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If bad guys forced you to choose only two programs for viewing during a long captivity, you wisely and happily might choose USA's new series "Fairly Legal." Engaging, engrossing, elegant, and electric, "Fairly Legal" is one of those shows you wish would go on and on and on. If only USA had made more than eight episodes. Sparkly, sassy, stylish, and seductive, Sarah Shahi plays Kate Reed, a once-upon-a-time lawyer who officially has resigned from the professional ranks to become a full-time mediator"”hence the two elements in the title, "legal" and "fair." Kate's goal: avoid costly and ugly litigation by finding settlements that meet everybody's needs. Kate's favourite phrase: "Win-Win." Of course, the show has sexual t4ension between Kate and her ex-husband, a district attorney; it has family tension between Kate and her newly widowed young step-mother; and it has just enough ongoing mystery and suspense in the sub-plot to sustain it from episode to episode. Having San Francisco as the setting doesn't hurt either. No one at "Law and Order" need feel threatened, though, because "Fairly Legal" is far too flirty and fun to harbour any criminal intent.

"Black-ish" is a popular American sitcom that premiered in 2014 and is still running. The show is centered around an African-American family, the Johnsons, who live in the wealthy and predominantly white neighborhood of Los Angeles. The series explores issues of race, class, and identity in a comedic way, while also touching on more serious topics.

Dee, Dennis, Charlie, and Mac are four "twenty something" friends who run a local pub in Philadelphia. They find it a struggle to keep their bar open and always challenging to make ends meet. But humor keeps them going and often it's the darkest of humor that works best for these four friends. The show is extremely popular due mostly to great writing and a talented cast. The one liners and story lines are so off the wall they are not even something that writers for the Seinfeld series would have proposed to use. But in this particular premise"¦ it simply works beautifully! An Irish pub in the heart of Philly is the background for egocentric friendships among these four who are barely into adulthood, so each finds a way to get themselves into trouble. The one adult on the scene is Frank Reynolds, ably portrayed by Danny DeVito (Get Shorty, War of the Roses) and if you've ever watched him at work you can see how the four pub owners have problems with "the blind leading the blind". Hilariously funny and well written.

Lifetime television has found themselves a hit show with Drop Dead Diva. Brooke Elliott (Broadway musicals Wicked, The Pirate Queen) is Debbie Dobkins a shallow gal who was deemed to be a "zero" when she died in a car accident and then entered Heaven. Apparently she had done nothing worthwhile, either good or bad while on Earth. Hating her useless life she wants to return and do something of value. Pressing the key on a computer keyboard she is transported back to life but with what some may consider handicaps. She is now overweight Jane Bingum, a brilliant and hard working lawyer. Aghast with her appearance initially, Debbie learns to appreciate inner beauty and, through her inherited body, goes after the retribution she needs. Interesting twist on a semi-reality show where we find the heroine is scorned because of her appearance but learns more about how to treat people than she ever could in her previous life. Might be nice if we could each have a second chance in life. Margaret Cho (The Cho Show, Ghost Whisperer) is Teri Lee, Debbie's assistant and friend.

Party Down is a television series that aired on the Starz network from 2009 to 2010. The show revolves around a group of struggling actors and writers who work as caterers for various events in Los Angeles. Each episode features a different event, and the team must navigate their personal and professional lives while dealing with the eccentric clients they serve.

David Oyelowo plays an ex-con inventor chasing a comeback in 1969 Los Angeles in Apple's surreal family comedy. Streaming on Apple TV+.