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How do I love TV, let me count the ways . . .My Top Ten Shows of 2007
This is going to be a good week. I know this because:
1. I have completed all of my Christmas shopping.
2. On Friday, ABC announced a premiere date for Lost. The show returns for a fourth season on January 31 taking over the Grey’s Anatomy time slot. Yes, they have only eight episodes completed. But I say eight episodes of Lost is better than no episodes at all.
3. The Writer’s Guild of America announced Saturday that it will begin trying to negotiate individually with producers. That means the Late Show with David Letterman could return with its writers by January 2. This is a small sign of hope during a crippling strike that appears to have no end in sight. (The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and Late Night With Conan O’Brien are returning too but sans writers).
4. And finally ABC also announced on Friday that Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams will reprise their roles as Angie and Jesse on All My Children beginning January 18. I think you all know my attachment to All My Children (remember I told my mom I wanted to take a family vacation to Pine Valley). These days I don’t keep up as much as I used to with soap operas, but I’ll be tuning in to catch one of my all time favorite TV couples reunited (sure Jesse is dead but this is no time to nitpick).
So with all this good news, let’s take a look at my picks for the 10 best shows of 2007. I should emphasize that they are my picks. When I first started writing this column, it was much easier to be sure I had given every show in prime time a fair shake but with the explosion of original programming on cable TV, now I feel like I’m lucky if I at least watch the pilot episode of every new show. So here are the ten shows that captivated me the most this year.
1. Lost (ABC): There is nothing else like Lost on TV. Nothing. No show has created such an enchanting world with such fascinating characters. No show has pulled me in to so many mysteries while making me care so deeply about the survivors of Oceanic Air flight 815 and their back stories. And no show achieved such a game changing feat in its season finale. Just thinking about the shock I felt when I realized the entire two hours had been a flash forward still gives me chills. I cannot wait until January 31.
2. Mad Men (AMC): Do you remember that movie Pleasantville, when Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon entered a 1950’s sitcom? That’s kind of how I feel when I watch Mad Men. Matthew Weiner has created a show that is so evocative – with the clink of the ice in the glass, the swish of the skirts and the billowing smoke – that, as a viewer, I almost feel like I could step right in and join the office pool. That’s how vivid and vibrant Mad Men is. And Jon Hamm’s Don Draper is that perfect fusion of the right actor with the right part at the right time. It’s the kind of part that transforms careers. And it’s the kind of show that defines a cable network no one ever thought of for original programming before.
3. Damages (FX): You know one of my favorite games is to play "predict a plot" while watching a show. I like to see if I can guess where a show is going and what trick it has up its sleeve. Damages always kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had figured something out, I realized the show had pulled a fast one on me. And what a cast! Glenn Close was simultaneously evil and vulnerable and I don’t think anyone can match Ted Danson’s ability to so effortlessly go from comedy to drama. His Arthur Frobisher was a despicable guy but there were still times I kind of felt sorry for him. How delightful that this show was picked up for a second season.
4. The Office (NBC): Of all the writer’s strike causalities, this one hit me the hardest because the series was snatched from us immediately. Leaving us to wonder how Jim and Pam are doing with their burgeoning romance, if Andy is making any progress with Angela and how Dwight is managing in a post-Angela world. Although I think the one hour episodes put a strain on the series, The Office remained TV’s most awkwardly hilarious comedy. And added bonus points for deftly handling the Jim and Pam relationship so it didn’t dominate the series.
5. How I Met Your Mother (CBS): Last week when I was watching the episode where the gang tries to warn Ted about dating his doctor, I actually said out loud, "This show has reached perfection." The episode was so flawlessly edited with its flashback within a flashback within a flashback. In its third season, this comedy continues to reward loyal viewers (I love the little things like how Ted continues to correct people after the episode where that was declared to be his most annoying habit) while being laugh out loud funny. And no discussion of How I Met Your Mother would be complete without a shout out to Barney. Neil Patrick Harris has created a character who could have dominated the series but with Harris’ nuanced performance, Barney is one very funny part of a very funny whole.
6. 30 Rock (NBC): This is a show that has blossomed in its second season and solved the problems that hampered its first season. Tina Fey has become more comfortable acting and the comedy has figured out exactly how to leverage Jane Krakowski and Tracy Morgan to maximum comedic effect. Add in Alec Baldwin’s deadpan delivery as corporate executive Jack Donaghy and 30 Rock has lived up to the definition of Must See TV.
7. Friday Night Lights (NBC): Even when the drama made a plot mistake that could have been crippling, it still managed to make a series about high school football in a small town, a show that everyone can relate to. For why I heart Friday Night Lights, check out my post from Friday, December 14.
8. Brothers & Sisters (ABC): The best family drama on TV. Period. For more on how I want to be a Walker, check out my column from last Monday, December 10.
9. The Closer (TNT): With crime dramas, it’s often not the crime but those who go about solving the crime that make the show. And right now there are a lot of good crime dramas on television (Bones, CSI, Without a Trace), but there’s something about the way Detective Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson goes about getting the bad guy that makes this show my favorite. And I can’t get enough of Detectives Provenza and Flynn.
10. House (Fox): The series took a risk by sidelining three of its main characters in favor of Dr. House’s Survivor like search for a new team. But instead of seeming like a desperate attempt to breathe new life into a series in its fourth season, it was a brilliant way to supply House with new fodder and show viewers his slightly more vulnerable side. And it wouldn’t have worked if those vying for House’s team, especially the ones who didn't make it, hadn’t been so perfectly cast and developed. A special shout out to Kal Penn whose Kutner is so much fun to watch.
I know. I know. I left out your favorites. And believe me I struggled over this list (would Wilhelmina and Marc hatch a plot against me if I left off Ugly Betty?) so I want to hear from you. What were your favorite shows of 2007? Post your comments below.
Highlights of the Week of December 17-23
ABC and NBC both have week long programming stunts this week. Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Kelly Rowland and Blake Shelton return to their hometowns to create an amateur choir and have them compete in Clash of the Choirs. The four-night series premieres Monday at 8 p.m. on NBC and the winning choir will be declared on Thursday. Come on this is going to be fun. I’m rooting for Lachey whose choir will sing his "What’s Left of Me?" ABC has the week long show Duel, which also premieres Monday at 8 p.m. and runs through Sunday. Twenty-four contestants, identified by their careers, face off on trivia question to win a grand prize of 1.5 million.
FOX is dubbing this the fall finale of K-ville (Monday, FOX, 9 p.m.) but my guess is that this could be the last we see of the series.
If you ever needed proof that I’m strangely drawn to cheesy dramas, look no further than October Road (Monday, ABC, 10 p.m.) which I continue to watch even though it really is quite a bad show full of ridiculous dialogue and stilted acting. It’s like the kids of Dawson’s Creek grew up and became even more self involved. This week, Hannah has to deal with Ray’s bratty ex-wife. Are you still watching October Road? If so let me know because it will make me feel so much better.
Find out who lost the most weight in the two-hour season finale of The Biggest Loser (Tuesday, NBC, 9 p.m.) You won’t really even have time to miss the show. Allison Sweeney returns to host a brand new edition on January 1 that will feature all different sorts of couples trying to lose weight.
Boston Legal is one of the few shows featuring a new episode this week (Tuesday, ABC, 10 p.m.). Shirley has to decide Lorraine Weller’s fate now that it’s been revealed that she is British and used to be a madam. You have to wonder why the show went in that direction. Did Saffron Burrows get tired of having to do an American accent? Either way Lorraine has been one of my least favorite additions to the show. So I say ship her back across the pond. How about you?
Gossip Girl is also new this week (Wednesday, CW, 9 p.m.).Blair’s father comes home with his boyfriend for Christmas. But that’s not her only problem – she finds out that Chuck and Nate are together in Monaco, meaning that Chuck could tell Nate about his quality time with Blair in the limo. My question to you is this. Do you think Chuck could become one of those bad boys we grow to love (a la Logan on Veronica Mars) or do you think he’s beyond repair? Discuss.
Gina Mantegna, the real life daughter of Joe Mantegna, guest stars as a missing teen on a brand new episode of Criminal Minds (Wednesday, CBS, 9 p.m.) This show has always been a little too gruesome for my taste but I’m curious if you think the series has been affected at all by Mandy Patinkin’s departure. Also I’m kind of intrigued by the possibility of a Morgan/Garcia romance. How about you?
The Screen Actors Guild celebrates their own when Kate Walsh and Terrence Howard announce the nominees for the 14th Annual SAG Awards Thursday at 9 a.m. on TNT.
The winning band is declared in The Next Great American Band Friday at 9 p.m. on FOX.
That’s all for today. I’m back on Wednesday with my picks for the best characters of 2007 and where have I seen them before? Remember if you have a favorite quote or TV moment from 2007, write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com and let me know. And, as always, if you have a question, seen a familiar face or want to nominate a quote of the week, write me. Talk to you on Wednesday.
Lost #1 show hands down.. biggest fan! Brothers and sisters defently one of the better shows out there.
Tyson | Dec 17, 2007 10:20:13 AM | #Love Provenza and Flynn. When The Closer eventually closes... I would totally love a Provenza and Flynn PI show in the vein of The Rockford Files.
JRP001 | Dec 17, 2007 10:20:24 AM | #Nice job Amy! I say this because our top tens were sort of the same play mix only reshuffled. This means you have great taste, right? Mine (posted on my blog last week) were
1. 30 Rock
2. How I Met Your MOther
3. Lost
4. Mad Men
5. Gossip Girl
6. Brothers and Sisters
7. Damages
8. The Office
9. Friday Night Lights
10. Heroes
So glad to see 30 Rock made your list!
Kathleen | Dec 17, 2007 10:26:43 AM | #Amy, good choices all around. I agree with almost all of them. However, the juvenile in me must protest the snubbing of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" which has provided me with more laugh out loud moments than nearly any other sitcom this year (save perhaps 2-1/2 Men).
Neil | Dec 17, 2007 10:28:40 AM | #1. Bringing back dead characters and others who haven't been on the show (and have no connections to current characters) is a sure sign of desperation. It's proof positive that All My Children is pretty much circling the drain. The same is true for most of the other daytime soaps (especially Guiding Light). Only Young & the Restless, General Mafia, and As The World Turns really deserve their time slots.
2. I never realized Lorraine on Boston Legal wasn't supposed to be British. I agree that the show is better off without her. I wish they'd do more with Candice Bergen (but not John Larroquette) and maybe try again with another younger male character. I don't mind Whitney, but they should get her a new hairstyle (or wig, or whatever). That flat-bangs style she's wearing is one of the most unflattering styles I've ever seen--on any woman.
3. I can't say much about your top 10 (haven't seen 4 of them, love 3 of them, a couple are overrated), but at least Buffy, Angel, Gilmore Girls and 90210 aren't on the list.
Tego Livi | Dec 17, 2007 10:31:28 AM | #Okay, this is why I LOVE our TVgal - she understands that the return of Angie and Jesse is vital information for some of us! They are my second all-time favorite Pine Valley couple - next to Jenny and Greg, OF COURSE!!
tvgalwannabe | Dec 17, 2007 10:49:36 AM | #I can't see a Morgan/Garcia hook up on Criminal Minds. It would be another Izzy/George situation - taking a good relationship and turning it into something that is just plain weird.
Kelly | Dec 17, 2007 10:50:59 AM | #Well, I don't know if my picks for the Top 10 would qualify as "the best" of television, but I certainly found these shows to be the most ENTERTAINING.
I would put some more newcomers to the list, like "Burn Notice" (USA Network) and "Chuck" (NBC). My new guilty pleasure is "Gossip Girl". By the way, I think Chuck Bass is the type of character viewers are supposed to "love to hate", but I find myself in the "hate to love" category. ;-)
Also, I would put "Dexter" (Showtime) in the Top 10. Michael C. Hall has to be one the most underrated actors on TV (although he recently received a Golden Globe nomination).
And going way back to January of 2007, I would like to add "Rome" (HBO) to my Top 10 list. Unfortunately, we only had 2 seasons of this series due to the extremely high budget. Every episode was so well-produced, just like a big screen motion picture would be. Sorry, but I think Showtime's "The Tudors" is a Poor Man's Version of "Rome".
"Heroes" and "Friday Night Lights" had excellent first seasons, but I think that they have lost some of the "magic' in their sophomore years. Hopefully, we'll get new episodes soon because I don't think it's too late to turn these shows around.
Paige | Dec 17, 2007 10:58:09 AM | #Amy i would have agreed with you that Lost is the best show on TV a couple of months ago, but its lost (pun not intended) that position and slipped to number 2. The best show on TV is Dexter, I can't get over just how ***** good it is. Ican't remember your toughts on the show, you never talk about it. Let me know, take care.
Bruno | Dec 17, 2007 11:00:49 AM | #Criminal Minds has not suffeered one iota since Mandy Patinkin left. As I have said before this ensamble cast is one of the best, if not the best.
I agree with Kelly above about the Morgan/Garcia hookup. It would be a disaster for the show.
Trupen | Dec 17, 2007 11:07:06 AM | #1. Lost
2. Dexter
3. Journeyman
4. The Office
5. South Park
6. Heroes
7. The Shield
8. Curb Your Enthusiasm
9. How I Met Your Mother
10. My Name Is Earl
Honourable mention to 30 Rock, Scrubs, 1st Season of Sarah Silverman Program, The 4400, Pushing Daisies, Smallville, Chuck, Prison Break and 5/24 episodes of 24. Haven't seen Damages or Mad Men yet, but they intrigue me.
Ice | Dec 17, 2007 11:10:05 AM | #Believe it or not, Criminal Minds ratings have soared after Mandy's departure. Which I'm glad of. And also, I don't think there's going to be Morgan/Garcia hook up. Just because those 2 flirt, doesn't necessarily there's going to be a roll in the hey. Heh.
L | Dec 17, 2007 11:29:25 AM | #My top ten would be Smallville, CSI:NY, Journeyman, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, Pushing Daisies, NCIS, CSI:Crime Scene Investigation, Ghost Whisperer and Monk.
Criminal Minds obviously doesn't need Mandy Patinkin or a Morgan/Garcia hook up. They're doing just fine the way they are right now.
The last two hours of CBS's Wednesday prime time line up are some of the best on t.v.
Penny | Dec 17, 2007 11:35:19 AM | #I agree that Criminal Minds hasn't suffered from Mandy Patinkin's departure, but that doesn't mean I don't miss him. I liked his character better than I like Joe Mantegna's character.
And I also agree that there shouldn't be a Morgan/Garcia hookup. A very Gizzie moment indeed. Besides, she has Xander now.
Patty | Dec 17, 2007 11:46:27 AM | #I think I finally figured out why I enjoy October Road so much. They use a lot of older 90's music. More so first season than second, but still it's there. It gives me a kind of nostalgic feeling and makes me more involved in the scenes.
Oh and I totally called the Dawson-all-grown-up thing several posts back :)
Hey there.... I LOVE October Road.... I have been watching it online because I also watch CSI Miami and I have to record that one because at 10 I turn into a pumpkin but I wait until ABC posts October Road weekly. Maybe its the NE feel it has but I like pretty much everything about the show. I still believe that Hannah's Kid is Nicks too. He HAS to be :)
Kim | Dec 17, 2007 12:15:01 PM | #Amy- Don't feel bad. I am still watching October Road even though many times the dialogue is cringe worthy. I just want to like it so much that I stick to it. If I didn't like Brian Greenburg so much I probably would've stopped watching a long time ago.
I agree with 8 out of your 10. That's pretty impressive. I tend to stay away from most 1/2 hour comedies so The Office & 30 Rock aren't in my Top 10 list. I would add Supernatural & Burn Notice to my list.
As for Chuck- I don't think he'll turn into another Logan. Jason Dohring was amazing and made Logan a complex and intriguing character. While I have toned down my hatred of Chuck and actually felt a little bad for him I don't think I'll ever love him the way I loved Logan.
Gennie | Dec 17, 2007 12:15:18 PM | #Speaking of Angie and Jessie... AMC has a new character that is helping Aiden and my first thought when I saw him was JESSIE. He definitely should have been cast as Jessies son but I think he is someone else... unless he is another son other then Frankie.... Ahhhhhh maybe Jessie is NOT really dead but then what about.... Never mind the soaps remake themselves all the time :)
Kim | Dec 17, 2007 12:19:15 PM | #Speaking of Angie and Jessie... AMC has a new character that is helping Aiden and my first thought when I saw him was JESSIE. He definitely should have been cast as Jessies son but I think he is someone else... unless he is another son other then Frankie.... Ahhhhhh maybe Jessie is NOT really dead but then what about.... Never mind the soaps remake themselves all the time :)
Kim | Dec 17, 2007 12:19:32 PM | #Thanks Amy for mentioning Criminal Minds.
And sorry Gideon fans, but the air seems so much lighter without him. I like the way it is now. Not that I think the BAU needed another guy, the team is great either way. but Rossi did kick ass on the Penelope episode. More of that, please. And more of Dr Reid, also.
Supernatural is the best show in my opinion-- and one you promised to talk more about. Please talk more about it!
Maria | Dec 17, 2007 12:51:28 PM | #I don't know that I can even come up with a Top 10 anymore given how I believe the quality of shows have fallen off recently, but I would definitely put Bones as #1 and NCIS as #2. This would make you think I'm a procedural freak, but I'm not (I was/am a huge Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Charmed, Alias, and Veronica Mars fan), but I've been loving Bones since it started and NCIS has always been a consistent pleaser. I do agree that Lost is a great show, but only as a whole and not necessarily consistently. Sometimes I get so tired of waiting for the point, I let up and the eps build on my tivo until I marathon it and catch up. Oh, and Amy, I am so with you on wanting to be a Walker!
Andrea | Dec 17, 2007 12:59:57 PM | #1. Lost
2. Friday Night Lights
3. How I Met Your Mother
4. The Amazing Race
5. Supernatural
6. Dexter
7. Heroes
8. Brothers & Sisters
9. Pushing Daisies
10. Grey's Anatomy
I'm still sticking with October Road, too. I was charmed last season by the music of the show - and the guys' band performances. If I didn't like Brian Greenberg so much (though I miss him on One Tree Hill!), I probably would have given up....but I keep hanging on, and I'm not really sure why.
Allison | Dec 17, 2007 1:22:04 PM | #Amy. The obnly show ion your Top 10 list I'd even gibe a measly 2 stars to is; Friday Night Lights.
Have the LOST writers introduced the Rambaldi Artifacts yet?
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