2007 Wrap-Up: The Best That TV Had To Offer!
December 20, 2007
Every year I resolve to watch less TV and vow instead to bound through the outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and woodland creatures that I'm told abound in Mother Nature's magical world. And every year I fail miserably and turn into a virtual hermit, watching every new program the networks have to offer while still remaining glued to the returning shows that I love more than sunlight. The Writer's Guild Strike has thrown a bit of a wrench into my regularly scheduled programming but somehow I've still managed to watch as much TV as I did last year...impressive, I know. So after much research and many wasted hours I shall never get back, here's what I humbly think is the cream of the television crop (both new and old):
Pushing Daisies
As some of you might know from reading the blog, I am obsessed with this show and think it's one of the best things to hit television since Sesame Street. If you haven't watched yet - you need to start...it's like watching a TV show from Tim Burton (if he were on Prozac). It's brilliantly cast, it's got zingy/witty dialogue, the production quality is amazing and the concept is pretty darn unique. I can forgive them their occasional misstep into sappy territory because their originality really trumps everything.
Life
My second favourite new show of the season...largely because of the strength of its main character and his portrayer, Damian Lewis. It's a show in the same vein as House...i.e. quirky dude in professional role...but the overarching character arcs and storylines set it apart and keep me coming back. My girly-crush on Mr. Lewis has little or nothing to do with that...not at all.
The Office
Two words. Michael Scott. (Yes, I love Jim and Pam but Mr. Regional Manager is what keeps me hooked.)
How I Met Your Mother
I'm a huge fan of shows that give long time viewers pay off for tuning in - and this show does it better than most. The "Slap Bet" between Marshall and Barney is one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen and if you missed out on the most recent instalment of that saga, the awesome Slapsgiving episode (complete with holiday song and music video), then you missed out on one of the best television episodes of 2007...seriously.
House
I don't know what I'd do if Hugh Laurie wasn't on my television on a weekly basis...and gosh darnit, I don't ever want to find out. The formula of this show might seem a little stale at this point (what? they saved someone just in the nick of time? I didn't see that coming at all) but as long as Dr. Gregory House is involved, it's never boring.
Brothers & Sisters
Okay - I've just started watching this show and I love it. I've been missing a good family drama to curl up and occasionally sob to and this one really fits the bill. The cast is top-notch and there is at least one character that everyone can relate to...except the one played by Rob Lowe. Did anyone ever see that TV movie he did that spawned that awful holiday song Christmas Shoes? I know he's not responsible for it but since I don't know who is, I direct my anger and loathing his way. It's not rational, I'm fully aware. But I digress...
Flight of the Conchords
Let me tell you a little something about myself...I love sarcasm and I heart quirky. You don't get much more sarcastically quirky than the New Zealand folk-duo Jermaine and Bret, the two main characters who are trying to hit the bigtime in New York, and you don't get many better supporting characters than Murray the Manager or Mel, their one and only fan. Pure and unmitigated brilliance.
Other shows that the esteemed Much.com team loved this year:
Dexter, The Amazing Race, 30 Rock, Boston Legal, America's Next Top Model, Big Love, Family Guy, Weeds, Project Runway Canada, The L Word, Lost, Desperate Housewives, Mad Men, Ugly Betty, and Survivor (yes, people still watch that and we're not ashamed to say it).
Comments
You have no idea how happy I am to see House on this list :D!
Posted by: Reek at December 21, 2007 10:35 AM
this is Bowie to Bowie
Posted by: kate_28 ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.muchmusic.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 21, 2007 01:30 PM
Ah yes, Flight of the Conchords classic Bowie song. My fav lines? "How far out are you, man? Well, I'm pretty far out." or "it's coming through on my LSD screen".
Good times.
And yay House! Still fantastic and highly watchable.
Posted by: Emma at December 21, 2007 02:45 PM
DEXTER DEXTER DEXTER!
Posted by: Jodie E. at December 21, 2007 03:28 PM
Crap - I totally forgot about Californication. I was HOOKED on that show.
Also Lost (I just saw the newest teaser for the January 31 season premiere - eeee!)
Chad Lowe trumps Rob Lowe - he's always been thought of as the lesser Lowe, but he starred in one of the best 80s family sitcoms (Life Goes On), was married to an Academy Award winner and isn't a recovering creep.
Posted by: kat at December 21, 2007 04:24 PM
