Watch TV Shows Online: Full Episodes

By the time the Bravo series "Real Housewives of New Jersey" drew to a close during the spring of 2010, it had generated enough buzz, controversy, and water-cooler discussion to make devoted viewers forget the producers' original intention: They had intended this installment of "The Real Housewives" franchise to satirize the characters and lifestyle represented in cable hit "The Sopranos." As "The Real Housewives of Orange County" were supposed to mimic ABC's "Desperate Housewives," so the Jersey Girls were groomed to look, sound, and spend like real-life equivalents of Carmella Soprano. The New York Times summed-up, "[They are] loud, nasal, nouveau-riche wives who raise spoiled children and spend their husbands' money in vast marble and onyx starter palaces in Franklin Lakes, N.J. They boast about everything, including how soon they qualified for the black American Express card. As Danielle Staub puts it, "˜I actually got mine before Madonna did'." They even had the pedigree to support the role: Albert Manzo, husband of mater familia Caroline Manzo, is the son of Albert "Tiny" Manzo, whose body"”all 350 pounds of it"”was discovered in the trunk of his Lincoln Continental; in 1983, police described the body as "perforated" with machine gun bullets.

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Alfred Hitchcock Presents drama droll wit and suspense each episode A beloved curmudgeon, Alfred Hitchcock was best known for his writing and directing. He often appeared in a cameo role on many of his feature films and we would often look for him to show up. This television program was shown in North America as well as many European countries. Original episodes were produced beginning in 1955 with an opening dialog from Hitch himself, often poking fun at commercials (on shows that aired in the US) and with humorous digs at Americans on the European version. There were many truly entertaining episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents that often won awards such as Emmys. Hitch's quirky sense of humor drew a top cast to each episode including one called "Man from the South" which starred Peter Lorre and Steve McQueen about a man betting his finger that his lighter will start ten times in a row. Or, in an episode from 1961 where a magician actually saws a woman in half, discovering his magical skills are sadly lacking. Even the gruesome scenes are comedic and extremely well written.

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If your interests run to exciting battles among fierce samurai and shogun warriors or the calming exotic and beautiful geisha in a historic period of time the PBS program titled Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire will most definitely be appealing. Going back to the sixteenth century in which Japan is seen to be a warlike society that is ruled by daimyo warlords and the violence committed by samurai warriors is a daily occurrence. In 1543 Portuguese merchants, who were the first Europeans to arrive in Japan, found themselves to be welcome as they set about converting that nation to Christianity. At the same time a low ranked daimyo family member was born and became a samurai called Tokugawa Ieyasu. He is held as a hostage during much of his childhood and when finally released takes claim on his family domain. Empires come and go but this one lasts for almost 250 years before peace and prosperity take the place of violent rulers who claim control over the lives of many. Once the isolation of this great country is overthrown they begin to prosper and modernize their way of life.

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Empires: Martin Luther part of the PBS series Great Religions Take a fascinating look back into the history surrounding popular religions and you will find much written about Martin Luther and Frederick the Wise. Frederick was thought to be all powerful in terms of religious leaders of his era and he perceived Martin Luther as being a useful kind of weapon to be used against the papacy as well as the church. Luther was revered for his teachings and strong held beliefs. Among Martin Luther's serious flaws were the fact he was a violent man who tended to inflame nobles, commoners, and kings with his diatribes against Old Faith ideals and some New Faith members as well as Jews. It became well established however that once he captured their ear he could find supporters who only pleaded to him that he tone down his rhetoric and his rage. Luther studied the bible extensively and learned much then passed on what he had learned to all that would listen. Much has been written about Martin Luther and some inaccuracies are always to be expected. This well narrated program shows him as a man of faith but somewhat flawed in character.

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Apparently, the Medici were first among the finer Italian families to perfect the subtle art of offering deals people could not refuse. "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance" happily works the double entendre in its title through all its nuances and ramifications. In its less sinister interpretations, "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance" gives ample testimony to the family's lavish patronage and promotion of the arts and sciences, dragging Europe kicking and screaming out of "the dark ages." The Medici revolutionized banking, commerce, diplomacy, and empire building. It was in that empire-building thing that the term "godfathers" took-on its more sinister connotations. In just four hours of spectacular footage shot on 16mm film, the PBS filmmakers quicken Paul Strathern's best-selling book, creating a suspense thriller out of reliable historical data. In its promotional materials, PBS mastered understatement, suggesting "Travel back in time to see the real human stories behind the European Renaissance and the family that bankrolled it." Had it been HBO, the same thought would have read something like, "Witness the sinister intrigues, the stone-cold violence, and the intensely sexual illicit relationships that drove the first Italian crime family to prominence." Even that description would fall a little short of the super salaciousness built into the story of how "the Medici family would rise to rule Europe"¦ Using charm, patronage, skill, duplicity and ruthlessness, they would amass unparalleled wealth and unprecedented power."

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Illustrious names behind this documentary style miniseries include the narrator Keith David and voices of F. Murray Abraham, Rene Auberjonois, and Derek Jacobi. Human history was changed by the Jewish faith and Israelites according to the thesis of this program. While slaughtered and persecuted for many years because they believed in one god (the popular belief then was in multiple gods) the Kingdom of David remained solvent and united as they concentrated on making sure their traditions and history records were passed down. With strictly held moral values and Jewish laws they persevered. Much of the filming took place on the exact grounds on which original events occurred. Episodes of the well received television program Empires: Kingdom of David have included "The End of Days", "By the Rivers of Babylon", and "The Book and the Sword" and each of which notably covered a specific period in Jewish history. The Kingdom of David is part of a documentary series from Public Broadcasting with the title of Empires.

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A rock radio station and a talented ensemble cast bring the fictional WKRP in Cincinnati to life for a long and successful run. Starring Gary Sandy (as Andy Travis) the program director who also plays straight man for much of his staff, Howard Hesseman who is Dr. Johnny Fever, a disc jockey who was fired and become burned out and controversial after saying the word "booger" over the air. Moving to WKRP the first word uttered by Dr. Fever is, of course, "booger"! He's neurotic and a trouble maker but also has the most experience of the crew. The platinum blonde vivacious Lonnie Anderson (playing Jennifer Marlowe) decorated the set of each episode years before she became Mrs. Burt Reynolds. As WKRP's gorgeous receptionist she is also the highest paid employee at the radio station and in spite of being a "blonde bombshell" she is smart and capable in most any situation and her job. WKRP, known for playing album oriented rock music, sets the stage for some hilarious story lines and combined with creative writing and the outstanding cast, remains a hit.

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Bob Newhart has been a stand-up comedian and actor who has a droll sense of humor that is appreciated by audiences young and old. In The Bob Newhart Show he portrays a Chicago psychologist named Robert Hartley, married to Emily (beautifully played by actress Suzanne Pleshette). The show divides its time between Bob's home life and his professional career. There is plenty of humor to be found in a psychologist's office and Newhart's comic timing plays well here. Besides wife Emily Bob must contend with an inept neighbor (Bill Daily as Howard Borden who is a commercial airline pilot and eventually Bob Newhart's brother in law) and office neighbor Dr. Jerry Robinson, a dentist (played by actor Peter Bonerz). Marsha Wallace portrays the receptionist who loves jokes, Carol Kester. Newhart is adept at playing the straight man for his fine cast. Many of the show scripts were based on Newhart's stand up routines, particularly his telephone conversations which were hilarious. Running from 1972 until 1978 The Bob Newhart Show was filmed before a live audience so there was no need for an irritating laugh track.

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The Three Stooges Collection TV Show is a television serie of theatrical short subjects produced by Columbia Pictures starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges. When the Three Stooges first signed with Columbia Pictures, their deal was for one short. 1934's WOMAN HATERS, done entirely in rhyme, wasn't a huge success, but the Stooges hit their stride with their second short, PUNCH DRUNKS, and began to settle into their definitive roles - Moe is boss, Larry the middleman and Curly as their foil. Witness the rise of these comedy icons in this high-spirited collection containing the first 19 Columbia Pictures shorts, all of which have been remastered for the best quality picture and sound. You'll experience the eye pokes, face slaps, hollow head knocks and knuckle cracks like you've never heard or seen them before. So go ahead, nyuck yourself out!

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Derived from characters found in New Yorker cartoons written by Charles Addams, The Addams Family was a hilarious television series that ran from 1964 until 1966 to huge audiences on ABC TV. Always shot in black and white, there are 64 episodes that continue to delight audiences today. The Addams family had supernatural powers but it never is explained how or from where they got them. A close family with some pretty macabre interests, each family member has his or her own unique super natural power. Gomez Adams (played by John Astin) is extremely wealthy and quite adept at hanging from chandeliers, also very much in love with his wife, Morticia (actress Carolyn Jones) who is cultured and refined. Other eccentric characters include Uncle Fester (Jackie Coogan) is the electric uncle who makes light bulbs glow by placing them in his mouth and Lurch (Ted Cassidy) is the butler who grunts responses the family interpret in many different ways. A huge bell atop the house is rung to summon Lurch and each time it shakes the entire house. Thing T. Thing is a hand that magically transports itself among containers, keeping everyone guessing.

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