The Best TV Show You've Never Heard Of

If you’re Canadian, you may never have heard of the Showtime network. Indeed if you’re Canadian, don’t bother clicking on that link because all you’ll see is this:

Fortunately, the Wikipedia can tell us more, including:

Showtime is a US cable TV network that primarily shows motion pictures as well as some original programming and occasional boxing matches… As of 2004, Showtime is owned by Showtime Networks Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc.

Part of the “some original programming” on Showtime is Huff, a series produced by Hank Azaria (The Simpsons, Friends, The Birdcage, Shattered Glass). And it’s stunningly good television.

Huff concerns the life of Dr. Craig ‘Huff’ Huffstodt (Azaria), his wife Beth (Paget Brewster), son (Anton Yelchin), mother (Blythe Danner), brother (Andy Comeau) and best friend (Oliver Platt). It’s a stellar cast, with no holes: when they’re flying — and that’s almost all of the time — it’s some of the best television you’ll ever see.

Because Showtime isn’t available in Canada, you’ll have to find a helpful friends who will let you borrow their copy. It’s worth the effort. Update: turns out (thanks Derek!) that The Movie Network (aka “pay TV”) carries the show in Canada. Here’s their Huff schedule: the first episode airs Feb 1.