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We're in the thick of TV's new fall season, and as the holidays approach, it can be hard to keep up with your favorite shows, let alone discover the latest trends and hottest topics in small screen entertainment. This new Golden Age of Television offers an expansive landscape of writing and amazingly talented casts and creatives, but also the most aggressive genre palette, spanning comedy, drama, horror and even musicals. Not only is the medium itself bursting at the seams, but programming is now found not only across the big broadcast networks, but also deeper into the 'dial' on cable and even on the untamed frontier of the Web.
But where to begin? You don't want to waste your time, aimlessly wandering over 500 channels (and the 'net) to hope for a chance encounter with magic. You just want to be up-to-date on the latest pop culture trends, catch phrases, and actors, making you just a little bit smarter and hipper than all your friends.
Join us as we take you through today's hottest topics in the world of 'television'. Missed it on your TV? Lock and load your media device, because nearly everything hitting your living room will be on the 'net for free tomorrow (or iTunes for a couple bucks), just waiting for you and your iPad or TouchSmart PC. Maybe even better, those same same shows will jump to the rental store or kiosk within a few months in glorious full-season collections that you can catch-up on and replay to your heart's content. So hang on tight as we give you something to talk about at the bar or at the office water-cooler with your know-it-all buddies. It's going to be quite a ride...
Will they ever find Sophia? Sheriff Rick Grimes has led his ragtag group of survivors straight into the mouth of chaos as hordes of roaming Zombies amble down the I-85 in search of fresh flesh to consume in Season Two of AMC's hit horror series. Rick and the gang are holed-up at Hershel Greene's farm as they frantically search for Maggie's missing daughter. Filled with tense moments scarier than anything seen at the local Cineplex, this blood-shellacked series offers non-stop jumps and gruesome gore aplenty. The living dead convulse, hidden in trees, skittering under cars, and destroying RV bathrooms with nothing more than brain consumption on their diseased minds. They're hiding in water wells, and locked in barns, as our small team continues to search for meaning in a world ravaged by the apocalypse. In the midst of it all, Lori is pregnant with either Rick or Carl's baby, hillbilly Daryl is having a crisis of conscience, and Glenn is finally "getting' some" as he makes his play for the farmer's daughter. You do not want to miss one second of this roller coaster ride from hell. As each episode bleeds into the next, this is definitely one you'll love watching all at once on a long flight, or on that holiday break.
Mixing horror with comedy is nothing new, but MTV's latest trend-setting series is pushing this concept to a whole different level with a gruesome, gory laughfest that turns even the most riotous episode of Cops on its head. Meet the UTF (Undead Task Force), a newly formed division of the LAPD set on destroying those supernatural elements currently tearing apart our once great City of Angels. Whether it's a vampire pimp looking to hustle a little blood money, a zombie raiding a donut shop, or an actor turning into a werewolf on the set of a porno, the UTF is there keeping the streets safe from an imminent attack of the monster kind. Filled with jokes that zing as fast as the bullets, and moments of fright that will surely have you jumping behind the couch, nothing fills the need for gut busting laughs quite like Capt. Frank Dashell and his crack team of willing officers. Not to be outdone by its more gruesome scenes of visceral damage, Death Valley also knows when to take a break, putting a sexy body or two on display in-between the carnage. This show's got something for everyone, even grandma.
Someone finally had the bright idea to take Cops and bring it down to the juvenile level of debauchery only found on college campuses during rush week, and on the beaches of Spring Break. Play creepy voyeur as you climb into the backseat of a squad car with real young men and women as they are busted for drunk and disorderly behavior of the worst kind. The fun in this series is seeing how low down and disgusting some of these disreputable individuals can get. From a hardcore biker chick that beats her man senseless with a pair of brass knuckles, to a weeping nerd busted for a DUI, to a comedian who takes after a heckler with a hammer, there's any and all sorts of lewd, raucous behavior to be found hidden within this hash pipe of a reality series. It goes for broke every episode, and always manages to break the bank. MTV originally set out to showcase the troubles and tribulations caused by such behavior as a public service announcement, but Cuff'd is more of a visceral thrill than a cautionary tale. It truly adheres to and upholds the carnival theory aesthetic in a way that would have made Todd Browning proud. Grab a beer, get rowdy, and get your freak on, as handcuffs and a free taxi ride are just another shot of Bushmills away. With many different stories being told in any one episode, Cuff'd is perfect for when you only have a couple extra minutes too spare.
The reigning provocateur of pop culture hard punches, Seth McFarland's crowning achievement remains as fresh and funny in its 10th Season as it did when it first premiered on Fox way back in 1999. The jokes still come fast and furious as if shot from the barrels of eleven simultaneously firing Gatling guns. The Griffin family is set on making their way in a world dominated by commercialism and selfish greed, whether the rest of the human race likes it or not. With Peter winning the lottery and turning his friends into money hungry slaves, the Griffin family trying to ride out a hurricane on magic mushrooms, and a hard-left storyline that focuses on the seemingly humorless issue of domestic abuse, this show refuses to loose its edge. It's a razor sharp Ginsu knife that leaves no stone unturned, no matter how taboo the topic. As fast as it zips from one segue to the next, this is a perfect show to watch in spurts, returning to it days, weeks, even months later.
It doesn't get anymore buzz worthy than this. Spoiler Alert: You'll want to jump on Showtime's best series quick, as the surprises are big news the next day and hard to avoid! After a semi-quiet, yet captivatingly couch-locked Fifth Season, Dexter Morgan, the mild-mannered forensic blood splatter analyst by day, serial killer of the damned by night, has returned to doing what he does best: Slicing and dicing those most deserved of his skin filleting skills. Season 6 finds Morgan up against two killers motivated by the Book of Revelations. Mos Def is earning praise as Brother Sam, a former drug addicted murderer now on the side of righteousness. And Dexter even manages to find a victim at his 20-year high school reunion. The drama runs high, the thrills never stop, and things are never quite as they seem on this exhilarating blast of good old fashion Manson family entertainment. Dexter will make you fall in love with a serial killer, and you'll have one hell of a good time along the way. As this is a serialized shot of intensity from beginning to end, it's best that you set aside a good chunk of time, as you'll want to consume this entire blood splattered meal in one go. Previous seasons are readily available, so it's never too late to get started.
The Internet. You can't escape it. Everywhere you go, one of your friends or co-workers is telling you about some awesome viral video, or hilarious bit of misfortune found hidden away on Youtube or Tumblr. You're never the first to discover some kid slamming his balls into a steep handrail, a Touch Your Boobies' anthem set to a montage of senior citizens doing just that, or a girl choking to death midway through a brownie-eating contest. Worry no more, as comedian Daniel Tosh has your back, and then some. This Talk Soup spin-off has become the goto destination for all your online video needs, packaged in a pretty little box with mirthfully unhinged commentary. Whether its taking swings at society, celebrity, or pop culture in genre, Tosh .0 tackles the hardest hitting clips with verve. Now, you'll never be left in the cold when it comes to knowing what, exactly, is carrot bukkake, who won the Miss Pregnant pageant, or why Face Bumper Smash guy is in need of a Web Redemption. In its third season, heading into its fourth, on Comedy Central, Tosh.0 is the perfect show to watch on the go, any time, any place.
Don't be so quick to write off Comedy Central's latest sitcom as an It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia rip-off. This chaotic work place tsunami has dropped bits of The Office, Nickelodeon's Rugrats, and Homeboys in Outer Space into a Margarita blender, along with a ton of liquor and crazy slang, to pour forth a tasty cocktail of shenanigans that will have you addicted before that first cup full of Blake, Adam, and the Ders is even finished. Whether they're infiltrating the local high school to get back their dragon, taking their boss's brother on a late night trip to the impound yard, battling the sewer like a couple of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turltles, or simply sitting on the roof, enjoying a few beers before work, there is no denying the appeal of these young adults in no hurry to leave their college party ways behind... No matter how much it gets in the way of their job at TelAmeriCorp. This fully torqued blast of up to-the-minute hipness is somewhat of a hidden gem at the moment. Jump on it quick, so you can tell your friends you were there first (even if the show is in its second, going on third, season). Each twenty-one minute episode is great for that commute back and forth to school. But be careful! Before long you'll need your constant fix, hitting it like a crack pipe. It's not TV, its T.B. (you'll have to watch to know what that means!)
It's not just you. Saturday Nigh Live has quite literally been biting the piss biscuit this season... lying face down in the urinal muck, and not even Charlie Day, dressed in his Green Man costume, could save the, no pun intended, day. If you find skits about Lawrence Welk and Vincent Price more than just a little outdated, maybe you should switch off the TV on Saturday night and thumb through Smosh on Youtube. Comedy duo Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla are at the cutting edge of skit comedy, and they are currently kicking through with more bite than the currently toothless gang over at 30 Rock. As shorts such as Real Voodoo Doll and the New Ghostbusters prove, skit comedy is far from dead, and it doesn't have to revolve around ancient jokes that your parent's barely connect with. Your grandma doesn't even remember watching Lawrence Welk. Jump on the new and get a taste for the future, as this duo is sure to be around for a while. Each short hits the three-minute mark, making it perfect for a quick bathroom break, or a timeout from those making you most mad in the world. "Yo, what that noise be?" It's Smosh!
AMC is known for its hard hitting dramas, and this is quickly becoming their latest must-see Sunday night obsession. Successfully resurrecting the Western on the small screen, Hell on Wheels is a swift and brutal revenge drama that follows a former Confederate soldier on the hunt for those who gruesomely murdered his wife. Anson Mount is a surly mix of Old West machismo and brooding cool who quickly wins over the audience with his understated quiet charm, and his lack of hesitation when it comes to offing a 'what could become very popular' character before that first episode even has time to close itself out. The Union Pacific Railroad serves as a mean backdrop for what is quickly building itself into the first solid hit of the late 1800s. Colm Meaney channels Deadwood's much-missed Swearengen with Thomas Durant, rail owner and entrepreneur. And Common is breaking out as a former slave in search of a new life, proving that he's much more than just some silly rapper. Slow and methodical in its set-up, but swift and deadly in its execution, here's one series you simply won't be able to turn off, even after watching three or four episodes back-to-back. If you love Timothy Olyphant in Justified, this show should tide you over until it returns next year.
While much of USA's programming is reserved for ol' fuddy duddies, Pysch has gained quite a reputation as being the premiere destination for awesome cameo appearances from those much beloved, though sorely missed pop culture icons of yesteryear. Not only is it fun to watch these once legendary celebrities hit the playing field again, the series often pays homage to their legacy in ways that are both shocking and hilarious. From Cybill Shepard throwing winks at Moonlighting, to Ally Sheedy playing up her bad girl image from the Breakfast Club, to Ernie Hudson busting ghosts, all the way to Corey Feldman just being himself, chances are, if you turn on Psych, you;re going to be treated to a kick of much needed nostalgia. It doesn't hurt that this throwback to the old school detective dramedies of yesteryear is anchored by the uncompromisingly hilarious duo of James Roday and Shawn Spencer. Quite possibly the best odd couple currently crowding the small screen. Great for any hour long commute, or for getting away from the wife and mother-in-law for a bit, one episode will last you a while. There's no need to rush through the past six seasons to get caught up to date, each episode pretty much stands on is own. A rarity these days.
NBC's Thursday Night Must-See comedy line-up used to mean something. Back in the 80s, 90s, and even in the early 2000s, it was the premier destination for solid laughs and ground breaking comedy. Now that Steve Carell has left his desk at the office, and 30 Rock has been put on hiatus, it's just become a musty line up, with a faltering season of Community that just got shelved, a lost and roaming The Office, and a sterilizing bit of WTF anti-comedy from Whitney Cummings and the Up All Night crew. The only bright spot this year has been Parks and Recreation, which has grown into the best comedy on network television. And it undoubtedly has the top ensemble cast working in front of cameras today (bite your lip, Modern Family). The will-they-or-won't-they romance between Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt has bucked the traditional sitcom tropes to offer a twist on that age-old ploy in keeping viewers interested. Then you have the killer chemistry between shoeshine maven-turned-personal assistant Andy Dwyer and his new bride, the shrewish April Ludgate. The spiraling disaster that is Tom Haverford and Jean-Ralphio's Entertainment 720. And the he-man woman hater awesomeness that is Ron Swanson. NBC's Thursday Night is not dead yet! Parks and Recreation is keeping it alive and vital. Check it out whenever you have thirty extra minutes to spare.
Jump on the Thunder Gun Express! In its seventh season, the Paddy's Pub gang has raged forward like Mike Tyson, ready to bite the ear off all competitors and imitators with a ferocity not ever seen before on television. Mac, Dennis, Dee, Charlie, and Frank are taking the traditional sitcom to heights of debauchery never-before-witnessed in the history of the medium, leaving behind thirty minute long dumpster diamonds that will get you dizzier than huffing a can of paint. Rum ham! Baby Funeral! The Jersey Shore! The Storm of Storms! Chardee MacDennis: The Game of Games! Fat Mac! Shadynasty's! Every single episode this year has been an instant, blood soaked classic, nailing Sunny's position as one of the best sitcoms to ever grace that Smithsonian cross. When a goopy dead dog rolls out of a baby casket, literally taking your breath away, you know these guys have tapped into the dark and deadly subconscious of an America at war with poverty. It's time to grab a beer, settle in, and watch what might be the most shockingly funny comedy to ever grace the small screen. Great for short trips, or long rides. Just don't try to hide away from the family with this one as your goto show of choice. The laughter will sell you out immediately.
Nothing's ever quite as entertaining as watching someone battle their inner demons. Shane Dawson presents a schizophrenic bout of madcap tomfoolery that allows the comedian to dive deep into his own soul, pulling out one of the most whacked repertoires of unhinged personas ever created by a single person. This one-man show is like that scene in Being John Malkovich, were the actor is confronted with a room full of himselves. It just keeps going in a maddening loop that presents Dawson as a performer on par with a young Eddie Murphy, or maybe even Sacha Baron Cohen. Appearing on 2 different Youtube channels, Shane constantly delves into the wicked side of the human psyche with playful takes on those strange individuals that invade all of our lives. From the annoying girl waiting in line at the local fast food restaurant, to that overbearing aunt, to celebrities like Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus. Get it while it's hot, though, as the Shane Dawson express is already chugging towards basic cable with a full-fledged sitcom. At three to four minutes apiece, these tasty nuggets are best consumed when you need a quick visual snack break.
It's been a really long time since something this weird has graced the small screen. Keeping Adult Swim's aesthetic in tact, this, their first ever mini-series, is equal parts Twin Peaks, Mary Hartman, and Dark Shadows combined. Comedian Patton Oswald finally gets the lead role he's long dreamed of, starring as Hurlan Heartshe, the illegitimate son of Hoss Heartshe, ruler of Heartshe Holler. After Hoss dies, Hurlan is yanked out of his hidey hole, where he's been kept since birth, and forced to govern an off kilter collection of psychos and dingbats that plot to have him kilt. It's Southern Gothic by way of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! And Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1. Kristen Schaal offers a breakout performance of the scariest kind with her over-sexed Hershe Heartshe, sister to Hurlan. Its grungy, a bit bloody, kind of gross, and captivating to watch, like an old man browning out his pants in the mall. Each individual episode is only eleven minutes long, but if you have an hour to kill driving across state to see grandma, you can devour this entire series along the way.
Is it comedy? Is it action? Is it utter mayhem? Is it awesome? Heck ya, to all that! This mind-melting mix of riotous skits and crazy FX is bled together in a swirl of lightening, creating something unique unto itself. Whether it's a hot chick in leather blasting her way through a Minecraft Massacre, or a run through Battlefield 4, there's no denying that you've never seen anything quite like this. Aimed directly at the anxious mind of a video game addict, Freddie W.'s thumping crop of fight-heavy shorts is bound to leave shell casings all over your bedroom floor. See live action Mario Cart. Enroll in Video Game High School. Engage in the gamer commute. Bound to get bigger and crazier as it goes along, you might want to log into Fred's Youtube channel and discover this burgeoning gem before it hits the big time. Shorts run anywhere from 2 to 8 minutes, so it's a great little escape when you don't have the time to devote to a more serialized show like The Walking Dead. It is a sure fire must for gaming enthusiasts and special effects aficionados alike.
Zooey Deschanel is the best thing to come out of this new fall season's crop of shows, most of which have gone back into the dustbin from whence they came. Playing the wackiest nerd girl to ever exist has quickly turned Zooey's sitcom into appointment television, once buoyed by, but now supporting, both Glee and Raising Hope. With Jess, Deschanel is redefining what sexy and cool can be, as she channels her inner Gilda Radner to offer up one crazy mishap after the next. Sure, it's an old throwback to the days of Jack Tripper, with a gender switch thrown in for good measure. But having Deschanel at the helm allows golden oldie jokes about platonic male and female cohabitation to seem as fresh as the day TV was invented. It doesn't even matter that Jess lives with two of the biggest Douchebags on the small screen at the moment (Nick and Schmidt, I'm looking directly at you; Winston, you're kinda cool). Though major supporting characters, they serve as nothing more than speed bumps in this girl's captivating existence. Hopefully we'll see more of Justin Long as Jess' potential boyfriend, though the show seems to be setting her roommate Nick up as a future love interest, which would sink this ship quick. As Jess becomes more removed from her present surroundings, the more potential this show has to become a classic in the genre. And it's perfect if you want to watch it with your boy or girlfriend.
The Rubber Man! The monster baby in the basement! The bickering gay ghost couple that killed each other! A Maid that flip-flops between being a wonky-eyed old hag and a fiery sex kitten! A Columbine-like high school massacre! Dead Babies in Jars! The raciest sex scenes on TV! A burnt up, creepy man in a suit who'll kill your college aged fling free of charge! The list just goes on and on. This is one of the most disgusting, jump-worthy horror series ever produced for the small screen. Once you get sucked into this haunted mansion filled with twisted, dark secrets and more surprises than you can shake an aborted fetus at, you'll never be able to escape. The ongoing tour of Murder House never ceases to mesmerize. That it's a grueling metaphor for infidelity makes it even more squeam-inducing. Just because it comes from the masterminds behind the cheerful musical Glee doesn't mean its all sunshine and lollipops. Just the site of Dylan McDermott's bare ass is scary enough on its own. This thing is going balls out (literally) in the whack-a-doo department. American Horror Story sets out to take you on the scariest ride of your life. And it succeeded. You may want to set enough time aside to watch every episode back-to-back. Once you begin, you won't be able to stop watching.
The boys of SAMCRO have roared back to life with a vengeance in their fourth season, bringing along enough horsepower to fuel ten lesser dramas. The year kicked off with our favorite motorcycle gang finally getting out of prison after fourteen months, only to find it worse on the outside. There's a new sheriff in town, and things are far from prefect in Charming, California, as SAMCRO finds itself in one intense showdown after the next. It's all leading up to one big granddaddy of a confrontation that is bound to tear the roof of the mutha sucker. Especially considering that they had to add an extra episode to the end of this run, just to get in the entire story. Roaring motorcycles, bigger than life characters, and a non-stop roll of explosive fireballs make this one of the most gripping long-term journey's currently playing out on basic cable. It contains the kind of action you wish they still made at the movies. This one-hour show requires plenty of attention. You'll want to make sure you have more than just a few moments to check it out.
You don't have to be a fan of fantasy football to fall absolutely head over heels in love with the guys of The League. This ragtag team of misfits compliment each other, as they engage in a rousing bit of wordplay and trickery in hopes of winning that elusive Shiva Bowl trophy. Even though an NFL lockout threatened to shut down their operation this year, Pete, Ruxin, Steve and the rest of the team have managed to find themselves in all sorts of ridiculous predicaments. From Ruxin hiring an Au Pair to take care of Baby Geoffrey, to Kevin finding grey hairs in his pubestash, to the resurrection of a Sukkah temple in Jenny's back yard, its every man for themself, as they try to sabotage each other in the most heinous ways possible. Taco continues to bring the cool tunes, Andre is still wearing the most ridiculous outfits in his means to stay hip, and Rafi is the single most reprehensible character ever created, in history, on film or television, period. If you're sick to death of the homogenized Thursday night comedy line up on network television, then don't hesitate to switch over to FX for this swift punch in the ribs. You'll never look back.
No other family on TV is as funny as the Pritchett Clan. Sure, Modern Family wins a lot of awards, but it deserves them all for resurrecting and revitalizing a moldy sitcom genre with a fresh take on the American lifestyle, here in the 21st Century. It also gives Ed O'Neill a television legacy past his iconic Al Bundy with Jay Pritchett, a bold and flavorful character that is just as funny as anything the actor has ever done. Revolving around the extended families of Jay's two grown children, each new episode delves into the trials and tribulations faced in this new decade. And it's done with twists and inventive turns that the audience will never see coming. Which keeps the jokes lively and of the moment. The show has only gotten bigger and better in its third season. No matter when or where, or how you like to watch your shows, this one will have you coming back week after week. It's a guaranteed winner.
Economic collapse. Countrywide protests. An America in shambles. Who knew that what the world needed right now are two smart-mouthed 14 year olds in heavy metal T-shirts and short-shorts. After a long absence on the small screen, MTV has convinced Mike Judge to dust off his legendary animated bad boys for a new series of adventures, and the time away has done them nothing but good. It didn't seem possible, but this once great duo has returned funnier than ever, and now, instead of taking on music videos, they are providing commentary for MTV's recent spat of reality programming like Jersey Shore and 16 & Pregnant. The boys are also getting into some of their most depraved adventures yet. They've tackled the Twihards, they've flown drone planes, they've become the leaders of a new age movement, and Beavis even cried, which Butthead didn't let him forget until they were both on their deathbeds. Filled with insightful commentary and a sharp wit, Beavis and Butthead is reemerging as the all-time greatest animated series in the history of the medium, though it still has plenty of stiff competition in South Park, Family Guy, and The Simpsons (the later of which will probably be crowned King by default). With two new adventures contained in each episode, Beavis and Butt-Head makes for a great show to watch going back and forth to wherever it is you're headed this holiday season.
Now, it's impossible for us to lay bare the entire smorgasbord television for you . If you're still into your parents' TV (aka TV for the 'commoners'), you'll want to hit CBS for Hawaii Five-0, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds and The Good Wife. NBC hasn't done anything spectacular for awhile (save trying to, apparently, tie a brutally pathetic final season onto their great quirky Chuck that had a great 4 season run before NBC abandoned it). Meanwhile, ABC picked up a spark with Castle and is still riding Desperate Housewives for all they're worth as Fox still seems to have a bit of life in both House and Bones. Unfortunately, all the major broadcast networks seem to want to cram nothing but live variety show entertainment at you, so you'll have plenty of time to check out the great stuff over on USA, the one network that's got great original hour-long shows churning out all year long, like Burn Notice, White Collar, Covert Affairs and a few others.
ionTelevision is making a splash rescuing Flashpoint, a former CBS Friday police procedural that is shared with (and filmed in) Canada. Seems like the new nets understand that they need to take risks on, and support, solid programming to build and keep audiences and create franchises that translate to the Web and disc.
The best of what's on TV right now lays over at FX, Showtime and HBO. Showtime is currently running the 6th season everyone's serial killer, Dexter, while HBO is leading the slow burn of intense drama with prohibition era Boardwalk Empire (the most beautiful show currently on TV), and of course AMC has the fanboy favorite, The Walking Dead. Right now, though, FX is leading the pack with some spectacular character arcs and fantastic storylines with it's outlaw motorcyle club, Sons of Anarchy, and it's grusomely intense freshman outing, American Horror Story (no one has been trying this hard to figure out TV since Lost!).
If you know what you're looking for and where to find it, you can fill your DVR with hundreds of hours of great programming, or stuff your mobile or tablet with a couple seasons of drama or comedy to pass the traveling hours... better yet, pick-up some full season sets on disc to run on your TouchSmart while you're busy working - uncut and commercial-free. You might say television has never been bigger or better... if you know where to find the good stuff.




















