I'm not going to wax nostalgic or go on and on about the television season just completed. It's not worth my best prose. If you want a really funny, insightful look back at the past "main" television season, I suggest you read Heather Havrilesky's column in Salon.com (the best TV writer in the biz) or maybe check out my bud Colin Mahan at TV.com. Me, I'll just tell you the most and least satisfying series/events I encountered from the last television season and try to give you a reason why--in 30 words or less. And if I can't do that, then I won't say anything. It's that simple. Mainly, this is just a chance for me to correct any "mistakes" I might have made in my Year End TV List from January*. (Although I would love to hear from you, if there's some quality/crappy TV I missed or if you think I've severely underrated or overrated anything).
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* - The new list also omits shows that did not air original episodes after the official start of the 2005-06 TV season last September 19th.
1. The Shield (FX) - Of all the great dramas on TV, and we are in a "golden age" ushered in largely by The Sopranos and The West Wing, the one that most consistently defied expectations and got me really involved in it's characters last year was this 5-year old cop drama. (Good news - it has been renewed for two final seasons of moral uncertainty and squad room intrigue.)
2. The Office (NBC) - This comedy is the only sitcom I found myself looking forward to every week. Steve Carrell and Rainn Wilson have managed to hit their own demented stride with their version of the popular BBC characters.
3. 24 (Fox) - Doesn't work if you overthink it too much, but this weekly thriller is better than most Hollywood action movies you'll see this year. Gregory Itzin (as President Logan) deserves a Best Supporting Actor Emmy.
4. Arrested Development (Fox) - So long, farewell, and thanks for the silly, ridiculous, belly laughs.
5. Grey's Anatomy (ABC) - Delivered the goods in the season's second half with the deliciously soapy yet convincing Denny-Izzy storyline. Has to watch going too far over the top with future storylines though.
6. The Sopranos (HBO) - Along with Battlestar Galactica (see below) maybe TV's most nuanced drama, with a cast to die for. After Tony got out of the hospital though, this season felt like a bit of a placeholder until next year's big finale.
7. Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi) - It's a subtle meditation on post-9/11. It's a balls-out action/war series. It's sophisticated science fiction. And it's got some of the most unpredictable and real relationship storylines on television. Is there anything Battlestar Galactica can't do? Can we get more episodes, please?
8. The West Wing (NBC) - Finished on a strong note and it WILL be missed, trust me. Hopefully the new Aaron Sorkin series about sketch comedy will be at least half as good.
9. Lost (ABC) - Sometimes this series seemed like it was "lost", with red herrings and dropped subplots and characters who would disappear for weeks on end. (And too many reruns.) However, the last two episodes redeemed all and set us up for one hell of a potential thrill ride in Season 3.
10. The Boondocks (Cartoon Network) - Brash, sly and wicked, some of the late season episodes did leave a bad taste in my mouth. But even an "off" episode is beautiful to look at and guaranteed to make you smile. And it's still funnier than the comic strip which inspired it.
Honorable mention: The Colbert Report (Comedy Central), The Daily Show (Comedy Central), My Name Is Earl (NBC), America's Next Top Model (UPN), Veronica Mars (UPN), The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS), The Amazing Race (CBS - "TV's best reality show"), Everybody Hates Chris (UPN), Commander-in-Chief (ABC - "it deserved a better fate and may serve as a cautionary tale on how NOT to run a television show"), So NoTORIous (E! - "give it half a chance and you'll see that it's not only not bad, it's actually pretty good").
Best TV Network Overall (broadcast division)- ABC. Their best shows are really good and even most of their bad shows are reasonably watchable. Nice turnaround by a network that was a laughingstock just three years ago.
Best TV Network (Cable Division) - HBO. Well, duh.
And The Worst...
1. Flavor of Love (E!) - The only flavor this show leaves is like the taste in your mouth after you wake up in a hotel room you don't recognize next to someone you don't remember and you can't find your underwear. Even worse - there'll be another cycle of this Jerry Springer-meets-The Bachelor cringe fest next year.
2. Growing Up Gotti (Bravo) - If it were just a little bit worse, it would be perversely entertaining. But it wasn't, so it's just a waste of time.
3. American Idol (Fox) - I don't know anyone who thinks this pop culture phenomenon is anything other than a ridiculous spectacle of mediocrity and ego. Yet it's the most popular variety show of the last 35 years. Go figure.
4. The Bachelor (ABC) - It can suck you in, I admit, but let's call this show what it is--a shameless exploitation of women's eternal futile search for the perfect mate. As last year proved, even the contestants don't buy into it anymore.
5. Two and a Half Men (CBS) - The cast is game and tries hard, but the writing is groan-worthy and the situations are both unoriginal and unbelievable. Of course, this show is a top 15 hit.
Worst Network Overall - Broadcast Division: UPN, by a hair over it's bigger cousin, CBS. It deserves to be merged with the WB, but at least last year the netlet made big strides over previous seasons.
Coming up: how about a few movie reviews? And fun with your C-PAP...
Peace.
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