I actually think TV was kind of lame this past year. Even shows I still watch took some plot twists I didn't enjoy. (Brothers and Sisters for example) But there's still some great television out there and A LOT to look forward to in 2009.
Of course the best show on this year for me was LOST. SPOILER ALERT
This season took place through mostly flash forwards and interesting flashbacks. With so few episodes, each episode served a strong purpose and propelled the story forward. We learned who all of the Oceanic 6 are, how their lives unfolded once off the island, how they got off the island, and who was in the coffin. There were so many twists and turns and there are still so many questions left, I really think the next two seasons will be just as strong. My favorite episode of the season was The Constant which also Time's best episode on TV for 2008! Thanks for recognizing that Time! (as I was typing this I saw another new preview! This one looks like maybe Penny and Desmond have a baby? Someone has a baby!)
And for a new record....the third time I have posted this video on my blog, the conclusion of The Constant:
It is truly ridiculous how much I love this show.
Other Good Shows of 2008...
Gossip Girl
I usually like to watch one show that fills that need for teenage drama in my life and Gossip Girl has fit the bill these past two seasons. I love Chuck Bass. And Blair. But mostly Chuck. In fact, if they aren't in the show very much it's not nearly as enjoyable. I also like Vanessa and Nate, but I don't know how long that will last. Serena and Dan? Get on my nerves. and I really want to like Dan since he's a writer and all! Here's a video of Chuck Bass...um, before you watch I should probably remind you Gossip Girl is a bit of a trashy teenage soap.
The Closer
Kyra Sedgewick is a brilliant actress. But more than that, this is one crime drama that's full of sharp writing and great characterization. Even if I'm not stumped by the mysteries, the episode always flies by and entertains me. (this is part of how I mark a great TV show) The season finale was an emotional cliffhanger and I look forward to its soon return. (sadly I can't find a good video to post for this show)
American Idol
After a somewhat boring season 6, American Idol came back this year with some interesting contestants but most notably my favorite idol ever in David Cook. There were some great moments on the show this year as David customized the songs to fit his style and made many excellent choices. I haven't had much of a chance to listen to his CD yet, but I hope he's successful.
One of my favorite of his performances:
Pushing Daisies
We lost this show, but if you have some time to watch the DVDs I do recommend them. This show is bright and colorful and full of great acting and imagination. The dialogue is smart and funny. And I simply love the cast.
I know there are a lot of other great shows on TV but I don't have time to watch them all. I know I'm missing out on shows like Mad Men, Friday Night Lights, Battlestar Galactica, Dexter...the list goes on.
For 2009, there's so much great TV to look forward to! LOST, 24, American Idol, Damages, and that new show Lie to Me looks good. And of course Joss Whedon's new one, Dollhouse. Yay!
By the way, even though I review lots of books on this blog, the TV blogging kicks up a notch in the spring because I live blog American Idol (when we get to the top 12 or whatever it will be this year) and will recap LOST.
What are your best TV shows of 2008?
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Best of 2008--TV
Posted by Amy at 12:00 AM
Labels: Best of 2008, television
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
I've never caught the "Lost" mania; I watched the very beginning of it and lost interest shortly after we got the back story on the Japanese couple.
My fave shows of 2008 were Top Chef, Dancing With The Stars, Top Design (where else could you find a guy named Wizzit who sings soprano opera?), and America's Next Top Model. I don't know why, but reality tv hooks me more often than not. Thank goodness for DVD's though...
Just got into How I Met Your Mother, The Office, and Scrubs. Watching the DVD's is sooooo much better, in my opinion, than putting up with commercials that keep interrupting the flow of a tv show's storyline. Granted, I'm always a season or so behind watching this way, but I enjoy the shows so much more.
I just love The Closer!
I totally agree with you on Lost and Pushing Daisies. I need to start Gossip Girl!
I am a huge fan of Lost and cannot wait for it to start up again. I am also a fan of House and Fringe.
For sitcoms, I just got into How I Met Your Mother. And though I do not have a clue when it is on, I will watch it if I catch it. :)
For reality shows, I love American Idol, but I have a love/hate thing with it. I am still not sure about this fourth judge thing. I also like Hell's Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares and of course Extreme Home Makeover. :)
For Cable only shows...I like HBOs Entourage. Though there is certainly a little more random sex than necessary.
I didn't have your blog in my Google Reader last spring :-( (hadn't found it yet!), but I am definitely looking forward to your TV blogging this year. We share obsessions with Lost and American Idol, it appears. My DVR will probably explode by mid-February...
We love *The Office* and I'll admit to enjoying David Cook when watching *Idol* with LW12 this year :)
We love Lost and can't wait for the new season. Naturally, we will be watching the season 4 DVD's before the new season starts.
David Cook singing Billie Jean was incredible!
Ok, so you know I'm totally with you on LOST, Idol and GG. All great shows! I also just recently got into How I Met Your Mother--very funny. I still love The Office and 30 Rock. We've been watching Entourage on dvd the past couple of nights too. I want to catch up on Mad Men, Chuck, Dexter, True Blood and Fringe when they come out on dvd. I agree with the other commenter about watching the shows on dvd. It really seems like not as much of a time commitment and can watch the shows that people are really loving.
I am really looking forward to the start up of Lost this next year. I've missed that show.
I really like Closer too, although I'm watching it on DVD, not live and so I'm a little behind.
American Idol was good this past year. David Cook is awesome. I really like his new CD, although I know it has gotten mixed reviews. Thank you for including the clip for the video of one of his performances. I actually don't like that song, but after hearing him sing a different version of it, I suddenly found myself not able to get enough of it. LOL
The Wire, a police procedural on HBO, ended earlier this year and that was definitely my favorite show, even above Lost. I also really like True Blood, although I know it's a bit too graphic for a lot of people and so has taken a lot of criticism as a result. It's definitely not for everyone.
I've never seen any of those shows. Can you tell I don't watch much TV?
I'm with you on "Brothers and Sisters." I am several weeks behind but I almost need to watch several episodes in a sitting in order to stomach the weird plot twists. (This whole storyline with the newest Walker brother? Puh-leese. It was believable with Rebecca, but this seems too "jump the shark"ish to me ...)
I'm thinking you would love Mad Men. It is, hands down, THE. BEST. SHOW. ON. TV. The writing is just phenomenal, and the acting is fantastic.
Maybe ditch Brothers & Sisters and pick up Mad Men instead. :)
Thank God for DVD's -- it's how I keep up with Mad Men (which is *fantastic*), Battlestar Galatica and Doctor Who.
Okay it's becoming apparent that I need to watch The Office.
And I totally agree that watching on DVD is fun....I've caught up on a lot of shows that way.
And everyone...I started watching Mad Men and I'm totally in love with it. It does rather put most tv shows to shame. It's pretty incredible...I think I'll write a detailed review when I finish watching.
Wendy--I have the first season of The Wire on DVD, (I buy these things when there are good sales) and really want to watch it. I want to watch True Blood as well...I'll probably watch it when the DVDs release.
Betty and Boo's Mommy...I know!!!! I HATED that they deWalkered Rebecca just so she and Justin could hook up...I mean...come on!!!! But I still love Kitty and the Senator and I adore Justin so we'll see.
Oh, I could watch the Senator (Rob Lowe's character in Brothers & Sisters for the uninitiated) all day ... :)
Post a Comment