My Favorite Television Shows This Season
(Or, Nine Reasons Why Kicking This TV Habit Is So Difficult)
One of my goals this year is to watch a maximum of two hours of television a day. So far, my success has been sporadic. During the week, I'm usually pretty good -- watching an hour or so a night. But on the weekends, all semblance of self-control crumbles. While I'm willing to accept most of the responsibility for succumbing to the temptation of the tube, I place the rest of the blame squarely on the shoulders of the following shows.
Premise: An average computer techie accidentally downloads the nation's secrets into his brain and must help the government agents assigned to protect him thwart enemy spies bent on destroying the country.
Network: NBC
Season: 3
Why I Love It: The writers' consistent tongue-in-cheek style, Chuck's upgraded abilities, and the recent addition of two excellent guest stars: Brandon Routh and Kristen Kreuk. Both score highly in my book for being likable and having Superman ties.
Premise: A best-selling mystery writer helps the local police solve murders while doing research for his next great novel.
Network: ABC
Season: 2
Why I Love It: Two words: Nathan Fillion. It's impossible to imagine anyone else portraying Rick Castle. His character is arrogant, annoying, funny, and endearing -- a combination Fillion has mastered. Last year's "real world" book tie-in helped to sweeten the show for me.
The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson
Premise: The Scottish Conan guy hosts the funniest late night show on television.
Network: CBS
Season: 6
Why I Love It: I admire Ferguson's improvisational skills, his conversational interview style, and his constant striving to defy convention. He's funny on a shoestring budget, which makes him even funnier.
Premise: A convicted white collar criminal helps an FBI agent catch other white collar criminals.
Network: USA
Season: 1
Why I Love It: You'll soon see I have a thing for odd-couple action-comedy crime shows. The joy in this one is seeing how Neal Caffrey uses his criminal expertise to outwit the weekly villain.
Premise: A forensic anthropologist and her team of "squints" help an FBI agent solve gruesome murders.
Network: Fox
Season: 5
Why I Love It: The chemistry and tension between Booth and Bones stand out most in my mind. I also love the supporting cast, including the rotating gallery of quirky interns.
Premise: With powers of observation mistaken for psychic abilities, a crime consultant helps the local police solve mysteries.
Network: USA
Season: 4
Why I Love It: The dialogue -- be it Shawn's fast-paced bickering with Gus, Shawn's fast-paced needling of Lassiter, or Shawn's fast-paced nonsensical spouting.
Premise: A Spanish teacher takes over a high school glee club and attempts to return it to national glory.
Network: Fox
Season: 1
Why I Love It: The songs, the voices, the musical productions, and the absurd story lines. They all work together and it's nearly impossible to watch an episode without smiling.
Premise: A security specialist for hire risks his life to save the lives of his clients.
Network: Fox
Season: 1
Why I Love It: First, I'm a fan of Mark Valley (ever since he starred in the short-lived show, Keen Eddie). Second, I'm a fan of Chi McBride (especially after his short-lived show, Pushing Daisies). And, third, this is one of the few shows on TV with good old car chases and fight scenes.
Premise: A team of reporters, led by Jim Lehrer, provide updates, background, and analysis on the stories of the day.
Network: PBS
Season: 24
Why I Love It: It's the only place on television where I can get a summary of the stories that matter, a deeper look at major issues, and legitimately balanced analysis of the news, all without commercial interruptions.
I didn't realize this before, but all of my favorite shows are an hour in length. What other insights I can glean from this list? For fun, let's make a few pie charts.
Based on this information, I seem to prefer fresh, hour-long, network action/crime-comedies. Any savvy television executive seeking my attention should probably make a note of that.
Inspired by web designers/blogazine pioneers Dustin Curtis and Gregory Wood. Made possible by Brad Cooper's excellent tutorial on designing individual blog posts.
Leave a comment