I don't watch a whole lot of television. I don't have cable and do not miss it, except for the occasional soccer match that I cannot catch unless I stop in at the pub. In fact, the majority of television shows that I watch are on public television. Below are the television shows that I do watch and enjoy.

Globe Trekker: This is the best travel show ever. Hosts Ian Wright and Megan McCormick are my favorites and never cease to hold my attention as they travel through some of the most beautiful places on Earth. My favorite episodes were Bolivia and Columbia, two places I would love to go. What sets this apart from other travel shows is the affordability of the activities and the backpacker element the show has. Hardly ever staying in hotels, the travelers instead prefer family run bed and breakfasts and hostels where they spend time talking to locals. Also, their off the beaten track adventures and fearless attitudes to experience new things (like eating bats) can make any location seem like Eden. My best Globe Trekker moment when I was traveling would have to be diving into the cenotes outside Coba, Mexico. Standing three stories above the water makes your adrenalin flow and after you jump if takes forever to reach the water.

Simply Ming: Ming Tsai's public television show. Owner of restaurant Blue Ginger, Ming takes us into his own personal kitchen and reinvents the master recipe theme for cooking shows. He selects two ingredients, one from the east, one from the west and makes three delicious recipes and then pares them with wine. Also, he has a guest chef from around the country each week who also use the ingredients that Ming has chosen for that specific episode. While most of his recipes are not vegetarian, the techniques and recipes can influence even the strictest eaters. All you would need would be a little imagination and creativity in the kitchen.

Coupling: British sitcom about a group of six friends, three male, three female and their unique views of sex and relationships. Yes, I know, this sounds like Friends, but trust me, this one is really good! The series ran for four seasons, and the first three seasons are guarenteed to keep you laughing out loud. The fourth season is still entertaining, but with the absence of the character Jeff, the episodes lack the ackwardness that made the series great.

Dr. Who: I don't need to write too much about Dr. Who. What else can I say other than it is one of the best shows I have ever seen! Hopefully my public television channel starts airing the episodes again soon. If not, there is always Netflix.

The Sopranos: HBO can really make wonderful television shows. I used to watch the show Oz every week and I didn't think that a show could get crazier than that until I first saw the Sopranos. The best part of this drama is that it doesn't take place in a hospital! No seriously, the cast make their roles so believable and the writing is great. Plus, I always enjoys movies, books and television shows that aren't afraid to kill off big characters (see A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin for more of this).

Extras: From the man who created the Office, this show is amazing (Are you having a laugh?). The show is centered around two friends and their attempts to break away from their extra roles in films and make it big as actors and actresses. Ricky Gervais plays the lead and is just as great here as he was in the original Office as David Brent. One of my favorite parts of this show are the cameos form some of Hollywood's biggest names, who play mocking versions of themselves. Ian McKellen and Kate Winslet's appearances are my personal favorites. It is just too bad that just like the original Office, this series only lasted for two seasons. Well, I guess I would rather have two seasons of gold than an entire run of crap.

Tags: television