You might want to check out this thread on zebras/IREs as well.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=70332

Get a good CRT monitor, set it up correctly and use your eyes.

Don't get locked into "correct" levels, set the lighting levels, contrast and exposure for what looks right for the the story you're trying to tell.

Look at films, photographs or paintings that have the "look" that you're trying to create and check how the lighting is handled. Just be aware that some TV sets will lift heavily under exposed shots, so that the blacks look grey. However, a small peak white (eg a light or a torch) somewhere in the frame will cure that.

You can use the waveform monitor to maintain consistent exposure levels from shot to shot and to spot if you're overexposing.