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".

Those of us who love a good "who done it" or murder mystery are drawn to television programs like Cold Case because they solve crimes and they prove who was guilty. It might be human nature to want to solve crime, especially those that were previously unsolvable until new technology (such as DNA evidence) answers the questions that were left behind. Even though the Philadelphia Police Department portrayed in Cold Case is a fictional "cop shop" we get caught up in the characters portrayed by writers on the set. The senior detective is Lilly Rush (actress Kathryn Morris). Lieutenant John Stillman (John Finn), Senior Detectives Scotty Valens (Danny Pino) and Nick Vera (Jeremy Ratchford) head up the intrepid team of master sleuths that solve old stale cases that were put back on the shelf, awaiting new evidence or better technology. We get to see how they solve the crimes others gave up on. The background music also plays a significant part in most episodes as it ties in with the year crimes were committed and many big names such as Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, and Frank Sinatra are featured.

Royal Pains TV Show is one of current rated cable network TV series in the U.S. It's another medical drama that corners the misadventures of an ex-E.R. doctor, Henry Hank Lawson (Mark Feuerstein), turned into an exclusive doctor for the wealthy and famous. This radical career change springs from his expulsion caused by the death of a rich patient under his watch in his former hospital. In Royal Pains TV Show, Dr. Lawson is largely based in the uppity community of the Hamptons. It is local hospital administrator, Jill Casey (Jill Flint) who provides the balance in Dr. Lawson's medical career by egging him to help some poor patients in the area. This TV series is inspired by the rise of the practice of concierge medicine in America.

Describing "Harry's Law," one summary says flatly, "A former patent lawyer brings together a group of misfit associates to form an unconventional law practice." How did the producers ever pitch that concept to the network? Oh, wait. It was NBC. Still, a patent lawyer? Misfit associates? Real exciting, right? Do not judge too quickly, because Kathy Bates applies her quirky charisma to her portrayal of Harriet "Harry" Korn, and she works some small screen magic. A mid-season replacement for one of NBC's cavalcade of epic failures, "Harry's Law" actually looks a lot like a real television drama"”real characters, real actors, real plots, and dialogue peppered with genuinely witty repartee. The premise and some of the best writing come from David E. Kelley, television's answer to John Grisham"”prolific and provocative. As The New York Times observes, "A hallmark of Mr. Kelley's shows is often the thinnest application of logic or reason in depictions of a world dedicated to logic and reason." The settings and courtroom dramas seldom resemble anything in real life, but they tend to recreate the audience's imagination of the legal system and "crusading" criminal attorneys. Close enough. In eight episodes, "Harry's Law" has established a loyal following in a timeslot long dominated by ABC's "Castle." Vegas betting parlours probably will give you odds on "Harry's Law" returning in the fall, and it might be worth risking a dollar or so.

Christina Hawthorne is the Chief Nursing Officer at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia who is a constant advocate for her staff as well as her patients, even when it may threaten her job. When the hospital (Richmond Trinity) closes its doors the staff moves on to James River Hospital, where the working atmosphere seems brighter. Hawthorne finds she also faces extra stress due to her changing relationship with Chief of Surgery Dr. Tom Wakefield (Michael Vartan from Alias, Monster-In-Law). Seems he wants a commitment from her but she may not be ready. Nurse Hawthorne is ably played by Jada Pinkett Smith (A Different World, The Nutty Professor) who also is executive producer of the show. Pinkett had sworn off doing any more television but found this one a perfect fit and an interesting challenge. Also starring in Hawthorne are David Julian Hirsh (Lovebites, CSI: NY) as Ray Stein, RN and also Suleka Mathew from Men in Trees, The West Wing as Nurse Bobbie Jackson who is Chief Nursing Officer at James River Hospital, and Christina Moore (90210, Burn Notice) portrays Nurse Candy Sullivan.

"Reservation Dogs" is a television series that was created by Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi. It was released in 2021 and is a comedy-drama that follows the lives of four Indigenous teenagers living in rural Oklahoma. The show is unique in that it features an all-Indigenous cast and crew, and showcases the culture and experiences of Indigenous people.