Pop quiz boys, girls, and everyone in between. Anything I watch on television is a) brilliant, b) noteworthy, c) destined to be renewed for another season, or d) all of the above. These are three shows I'm currently watching and tivo'ing (okay, not actually Tivo® but Time Warner's knockoff version) and if you haven't added these to your must-watch list, then rectify that omission and watch them ASAP!
1. Flight of the Conchords (HBO): When parents of multiple kids are asked which is they're favorite, they'll hem and haw but deep in their hearts, there's one child they favor in particular. That's the way I feel about this list. If I had to choose, Flight of the Conchords is currently my favorite show on the boob tube. I can't think of a show like it currently or ever, for that matter. Loosely, it features two New Zealanders, Bret and Jermaine (often hysterically confused on the show by other characters for Europeans or Australians) attempting to make it in New York City as broke musicians, who are also best friends, roommates sharing a tiny studio in Chinatown, and occasional rivals and mutual wingmen for girls. There is some episodic continuity, but the show's par excellence occurs when dramatic moments in the show convert into stylized music videos that perfectly mimics various genres. On the surface, the jokes are hilarious and perfectly timed--clearly Bret and Jermaine have a brilliant rapport--and the supporting cast especially Mel (the band's sole fan/groupie whose desire for a threesome with the band isn't too undisguised) and Dave (the owner of a pawn shop, 'nuff said) is memorable. However what really makes the show compelling for me is its ability--beneath the jokes--to tap in my nerdy and er, romantic tendencies.
2. Human Weapons (HIST). Two white dudes--one is a former NFL player/wrestler and the other a mixed martial arts fighter--travel all over the world, Phillipines, Japan, Thailand, and such, to learn the country's indigenous martial art and in the end of each episode, one of the two is picked to fight a local. The part of each epsiode that I especially enjoy is when they cut to a compute graphic that demonstrates using physics why a certain attack, a punch, kick or offensive block, is effective: e.g., a particular blow is equivalent to getting hit in the head by a hammer. Ouch.
3. Dogfights (HIST). Using computer graphics reminiscent of video games, this show recounts famous air battles--with explanations of tactics (vectors!)--and it's freakin' awesome!