Starring Edie Falco, Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" stands out as arguably the best medical drama on television, because the premium cable network allows writers and producers plenty of latitude for developing all of Jackie's passions"”the quality of her patients' care, the unbearable arrogance of vaguely sociopathic physicians, and the delicious relief of good orgasms and Oxycontin. "Nurse Jackie," both the character and the show, have some issues: The character suffers excruciating pain from a bad back and therefore has developed an addiction to painkillers. Yes, you have seen this dangerous dilemma recently on both "House" and "Southland," where the admirable characters continue doing their wonderworks despite their addictions. "Nurse Jackie," the show, suffers a subtle but unmistakable identity crisis, suggesting opportunities for some of the most brilliant black humor known to American medical drama; but, like a pensive and pretentious nineteen-year-old, it insists on taking itself much too seriously. One critic aptly observes, "'Nurse Jackie' doesn't look like the average network medical drama, but it does follow the formula of many premium cable shows, taking a knowing and at times dark, sardonic look at the classic themes of love, life and work." The critic, however, forgets to mention that nowhere does "sardonic" appear as a synonym for either "funny" or "engaging."

Television snobs maintain the American version of "The Office" TV series pales by comparison with its British forerunner. Their sneers, however, have done nothing to diminish "The Office's" standing as America's premier sitcom. Audiences and critics wholeheartedly agree the Dunder Mufflin office follies restored NBC as network television's pre-eminent purveyor of great half-hour comedies. Filmed as a "mockumentary," the American "Office" TV show remains faithful to the British example of perfectly deadpan delivery, and the producers wisely add neither laugh-tracks nor musical cues. Of course, brilliant one-liners punctuate the show, but they are subtle and ironic rather than snappy. For example, in characteristically clueless style, Scranton office manager Michael Scott tells his staff, "As Abe Lincoln once said: If you are a racist, we will attack you from the North." Steve Carrell leads a well-chosen ensemble cast who portray a sales force the New York Times aptly characterized as "uniformly unattractive, wan and dull" characteristics which, of course, make them deliciously funny.

Remember high school and those mean girls who seemed to love tormenting someone who was shy or just didn't quite fit in? Those who took every advantage and used it to pester or torment others who just wanted to be left alone? They were and still remain bullies and mean people. Parents of daughters who now are targeted by a bully at school are trying to help by "toughening" up their daughters or even stepping in to protect them. Mothers of a bully are also finding they need to help. They need to find out why their girls do such mean things and how they came to be such mean people. When Annie Watson (played by Jaime Pressly from My Name Is Earl) notices her daughter Sophie is mocking her and constantly trying to embarrass her own mother, she knows it may be her own fault because she always allowed her daughter to do pretty much whatever she chose. Nikki Miller (played by Katie Finneral from Sex In The City) grew up being fat and unpopular now sees her daughter as the type who used to tease her back in high school. The fathers aren't much help with daughters who bully so it's up to the moms to teach these manipulative young women how to "play nice" and grow up as decent people.

"Psych TV Show" features slick psychic crime-fighter with no psychic gifts. Unlike most basic cable networks, USA has generated many of its own hit shows on the strength of excellent characters and situations enhanced by exceptional writing. As bigger networks go into hibernation between seasons, USA wisely introduces its powerhouse programming. Among the network's original scripted dramas, "Psych TV show" has become one of the favorites. Walking the margin between crime drama and satire with tongue very deeply in cheek, "Psych TV series" stars James Roday as a fast-talking, exceptionally observant private investigator who manages to persuade the Santa Barbara police that he actually is a psychic. The backstory shows the tension between father and son, and it emphasizes how dad trained Shawn to pay attention to the most minute details, coincidences, and anomalies in everything he observes. Acute powers of observation easily pass for mystic revelations, and a healthy dose of wise-cracking charisma seals the deal. Over the objections of his disapproving police officer father, law enforcement officials reluctantly hire Shawn Spencer, psychic, to assist with solving their most challenging cases. Of course, Spenser and his reluctant sidekick Gus, brilliantly brought to life by Dule Hill, succeed where others fail.

"The Righteous Gemstones" is a television series that premiered on HBO in 2019. The show revolves around the Gemstone family, who are world-famous televangelists. The family runs a successful megachurch, but behind the scenes, they deal with various personal and moral issues.

"History of the World, Part II" is a 1981 American film that parodies historical events from the Old Testament through to the French Revolution. The movie is a sequel to the 1981 film "History of the World, Part I" but the second part was never made.