More and more lately I find myself watching programming from the UK. BBC America is turning into the most watched channel in my house, and I’m really enjoying what I’m watching. It all started with the Writer’s Strike…I needed something different to watch, so I turned to other channels that I might have previously skipped over. Already being a fan of ‘Doctor Who’, it was easy to stop by the BBC to check out spin-off ‘Torchwood’, and I ended up staying for much more.

This list includes those two phenomenal shows, but also includes a few others that I think are truly great television, and that I recommend for anyone to watch.

5. Torchwood – This spin-off from ‘Doctor Who’ revolves around a government agency created to combat the paranormal forces that threaten the UK. Torchwood comes off as mostly evil – except for the branch in Cardiff run by Captain Jack Harkness, which is the branch the series focuses on.

It’s shades of “X-Files” but with its own unique twist. While a few of the episodes in season two were on the “hokey” side, this show remains engaging and well worth your time.

4. You Are What you Eat - Nutritionist Gillian McKeith doesn’t hesitate to tell the overweight people on her show exactly what they’re doing wrong. She is blunt, to the point, and a great motivator. The show makes no bones about analyzing poo, discussing farting, and showing people first hand exactly what a week of eating crap looks like.

You can learn a lot from this show, but simply watching it, is a motivator to eat a healthier diet, and live a healthier life style. If you’re even slightly over weight, I recommend watching this show at least a few times a week. Reruns run everyday, and there’s plenty of episodes to fill your DVR.

3. Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares – Chef Gordon Ramsay is well known to US audiences for “Hell’s Kitchen” as well as “Kitchen Nightmares”, the US made version of this show, but his original UK show is vastly superior to both of these programs. Free of “Reality show” casting, the show simply focuses on Chet Ramsay going to various restaurants that are in trouble, and showing them how to turn around their business.

It’s educational, and highly entertaining, and I think fans of the US show will be able to quickly see the contrast in style of the show. I have watched the first season of the US show, and will continue to watch it in the future, but there’s just something about the original that is a much more satisfying viewing experience.

2. That Mitchell and Webb Look – I originally became aware of these two when they were hired by Apple to star in UK versions of the PC vs Mac ads. While those weren’t terribly well received, their show “That Mitchell and Webb Look” is another story entirely. It is absolutely the best sketch comedy on television right now. Sure, there are a few times when I don’t get the jokes because they are referencing something in the UK that I’m not aware of, but most of the time these two guys absolutely channel the very best in british comedy.

1. Doctor Who – Who didn’t see this coming? Anyone? Anyone? I didn’t think so. Doctor Who enters its 4th season since returning to television, and new episodes will air on the Sci-Fi Channel in the US starting this Friday. Doctor Who is the very best in Sci-Fi, and out of all the current Sci-Fi television series currently in production, it is my absolute favorite.

Season 4 is set to be explosive, and possibly the best yet, with the Doctor being joined by the surprisingly likable Catherine Tate. We also know that previous companion, Martha Jones will be making an appearance, and The Doctor’s first companion (since the series returned) – Rose Tyler – will be showing up at some point as well.

If you’re a fan of ANY kind of Sci-fi – it’s worth your time to check out this amazing series.