This show is a darker Buffy spin-off. Thematically, it's a completely different show that can easily hold its own. Bring on the pain for redemption! Angel is a vampire whose soul was returned to him in vengeance, and now he tries to make amends for hundreds of years of evil. This is another show that could've been difficult to get into without seeing it in order. [Best Season = 5.]

Back when she was Caroline, Echo agreed (or was coerced?) to "download" her personality into storage, renting her body out to the highest bidder and programmed for various "engagements." Ultimately, this is a show about the definition of self without memory, about science and ethics, and about exposing those most secret (and dangerous) of human fantasies.

About a family who runs a funeral home - their morbid humor, daydreams, passions, flaws, and their lives and deaths and afterlives. Phenomenal. Thought- provoking. Funny. Tragic. Real. Everything about this show is amazing - particularly the actors. [The same guy (Alan Ball) did "American Beauty," to give you an idea of the flavor.] Plus, the top of the box is fuzzy grass!

Jack Bauer is a field agent in the LA Counter Terrorist Unit. Each episode is 1 hour of a harrowing 24-hour day spent fighting terror. Suspense, drama, betrayal, terror - terrific. No matter your politics, it'll be tough to get yourself unaddicted once you start. The show has a great style - you get to watch scenes from many different angles at the same time. [Best Season = 2]

Hallelujah, watching the episodes in order makes so much (more) sense! The first 2 seasons were "the kick!" How not to love a superspy double agent who kicks bad-guy-butt with a techno style? The wigs and clothes alone are incredible, and the plot will definitely keep you on your toes. [Drew Goddard and Jefferey Bell from Buffy/Angel move over to write for Alias in the later seasons.]

SO classic! A TV-on-DVD collection cannot be complete with out these. While I own all things Simpson, I feel that the MUST OWN GOLDEN YEARS are 3-7.

About a family with one sort of normal guy (Michael), and a bunch of other lovable-but-quirky characters who never really grew up. Clever funny. Slapstick funny. Ironic funny. All sorts of other layers of funny. (You'll especially enjoy this if you're super nerdy - remember that internet video of the star wars kid? So good!)

Jaye is a philosophy graduate, now living in a (pink) trailor & working at a tourist trap in Niagra Falls. In danger of wasting her life in sarcastic detachment, Jaye hears figurines telling her to do stuff. The show is funny, complete, and very touching. Why oh why with the canceling?? Even though only a few episodes aired, you get the full season in this set. [By Tim Minear (Angel)]

I have to admit that this show is a poor man's Wonderfalls/Six Feet Under. I like it because I like the genre and the premise of an 18-year-old-undead-girl fated to be a grim reaper in the afterlife. Although her blase attitude is a little tedious, her little sister's story is fantastic.

Brilliant coming-of-age show. Hello 80s! Also canceled before its time.

If you've ever worked in an office at a dead-end job, then you’ll see yourself and your coworkers here. When this show gets me...it really gets me. The kind of laughter that leads to fits. Incredible. [Check out PARKS & RECREATION and the British version, too.]

While I admit that David Boreanaz drew me to this show, it's not why I fell in love with it! Dr. Temperance Brenan (aka "Bones") is a forensic anthropologist who examines skeletons from any era of human history to learn about their lives and deaths. With an FBI agent (David Boreanaz), crimes are solved amidst witty banter and a fantastic character driven (funny) crime drama.

Dr. House is head of the department of diagnostic medicine at Princeton's teaching hospital. He's smart enough to diagnose undiagnosable diseases, and his quirks make him fascinating indeed: he's addicted to pain killers, dislikes dealing with patients, and uses witty, witty sarcasm to alienate as many people as possible. Fantastic guest stars!

This is a comic come to life as a tv series - characters with x-men-esque specialness grapple with their role as destiny demands that they save the world. The style remains true to its roots in comic themes - this show has a lot of potential! [Season 2 drops off in quality, let's cross our fingers for S3!]

A sympathetic view of a family who practices polygamy - family values, squabbles, and struggles are the highlight of the show. Sometimes the polygamist "compound" life is quite outrageous, but the characters make this an intriguing, entertaining show. [Best Season = 1]

A law-related thriller-suspense show: the main character finds herself a pawn in the high stakes game of class action law suits, murder, and politics. While the acting is incredible, sometimes the plot needs to move a little faster.

Buy it for the jazz. By the time you watch it all, most episodes will become precious - the last few sessions are AMAZING. The premise is similar to Firefly with the whole space-cowboy-bounty-hunter thing. (Feminists might need to block out a little of the "male gaze" - the boobs and dumb blondedness of the series, but it's worth it.) The English dubbing is great - you hardly notice.

Lisa Kudrow stars as a somewhat-past-her-prime tv star now starring in a new reality series about her quest to "comeback" into fame & popularity. This show combines awkward, uncomfortable yearning with humor - terrific.

On the box it says that this show is fearless...and it is. Beauty on the outside, and lots of darkness and gray-area and uncertainty on the inside (plastic surgery). ISSUES are relished for their shock value on this show: suicide, transgender operations, sexual orientation, crime, parenting, etc. Good and soapy. Unless you LOVE this show, I'd stop after Season 1.