| Seinfeld |
Reason We know. Blasphemy, right? But the truth is, the show no longerholds up. Characters seem one-note; Jerry’s constant smirk is now moreannoying than charming. And jokes about puffy shirts and “the contest”now seem tame. |
Curb Your Enthusiasm
(HBO) |
Reason The exploration of the id of Larry David (who was head writerand cocreator of Seinfeld) seems more fully realized. And thesupporting cast, especially Cheryl Hines as his long-suffering wife, isexcellent. |
Available A seventh season is scheduled to hit HBO in early 2009. Untilthen, you can catch up on seasons one through six, which are availableon DVD (prices vary, HBO Home Video). Or set your TiVo to catch thefrequent reruns. |
24, Season 6
(Fox) |
Reason After six seasons, the high-level double-crosses and rogueagents have, in the immortal words of The Simpsons’ Waylon Smithers,crossed that line between everyday villainy and cartoonishsuper-villainy. |
24, Season 2
(Fox) |
Reason Ah, 2002: when Dennis Haysbert was president, not an insurancepitchman; when Elisha Cuthbert was Jack Bauer’s daughter, not an NHLpuck bunny; when dumping nukes in the desert seemed fresh and new.Rediscover the joy of everyday villainy and its butt-kicking enemy,Jack Bauer. |
Available On DVD
($70, 20th Century Fox) |
I Love the …Series
(VH1) |
Reason Swimming through the pop-culture week-that-was on Best Week Everis fun, but these spin-offs, designed to mesh our needs for nostalgiaand snark, are tired and, too often, not funny. |
The Soup
(E! Entertainment Television) |
Reason Host Joel McHale is the merry ringleader of this Dada-esquecarnival of the zeitgeist. Translation: He makes really funny jokes ashe shows clips from reality TV, newscasts, soap operas, and interviewshows. His sensibility is goofy and sublime, and it permeates every bit. |
Available New episodes air Fridays at 10 p.m. (ET). Missed a show? Fullepisodes are available for purchase and download on iTunes. You canalso check out clips on Hulu.com. |
Gossip Girl
(CW) |
Reason This is Beverly Hills, 90210 transplanted to elite Manhattanprivate schools and updated with more drugs and sex. If it was at allemblematic of real teen life, it might be worth a guilty-pleasureviewing. Alas … |
Freaks and Geeks |
Reason It’s set in the early ’80s, but this look at teen ennui istimeless. The cast of this one-season wonder was amazing, especiallyER’s Linda Cardellini and Spider- Man’s James Franco. If you don’t tearup during the pilot episode’s final dance scene, you are an android. |
Available The six-disc complete series is available on DVD ($70, Shout Factory). |
Hell’s Kitchen
(Fox) |
Reason Gordon Ramsay is a great chef and, unfortunately, a tremendousham. As a head chef deciding which contestant will get a high-profileculinary position, Ramsay spits and screams and generally makeswatching the show unbearable. |
Jamie at Home
(Food Network) |
Reason Now here’s a Brit who cares more about food than posturing.Jamie Oliver takes long-neglected gems from his own garden (broadbeans, for example) and shows how to make fresh, lovely dishes at home.Plus, he’s a charming goofball. |
Available Episodes air Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. (ET). |