I saw "House of Lies" last week - VERY Daring and sexually charged. Imagine an Evil Don Draper ("Mad Men") fused with Nick Naylor ("Thank You For Smoking") with Ferris Bueller-styled 4th-wall expositions. This show doesn't just "push the envelope" -- it gives you a paper cut with it. Kristen Bell delivers her cool character's performance like a female ninja, only it's her dialogue she uses as verbal knives weapons. I love its take-no-prisoners attitude.

I've been watching "Absolutely Fabulous" season 6 off BBC1 (don't ask how) is this the special you mentioned? It's as clever & funny as always. Very clever writing! I wonder if "Sherlock" (post-modern retelling) on BBC1 will be over here shortly??

I am curious about "Alcatraz" on Fox. I think I'll give "Lost Girl" & "Merlin" a try as they're new imports to SyFy Chan. I'm obviously jazzed about "Spartacus" & "Mad Men" returning.

I like that TV in America is slowly becoming more like the rest of the globe, where there are NEW shows every season (not just Fall & Winter).

[Rich -- Sherlock Season 2 arrives in the States on May 6. And I like your Ferris comparison. Very sharp. - DB]

I saw House of Lies, too, and while it can boast some excellent actors, my sense of it was that it was yet another sex fantasy for men in the vein of Californication and Entourage. I thought Kristen Bell was wasted and I can only hope that her role develops into more than a potential conquest for our male protagonist. It was good to see Glynn Turman again (and John Ralphio!), and I just hope that the writers give all of these wonderful actors something better to work with. It was all rather implausible and too cool for its own good in my opinion. I will check back in on it, but if Kristen Bell doesn't get some decent character development soon, I am giving up.

[Stay with it -- I've seen fine episodes total, and she does. - DB]

I don't often like to publically admit how much I love television, but I posted on FB how excited I am for "Downton Abbey" and "Justified." Can.not.wait. It is such a shame there are so many good shows fighting for the same eyes at the same time. Sadly "The Good Wife" will have to wait for my OnDemand veiwing pleasure. (I am a luddite; no cell phone or dvr...)

[Hey, you're ahead of me on the Facebook thing, at least! - DB]

I didn't care for House of Lies, much as I like Don Cheadle. Loved the second season of Downton Abbey.

Will look for Sherlock now...

I'm thinking the comment that I thought I posted yesterday got lost in the code maze. So here I go again... I watched House of Lies and didn't find it to be fun or daring in the least. While it does boast some fine actors, it seemed like yet another implausible sex fantasy for men in the vein of Californication and Entourage. I found the writing--especially for the women--to be lacking, and while I was happy to see Glynn Turman (and John Ralphio!), I think that they and the other players deserve a better vehicle. I won't give up yet (only because trusting you almost always pays off), but so far I have found House of Lies to be unpleasant and depressing.

Oh, but I appreciated the little Sondheim word play in your blog title!

[I did post your earlier comment, just on my own after-pressing-business time -- sorry. But I'm reprinting it because a) I'm guilty you had to retype it, and b) I love that you got my play on Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George" in the headline. - DB]