Best of Television 2010

I fell behind on several critically acclaimed shows this year (some which apparently bounded back to their best seasons ever I've been told, but alas, won't be on this list due to my slack) but of all the shows I manage to keep watching in time, the ensemble comedies seemed to have bounded back with a vengeance.

Here are my picks for the Best of Television for 2010
(With the ranking from the three previous lists (Best of 2009, Best of 2008/ Best of TV - Fall 2007/ Winter 2008 Season) in parenthesis.):


1. Friday Night Lights (DirecTV/NBC) - (1, 1, 3)

New team, new kids, new problems, same Tammy, same Coach Taylor, same clear eyes, same full hearts, still can't lose.


2. Breaking Bad (AMC) - (Favorite But Not Caught Up)

We know drugs creates a lot of drama but who knew it could also be so funny? Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are intensely brilliant together as the drug-making odd-couple.


3. Community (NBC) - (Not Ranked)

Inanity at its best, with attention to details while going for the comedy gusto.


4. The Good Wife (CBS) - (Not Ranked)

A perfected balance of procedural law cases and personal drama with a strong ensemble AND guest cast.


5. Modern Family (ABC) - (3, New)

Delightfully heartwarming with some charming zingers.


6. Cougar Town (ABC) - (Not Ranked)

Nicely settled into older friends who like to drink, and drunk friends can be very very funny.


7. Parks & Recreation (NBC) - (Not Ranked)

Another tight comedy ensemble that only seems to get better as they've finally figured out their awkward workplace rhythm.


8. Better Off Ted (ABC) - (9, New)

Sadly, this terrific workplace comedy that skewered big corps and their minions never found an audience but hopefully will live on with DVD.


9. 30 Rock (NBC) - (8, 5, 4)

Still insane, still completely all over the place, but still getting in the laughs.


10. Bored to Death (HBO) - (Not Ranked)

A show that stars three folks I tend to think of as annoying, but totally lovable and hilarious here in this pseudo-detective noir comedy.

11. Nurse Jackie (Showtime) - (5, New)

12. Party Down (Starz) - (Not Ranked)

13. Ugly Betty (ABC) - (11, 7, 9)

14. Lost (ABC) - (2, 2, 1)

15. Glee (FOX) - (4, New)

16. The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - (10, 20, Not Ranked)

17. Bones (FOX) - (13, 15, 15)

18. Greek - (abcFamily) - (17, Not Ranked)

19. Desperate Housewives (ABC) - (15, 13, 18)

20. The United States of Tara (Showtime) - (6, New)


New Shows I Enjoy:
Sherlock (BBC)
The Walking Dead (AMC)
How to Make It In America (HBO)
Life Unexpected (The CW)
Raising Hope (FOX)

Most Overrated New Show:
Boardwalk Empire


Shows I Still Enjoy But I've Totally Fallen Behind On:
Mad Men
Fringe
Dexter
True Blood
Leverage
Damages
Burn Notice
Supernatural
Men of a Certain Age
Being Erica
Royal Pains
White Collar
Parenthood

Great Shows I'll Miss:
Lost
Ugly Betty
Better Off Ted
The New Adventures of Old Christine
10 Things I Hate About You
My Boys

Shows I Haven't Seen Yet
Terriers
Treme
Justified
Rubicon
Big Love

______________________________________

Best of 2010 Lists:
Best of Music 2010
Best of Television 2010
Best of Stage 2010
Best of Movies 2010

Previous Best-of Lists:
Best of 2009 Lists:
Best of Music 2009
Best of Television 2009
Best of Stage 2009
Best of Movies 2009

Decadeworthy - The Best of 2000-2009 Lists:
SYTYCDworthy (w/ Videos) - List Format
Theatre of the Decade
Best Films of the Decade
Favorite Films of the Decade
Television of the Decade
Television of the Decade - 1 Season Wonders

Best of 2008 Lists:
Best of Music 2008
Best of Television 2008
Best of Stage 2008
Best of Movies 2008
Best of Television Fall '07 - Winter '08 List

Best of 2007 Lists:
Best of Music 2007
Best of Television 2007
Best of Movies 2007
Best of Stage 2007
Best of 2007 (The Final Wrap Up)
Best of Television Fall '06 - Winter '07 List

Best of 2006 Lists:
Best of Music 2006
Best of Television 2006
Best of Movies 2006
Best of 2006
Best of Television Fall '05 - Winter '06 List

Best of 2005 Lists:
Best of Television 2005
Best of Movies 2005
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

TVworthy - The Vacation Catch-Up

It's been a while since I've blogged about TV. Oh, I'm still watching lots (and tweeting about it), but since my Australia/New Zealand vacation, I've been trying to catch-up. Some, like Lost, I've caught up with right away of course (not that I have any idea what's going on) and the rest, I'm slowly working my way back to the current episodes (I'm finally caught up to late March for most).

Anyways, here's my thoughts in more than 140 characters (but not by much because I think my brain is starting work in 140 character thoughts now).

Lost - Seriously, I can't talk about it, because, I don't know how to talk about it. But man, I can never wait until the next episode, yet fear it because it's one less episode until the end. I'm assuming I'll get "it" on May 23rd at 11pm.

Bored to Death - Watched the first season. I always think I'll get annoyed at Jason Schwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, and Ted Danson, yet I'm reminded that I've enjoyed them before (Schartzman in Rushmore and any Wes Anderson film, Galifianakis in Hangover despite the movie being overrated, Danson in Help Me Help You and Damages) and I'm loving them in this and I can't wait for more episodes.

Ugly Betty - I am LOVING this season so far. Of course I am. It's cancelled! It can now join the ranks of Everwood and The OC. Shows that got cancelled in it's fourth, and best season.

Greek - Nothing is more comforting than going back to college and joining Cappie, Casey, Rusty and Beaver. Seriously, I'd go back if it was this fun. I'm enjoying the deepening of Evan and Rebecca's characters and kudos for the ongoing gay love story with Calvin and Grant and I love the Heath still lingers around.

American Idol - What can be said? Worst season ever. It's Bowersox's to lose but I don't even get that excited by her as I have past Idolers like Kris Allen, David Archie, David Cook, Carrie Underwood or Kelly Clarkson. Maybe it's cause of all the Lilith Fair vibe. Maybe it's cause despite it supposedly being a girls year, the boys have prevailed, despite sucky voices. But hey, it's what happens when everyone is a sob story this year.

Life Unexpected - How much do I love this show? It has that comfortable reminder of the good years of The WB. Love Kristofer Polaha and Shirri Appleby and love all the minor melodrama.

Community, Parks & Recreation, Modern Family and Cougar Town have become such awesome comedies! Love them so much. Amazing too since 3 of them had such a shaky start. In fact, I find myself looking forward to them more than the old standard The Office (which I will say, has at least gotten better again in the new year).

The Good Wife - The cast is superb to begin with but they keep adding amazing guest stars and re-occuring characters. How much do we love Gary Cole's mustache? Or a creepy Alan Cummings (though when is he not creepy?). The writing has gotten better and tighter too and while the mysteries/cases still manipulatively feed us viewers, the interplay between the characters are snappy and solid. And still love that Archie Punjabi is now in a big US hit TV show.

Undercover Boss - It's so set up and manipulated (I mean, there's no way EVERY employee the undercover bosses speaks to has a sob story like the ones that do on this show) but while I wonder about the OTHER worthy employees, I'm a total sucker for it all. I can't stop watching, as fake as some of it may be.

Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains - When did Colby get so crabby? I'm still on team Boston Rob. I'm sad Cirie got kicked out so early. I wish Stephen (from JT's season) and Rob Cesterino was on this. UPDATE: Okay, I caught another ep. DAMNIT. Ugh.

Desperate Housewives - Okay, lesbian story aside (and I'm not totally caught up yet so bear with me), I've been loving this season.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

The ABC's of Colliding Stars

How come I've never seen these before? They're quite ingenious and fun! This first one with Teri Hatcher's Susan and Matthew Fox's Jack is awesome!:



Man, this just makes me love ABC even more. Despite Dancing with the Stars. But with Desperate Housewives, Lost, Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty, Modern Family, Cougar Town, FlashForward etc. they're definitely my favorite network at this point.

And I love when stars collide! AND in character! So fun!

I love this one with Patrick Dempsey, Courtney Cox, Ed O'Neill and Dominic Monaghan!:



Or this amazing one with Michael Emerson's Ben Linus with the new Wednesday comedy lineup with Courtney Cox, Patricia Heaton, Julie Bowen, Kelsey Grammar, Ty Burrell, and Sofia Vergara:


Here's one with several clipped together:
ABC house promo with Expanded scenes with: Michael Emerson, Josh Holloway, Courteney Cox, Kelsey Grammer, Patricia Heaton, Taye Diggs, Nathan Fillion, Marcia Cross, Felicity Hoffman, Calista Flockhart:






Bree and McSteamy:


Hurley with Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli:


Nora and The Bachelorette:


Amanda, McSteamy and Hurley!:


Nora and Jimmy Kimmel:


Supernanny and the balls from Wipeout:


Rob Lowe and Ty Pennington:


Dana Delaney with Karina Smirnoff and Derek Hough:


Nathan Fillion, Patricia Heaton and the other chick from Castle:


Courtney Cox with Josh Holloway's Sawyer:



Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...