5 Television Show You Should Be Watching — But Aren’t [VIDEOS]

Why you’re not watching: You think Cartoon Network is only for kids and stoned college students. Why you should be watching: Adventure Time is a cartoon that appeals to adult sensibilities without resorting to vulgar humor or pop culture references. An absurdist version of Calvin & Hobbes, Adventure Time features imaginative stories about 14 year-old Finn, and his pet dog Jake. Its humor and plot are silly, in the best possible way, but at its core, Adventure Time is a sweet show about friendship.

Why you’re not watching: You think the show is a remake of Life With Louie, the 90’s cartoon starring comedian, former game show host, and likely future candidate for VH1’s Celebrity Rehab Louie Anderson. Why you should be watching: One part comedy, one part short-film, one part stream of consciousness, all parts compelling, Louie is a show that defies convention. If you are looking for a unique sitcom from a brilliant comic voice, Louie is just the show. Plus, the episode "Come On, God" is the funniest treatment of a certain habit since Seinfeld’s "The Contest", and worth checking out on its own.

Why you’re not watching: It’s no longer on the air. Why you should be watching: For the characters, script, plot, director, and any other element that goes into making a television show. Deadwood, which ran three seasons from 2004-2006, is a fictional account of the settlement of frontier town, Deadwood, South Dakota, which serves as a parallel to its larger theme: the creation of civilization. Does that sound too pretentious, intellectual, and self-important? Absolutely, but that’s why the show is great. It manages to tackle profound subjects, and still be an entertaining hour of television. The character of Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) is hysterically vulgar, but he’s also the most eloquent and poignant, like when Deadwood first sits down to establish a government: “I'm declaring myself conductor of this meeting as I have the bribe sheet.”

Why you’re not watching: Because you haven’t seen the first four seasons and don’t have time to catch up. Why you should be watching: With Breaking Bad, pacing is slow, sometimes stagnant, and major plot points are rarely explained through narration or dialogue. However, it also provides incredible drama. Like a great novel or movie, Breaking Bad rewards an audience’s patience and attention to detail with consistently satisfying season finales. Still intimidated about watching? Here’s all you need to know: The guy from Malcom in the Middle was a high school teacher, but now cooks meth. A lot of meth. His partner is one of his former students. As a result of the meth, Walter pissed off his family and a Mexican drug lord who sells fried chicken. The drug lord may or may not have a brother. Anyway, a lot of people die, and now the cops are looking for him.

Why you’re not watching: You are probably watching Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, X-Factor, American Idol, reruns of Storage Wars, or another one of the150 shows that share the same time slots. Why should be watching Community: Community is, simply put, the most creative comedy on television. If you are a fan of seasons 4-8 of the Simpsons, and by that I mean, intelligent character based humor, filled with parodies and pop culture references, then you will love Community. The show did a parody of Law & Order so close to the original that TNT will start showing the episode three times a day. Okay, that’s not true, but you get the idea. Finally, if ratings don’t improve, the next season will likely be its last, so now is the time to start watching this great show.