While television is full of "reality" shows, few shows get into the real lives and struggles of prominent people the way that BETJ's Parallel Paths does.

I don't know about you, but I'm in serious need of some fun. Let me tell you where I'm finding it these days. I want to tell you about a couple of shows I've fallen in love with -- NPR's "This American Life," and "Parallel Paths" on BETJ. I know, This American Life is not exactly new, and you may never have heard of Parallel Paths. But both shows are fun and surprising, despite their distinct formats and approaches. On This American Life, host Ira Glass would introduce the next part of this post by saying, "Act One..Parallel Paths."