Even though Party Down features a steady flow of absurd jokes and funny situations, it still offers more of a consistent, realistic, lively story than dramedies like "Weeds," "The United States of Tara" or "Glee."

Treme is a true gift, a way to finally appreciate and embrace one of our most beloved but neglected cities.

From its breathtaking cinematography to its meticulous period costumes to its smart, snappy dialogue to its talented cast, Boardwalk Empire presents a TV program that's so polished and beautifully executed, each episode feels as rich and memorable as its own little Scorsese film.

A film-quality drama series about zombies? Somebody pinch me!

Every single scene of The Wire is meticulously scripted and dramatically riveting.

The uninitiated may continue to write off "Battlestar Galactica" as the remake of a mediocre show, or as the domain of science fiction fans alone, but those who've watched the show more than once or twice know better.

There are elements of this new series that have a quirkiness that might seem deliberate or overly clever against a different backdrop, but that feels natural in its own gracefully odd environment.

This is damn fertile soil for a comedy, and creator Jenji Kohan and the writers of "Weeds" farm it for all it's worth in the show's second season, cultivating vivid, surprising stories that naturally transcend the typical limitations of the half-hour format.

Gervais' timing remains impeccable, and Ashley Jensen is wonderful as his shallow, lazy friend Maggie.

The kid is funny, the mom is funny, the dad is funny, the stories are funny, and Rock's voice-over is fantastic.

Not only does Colbert maintain his persona without skipping a beat throughout the entire show, but he's got great comic timing, the show's writers are brilliant, and the whole thing is pure foolish, bizarre, idiotic fun at Bill O'Reilly's expense.

Unlike anything else you've ever seen on TV.

The acting on this show is so incredible that it's hard to remember that there's any acting going on at all.

There's a sense of gathering gloom as this exceptional drama gains steam in its second season, a feeling that the individual and his or her high-minded goals and values will be dragged under by the wheels of industry and the restrictive norms of the culture, all in the name of modernity and progress.

Instead of the usual family sitcom curse of clichés and bad "Full House" jokes, Modern Family captures the absurdities, quirks and freakish flaws of today's extended family in ways that feel lively, unique and just dark and mean-spirited enough to be...well, accurate.

FX's Justified translates the intense interactions of author Elmore Leonard's characters into dialogue that's unpredictable, dynamic and positively riveting.

Surprisingly clever dialogue, great characters and an excellent cast will make you enjoy this very typical sitcom in spite of yourself.

As odd and fast-paced as you'd expect from a show created by "Arrested Development" creator Mitch Hurwitz.

Only one thing is for certain: Even if you're skeptical of science fiction, Battlestar Galactica will make a true believer out of you.

Big Love not only recovers from this near disaster in its third season, but its episodes build to a dramatic climax heretofore unseen on this series.

The only bad thing about Summer Heights High is that it makes a lot of American comedies look pathetically unoriginal and lackluster by comparison.

May be the most riveting and the most haunting drama to air this fall.

One of the major strengths of "The Unit" is its ability to tackle the blurry ethical lines and confusing behavioral codes of the military during a time of war.

Life on Mars is colorful and fun and well-written.

Skilled chefs, great dishes, a few doomed nervous Nellies and lots of petty squabbles ahead? What more could a loyal Top Chef fan ask for?

In its fourth season, Friday Night Lights is just as thoughtful and restrained as it's ever been, with its focus firmly planted on the small-town disappointments of ordinary people.

It only takes two episodes to demonstrate that this season is going to be another wild ride, maybe even one that's a little more nuanced and unpredictable than the first.

This show transcends the base level of twisty procedurals with one thing: Patty Hewes.