Over the span of Hung's first few episodes, Ray Drecker utters a lot of depressing one-liners. Things like "everything's falling apart" and "I used to be a big deal" are common phrases for him. However, as the title of the show suggests, Ray Drecker (played by The Punisher's Thomas Jane) has at least one thing to be very happy about.

The new HBO dramedy is set in Detroit against the backdrop of a financially ruined automotive industry skyline, and as the world crumbles around him, Ray is forced to re-evaluate his life while everything he cares about slowly slips away. It's unsettling and sad, but in some ways, fortuitous ... at least for HBO anyway. Considering the current economic crisis many Americans are experiencing, a lot of people are going to relate to this show. Just probably not to the big penis part.

(S05E02) Before we start tonight's review, I'd like to take a moment to worship at the Sling Media altar. Yet again, the makers of the Slingbox have made it possible for me to review The Office in a timely fashion despite the fact that I'm currently doing a week of shows in Las Vegas (where The Office airs three hours later than I'm used to and, for marketing purposes, has magician Lance Burton digitally inserted into every scene). If you're a traveler and a TV watcher and you haven't bought a Slingbox yet, you're missing out.

Part of me worried about the ethics of opening with what amounts to be a commercial for Slingbox (and also for my fabulous Las Vegas comedy show at the Tropicana: tickets still available for the weekend!) Then I realized that by doing so, I actually provided a pretty good segue into the theme of tonight's episode. So let's get to it...

(S01E08) Like so many of the episodes this season, this one felt too short. The show is good but when it feels too short, it often feels underdeveloped too. Despite the lack of development in places, Belle did get some closure. And I think it's pretty obvious that closure in a season finale is important. I, for one, was glad to see her satisfied with her situation at the end.

Tonight Belle tried her hand at being a courtesan. Wow, semantics makes all the difference, huh? There's your street-walking hookers, your pimped out prostitutes, high class escorts, and your professional courtesans. As she explained how courtesans were different than even highly paid call girls like herself, I thought of one of her very first asides on Secret Diary of a Call Girl. In the season premiere Belle told us that it didn't matter which way you slice it or what you call it, she gets paid to have sex.

(S01E06) Let's start with the very end of tonight's Secret Diary of a Call Girl. The previews from next week look insane! I shall even resort to using tweeny-internet speak here as I declare "ZOMG!" about next Monday's episode. Ben and Hannah are taking their already unusual relationship to a whole other level of weird.

But that is a whole week away, I know. I'll quit now and save my commentary for next time. Tonight's episode of SDCG was another good one, much like last week's. Once again the show mixed stories about Hannah's personal life and relationships with her exploits as a London prostitute. As I mentioned last week, when the show gives equal attention to both these aspects of Hannah's / Belle's character, it is truly entertaining.

However, SDCG took a long time getting to this point. I fear that some people may have given up on the show after episodes 1-02 and 1-03 failed to deliver. What do you think?

(S01E04) This episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl had everything I've been wanting in this show: Intriguing tidbits about the adventures of a London prostitute, well-delivered quips and situations ripe with comedy, and insight into why we should like / care about the other side of Belle ... Hannah.

All elements came together so seamlessly that I'm already wanting to see what happens next Monday night. (Yes, I have the screeners, but I try to watch only one a week so I keep those viewers seeing the show for the first time. I actually haven't seen Episode 1-05 yet.)

My review of tonight's Secret Diary of a Call Girl is after the jump.

(S0E03) "If you ask them first, 90% of them will say 'No.' But hey, once it's up there..." -- Belle

Ahh, the pitfalls of being a London call girl. I'll have to remember Belle's trick for when I'm stuck with a marathon runner and I'm on someone else's clock. That someone else is Ashok. We met Belle's very first client tonight. I already hope we see more of him.

My review of Secret Diary of a Call Girl is after the jump.

(S01E02) "Sometimes I get paid to do the things I've always wanted to do." -- Belle

Like have sex with old Scottish men who have a penchant for horses? No, wait, that was last week. This week Belle went to an exclusive adult party (think Eyes Wide Shut, but not as creepy) and meet her favorite author. She also got to wear a black wig (think Chicago) and some feathers around her neck (think Big Bird).

Check out my review of Secret Diary of a Call Girl after the jump. I promise, no more references.

(S01E01) Right after Weeds, we got our first look at Showtime's new original comedy series Secret Diary of a Call Girl. The half-hour show stars Billie Piper as Belle du Jour, a high-class London call girl. Tonight we got to meet Belle, who is Hannah the legal secretary by day, her agent Stephanie, her best friend Ben and a few of her clients.

We also got to hear Belle's rules: keep her two lives completely separate and stay in control. (There were others but those were the important ones.)

Then we got to see Belle break said rules.

Showtime has a new original comedy series premiering next week called Secret Diary of a Call Girl. I watched five of the eight half-hour episodes slated for season one (Showtime has ordered eight more for next year). In fact, I watched four episodes in one sitting. That should give you an idea of how much I enjoyed the show. It's easy to watch, well-acted, and the subject matter is well...interesting to say the least.

Take an early look at Secret Diary of a Call Girl after the jump.

Well, the debate is finally over. After years of heated online arguments, several visits to the snopes website, and one inconclusive Mythbusters episode, I can finally reveal the truth: yes, Scranton, Pennsylvania is a real place. Believe me, I'm just as surprised as you are.

I know that Scranton exists because I spent a full day there at The Office convention. Up until now my only other experience with long-from first-person journalism was reading Hunter Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Orginally, I was going to approach this assignment like him and go to Scranton whacked out on Mescaline. As it turned out, Mescaline wasn't really needed...