Happy Town

"Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" - different gladiator, same sex and violence. Starz' deliciously decadent"”salacious, violent, often flat-out brutal"”"Spartacus: Blood and Sand" recently went on extended hiatus, leaving its legions of loyal fans "jonesing" for their weekly doses of decapitation and bare breasts. The Spartacus team satisfied fans' craving with "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," a six-episode prequel to the continuing saga of Batiatus and Associates. Starting with a flashback montage of "Blood and Sand's" greatest hits, more precisely Batiatus's life flashing before his eyes in the moment before his death, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" shows Batiatus's rise to prominence and power with the assistance and support of his all-pro gladiator Gannicus. Because these stories represent "a more ruthless time"¦where honor was just finding its way into the arena," the writers and producers feel free to elaborate and experiment with their already-established characters, and they feel similar artistic license with super-slow-motion gore and fun-fantasy sex. They clearly are perfecting their craft. One particularly insightful viewer concluded his review of "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" with a sage observation: "I think that's one of the smart decisions putting it on a Friday night since it's an ideal end of the work week thing to watch."

Industry (HBO/Max) is a razor-sharp drama set inside a cutthroat London investment bank, following a group of young graduates who will do almost anything to keep their jobs.

A fictional British Royal finds he is in succession for the throne after his father King James III has died. The twenty four year old Richard IV who is played by Rupert Evans (Paradise Heights, Emma) finds himself being resented by his older sister, the Princess Eleanor (played by Sophie Winkleman from Red Dwarf, Love Live Long) because she has evidently been passed over in favor of her brother and she desperately wants that throne for herself. Princess Eleanor and Major Simon Brooks, played by David Harewood (Blood Diamond) who is her private secretary have devised a way to plot together in an attempt to discredit now King Richard and bad family blood may be shed before she gets her way. Richard's own secretary, Abigail Thomas (Zoe Telford) has plans on writing a "tell all" book about the goings on in the Royal Palace. Politics and corruption within the royalty of Britain is always interesting viewing and The Palace brings plenty of interesting half truths and while a dramatization it still provides some insight into how royalty live their lives.

A stylistic and narrative departure from the other titles in the "CSI" franchise, the CSI: Miami edition strives to recreate the neon-drenched allure of South Beach. Veteran television viewers may recognize the show's natural affinity with the eighties hit "Miami Vice"; apparently, in Miami, the light always shines through colored filters and everyday events always have awesome soundtracks. As in all the "CSI" shows, a dedicated squad of forensics experts solves otherwise unsolvable crimes with the benefit of their daunting intellects and their dazzling technology. Plots follow Jerry Bruckheimer's tried-and-proven formula for "following the evidence" wherever it leads. The "pretty" one among the CSI brands, "CSI: Miami TV Show" features at least as much scientific could-be as it depends on forensic facts. Naturally, the characters are as pretty as their surroundings. David Caruso stars as Horatio Cane, the unit leader with a special gift for slowly and deliberately taking off his sunglasses and delivering pithy one-liners as if they were lines from Shakespeare. Emily Procter charms as ballistics expert Calleigh Duquesne, and the juxtaposition of petite southern belle with major firearms is not wasted on the show's primarily male audience. Adam Rodriguez plays the sometimes tormented "Delko," and Rodriguez tops fan polls as the show's most personable actor. Jonathan Togo and Eva LaRue round-out the show's collection of pretty people.

Noah Wyle stars in this gripping real-time drama following one fifteen-hour ER shift. From the creator of ER, The Pitt is brutal, compassionate, essential television.

Billy Bob Thornton leads Taylor Sheridan's gritty Paramount+ drama about the dealmakers and roughnecks who keep the Texas oil industry alive — and the costs they pay for it.