Laura’s 5 Favorite International TV Shows

American television has its highs (Dexter, Weeds) and its lows (The Biggest Loser, Howie Do It), and I love every minute of it. Still, as rich and diverse a television landscape as we have in this country, there are some equally amazing shows being made around the world. Strange but true. Here are five of my favorite currently airing foreign shows.

5. Skins (UK) - Compelling high school drama that doesn’t involve Upper East Siders.

4. Brain Wall (Japan) - The original is far superior to the US adaptation, “Hole in the Wall.”

3. La Guerra de los Sexos (Venezuela) - A great Spanish-language game show with bizarre, nonsensical sound effects (like an endlessly howling wolf).

2. Summer Heights High (Australia) - Sort of like if Christopher Guest made a series and played all the major characters.

1. Secret Diary of a Call Girl (UK) - Somehow this show makes prostitution seem fun and glamorous without seeming like it’s setting womankind back decades.