I originally was going to just publish one combined top 10 list of my favorite TV shows of the year. I thought, "I really don't watch that much current TV, and I don't think I will be able to come up with enough shows to fill two different lists." Yeah... Once I started compiling the first run shows that I watched throughout the year, it became apparent that I watch way more TV than I thought and that there was more than enough to come up with both Comedy and Drama lists.
Comedy
10. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Having just completed it's 8th season, it's understandable that Sunny isn't as funny as it once was. However, week in and week out, it's still pretty damn funny (and just as wrong as ever). This last season was particularly good for long time fans as there were call backs to episodes from previous seasons (selling gas door to door, Maureen Ponderosa, faking cancer) that could have seemed like recycling of ideas but instead offered fresh takeson the story lines.
9. The Daily Show/The Colbert Report
Normally, I would say it was a cheat to tie these two series together as one entry. However, since Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert teamed up on what was not only one of Colbert's funniest ongoing stories of the year but also perhaps the best journalistic expose (albeit in Colbert's signature over the top style) of how ludicrous our Super PAC regulations are, I am doing it. Election years are always kind to both of these programs, and this time was no different.
8. The League
The League has taken the crown from Sunny as the show that makes me laugh the hardest each week at such wrong behavior. Pretty much anything involving an appearance by Rafi is horrifying and hysterical at the same time, but the rest of the gang holds their own in that regard - the circumcision of poor Baby Chalupa Batman is a fine example.
7. Eastbound & Down
Other than an INCREDIBLY strange plot decision at the end of the finale, Eastbound seemed to be going out in a blaze of glory with a very funny concluding season. However, in a very odd twist of its own, there will be more episodes to come. I am not sure whether I think they should have left well enough alone or not. I guess more Kenny F'n Powers can never be a bad thing.
6. Children's Hospital
If you have never seen this show before on Adult Swim (which would be understandable as its on Thursdays at midnight, and only for 15 minutes), just describing the premise as "it's a spoof of hospital shows like Grey's Anatomy" doesn't nearly come close to conveying the show's lunacy to you. For starters, they have done episodes about how it is really supposed to be a TV show, but all the actors on it aren't real either, and they also did a British version this season. Trust me - just set your DVR and enjoy the insanity.
5. 30 Rock
I can't believe that we are in the final episodes of this show, and that soon I will no longer have my weekly fix of Jack Donaghy wisdom. I am sad just typing that. To make it worse, this final season so far has been spectacular, highlighted with Liz' wedding (which was just as Liz Lemon-y as it should have been). Really, I am now depressed. I was barely able to drink my morning shower scotch today just thinking about it. (I will probably do a blog after the 30 Rock finale that will consist of nothing by Jack quotes...)
4. Louie
Louie is the comedy that really defies description. Some weeks it is so funny that I am in tears. Some weeks it doesn't contain a single laugh out loud moment but it is so heartwarming or heart wrenching. Other weeks it is so (enjoyably) uncomfortable to watch that I almost want to hide my eyes. Louis CK is not only the funniest dude on the planet right now, he is presenting a show that is unlike anything else on TV right now (and probably at anytime before it). I am sad that he is taking all of 2013 off to recharge his batteries, but that just means that Louie will be that much better when it returns.
3. Community
That Community has fallen from its position as my second favorite (and, depending on the episode, tied for first favorite) comedy is not so much a result of a drop in quality last season as it is due to the next show on the list. Community continues to week in and week out push the boundaries of how you can use different pop culture references to tell stories that have real heart. While I am sad that this upcoming fourth season will probably be the last, the fact that we got 4 seasons of a show this quirky, funny and enjoyable that no one is watching is was an accomplishment.
2. Archer
Archer is probably the most consistently funny show on TV right now, but it doesn't get the top spot (see below). Rather than go into all the reasons why this show rules, I will just tell you to watch the new season premiere in January and you will learn.
1. Parks & Recreation
Once again, Parks & Rec remains my favorite comedy on TV. Its not just because it is fucking hilarious every week (it is). It's not because it has some of the greatest characters of any comedy (it does - everyone that has seen this show knows how awesome Ron Swanson is, but seriously they all are fantastic, from Andy to Tom all the way down to the random crazies of Pawnee that pop up). It's because it takes these characters, tells incredibly funny stories about them and makes me care about what happens to them at the same time. Seriously, the episode where Ben proposed to Leslie was so amazing and emotional. No other show on TV makes me just feel good and happy after watching it than Parks does. That's why its the best.
Coming soon... Pt.2, Dramas!
Comedy
10. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Having just completed it's 8th season, it's understandable that Sunny isn't as funny as it once was. However, week in and week out, it's still pretty damn funny (and just as wrong as ever). This last season was particularly good for long time fans as there were call backs to episodes from previous seasons (selling gas door to door, Maureen Ponderosa, faking cancer) that could have seemed like recycling of ideas but instead offered fresh takeson the story lines.
9. The Daily Show/The Colbert Report
Normally, I would say it was a cheat to tie these two series together as one entry. However, since Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert teamed up on what was not only one of Colbert's funniest ongoing stories of the year but also perhaps the best journalistic expose (albeit in Colbert's signature over the top style) of how ludicrous our Super PAC regulations are, I am doing it. Election years are always kind to both of these programs, and this time was no different.
8. The League
The League has taken the crown from Sunny as the show that makes me laugh the hardest each week at such wrong behavior. Pretty much anything involving an appearance by Rafi is horrifying and hysterical at the same time, but the rest of the gang holds their own in that regard - the circumcision of poor Baby Chalupa Batman is a fine example.
7. Eastbound & Down
Other than an INCREDIBLY strange plot decision at the end of the finale, Eastbound seemed to be going out in a blaze of glory with a very funny concluding season. However, in a very odd twist of its own, there will be more episodes to come. I am not sure whether I think they should have left well enough alone or not. I guess more Kenny F'n Powers can never be a bad thing.
6. Children's Hospital
If you have never seen this show before on Adult Swim (which would be understandable as its on Thursdays at midnight, and only for 15 minutes), just describing the premise as "it's a spoof of hospital shows like Grey's Anatomy" doesn't nearly come close to conveying the show's lunacy to you. For starters, they have done episodes about how it is really supposed to be a TV show, but all the actors on it aren't real either, and they also did a British version this season. Trust me - just set your DVR and enjoy the insanity.
5. 30 Rock
I can't believe that we are in the final episodes of this show, and that soon I will no longer have my weekly fix of Jack Donaghy wisdom. I am sad just typing that. To make it worse, this final season so far has been spectacular, highlighted with Liz' wedding (which was just as Liz Lemon-y as it should have been). Really, I am now depressed. I was barely able to drink my morning shower scotch today just thinking about it. (I will probably do a blog after the 30 Rock finale that will consist of nothing by Jack quotes...)
4. Louie
Louie is the comedy that really defies description. Some weeks it is so funny that I am in tears. Some weeks it doesn't contain a single laugh out loud moment but it is so heartwarming or heart wrenching. Other weeks it is so (enjoyably) uncomfortable to watch that I almost want to hide my eyes. Louis CK is not only the funniest dude on the planet right now, he is presenting a show that is unlike anything else on TV right now (and probably at anytime before it). I am sad that he is taking all of 2013 off to recharge his batteries, but that just means that Louie will be that much better when it returns.
3. Community
That Community has fallen from its position as my second favorite (and, depending on the episode, tied for first favorite) comedy is not so much a result of a drop in quality last season as it is due to the next show on the list. Community continues to week in and week out push the boundaries of how you can use different pop culture references to tell stories that have real heart. While I am sad that this upcoming fourth season will probably be the last, the fact that we got 4 seasons of a show this quirky, funny and enjoyable that no one is watching is was an accomplishment.
2. Archer
Archer is probably the most consistently funny show on TV right now, but it doesn't get the top spot (see below). Rather than go into all the reasons why this show rules, I will just tell you to watch the new season premiere in January and you will learn.
1. Parks & Recreation
Once again, Parks & Rec remains my favorite comedy on TV. Its not just because it is fucking hilarious every week (it is). It's not because it has some of the greatest characters of any comedy (it does - everyone that has seen this show knows how awesome Ron Swanson is, but seriously they all are fantastic, from Andy to Tom all the way down to the random crazies of Pawnee that pop up). It's because it takes these characters, tells incredibly funny stories about them and makes me care about what happens to them at the same time. Seriously, the episode where Ben proposed to Leslie was so amazing and emotional. No other show on TV makes me just feel good and happy after watching it than Parks does. That's why its the best.
Coming soon... Pt.2, Dramas!
