Police shows have always been incredibly successful. From CSI to Monk, television shows about police officers, their day-to-day duties and the techniques they use to fight crime have captivated audiences for decades.

Here, in no particular order, are my top five television shows centered around police officer jobs:

1. Law & Order

It would be hard not to include this classic on the list. Law & Order had a strong run from 1990 – 2010. Of course, now there are several spin-off shows that are also hugely successful. A twenty-year television presence is an incredible record for a TV show in a time when many shows only run for a season or two before they are cancelled.

2. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

This well-loved show, about police officers and investigators who analyze crime scenes to bring criminals to justice, also has a great track record. It came on the air in 2000 and is still going strong. This police show often takes a more creative spin. For example, in one episode, the dead bodies of victims (who are in a morgue) tell their own stories.

3. Monk

Monk, which was on air from 2002 to 2009, still has a large fan base and following. This show’s reruns are always a pleasure to watch, as Monk solves crimes in his own obsessive-compulsive way. The lovable character and intriguing plot lines keep audiences coming back for more.

4. NYPD Blue

NYPD is an oldie but a goodie. It was enjoyed by audiences everywhere from 1993 to 2005, and its reruns continue to tickle the fancy of many. This show captures what it is like to be a member of the New York Police Department. It not only features cops hunting down criminals, but also strives to give a glimpse into the career of a cop.

5. Dexter

Dexter is another show that may prove to become a TV legend. It began in 2006, and six years later, is still many people’s favorite police and crime show. This show is centered around one character, Dexter, who works as a forensics expert in Florida, but during his off hours lives the life of a serial killer who targets criminals who should be in prison.

Television shows about police officers always have been, and will probably continue to be, a favorite among audiences everywhere. The thrill of the chase, the intriguing mysteries and the captivating characters keep us coming back episode after episode.

Watching TV is a great way to unwind after a long day of online classes. However, even the best things can quickly get out of hand and turn into bad things. If you find you are spending too much time catching up on your favorite show, and not enough time studying for classes, it’s time to make a change.

Identify the Problem

Figure out what the problem is. You’ve established the fact that you spend too much time watching television. But why? Does it help you unwind? Are you in love with the latest TV drama? Figure out what the cause of your TV addiction is so you can put a stop to it, or at least gain some control so you can do better in school.

Set Some Boundaries

If you watch too much TV as a way to reduce stress, you know you need to do something else to replace that habit. For example, tell yourself you will watch one hour of TV when you finish your classes for the day, then you will move on to some other stress-reducing activity. Go outside, read a fun book or develop a hobby before you dig in for more course work. Your mind will be relaxed and you will feel much less overwhelmed.

Don’t Quit Cold Turkey

Of course, you don’t have to stop watching TV all together. In fact, doing so might do more harm than good. Entertainment is a great stress reliever, and if it helps you unwind, that’s great. The problem arises when you do too much unwinding, and not enough schoolwork. Allow yourself to have a favorite series or to watch that cooking show every night, just don’t let it take over.

There’s nothing wrong with watching TV. In fact, it has its benefits. But, when you learn to exercise some self-discipline and make sure your priorities are straight, you’ll be much more successful in school.

Switched at Birth may seem like just the latest teen drama, but that’s not at all what it is. This fun, compelling show is all about two teen-aged girls who were switched at birth, and raised by the wrong parents. When one of the girls, Bay, asks her parents to do a DNA test because she doesn’t fit in with the rest of the family, and looks extremely different than them, her whole world is turned upside down.

Bay and her parents meet Daphne, their real daughter, and her mother. Their lives couldn’t be any more different, since they grew up in completely different circumstances. Bay is rebellious, and learning how to become an artist. Daphne on the other hand, is an A-student who is deaf, and has learned to live life to the fullest without caring what others think of her.

The show follows the two girls lives as they struggle to find out who they are, deal with social situations and go through the normal things teens go through like dating and buying their first cars. Switched at Birth also takes a look at how the parents of these girls deal with the situation.

Bay’s parents feel like they did something wrong, like they should have known they brought home the wrong baby. They also try to sue the hospital for damages. Daphne’s mother tries to defend what she has done for her daughter, and the life she has provided for her.

The overarching messages in Switched at Birth are all about finding out who you are, coping with life situations and being grateful for your circumstances. While most teenagers won’t go through what Bay and Daphne go through, they can definitely relate to things on the show that every high school student goes through. If you are looking for an interesting drama that is unlike anything you have ever seen before, this is it!

It’s a sad day for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Bear Grylls’ television show, Man vs. Wild, has been cancelled by the Discovery Channel. It has been reported that Grylls and Discovery couldn’t come to terms when renewing the star’s contract, and was forced to let Grylls go.

The show has been well-loved by outdoors enthusiasts since 2006. Fans have loved watching Grylls do daring things like survive in extreme elements and battle things like mountains and rushing waters. Some of his escapades have been dangerous, and have caused him to seek medical attention from a doctor and medical assistant. Grylls once served as a Special Forces soldier in the United Kingdom.

While Grylls’ show has entertained viewers for seven seasons, there are have been lots of critics who have questioned the show’s authenticity. For example, some claim that Grylls’ crew built a log raft, then took it apart so that Grylls could rebuild it for the camera. The show is accused of leading viewers to believe that situations are natural and that Grylls was alone in the wilderness, when that wasn’t always the case.

Grylls and his team are also accused of staging a “wild mustang capture” with a tame horse, using a bear suit in place of a real bear to stage an attack, and adding special effects and smoke machines to a volcano scene. Perhaps the most disappointing accusation is that an episode where Grylls was supposedly stranded on a remote island was actually filmed on the Hawaiian Islands where Grylls spent the night in a hotel, not in the wilderness.

According to his spokesperson, Grylls is planning on continuing to provide entertainment to his viewers through other means. Grylls currently lives on the River Thames in a converted barge with his wife Shara and their three sons: Jesse, Marmaduke and Huckleberry.

Television has been around for a long time. In fact, it has become so much a part of our everyday lives that we barely give it a second thought these days. However, television has been making history for a long time, and continues to do so every day.

Here are some surprising facts about the history of television that might surprise you.

+ The first electronic television sets sold in the United States hit retailer shelves in 1938.

+ MTV went on air for the first time on August 1, 1981 at 12:01 am, playing the video “Video Killed the Radio” by the Buggles.

+ “Leave it to Beaver” is credited with showing the first toilet on television.

+ In 1948, viewers were introduced to the first remote control for a television set.

+ The Jeopardy “think” song is called “Time, For Tony,” and is dedicated to the writer’s son.

+ Chevrolet was the first automaker to advertise on TV. They aired their first commercial in 1946.

+ The first televised presidential debate was between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon in 1960.

+ In 1962, ABC became the first station to broadcast in color.

+ The “Gilligan’s Island” theme song was recorded in a garage. The song was written the Saturday before the Monday debut, and since there weren’t any studios open on Sunday, the creators had to make do with what they had.

+ The television show “Bewitched” was the first show to depict a husband and wife sleeping in the same bed on a regular basis, instead of the customary twin beds.

+ In 1998, NBC paid $13.1 million per episode for “E.R.” This made the show the most expensive in history.

This is just a small sampling of the fun facts and interesting history of television. The invention of television started a whole new era of entertainment, and brought with it an entire culture. Next time you sit down for some T.V., realize that you are part of history in the making.

The TLC channel is much more than just entertainment. True to its name, The Learning Channel, provides viewers with a unique way to learn about different career paths. Sure, you may be watching someone learn to bake, or experience the ups and downs of DIY projects, but you’re also learning.

Many of the shows on this channel are centered on fun and unique jobs. Here are five TLC shows that may convince you to pursue a certain career.

Take Home Chef

Learn the basics of putting ingredients together to create delicious meals with the Take Home Chef. This show follows chef Curtis Stone as he approaches someone in a grocery store, helps them shop, and then goes home with them to help prepare a new recipe. Take Home Chef will inspire anyone with a passion for cooking. Who knows, you may find yourself cooking for a famous restaurant some day!

Miami Ink

Have you ever considered a career as a tattoo artist? Believe it or not, many people make a career out of this talent. Miami Ink is a show that follows five tattoo artists as they run a tattoo parlor and help customers get the tattoo they are looking for. Many customers come in with interesting stories about the inspiration for their tattoo, which brings a whole new twist to the show.

Say Yes to the Dress

Say Yes to the Dress is a wildly popular show about Kleinfeld Bridal in New York. The series highlights a few sales people in the store as they help brides from all over the country find that perfect wedding dress. Sometimes it’s the brides and their families that bring the drama, and sometimes it’s even the store employees. Either way, this show is flat out entertaining and may just make you wish you worked in the fashion industry.

The Little Couple

The Little Couple is all about two little people, Bill and Jen, who face life with a different set of challenges. The couple works together to overcome these challenges, as they strive to forward their careers and start a family. Jen works as a doctor in a hospital, and her story is more than enough to make anyone admire medical professionals.

Police Women of Broward County

The tough ladies that are spotlighted on Police Women of Broward County fight crime on a daily basis, then go home and live ordinary lives. But, these women are no ordinary women. It takes a certain level of toughness to work in law enforcement, and there is no one better to show you what it takes than these policewomen.

Next time you’re channel surfing, consider stopping on TLC. You’ll get to see firsthand what it takes to be a professional in lots of different industries, and, you may even find a career that interests you. Who knew you could find your dream job while lounging in front of the television?

Recently, famed Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak admitted to being drunk while hosting the show. During an interview with ESPN’s show called Dan Le Batard is Highly Questionable, Sajak revealed that during dinner breaks between show tapings, he and Vanna White would drink margaritas, and maybe one too many.

In the interview, Sajak talked about how in the early days of the show, Wheel of Fortune wasn’t exactly…edge-of-your-seat kind of entertainment. In fact, he comes right out and says that he wasn’t fond of the show’s format. Contestants on the show would win fake money, then be able to trade it in for “cheesy” prizes, remembers Sajak.

It may have been all those boring shows that lead Sajak and White to look for a way to add some excitement to their days, because that’s just what they did. During their two-hour breaks, the well-loved hosts would go across the street for dinner and drinks.

“So Vanna and I would go across and have two or three or six and then come and do the last shows and have trouble recognizing the alphabet. They’re really good tapes to get a hold of,” Sajak says.

According to Sajak, no one else on the show ever said anything about his performance during this time. So, he says, he must have done a decent job of hosting the word-puzzle game show.

Both Sajak and White still host Wheel of Fortune, but neither get drunk on the job anymore. ”I’m getting a little bit older. So we don’t do that. I would be hesitant to have anything to drink now,” Sajak said in the interview.

Television show hosts don’t often make admissions like this on national television, especially when they are still hosting their show. However, Sajak and White have become household names, and their careers almost legendary, and it is doubtful Sajak’s remarks will hurt their careers.

You can’t help but love The Office. This mockumentary follows a paper business as it deals with typical office drama. While Michael may not be your typical boss, he definitely exhibits typical boss behavior, in an exaggerated way. In fact, one of the things that makes this show so great is that it is incredibly relatable.

Almost everyone has worked with an arrogant sales man, a stingy CPA or a dense customer service representative. Situations like safety training, sales goals competitions and office parties are all so well-known that this comedy will have you rolling on the floor with laughter.

The writers of The Office have managed to capture typical personalities and situations, exaggerate them just slightly, and make them highly entertaining. The plots and characters often start out at a more basic level, but then with a little added dramatization, they become amazing episodes.

Dwight and Michael are an incredible duo, whose manager and assistant (to the manager) relationship brings so many issues that often put the entire office in a comedic situation. Jim and Pam’s relationship is a drama you’ll watch from the edge of your seat, and the awkward antics of Kevin, Oscar and Angela will get you every time.

Another ingenious aspect of this show is that it does contain continuos plot lines, but not to the point where one episode can’t stand alone. For example, Jim and Pam’s ever-changing relationship strengthens and weakens from episode to episode for a few series in a row, but you can definitely watch an episode without knowing the entire background, and still enjoy it.

The dynamics of this show have changed, somewhat drastically, from season to season, but The Office has managed to keep its charm. With relatable situations and characters (everyone knows a Dwight), it has managed to stay on the top of the list of the best comedy sitcoms.

A few days ago, one of the captains from the much-loved show Deadliest Catch, was sentenced to five years in prison for causing a deadly crash while driving under the influence.

Captain Clarence “Ole” Helgevold Jr., 60 years old, was arrested in connection to an accident that occurred in January 2010. Helgevold was driving while intoxicated and hit George Larion who was driving a snowmobile. Larion was thrown from his snowmobile and killed.

In May 2011, Helgevold pleaded guilty to reduced charges and was sentenced to serve 4 1/2 years for criminally negligent homicide and another 6 months for driving under the influence. If the captain would not have pleaded guilty, his sentence would have been 8 years in prison, as the original sentence stated.

Barbara Larion, the victim’s wife, said that she is still learning to cope with the family’s loss. “This year has been very, very hard.  I didn’t think people’s hearts could literally break. I’m tired of crying, and I don’t know how to help my kids’ grief,” Larion said.

Helgevold’s attorney, Eric Derleth, revealed that it has been discovered that Larion had also been drinking the night he was killed. “That doen’t make (the death) appropriate, but there’s responsibility on both sides of this,” Derleth said.

Helgevold only said a few things while in court. He expressed his remorse and regret of the tragic death by saying, “I often wish to God it was me and not him. It should have never happened…I’ll leave it at that.”

As the captain of the Arctic Dawn, Helgevold was featured in America’s Deadliest Season, which was a three-part mini-series that later transformed into Deadliest Catch.

Chopped is an amazingly addicting cooking show. You’re probably thinking it’s not possible to have a cooking show exciting enough to get hooked on. Well, you haven’t seen The Food Networks’s Chopped.

Hosted by Ted Allen, this show will have you glued to your TV. Contestants on Chopped are given regular ingredients that most people are familiar with. The catch is that these ingredients are not usually used together in the same dish. The chefs are then faced with the challenge of using the ingredients to create different parts of meal. The contestants are given 3 ingredients for each course: appetizer, entre and dessert.

Each round (each part of the course) is timed and the contestants race to create a delicious dish with the ingredients. When the time is up for each round, the chefs face the judges. The judges, who are usually professional chefs, rate the dishes based on presentation, creativity and of course, taste.

The chefs anxiously stand by and watch as the professionals taste their dish and judge how well the chef did. The judge often critiques the dish out loud, and tells the chef what he or she thinks of the food. Sometimes these comments are encouraging and the chefs are praised, other times the judges give some critical feedback. They also offer tips on how the dish could be better prepared.

Then, the judges decide which contestent will not continue on to the next round because their dish was not as good as the others. This chef is then “chopped” and is no longer in the running.

By the time the dessert course comes around, there are only two chefs left. The judges taste the final course and determine the winner of the show based on their dessert as well as the overall meal prepared by the chef. The winner is declared and wins $10,000!

If any part of you, even deep down has wondered what it would take to learn how to become a chef, you will love Chopped.