What to Watch(men): There’s so much TV to choose from. That’s why, now more than ever, we need to seek out the shows made by people who consistently push the creative envelope. No one does that more than the smart, hilarious, and ferociously handsome Damon Lindelof who thrilled us with Lost and gave us one of TV’s greatest seasons ever with year three of The Leftovers. This weekend, the highly anticipated Watchmen debuts on HBO, and the buzz is big and the reviews are top notch. I’ve been waiting for this show for a long time. (Related: I have a weird feeling that Regina King is going to my BFF one day.)

+ What to Read: “They used their newfound purchasing power to fill their tables with large, garlic-heavy plates that native Italians often didn’t recognize – and routinely ridiculed – but that would soon become beloved staples of Italian-American cuisine. Dishes like spaghetti and meatballs.” From WaPo: How four dishes with roots in other lands tell a story of immigration and transformation.

+ What to Pod: Baseball playoffs, midseason football, and the start of the NBA makes this a great time for sports fans (or those just trying to drown out political news). And that makes this the best time of year to listen to Jim Rome. The highlights of his daily sports show are available in a commute length podcast.