[AperioContra]

Because I felt compelled to give my least favorite TV shows by Genre, I think in fairness I should create a similar list. The problem is that if you've read The Wasted Time (I just have no shame at this point), you are no doubt under the assumption that I don't like anything. While it is true that I disdain most of what I watch, there is a level that I do find good.

The following is a list TV shows that I think aren't a Waste of Time.

Mystery (Comedy)

Monk
Yeah, I know, I split this category into two groups because... come on, Monk? Well believe it or not I really love this show. The campy setup is pretty forgivable when you account for the fantastic backstory. Yes, Tony Shalhoub's acting is far over the top, but I think that really makes this show as fun as it is. The mysteries in Monk are pretty good, if not a little ridiculous at times. It plays like a satire of all of the Mystery novels, and that's what comes off as so heartwarming about it. It has strong actors, strong characters, a great writing staff, and Intro made by Randy Newman. You can honestly do worse.

Mystery (Serious)

Criminal Minds
This show seems pretty complex, but really it's just another CSI port, or is it? What makes a good show isn't necessarily creating a new Idea, so much as most of the time improving on an old one, giving a unique spin on the head of a popular archetype. Criminal Minds does all of this and more. The attitude of the characters is consistent, and truly adds a new depth to the mystery. The Science is pretty good... for a tv show (well... at least it's not egregious), and the mysteries are genuinely compelling. The show is really intellectual and goes into the deeper areas of the human psyche and ultimately morality. If you want a show that will make you think, it's pretty good, and genuinely worth a check.

Sci Fi

Stargate: SG1
This was a big battle for me, seeing as I could literally write a list just like this for everything Sci Fi. There are so many good examples of this show, but I'm going to have to go with Stargate: SG1. A show about traveling through different worlds using a wormhole device called a Stargate. It runs off of the storyline of the original movie, by the same name with the end chopped off, except everyone in the Universe speaks English now, for some reason, Ra's race is now the Butt Weasels from Dream catcher, and for some reason all of the constellations look the same from every planet, because they never have to figure out home coordinates again. Despite these flaws the show is really innovative with it's antagonists, and it's friendly alien races. It takes a new spin on Sci Fi, while keeping true it's Genre. It gives us familiar situations in unfamiliar worlds and always teaches us a little about ourselves and how we act.

Plus it stars fucking MacGyver and corporal punishment is ordered on anyone who doesn't think that's kick ass.

Sitcom

The Drew Cary Show
Who'd have known that somebody so untalented at making jokes could make the funniest Sitcom that will ever exist. Drew Carey plays a pathetic loser in forties, with nothing but a dead end job and a crippled dog. The show has a wealth of funny actors, Such as Ryan Styles, That guy next door in Office Space, Jordan from Scrubs, and Drew Carey's wife in the Lois and Clark Episode. Despite being very gimmicky, the show was quite creative, the characters were all very lovable and the humor was unforgettable. A comedy you don't have to be high to enjoy (though it helps).

Medical Drama

House M.D.
So it's more of Medical Mystery, but fuck it I already fractured that catagory once. House is really an amazing Holmsian Archetype. For you literature buffs out there (yeah, both of you) stop me if you've heard this story: Drug Addled genius with absolutely no social skills, who exclusively takes the cases nobody can figure out, is commonly abrasive but everyone goes to him because he's always right. If you're thinking Sherlock Holmes, congratulations (you have no life). This show really does justice to it's own inspiration, and adds depth and complexity to the original story. The cases were interesting (if not impossible), and the unique persectives of the entire time, combined with the guidance of the hilariously misanthropic House (played by Mr. Little), gave a whole new level intensity to an already intense Genre. I loved all four seasons of it. And for those of you who say it had seven? Die... die and rot in hell.

Superhero

Batman: The Animated Series
This took me a little time, but really no other superhero series did quite as well at telling it's story. The story was deep, but simple. Rich protege child Bruce Wayne witnesses the death of his parents by a Mob member. He realizes that something must be done about the crime so after years of training a preparation he becomes the Batman. The superhero who stalks the night and strikes fear into the heart of Gotham Crime. The show was serious, and dealt with serious issues and offenses, even for a kids show. It was fun as well as dark and intriguing and definitely not just for kids. Plus the Joker was Mark Hamill, who played in my opinion the best and most underrated Joker. If you don't recall Mark Hamill, just think Luke Skywalker (or is better known roll as Cocknocker in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back).

Paranormal

Angel
This is one of those shows that I'm kind of embarrassed to say that I like. A Spin-off of Buffy The Vampire Slayer (not making a good case am I?), this series takes the Wedenverse into a more adult world. The show stars Angel: The Vampire With A Soul, it circles are a paranormal detective agency (And what show in the late 90s didn't?), which it used to explore the dark, depraved, and quirky Wedenverse (I love saying that word... Wedenverse). The show is pretty consistant, though it's mysteries are a tad lame. It's fun, it's endearing, and it really takes the paranormal to a new level. Remains my favorite soap opera of all time.

Dramadies

M.A.S.H.
What I consider the original and quintessential dramody, which says two things: I watch too many reruns, and Dramodies really haven't evolved much in 30 years. M.A.S.H. was about the mobile hospital unit 4077 and the unwilling company it pertained. The series was snarky yet had the right level of seriousness for the Korean War. Another show written the 100% lovable characters, and casted with the most brilliant cast I've ever seen. It does a great job in satiring war, while never comprimising it's ultimate message: War is Hell, but also necessary and in some cased futile. This show is an utter classic, you'd have to be section 8 not to enjoy it.

Legal Shows

Boston Legal
A spin-off of The Practice, Boston Legal follows the personal and public lives of Alan Shore (Reprising his role as Mr. Grey) and Denny Crane as played T.J. Hooker. The show had serious messages, serious cases, serious moral dillema's, but never made the mistake of taking itself too seriously. The show was a smart balance of satire and drama, and juggled both effortlessly. It tried very hard to let both sides of issues stand by making the main characters a Republican and a Democrat. It was simply amazing, a pleasant surprise from a generally boring Genre. Denny Crane.

Adult Animated Series

Futurama
What else can I say except, Fuck Yeah! Futurama! The show was the perfect comedy show. You tuned in, had a familiar characters, a familiar background, and was taken on a grand adventure to find something to make fun of. And it was great. Voice acted by Peg Bundy, Doug Funnie, and the motherfucking Juggernaut and written by the man who wrote the first five years of the Simpsons, Futurama is truly the best at what it does. What that is, I haven't the foggiest.

Sketch Comedy Shows

In Living Color
If you've never heard of this series than you're probably even whiter than me. This was the black comedy sketch show that gave the Waynes Brothers (all three hundred of them), Jamie Foxx, and Jim Carey their start. If you haven't watched this series, please forward your address so I may come over and force you to watch it. Classic Sketches include: Funky Finger Productions, Fire Marshal Bill, and Homey the Clown. Oh? So you don't want to email your address to me? You gonna make Homey beg for you to watch this brilliant series? Oh please mister internet man! Please watch Waynes Brothers before they got tacky and everyone forgot about them! (BAP) Homey don't play that.

Horror

The Twilight Zone
Another Genre I've always enjoyed. When brilliantly written these shows can conjure up the primal fear in a human being. When terribly written it can conjure up irritable bowel syndrome. The Twilight Zone, and yes I mean the 1959 Twilight Zone, is the perfect example of a classic Horror Mythos Show. Even though it is an old series, it's still surprisingly creepy and creepily surprising. The mood was always set by professional cool voice of Rod Serling (My Lord and Savior), always smoking a cigarette, to remind us exactly why we smoke today. My favorite episode is "To Serve Man," and if you haven't seen, seriously, do yourself a favor.

Reality

Pawn Stars
The perfect reality show. You known it's totally staged and faked, but damnit if you don't wanna have a beer with that crew. Perfect show if you're like me and surrounded by Rednecks.

Anime

Deathnote
Very seldom do we come across anything in any Genre that truly breaks the mold like Death Note. Death Note is inherently dark and a little confusing, but you will love every fucking minute of it. The show is about Yagami Light (Yes I watched it in the original dub, because I am that kind of nerd), a brilliant if not misanthropic kid who comes across a Shinigami's Notebook, which has the power to kill anybody who is written in it (given that you have access to their facebook account) The show explores corruption of the mind, what it means to take a life (no matter how deserved), and the true evil of utter power. It circles around a battle of wits between evil protagonist Light (or Kira) and the detective looking for him, the brilliant L. This show literally had me glued to my computer for three days straight, between work and "alone time".

Dark Drama

Dexter
A Notable mention in this article of a post, Dexter is about a boring Blood Splatter Analyst... Who happens to be a Serial Killer. A vigilante of sorts he only kills people who have killed others. But make no mistake, the show makes sure through many methods to let you know that you are following a true monster. What makes him truly sinister is what makes him truly likable at the same time. The show has brilliant Dark Humor, amazing suspense, and stars Michael C. Hall (Unfortunately he doesn't do the Robot). I suggest renting the first two seasons, and living blissfully unaware that there's a fifth.

Well, that does it for my list of favorite TV shows by Genre. I truly enjoyed this side project and plan to do more in the future... Unfortunately instead of being smart and writing this on my own site, I have decided to give it to you YGOTAS, thank you for having me.

Jack "Aperio Contra" Shawhan. Satire Writer, Critic, and... Wedenverse... The Wasted Time.