Golden Globes/critic’s ignorance

I’m not one of those “TV is beneath me” snobs, but the reality is that, as your friendly neighborhood arts guy, I don’t have much time to watch the tube.

Still, when I saw the Golden Globe nominations this morning, I had to wonder how so much of (alleged) quality TV has gotten past me.

At the risk of revealing too much of my ignorance, here are the Golden Globe choices for best stuff on TV. So tell me, TV watchers, are these shows the best that are out there? Are they worth searching for? 

DRAMATIC TV SERIES

“Dexter” (Never saw it)

“House M.D.” (Never saw it)

“In Treatment” (No idea what this is, but I see a pattern forming)

“Mad Men” (Okay, everybody loves this one. I just fear I’d be coming in too late)

“True Blood” (No idea what this is)

TV SERIES, MUSICAL OR COMEDY

“Californication” (No idea what this is)

“Entourage” (Got a kick out of the show back when I had HBO. Heck, I even co-wrote a book called The Entourage Handbook. but I haven’t seen anything from the last few seasons. Is it holding up?)

“The Office” (Okay, so I do watch this one. But usually on the Internet after it airs.)

“30 Rock” (I’ve only caught one or two of these. Worth tacking down?)

“Weeds” (As good as my college-aged daughter says it is? By the way, Mary Louise Parker will be starring in “Hedda Gabler” in NYC in early ’09)

BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

“Cranford”

“Bernard & Doris”

“John Adams”

“A Raisin in the Sun”

“Recount”

Your thoughts?