THE TOP 15 TV Shows of 2010
15.Weeds: Episode 13 Theoretical Love is Not Dead In what is most uneven and all together weakest season to come from the decent Showtime show about a housewife turned weed dealer. We at least get a somewhat good last episode that not only a decent end to a season but also leaves all the fans wondering if we will have another season or if the very open ended final moments are just that final. I love the fact that the writers for the last few episodes of this season the writers went back and examined some things about Nancys (Mary-Louise Parker) past. It's too bad the entire season was pretty much a bust but it does leave hope that next years will be a better season.
14.Outsourced: Episode 6 Bolloween
I am a sucker for NBC and the way they will do a show themed around a Holiday. When they do the Office at Halloween or Christmas I am watching. Now with the Office entering it's seventh year they are having to come up with new shows and this years Outsourced is very funny. The Halloween episode is great because of how good looking the women are and how well placed the costumes are in the certain scenes. Now I don't think Outsourced will ever be the next Office but it will be interesting to see where they go after this first season.
13.The Office: Episode 3 Andy's Play
It seems like I spoke about the Office enough in the Outsourced piece above but I'm here to say that I hope this is the last season of the show. Go out with a nice note don't drag it down into being that show that you don't want to finish because it just got so average. The nice thing about this season is that they are moving away from the main four characters and letting the background players have their own episodes. I really dug this episode because it focused on Andy (Ed Helms) and at the same time gave us some wonderful moments with the other players in the cast. If this is the last season I can't wait to see how they end this very funny show.
12.Bored to Death: Episode 1 Escape From the Castle
I have to say that watching Jason Schwartzman run around New York in a leather gimp mask for a good chunk of an episode is just downright funny. I don't know why I didn't get on board with this offbeat show about a failed writer who takes up an add as a private investigator. The cast to this show is simply fantastic with people like Ted Danson and Zach Galifinanakis to share scenes with each other you can't help but laugh at this show.
11.30 Rock: Episode 5 Reaganing
Now I was very tempted to put the live show as the best episode the year but what the Live episode has in a good cast performance it lack in Alec Baldwin just tearing the scenery apart with his amazing acting. He is so dam funny as Jack trying to pitch a perfect game of Reaganing. Reaganing is fixing peoples problems and everyone he has helped except for Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) I love this episode because it really came off the live show episode. I really enjoyed also how Tracy Morgan did by making me laugh throughout it.
10.The Venture Brothers: Episode 11 Every which way but Zeus
Now I love that the Venture Brothers over the years has gone from a really great show with one episode after another to a fantastic show with an ongoing plot line and reoccurring characters. I also love that the main characters have not become tiresome with one note jokes and just being dam annoying. The people who write the show have taken these cartoon cliches and made them into some very funny characters over the past four seasons. The reason episode 11 takes the cake over the other wonderful fifteen episodes is that it brings together tons of secondary characters and also we get some great Hank moments as well. I love the way this story unfolds and we see the final act come to play out in wonderful Venture form.
09.The Big C: Episode 4 Playing the Cancer Car
This may take my prize for the show that I will never tell anyone else I watch. This show goes beyond the realm of chick show so much so that I never will admit to seeing it to anyone with male genitalia. I love Laura Linney in anything she does her range is so good and her presence as an actor is simply amazing when she is on screen she makes you very aware of it despite only being 5'7. I love this episode because we get to see Linney really doing a nice job of playing both the victim and the supportive one for herself. I watched the entire season in three days and I have to say if this is Showtime's alternative to Weeds them lets hope it gets a second season.
08.Breaking Bad: Episode 10 Fly
So most of the Time I don't enjoy filler in my shows but when you have a show like this the filler can be the best part some of the time. This episode is about what the title says. Our main character is worried about a Fly in his lab and its all about the process of him getting rid of the Fly. Now this is the third season of the show and so much has happened but with such a simple concept i love how this episode almost pulls away from the fact that this man is a high end drug trafficker and shows that he like everyone else is bested by the smallest of problems.
07.It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Episode 7 Who Got Dee Pregnant?
I wasn't sure about this season I thought that the boys of Philly had reached their zeaneth and the show was on the brink of sheer disaster. Ohh I have such little faith. If you haven't been tracking with one of the best things on FX then you as "The Gang" would say need to pull your head out of your ass. Once again I am a sucker for a showed based around a holiday or specific event. The episode works so well because of how they don't bury the lead right away we are confronted with the problem and we watch the four boys stumble throughout their various versions of the night and hilarity ensues. The season hasn't been a grand slam this year but over all the gang of philly is still proving why this show is a must watch every week.
06.Conan: Episode 1 Baa Baa Blackmail
I am not a huge talk show guy I avoid most of them like they were some sort honest work. The one I can tolerate and on several occasions nearly piss myself is the Giant Irishman Conan O'brien. The reason I love his is because I don't usually get to see him because of how late he is on also He has some of the best sketch writers working today. I won't say anymore but take a look at the video above. That was only his opener and they have gotten funnier as the show has gone along.
05.The Walking Dead: Episode 1 Days Gone Bye
This is a show that has so many things going for it. I love that with very few exceptions anyone can be next on the chopping block. A show that has that weapon under its belt is a show to watch because it keeps you guessing and wondering who will be the next to the slaughter. I also love how dam eerie the opening music is to the show is. I chose episode one because it is not only a strong open but it is also the episode that made me glad i waited a week to have two saved up to watch. The premise is so great i'm surprised that no one has ever done this before. The world is ending and the Zombies are taking over. I think the way they are doing it and that they have set it in the south is a great thing as well.
04.Louie: Episode 6 Heckler/Cop Movie
If you haven't see the next four shows then stop reading right now and go watch them because these are the big four of the year. Louie is the second brain child from one of the best comedians today. Louis CK brings us a frank and honest look about what it is to be a stuggleing New York comic who is also out of shape, balding, two kids, divorced, and generally just a sad sack. If you want to know how to bring the funny then look no further. The episodes are usually broken up into two adventures that Louie is on. This one is so good because when he takes on this Heckler they have to bleep out most of what he is saying. I can't wait to get the DVD's so I can hopefully find out what he said to that women. The second half is all about him trying to get through working on a movie. This show is funny and at times very touching. So check it out and also your father is dead.
03.Archer: Episode 5 The Honeypot
If James bond were not classy a drunk and a man who went to bed with anything that moved you would have Archer. I did not warm up to this show right away but Now I have seen the season at least eight times straight through. This is the perfect sick at home TV show to watch because you are laughing and it doesn't take much effort to watch it. I burned through it in one day while sick in my bed and I think it is responsible for making me feel better. The episode entitled Honeypot is all about our main character Sterling Archer pulling his favorite spy move the honeypot on a target that he wants nothing to do with a male spy. The show is very funny and very dark but that alone makes it one of the funniest things I have seen all year.
02.Boardwalk Empire: Episode 1 Boardwalk Empire
Strong openings to a season are important in TV. Strong openings to a first season are crucial. This new show on HBO that has become THE show I look forward to every week and now I am screwed because I have to wait until sometime next year to get back to that magical world of crime and corruption. This show is beyond good it is near perfect. It combines so many elements of what makes up an amazing TV show. First off you have Steve Buscemi doing some of the best work he has done with an amazing all star cast behind him. The supporting cast includes Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Stephen Graham, and Michael K. Williams (Omar from THE WIRE), you know you are in for a hell of a ride. The first episode takes place over the course of three days and shows the inner workings of Atlantic City on the day that prohibition is being enacted. I love how well the play between seperate storylines goes and how we only get to see glimpses of the operation that is keeping Atlantic City wet in this dry time. Also if you aren't impressed by cast and the plot, the pilot is directed by the king of gangster movies Martin Scorsese.
01.Mad Men: Episode 7 The Suitcase
14.Outsourced: Episode 6 Bolloween
I am a sucker for NBC and the way they will do a show themed around a Holiday. When they do the Office at Halloween or Christmas I am watching. Now with the Office entering it's seventh year they are having to come up with new shows and this years Outsourced is very funny. The Halloween episode is great because of how good looking the women are and how well placed the costumes are in the certain scenes. Now I don't think Outsourced will ever be the next Office but it will be interesting to see where they go after this first season.
13.The Office: Episode 3 Andy's Play
It seems like I spoke about the Office enough in the Outsourced piece above but I'm here to say that I hope this is the last season of the show. Go out with a nice note don't drag it down into being that show that you don't want to finish because it just got so average. The nice thing about this season is that they are moving away from the main four characters and letting the background players have their own episodes. I really dug this episode because it focused on Andy (Ed Helms) and at the same time gave us some wonderful moments with the other players in the cast. If this is the last season I can't wait to see how they end this very funny show.
12.Bored to Death: Episode 1 Escape From the Castle
I have to say that watching Jason Schwartzman run around New York in a leather gimp mask for a good chunk of an episode is just downright funny. I don't know why I didn't get on board with this offbeat show about a failed writer who takes up an add as a private investigator. The cast to this show is simply fantastic with people like Ted Danson and Zach Galifinanakis to share scenes with each other you can't help but laugh at this show.
11.30 Rock: Episode 5 Reaganing
Now I was very tempted to put the live show as the best episode the year but what the Live episode has in a good cast performance it lack in Alec Baldwin just tearing the scenery apart with his amazing acting. He is so dam funny as Jack trying to pitch a perfect game of Reaganing. Reaganing is fixing peoples problems and everyone he has helped except for Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) I love this episode because it really came off the live show episode. I really enjoyed also how Tracy Morgan did by making me laugh throughout it.
10.The Venture Brothers: Episode 11 Every which way but Zeus
Now I love that the Venture Brothers over the years has gone from a really great show with one episode after another to a fantastic show with an ongoing plot line and reoccurring characters. I also love that the main characters have not become tiresome with one note jokes and just being dam annoying. The people who write the show have taken these cartoon cliches and made them into some very funny characters over the past four seasons. The reason episode 11 takes the cake over the other wonderful fifteen episodes is that it brings together tons of secondary characters and also we get some great Hank moments as well. I love the way this story unfolds and we see the final act come to play out in wonderful Venture form.
09.The Big C: Episode 4 Playing the Cancer Car
This may take my prize for the show that I will never tell anyone else I watch. This show goes beyond the realm of chick show so much so that I never will admit to seeing it to anyone with male genitalia. I love Laura Linney in anything she does her range is so good and her presence as an actor is simply amazing when she is on screen she makes you very aware of it despite only being 5'7. I love this episode because we get to see Linney really doing a nice job of playing both the victim and the supportive one for herself. I watched the entire season in three days and I have to say if this is Showtime's alternative to Weeds them lets hope it gets a second season.
08.Breaking Bad: Episode 10 Fly
So most of the Time I don't enjoy filler in my shows but when you have a show like this the filler can be the best part some of the time. This episode is about what the title says. Our main character is worried about a Fly in his lab and its all about the process of him getting rid of the Fly. Now this is the third season of the show and so much has happened but with such a simple concept i love how this episode almost pulls away from the fact that this man is a high end drug trafficker and shows that he like everyone else is bested by the smallest of problems.
07.It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Episode 7 Who Got Dee Pregnant?
I wasn't sure about this season I thought that the boys of Philly had reached their zeaneth and the show was on the brink of sheer disaster. Ohh I have such little faith. If you haven't been tracking with one of the best things on FX then you as "The Gang" would say need to pull your head out of your ass. Once again I am a sucker for a showed based around a holiday or specific event. The episode works so well because of how they don't bury the lead right away we are confronted with the problem and we watch the four boys stumble throughout their various versions of the night and hilarity ensues. The season hasn't been a grand slam this year but over all the gang of philly is still proving why this show is a must watch every week.
06.Conan: Episode 1 Baa Baa Blackmail
I am not a huge talk show guy I avoid most of them like they were some sort honest work. The one I can tolerate and on several occasions nearly piss myself is the Giant Irishman Conan O'brien. The reason I love his is because I don't usually get to see him because of how late he is on also He has some of the best sketch writers working today. I won't say anymore but take a look at the video above. That was only his opener and they have gotten funnier as the show has gone along.
05.The Walking Dead: Episode 1 Days Gone Bye
This is a show that has so many things going for it. I love that with very few exceptions anyone can be next on the chopping block. A show that has that weapon under its belt is a show to watch because it keeps you guessing and wondering who will be the next to the slaughter. I also love how dam eerie the opening music is to the show is. I chose episode one because it is not only a strong open but it is also the episode that made me glad i waited a week to have two saved up to watch. The premise is so great i'm surprised that no one has ever done this before. The world is ending and the Zombies are taking over. I think the way they are doing it and that they have set it in the south is a great thing as well.
04.Louie: Episode 6 Heckler/Cop Movie
If you haven't see the next four shows then stop reading right now and go watch them because these are the big four of the year. Louie is the second brain child from one of the best comedians today. Louis CK brings us a frank and honest look about what it is to be a stuggleing New York comic who is also out of shape, balding, two kids, divorced, and generally just a sad sack. If you want to know how to bring the funny then look no further. The episodes are usually broken up into two adventures that Louie is on. This one is so good because when he takes on this Heckler they have to bleep out most of what he is saying. I can't wait to get the DVD's so I can hopefully find out what he said to that women. The second half is all about him trying to get through working on a movie. This show is funny and at times very touching. So check it out and also your father is dead.
03.Archer: Episode 5 The Honeypot
If James bond were not classy a drunk and a man who went to bed with anything that moved you would have Archer. I did not warm up to this show right away but Now I have seen the season at least eight times straight through. This is the perfect sick at home TV show to watch because you are laughing and it doesn't take much effort to watch it. I burned through it in one day while sick in my bed and I think it is responsible for making me feel better. The episode entitled Honeypot is all about our main character Sterling Archer pulling his favorite spy move the honeypot on a target that he wants nothing to do with a male spy. The show is very funny and very dark but that alone makes it one of the funniest things I have seen all year.
02.Boardwalk Empire: Episode 1 Boardwalk Empire
Strong openings to a season are important in TV. Strong openings to a first season are crucial. This new show on HBO that has become THE show I look forward to every week and now I am screwed because I have to wait until sometime next year to get back to that magical world of crime and corruption. This show is beyond good it is near perfect. It combines so many elements of what makes up an amazing TV show. First off you have Steve Buscemi doing some of the best work he has done with an amazing all star cast behind him. The supporting cast includes Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Stephen Graham, and Michael K. Williams (Omar from THE WIRE), you know you are in for a hell of a ride. The first episode takes place over the course of three days and shows the inner workings of Atlantic City on the day that prohibition is being enacted. I love how well the play between seperate storylines goes and how we only get to see glimpses of the operation that is keeping Atlantic City wet in this dry time. Also if you aren't impressed by cast and the plot, the pilot is directed by the king of gangster movies Martin Scorsese.
01.Mad Men: Episode 7 The Suitcase
It's hard to beat a show that has gone three seasons strong is the definition of cool and classy. This show also boasts one of the best leading men and a cast that any TV director would kill to get his hands on. I find it funny that I mention the cast because the episode that I was most impressed with this season was one that didn't involve the cast much it centered around Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and his former secretary Peggy (Elisabeth Moss). The events of the evening take place on the night of the Ali vs Liston fight. The two characters have been at odds with each other and know more about each other then anyone else does. This episode works because the writers back off of the usual huge cast and let the interplay of the two most important characters come out and we see why these two need each other and why they are the perfect team. I have to say that maybe the reason I liked this movie is because I watched a really bad movie right before it or perhaps it was just the right atmosphere of having friends over to watch it with me. Whatever the case may be this is one of the best examples of how to make amazing TV. This episode is full of beautiful moments and awesome performances trully worthy of this years top slot.
I can't wait for next year to see what my favorite TV stations are at. So I hope you guys dug this very long ass kissing session and I hope you all get a chance to look at these shows and play catch up over the next year. So folks enjoy and be aware the biggest and most important list is yet to come.
I can't wait for next year to see what my favorite TV stations are at. So I hope you guys dug this very long ass kissing session and I hope you all get a chance to look at these shows and play catch up over the next year. So folks enjoy and be aware the biggest and most important list is yet to come.
