A Vampire, a Werewolf, and a Ghost Walk into a Bar... (Being Human - TV-14)

It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, which is probably why Syfy's "Being Human" doesn't take itself too seriously. The show follows three not-so-human roommates and their desperate cling to whatever shreds of humanity they have left.

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Aidan (Sam Witwer - "Star Wars: The Clone Wars") has been a vampire since the redcoats invaded New England. Josh (Sam Huntington - "Fanboys") is a werewolf, frustrated and ashamed for what he is. The two meet through their day jobs as nurses at a local hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. 

Aidan suggests an experiment - monster cohabitation. Aidan thinks that if he and Josh live together as roommates, they can help each other keep their monstrous selves in check and finally find a sense of normalcy.

The two decide to rent a house together, but unknowingly choose a house with a dark past. Here they find Sally Malik (Meaghan Rath - "Three Night Stand"), the ghost who haunts the house and has no memory of how she died. When she is finally able to reveal herself to Aidan and Josh, the boys vow to help her find her door to the afterlife. 

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The three battle all manner of the supernatural including a thriving underground vampiric empire - all while trying to make rent by the end of the month. That is what I loved most about the show: it made excellent use of the opportunity to make a bit of fun of itself. The heavier drama of the show would escalate and suddenly the garbage disposal would break. Josh, Aiden and Sally are dealing with real world problems of being single adults in their 20s, all while they have vampires and werewolves knocking on their front door.

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I also must say that I like the type of conflict that "Being Human" uses in its plot. I'm certainly not one for the vampire love triangles that are popular right now, but I do love watching monsters deal with the inner struggle of being, well, monsters. Josh and Aiden are constantly having to come to terms with what they are and how that defines the way they interact with their world. It sets up for some really thought-provoking scenes. Plus, the show really had a way of drawing me into the story; I always wanted to jump right into the next episode.

"Being Human" is especially popular among the cult TV crowd and it's worth noting that the show's own Sam Witwer will be making an appearance at Planet Comicon in Kansas City this March 13, 14 and 15. Rating: 3/5 pints of Ben & Jerry's.