I'm a little late with this but wanted to give you my version of the "Best of TV" from the past 10 years. I'll start off with the television shows then move on to movies. Thanks to Netflix on Hulu.com you can check some of these out. The list is not in alphabetical order and some of these shows are long gone. I'll bold the ones still on the air.
1. Survivor: The Reality TV King, memorable characters, awesome host and ton of unwelcomed nudity...Fun fact: Has never won an Emmy.
2. Scrubs : I never understood the appeal until I tuned in a few seasons ago. Hilarious show, great cast, funny dream sequences and touching moments. Even the new season is good. Doctor Cox has some of the funniest lines on all of television.
3. Fastlane: A 1 and done undercover cop program on Fox. Starred Bill Belamy and the guy who married Kelly Taylor from 90210 (Jennie Garth). Oh and Kelly Kapowski was on it!
4. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: 4 misfits own a bar, do stupid and completely inappropriate things, hilarity ensues. Not for anyone who is easily offended. Plus, Danny Devito drunk.
5. Deadwood: A profane look at the "Wild" West during the gold rush. Seriously, PROFANE, you've been warned. Brilliant story telling about a good sheriff and a money hungry bar owner. By the way, don't let my warning fool you, the writing is outstanding. Fun Fact: I have a man crush on Timothy Olyphant.
6. Dexter: I watched 5 minutes of this show and was completely hooked. Dexter is a forensics analyst for the Miami police department, he also has a very dark side or dark passenger as he calls it. See, Dexter is also a serial killer. I tell everyone to watch this show because the story telling is top notch, the characters are believable and because Michael C. Hall is so creepy I don't know if I'll ever look at him as anyone other than Dexter Morgan. I don't know if I want my Mom or Mother in Law watching because of the language and violence but it really is an outstanding show. This is their warning. Fun Fact: I've been known to telling people my name is Dexter Morgan.
7. Entourage: 4 guys living the high life in Hollywood. A fun behind the scenes type look at movie making. The real star of the show is Ari Gold, Vince's agent, played by Jeremy Piven. Loosely based on Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg's life breaking into Hollywood.
8. Lost: My guess is many of you haven't watched this show and it would be extremely difficult to start now (the final season starts in a month). It's a huge cast, with a ton of theories on what is going on and not a ton of answers provided, yet. Well worth dissecting all the literal, pop cultural and philosophical references that are mentioned in each episode.
9. Greek: A program about Fraternity and Sorority life in a fictitious Ohio college. A very funny cast and writing that sometimes out performs the best comedies on television. Great pop culture references, guest appearances and characters named Cappie, Beaver and Spitter. I had flashbacks to my KA days the moment the first episode began. Fun Fact: Kent Wyatt (See The Wyatt's blog on the right side of the page) was my pledge Dad.
10. Burn Notice: The coolest spy this side of the Atlantic (Bond, James you get everywhere else), who is trying to find out who "burned" him. Being "burned" means the spy is cut off from the government he worked for and left to survive on his own. Thankfully that was in Miami, FL. Michael Westen has to figure out why while helping out local citizens with their issues. The awesome Bruce Campbell is also on the show.
11. Smallville: I'm a huge Batman fan but this retelling of Clark Kent aka Superman is pretty darn good. Basically it's Superman the High School years before eventually moving on to the Newspaper reporter years. The scene stealer goes to Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) who you want to root for to be a good guy and be a good friend to Clark. We all know that doesn't happen.
12. Supernatural: I remember hearing a lot about this show before tuning in about how it was a cool concept (hunting supernatural monsters/demons, etc), two likable characters (Sam and Dean) and some fun story telling (pop culture references mixed with a ton of supernatural mythology). Excellent old school rock music soundtrack. Probably not going to be watched by many of you but well worth it (TNT runs reruns right now). Fun Fact: I plan on owning the 67 Chevy Impala (or Impaler in my Jersey accent) featured in the show.
13. One Tree Hill: A show I continue to question why I still watch, especially when two of the original characters (one of the main storyline protagonists) are no longer on it, one of which I really liked (and most hated), Chad Michael Murray aka Lucas. Breakdown: Two brothers, two mothers, one father, a ton of drama and Sophia Bush. The show was so well done the first season it was inevitable it couldn't keep it up. I'm not quite sure what the heck is going on right now. Fun Fact: My friends Haley/Grey Kinlaw stalk the cast as the show is filmed in their city of Wilmington, NC.
14. Arrested Development: I remember not wanting to watch this because I thought it was a "smart" comedy, kind of like Seinfeld or Fraser. You know, intellectual jokes and snottie characters. I was completely wrong about AD. I think this is the funniest show of the past 10 years and probably my second favorite comedy (Married w/ Children) of all time. The story follows the dysfunctional Bluth family who are trying to clear their name after the head of the family George Sr. is arrested. There are 3 seasons of "callback" jokes (the chicken dance, "no touching," Tobias's sexuality), a great cast, great guest stars (Carl Weathers, Liza Minnelli, Scott Baio, Charlize Theron) and a supporting cast that included The Fonz (Henry Winkler). Fun Fact: Ron Howard does the voice over on the show.
16. Reaper: A story about Sam (Bret Harrison) whose parents sold his soul to the Devil. Sam then works as a bounty hunter tracking down escaped souls for the Devil. It's a heavy concept but it was a comedy and a pretty darn funny one. Another show starring Tyler Labine and another show canned too early. Ray Wise, as the Devil, should have netted an academy award nomination, he was that good. Fun Fact: Kevin Smith of Mallrats and Dogma fame directed the pilot episode.
18. The Loop: Another show that wasn't given much of a chance to succeed. Bret Harrison (also of Reaper) starred as an executive for TransAlliance Airways who always has the worst of luck. Funny supporting cast (Sully), hilarious boss and awkward tension. Fun Fact: Hank's fantasy football team name a few years back was named Derek Tricoli Out (named after a supporting character).
20. My Name Is Earl: Interesting concept, a repeat law breaker wins the lottery only to be hit by a car. He loses the lottery ticket only to find it a few months later. He decides to change his life due to karma and start correcting all his wrong doings. He keeps a list of all of these and checks off one each episode. It's a funny show and reruns can be found on several networks. Fun Fact: Rednecks are funny.
A few I never had a chance to watch: The Wire, The Shield, True Blood, Heroes and Alias.
3. Fastlane: A 1 and done undercover cop program on Fox. Starred Bill Belamy and the guy who married Kelly Taylor from 90210 (Jennie Garth). Oh and Kelly Kapowski was on it!
4. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: 4 misfits own a bar, do stupid and completely inappropriate things, hilarity ensues. Not for anyone who is easily offended. Plus, Danny Devito drunk.
5. Deadwood: A profane look at the "Wild" West during the gold rush. Seriously, PROFANE, you've been warned. Brilliant story telling about a good sheriff and a money hungry bar owner. By the way, don't let my warning fool you, the writing is outstanding. Fun Fact: I have a man crush on Timothy Olyphant.
6. Dexter: I watched 5 minutes of this show and was completely hooked. Dexter is a forensics analyst for the Miami police department, he also has a very dark side or dark passenger as he calls it. See, Dexter is also a serial killer. I tell everyone to watch this show because the story telling is top notch, the characters are believable and because Michael C. Hall is so creepy I don't know if I'll ever look at him as anyone other than Dexter Morgan. I don't know if I want my Mom or Mother in Law watching because of the language and violence but it really is an outstanding show. This is their warning. Fun Fact: I've been known to telling people my name is Dexter Morgan.
7. Entourage: 4 guys living the high life in Hollywood. A fun behind the scenes type look at movie making. The real star of the show is Ari Gold, Vince's agent, played by Jeremy Piven. Loosely based on Mark "Marky Mark" Wahlberg's life breaking into Hollywood.
8. Lost: My guess is many of you haven't watched this show and it would be extremely difficult to start now (the final season starts in a month). It's a huge cast, with a ton of theories on what is going on and not a ton of answers provided, yet. Well worth dissecting all the literal, pop cultural and philosophical references that are mentioned in each episode.
9. Greek: A program about Fraternity and Sorority life in a fictitious Ohio college. A very funny cast and writing that sometimes out performs the best comedies on television. Great pop culture references, guest appearances and characters named Cappie, Beaver and Spitter. I had flashbacks to my KA days the moment the first episode began. Fun Fact: Kent Wyatt (See The Wyatt's blog on the right side of the page) was my pledge Dad.
10. Burn Notice: The coolest spy this side of the Atlantic (Bond, James you get everywhere else), who is trying to find out who "burned" him. Being "burned" means the spy is cut off from the government he worked for and left to survive on his own. Thankfully that was in Miami, FL. Michael Westen has to figure out why while helping out local citizens with their issues. The awesome Bruce Campbell is also on the show.
11. Smallville: I'm a huge Batman fan but this retelling of Clark Kent aka Superman is pretty darn good. Basically it's Superman the High School years before eventually moving on to the Newspaper reporter years. The scene stealer goes to Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) who you want to root for to be a good guy and be a good friend to Clark. We all know that doesn't happen.
12. Supernatural: I remember hearing a lot about this show before tuning in about how it was a cool concept (hunting supernatural monsters/demons, etc), two likable characters (Sam and Dean) and some fun story telling (pop culture references mixed with a ton of supernatural mythology). Excellent old school rock music soundtrack. Probably not going to be watched by many of you but well worth it (TNT runs reruns right now). Fun Fact: I plan on owning the 67 Chevy Impala (or Impaler in my Jersey accent) featured in the show.
13. One Tree Hill: A show I continue to question why I still watch, especially when two of the original characters (one of the main storyline protagonists) are no longer on it, one of which I really liked (and most hated), Chad Michael Murray aka Lucas. Breakdown: Two brothers, two mothers, one father, a ton of drama and Sophia Bush. The show was so well done the first season it was inevitable it couldn't keep it up. I'm not quite sure what the heck is going on right now. Fun Fact: My friends Haley/Grey Kinlaw stalk the cast as the show is filmed in their city of Wilmington, NC.
14. Arrested Development: I remember not wanting to watch this because I thought it was a "smart" comedy, kind of like Seinfeld or Fraser. You know, intellectual jokes and snottie characters. I was completely wrong about AD. I think this is the funniest show of the past 10 years and probably my second favorite comedy (Married w/ Children) of all time. The story follows the dysfunctional Bluth family who are trying to clear their name after the head of the family George Sr. is arrested. There are 3 seasons of "callback" jokes (the chicken dance, "no touching," Tobias's sexuality), a great cast, great guest stars (Carl Weathers, Liza Minnelli, Scott Baio, Charlize Theron) and a supporting cast that included The Fonz (Henry Winkler). Fun Fact: Ron Howard does the voice over on the show.
15. Invasion: Another 1 and done. An invasion of water based aliens invade a small town in Florida during a hurricane. Not the most original plot but still an interesting show. Standout performances from Tyler Labine and William Fichtner (who needs a starring role in a strong TV series). Fact: The show probably failed due to a 10 pm time slot and began airing a month after Hurricane Katrina (promotions were pulled immediately due to a hurricane being a plot point).
16. Reaper: A story about Sam (Bret Harrison) whose parents sold his soul to the Devil. Sam then works as a bounty hunter tracking down escaped souls for the Devil. It's a heavy concept but it was a comedy and a pretty darn funny one. Another show starring Tyler Labine and another show canned too early. Ray Wise, as the Devil, should have netted an academy award nomination, he was that good. Fun Fact: Kevin Smith of Mallrats and Dogma fame directed the pilot episode.
17. The Office: Beats, Bears, Battlestar Gallatica. I think everyone knows this one.
18. The Loop: Another show that wasn't given much of a chance to succeed. Bret Harrison (also of Reaper) starred as an executive for TransAlliance Airways who always has the worst of luck. Funny supporting cast (Sully), hilarious boss and awkward tension. Fun Fact: Hank's fantasy football team name a few years back was named Derek Tricoli Out (named after a supporting character).
19. Family Guy (canceled and technically debuted in the 90's): I think most of you know this one too. Funny show, great cut aways (Conway Twitty, other TV shows/movies) and excellent use of pop culture.
20. My Name Is Earl: Interesting concept, a repeat law breaker wins the lottery only to be hit by a car. He loses the lottery ticket only to find it a few months later. He decides to change his life due to karma and start correcting all his wrong doings. He keeps a list of all of these and checks off one each episode. It's a funny show and reruns can be found on several networks. Fun Fact: Rednecks are funny.
21. Chuck: My second favorite TV spy. Ok, he's not a spy technically, he's a computer geek who has a ton of government secrets implanted in his brain. Good mix of comedy and action, strong cast and great guest stars (Scott Bakula, Chevy Chase). Support the show so it can continue on a few more seasons! Fun Fact: There is a character names Captain Awesome (that's enough for me to tune in).
22. Prison Break: One brother in prison, another brother who decides to join him only to break him out. A little like Shawshank Redemption minus the good writing & Morgan Freeman. Here's a spoiler, they break out. Once they do, you'd think the show would end but no, they go on the run and I'll stop there. It's a pretty good edge of the seat show, Michael Scofield's plan to break out is pretty cool (tattooed details covering his entire torso) and a wicked good villain (T-Bag played by Robert Knepper). Fun Fact: Prison is scary.
23. Man v. Food: Adam Richman travels around the country and takes part in the biggest eating challenges a restaurant can offer. I've never seen someone eat this much in my life and I lived with Elliott Wilson. I've seen him eat a steak the size of a small child, a huge burrito and some of the spiciest wings around. Check out the Travel channel for new episodes soon. Fun Fact: The second time I watched this show I got sick to my stomach.
24. 24: Ha, I was able to list 23 other shows. Anyways, this show takes place in real time and all events take place within 24 hours (I sat through 12 hours straight once). The lead played by Kiefer Sutherland is the type of dude I'd like to have a drink with. Of course, he's been known to tackle Christmas trees and fall over, so maybe I'll pass. Anyways, Jack Bauer fights terrorists, family members, the President and many others all to keep our country safe. Fun Fact: My cat is named after him. Also, Jack Bauer could beat up Chuck Norris.
25. The OC: Ryan is a troubled teen who gets a chance to turn his life around while living in Newport Beach (in Orange County, CA) with the Cohens. He befriends their nerdy son Seth, falls in love with the girl next door and gets in fights with water polo players. A witty show, strong cast and in my opinion the beginning of the nerdy/comic book loving/geek revolution on television due to the popularity of Seth Cohen (played by Adam Brody). Fun Fact: Not filmed in Newport Beach...filmed in Manhatten Beach.
A couple shows I enjoyed that you can look up on your own: Being Human, Torchwood, Merlin, White Collar, The Dead Zone, Jackass, Warehouse 13 and CSI (The original). The First three air out of England so they usually don't pop up in the US until a year or so later.
A few I never had a chance to watch: The Wire, The Shield, True Blood, Heroes and Alias.
A few I wish would go away: Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, American Idol
3 comments:
This is a great blog post. I agree with most of the shows you've posted about. And, I owe you a huge apology about OTH. I have been watching it on DVR while I nurse Elle and am totally and completely hooked. I have even made Kent check out the DVDs from the library, it's that good. So, sorry for making fun of you for your CMM luv affair.
You would enjoy Alias; you should check it out on DVD from your library.
OTH season 1 is excellent. I knew you'd like CMM!
I totally left out Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother. Crazy.
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