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."

A comedy based a book with the lengthy title like House of Lies: How Managements Consultants Will Steal Your Watch And Then Tell The Time exemplifies how well some management consultants can "pull the wool" over the eyes of businesses who hire them. Created by Matthew Carnahan (writer producer of Dirt, The Fugitive) House of Lies is a biting satire with devilishly good characters that are fun to watch each week if only to see who they will "screw" next! With a stellar cast including Don Cheadle (Ocean's Eleven, Traffic) as Marty Kaan a cutthroat and highly successful consultant that goes to any lengths to help his clients, Dawn Olivieri (Takedown, Drop Dead Gorgeous) as Marty's pill popping nutty ex-wife Monica, Ben Schwartz (Everybody's Fine, The Other Guys) is Clyde Oberholt a member of Marty's team of consultants. Also starring are Kristen Bell as Jeannie Van Der Hooven, another consultant and Richard Shiff as Marty's boss. Plenty of crazy antics as the "team" go about getting information for their clients by any means possible.

"The Comeback" is a television series that aired on HBO in 2005 and 2014. It follows the story of Valerie Cherish, a washed-up actress who tries to revive her career by starring in a reality show. The show is shot in a mockumentary style, with the cameras following Valerie around as she navigates the ups and downs of her life.

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.

In 2012, Punk'd returns on the screens after eight brilliant seasons, shot and released in 2003-2007 time frame. And if many years ago, these 8 seasons make not particularly well-known Ashton Kutcher a Hollywood star, the new season starts with ready-made pop star Justin Bieber. Those who watched Punk'd in 2003 had witnessed the TV show made a star, and in 2012 we will see the star who makes the show. Whatever it was, Punk'd has never lacked any "starness": every season consisted of three pranks on three different celebrities. It is easy to calculate the total of eight seasons with 8 episodes on each return 192 celebrities who have become "victims" of Ashton Kutcher jokes. Good pool for the gaining the right connections in the world of show business, indeed, excepting the cases where the lack of a sense of humor of some stars endangered the health and lives of the show's host and its leading actors. In 2012, Justin Bieber opens score of punk'd celebrities, which means that the new version of the MTV series is beginning to attract the attention of almost billionth army of his fans from very first episode.

"Ballers" is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on HBO from 2015 to 2019. The show follows the lives of current and former football players, as well as their families and friends, as they navigate the ups and downs of their personal and professional lives.