How bad is TV?

I love TV. My favorite shows include House, LOST, and Arrested Development. When I watch television, I don't think about the effect it's having on me and my brain. What I do think about is the plotline, suspense, and my analysis of the characters and their actions. Is that such a bad thing?
Ok so yes Americans in general watch too much TV, but does that make all TV bad? I say no. I think the excess of it today is bad, but TV itself in small quantities isn't horrible. Take chocolate for example, a little bit of it is good for your heart, but too much makes you fat and can even hurt your heart.
I find that some TV challenges me to pay attention, helps me to learn and to really analyze the characters and the plot, such as House. I love House, and I'm not quite sure why. There's something intriguing about diagnosing patients; like it's a game to win. I also like the psychology in the show and its fast paced and witty humor. And it's not all just watching for relaxation. I learn too. If not for House, I never would have heard of Gulf-War syndrome or known that brown urine is a sign of kidney failure.
So while my actual learning from TV is limited, I find it to be a good way to wind down or take a quick break. In small quantities it can be a fun way to relax, but in excess (as it is for most people today) it is a waste of time. Though entertaining, hours upon hours of television can hurt us, and uses up time that could be better spent elsewhere.