If you want bold activities, high drama and laughs motivated by something other than fame, tune in for Season 2 of Shameless.

Although the premiere is hampered by unnecessary narration and over-exposition, it's still a bewitching brew of whimsy, psychological scares, horrific atrocities and the wonderfully relentless feeling that something wicked this way comes.

Whitechapel defies the odds, however, rising above its cliches with solid writing, taut direction, evocative cinematography and great performances by Penry-Jones, Davis and Pemberton.

In its third season The League is sharper and raunchier than ever, and the aforementioned cast members, as well as Mark Duplass, Jon Lajoie, Stephen Rannazzisi and Katie Aselton, score TDs with nearly every line.

While Mazzara has amped up the action, he doesn't skimp on the angst.

Believe it or not, that stomach-turning gore is part of this four-part gem's charm. A Young Doctor's Notebook gets the balance between tragedy and comedy just right.

Smash tries mightily and mostly succeeds.

[It's] a new season of jump-from-your-seat scares and shivery twists that will leave you breathless.

He's funny and totally down to earth, which makes him an engaging host and guide for the eight-episode series.

It remains one of TV's most compelling series, period.

Mamet and his actors have created a fascinating character study that puts our notions of prejudice, celebrity, media and justice in the spotlight.

The Spoils of Babylon is an entertaining and spot-on spoof of the overdone potboiler miniseries of the 1970s and '80s.

Like "The Vampire Diaries," Teen Wolf successfully blends horror, mystery, romance, teen angst and plenty of reasons for cast members to show some (tasteful) skin.

History tells us what the Manhattan Project unleashed on the world, but Manhattan conjures a compelling (fictional) journey for the men and women who made it happen.

An exciting and scary trip.

Please Like Me, unlike the much-praised millennial comedy "Girls," feels unpretentious and natural with fully-realized characters rooted in reality.

It's not easy to watch, but the Steven Soderbergh-directed period hospital drama sure is worth a look.

[Creator J.H. Wyman] peppers what really is a police procedural with enough not-so-distant science to make Almost Human a sci-fi thriller, and enough humor to make it a buddy cop comedy.

Well acted and smartly written, Awake works as an intellectual puzzler, emotional family drama and case-of-the-week procedural.

The relentless bleakness would be my only quibble with the series; one doesn't often choose to feel as battered as the characters on screen. But you won't be able to turn it off.

Hardy and the supporting cast deliver.

Despite its supporting cast of international actors who bring even thinly drawn characters to life, Outlander truly shines when Balfe shares the screen with either Heughan or Menzies.

The smartly written series throws a lot of information, historical context, beautiful sets and costumes at viewers early on to create what eventually becomes a first-rate thriller.

It's mostly improvised, which makes the funny exchanges between Kudrow and her guest stars even more impressive.

It's a funny, creepy, touching thriller that had me laughing one second and peeking between my fingers the next.

TV's best series that few are watching hasn't lightened up, and that's mostly a good thing.

I'm pleased to report that creators/writers Ben Court and Caroline Ip and exec producer Sally Woodward Gentle have tweaked that gimmick ever so slightly, making Whitechapel fresh yet familiar in Season 2.

The quirky campus comedy is as clever and edgy as ever.