The SHOwtime network, that is. Just when I was about to end my subscription, because of horrible shows like "The L Word", they come out with two gems.

The first is a gem in progress called "The Tudors" about Henry VIII's life. Granted, it's much more sexed up than his actual life probably was, but this soap opera mixed with history has plenty of potential. Especially when Henry doesn't much like his wife and can not get her to produce a son for him. There's also a Duke who is claiming to be the real heir to the throne, who is seemingly going to create an uprising for the seat.

Even better, at least so far, is "This American Life". Based on a popular radio show, the program brings oddball stories of everyday people living across America. One feature was about a politician who ran on the platform of always telling the truth. Sounds great until you find out he's cheated on his wife, had multiple wives at the same time, contracted various sexual diseases, and had multiple gay encounters while married. All of a sudden hiding the truth doesn't sound like such a bad idea.

I'm keeping my subscription for now. And at this point "The L Word" is getting so loopy that I might as well go down with the ship and continue watching that, too.

• RE: Finally, two reasons to have SHO,Tahj, 03:37 PM, 04-02-07
• RE: Finally, two reasons to have SHO,AZ_Leo, 05:09 PM, 04-09-07

So you missed Dexter? That's one reason why I kept Showtime.

Tribe rocked my sig!

I picked up Showtime when I dropped the sports/VS package (which I only had for Survivor reruns) hoping that the Tudors would ease my Rome withdrawal. After all, I loved the old BBC productions (6 Wives and Elizabeth). Unfortunately I have to disagree with you as far as the Tudors being worth the cost. The lead is so badly miscast (the actor who played Buckingham would have made a better Henry). I have trouble watching when he is on screen, especially when he starts slipping into an Irish accent. When he could barely hold a lance in the first episode, he fully lost me. Most of the other actors and their scenes are better, although hardly great. I don't mind when they mess with the history (and have they ever made a mess of the facts here) if they can still tell a good story. For me, this doesn't.

I haven't seen "This American Life" yet. If that or the other mentioned are at least somewhat better maybe I'll keep the subscription.

A tribephyl original