteries, plot twists, and crazy cliffhangers, along with healthy doses of humor (intentional comedy as well as the often hilarious melodrama), and you have a show that just might lure you out of your own demographic to tune in as well.

Procedurals with Pedigree: Person of Interest

Currently airing its second season on CBS Thursdays at 9pm, Person of Interest has developed from a simple procedural with a slight sci-fi bent into a compelling drama with unique cases, exciting action, and complex adversaries. The basic premise of the show relies on today's camera surveillance-heavy world, as Harold Finch (a typically subdued Michael Emerson, who perfected his subtle acting style as Ben Linus on Lost) relies on a machine that hacks into every camera and computer to predict violent crimes. Finch, a computer genius, created this machine and sold it to the US Government so it can prevent acts of terror, however they have deemed the everyday crimes involving ordinary people that are also predicted irrelevant. As a fail-safe, Finch left a secret backdoor into the machine so he can receive the identification numbers for the people involved in these murders, but the catch is the machine does not specify whether the number refers to victim or the perpetrator.

To help him in his mission, Finch recruits a presumed-dead CIA Agent named John Reese (a stone-faced Jim Caviezel) to take care of the leg work, which often involves the use of weaponry and hand-to-hand combat, to stop these violent criminals and save innocent lives. Their partnership reflects the classic pairing of "the brain" and "the muscle," as Finch and Reese coordinate their respective skills to remain in the shadows and atone for their individual pasts. As a show produced by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Star Trek), there are of course regular flashbacks to fill in the historical context and open up new mysteries involving each character. While the show's creator, Jonathan Nolan (who co-wrote The Dark Knight along with his brother, director Christopher Nolan), imbues the series with action and detective styles that call to mind Batman himself. The dry banter between the two leads also offers some very welcome comedy to the typically tense proceedings.

The two rely on a couple of assets in the NYPD as well, by blackmailing former dirty cop Detective Fusco (Kevin Chapman), and eventually recruiting his boss, Detective Carter (Taraji P. Henson), as well. Carter actually begins the series hunting Reese, aka "the man in the suit," because of his ties to multiple crime scenes,  but the show really takes off when she finally realizes the good in their work and joins the team. Carter's initial arc is just one small example of the various serialized plots that occur within the procedural frame work of the show. These complex storylines, often involving new and formidable adversaries for both Reese and Finch, present intriguing mysteries for the audience to unravel and are primarily what make Person of Interest such an exceptional show, one that is truly worth watching.

Newbies: The Following

The Following, Mondays at 9pm on FOX, is the gripping tale of a serial killer's elaborate revenge against the FBI Agent who caught him, complete with plenty of flashbacks as well. Having seen three episodes so far, the show does seem to execute these tasks artfully and sufficiently, however its dark topic can often be pretty appalling for broadcast TV and may be difficult for some viewers who may not be so desensitized. For those who can stomach it, the show effectively combines elements of suspense, horror, and mystery to offer a deep look inside the mind of serial killers and the FBI's intense efforts to stop them.

The series stars Kevin Bacon as Ryan Hardy, a former FBI Agent who is brought back into the agency as a consultant once the serial killer he put away, Joe Carroll (an exceedingly creepy James Purefoy), sets into motion an intricate plan involving his own cult of killers. A former college professor, Carroll is obsessed with the work of Poe and uses his stories and philosophies to inform his actions. His goal is to create a novel (each episode takes on the title of chapter) with Ryan as the protagonist, while each of his disciples provide a new challenge. Part of his elaborate plot involves his ex-wife Claire (Justified's Natalie Zea), as he had supplanted her nanny with his own follower for the past few years, so his seven year-old son could be efficiently abducted for further nefarious schemes and methods of taunting Ryan. This early in the story, its difficult to know what shape Carroll's entire scheme will eventually take, and that is one of The Following's greatest strengths: a complex narrative that will unfold slowly over the course of the series. Even as we get to witness his followers handling his son, along with flashbacks into their diverse and disturbed lives, the ultimate outcomes remain unpredictable, maintaining the audience's focus. Additional flashbacks to Ryan's initial investigation and discovery of Carroll's sinister nature, including his own relationship with Carroll's ex-wife, add an intriguing dimension to the show, even though their chronology can be tricky to follow and they sometimes take away from the present-day case's momentum. Overall, The Following is an interesting examination of serial killers and the people who hunt them, wrapped up in a tense and intricate yarn.

Farewell: 30 Rock (Top Ten Episodes)

Its never easy saying goodbye to TV show, but at least it is exciting to watch when a show is allowed to end properly. Thankfully NBC's 30 Rock is one of those shows. Its actually shocking to believe that a critically adored, but low-rated show, with a joke-per-second ratio even higher than Arrested Development, absurd serialized plotlines, and more jabs at its own network than perhaps anyone else in the world, could last 7 full seasons and remain consistently funny. Even when 30 Rock wasn't "Reaganing," it still had us "lizzing" at one of the best comedies on television, featuring America's favorite coworker/little-brother/mentor/mentee/sister-ployee/work-oracle, Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) and Liz Lemon (show creator Tina Fey), a truly modern (and thankfully platonic) friendship between members of the opposite sex. Both wittily complex and hilariously stupid, 30 Rock was an especially original program that will be sorely missed by all who appreciate its zaniness and topical commentary. Join us as we send off this modern classic with a list of our top ten episodes in chronological order (an extremely difficult task, as any fan will know):

1. Jack-Tor (S01 E05) 30 Rock didn't take long to begin mocking the television industry, as this episode featured the first of many product placement gags as Jack tries to star in a corporate synergy ad.
2. Rosemary's Baby (S02 E04) Liz is inspired when she meets her writer/producer idol, played by Carrie Fisher (aka Princess Leia!), but soon realizes that Rosemary's '60s-era edgy wit has degraded into craziness.
3. Into the Crevasse (S04 E02) Jack must go deep into the darkness to fight off an attack from his nemesis Devon Banks (Will Arnett), while Liz must do the same to get Tracy off her back when he finds out her Dealbreakers book was largely inspired by him (so she lets him produce a porno on her life of course).
4. Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001 (S04 E07) Liz's rational personality splits when faced with the pressure of becoming a television star, forcing her to understand Jenna's insane diva behavior, while Tracy is quickly distracted by his dreams of having a daughter when he discovers EGOT.
5. Anna Howard Shaw Day (S04 E13) Tired of her perpetually horrible Valentine's Days, Liz attempts to skip the holiday completely with a root canal, leading her to see hallucinations of her exes; the douchey Dennis (Dean Winters), charming Floyd (Jason Sudeikis), and dumb-but-pretty Drew (Jon Hamm). Before the next episode where she finds out she met her "settle-mate," the British Wesley Snipes (Michael Sheen), in the recovery room. Meanwhile, Jack meets his future wife, CNBC host Avery Jessup, as the two flirt on her show.
6. Live Show (S05 E04) The first of 30 Rock's two live episodes, a strange fusion of styles, but hilarious nonetheless. Liz is upset that no one seems to have remembered her 40th birthday, while Jack is struggling with his promise to quit drinking while Avery's pregnant. The show's signature cut-away gags featured Julia Louis-Dreyfuss as Liz (being a live program so Tina Fey couldn't be two places at once), prompting Jack to tell her that she looks much prettier in her flashbacks.
7. Double-Edged Sword (S05 E14) Jack and Liz must deal with the consequences of dating someone so similar to themselves, as Jack and Avery struggle to escape Canada so their baby can be American, while Liz and Carol (Matt Damon) have a passenger vs. pilot stand off on the tarmac.
8. Murphy Brown Lied to Us (S06 E18) Liz reconsiders her maternal desires, so Jack sets her up on a blind date to reinspire her, since the date's young daughter happens to have a personality much like a young Liz.
9. Governor Dunston (S07 E02) Jack's plan to tank NBC with poor programming hits a snag when TGS' ratings surge thanks to Romney's new and ridiculous vice presidential candidate, who happens to look exactly like Tracy. Elsewhere, Kenneth's Mom (Catherine O'Hara) and Ron (Bryan Cranston) visit the studio.
10. Mazel Tov, Dummies! (S07 E07) After seeing how easy it was for a married Dennis Duffy to adopt, Liz and boyfriend Criss Chross (James Marsden) sarcastically propose to each other so they can start a family. Although she is at first adamant about her stance against the wedding industry, Criss and Jack help her realize she does want to be a princess (Leia) on her own special day afterall.

Honorable Mentions:
Cleveland (S01E20) Liz falls for the city and dreams of leaving New York with Floyd.
Ludachristmas (S02E09) Jack's mother (Elaine Stritch) attempts to prove that Liz's family aren't as perfect and happy as they appear.
MILF Island (S02E11) Liz schemes like the reality show's contestants to avoid taking the fall for accidentally calling Jack a "class A moron who can eat her poo" to a reporter.
Believe in the Stars (S03E02) Tracy and Jenna argue over which social class has it tougher (leading them to trade places, offensive makeup and all), so Liz invites a tween to come help, since hallucinogenic drugs made her think the girl is Oprah.
100 (S05E20) A gas leak causes trouble during TGS' 100th episode, leading Liz and Jack to question their relationship's benefits, while Jack hallucinates his past, future, and sideways selves.
Tuxedo Begins (S06E08) Jack and Liz emulate Batman and the Joker with opposing views on NYC.
A Goon's Deed in a Weary World (S07E11) Having risen to Kabletown CEO, Jack realizes that the best person to run television must be someone who loves television so he helps Kenneth fulfill his destiny. Meanwhile, the TGS crew help Liz put herself first for once so she can meet her newly adopted children (8 year-old twin versions of Jenna and Tracey, naturally).

Did I leave out your favorite episode? let me know in the comments or just offer up your favorite 30 Rock quotes and chracters!

So, How Is: Go On

Although there is no shortage of great and hilarious comedies on TV today (such as Parks and Recreation, Happy Endings, and Archer, just to name a few at the top), NBC's Go On, which currently airs in the extremely sitcom-crowded Tuesday 9pm slot, has proved to be the best one of the new season so far. Now about halfway into its first season, Go On has demonstrated itself to be much more than just "the Matthew Perry show," with a large cast made up of multidimensional characters instead of dull and over-done caricatures. These fully developed characters allow the show to be a true ensemble comedy, both funny and heartfelt, in the vein of Modern Family.

The premise has recent widower Ryan King (Matthew Perry) join a therapy group to work through his grief so he can go back to work. The role is another wisecracking extension of Friends' Chandler Bing, only as a sportscaster. Whether or not that sounds appealing to you, the real reason to tune in is for the rest of the stellar cast, led by Julie White as Ann, another widower in the group. While Ryan deflects his emotions with mockery, Ann coats everything in a bitter shell, still angry at her wife for failing to take better care of herself for her and their two kids (yes Ann is a lesbian, but that's merely an aspect of her character, rather than what defines it). Another member of the group who is much more than her character description is Sonia (Sarah Baker, Zach Galifianakis' wife in The Campaign), initially known as the crazy cat lady. Her comic timing works wonders when paired with any member of the cast and her sexual enthusiasm is always uncomfortably hilarious. Even the standard "probably actually insane one," Mr. K (Brett Gelman, who's beard should be familiar to comedy fans), has been giving both the group and the audience small insights into his life as a robotics technician, elevating him beyond just being Ryan's idolizer. Even the group's leader, Lauren (Laura Benanti), has been revealed to be only slightly more together than those she helps. With therapeutic training from Weight Watchers, Lauren's insecurities about her relationship with  her boyfriend Wyatt (a recurring Hayes MacArthur, another familiar face) have allowed her to be more than just the group's guide. So if you are able to stand Matthew Perry (which is probably a prerequisite since, lets face it, he is still the center), you'll be pleasantly surprised by this little show's fresh humor and genuine heart.

Why Aren't You Watching: Justified

Justified, currently airing its 4th season Tuesdays on FX (catch up online or with the DVDs), is an all around well-crafted series, featuring tense action and surprising hilarity. Although each episode often features a stand-alone case, plots often bleed into the next episode and there is always a season-long arc/villain as well. Based on the character created by novelist Elmore Leonard, the series revolves around Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (the phenomenal Timothy Olyphant), after he is transferred from the Miami office for killing yet another person "who drew on him first." So although the killings are justified (hey that's the name of the show!), the constant investigations cause too many headaches and his superiors send him to Lexington, Kentucky, right near the criminal-run backwoods of Harlan County where he grew up.

In Harlan is where things get interesting for the Marshal, as he is reunited with his criminal (and slightly senile) father Arlo (Ramond J. Barry), and Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), an eloquent career criminal who worked in the coal mines with Raylan as a teenager. As a Marshal, Raylan's duties are more complex than a cop, allowing him to interact more freely with these characters and others, though these criminal interactions are usually pretty hostile of course. This is just one of the many ways in which Justified reveals itself to be, as star (and hands-on executive producer) Timothy Olyphant describes it, more of a comedy than a drama.

Although the criminals are dangerous, they are often pretty incompetent and fairly stupid, opening the door for a variety of comedic exchanges amongst themselves and with the Marshals hunting them. Raylan's boss Art Mullen (Nick Searcy) and fellow Marshal Tim Gutterson (Jacob Pitts) often exchange wisecracking insults, typically directed at Raylan and his tendency to find trouble, then quickly shoot it. Humor also arises in the clever narrative devices employed throughout the series, such as finding new ways for Raylan to dispatch his enemies than simply shooting them. The show can be consistent with a Western, with Raylan's choice of headwear and quick draw, but the setting and careful writing often take it into its own category. The series truly lives up to its Elmore Leonard roots, with memorable villains and dynamic characters wrapped up in gripping storylines, making Justified feel more like an expertly written neo-noir novel than a weekly television show.

Welcome

Welcome to The Idiot Box, your resource for discovering quality television. From the creator of Addicted to Television, comes the new home of Discoshrew Reviews and News covering all things TV. Here you will learn what shows are helping elevate the television set from a mindless brain-melter to a medium that offers high quality comedy, drama, suspense, adventure, action, etc. for the hungry entertainment consumer.