HBO has done it again.

It's not like it wasn't already bad enough that my husband and I spent at least an hour a week glued to "The Sopranos". And "Sex In The City", well let's just say that I sneak that one in whenever the Remote Control King has left the room. But "Six Feet Under", wow, what a trip - into couch potato hell that is.

Due to start it's third season this September, "Six Feet Under" is well on it's way to becoming a semi-cultish smash hit. And with good reason....

Based on the everyday lives of a long time family of funeral directors, "Six Feet Under" explores the intricacies of life and death. But not without a few unexpected (and particularly enthralling) turns along the way.

The Fisher Family, after recently losing the patriarch and head funeral director, in a freak bus accident must learn how to cope with running the business by themselves but also learn how to live with one another again. Although slightly dysfunctional, the Fisher family is a typical American family doing its best to cope with their own lives while being surrounded by grieving strangers.

Unlike most funeral home settings (I hope), the dead have a way of haunting the family with eery appearances and philosophical advice. Not exactly what I would call everyday experiences for the general public.

In addition to enlightening visits from the recently deceased, the family is faced with issues that vary from the mundane to the ludicrous.

The eldest son Nate (Peter Krause) has hooked up with a woman Brenda(Rachel Griffiths) who is not only a genius but also bears the brunt of playing counselor to her bi-polar brother who is in constant battle with her overbearing psychiatrist parents.

Nate's mother Ruth (Frances Conroy) is dealing with not only her husband's death but her guilt over her previously illicit and ongoing relationship with her hairdresser Hiram (Ed Begley, Jr.).

And the other son David (Michael C. Hall), well let's just say he has a secret life all to his own. Or so he thought. His increasing sexual stunts with members of the same sex are slowly creeping to the surface and challenging not only his religious beliefs but are also challenging his relationships with his family, lovers, and co-workers. Coming out of the closet has been a very slow and agony filled decision for this character. Not to mention his on again off again relationship with sexy super cop Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) who is disgusted with David's continual attempts to play straight man by day while turning into a vixen at night.

Claire (Lauren Ambrose), the youngest and oddest of the bunch, has experiences that are uniquely her own. Known at school as "Toe Slut", Claire is subjected to the usual cruelties that only high school kids can seem to perpetrate upon each other. The nickname "Morticia" is not easily lost upon the audience. She does, after all, drive a lime green vintage hearse, has few friends, and lives in a house surrounded by dead people.

The writing in this show is superb - but it is not easily stomached by the faint of heart. For example, every episode begins with a death, and the special effects for these usually untimely departures can be disturbing. Not to mention the fact that David's pretty graphically illustrated sexual adventures may have the tendency to disturb those with homophobic tendencies.

And the language, well let's just say, put the kids to bed before you flip to this show. Although not rivaling "Scarface" in its use of the "F" word, there are moments when a profanity or two is sputtered from the character's lips.

On the other hand, the comedic moments, though sometimes few and far between have the ability to tickle the funny bones in those of us who have that cynical or sardonic sense of humor.

In essence, "Six Feet Under" is prime time programming at its best. Especially if you are not one to be faint of heart or virginal of eyes.






Recommended: Yes

Average Program Rating: TV MA -- mature audiences only