If You Like (Show X), You Should Try Watching (Show Y)

There are so many channels and so many shows now that a regular television guide can be more confusing than helpful. Sometimes you just want to watch shows that are similar to ones you already watch.

Here are six TV shows and related recommendations you may enjoy. Now, doing something like this isn't automatic -- for example, just because you like a sitcom like 'According To Jim' doesn't mean you're going to like a comedy like '30 Rock' -- but these shows have a lot more in common than genre.

If you like the first show, you'll probably like the second.

1. If you like 'Antiques Roadshow,' you'll like ... 'Hollywood Treasure'
Everyone knows what 'Antiques Roadshow' is about: People bring items to an appraiser who tells them how much the item is worth. 'Hollywood Treasure' is similar, only it focuses on Hollywood memorabilia, so it might be a lot more interesting to TV Squad readers. A collector travels around the country looking for various entertainment items -- maybe it's an original 'Frankenstein' poster, a model plane used in 'King Kong' or a uniform from the 'Stargate' TV series -- and if the owner wants the collector to sell the item, we see it sold in an auction at the end of the show.



If you're a TV and movie geek, this is a really entertaining show. In one episode, the team talks to Erin Gray at Comic-Con and she tells them that she might have an original 'Buck Rogers' model space ship, but it got damaged when she left it near a radiator. Was it worth anything? You'll have to watch the episode to find out.

2. If you like 'Good Eats,' you'll like ... 'America's Test Kitchen'
Both of these shows tilt towards the brainy end of the culinary spectrum. Alton Brown tells you the science behind foods and how that science can be used come up with the best recipe for a particular dish. 'America's Test Kitchen' -- and its sister show 'Cook's Country' -- also try to come up with the best recipe for a particular dish, thorough hours and hours of trying different recipes until they find the best one.

Like 'Good Eats,' 'America's Test Kitchen' and 'Cook's Country' go beyond the recipes. You'll also see taste tests between different brands of products and tests to find the best kitchen equipment.

All of these shows are cooking shows for smart people.



3. If you like 'Judge Judy,' you'll like ... 'The Suze Orman Show'
At first glance, you might think be these two shows have nothing in common. But if you watch both shows, you'll notice a lot of similarities. Both Judge Judy Sheindlin and financial expert Suze Orman are very blunt when talking to the people on their shows, trying to help them to get their lives in order. While the people in front of Judge Judy usually do something dumb like driving drunk or having three kids before they turn 20, Suze's guests get into trouble with their finances.

Suze smiles a lot more than Judy though.

The most fun segment on Suze's show is "Can I Afford It?," where viewers call up and ask her if they can afford something they want to buy. Sometimes it's as simple as a new computer, but other times it's ridiculous items like a lighthouse or a year-long trip around the world. When Suze yells "DENIED!" it's her version of Judy saying "UM IS NOT AN ANSWER!"



5. If you like 'Unwrapped,' you'll like ... 'United Tastes of America'
'Unwrapped' tells you how various classic American foods -- like supermarket snacks, fast food and famous restaurant dishes -- are made and 'United Tastes of America' also explains the history behind classic American food.

'UTOA' is hosted by 'Next Food Network Star' runner-up Jeffrey Saad.



6. If you like 'Charlie Rose,' you'll like ... 'Iconoclasts'
These shows have many differences, but the way that they're similar is noticeable right away. On both shows you get to know the guests intimately, not in quick soundbites and yes-or-no answers. Charlie's show is a one-on-one interview at a table in a black room, so he's able to really get in-depth with his guest. 'Iconoclasts' accomplishes the same thing by having one celebrity talk to another celebrity. And the pairings can be quite interesting: Ron Howard and Steve Nash, Charlize Theron and Jane Goodall, Mario Batali and Michael Stipe.

And this instantly-classic episode, Robert Redford and Paul Newman chat:



(Here are parts 2, 3, and 4.)

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