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...

Screening Dads

While DameJames has already done a good job rounding up hot daddies, I'm gonna wish everyone a Happy Father's Day with the best current TV dads! Now to be honest, anybody can really become a dad. That's not hard (actually, that's how it started. Badabing! ) but becoming a GOOD dad is difficult. So here's to the television fathers that are worth being role models!:

And for four years running, Friday Night Lights' Coach Eric Taylor is hands down the best dad on TV. And maybe one of the best on TV ever. Not only is he a great father to his family, but he's a great father to the town of Dillon.

New fathers to TV, Modern Family's Cam and Mitchell are my picks for best TV comedy dads! Their love and devotion (if sometimes slightly neurotic) to the always adorable and newly adopted Lily is heartwarming.

Even if they sometimes lose her in a jungle.

Actually, all the modern dads, Cam, Mitch, Jay and Phil are pretty great. Jay and Phil are still figuring it out, but at least they're trying!

Best Guest TV dad is definitely Burt Hummel for his turnaround into the pro-gay defending dad that he became on Glee.

And while he may not actually be the best dad, we still love Cougar Town's Bobb-ay!

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...

Best of Television 2009

I know this is a little late AND considering how far behind I've fallen in 2009, not the most accurate or complete list. Plus, if you've already seen my Best Television of Decade list, this won't be all that different. And if it's not there, it might be in the Best One Season Hit Wonders list. So this is not going to be terribly new or exciting.

And due to cable issues, I never got a chance to see the latest season of Mad Men nor several other cable shows (including Damages, Breaking Bad or True Blood).

I know. I might as well not write a TV blog.

But alas, in keeping with my yearly lists, Here's my picks for the Best of Television for 2009
(With the ranking from the two previous lists (Best of 2008/ Best of TV - Fall 2007/ Winter 2008 Season) in parenthesis.):

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



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



3. Modern Family (ABC) - (New)



4. Glee (FOX) - (New)



5. Nurse Jackie (Showtime) - (NEW)


6. The United States of Tara (Showtime) - (NEW)


7. Gavin & Stacey - BBCAmerica (4, New)


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


9. Better Off Ted (ABC) - (NEW)


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


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

12. Southland (NBC) - (NEW)

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

14. Top Chef (Bravo) - (14, Not Ranked)

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

16. Chuck (NBC) - (10, 12)

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

18. The Office (NBC) - (16, 14)

19. So You Think You Can Dance/So You Think You Can Dance Canada - (FOX/CTV) - (9, 8/11)

20. Burn Notice (USA) - (17, 7)

Shows I've Totally Fallen Behind On That I Still Love:
Breaking Bad
Damages
Fringe
Mad Men
Supernatural

Old Shows That Got Great Again:
The Real World: Brooklyn

New Shows That Turned Out Better Than Expected (that aren't already listed above, here listed alphabetically):
Cougar Town
Dollhouse
The Good Wife
The Middle
Party Down
Royal Pains
10 Things I Hate About You
The Vampire Diaries
White Collar

New Shows That Had a Slow Start But Have Vastly Improved:
Community
Parks & Recreation

Shows That Are Slipping
Gossip Girl
The New Adventures of Old Christine
Weeds

Shows That Deserved More Life
Kings
Privileged
Pushing Daisies
The Unusuals
Worst Week

Shows I've Dropped Or Considering Dropping
90210
Grey's Anatomy
Melrose Place
Private Practice

______________________________________

Best of 2009 Lists: Coming soon
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

Previous Best-of Lists:
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...

Decadeworthy - Television of the Decade

Here's my picks for the Best in Television of the Decade. Yes, it was the golden age of television. Where shows were able to further blossom, delve deeper, run archs that created emotionally satisfying stories that took advantage of using the longer format. Or, the opposite, where crime procedurals flourished.

And yes, while it may seem like I watch every show out there, I actually do not. Sadly, I had real jobs to do. So no, I still haven't started The Wire or Battlestar Galactica or Big Love yet, and while I petered out on Six Feet Under and The Sopranos, I never got back into them when they apparently resurged in quality.

So I've limited to picking the shows with their best season in this decade (so thus, The Sopranos S1 was 1999 and thus ineligible, as was S2 of Sex and the City. 1999 was a good year for HBO wasn't it?), and it can't have already been mentioned on my Decadeworthy: Best of Television 1 Season Wonders List.

I also started listing them in order but kept switching the orders for days that I almost went back to alphabetical, but decided to leave the ranking, but you can probably argue a different order especially from 11+ and I could agree. So don't put too much attention to the exact order.

So here's my Decadeworthy List for Television of the Decade:


1. Friday Night Lights (DirecTV/NBC) - Season 3 (2008)

Right from the get go, Season 1 grips you into the lives of the residents living in Dillon, TX, but Season 3 is when the emotional culmination comes to full fruition in deeply moving stories that continue on in Season 4 as more characters are giving satisfying sendoffs while new players are rolled in, all with the central core of Tami and Coach Eric Taylor staying strong at its heart.


2. Lost (ABC) - Season 4 (2008)
Best Episode: "Through The Looking Glass" (Ep. 322)

The 3rd Season finale changed the game but also confirmed Lost was in fact, not completely lost, with Season 4 continuing the build on everything since the terrific first season, mixing the mystery and lore with deep looks into Oceanic 815 survivor's lives and their destiny.


3. Coupling (BBC2) - Season 3 (2002)
Best Episode: "Remember This" (Ep. 304)

A British version of Friends with Sex and the City thrown in, the show is cute and builds to comic perfection in Season 2, but Season 3 tops that with some genius devices including the "Split" and "Remember This". I would say 5 of the 7 episodes in the season are perfect and cannot be touched.


4. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TheWB/UPN) - Season 5 (2000-2001)
Best Episode: "The Body" (Ep. 516)

Before the decade had begun, the show had already perfected the use of high school/college as allegory for bigger, more devilish themes, with a funny Scooby crew fighting off demons and vampires, but everything seemed to gather to an emotional and urgent climax to fight Gloria, as well as the incredibly moving and non-supernatural death of Buffy's mom.


5. Everwood (TheWB) - Season 4 (2005-2006)
Best Episode: "Foreverwood Parts 1 & 2" (Eps. 421 & 422)

Every season deepened the family drama about a successful surgeon and his two kids that he tries to know better after moving to the small town of Everwood, CO. Everwood managed to balance both a light and fun tone with deeper and more emotionally dark issues, all with characters we learned to love, and managed to cobble together one of the most satisfying finales despite having the show cancelled unceremoniously at the last minute.


6. Pushing Daisies (ABC) - Season 1 (2007)
Best Episode: "Pielette (Ep. 101)

A deliriously delicious romantic murder mystery that sort of defied genres. Part romantic comedy, part crime procedural, part fantasy, part gay wonderland, and all wonderful.


7. Veronica Mars (TheWB) - Season 1 (2004-2005)

A mystery film noir done for the high school set but was not for the high schooler, with the dark cases and witty repartees, Kristen Bell led a terrific cast in a sleuth show that constantly surprised with twists and turns that were both fun and actually puzzling.


8. Gavin & Stacey (BBC3) - Season 1 (2007)
Best Episode: "Episode One" (Ep. 101)

A great romantic comedy television show that wasn't schmaltzy or cliched and pushed forward in a dizzying pace with harsh realities without ever losing the dream romance at its core.


9. Arrested Development (FOX) - Season 1 (2003-2004)

O that zany Bluth family. There's no words to describe the hilarity or to make sense of it all.


10. Gilmore Girls (TheWB) - Season 2 (2001-2002)

Comfort TV at it's finest, and fastest with the witty banter between the close mother and daughter relationship of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, but the power in the Gilmore Girls was that it was really a 3-generations relationship with grandmother Emily. The quirky townsfolk of Stars Hollow just romanticized small town living to its finest.


11. Friends (NBC) - Season 9 (2002-2003)

Some said Friends went downhill in the later seasons, but while it had its up and downs, I thought things started picking up again once Chandler and Monica started having their secret affair post Ross' London wedding, and got back into a great groove near the end when Rachel had her baby, Joey had his crush, and things started to set up for the end in the following year. The comic timing between the tight cast were down to perfection by that point, and the writing got sharper again, using the years of character history to construct new comedy gold.


12. Mad Men (AMC) - Season 1 (2007)
Best Episode: "The Wheel" (Ep. 113)

I haven't seen the latest season yet, but the series is a fun and addictive look at the 60's lifestyle of these Madison Avenue men, but the heart of the show is still its women (Peggy, Betty, Joan). The show slowly draws you into the darker underlying tones that hide under the well tailored suits and flower patterned dresses.


13. Modern Family (ABC) - Season 1 (2009)

Welcome to the new age of the family sitcom!


14. 30 Rock (NBC) - Season 2 (2007-2008)

While the overall story arcs are sometimes left at the wayside for the side-splitting insanity within each episode, but when it's that insanely funny, what's really the problem with that?


15. Glee (FOX) - Season 1 (2009)
Best Episode: "Pilot" (Ep. 101)

Do I need to explain my love for this high school musical with a black humour streak? Just don't stop believin'!


16. Desperate Housewives (ABC) - Season 1 (2004-2005)
Best Episode: "Pilot" (Ep. 101)

At it's best, the show, and especially the pilot, was a great dark satirical soap opera on the suburban lives of these desperate housewives and while it had some hiccups, the five year flashforward reinvigorated the show. Still, the first season, with the 1st mystery arc and the dark humour, worked great together.


17. The Office (NBC) - Season 3 (2006-2007)

For once, I thought the Americanized version of a show actually bettered the original UK version. I know purists will disagree but the original was TOO painful and awkward. Fascinating yes, but painful. The American version really got into its own groove in the second season mixing painfully awkward humour with a more powerful emotional impact by making it easier to relate to the office drones. By season 3, the balance had been perfected and the show really became its own entity.


18. Grey's Anatomy (ABC) - Season 2 (2005-2006)

When it was great, it was melodrama at its best.


19. Alias (ABC) - Season 1 (2001-2002)
Best Episode: "Truth Be Told (Ep. 101)

Things could not be more complicated for Sydney Bristow (a star making turn by Jennifer Garner) and the pilot episode was a wealth of information and twists and turns into her world as a secret spy living as a grad student by day. In comes spy daddy (the terrific Victor Garber) who may or may not be on her side, plus a cast of great characters in her spy world and at home, and it was the beginning of a totally wild and action packed series that eventually fell off the tracks, but boy was it fun while it was still hot.

20. The Amazing Race (CBS) - Season 2 (2002)
Best Episode: "Help Me, I'm American" (Ep. 202)

First season was brand new, but they perfected the race in the 2nd season with a perfect mix of racers including Tara and the Weasel Will, Cute brother and sister team Blake and Paige, the fabulous Danny and Oswald (who actually stopped racing to go shopping in Hong Kong AND still beat the others to the airplane), and the hunky Boston boys. Plus it's where the racers played it boldly, including the first time a team was brave enough to ask strangers for help and when the race still ended in a footrace that ended with teams so close together that it went down to the wire. Exciting and hilarious.

21. Ugly Betty (ABC) - Season 1 (2006-2007)

22. Once and Again (ABC) - Season 2 (2000-2001)

23. Entourage (HBO) - Season 2 (2005)

24. Weeds (Showtime) - Season 1 (2005)

25. Nurse Jackie (Showtime) - Season 1 (2009)

26. So You Think You Can Dance (FOX) - Season 2 (2006)

27. The OC (FOX) - Season 4 (2006-2007)

28. Better Off Ted (ABC) - Season 1 (2009)

29. The United States of Tara (Showtime) - Season 1 (2009)

30. Damages (FX) - Season 1 (2007)

31. Supernatural (TheCW) - Season 1 (2005-2006)

32. Burn Notice (USA) - Season 1 (2007)

33. Angel (TheWB) - Season 4 (2002- 2003)

34. Survivor (CBS) - Season 1

35. Bones (FOX) - Season 4 (2008-2009)

36. American Idol (FOX) - Season 1 (2002)

37. Top Chef (Bravo) - Season 6 (2009)

38. Project Runway (Bravo) - Season 4 (2007-2008)

39. Chuck - Season 1 (2007-2008)

40. Six Feet Under (HBO) - Season 1 (2001)

41. Southland (NBC/TNT) - Season 1 (2009)

42. Scrubs (NBC/ABC) - Season 2 (2002-2003)

43. Ed (NBC) - Season 1 (2000-2001)

44. Gossip Girl (TheCW) - Season 1 (2007-2008)

45. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX) - Season 1 (2005)

46. 24 (FOX) - Season 1 (2001)

47. The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - Season 2 (2008-2009)

48. How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - Season 2 (2006-2007)

49. Without a Trace (CBS) - Season 1 (2002-2003)

50. Men In Trees (ABC) - Season 1 (2006-2007)


Best Shows I Started Watching But Am Only Finished or Partway Through the First Season So I Didn't Feel I Watched Enough to Properly Place A Ranking For It But They Are So Awesome I Need to Acknowledge Them Somehow:

Breaking Bad (AMC) - Season 1 (2008)

Dexter (Showtime) - Season 1

Fringe (FOX) - Season 1

The Secret Diary of a Call Girl (SHOWTIME/ITV2) - Season 1

Shows I Know Are Good But Have Yet To See and Still on my Pile of Shows to Watch:
Big Love
BattleStar Galactica
The Wire


______________________________________

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 2009 Lists: Coming soon
Best of Music 2009
Best of Television 2009
Best of Stage 2009
Best of Movies 2009

Previous Best-of Lists:
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...

The Most Worthy New Shows This Season/Year

A few weeks back, Scooter polled some TV bloggers and posted the results to our picks for the Best New Shows (premiering this Fall 2009 Season).

Here was the final tally:

1. Glee (5) - Fox
2. Modern Family (2)
3. Vampire Diaries - The CW
4. Community - NBC
5. Cougar Town - ABC
6. V - ABC
7. White Collar - USA
8. The Good Wife - CBS
9. Mercy - NBC
10. The Middle - ABC

Not a huge surprise. I'm not even surprised by the great showing for TVD.

Numbers in parenthesis denote first place votes
Voters: Dan, Kath, Kim, Sandie, Scooter, TV Fan, Vance

In full disclosure, here were my 5 picks:

1. Glee FOX
2. Modern Family ABC
3. Cougar Town ABC
4. The Vampire Diaries The CW
5. The Good Wife CBS

Though FlashForward would have been next, but since I sent in my choices about 3 weeks ago, Community has seemed to have bounced back.

While Scooter's poll only looked at the new shows since the Fall season, I would also like to mention the other best new shows from this year!

Loving Nurse Jackie and The United States of Tara both on Showtime.
(Can't wait for their 2nd season premieres on March 22nd 2010!)

10 Things I Hate About You (abcFamily) and Royal Pains (USA) turned out to be a lot more fun and breezy than their initial pilots made them look and were such delightful summer shows.

Better Off Ted (ABC) and Parks & Recreation continue to carry the Office/Arrested Development torch for quirky office comedies and are such underrated gems. Especially the low-buzzed Better Off Ted that finally returns in December soon!

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

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Showworthy - My Take on the New Shows So Far

Here are my 2 cents on the new shows for this Fall 2009 season so far, from Best to Worst:

Glee (Series Premiered Sept. 9) FOX/Global Wednesdays 9pm ***** - Pilot, Showmance, Acafellas, Preggers - Eps. 101-104

Well, you knew I was going to love this, but I'm surprised it's getting such quick backlash usually reserved for the big show of the year. Yes, it's getting tons of PR from Fox (shockingly) but the musical TV show is still an underdog (and netting only abotu 6-7 million viewers which isn't huge in the overall picture) and I think its genre will always make it so. I know this show just won't be for some, but I've been surprised at who has been hating it and who hasn't.

For one, a major complaint is it's constantly changing tones and cheesiness. To me, that's the shows biggest asset. I love that the show changes from complete absurdity to a heartfelt moments to a cheesy musical number. It's hyperkinetic, absolutely ridiculous and thus completely winning and hysterically funny.

I'm also willing to be patient as the episodes slowly introduce all the characters into the mix, recently adding in Puck and Quinn Fabray more into the central storylines, and fleshing out Kurt and Sandy. I know everyone loves Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester and we all want Lea Michelle's Rachel Berry to sing everything but it's a SERIES, not a movie, so there's a whole lot more coming people. Patience!

Anyways, I'm just still loving it all and looking forward to where it's all going. Plus with the great Broadway star guest appearances (so far, Victor Garber, Debra Monk, Josh Groban (well, not Broadway but he did do Chess galas) and Kristin Chenowith this week), I can't wait to see what else they do with the glee club this year!

And if anything, even if the show ends up tanking, the larger world will now know the tremendous voice of Lea Michelle. Seriously, her "Take A Bow" is even better than Rihanna's original. I can't wait for Michelle and Cory Monteith's updated version of "No Air". Finally there will be a version to replace the Chris Brown one.

Modern Family (New Series Premiered Sept. 23 2009) ABC/CITY Wednesdays 9pm ****1/2 - Pilot - Ep. 101

While it's almost like a toned down, more realistic and less absurd Arrested Development, it's also a modern version of the family sitcom. In both style and substance. The title couldn't be more correct.

The jokes are subtle and observant, the hilarity and awkwardness rings true, and every character in the large extended family of 10 (including the kids) is distinct. Okay, not all the jokes are subtle, but when they're big (like the "Lion King" entrance), they're absolutely hilarious.

Plus the cast includes my faves Julie Bowen (Ed, Boston Legal), Ty Burrell (Back to You) and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (The Class) and Ed O'Neill is back! And makes Sofia Vergara lovable!

FlashForward (New Series Premiered Sep. 24 2009) ABC/ATV Thursdays 8pm - ***1/2 - No More Good Days - Ep. 101

Okay, so essentially it's Lost Lite, and even includes Lost alum Sonya Walger and Dominic Monaghan in the cast. It even opens similarly with a our lead Joseph Fiennes waking up disoriented and in the middle of some sort of mysterious disaster with big explosions included. Flashbacks, flashforwards, a huge ensemble, and an apparently billboard with Oceanic 815 in the background (I didn't see it but apparently it was there) and the show seems to resemble the fellow ABC show.

Who cares? I was thoroughly entertained, I got into the mystery (and if it is lighter, that might be a relief since Lost is taking up too many brain cells) and I LOVE the ensemble cast which includes John Cho (Harold and Kumar), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love), Sonya Walger (Lost, Coupling US), Jack Davenport (Coupling UK), Brian F. O'Byrne (Broadway's Doubt), and Courtney B. Vance (L&O: Criminal Intent) and I noticed Shohreh Aghdashloo will show up in future episodes. Can't wait!

Plus, Zachary Knighton, the suicidal doctor is a cute find!

Community (New Series Premiered Sep. 17 2009) NBC/CITY Thursdays 8:30pm - ***1/2 - Pilot, Spanish 101 - Eps. 101-102

Joel McHale. What can I say? I just love the man. And the series, while not perfect, is amusing and enjoyable and had a better start than Parks & Recreation (which at least, has gotten better this season). Plus, you know, I love me some Joel McHale wherever and whenever I can get it.

Even Chevy Chase isn't annoying me and in fact, is part of a great ensemble that surrounds McHale.

The Good Wife (New Series Premiered Sept. 22 2009) CBS/Global Tuesdays 10pm - *** - Pilot - Ep. 101

A solid standard drama about a woman scorned and restarting her life as a working mother. While I'm not a Julianna Marguilies fan, I always forget that I do like her when she's on TV. And with the ensemble that surrounds her, with Christine Byranski (The Big Bang Theory, The Birdcage)! Josh Charles (Sports Night)! Matt Czuchry (Friday Night Lights, Gilmore Girls)! Archie Panjabi (Bend it Like Beckham, The Constant Gardener)! Even the son is played by Graham Phillips who made his Broadway debut last season in the underrated musical 13!

While the show is essentially standard lawyer show mixed with working mom mixed with spurned wife, the cast alone elevates the material and with some smooth direction, I thoroughly enjoyed the pilot so far.

The Vampire Diaries (New Series Premiered Sep. 10 2009) The CW 8pm/CTV 7pm - *** - Pilot, Night of the Comets, Friday Night Bites - Eps. 101-103

I liked this FAR more than I thought I would, and think I should. But it's like a return to old style WB dramas, and not unexpected since it's Dawson's Creek's Kevin Williamson at the helm. Plus I'm kinda digging the collision of Panther worlds Degrassi:TNG with star Nina Dobrev and Friday Night Lights' Zach Roerig (he was evil Cash). Plus add in faves Ian Somerhalder from Lost and mini-Ephram Steven R. McQueen (above with Dobrev) from Everwood, and the series is a whole lot more fun than it probably deserves to be. Love the angsty atmospheric aura (how many fog machines does the production have anyways?) and the show somehow stays on earnestness without falling into high camp, all while being a vampire show and somehow it all works.

I'm still not completely sold on Paul Wesley as lead paramour vamp. He annoyed me on every show he's been on (especially Everwood) but he's growing acceptable to me here. Which is a start. At least he's usually next to Nina, Ian or Chris William Martin (another Canadian on the cast, Felicity) so it all balances out.

Cougar Town (New Series Premiered Sep. 23 2009) ABC/CITY Wednesdays 9:30pm - *** - Pilot - Ep. 101

Okay, there are dirty jokes, double entendres and some are real zingers, while others fall flat, but you gotta give Courtney Cox credit for not resting on her Friends money (seriously, does she really ever have to work ever again?) and going for the gusto here as the central cougar in question (in a town with a football team called The Cougars). I like her rapport with Busy Phillips (Dawson's Creek) and I LOVE her rapport with her son Dan Byrd (Aliens in America).

Dan Byrd is simply AWESOME! And he holds things together on this show and grounds it as it's about to fly off the deep (throat) end. The show even makes Josh Hopkins funny (and hot), Brian Van Holt (usually hot) funny and a bit sad and slimy, and Ian Gomez (not hot but very funny, though will forever be Javier on Felicity to me) gets to be back on TV again (not that he, married to My Big Fat Greek Wedding riches ever needs to work again either)!

Christa Miller (Scrubs), married to creator Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) plays the same character she played on Scrubs. I wonder how she got the job? Surely it's not for her face, which has totally been botched up by some plastic surgery. Seriously, she's become so grating and while once it was funny, it's become so annoying that she really puts a damper into this show.

Eastwick (New Series Premiered Sep. 23 2009) ABC/ATV Wednesdays 10pm - *** - Pilot - Ep. 101

Okay, I'm still not sure I buy good'ol Canadian (and former fake Due South Mountie) Paul Gross as the Devil but I enjoyed this show far more than I thought I was going to as well.

Okay, so it's really Desperate Ghost Whispering Charmed Cashmere Lipstick wearing Housewives and using Stars Hollow seems sacrileges (even though I know that set has been around forever), but while I have a feeling this will all wear thin very fast, I actually enjoyed the pilot.

Big plusses go to two actresses I never feel I like but do when I actually see them in shows. Lindsay Price grew on me in Lipstick Jungle and Rebecca Romijn proved herself by playing a transgendered fashion mogul on Ugly Betty and so far the likability is carrying through here.

Add in Sara Rue (Popular, Less Than Perfect and hottie Johann Urb, narration by Veronica Cartwright, and gratuitous shots of Matt Dallas (Kyle XY) with his shirt off and belly button back on, and I'm kinda sold for another few weeks at least.

The Beautiful Life (New Series Premiered Sep. 16 2009, Cancelled Sep. 25th 2009) TheCW/ATV Wednesdays 9pm

Well so much for that! I had a feeling that by the time I got this post out, this show might not even exist, but I'm still surprised at how fast it all happened. Especially considering the show is far better than Melrose Place which got a far bigger push from the network (and hence probably why it got far bigger ratings. I barely heard about TBL). So TBL joins yet another notch in The CW's self-destructive fulfillment. Too bad, cause I kinda enjoyed this gratuitous show about beautiful people and I liked leads Sara Paxton and Ben Hollingsworth (who incidentally was the gay hustler in Degrassi:TNG who almost got Marco a new way to earn money!).

Okay, so Mischa Barton was majorly annoying, as was Jaime Murray's blackmailing cougar who uses Chad Corbin Bleu for her own sexual pleasure, but whatever, it was frothy and showed a lot of skin and had more interesting and plausible storylines compared to MP.

Mercy (New Series Premiered Sep. 23 2009) NBC/CITY Wednesdays 8pm ** - Can We Get That Drink Now - Ep. 101

Trauma (New Series Premiered Sept. 28 2009) NBC/CITY Mondays 9pm *1/2 - Pilot - Ep. 101

Mercy/Trauma are both sort of ripoffs of Grey's Anatomy/ER and feel like sad knock offs. Mildly entertaining, and I applaud sticking in non-white leads in both shows, but while I didn't hate either show, I'm not sure I'm really going to follow all season long. Despite the great creatives behind Trauma (who also are behind Friday Night Lights) and the great ensemble cast on Mercy who include Margo Martindale (Paris, Je T'aime) and Guillermo Díaz (Weeds).

James Tupper (Men In Trees) is a plus on Mercy and I like Michelle Trachtenberg here, but I love her more on Gossip Girl and feel like Merritt Wever has already done the innocent naive nurse far better on Nurse Jackie now.

There's not really characters on Trauma as there are explosions with people who are in the vicinity. It's invigorating to see the selfish dimwit who MUST txt on the phone while speeding on the highway, then causing a massive pileup and getting hurt, but really, I don't need to see that ALL that much.

Melrose Place (New Series Premiered Sep. 8 2009) TheCW Tuesdays 9pm (Global Wednesday 10pm) - *1/2 - Pilot, Nightingale, Grand - Eps. 101-103

Thank goodness for Katie Cassidy (Supernatural), Colin Egglesfield and Michael Rady or else this would have been long gone from my list.

What a bore. I know they're trying to evoke soapy darkness but all it is so far is poorly lighted overly glossy wallpaper. It may look nice but it doesn't do anything.

I want to like Canadians Shaun Sipos and Jessica Lucas (who was far better guesting on 90210 last year) but they're not exactly given much to work with. And don't even get me started with Ashlee Simpson-Wentz. Wench more like it.

Michael Rady still exudes his nice guy charms (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Greek) which sort of doesn't fit into the darkness they're trying to evoke here. Only Colin and Katie have that pretty with a hint of darkness down pat.

Let's hope Heather Locklear's Amanda can re-start this series up like she did the first time around.

Accidentally On Purpose (New Series Premiered Sep. 21 2009) CBS/CITY Mondays 8:30pm - *1/2 - Pilot, Memento - Eps. 101-102

Ashley Jensen left Ugly Betty for this? Okay, so she was getting like 3 lines every 5 episodes but those were at least 3 very funny lines. Better than the many lines she's getting here, none of which are funny.

And yet, I did laugh out loud 3 times in 2 episodes here. Accidentally I think. It's gotta be a relative thing. On the other hand, I do like me some shirtless Jon Foster. When did that boy get muscles and abs? Wowza!

And I don't actually hate Jenna Elfman, but she's not exactly grabbing me here either. Though watching Grant Show do comedy (not since Melrose Place days is kinda fun.

N.C.I.S. Los Angeles (New Series Premieres Sept. 22 2009) CBS Tuesdays 9pm - * - Identity - Ep. 101

Well, it has Linda Hunt, Peter Cambor (so funny from Notes from the Underbelly), and Chris O'Donnell (I love me some whitebread) but it's N.C.I.S spinoff. This is just not my thing. Granted, O'Donnell paired with LL Cool J is actually a nice buddy cop thing (and really, if you think about it, O'Donnell and LL Cool J? The 90's wouldn't believe it) but still, it's N.C.I.S.. I'll pass.

The Forgotten (New Series Premiered Sept. 22 2009) ABC 10pm

I forgot to watch.

I also skipped Brothers and The Cleveland Show. Two black shows. I didn't skip it cause they were black shows, but just cause they were Fox weekend shows.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

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