Here's the next ten shows on my TIVO season pass as I review the 2011-2012 TV season...
THE DUSTIN PEDROIA SO-CONSISTENTLY-GOOD-PEOPLE-TAKE-FOR-GRANTED DIVISION
18) Beavis and Butthead
It's almost like they never left. I was a little dubious about the return of this 90's classic and a little excited as well. Mike Judge came through and delivered a show that fulfilled the excitement more then the hesitance. Our tow favorite morons didn't miss a beat after 14 years off the air. Judge did a great job of bringing back the things that made us laugh while updating the show for the world we now live in. I'm happy to have Beavis and Butthead back in my life.
17) Family Guy
Family Guy took a big tumble from #9 all the way to #17. Its not that the show isn't funny, it still makes me laugh a ton, its just that it feels like old hat. As shocking and jarring as the humor can be, every episode seems to follow the same pattern of set up and punchline. It just doesn't feel new and fresh anymore even though its quality hasn't changed at all. I might not consider the show appointment TV anymore, but it's not leaving my season pass anytime soon.
16) Survivor
Survivor dropped from #13 to #16. While the first season this year, Survivor: South Pacific, was an OK season, Survivor: One World, which saw the contestants split by gender and thrown on the same beach, fell flat. This is another show that has been around so long it feels like old hat. And every time they try to spice it up it doesn't work. There's enough good moments to keep the show watchable but it is starting to fall into the category of background noise.
15) South Park
South Park fell one spot from the beginning of the year and in all honesty, it's probably not a fair ranking. South Park continues to be the best satire on television sparring nothing or no one from ridicule, and is probably the most consistently funny show out there. Much like the last few shows I've talked about, I think South Park falls down my season pass mostly because it's been around so long. Fresh and new feels better then old and steady. Even though I have it at #15, this remains a great show, one of the best on TV.
THE KEVIN YOUKILIS FALLING-SHORT-OF-EXPECTATIONS DIVISION
14) Modern Family
Modern Family took a big fall from #8 to #14. I think it's a case of the show no longer being fresh and new so I can see it for what it really is; a solid, funny show but nothing spectacular. In all honesty, it might have fallen further if it wasn't for Julie Bowen, who I have been in love with since her days on Ed. I wouldn't be surprised if this falls completely off my season pass in the next couple of years.
13) Parenthood
Another show that took a big fall from #6 to #13. The biggest problem with this show is there is just too much going on, too many storylines to keep up with. I love almost everyone in the cast but most of the characters aren't getting their just do. When you have so many storylines someone is going to fall through the cracks or not get filled out as much as they should. I hate to say it, but if they cut some characters this could be a much better show.
THE ADRIAN GONZALEZ GREAT-WHEN-ON-A-HOT-STREAK DIVISION
12) Happy Endings
The biggest mover of the year, Happy Endings jumped from #29 to #12. It went from a show I was watching just to see Elisha Cuthbert every week to one of the best comedies on television. It's the perfect mix of quirky, silly and witty humor. Each character is perfectly drawn and adds something to the show; they are able to be slightly over the top without feeling like caricatures. I'm looking forward to what this show can do in the future.
11) 30 Rock
This was a really strong season for a show that has had a lot of ups and downs over its six year run. It jumped from #20 to #11. Some of that had to do with the removal of a few other shows, but mostly was due to great writing. The live show was probably the funniest thing on TV all season. The skit with John Hamm and Tracey Morgan was comedic genius. With next year probably being the last season, it's nice to see this great show finishing strong.
10) Louie
I'm not sure how to classify this show. Louis CK is one of the best stand-up comics around, so one is apt to call it a comedy and sometimes it is, but there are other moments of such high drama and poignancy that it transcends that label. The show is actually a piece of high concept art. In this its second season, Louie moved from #15 to #10. Chances are it will be moving up again if Louis keeps his wonderful artistic vision on the cutting edge or both humor and drama.
9) Breaking Bad
I'm not as big a fan of this show as most, but there is no denial that it is one of the best programs on TV. The acting is amazing, the writing is top notch. There really isn't anything bad I can say about the show except it just doesn't seem to hold my interest as strongly as the shows that are to come. That's not to say there aren't deeply compelling moments, anytime John Carlo Esposito was on screen my eyes were glued, but taken as a whole, the show just doesn't hold up to others.
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