I'm not going to argue that it quite deserves to be in the top ten, but the addition of White Collar to the cablelines (versus airwares?) provided a great deal of enjoyment to my happy TV family. Staying with the same network, the end of Monk was, well, noteworthy, if a bit sad.

Lastly, I was totally delighted by Josh Malina on TV this year--he totally rocked it in two guest starring roles. One as a werewolf on Psych, the other on iCarly where he played a lazy kid's show writer. Delightfully weird choices for guy who can really act.

Okay, nothing left to do, but wish every a delightful holiday and here's to another year of tvworthwatching and tv worth watching.

[Right back at ya! - David B.]

My top shows this year:
1. Lost
2. Daily Show with Jon Stewart
3. Battlestar Galactica
4. Burn Notice (love Bruce Campbell)
5. Chuck
6. Big Bang Theory
7. Glee
8. True Blood (I've only seen season 1 on DVD. It's been very difficult to keep away from spoilers for season 2, but so far I've done pretty well.)
9. How I Met Your Mother
10 (tied) Torchwood and Dr. Who

Guilty pleasures (shows I expected not too like but ended up liking in spite of myself)
Drop Dead Diva
The Good Wife
NCIS: LA

During the holidays, I ended up watching Sons of Anarchy - the last two shows of season 2 - with my sister. I wish I had watched this show all along, because the story/ending blew me away. What a fabulous two episodes - feel like I've missed a lot.

Shows that lost their luster from my top ten list last year:
The Office - I was a faithful watcher of The Office, but it's lost its luster for me. I can't stand Michael much anymore, and it's becoming more difficult to watch.
The Closer - It's lost its freshness and seems really more like a routine cop show.

Last but not least, I am looking forward to Caprica this next year.

Best website for tv fans: tvworthwatching.com. Love ya Dave! Merry Christmas!

[Thanks. Merry Christmas to you, too. -- David B.]

I enjoyed your list (very strong company), but I also enjoyed Flash Forward and V (although not Top 10 material).

30 Rock was just sub par this year as was Heroes.

Interestingly enough, the past 2 or 3 SNL episodes (James Franco guest excluded) have been pretty good (and funny). The digital shorts are still the highlight.

Beyond that, nice job keeping us informed on quality TV through the year. You covered all of the bases nicely.

[Thanks. And I hope to have even more writers jumping in the pond next year, so stay tuned. -- David B.]

David,
I agree with everything on your list (the shows I get, that is). In NYC, thanks to Time Warner Cable, I have the "starter pak", so I don't get HBO or Showtime (thank you very much, Dolans).

My own personal "add to" would be The New Advertures of Old Christine; the chemistry between Julia Louis Dreyfus and Wanda Sykes is pitch perfect.

Another would be CBS Sunday Morning. It's not on in primetime, it's not a weekday show, but it still (after 30 years) continues to entertain, inform, and amuse. What more can you ask for?

And, may I add two more to your Worst of 2009?

Keeping Up with the Kardashians - Former Olympian and now house husband and plastic surgery victim Bruce Jenner stumbles about the house while bossy wife Kris and his three slutty stepdaughters carry on all high about nothing. This truly is the "show about nothing"...

The Girls Next Door - How proud all their parents must be! Former Playboy Mogul is reduced to doddering about the mansion in pjs and a captain's cap surrounded by dimwit, boobed-up broads. For the athletic of us, this is the ultimate swan dive into the cultural cesspool.

But that's just my opinion...

To all who read & post here, best wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season.

And to David, my personal thanks for another terrific year of TV Worth Watching. All the best to you in 2010. (And that goes for the Dianes, Tom, Ed, et al.)

[Dear Eileen: Thanks to you and yours, and thanks for thanking me and us. New Christine IS another show I love. I think I should check with TVWW readers next year before finalizing my list... Merry Krimble, as John Lennon used to say. -- David B.]

- Burn Notice, Monk and Psych should be on your list too.

- Also, even though DOCTOR WHO is a British Production, it should also be on your list.

- The 5 Torchwood specials this year are notable mentions.

- And I am surprised that you didn't include The Good Wife on your list.

- Finally, I would like to add Nova Science Now to the list. As far as informative, innovative and entertaining goes, Nova Science Now tops the list.

Thank you.

Again and still, I am fighting for Bill Moyers' Journal. Anytime this man is on the air (which won't be for very much longer) we should be watching. he is a national treasure.

[I couldn't agree more... and one reason I made no mention of him may become clear in a few weeks. Stay tuned. -- David B.]

Dave:

I think it's time for you to divide your choices by broadcast, basic cable and premium cable. And don't give me that 'good TV is good TV' crap. That's like picking the top 10 football teams from high school, college and the pros. Good football is good football. (Although you're a Dolphins fan, right? Maybe you can't tell the difference.)

I also think it's time for you to ask your readers for a list of the most overrated shows of 2009. I'll start.

Mad Men
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Lost

And most overrated of all time?
I'm going with The Singing Detective. Who's with me?

Hoppy

[Thanks for that Scrooge-a-gram from Grinchland, you coal-hearted bastard, Merry Christmas to you too.
(And this, for those who don't know, is my fellow teacher, and the guy who lured me into full-time college academia at Rowan University. Mature, huh? Hitting me below the belt... with the Dolphins! Who, mathematically, still have a chance. -- David B.]

#1 Peep Show (Best Comedy Show on TV)
#2 Doctor Who
#3 Breaking Bad
#4 Lost
#5 The Tonight show With Conan O Brian
#6 True Blood
#7 Curb Your Enthusiasm
#8 Skins
#9 That Mitchell and Webb Look
#10 Red Riding Trilogy

Sons of Anarchy. I was not sold by the first two episodes. But TV critics did such a great job of encouraging watching now I'm hooked, big time!
SOA is about family, loyalty, honor, morals, and how to be true to oneself. It reminds me of BSG for these reasons and Deadwood for the opportunity to imagine what it's like to live in an alternate world. I should add that I've only seen Season 1. (It took me that long to give it a second try.)
My favs are BSG, Breaking Bad, FNL, Mad Men, SOA, Dexter, and Modern Family in that order.

There have been better years of TV worth watching, but then there sure have been a lot worse. You know, there's still plenty of TV goodness out there. With the power of cable, maybe we're even living in a new golden age. Except for "Steven Seagal Lawman."

My Favorites for 2009

Mad Men
Battlestar Galactica
Big Bang Theory
30 Rock
How I Met Your Mother
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert Hour
Glee
Modern Family
NLDS, NLCS, World Series (with local radio) okay, so I'm a Phillies guy

Shows I Will Have to Watch on Netflix Someday
Dexter
Breaking Bad

Guilty pleasures
Fringe
True Blood (good effects, good stories, good acting, typically uninspired writing)
Law & Order (hey, the show still delivers the goods)
The Annual Showing of the George C. Scott "A Christmas Carol"

Thanks, David, for a great year of TVWW and may God bless us, every one.

[Happy New Year, too. Let's keep these good vibes going into 2010. -- David B.]

1. Curb Your Enthusiasm-Second to the last episode was one of the best of all time.
2. The Closer
3. Modern Family
4. The Good Wife
5. Damages
6. Law & Order
7. White Collar
8. Castle
9. Leverage
10. In Treatment

The writing on Curb Your Enthusiasm and In Treatment was just terrific.

Most Disappointing was Crash. Dennis Hopper was terrific but the writing was atrocious. Season one had character development and cohesive scripts. Lives intersected. Season two gave disjointed story lines and poor plot resolution. It was like watching a car crash but were afraid to turn away.

One show I really liked this year was Mercy. I really liked the three actresses Taylor Schilling, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Jamie Lee Kirchner. Overall I think Mercy is one of the best new shows of the year.

Saving Grace and Leverage. Grace is such a complex, dark and brilliant character, in my humble opinion. It helps that Holly Hunter plays Grace.... Leverage? Good, clean, revenge stories with lots of humor and "justice." Love them both!!

Nice Christmas present courtesy of Craig! Merry, merry!!

Well, since I only did a "Top 5" (in the previous list) I'll complete my top 10 here.

#1. "Lost"
#2. "House"
#3. "Bleach" - (season 10) 'Tales of Zanpaktuo' Arc (still going)
#4. "True Blood"
#5. "K-On!" (the New Standard for MOE Anime)

#6. "Dexter" - I wasn't impressed with the first few episodes of season 4, Thinking I knew where it was going. Then it just became a rush of magnificent twists, saves, scrapes, connections, and blistering confrontations...and that Finale. WHOA!! best season ever.

#7. "Mad Men" - Better than season 2 and the awkward humor interwoven with serious events was clever. I like where it went and it left me dying for a fourth season!

#8. "Fringe" - Excellent characters (Walter Bishop rules) and it's a fun romp if you like clever Sci-Fi.

#9. "Terminator: Sara Connor Chronicles"- This was a fun series! I liked it way more than "Terminator #4." I wished Fox had dumped their season 2 "Dollhouse" money into even 12 eps of this. Summer Glau is a vision! Shirley Manson's involvement really made the 2nd season pop!

#10. "Armed Librarians: The Book of Bantorra"- This is Mystery/Suspense story about an 'Alternate Earth' where people with pyschic abilities are at odds with "The Church of Drowning in God's Grace" It's a battle for power, but it's told the way "LOST" is so the 'current story' is told alongside flashbacks (sometimes decades). No one is who they first appear and the music is stunning beautiful. It's half over and it's the most daring surprise hit of 2009.
Here's a trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EwTXc2i-hk

******************
Worst??

How "Heroes" just lost its way after the Vol. 3 "Villains" with 'Vol.4' Fugitives and the lame Carnivale story of "Redemption"- did it even end?

The mis-allocation of resources of "Dollhouse." Joss refusing to tinker or tailor his show for the 'widest audience' possible and thus FOX toke his toys away...again!

"SNL" continues to dig its own hole while drinking cement.

The most stunning upset was obviously the "Celeb Apprentice"- NBC sold out to give Joan Rivers a 'Win' when clearly Annie Duke was the victor. Where is Joan today? What did NBC get for 'skewing' the victory in her favor?.

Jay Leno at 10 PM....DUUUUHHH!! (see my published works).

(((((Yes, Dave I'll send you an Anime 2009 'wrap up' in a few days!))))

[Rich -- Thanks for rounding out your Top 10. I agree completely about Heroes and Celebrity Apprentice -- but when it comes to obvious winners getting cheated of victory, how about Russell on the just-concluded Survivor: Samoa?
And congratulations on your anime expertise: I've never even HEARD of Armed Librarians... Great title, though, I have to admit. Send your wrapup, with photos, and I'll gladly run it over the holidays. -- David B.]

Hello David,

I always enjoy listening to you on Fresh Air. I had a chance to hear your "Best of/Worst of" for 2009. I wanted to ask, what are your thoughts on "The Closer" and "NCIS?" I have been a big fan of "The Closer" from the beginning and "NCIS" has grown on me thanks to USA repeats. I think the writing is witty and funny on both shows and the ensemble casts are very good. Lots of chemistry. Although the Closer could have done without the story arc including Kyra Sedgwick's daughter, the hate/hate relationship between Brenda and Captain Raydor is priceless.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Stacey

[For the record: I like both shows, and for the same reason: The supporting players are given time to develop their own interesting, unique character traits. -- David B.]

No one mentioned White Collar....love the show

Worst show....Jersey Shore......although the small skit done by SNL was great...the writers did not have to write anything.

What about a top 10 of the decade? I'm just curious if the Wire would be 1 or 2 on that list. Oh,and where Arrested Development would sit.

As for my top 10 of JUST 2009 (in no real order)...

1. Mad Men- the only destination tv I had all year (I don't have Direct TV) Kennedy assassination defined great TV

2. Friday Night Lights- destination tv I had to procure through other means, Scrubs needs to take note on how to bring in new characters and say goodbye to the old ones. Texas Forever

3. Underbelly- I'm jumping the gun here since it's not on in the U.S. till next year (and only Direct TV at that) but I know Mr. Bianculli will be recommending this show. Ok, maybe I don't KNOW but I believe!

4. Dexter- while not as big a fan as Terry, still a great job.

5. The Colbert Report- finally a show worthy of following TDS and it's actually been better. The Iraq trip was wonderful

6. Sons of Anarchy- not afraid to take chances, great job stepping in the big shoes of the Shield

7. Venture Brothers- I find it hard to believe it hasn't been talked about more but the time it airs makes it seem dumber than it is. It's a great little show

8. Modern Family- Welcome back Ed O'Neill

9. Flight of the Conchords- my friends and I may have been the only ones who watched this show, but you all missed out. It's Business Time... you lookin' at my junk?

10. Big Love- hated the premise but love the show, more each year

[I WILL be recommending Underbelly -- I love what I've seen so far -- and, yes, I loved Conchords, though I thought season one was better than season two. - David B.]

My personal 2009 list is more like someone else's Honorable Mentions type list, since I've been terribly remiss on key 2009 things (Mad Men and Battlestar Galactica), and I've become an unapologetic PBS snob who keeps hoping for better from the original broadcast networks for some reason (nostalgia, maybe). But, this is what I've basically enjoyed and really thought highly in 2009 (in no particular order):

1. Fringe (FOX) - it ended the 2008-2009 season strong and there were some good moments so far in 2009-2010. I haven't taken it off my list at all.

2. Community (NBC) - it has some heart and a lot of humor; I really had a huge kick out of the Christmas episode (sorry, I mean, it was not really Christmas, it was a non-denominational Dec. 10 episode - a funny thing in the context of the episode).

3. Modern Family (ABC) - another show of heart and humor.

4. Better off Ted (ABC) - if you think your workplace is a depressing source of dark humor, try Ted's workplace...

5. Lost (ABC) - what a season earlier this year! I'm getting very excited for its return in 2010.

6. The Sing Off (NBC) - I've been entertained by "Glee" (FOX), but felt it was inconsistent (the fake pregnancy plot was a big turnoff for me); but I really enjoyed the great a capella in "The Sing Off" and Ben Folds as a judge who gave good constructive feedback.

7. Nova Science Now (PBS) - Neil deGrasse Tyson makes science accessible.

8. Ken Burns' "National Parks" documentary (PBS)

9. Masterpiece Mystery! (PBS) - I appreciated it for bringing Kenneth Branagh as Detective Wallendar to the small screen and the return of Inspector Lewis.

10. Last but not least: Craig Ferguson. I really got into watching him this year, and got to love the puppets!

Not-so-good trends of 2009:

1. What I consider to be a decline of "Heroes" (NBC)(it stopped being on my list of things to watch, because I lost patience with the writing and what was done to the characters I had liked).

2. Jay Leno at NBC's 10pm - he's trying his best, but I miss seeing dramas at 10pm on NBC.

3. the continued trend of poor quality reality shows (regardless of network, broadcast or cable).

[Excellent list, AND comments! Thanks! -- David B.]