07 July 2006
The List
Published on July 7th, 2006
My Top Ten "never miss" shows of the past year (in no particular order)...
- The West Wing (NBC) -- Once again achieved the excellence of the Sorkin years, no doubt due to the increased involvement of Lawrence O'Donnell. If only real politics was as civilized as the Matt Santos / Arnie Vinick presidential race
- The Office (NBC) -- The first season was kind of stiff, but the second season soared. Incredibly funny, quirky characters, politically incorrect boss and story lines as accurate and recognizable as the movie Office Space
- The Adam Carolla Project (TLC) -- Never really cared for Carolla as a comedian, but watching him and his band of misfits stumble and fumble their way through remodeling his father's house was a treat. Hopefully he will take on his mother's house for a second season
- American Chopper/American Hot Rod (Discovery) -- Both shows have lost some of the luster from their early years through staff changes (AC adding too many unknowns, AHR losing too many old-timers) and competing shows (Biker Build-off and Overhaulin'), but are still very worthy of watching
- Flip This House/Property Ladder (A&E / TLC) -- FTH focuses on some good ole boy realtors from South Carolina buying, fixing-up and selling houses in less time than most people take picking out a paint color. PL showcases first-time flippers and the often moronic steps they take to fix-up and sell investment properties. Even though the flippers are frequently breathtakingly incompetent, they usually end up selling for profit
- Deadliest Catch (Discovery) -- Crab fishermen crisscrossing the waters between Alaska and Russia, working 20 hour days in unbearably cold and wet weather, all the while raking in big bucks, provided they live long enough to unload their haul. Makes you realize there are worse jobs than your own
- It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX) -- FX is doing a great job at exploiting their position as a cable network (Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, etc), which allows IASIP the freedom to thrive. The addition of Danny DeVito brings a little more attention to an awfully funny show. The cast of unknowns are on the verge of developing into the second coming of Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer
- Countdown w/Keith Olbermann (MSNBC) -- Besides being the only honest news show on cable, Olbermann's vast knowledge of pop culture adds a whole new dimension (Family Guy, Simpsons references), while his utter disgust for "celebrity" stories (Tom and Katie, Brad and Angelina, etc) distances him from the "missing white woman" obsession of competing shows. Also, his running feud with O'Reilly is hilariously funny
- Hometime/This Old House (PBS / Syndication) -- Local (Minnesota) boys working on everyday projects, versus Beantown celebrities working on fantasy projects (at least to most working people). Both shows have been around forever, making the crews seem like old friends. HT is good motivation for people who want to take on weekend projects within their reach, while TOH is motivation for people to win the lottery so they can afford to pay people to build their dream home
- Mad Money (CNBC) -- If you ever wondered if it was possible to be worth a half a billion $$ and still remain a regular guy, Jim Cramer is proof it can happen. After earning the nickname "Fifty Billion Cent" and becoming one of the most successful hedge fund managers in history, Cramer is now passing his savant-like knowledge of stocks and investing along to his ever-growing number of viewers, drawing vast amounts of attention from the media for his amped-up and frenetic personality. But the money and celebrity doesn't stop him from attending his daughter's school sporting events, spending some quality family time at the local bowling alley, eating at the Olive Garden, or taking the family to the local megaplex to catch a movie
Honorable Mention --
- Ramsay's Kitchen Nitemares (BBC America) -- Pompous, acerbic, foul-mouthed yet brilliant chef revives restaurants on life support
- Kathy Griffin - My Life On The D-List (Bravo) -- Hilarious, self-deprecating... the scenes with her parents are priceless
- McLaughlin Group (PBS) -- Balanced, hard-hitting look at the week's issues... completely blows away the Bush-love fest that the Chris Matthews Show has become (Joe Klein representing liberals??)
- Nip/Tuck (FX) -- Stories pulled from the headlines (face transplant, siamese twin separation), stories pulled out of their asses (Bobolit's signature botox, Joan Rivers cameo). Either way... quirky entertainment
- Project Greenlight (Bravo) -- The return of the show is in doubt, but the last season was painfully entertaining. Watching Gulager drown on dry land for the first few episodes was made worthwhile after seeing the final product
- Extreme Makeover Home Edition (ABC) -- The over-the-top theme rooms are an indication of the show moving closer to jumping the shark, but it's still pretty amazing watching a family go from living in squaller to living in a mansion in just one week
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