This makes me sad.
In my fantasy life, where everything is perfect, I write at least three hysterical posts and a list every week, and have time to watch everything on television. (In addition to having a successful career and being the kind of person who not only remembers your birthday, but delivers a handmade card and thoughtful gift with a dozen of the prettiest cupcakes you've ever seen after having gone to yoga and saving puppies or something. In heels.)
Real life is not quite that organized.
So, sadly, I am a terrible blogger. For this, please accept my deepest apologies.
I intended to do a Best and Worst of 2012 thing today, but then I realized a few things:
1. I basically did my "Worst" list in my last post.
2. I don't really watch the "Best" shows on TV, especially dramas. (Sorry, Homeland. I'm working on it.)
3. Other people are doing much better versions of that than I can.
So instead, let's do:
The Top Five Shows I Love (Are All Comedies)
Parks and Recreation
Parks and Rec is the best. Amy Poehler is the best. No, really, like the actual best human being on the planet. I checked.
I think it just keeps getting better, too. The "Leslie for City Council" arc last season was hysterical, the various romances this fall have been endearing (and on occasion tear-jerking), and it manages to stay surprising while still having characters grow and change. Well done, Ms. Amy.
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| I love you! But not in a creepy way! (OK, maybe a little bit creepy! But nice! Still nice!) |
The Big Bang Theory
Big Bang is not typically the kind of sitcom I (or most TV critics) like, because it follows a more traditional format (multicam, studio audience, setup punchline, etc.) and therefore seems like it would feel static or stupid like its static, stupid ilk (Two and a Half Men, Two Broke Girls, Last Man Standing, Whitney - did you know Whitney is still on?).
It doesn't.
It doesn't.
Or maybe it does, but because the writing is funny and the cast is excellent, I just don't care. It is a pleasure to watch every week. I think the addition of Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch (who does not get enough credit at all for her brilliance as Bernadette) really brought the show to a new level; impressive several years into a show's run. The cast seems energized, the writers are having fun, and I always look forward to watching.
New Girl
Once Zooey toned down the twee and the writers found a dynamic for the group as a whole (congrats on the personalities, Cici and Winston!) New Girl became one of the funniest shows on TV. It's fresh, it's quirky (but without being too much), and it manages to be sweet as well.
Plus, OMG, how much do you love Nick and Jess? OTP fo-eva! (Is that how you do that? Am I supposed to add a hashtag?)
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| Fire! Boss! Epic! YOLO! |
Modern Family
In some interesting way, Modern Family feels like the elder statesman of this group, even though it hasn't been on all that long. I think it's because it is just a perfectly executed show. Think about it. The writing is pretty much flawless, as is the acting, and it is consistently funny. You just can't argue with that.
Suburgatory
You don't watch this show. That's a shame, because it is really funny. OK, it's kinda weird, but so is everything else we watch. It's also snarky and clever and sweet, and all of the young actresses (particularly the brilliant Carly Chaikin as Dalia) are just really, really good. You should watch it.
The Top Five Shows I Love (That Probably Aren't Very Good)
Arrow
Sometimes you just need to watch a show about a hot guy who got stranded on a desert island and became an almost-superhero vigilante to atone for the sins his father revealed at his death (which was probably orchestrated by his mother and some secret organization led by Totally Not! Captain Jack Harkness) and the cute girl he and his best friend love and the cool former soldier who also is a vigilante sometimes.
Right?
Right?
Look, I get that this is probably all sacrilege to comic book fans of The Green Arrow, but for this kind of show on the CW, they've actually done a pretty good job. It's interesting and fun and enjoyable. Plus, hot guy training montages!
Go On
I'm going to repeat myself here: I'm not saying this is the best show ever, it's not. But it is pretty funny, and the other characters are starting to find some footing, (again, Julie White is awesome as Judy), but mostly, mostly....
I love Matthew Perry.
And he's in this show.
So I love it.
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| And I love this. More of this, please. |
Hawaii Five-0
OK, look. I'm kinda embarrassed to write this one. This show is a very silly procedural. It is exactly the same quality as the worst of the CSI's, it's just as cheesy as the lame NCIS, and as silly as the worst of USA's pantheon of procedurals.
Well, almost.
It's just the tiniest of advantages, but it's why I chose to watch it over so many of the other procedural options: Alex O'Laughlin and Scott Caan have great chemistry, and are just very watchable. It doesn't take much for a procedural. Speaking of which,
Castle
I'm acknowledging that Castle is also not a brilliantly written or executed show. It's not heavy or deep or full of crazy plot twists. But they managed to successfully navigate getting their will-they-won't-they couple together without falling apart, an impressive feat, and it remains cast with people I want to hang out with.
That's all. I just like watching it because I want to go to double date with Castle and Beckett or grab a beer with Ryan and Esposito. That's all the justification you get.
Once Upon A Time
Is this show good? I honestly have no idea. I know I really like it. It's a solid, fun, sweet show. The writing isn't terrible. The acting is pretty good. It's not setting the world on fire, but I genuinely enjoy watching it every week.
Sometimes "TV people" don't seem to know that's enough.
Smash
Hey, remember how much potential Smash had?
That didn't go well, huh?
I found it extra annoying because it had moments where you could see the potential, where I thought, "Oh, hey! I want to watch that show!" Mostly when Megan Hilty was on.
And then Katharine McPhee would open her stupid mouth or they'd start singing in a bowling alley and I'd think, "Ugh, nevermind."
Supposedly, they are fixing it for a relaunch in January. They got rid of the exec producer and some annoying cast (though sadly not McPhee), and are promising no more Bollywood numbers. I'll be delighted if it gets better, but I'm not holding my breath.
Nashville
Dammit, Nashville. I'm REALLY pissed that this show isn't better. Honestly upset. I'm sticking with it for a while, because it is not terrible, but I really wanted it to be great.
It should be. The flatness doesn't make sense. Connie Britton should be exploding in this role. Write. It. Better. Hayden Panettiere is -I can't believe I'm saying this- great, stop making her spit the same lines over and over. And for the love of God, please, please, please get rid of the horrible pouty blonde girl.
I hate her. I hate her with the fire of a thousand suns. I hate her more than I hate the cast of Jersey Shore, more than I hate the two broke girls, more than I hate Joffrey fucking Baratheon. If you don't hate her, I hate you. She's wrong. And awful. And STOP FUCKING POUTING!
So... it has some flaws, is what I'm saying. But it could be spectacular. All of the pieces are there, it just has to use them.
Partners
There's a lesson to be learned from Partners. You'd think the creators would have leaned this somewhere around 2003, but apparently they did not.
You can't make the crazy character(s) the center of the show. It's too much. People think they want more Jack, or Kramer, or Steve Urkel, but in reality, too much of this person is too much.
So if you try to make him the central character, you just make us hate him from the beginning. And Michael Urie? Take it down a notch.
Revolution
The holes are too big, the acting is too forced, the girl too bland.
I can't deal.
Dammit, JJ. Do better!
How I Met Your Mother
It's time to call it a day, friends. I will be sorry to see you go, but I will be more sorry if you make us watch another terrible year. The writing has become inconsistent, caricatureish, and frankly, lazy. I have no idea what's happened to Robin, Ted has apparently learned less than any of us watching about himself in eight years, and even Marshall and Lily seem to be merely a collection of previously established characters traits (Marshall is from Minnesota! Lily has the hots for Robin!).
I miss the Robin who was not a basketcase or a bitch, I miss the Ted who gave a hopeful speech about believing in love outside a girl's window, not the seemingly insane and desperately annoying pompous ass that's been wearing his shirts. I appreciate the growth that Barney has shown, but as amazing as NPH is, he's not the only character.
Find the end of your story, and use it to get back the characters we love and find the heart that's missing.
Before it's too late.
Scandal
Scandal is awesome. It's fast and snappy and sexy and has excellent writing and I'm totally obsessed with it.
I'm assuming that will be true for another year before Shonda and crew ruin it with insane bullshit.
Right?
Newsroom
Being a Sorkin fangirl, I had really high hopes for Newsroom, but something in me (Studio 60) kept convincing me that it was going to be terrible, or preachy, or too liberal for even my bleeding heart.
It's not.
I mean, do not get me wrong, this show is definitely, aggressively Sorkin, but it's brilliant too. People talk fast, and mention musicals in daily conversation, and believe in love and hope and change and the liberal elite...
Isn't that awesome?
Sons Of Anarchy
This show has always been good, but this year it has taken the world by storm. In its fifth year, it's enjoyed unprecedented success, topping even network shows in the ratings. It's been complicated, heartwrenching mesmerizing. Kurt Sutter has done justice to the complicated characters and storyline he created, surprising us at every turn with edgy choices, dark humor, and seemingly impossible twists.
I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
Burn Notice
I was totally over this show. I stopped watching regularly around the end of season four, and mostly missed season five - until I caught the last few episodes on one of those USA marathon days. So I tried again this season, and was really pleasantly surprised at what I found The show seems to be wrapping up, giving it some focus and direction. It's not just case of the week, but actually dealing with deeper issues, with the death of Michael's brother and the ramifications of his choices in the aftermath. If you enjoyed this show in the past but have given up on it, it's worth another look.
Revenge
Um, hey, Revenge?
WTF?
Why is there an "Initiative"? Is this a JJ Abrams show?
Who is this guy with the giant face? You couldn't convince me I gave a crap about Jack, now you're trying to add another dude? Really? And the whole "Mysterious Asian Guy" thing is just really stupid. Can we all agree on that?
And can we all also agree that Jennifer Jason Leigh has botoxed all expression out of her face and is terrible? Like, really, really terrible? That whole subplot was poorly done. Save the "Your Mom isn't dead!" thing for way into the fourth season when we could care. I do not care about this bitch. It would be fine if she went back to being dead.
Here is what I care about:
Emily wants revenge on people with faces. Daniel smiles pretty because he loves Emily. Nolan is awesome. (The stuff this fall with him has been the most interesting part.)
Victoria is a badass, and she should be fighting on all fronts, all the time. She should be fighting Emily and nasty socialites and Conrad and other people that are actual people and not shadowy organizations and whatever - let us be impressed with the nasty poise she exhibits under pressure, and root for her despite the fact that we hate her.
And for the love of god, we don't' care about Declan!
So that's what I think about 2012, Freaks. What do you think? Anything I missed? Got wrong? Should shut up about? Head to the comments!
I hope 2013 brings more of the awesome and less of the awful, and me being a better blogger.
Happy Holidays!
That's all. I just like watching it because I want to go to double date with Castle and Beckett or grab a beer with Ryan and Esposito. That's all the justification you get.
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| See, we could have them over for brunch! And I could help her burn that shirt. |
Once Upon A Time
Is this show good? I honestly have no idea. I know I really like it. It's a solid, fun, sweet show. The writing isn't terrible. The acting is pretty good. It's not setting the world on fire, but I genuinely enjoy watching it every week.
Sometimes "TV people" don't seem to know that's enough.
The Top Five Disappointments of 2012
Smash
Hey, remember how much potential Smash had?
That didn't go well, huh?
I found it extra annoying because it had moments where you could see the potential, where I thought, "Oh, hey! I want to watch that show!" Mostly when Megan Hilty was on.
And then Katharine McPhee would open her stupid mouth or they'd start singing in a bowling alley and I'd think, "Ugh, nevermind."
Supposedly, they are fixing it for a relaunch in January. They got rid of the exec producer and some annoying cast (though sadly not McPhee), and are promising no more Bollywood numbers. I'll be delighted if it gets better, but I'm not holding my breath.
Nashville
Dammit, Nashville. I'm REALLY pissed that this show isn't better. Honestly upset. I'm sticking with it for a while, because it is not terrible, but I really wanted it to be great.
It should be. The flatness doesn't make sense. Connie Britton should be exploding in this role. Write. It. Better. Hayden Panettiere is -I can't believe I'm saying this- great, stop making her spit the same lines over and over. And for the love of God, please, please, please get rid of the horrible pouty blonde girl.
I hate her. I hate her with the fire of a thousand suns. I hate her more than I hate the cast of Jersey Shore, more than I hate the two broke girls, more than I hate Joffrey fucking Baratheon. If you don't hate her, I hate you. She's wrong. And awful. And STOP FUCKING POUTING!
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| This picture is literally named Nashville-stupid-bitch.jpg |
So... it has some flaws, is what I'm saying. But it could be spectacular. All of the pieces are there, it just has to use them.
Partners
There's a lesson to be learned from Partners. You'd think the creators would have leaned this somewhere around 2003, but apparently they did not.
You can't make the crazy character(s) the center of the show. It's too much. People think they want more Jack, or Kramer, or Steve Urkel, but in reality, too much of this person is too much.
So if you try to make him the central character, you just make us hate him from the beginning. And Michael Urie? Take it down a notch.
 |
| That was the face he made the whole time. |
Revolution
The holes are too big, the acting is too forced, the girl too bland.
I can't deal.
Dammit, JJ. Do better!
 |
| Yeah, because this asshole managed to take over like half the country. Totally buying that. |
How I Met Your Mother
It's time to call it a day, friends. I will be sorry to see you go, but I will be more sorry if you make us watch another terrible year. The writing has become inconsistent, caricatureish, and frankly, lazy. I have no idea what's happened to Robin, Ted has apparently learned less than any of us watching about himself in eight years, and even Marshall and Lily seem to be merely a collection of previously established characters traits (Marshall is from Minnesota! Lily has the hots for Robin!).
I miss the Robin who was not a basketcase or a bitch, I miss the Ted who gave a hopeful speech about believing in love outside a girl's window, not the seemingly insane and desperately annoying pompous ass that's been wearing his shirts. I appreciate the growth that Barney has shown, but as amazing as NPH is, he's not the only character.
Find the end of your story, and use it to get back the characters we love and find the heart that's missing.
Before it's too late.
The Top Five Biggest Surprises of 2012
Scandal
Scandal is awesome. It's fast and snappy and sexy and has excellent writing and I'm totally obsessed with it.
I'm assuming that will be true for another year before Shonda and crew ruin it with insane bullshit.
Right?
 |
| She was trying to perform surgery on a deer? I don't know what we're going to do with that... |
Newsroom
Being a Sorkin fangirl, I had really high hopes for Newsroom, but something in me (Studio 60) kept convincing me that it was going to be terrible, or preachy, or too liberal for even my bleeding heart.
It's not.
I mean, do not get me wrong, this show is definitely, aggressively Sorkin, but it's brilliant too. People talk fast, and mention musicals in daily conversation, and believe in love and hope and change and the liberal elite...
Isn't that awesome?
Sons Of Anarchy
This show has always been good, but this year it has taken the world by storm. In its fifth year, it's enjoyed unprecedented success, topping even network shows in the ratings. It's been complicated, heartwrenching mesmerizing. Kurt Sutter has done justice to the complicated characters and storyline he created, surprising us at every turn with edgy choices, dark humor, and seemingly impossible twists.
I can't wait to see where it goes from here.
 |
| R.I.P., Horatio. |
Burn Notice
I was totally over this show. I stopped watching regularly around the end of season four, and mostly missed season five - until I caught the last few episodes on one of those USA marathon days. So I tried again this season, and was really pleasantly surprised at what I found The show seems to be wrapping up, giving it some focus and direction. It's not just case of the week, but actually dealing with deeper issues, with the death of Michael's brother and the ramifications of his choices in the aftermath. If you enjoyed this show in the past but have given up on it, it's worth another look.
Revenge
Um, hey, Revenge?
WTF?
Why is there an "Initiative"? Is this a JJ Abrams show?
Who is this guy with the giant face? You couldn't convince me I gave a crap about Jack, now you're trying to add another dude? Really? And the whole "Mysterious Asian Guy" thing is just really stupid. Can we all agree on that?
And can we all also agree that Jennifer Jason Leigh has botoxed all expression out of her face and is terrible? Like, really, really terrible? That whole subplot was poorly done. Save the "Your Mom isn't dead!" thing for way into the fourth season when we could care. I do not care about this bitch. It would be fine if she went back to being dead.
Here is what I care about:
Emily wants revenge on people with faces. Daniel smiles pretty because he loves Emily. Nolan is awesome. (The stuff this fall with him has been the most interesting part.)
Victoria is a badass, and she should be fighting on all fronts, all the time. She should be fighting Emily and nasty socialites and Conrad and other people that are actual people and not shadowy organizations and whatever - let us be impressed with the nasty poise she exhibits under pressure, and root for her despite the fact that we hate her.
And for the love of god, we don't' care about Declan!
 |
| Please kill half of these people. |
So that's what I think about 2012, Freaks. What do you think? Anything I missed? Got wrong? Should shut up about? Head to the comments!
I hope 2013 brings more of the awesome and less of the awful, and me being a better blogger.
Happy Holidays!
