When is too much TV not enough? Top 10 Most Addictive TV Shows

The question on everyone’s lips at water coolers all over the country this week has not been ‘so – who will be the next Australian Prime Minister’? But – ‘who do you think will win Masterchef’?

Am I ashamed to live in a country where a televised federal election debate gets moved around for the final of a reality TV show? Certainly not. And I actually find politics interesting, like any news junkie worth their salt does. BUT I WILL NOT BE TORN AWAY FROM MASTERCHEF.

If I had to choose, I would certainly rather watch Masterchef than watch Julia “I’m an atheist and proud of it’ Gillard and Tony “Budgies” Abbott go at it on live TV.

As it turns out – it’s win/win. I get to watch the debate first and then Masterchef. I can be a concerned citizen and TV junkie all without the guilt.

But it’s not just Masterchef I’m obsessed with. There are certain TV shows out there, that I watch or have watched religiously, to the point of obsession – and I know I am not the only one. Yes, you know who you are. What did we do with our time before TV shows came out on DVD???

My obsession started when I commuted an hour to work and my fabulous friend with impeccable taste, Amy, introduced me to HBO. It wasn’t long before I was dreaming about Tony Soprano hunting me down and wondering every day – ‘What would Carrie do in this situation??’

So here is my list of the Top Ten Most Addictive TV shows

1. True Blood – the story of Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic southern waitress who falls in love with vampire Bill Compton. Add lots of blood, sex, hot vampires, werewolves and shape-shifters into the mix and you’ll be addicted in no time!

2. Six Feet Under – a dark and emotional look at a family in the funeral business struggling after the death of their less than perfect father. Human mortality is a big theme, but also family conflict and sexuality, coupled with some amazing acting.

3. The Wire – this series focuses on the city of Baltimore and the conflict within the city’s many facets; the illegal drug trade, the port system, the government, the school system and the media. Heavy stuff, but tackles some amazing socio-political themes.

4. Sex and the City – the lives and loves of four New York City gals; Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte. Groundbreaking with its frank discussion about sex and love.

5. The Sopranos – the crime, cavorts and Italian traditions of the New Jersey mafia. It centres on mobster Tony Soprano and the conflict between his criminal life and family responsibilities.

6. Masterchef – amateur cooks battle it out on TV. Who would have thought it would be so addictive??

7. Big Love – a fundamentalist Mormon and his three wives live secretly as polygamists in Utah. It’s three times the family drama!

8. Lost – follows the survivors of a plane crash on a deserted island...nothing is as it seems in this series. Just when you think you have it worked out – damn it! Another twist!

9. The Tudors – the life and wives of England’s King Henry VIII. It’s a graphic look at the King and his famously lavish royal lifestyle. There’s nothing refined about the sexy and often violent story of the Tudor dynasty.

10. Dexter – focuses on Dexter, Miami police blood splatter analyst by day, serial killer by night. The show revolves around Dexter and his efforts to hide his dark, dark secret.

So, I may be weeping next Monday night when Masterchef is over and done with for another ratings period – but never fear – Farmer Wants a Wife is back soon my friends!

Which TV shows can’t you live without? Which ones make you yell at the TV screen for ‘just one more episode’? What would make your Top 10 Most Addictive? Comment away!