Television Shows to Watch NOW

Mad Men- AMC, Sundays at 10pm. Two seasons of NYC ad men circa 1960s. A critically acclaimed if slow to catch on drama. Also inspiring many fashion trends this season. Stars Jon Hamm, John Slattery, Elisabeth Moss and January Jones. 

True Blood- HBO, Sundays at 9pm. At the end of season one we see vampires and humans co-existing in the backwoods of Louisiana and beyond. Blood, sex, vampires, murder - what more could you want out of a television show. Plus anything Alan Ball creates you know will be good!

Stars Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer.

Brotherhood-  Sundays at 8pm. A Showtime original series. A mob drama about redemption that follows the lives of two brothers- one in politics and one in the mafia whose lives are entwined at every step. Stars Jason Isaacs, Jason Clarke, Annabeth Gish and Ethan Embry. 

The Riches- Tuesdays at 10pm on FX but recently canceled. You can still catch two seasons of Wayne and Dahlia Malloy as con artist travelers trying to steal the American dream. Stars Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver.  

The Wire- HBO. Whether you're interested in sociology, education, criminal justice system or you just love great television, the Wire is a highly acclaimed narrative about inner city Baltimore. Five seasons of wondering- wow, are they actors or is this real? Stars Dominic West, Sonja Sohn and Lance Reddick. 

Friday Night Lights- NBC, Fridays at 9pm. Returning January 16, FNL is an extended version of the film by the same name. It is a drama about football and the surrounding culture in small town Texas. Stars Scott Porter, Zach Gilford and Minka Kelly.  

Gossip Girl- CW, Mondays at 8pm. Huge buzz about this show in NY and amongst teens and 30 somethings alike. Fashion, backstabbing, sex and drama abounds with spoiled Upper East Side teens wheeling and dealing to get into college and each others pants. Stars Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford and Ed Westwick. 

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia- FX, Thursday nights at 10pm. Hilarious comedy about 4 awful, heartless glue sniffing, alcoholics running a bar in Philadelphia. One of the funniest things on tv. Stars Danny DeVito, Charlie Day, Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton and Kaitlin Olson. 

• Want ways to watch these shows without spending a dime? Check out www.watchtvsitcoms.com or www.hulu.com.