Quite a few good picks this week–surprised they didn’t release some of these before Christmas to allow people to give them as gifts.

Shameless Season 1. It initially took me a few episodes to get over how word-for-word similar this US remake was to its original UK counterpart. However, as the season went on, they started to diverge from the UK scripts, or at least blend in their own plots and stories as well. Overall I really enjoyed the first season, and the cast of kids are excellent. I look forward to the second season in a couple weeks.


Archer Season 2. Archer is so politically incorrect and hilarious. This show is so much fun–even when Archer takes on a pair of serious subjects (cancer and personal loss) during the second season. I can’t wait for the new episodes next month on FX.


The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Season 1. I loved this hilarious show where everything that could go wrong does. David Cross is perfectly cast as the gullible American with the worst luck imaginable. My only disappointment was with how short this first season was. Fortunately the second season starts next month on IFC.