The following list is comprised of the Top 10 TV shows I enjoyed watching this year. In other words, they aren’t all new shows.
10. American Dreams
My girlfriend coaxed me into watching this Dick Clark produced TV series set in the 60s, centered on Meg Pryor, a teenager chosen to be a featured dancer in American Bandstand. It aired on NBC starting in 2002. I was prepared to not like it, but after a few episodes I wanted to see each and every one of the Pryors achieve their dreams . . . which never seemed to happen, at least in the first season. The show is rather ingenious, incorporating vintage footage from American Bandstand with current pop singers like Usher and Vanessa Carlton doing their best 60s impersonations of famous performers from that era. Side note: The show also proves that Joey from Blossom can say more than just “Whoa!”
9. The Office
In its first three seasons, The Office would have definitely been in my top three shows. Sadly, as we all knew was going to happen but really hoped it wouldn’t, The Office has lost is unique comedic touch by having to let go of the most awkward boss this side of the Great Pond, Michael Scott. I still watch the show out of loyalty (much like I did with Smallville for far too long), but the laughs are few and far between. I love the Nard-Dog, but they really should have hired from outside the office. Maybe Ken Jeong? Or do a cross-over and have Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec (Nick Offerman) move into the boss’s seat.
The hey-day of Saturday Night Live is always those first five years after you learn about the existence of Saturday Night Live. For me, that was the early to mid-90s. I still watch SNL, hoping that it gets better, waiting for them to feature Jay Pharoah more, and laughing uncontrollably every time Bill Hader breaks character as Stefon.
I watched the first season and it didn’t take with me. I didn’t watch the second, but I’m falling for the third. They’ve distanced themselves from The Office and have created a place with a heart as big as Lil’ Sebastian’s, which may sound negative, but it’s not. Pawnee has become so real, in fact, that I wasn’t surprised when I ran across the book Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America
6. New Girl
I’ve only watched four episodes, but I’ve laughed out loud at least twice during each. This is a good measure of a great comedy, especially considering its nascent form. Zooey Deschanel is funny, even when it’s not Christmas and Will Ferrell in tights is trying to court her. read more
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