(These are, in order, the 10 shows I enjoyed, respected, desired, and loved the most that aired new episodes in 2008.)
10-6:
The Top 5:
4. The Office - Oh Micheal Scott, how many more insensitive situations can you land in? The Office retains it's place as my favorite half hour comedy on TV, but you can feel it teetering on the edge of becoming stale. I think the cast is still wonderful, and the story lines are still engaging, but the beginning of this season has left me feeling just a little bit of, "been there, done that." Still there are no shows that bring laughter more often (well maybe Wipeout, but that's different) and I still come away satisfied. And really where else will I get my "That's what she said!" quotient.
3. Pushing Daisies - It seems to be a rule that one show in my top 5 every year must be cancelled. This years slot goes to the genius that was Pushing Daisies. It was beautiful, engaging, heartfelt, warm, and ironically full of life. It was almost as if the pie maker had touched the very landscape of television itself and brought a joy and life to it that had been so long missing. There was no show that had better week to week scripts, full of word plays and sharp, rapid fire dialogue. And it's gone. Maybe we can pull a Jericho on this one and send ABC beehives until they agree to get it back on the air. To have this show resurrected would be the most beautiful synchronicity of all. Unfortunately, the facts are these; it ain't happening.
2. House - I'm still baffled at how Hugh Laurie makes me root for such a despicable man. It's as if he (and the writers should get obvious credit as well) knows exactly when to throw in that minuscule moment of vulnerability in his eyes that makes you feel sorry for him and want him to heal. Add to that, the fact that his barbs and callousness are so often painfully hilarious, and you have the most compelling character on television. I also love that the cast around him has shifted a bit and continues to morph, as it allows an ever expanding playground for his terror and wit. House you are a sick man, and I love you.
1. Lost - I know I don't exactly sound unbiased with my "BEST SHOW EVER!" shout outs to this piece of pop genius, but it's not even a contest anymore. The closer Damon and Carlton (show runners Carton and Cuse) get to the series finale the tighter the story telling and mystery revelation become. What the creators, writers, actors, and crew have done with this is a completely unique animal in the world of television and one we will likely never see repeated. To craft a sci-fi show that not only asks a million questions, but promises to answer them once all is said and done, and then to begin to pull it off is astounding enough, but the real points are scored in the drama. The characters and themes continue to be the most compelling on TV, and now that more answers than questions are coming our way, it adds up to an incredibly satisfying experience. If you don't watch, I beg you, Netflix/Hulu/ABC.com the episodes in order in a time frame that will allow you to join in for the final season or so. It will be worth it, I promise. Unless all this stuff is a little high minded for you, in which case, go watch Wipeout again.
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