Well to be honest there should be more options for Google Now. Like if you don't like the commute times and when its displayed, you should have an option to change that. I tend to get commute times starting 4pm even though I typically don't get off til after 6 and usually after 7pm.
I should also be able to choose which TV shows I care about. It tells me Game of Thrones is on Sundays at 9pm. Great, but what about 24? Oh because the only way to trigger that is by searching it? What if I search about a show I don't follow?
This whole automated stuff is good, but at the same time it deserves to have some knobs and dials for the power user.
As for the traffic alert problem, I think it only becomes an issue if someone accidentally clears the notification.
Regarding TV shows, just search for the show using a computer, and you can tell it to remind you of new episodes. So, search for GoT, and turn off the reminders for new episodes. Then, search for 24, and tell it to remind you of new episodes. You can also follow the show to get more information about the show as well, think of it like news.
Google Now is great, but you have to teach it what you want to know about you. It's not magically going to know that you like 24 just because you haven't searched for it. I do agree, more granular controls would be great to have. Perhaps in a future release
I'm not sure what the OP's problem is. If you dismiss your notifications, then what's to say you don't even read your texts/emails? It places your traffic time on your tray when you need to goto work and/or home. If you want to make it simple, use DashClock to put the Google Now notifications on your lock screen.