Based on the Italian fifteenth century Borgia dynasty, the made for the Showtime network series titled The Borgias follows Rodrigo Borgia (Jeremy Irons) rise to power and the Papacy. Called the original crime family, the Borgias amassed great wealth, influence, and power as family patriarch Rodrigo committed nearly every sin imaginable as he gained power and vast wealth. Such successors as The Godfather (Mario Puzo) and The Prince (Niccolò Machiavelli) were inspired by the original "bad family" the Borgias and made for entertaining viewing. But the originals were greedy evil people who had no morals. It is at the height of the Renaissance period that we find the Borgia family intriguing to watch and perhaps learn from. Besides Jeremy Irons there are many fine actors in the cast including Francois Arnaud as Cesare Borgia, Holliday Grainger as Lucrezia Borgia, David Oakes as Juan Borgia, and Derek Jacobi portraying Cardinal Orsini. Look for this entertaining television series and see the original "Godfathers of crime".

"The Staircase" is a biographical drama streaming television miniseries created by Antonio Campos and based on the 2004 true crime docuseries of the same name by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade. The show follows the story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist who is accused of killing his wife, Kathleen Peterson. Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and as the investigation unfolds, Michael's family becomes embroiled in a legal battle.

What can you do with a man who is powerful, in a power filled position such as mayor of a major U.S. city (Chicago), and apparently is losing his mental capacities? Maybe approach him carefully and make every attempt to keep his illness a secret from the public. Tom Kane has family, friends, and co-workers who are busy with their own lives and barely notice he has issues. Something is very wrong with Kane but only Dr. Ella Harris, his physician seems to know for sure. Kane has a neurological disorder that is degenerative which means he will only get worse as the disease progresses. Meantime he is trying to run a big expensive city, one that has engulfed lesser men with dirty politics and crooked dealings for decades. Stars Kelsey Grammar (Frasier, 30 Rock) stars as a Richard J. Daley style mayor in the Windy City. Kane's wife Meredith is played by Connie Nielsen (Law & Order: SVU). Kitty O'Neill is Kane's personal aide and played by Kathleen Robertson from 90210, CSI: Miami.

"Six Feet Under" is an American television series created by Alan Ball. It aired on HBO from 2001 to 2005 and follows the lives of the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles.

Intensely cerebral, narrated more or less in the style of a Latin American magic-realist novel which shows the conclusion before the story begins, "Damages" TV show strangely fulfills the immanent promise in cable television programming, appealing very strongly to what the poet Milton called "fit audience though few." "Damages" series'unmistakable style, sophistication, and subtle sizzle are spellbinding, and the writers have crafted heroes you love to love and villains you love to hate with a team of attorneys working both sides of the continental divide between good and evil. Unabashedly stealing its premise from the Bernie Madoff case, "Damages" asks and answers, "What if you were Madoff's antagonist?" Glenn Close plays Patty Hewes, the high-powered and equally high-priced attorney determined to bring down ponzi-schemer Louis Tobin, portrayed by Len Cariou. The word "perfect" appears in most critics' discussions of their performances. A New York Times reviewer aptly summarized, "It's impossible to overestimate how delicious Ms. Close is as this fiercely driven, mercurial and manipulative woman. " In a stroke of casting genius, the producers chose Lily Tomlin to quicken the character of Mrs. Tobin, long-suffering wife of the arch-villain; the audience remains in suspense about her true colors and motives, suspecting she may be "Damages'" answer to Lady Macbeth. Martin Short also stars as Tobin's family attorney.

Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to keeping public figures scandal free but that's a difficult task when some of them have another agenda. Kerry Washington from The Last King of Scotland and Ray, plays Olivia Pope, a woman on a mission with plenty to work on as she is a crisis management expert with recurring crisis situations going on around her continually. Loosely based on Judy Smith who was President George H.W. Bush's administrative press aide, this TV series attempts to show how chaotic life in the political arena can be. Also starring in Scandal are Henry Ian Cusick (After The Rain, Lost) as Stephen Finch, a womanizer attempting to "turn over a new leaf". Tony Goldwyn (Without A Trace, The Mechanic) plays President Fitzgerald Grant, and Harrison Jones who is played by Columbus Short from Cadillac Records, Stomp the Yard). Created by Shonda Rhimes who is behind Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, Scandal gives an interesting peek into backroom politics.