Top Ten Tuesday: Best TV Shows of 2006
November 28th, 2006 | by Scott |A little bit of business first: Happy 79th birthday Dad. We love you.
Beginning today I will take the next few Tuesdays to dole out my superlatives for this year: books, music, movies, etc. Today I will be recounting my top TV shows of the year.
I will be working on the calendar year rather than a typical TV season. Therefore, all of these shows are not playing currently. However, all of these shows have run in 2006.
10. 30 Rock–Going into this TV season this was not the SNL-inspired show that I was most looking forward to. However, as this season progresses Tina Fey is turning out a more consistent script than the much vaunted Aaron Sorkin. I’m hoping Studio 60 continues to improve to the point that it makes my list next year. But at this point 30 Rock is the superior show. It gets funnier each week. And it is obvious that Alec Baldwin is a comedic genius.
9. House–Hugh Laurie is stellar in his portrayal of the “curmudgeonly acerbic” title character. Sure, the show is formulaic with the case being solved just in time for the closing credits but Laurie delivers the most compelling character on network television. You root for him at the same time you know you would hate him if you ever met him.
8. Prison Break–This show is pure escapist fare which, by the look of this list, I am a huge fan of. That this show is still gripping is testament to the twists and turns that are delivered each and every week. It’s so improbably that its highly laughable at times. But if I liked popcorn I’d be eating each week while tuning in to this show.
7. What About Brian–I typically don’t go in for a show like this. Yet Brian, with the exception of Roseanna Arquette who looks about 30 years older than the rest of the cast, had great story lines and likable actors. I find myself coming back each week because I care about the characters. This is a hidden gem.
6. Heroes–This show takes the slot that belonged to Lost the last two years. But where Lost gets mired in its own mythology, Heroes gives answers and advances the storyline along. Whether or not that remains the case as the series progresses remains to be seen. If it maintains this momentum it will continue to move up my list. Save the Cheerleader, Save the World.
5. How I Met Your Mother–This show is hitting its stride in its second season. The “Slap Bet” episode was one of the funniest episodes I’ve seen in a while. And Neil Patrick Harris is top-notch as “Swarley.” This is the second best sit-com on TV today.
4. Jericho–Yep, I love it. It faces the same problem that the glut of serials today face: how to continue to stretch the story-line into multiple seasons. But so far, I’m engrossed with a small town striving to maintain normalcy in the midst of nuclear uncertainty. Who to trust. What exactly happened. How to continue life without knowing what’s going on. Those are entertaining themes to explore. Is it great TV? Probably not. But I enjoy it just the same.
3. Rock Star: Supernova–This is the only reality show that I can stand. American Idol and Dancing With The Washed-Up Football Players gets more ratings, but this is the one show that truly rocks. I couldn’t wait each week to see the performances of songs that Idol could never hope to get clearances for. Supernova is a horrible band, their album that just released is downright dreadful and they made the wrong choice of a front man. But the show was pure entertainment, none the less.
2. The Office–Not only is this the best sitcom today but I’m willing to go out on a limb and make a bold prediction: if Steve Carrell stays committed and doesn’t go off in search of box office stardom this will end up the greatest sitcom of all time. It’s that good. Every character is a master comedian and every episode leaves you cringing as Michael Scott walks the tightrope between boorishness and downright offensive. I love this show so much I made the theme song my ring tone.
1. 24–Two Words: Jack Bauer. The baddest man on the air. Enough said. January can’t get here soon enough. They reinvented the serial and every show that has followed in its footsteps can’t come close to matching the tension and adrenaline that this show churns out.
What are your thoughts?
50 Responses to “Top Ten Tuesday: Best TV Shows of 2006”
By jasonk on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
“How I Met Your Mother,” too gay.
Never watched “The Office.” But I guess I’ll give it a shot.
We have covered this ground before, but “The Shield” would be near the top my list. Although not as intense as 24, it is an awesome show. Its like watching “Training Day” every week. Vic Mackey is such a bad guy, but you can’t help but root for him. The last episode of this past season was so shocking that my jaw dropped to the floor.
I like American Idol. Don’t say it. I didn’t used to like it, but I’ve been watching every show now for the past three seasons.
Like you, 24 tops all my lists. It is by far the best television drama ever. Kiefer Sutherland is unbelievable. I want to be him. I want to be violent against terrorists (sorry). I want to be able to get myself and my friends out of a jam. My heart races throughout the whole show because of the intensity. I cannot wait until January.
There are downsides to the show. It is too long. They need to solve the problem before the 24 hours is up. Also, I have a hard time believing that they would be taking precious moments out of a day where nuclear bombs are being dropped on our cities to discuss high school-type romance problems. “Do you LIKE him? I mean, LIKE-like? Were you looking at her?” Then there was the time that the show made a mid-season about face. At first it was middle-eastern terrorists who were blowing up America, but in the middle of the season we find out it was really white guys in suits who are CEOs of Enron-type corporations that were behind it all.
So there are a few flaws, but I love that show in spite of it. Bring it on!
By greg on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
I have never made time for “The Office”. I saw some of it when it first began airing, and liked it, but never stayed with it. I may have to go back and start watching it from the beginning.
“Heroes” I’ve not yet seen. I didn’t even know it was on until I heard people talking about how great it is. Are the episodes available free online at NBC (like other networks are doing)? I guess I just don’t tune into NBC anymore.
I’m still enjoying “Jericho” as well, but I’m about to give up on “The Nine”, even though I’ve still been watching it. Still not sure about “Studio 60″, although still watching it as well.
College basketball season has begun, so I’ll find it hard to find time for new stuff, with games on ESPN nearly every night of the week.
By GKB on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
What? How is there no Boston Legal on this list?
For a pinkie, commo-liberal like yourself, I’m sure you’d love it, as do I
By Scott on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
HIMYM is too gay? Have you seen it.
For those of you who aren’t watching the office what are you waiting for? It’s that good.
By Scott on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
Greg, there will be a “Heroes” marathon tomorrow night on the Sci Fi network beginning at 5 o’clock. It’ll show 6 episodes. DVR it. You won’t be sorry.
The Nine has been yanked off the schedule. It’s done.
By Scott on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
GKB, I really want to watch Boston Legal. I’m hoping this summer to start from ep 1 and catch up.
For I am everything that’s wrong with America.
By Matt on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
The Office and football season are the only reasons I own a TV…
By jasonk on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
In the first episode of How I Met…, one of the main characters said he was gay. That did it for me. I just couldn’t watch it. Too homophobic I guess. Did I miss something?
By Scott on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
I think you did. None of the characters are gay.
By Jeff on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
10.??
9. ??
8. ??
7. ??
6. ??
5. Boston Legal
4. The Office
3. Heroes
2. Lost
1. 24
With the exception of an occasional Boston Legal episode, I don’t watch any of these in “real time” - I wait for the DVDs or download.
Shows that are exceptional, but discontinued: Deadwood, Arrested Development.
By Scott on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
Never saw Deadwood.
I never watch these shows in real time either. That’s why God invented the DVR
By greg on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
will do. looks like episodes 1-6. the latest episode (#10 this week) is on scifi on fridays, I guess. I’ll be missing 7-9, though.
looks like you can get them on iTunes, too.
By John on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
I just don’t seem to get into series tv anymore. Will agree that Rock Star was great and I even remembered to tape it when I couldn’t watch. I did see the first 2 or 3 showings of Studio 60 but then got derailed by my birds being on Monday Night Football one week and then falling asleep during the episodes for 2 or 3 weeks. That’s one big problem the 10 pm shows are just too late since the alarm goes off at 5:15 am.
Mostly my tv is stuck on history channel and food.
By Scott on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
Greg, no matter what, you need to get episodes 8-9. But if you watch the first six you’ll figure that out.
John, watch The Office. You will love it.
By justin on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
JasonK….
Does it bother you if the actor is hetero but playing a gay person, or if the actor is gay, but playing a straight person?
my top ten this year
10. Wife Swap (reality tv is terrible, but I can’t stop watching this show
9.How I Met Your Mother
8.South Park (Trey and Matt are amazing)
7. My name is earl (hasn’t been as funny this season)
6.Daily Show
5. Colbert Report
4.Studio 60
3. Scrubs
2. The Office
1. Heroes
By Scott on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
Justin, we used to watch Wife Swap and loved it. It is cinematic crack, for sure.
Earl is one of those shows where the individual characters exceed the quality of the whole show. All of the characters are hilarious (with the exception of Earl, who is basically a humorless straight man) but mixed together it just doesn’t gel as well as other shows.
I love Scrubs. It would have been on my top 10 but I didn’t watch it during its run this past season. I watched it on DVD so I didn’t count it.
I also omitted the TDS and Colbert because they aren’t episodic.
By jasonk on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
Scott,
Barney’s brother is gay. But for some reason I was under the impression he was not the only gay character in the show.
Justin,
Good question. I don’t think it is the gay-ness that bothers me as much as the stereotypical acting out that some gay men do. I think of the character in “Independence Day.” I cannot stand that. Also, I don’t like the way Hollywood pushes a homosexual agenda on me. If someone wants to be gay, that’s up to them, but don’t convince me that every single person in every single show has a gay friend or two. Its just really tiring to me.
So I don’t know how to answer your question. But if I think a show is gearing up to preach to me about homosexuality, or anything else for that matter, I will generally turn the channel.
By Scott on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
Barney’s brother is not a main character. He appeared only on last night’s show.
By Tracy on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
It amazes me how much thought you put into your shows. I look for one that makes me laugh or say “ahh” or “oh, good idea!” and I’m done thinking about it.
My list looks closer to Justins (in no particular order)
1. My Name is Earl
2. Everybody Hates Chris
3. Daily Show
4. Colbert Report
5. Amazing Race - I *LOVE* this show!
6. Supernanny (what happened to my timer?)
7. Oprah
8.
9.
10.
I don’t have 10 shows. But 7 is close.
By Grace on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
1. HOUSE
2. JERICHO
3. AMERICAN IDOL
4. Oops….that’s all of my favorites.
LOVE Hugh Laurie and Gerald McRaney!
By Jonathan on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
In no particular order:
30 Days (FX)
The Thick of It (BBC America)
Little Britain (BBC America)
God or the Girl (A&E)
The Office
My Name is Earl
The Daily Show
The Colbert Report
Black. White (FX)
Waterloo Road (BBC America)
Hustle (AMC)
The Street (BBC America)
Saved (TNT)
Lovestpring International (Lifetime)
City of Men (Sundance)
The Hill (Sundance)
Entourage (HBO)
Deadwood (HBO)
Dog Bites Man (Comedy Central)
By Jonathan on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
I left the links out of my list thinking that would help me avoid the spam filter…but it didn’t. If you want a link to any of the shows in my list, you can find it here.
By Jason Bybee on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
Hmmm…LOST bashing. How trendy.
I can’t argue with many of your shows here because I don’t watch any of them. But seriously, 24 jumped the shark last season and you know it.
By David Goffin on Nov 28, 2006 | Reply
Thank you for your thoughts on Rock Star…very glad you enjoyed it….we have a great time making the show and quite frankly it is the most fun any of us ever had making a tv show.
David Goffin
Executive Producer - Rock Star
(really)
By Scott on Nov 29, 2006 | Reply
You can’t say I bashed Lost. Just pointed out some problems that I have with the show.
Regarding 24–it’s highest rated, most critically acclaimed, most award generating season and it jumped the shark? Not hardly.
By Scott on Nov 29, 2006 | Reply
David, thanks for stopping by. I’m trying to tell as many people as I can about the greatness of Rock Star.
Can we get a third season?
By jasonk on Nov 29, 2006 | Reply
One show I neglected to mention in my comment was “Flip This House.” That is, until A&E jacked it up.
I’m not into real estate, but watching Richard Davis and his group turn a house around was remarkable. I watched every single week. But ever since the network stole his idea, and gave it to two other groups, I never watch. The entire feel of the show has changed.
But come January, Richard Davis and his bunch will show up on TLC, who bought the rights to the show, and what a smart move it was. Great show.
Sorry, but I see Rock Star as just a cheap imitation of Idol. Maybe if the band contestants were competing for was a band that anyone had heard of, it would be better. Aldo Nova?
By Scott on Nov 29, 2006 | Reply
“Maybe if the band contestants were competing for was a band that anyone had heard of, it would be better.”
Have you ever heard of INXS?
Sure, American Idol casts a huge shadow on all of these type of reality contests, just as Survivor does on all of its knockoffs.
But I see Rock Star as having far greater appeal to those like me who prefer Rock and Roll as opposed to “It’s Raining Men” and whatever Broadway hit they are covering.
What’s more, on Rock Star they are commissioned to write and perform their own songs showcasing their songwriting ability where Idol is just parroting previous versions of saccharine songs.
And the House Band is one of the best musical units on the radar today.
On Rock Star we get songs from the Stones, The Who and Nirvana. What do you get on American Idol?
Give me season three. I hear rumor that it will be all female contestants this time around.
By jasonk on Nov 29, 2006 | Reply
You are right that Idol is more of a “pop” contest. INXS? Sorry, just couldn’t tell you one song they did. I didn’t know that they were required to write and perform their own song. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad. Aren’t some of the songs pretty corny?
Idol is giant karaoke contest, which must be a bit insulting to the people who get on board, who are actually working performers like Taylor Hicks, Chris Daughtry, and a few others. The problem is that they don’t get to showcase their real talent unless they win or are in the top two or three.
You have raised a greater issue here, Scott. Is there no originality in Hollywood? Success comes for a show, and the other networks scramble to put together their copycat shows as quickly as possible. Every reality talent show has three judges, a black guy, a British guy, and a woman past her prime. Every “Survivor” type show has a slutty girl, a mean girl, a gay guy, a manly type guy, a religious guy. When King of Queens became successful, every show after that had a fat husband and a hot wife. After Cosby, every show was about a black family.
Bring us something original!
By Scott on Nov 29, 2006 | Reply
INXS was huge back in the day.
Sure some of the songs weren’t great but we are able to see more of their true talent. There were several songs that were originals by the contestants that were great.
I think there is originality but it’s rare. Originality breeds copycats.
By David Goffin on Nov 29, 2006 | Reply
Scott, Thank you for defending the show as I would have….I hope we can get a 3rd season, but we wont know until the spring…..can’t talk about the talent yet, but several bands have approached us….not sure what people think about an all female rock band…but whatever we do, there will be both male and female contestants.
peace.
By Scott on Nov 29, 2006 | Reply
David, here’s hoping. I’ll sign any petition I can to voice my desire for a year three.
By Lane on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
When I first watched the Office, I thought it was terrible. Then I watched the second episode, “Diversity Day”, and I was hooked. Come on, it won an emmy for best comedy two years ago after only a six episode season. It won again this past year, after a tremendous season. This season has gotten off to a great start as well. I hope Steve Carrell agrees to stay on, because its the best thing he can do. His movies are pretty lame, but he can be a lead guy in this sitcom for years.
I’ll agree Scott, this one has the potential to beat out all sitcoms, but only if Carrell, and all the original cast members stay on.
24 is great, and I can’t wait till the next season starts, but I have to say that LOST is pretty darn good as well.
And I have to go out on a limb and say Deal or No Deal, I say deal. For some reason, I love it.
By Scott on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
Lane, we don’t watch Deal or No Deal but the times we have seen it, we’ve really enjoyed it.
By Jason Bybee on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
Atta boy, Lane. Another vote for LOST!
My prediction for 24: Jack Bauer “somehow” manages to escape the Chinese and volunteers for an impossible mission that will cost him his life. President what’s-his-name gets capped and they’ll introduce a slew of new characters, all of whom will gradually be killed off until Keifer Sutherland is the only regular left standing by season’s end.
But hey, enjoy the season. I think I’d rather watch Die Hard 6.
By Scott on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
That sounds awesome.
Actually, according to the previews, he doesn’t exactly “escape” the Chinese.
By Jason Bybee on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
What, is it all a part of some international plot? He’s been purposefully captured by the Prez? By the VP? By the ghost of David Palmer?
By Scott on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
No, I think a couple of years have passed. He’s been tortured and basically left for dead.
He’s returned for whatever reason.
We’ll find out.
Well, you won’t cause you won’t be watching, right?
By KS on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
Jason: Are you saying that Lost is more realistic than 24?
By Jason Bybee on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
Scott,
Exactly. Tell me what happens. Or don’t. It really doesn’t matter.
KS,
I’m not saying Lost is more realistic than 24. But the whole premise of Lost is that the show takes place on this island where supernatural, goofy things take place. The nature of the show allows for the supernatural. Which is unlike 24 where supposedly this outlandish junk is taking place in the “real world” or whatever. I’m just saying that the ridiculous nature of 24 has finally soured me. The same may happen with Lost someday, too.
By Tracy on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
My problem with 24 is that it is just so gratuitously violent. The first season, I thought it would be funny to keep a running death toll. Then by the 3rd (or so) episode I couldn’t keep up and I starting thinking ‘dude’. And then there was the general ‘oh well’ attitude toward all the deaths. And each season there seems to be an attitude of one upping the previous season in torture, number of dead, and threats to security of personal well-being. I’m done. No thank you. But you enjoy it Scott. I’ll go watch Oprah in the den.
By Jason Bybee on Nov 30, 2006 | Reply
Atta girl, Tracy. 24 haters unite!
By greg on Dec 1, 2006 | Reply
Okay, recorded first 6 Heroes Wed. night.
Last night, watched first 5 episodes.
I’m hooked.
The chick waking up on the autopsy table was about the coolest thing I’ve seen so far.
By Scott on Dec 1, 2006 | Reply
Greg, wait until you get to the Homecoming game.
Save the cheerleader, save the world.
By greg on Dec 1, 2006 | Reply
I guess I’m going to have to go to iTunes…
By Scott on Dec 1, 2006 | Reply
It has to be done.
By Steve Duer on Dec 1, 2006 | Reply
We watch limited TV at our house. House is the show I plan to watch. My kids love Idol.
By Tracy on Dec 1, 2006 | Reply
Steve, the great thing about early bedtimes is that it gives Scott and I time to get our stuff done and still be able to relax and watch TV together. Or apart. If he’s watching something stupid.
By len on Dec 15, 2006 | Reply
Scott,
I watched The Office for the first time last night. I didn’t quite get it. Was this a particularly weak episode or do I just need to give it a little time?
By Scott on Dec 15, 2006 | Reply
Len, last night was a classic episode. You need to give it a little time.
Or more importantly, go back and learn more about the characters.