Cable

Sure you have to pay for it, but it’s so worth it for what you find on the other end of the dial. If you can’t get enough of cutting-edge shows where anything goes -- from lovable serial killers on "Dexter" to out-of-control eating on "Man v. Food" -- click through this slideshow for your must-watch list of cable series. Tuesday, September, 1, 2009, 10:1 PM

Larry David is a lovable loser who tries hard to better himself but always seems to get it wrong in "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Due to his inept social skills, he usually ends up in the most painful and awkward scenarios imaginable. This arrogant multimillionaire can never admit fault or accept blame; he'll hold grudges and argue until the bitter end. But we love to watch his squirm-inducing misadventures because we can't help but recognize that there's a little bit of Larry David in all of us. Sundays at 9pm on HBO HBO/Doug Hyun - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

After taking a year off, "The Next Iron Chef" returns for a second season of kitchen competition. A spinoff of "Iron Chef America," the show pits 10 chefs from around the country against each other in a series of demanding situations that will test both their culinary skills and their mental toughness. Sundays at 9pm on the Food NetworkFood Network - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

By day, "Dexter" Morgan is a forensics analyst specializing in blood spatter patterns for the Miami Metro Police Department. But his rather active nightlife has him running around the city as a serial killer who hunts down heinous criminals who have escaped the justice system. In Season 4, John Lithgow ("Third Rock From the Sun") joins the show as a prolific serial killer who relocates to Miami to evade the FBI. Sundays at 9pm on Showtime Showtime/Jim Fiscus - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 6:20 PM

On "Bored to Death," Jonathan (Jason Schwartzman) is a writer who has just been dumped by his girlfriend, who thought he spent too much time getting drunk and high. His reaction? He keeps drinking and smoking, of course, and he places a Craigslist ad offering his unlicensed detective skills. Zach Galifianakis ("The Hangover") co-stars as his comic-book-artist friend, Ray. Sundays at 9:30pm on HBOHBO/Paul Schiraldi - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

In "Californication," David Duchovny is Hank Moody, a sex-crazed, hard-drinking novelist whose biggest regret in life is not marrying his ex-girlfriend, Karen, with whom he has a daughter, Becca. Season 2 saw Hank palling around with a fast-living record producer, who then overdosed on heroin. It ended with Karen taking a job in New York, and Hank deciding to stay behind in Venice, California, with Becca. Perhaps it'll be easy to forget all about her when Hank, who finds work as a college professor, is surrounded by co-eds in Season 3. Sundays at 10pm on Showtime Showtime/Art Streiber - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

While the original gals from "Girls Next Door" have moved on to marriage, motherhood, and other reality shows, three new girls (including perky twins) are moving into the mansion and onto Hef's, um, schedule. Licensed real estate agent Crystal Harris will be the 83-year-old's "number one girlfriend." As for the twins, Kristina and Karissa Shannon, well, all you need to know to get totally creeped out is that they were born in 1989. Sundays at 10pm on E!E! Entertainment - Saturday, October, 24, 2009, 12:24 AM

Shayne Lamas, who won "The Bachelor" last year, is back. And although no longer engaged to her reality-TV love connection, she’s still connected with "Bachelor" executive producer Mike Fleiss, who is behind "Leave It to Lamas." You can bet this family will be bringing the drama — Shayne's father, actor Lorenzo Lamas, hasn't spoken to her brother A.J. since 2003 ... around the time that the younger Lamas reportedly had, um, inappropriate relations with his stepmom, former Playboy Playmate Shauna Sand. Sundays at 10:30pm on E!E! Entertainment - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

In "Gone Too Far" –- an intervention-style reality show taped prior to Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein’s recent death -- the famous wax-spinner reached out to struggling addicts, offering his help and advice. At the time, everyone knew that he and Travis Barker had survived a deadly plane crash, but less well known was his struggle with addiction that ultimately took his life. In his final months, as captured in the show, he used his own experiences to help others find treatment, and set them on the long, perilous road to recovery.Mondays at 10pm on MTVMTV/Eric Hendrikx - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

It's baaaack! That's right; the guilty pleasure reality series, "Million Dollar Listing," which features the high-stress, big-money world of real estate in Los Angeles, returns for its insanely addictive third season. With diva brokers Josh, Chad, and Madison suffering from the slumping housing market, accounts have bottomed out, egos have been damaged, and drama is at an all-time high! Can’t wait, can you? [/ytvshow]Mondays at 10pm on Bravo[/ytvshow]Bravo/Vivian Zink - Saturday, October, 24, 2009, 12:24 AM

What happens when a club of gun-toting biker outlaws tries to protect its "simple" town -- not to mention its thriving illegal arms business -- from the arrival of corporate real estate developers, drug dealers, and overzealous law enforcement officers? "Sons of Anarchy," a drama with a dash of dark humor thrown in, shows just what kind of chaos ensues … and it ain't always pretty. Charlie Hunnam stars as Jackson "Jax" Teller, a man whose dedication to the brotherhood is tested by his increasing concerns about its lawlessness. But if his mother (Katey Sagal) and stepfather (Ron Perlman) have their way, the future of the club is only about to get darker and more dangerous. With punk rocker Henry Rollins and Adam Arkin ("Chicago Hope") joining the already stellar cast for the show’s highly anticipated second season, anarchy is guaranteed to rule. Tuesdays at 10pm on FXFX/Mike Muller - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

When the reality smash "The Hills" concluded its first half of Season 5 earlier this year, Lauren was seen leaving Heidi and Spencer's wedding — and the show itself. The spotlight now turns on Kristin, one of Lauren's former "Laguna Beach" classmates, who moved to LA after high school to pursue an acting career. But don't worry, there will still be plenty of drama from "Hills" regulars Speidi, Brody, Stephanie, Lo, and Audrina. Tuesdays at 10pm on MTVMTV - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

She's baaack! That’s right; former "Shear Genius" contestant and everyone’s favorite snarky hair stylist Tabatha Coffey returns with the second season of her highly addictive reality show, "Tabatha's Salon Takeover." In the premiere episode, the bitchy blond Aussie heads to the Windy City to take over and make over a dilapidated and unorganized salon that lacks even the minimum amount of necessary fabulousness. Tuesdays at 10pm on BravoBravo/Pete Tangen - Wednesday, September, 30, 2009, 7:30 PM

"Ghost Hunters" is a reality series following the daring paranormal detective exploits of the Atlantic Paranormal Society, an organization made up of ordinary citizens with inquisitiveness for the hidden paranormal underbelly of society. Earlier this year on the first half of Season 5, the group visited the home of Betsy Ross, an asylum in New Jersey, and the estate of author Edith Wharton. The second half of the season promises even more spooky sightseeing. Wednesdays at 9pm on SyfySci Fi Channel/Gavin Bond - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

What happens in Vegas will hopefully be delicious, because that's where "Top Chef" is headed for its sixth season of culinary competition. Once again, author-actress Padma Lakshmi presides over the judges' table alongside head judge Tom Colicchio, owner of Craft Restaurants, plus Gail Simmons of Food & Wine magazine and critic-author Toby Young. Keep an eye out for guests Wolfgang Puck, Natalie Portman, Penn & Teller, and more. Wednesdays at 9pm on BravoBravo - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

"Man v. Food" returns for a second season of tasty travel, as host Adam Richman crisscrosses the country exploring the unique "big food" of different regions and tackling the eating challenges of local restaurants. Last season saw Richman testing his body’s limits with atomic chicken wings in Pittsburgh and the 12-pound Eagle’s Challenge Burger in Boston. On Season 2, the edible extremes include a 42-inch monster supreme pizza and a half-pound hamburger topped with the world’s hottest pepper — a challenge so tough, only three people have ever finished it. Wednesdays at 10pm on the Travel ChannelTravel Channel - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

This new sure-to-be-controversial documentary series, "Lock 'n Load," goes inside Josh T. Ryan's Colorado gun shop to find out what types of people are buying guns and why. Turns out, all kinds of folks –- from collectors to dads trying to bond with their teen daughters -- want to be strapped. The show isn't taking a side in the gun debate, and will instead let viewers watch the likable Ryan sell weapons to everyday Americans and decide for themselves if they like what he’s doing. Wednesdays at 8pm on ShowtimeNBC/Mark LaFleur - Saturday, October, 24, 2009, 12:24 AM

If you've ever wondered where the store Anthropologie found its unique decorative antiques, here’s your answer. "Man Shops Globe" follows the specialty retailer’s antiques buyer, Keith Johnson, as he travels the world’s flea markets, art studios, and remote villages in search of the most intriguing objects he can get his hands on. The show will not only focus on his thrilling travels, but also shine a spotlight on the artists who created the objects Johnson collects. Wednesdays at 9pm on the Sundance ChannelSundance Channel - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

"Destination Truth" follows truth-seeking adventurer Josh Gates and his crew as they travel the globe investigating stories of mysterious and supernatural creatures. They've already looked into the chupacabra, Argentinean werewolves, yeti, and Vietnamese sea serpents, among other phenomena. In Season 3, Gates will explore the Bermuda Triangle, a mystery lake in Turkey, and the ghost towns of Chernobyl. Wednesdays at 10pm on SyfySyFy Channel - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

Everyone's favorite crass-talking, crudely animated kids are back for the second half of Season 13 of "South Park," which promises to deliver more of its patented mix of up-to-the-minute topical humor and controversy. The last time we saw the boys in April, Cartman was convincing his classmates to become Somalian pirates. What’s next? Depends on what's in the news when the show airs. Wednesdays at 10pm on Comedy Central Comedy Central - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

When this pungent plastic-surgery drama, "Nip/Tuck" -- that deftly keeps its humanity amid some graphic operation scenes -- returns for its highly anticipated sixth season, more delicious turmoil will undoubtedly unfold. When we last checked in with the boys of McNamara/Troy, former skirt-chaser turned breast cancer battler Christian was preparing to leave for his honeymoon with anesthesiologist Liz when his doctor called him with shocking news. Meanwhile, after repairing a woman who suffered a vampire bite from her blood-thirsty lover, Sean began to question his tumultuous relationship with Dr. Teddy Lowe while preparing himself for Christian’s potential demise. The show jumped the shark years ago, but with two short seasons left, not one of the remaining episodes can be missed! Wednesdays at 10pm on FXFX/Michael Becker - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

The Emmy-nominated reality competition "Project Runway," which pits budding fashion designers against each other, makes the big move to Los Angeles this season (and, perhaps more importantly, moves from Bravo to Lifetime, too). Don't worry — fashion mentor Tim Gunn and host Heidi Klum are still there, and finalists will still show their wares (or should that be wears?) during New York Fashion Week. Guest judges this season include Christina Aguilera, Eva Longoria Parker, and Lindsay Lohan. Thursdays at 10pm on LifetimeLifetime - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

The offbeat comedy series "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" returns for a fifth season and follows the continued misadventures of four thirty-something friends -- Mac, Dennis, Dee, and Charlie (and Dennis and Dee's dad, played to perfection by Danny DeVito) -- as they run an Irish bar in -- you guessed it -- Philadelphia. The quartet's self-centeredness, scheming ways, and overarching immaturity constantly gets them into wacky situations and spirited debates as they explore politics and social issues (everything from racism to terminal illness) in their own quirky -- and somehow always funny -- way. Thursdays at 10pm on FXFX/Michael Becker - Thursday, August, 20, 2009, 9:20 PM

We all know at least one guy who's always obsessing over his fantasy football team to the point of absurdity, so why did it take so long for someone make a sitcom about it? Who knows, but FX's latest original comedy, "The League," focuses on a group of friends as they try to outdo each other on the imaginary gridiron, and their competitive efforts bleed over into their real lives. Thursdays at 10:30pm on FXFX/Scott Scafer - Saturday, October, 24, 2009, 12:24 AM