Black Adder is one of the wryest, wittiest and most cynical British comedy series from the 1980s. We follow the misadventures of devious, conniving and hapless Edmund Blackadder and his gaumless sidekicks through several generations. The series is very intelligent and extremely funny in a wickedly humorous way, the deadpan Rowan Atkinson is perfectly cast as this ever cunning fop.

This problematic adaptation of Mevyn Peak's gloomy, melancholy and bizarrely gothic book trilogy is quite enjoyable to watch and is definitely worth owning on DVD. Set in a massive castle the size of a city it recounts the tale of one master Titus Groan and the uniquely eccentric people that surround him, all lives are bound to the castle... can Titus escape Gormenghast alive?

The second and final season of Rome follows the plight of our two legionaries as they are caught up in the violence, backstabbing and plotting of Roman society after the murder of Caesar. Its a brilliant conclusion to this accurate and intelligent mini-series that came to an untimely end. Again, the graphic sex and violence might be a bit too much for the faint of heart or morally uptight.

The American version of the original British miniseries is one of my favorite depictions of the gay and lesbian urban experience. Queer as Folk is one of the only television series to explore the lives of sexual minorities and the issues they face. It has great character development and is intelligent, positive and well rounded in its portrayal of an often misunderstood but out and proud minority.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is set on an abandoned Cardassian space station now run by the peaceable Bajorans, but helped by Starfleet. The diversely cosmopolitan occupants of Deep Space Nine over time learn to accept and embrace each others differences, in peace and in war, and focuses less on sci-fi than any other Trek series, being more an exploration of the human condition.

Richard Dawkins two revealing documentaries: Root of all Evil and Enemies of Reason are a much needed critique of the dangerously manipulative, irrational and superstitious convictions of organized religion and "alternative" spirituality. Focused on the Abrahamic faiths and the New Age these are intelligently lucid arguments against fanatical belief, blind faith and bigoted religious dogmatism.

Absolutely Fabulous is the most outrageously funny British sitcom ever produced. The series follows the hedonistic misadventures of two gracelessly aging fashion victims, Eddy and Patsy. Their excessive lifestyle is fueled by copious amounts of sex, drugs, alcohol... and retail therapy! With its risqué, bitchy and camp humour AbFab has become a cult classic, especially amongst queer audiences.

The definitively remastered editions of Star Trek: The Original Series are to put it simply, superb! With digitally enhanced special effects, picture and sound they bring new life to this beloved sci-fi series. Even the theme music has be rerecorded with a television orchestra and an opera singer; and Captain Kirk's famous monologue has never sounded better, totally worth the money... very cool!