In recent couch potato news

After a long, hard day at the office, Husband and I particularly enjoy staying in our nice, cool home and watching an episode or two of a television show. When I get downtime from evening work, I especially relish this. While we are sure to watch shows that are currently on-air (when in-season), like IT Crowd, Penn & Teller's Bullshit, Family Guy, and House, we have lately been choosing television shows that have long since aired and been canceled, but that have become highly recommended cult classics. We have loved them. Now I want you to share in the bounty.
Arrested Development
We began watching the three seasons of Arrested Development a few months ago, and we fell madly, deeply in love. The comedy is unique and genuine. The characters are outlandish but lovable. The plot comes full circle at the conclusion, and the viewer is left with a sense of satisfaction. After George Bluth (Jeffrey Tambor) the patriarch the family and CEO of the family business is imprisoned, his responsible son Michael (Jason Bateman) must take over managing his affairs, both in the office and at home, a job made all the more difficult by his boozed up, spendthrift mother Lucille (Jessica Walter), and his three siblings, self-obsessed Lindsay (Portia de Rossi), failed magician GOB (Will Arnett), and inept Buster (Tony Hale). Supporting characters (it is a true ensemble cast and impossible to choose a favorite) include Michael's brother-in-law Tobias (David Cross), his niece Maeby (Alia Shawkat), and his son George-Michael (a baby-faced Michael Cera). Ron Howard narrates fantastically.Spaced
We are complete devotees of Simon Pegg thanks to Shaun of the Dead; Hot Fuzz; Run, Fatboy, Run; etc., so I was excited when Husband agreed to watch the two short seasons of Spaced with me, which had been waiting for our viewing for an embarrassingly long time. Spaced follows two unemployed, unlucky-in-love strangers who meet in a coffee shop. Would-be comic book cartoonist Tim (Simon Pegg) has just been dumped by his girlfriend when he meets would-be journalist Daisy (Jessica Hynes). Both discover they are in desperate need of a flat and, happening upon a "couples only" apartment listing, agree to pretend to be a couple to obtain the living quarters. And hilarity ensues with the most notable supporting character manifesting as gun-toting ex-soldier Mike (Nick Frost!). The show strikes a balance between melancholy, absurdity, and comedy.Firefly
Just last night we finished watching Serenity, which is the full-length movie made after the conclusion of the single season television show Firefly, created by Joss Whedon. Though the show spans just fourteen hour-long episodes, the characters are so rich and dynamic that the viewer quickly becomes invested in the lives of Mal (Nathan Fillion), who is the captain of the spaceship Serenity, and his crew. While the show is definitely classified as science fiction and takes place in a futuristic universe, it is set as if in the old West, with bar fights, horse-riding outlaws, and even a duel or two. The crew of Serenity looks for work, either above the law or below, wherever they can get it, constantly warring with the government, immoral criminals, and myriad threats. Because the show ends abruptly, we were thrilled to have the movie Serenity to watch, which picks up right where the show left off and provides some modicum of conclusion. Both the show and movie are surprising in their humor and drama, and I was consistently, genuinely surprised by the plot lines.

Put these on your list, on your computer, in your queue, wherever. If you are going to be a couch potato anyway, they are well worth your time.