One critic characterized "Breaking Bad's" dark humor as "Thelma and Louise as seen by Dostoyevsky" and that was one of the perkier, more optimistic descriptions. A seven-part AMC series, "Breaking Bad" TV show tells the story of Walt White, high school chemistry teacher turned methamphetamine cooker and dealer. Of course, as Glenn Frye crooned, "The lure of easy money has a very strong appeal," but "Breaking Bad" does not allow for even a split-second of sunshine through the abysmal darkness. In this corner of the universe, crime never-ever pays. Walt, expertly portrayed by Bryan Cranston of "Malcolm in the Middle" fame, is neck-deep in problems, complications, and flat-out ugliness from the minute he lights the Bunsen burner. Although the writers have woven-in some amazingly ironic lines, known in the trade as "comic relief," the characters deliberately deliver their quips in such a super-slow, slack-jawed drawl they seem more tragic than funny. Of course, "Breaking Bad" TV series make some pretense toward allegory of the American middle class struggling through the throes of deep recession, and it scores some hard hits. Most of all, though, "Breaking Bad" shows that even when fine writers, directors, and actors can find humor and pathos in displaced white-collar workers' undignified struggle for dignity, it still looks awfully damned dreary and ugly.

From 1927 until 1991 Pan American Airlines was the largest international air transporter in the U.S. When the financial collapse came in 1991 it was only one of many major airlines to either cease business or be sold to another. The stewardess' role was always to accommodate passengers and insure they had a safe and enjoyable flight. Today they are called flight attendants and many are males but back in 1963, the setting for TV series Pan Am, becoming a stewardess with a major airlines was considered the dream job for many young women! In this one hour dramatic program we follow the lives of several "stews" and see how complicated some lives can be even while living the American Dream. When new hire Laura Cameron's photograph graces the cover of LIFE Magazine's latest issue it brings the occupation of stewardess into the spotlight and makes Cameron an instant celebrity even though she's only finished her training three weeks ago. Cameron is played by Margot Robbie (I.C.U., City Homicide), Maggie Ryan is under suspension for not wearing her girdle to work and is played by Christina Ricci (Saving Grace, Grey's Anatomy), and experienced stewardess Kate Cameron (Laura Cameron's older sister) has been approached by a CIA type with a special request, is played by Kelli Garner (Going The Distance, My Generation).

Off the Map is a character based medical show set in South America. The newest medical drama show from producers of Grey's Anatomy is proving to be a hit series. The latest offering from ABC television, "Off the Map" TV show premiered January 12 of 2011 with some endearing characters going on the "adventure of a lifetime". The show is set in the tropics of South America where three intrepid doctors do their best to save people who are in serious need of medical help. While life is not exactly primitive down in this tropical area of the world, it most definitely is not up to date as far as medical supplies go. Dr. Ben Keeton (Martin Henderson) lost his child and his wife due to an accident and he's having problems coping with the single doctor lifestyle even though he has friends who encourage him. Dr. Otis Cole (Jason Winston George) is one of those docs that most say has a bite every bit as bad as his bite. While super strict at work he also has a somewhat zany side. A former addict he lives for candy as his fix of choice now days. Dr. Lily Brenner (Caroline Dhavernas) has been heartbroken when her fiancee was killed in an accident. Off the Map TV show is a soap opera-ish show and a fun divergence from the normal seriousness involved with medicine. Fans of Grey's Anatomy might like this one.

The hot new drama produced by John Eisendrath, Outlaw TV show takes "˜representing the little guy' to a whole new level. Jimmy Smits stars as Cyrus Garza; a well respected, straight shooting Supreme Court justice who is also known as a gambler and playboy. However, after abruptly resigning from his high level position many refer to him as an outlaw as he returns to private practice to "˜represent the little guy'. Garza uses his inside knowledge of the system to battle some very powerful people and take on the today's biggest cases to make sure the law does what he believes it is suppose to.

Haven't we all wondered if we had perhaps been switched at birth when we disagreed with our parents? Now how about if it turns out that the hospital actually did switch babies, purely by accident? And the families don't find out until the children are teenagers. Bay Kennish (played by Vanessa Marano from Without a Trace and the Gilmore Girls) has a high school project that includes learning about blood types and she inadvertently finds out her parents blood types do no match hers, showing she absolutely cannot be related to either of them. The family has their DNA tested and confirms the results Bay has come up with in school. Finding that the hospital made a huge error by mixing up the babies, they find the other child and discover how different her life is. Lea Thompson (Back to the Future Trilogy) is Bay's stay at home mom Kathryn and her father, John is played by D.W. Moffett (Friday Night Lights). Bay's new found sister is Daphne (Katie Leclerc from Veronica Mars) who unfortunately suffered deafness due to a case of meningitis as a young child. Daphne, her mother, and grandmother have a hard life and soon the Kennishes invite them to live in their guest house. Deaf actress Marlee Matlin also stars as friend of Daphne's mom, Regina.

America cannot get enough "True Blood." Derived from Charlaine Harris's series of novels, The Southern Vampire Mysteries, and produced by the same characters and company who brought you're the macabre comedy hit "Six Feet Under," this rough, raw, foul-mouthed, sexed-up and blood-sucking series has become America's summertime Sunday night guilty pleasure supreme. Meet the "True Blood" TV show! Set in fictional but aptly named Bon Temps, Louisiana, "True Blood" TV series makes vampire life look a great deal like a serious but not thoroughly detestable drug addiction. Once bitten, new recruits discover all kinds of voracious appetites,of which blood-thirst in fact may be the least. Although a host of undead characters work their insidious plots and attempt world conquest just for fun, the plot centers on Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), not a vampire but showing beguiling signs of being a fairy, who falls in love with Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), definitely a vampire but reluctant about it. To the writers' and producers' credit, the series shows minimal gore and serves-up maximal suspense and irony. "True Blood" has collected an armload of awards, including Golden Globes and Emmys.