I teach media studies so I do feel a need to watch some TV. I watch too much probably, but i do not get cable so there is only so much I can watch.

The shows I really think are very good and do not like to miss are:

The West Wing
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (dumb title, amazing show)
Third Watch
ER
Law and Order
various PBS things like Mystery! (when it's on), Masterpiece Theatre, Monarch of the Glen, and As Time Goes By...

but when I am away from TV for a while (like in the summer when I go camping) I do not miss it much...