Winning at TV

Winning at TV

Last Sunday, US TV show Breaking Bad ended its five-season run on a high note.

Its gripping finale raked in its highest ratings ever, with 10.3 million viewers tuning in.

So how does a series become a ratings winner? Let these favourite titles available on SingTel mio TV Season Pass show you how.

Go nuts

Like, literally.

TV viewers love a solidly mentally unhinged character - just check out all the fan pages devoted to chemistry teacher-turned-crazed drug lord Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) from Breaking Bad.

But now that the show is over, you can get your weekly fix of wide-eyed, stuttering crazy from CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) in the drama Homeland.

The current third season sees her dealing with the aftermath of terrorist-turned-lover Brody (Damian Lewis) being accused of bombing the CIA headquarters in the second-season finale.

New episodes of Homeland air every Tuesday.

Real-to-reel drama

When musical comedy Glee kicked off in 2009, it was a charming show for its witty and non-preachy take on social issues.

And when real-life issues are stirred into the mix, the ratings get a further boost.

Many are expected to tune in to the current fifth season for Glee's tribute to the late Cory Monteith, who played lead male protagonist and jock Finn Hudson.

The 31-year-old Canadian actor died in July from a combination of heroin and alcohol in a hotel room.

The episode, which airs in the US next Thursday, will see the show's characters pay tribute to Finn in song, while Finn's best friend Puck (Mark Salling) will supposedly make a life-changing decision.

New episodes of Glee air every Saturday.

Hot older women

One look at some of the hottest shows on TV right now and you'll realise that they all have mature hotties. We're talking American Horror Story: Coven's Sarah Paulson and Jessica Lange.

Lange, 64, has been bewitchingly creepy as the villain on the first two seasons of American Horror Story.

Paulson, 38, joins her for the show's third season. Premiering in the US next Wednesday, it will centre on the Salem witch trials.

New episodes of American Horror Story: Coven premieres next Friday.


Get The New Paper for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.