Before I get into my Top 10 Shows of 2007, I want to note that this list encompasses the end of the 2006 season and the beginning of 2007, which was shortened due to the writer?s strike, and therefore made the selections a little tougher this year. (And some shows moved up or down on my list without having aired any new episodes this season yet; hey, my list, my rules). Also–and I can’t believe I did this–I left off one of my top shows of the year with my initial list, so this is my most-up-toBefore I get into my Top 10 Shows of 2007, I want to note that this list encompasses the end of the 2006 season and the beginning of 2007, which was shortened due to the writer?s strike, and therefore made the selections a little tougher this year. (And some shows moved up or down on my list without having aired any new episodes this season yet; hey, my list, my rules). Also–and I can’t believe I did this–I left off one of my top shows of the year with my initial list, so this is my most-up-to-date ranking. With that, here?s my list from 10 counting down to numero uno:
[b]10. The Sopranos:[/b] Yeah, that cut to black last frame is a head-scratcher, and as much as I try to reconcile it, I?m still annoyed that David Chase didn?t give us a more concrete conclusion to this epic series. That said, the last season of The Sopranos was full of power and pain, with A.J.?s half-assed suicide attempt one of the series great episodes. Not quite Sopranos at its very best, but a powerful season in all.
[b]9. House: [/b] Slipped a bit for me in Season 4 so far, as the Survivor bit for new cronies wore on a bit long for me, but I still love watching that crabby SOB do that thing that he does so well.
[b]8. Entourage: [/b]The last season was a little uneven. Vince became more vain than ever, and Drama became a complete and utter moron, even for him. But it was still my can?t miss show of Sunday nights.
[b]7. Damages: [/b] Gritty, suspenseful and plenty of twists. Glenn Close, as always, was great. But Ted Danson as a greedy, conflicted?and murderous?CEO really stole the series. Damages was almost ? almost ? too twisty for its own good, but all in all, a can?t-take-my-eyes away season.
[b]6. Life. [/b]The murder of the week format works fairly well here, but the character of Charlie Crews–a homicide detective who was recently released from prison after serving 12 years for a murder he didn’t commit–is a blast. His philospher cop just baffles the department, and his partner, but they make it work. It’s strangely life-affirming for a show with weekly murders, and it’s just delicious fun as Charlie searches for the wonks–including some bad cops–who framed him in the first place.
[b]5. The Office: [/b]Season 3 was great; season 4 ? not as much. I still look forward to it immensely, but those hour-long episodes to start the season were actually too long. There?s a reason The Office is a half hour. That?s where it works best. Actually, those super-size episodes might even top it. So maybe The Office is best at 40 minutes. Still, if The Office is on, I?m watching.
[b]4. Mad Men: [/b]The (second) best show on TV that nobody seems to be watching. Set in 1960 about advertising executives on NYC’s Madison Ave.–thus, Mad Men–this is a dark, moody show with complex characters who show one self on the surface while another one lurks just beneath. It also portrays a corporate America from a time that seems unfathomable by today’s standards. It’s almost hard to believe the working world was really like that. And wow, they drink and smoke–a lot–at the office. HBO has admitted to making a momumental mistake when it passed on this show. It might be on AMC, but search for it. It’s so worth it.
[b]3. Battlestar Galactica: [/b]That two-hour mini-series rocked pretty good, but I hate waiting so frakin? long for the whole series to return. Totally intense. This ain?t the 1970s show by a long shot.
[b]2. The Wire: [/b]Season 5?it?s final season?starts this weekend, and I?m drooling over it. Season 4 of The Wire was one of the single best seasons of any show. Ever. Seriously, it was that good. It?s not exactly feel good, but it?s so good. I can?t rightfully expect season 5 to be as good as season 4, but I can hope.
[b]1. Lost: [/b]Best. Season finale. Ever. Wow.
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Honorable Mentions:
[b]Reaper:[/b] I admit, this show hasn?t quite lived up to its potential, but it?s still goofy fun, and I look forward to it each week. The Devil is a snarky dude doing the things that only the Devil can make somebody do. Sweet.
[b]Aliens in America: [/b]I’m not sure if many people are watching, but this is a great little half-hour comedy about a high school dork whose parents agree to sponsor an exchange student, not realizing that he’s from … Pakistan. It’s a buddy show, a fish-out-of-water show, but mostly it really nails the awkward sense of being a teenager, regardless of where you’re from. Definitely worth checking out.
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Biggest Disappointments:
[b]Heroes:[/b] Rarely has a show done so little with so much. I keep watching, and keep hoping they?ll get it right, but they?ve managed to completely ruin both finales. When they get the season going again, they need to consolidate the storytelling and bring back the fun.
[b]Grey?s Anatomy: [/b]Completely lost its way. Used to be fun, now it?s just tedious.
[b]The Bionic Woman: [/b]Man, they really dropped a stink bomb. Had potential to kick butt. Instead, it was just muddled and dull.
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