Best of Television - Network

I'm going to do the best of television in three parts each one dealing with a different aspect. This first one is just covering network television (which also includes The WB, UPN and The CW). I have broken a few of these series down into specific seasons and I will elaborate as needed to explain my rationale on each. But before I get into the top shows here is an honorable mention:




Scrubs (2001-present NBC, ABC)

The reason this gem didn't make my top list is because as good as it is I have never been compelled to watch it regularly. Zach Braff became a star and it's nice to know Sarah Chalke for something other than being Becky #2. Too bad the move to ABC ruined a once brilliant show.




#10 The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005-present, CBS)

The Late Late Show has seen many incarnations and many hosts since 1962 but Craig Ferguson by far is the funniest man in late night television. And you've got to love any show willing to use puppets as an attraction.




#9 Heroes Season 1 (2006-07, NBC)

Heroes started out so good when it debuted and held America captive up until that lackluster season finale. No show has done the slow burn better that Heroes did in it's first season but because it wanted to be the anti-Lost it burned through story lines too fast and eventually lost momentum. The writer's strike in 2007 ground this show to a halt and it never recovered but that first season was tv magic.




#8 My Name Is Earl (2005-09, NBC)

I still can't believe this show ever made it on television let alone a major network. When it debuted I knew it was a special show but figured it wouldn't last a full season and wind up on the brilliant but canceled list that seems to grow all too fast. But it made it four seasons as one of NBC's best, but probably it's most misunderstood shows.




#7 Grounded For Life (2001-005 FOX, The WB)

This was the little sit-com that could in a lot of ways. It started out as a mid-season replacement on FOX, was canceled two episodes into its third season and then ran for two more seasons on The WB. Donal Logue and Megyn Price played a wonderful married couple who were in over their heads with a teen aged daughter and two trouble making boys. The way the episodes played out with multiple flashbacks and out of order storytelling was innovative but slightly confusing to most viewers. And Megyn Price gets my vote to be included in the top ten hottest tv moms.




#6 The O.C. Season 1 (2003-04, FOX)

The teen drama was thought dead in 2003. All the big shows had gone off the air and reality television had a stranglehold on ratings. But then FOX (as it had in the early 90's with Beverly Hills, 90210) took a flier on a new drama about a troubled teen who moves in with a rich family and The O.C. took over the world...for a minute. Josh Schwartz struck gold with this first season but by season two he wasn't working as closely on the show and it began to fail miserably. Though the show did get better in the third season with the addition of Autumn Reeser and Willa Holland but the damage was done and season four was its final. Still, that first season is perfect and one of the best written shows on this list.




#5 The Big Bang Theory (2007-present, CBS)

A sit-com about four scientists who read comic books and debate endlessly about Star Trek while spouting scientific method liberally. Who would ever have thought this show would become a ratings juggernaut on Monday nights? It routinely wins its time slot against Monday Night Football and its audience seems to grow every week. Johnny Galeki may be best known for playing David on Roseanne but he has proven himself to be more than a supporting actor. Plus, Sara Gilbert and Laurie Metcalf have been on the show and I'm just waiting for more Roseanne alum to make appearances.




#4 How I Met Your Mother (2005-present, CBS)

Since this show has anchored Monday nights for CBS since it debuted it's hard to believe it was on the verge of cancellation at the end of its second season. But this spiritual successor to Friends just keeps getting better. I do not believe there will ever be a more likable douche bag than Barney Stinson. If this show had not be so legen...wait for it...dary, we wouldn't have The Big Bang Theory so for that it ranks a spot higher.




#3 Veronica Mars (2004-07 The WB, The CW)

If only more people could have watched this show from the beginning we might still be watching Veronica and all the 09ers. This show was pretty much dead on arrival in its third season because the newly formed The CW had no idea what to do with it. It was a lot like Lost because it had to be watched from the beginning and even at the end of season three the events from the first episode were making an impact on the characters. This show dealt with some pretty dark subject matter but had powerful fans, both Kevin Smith and Joss Whedon guest stared because of there love of the show.




#2 Angel (1999-2004, The WB)

I know this show actually started in 1999 but since most of its run was this decade I included it. Much like Buffy The Vampire Slayer this show didn't find its footing until midway through the second season with a game changing twist. Granted the fourth season is mediocre at best but the superb fifth season was a great way to go out. Even if it wasn't supposed to be the last year. And I'm gonna say it now, Angel was a better show than Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Let the hate mail begin....




#1 Lost (2004-10, ABC)

J.J. Abrams is a genius. This show has been an incredible ride from the opening shot of Jack waking up in the forest five years ago. Every time we have thought we had something figured out the writers throw another game changer at us. The use of flash fowards in the third season finale and the way the fifth season's premiere picked up right where the third season finale left off are brilliant storytelling tools that will echo for years to come. I can't wait to see how it all ends next spring!