I honestly can't decide if I like Showtime's new dark comedy "House of Lies," or if I hate it.

I like the cast a lot -- Don Cheadle, Kristen Bell ("Veronica Mars"), Ben Schwartz ("Parks and Recreation"), and Australian actor Josh Lawson. But I really do hate the characters they play. I hate what they do and how they do it and who they do it for.

"House of Lies" follows a group of highly paid managment consultants who essentially hustle their super wealthy clients while helping those clients hustle the rest of us.

Cheadle plays the leader of the group, Marty Kaan. In addition to being an exceedingly slick huckster, he's also a divorced single dad with primary custody, and he depends on his own father (played by Donis Leonard Jr.) for help caring for his son. Marty also has a souped-up libido, which is evident from the first eye-popping scene in episode 1. (Do not watch this series when the kids are around!!).

Suvivor: South Pacific (8pm, CBS) - Members of the jury interview the final three castaways before voting for the winner. This takes two hours. The winner is announced in the "Survivor Reunion" show at 10pm.

Downton Abbey (8pm, UNC-TV) - UNC-TV begins repeats of one of the best TV shows of the year tonight. If you missed it earlier, set your DVRs right now. Tonight we get the first two episodes of this 4-episode series, which follows the entailment woes of Lord Grantham (Hugh Bonneville, right), his wife (Elizabeth McGovern, right), their three daughters, and his mother (Maggie Smith). It's way better than I've made it sound here. Just trust me on this one. (Note: episode 3 will air on Dec. 25 and episode 4 will air on Jan. 1. Season 2 begins on Jan. 8.)

Allen Gregory (8:30pm, Fox) - In the series finale, Allen woos Principal Gottlieb with bribery. No second season for this stinker.

Dexter (9pm, Showtime) - In the sixth season finale, Dexter (Michael C. Hall) and the Homicide department try to stop the Doomsday Killers from committing one final murder, while Debra deals with a new emotional situation.

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (9pm, ABC) - A vindictive Jack Frost (Martin Short) wreaks havoc at the North pole for Santa (Tim Allen) in the third installment in the "Santa Clause" franchise.

Homeland (10pm, Showtime) - In the Season 1 finale, a near catatonic Carrie (Claire Danes) is confined to bed as Saul (Mandy Patinkin) puzzles over the unnerving implications of her timeline. Meanwhile, Walker settles on a perch from which to complete his mission, and Brody (Damien Lewis) preps for the vice president's policy summit. Great first season -- so glad it's coming back for a second.

On the Case with Paula Zahn (10pm, Investigation Discovery) - A look at the 2008 murder of Lucy Johnson in Gastonia. The pregnant mother of two was found shot twice in the head in her burning home, and her family and friends pointed police to several possible suspects. The 31-year-old ER nurse was twice divorced and embroiled in a custody battle with an ex-boyfriend. But as the investigation unfolded, police stunned everyone by zeroing in on the most unlikely of targets.

All-American Muslim (10pm, TLC) - Lowe's may not like it, but series goes on. Tonight, the end of the month of Ramadan means Coach Zaban's team is no longer fasting, but their playoff hopes may also be over if they don't win their next game.

Season 6 of Showtime's "Dexter" returns tonight with a fresh and freaky theme and a compelling new list of guest stars.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of this show. Even when I think I've grown ambivalent, it only takes one episode to pull me back into serial killer Dexter Morgan's (Michael C. Hall) tense and exhausting life of baby-raising, blood spatter analysis, and bad guy-killing.

The new season adds Colin Hanks and Edward James Olmos as religious zealots who are trying to ... actually, I watched three episodes and I'm still not sure what they are trying to do, but they are most definitely up to no good.

Also in the cast this season is Mos Def, who is credited on the show simply as Mos (when did that happen?). Mos plays Brother Sam, an ex-con who has supposedly found religion, but Dexter is skeptical. Is Brother Sam "tending his flock" to keep them out of trouble or running some kind of scam? (The part brings to mind Walton Goggins as Boyd in FX's "Justified.")

Showtime's new psychological thriller, filmed mostly in Charlotte, comes from the executive producers of "24," but borrows much more heavily from a "Manchurian Candidate"-type drama.

"Homeland" tells the story of Marine POW Nick Brody (Damian Lewis, "Band of Brothers," "Life") who was rescued and returned home after eight years in Afghanistan. He's welcomed back to America as a hero, but CIA operative Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes, "My So-Called Life" "Temple Grandin") believes he was "turned" while in captivity, and that he's back to assist Al Qaeda with a terrorist attack on U.S. soil.

Carrie makes a compelling case. After all, Brody's behavior is often quite odd, but how much of that can be attributed to the trauma of his imprisonment and torture? There's also the matter of Carrie's mental state. We learn in the pilot that Carrie is bi-polar, a condition she conceals from her employers, and one that for the most part, goes untreated. Let's just say she doesn't always demonstrate the best judgment.

So is Brody a bad guy, or is Carrie unstable and paranoid?

Showtime is debuting a very intense new series next weekend called "Homeland" (October 2, 10 p.m.).

It's about a rescued marine POW who may or may not have been "turned" during his eight years of captivity in Afghanistan.

In the series, CIA agent Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) must figure out if Nick Brody (Damian Lewis) is an American hero or a terrorist. Meanwhile, viewers must decide if Carrie is a savvy agent or a borderline psychotic. Mandy Patinkin plays Carrie's boss and mentor. We'll have more on the premiere next week.

Also, most of it is filmed in Charlotte (FYI, Patinkin says he loves Charlotte).

But the best news is Showtime has the pilot available online right now for free.

Legends of Folk: The Village Scene (8pm, UNC-TV) - This PBS special looks at the folk music scene in New York's Greenwich Village during the 1960s. The Village was considered the epicenter of folk, folk rock, and singer songwriter movements, and shaped one of the most important periods in American music. Features rare performances by Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Joan Baez, John Denver, the Lovin' Spoonful, the Mamas and the Papas, Richie Havens, Judy Collins, Neil Diamond, Tim Hardin, and Peter, Paul and Mary. More information on the special from WGBH.

The Love We Make (9pm, Showtime) - This documentary chronicles Paul McCartney's poignant and cathartic journey through the streets of New York City in the aftermath of the World Trade Center's destruction, and traces the planning and performance of the star-studded benefit concert at Madison Square Garden. "The Concert for New York City" took place less than six weeks after the terrorist attacks. Includes concert performances and behind-the-scenes footage. Directed by iconic documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles and his partner Bradley Kaplan, and shot in 16mm black and white. The film documents what Showtime calls McCartney's "personal journey to help heal the city that welcomed him with open arms in 1964."

Voices from Inside the Towers (9pm, History) - An aural account of what went on inside the World Trade Center Towers on September 11 includes the recordings of victims left on message machines, accounts by survivors, and families recalling the last words of loved ones.
 
Portraits from Ground Zero (10pm, A&E) - Photographer Andrea Booher interviews people she photographed in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and asks them to recall the stories behind the images.

Beyond: Messages From 9/11 (10pm, BIO) - Family members of September 11 victims recall messages they've received from their deceased loved ones.

More September 11 specials listed here.

9/11: The Day That Changed the World (8pm, Smithsonian Channel) - A two-hour special telling the inside story from the people in charge of protecting the nation on 9/11. Exclusive interviews with Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Rudy Giuliani, Andrew Card, Richard Clarke, and others. Narrated by Martin Sheen. Repeats at 11 tonight and 5 p.m. tomorrow.

When Pop Culture Saved America: A 9/11 Story (8pm, Bio) - An exploration of how celebrities helped in the healing process in the aftermath of September 11 through concerts, telethons, and television specials. Features: Kristin Chenoweth, Dan Rather, Regis Philbin, Ray Romano, and Denis Leary.

The Closer (9pm, TNT) - Brenda investigates the puzzling disappearance of a stage father whose daughter's new single is ready for release. Also, new and potentially hopeful developments emerge in Brenda's civil suit.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (9pm, Bravo) - The much discussed Season 2 premiere will air with a brief introduction featuring the cast discussing the recent suicide of cast member Russell Armstrong. They'll also air suicide prevention messages throughout the episode. Armstrong killed himself in August after taping of Season 2 had ended. He is not featured in tonight's premiere episode, but his wife Taylor is shown discussing their troubled marriage. 

The Glades (10pm, A&E) - In the Season 2 finale, ex-con brothers seize Callie's hospital and take hostages, and Jim and Callie (right) must work together to capture the men and keep everyone safe.

Children of 9/11 (10pm, NBC) - Interviews and home movies help trace the experiences of 11 children whose lives were directly impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Included: a boy who lost his mother in the Pentagon attack, a boy who was born two days after his father perished in the World Trade Center, and three daughters of a man who bravely battled hijackers onboard United Flight 93.

Death Valley (10:30pm, MTV) - A vampire prostitute is released from the station and teen vigilantes go zombie hunting.

Friends with Benefits (8pm, NBC) - In this pilot for a sitcom I've never heard of, best friends Ben and Sara blur the lines between friendship and romance while waiting to find their perfect mates. The new series, left over from NBC's Jeff Zucker reign, is described as being about "twentysomething pals facing the perks and perils of dating." A second episode airs at 8:30.

Platinum Hit (8pm, Bravo) - In the Season 1 finale, the three final songwriters try to write a career-making, chart-topping song -- without restricting parameters.

Hard Rock Calling 2011 (9pm, VH1 Classic) - Bon Jovi, Ray Davies, the Killers, Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, and Train perform at London's Hyde Park in 2011.

Whale Wars (9pm, Animal Planet) - The Sea Shepherds finally locate the factory vessel after months of searching, but it promptly tries to evade the Gojira.

Pauly Shore's Vegas is My Oyster (10pm, Showtime) - Comedian Pauly Shore hosts a Las Vegas variety show that features rock musicians, comedians, and adult entertainers. Among the stand-up comics are Maz Jobrani, Andy Dick, Charlyne Yi, Faizon Love, and Carrot Top.

Real Time with Bill Maher (10pm, HBO) - Chef Anthony Bourdain and economist Christina Romer are the interview guests. Panelists include Stephen K. Bannon, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Joan Walsh.

Rhett & Link: Commercial Kings (10pm, IFC) - Rhett & Link do a tourism spot for a remote Nevada town that's home to a clown-themed motel, a haunted graveyard, and a dollar store that features a psychic and sells dog food.

20/20 (10pm, ABC) - Compulsive sweepstakes players and the affects of hoarding on families of hoarders. Also, Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton and producer Phil Rosenthal discuss the documentary "Exporting Raymond," about Rosenthal's efforts to produce a Russian version of "Everybody Loves Raymond."

Showtime is about to give new meaning to the term "inside baseball."

Tonight at 9:30 p.m., the network will present a special 30-minute sneak peek at their new reality baseball series 'The Franchise: A Season with the San Francisco Giants.'

'The Franchise' is a behind-the-scenes documentary series following the World Champion San Francisco Giants, giving viewers a front row seat into the personal and professional lives of the players, coaches, and team personnel as they begin the task of defending their 2010 World Series title. Cameras follow players as they train, socialize, and spend time with their families. Some of the players even have cameras embedded in their cars.

'The Franchise' is being shot over the course of eight months and will have a camera crew with the team during the first half of the regular season.

The regular series premieres with a one-hour episode on July 13th. 

Click below to watch a short video preview of the series.

Silly me. I thought a gigolo was a man who used women for money; you know, the opposite of a sugar daddy.

I wasn't wrong, but a gigolo is also a male escort, aka a male prostitute.

That's the world "Gigolos" (Showtime, 11 tonight) mines, the ups and downs of five men who make their living 'entertaining' women. Mostly on the bed.

Should I be ashamed that I watched four of the half-hour episodes with barely a pause?