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December 31, 2007 - 10 Best TV Series of the Year, Times Two
There have been times, compiling my annual 10 Best list of TV series, that I've had to be very generous just to fill out the roster. Not this year. For 2007, I could double that amount, and still leave some worthy shows waiting in the wings.
Think that's an exaggeration, or that I've gone soft? Just watch. Here, on the last day of the year, are my Top 10 prime-time TV series for 2007:
10 BEST:
1) "30 Rock," NBC
2) "Friday Night Lights," NBC
3) "Dexter," Showtime
4) "Lost," ABC
5) "Heroes," NBC
6) "Nip/Tuck," FX
7) "Pushing Daisies," ABC
8) "Sopranos," HBO
9) "Mad Men," AMC
10) "Damages," FX
Now here are my NEXT 10. Tell me if that doesn't seem like a damned good Top 10 list all by itself...
"Extras," HBO
"The Simpsons," Fox
"Boston Legal," ABC
"The Shield," FX
"Desperate Housewives," ABC
"Entourage," HBO
"Flight of the Conchords," HBO
"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," NBC
"Rescue Me," FX
"The Riches," FX
This doesn't even account for late-night comedy shows or programs from other dayparts - just prime time. Look at that list, and it becomes clear that, for TV, 2007 was a very strong vintage. These shows are delightfully diverse, but I can't help noticing they have one thing in common.
They're all scripted.
Journeyman was a hit in our household. We were big fans of HBO's Rome and we were interested to see something different with Kevin McKidd. Sad thing is it appears that Journeyman has not been renewed for another season.
It's been my understanding that the quick cancellation of shows is one of the topics for discussion from the writer's strike. As a viewer, it's become my number one issue with television over the past several years. Sometimes it's a quick pull like 3lbs. and other times it's one season and done, such as Invasion, The Class, and now Journeyman. And then there are times where more than one season is given, but the storyline is left hanging like Carnivale and Deadwood. Fan support stories like Jericho are few and far between.
If the networks can't commit to a series and allow it to build an audience, than they ought to screen their choices better. They give little reason for an audience to take a chance on a new series that might be canceled at any moment or only after one season. We enjoy Pushing Daisies, but then have to sit by virtually powerless hoping it doesn't get canceled at any moment.
Would Seinfeld survived past the first few episodes?
Have to agree with Japhy. From carefully woven and compelling plotlines, gorgeous production values, pitch-perfect acting and some of the most believable, humane dialog of any recent show, Journeyman is Top Ten worthy.
How doubly sad it is the show is cancelled along with the rest of the entire season.
To Kevin Falls and his team, thanks for the Journey, man.
I don't have any comments on your Top 10 List, but I just wanted to wish you a very Happy, Healthy New Year!
I miss you a lot in the New York Daily News but am glad you have this website! Good luck (and goodnight??) Sound familiar?
God bless.
A great list here, with the exception of not including Battlestar Galactica. I found it hard to narrow my picks to just 10 as well when I compiled my list.
Here's hoping the writers' strike ends early in the new year as well.
No Veronica Mars? You make me sad...
Desperate Housewives. Really? I mean... really?
I think "The Office" has done a lot to further the sitcom which has stagnated in these last few years with astute while casual views on the human condition. The sitcom being a medium that has become endangered since the introduction of Reality TV and CSI.
I wish I'd seen that on your list. It is a more entertaining show than "Boston Legal" and "Nip/Tuck."