Best TV shows of 2009

I added the best TV shows to my annual best of list last year. This year brought better shows and I am thrilled to give you this years crop of great shows. This is a little skewed since I no longer have cable in the house thereby omitting such great shows as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Californication and Big Love.  For that I apologize.  Any way, check these out regardless.  All of which will knock your socks off, make you laugh and realize that kids shows nowadays are much better and advanced then when I was a kid. Here they are…

1)   Mad Men (AMC)

The best show on television keeps getting better.  This season started slow but ends on the highest of notes.  Don Draper and his co-horts continue to be the most interesting characters on television since The Sopranos.

2)   Modern Family (ABC)

I find it rare that new shows have the same effect on me as those that have worked the kinks out.  Modern Family is the type of comedy that we have been waiting for.  Family oriented, smart enough for parents, sweet and saccharine enough for kids and funny as hell.  If the team behind this freshman hit play their cards right this could be the next Cosby Show.

3)   Lost (ABC)

Many have said that this show has lost its mojo and is just treading water until the sad ending in mid 2010.  I say to hell with that.  The creators of one of the most creative and inventive shows ever know exactly what they are doing.  Time travel, living in 1977.  What can’t this show do?  Note to producers, bring back Jeremy Davies.

4)   The Office/Parks and Recreations (NBC)

Thursday nights from 8:30-9:30 equals a good time.  The Office is better than ever with the what could have been scary wedding episode being one of the more tender moments in Office history.  As for Parks and Recreations, this show is on fire.  Laugh out loud funny, Amy Pohler finally has her own show to compete with her friend’s Tina Fey.  But Amy’s is better.

5)   Flash Forward (ABC)

Another freshman hit for ABC.  The plot is fairly simple, a mysterious event causes everyone on the planet to simultaneously lose consciousness for 137 seconds.  During this time everyone sees a glimpse of their life approximately 6 months into the future (?!) What drives this plot is the interesting characters, the reason for the blackout and will this happen.  I’ve heard some compare it to both Lost and the X-Files.  Right on the money with that.

6)   The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Another hilarious comedy this one brought to you by the drama filled people at CBS.  Maybe it’s the nerd in me but the 3 main stars have a chemistry unparalleled in most comedy shows.

7)   Southland (NBC/now TNT)

Know when you find a show that you really, really like that ends of being cancelled because the people in charge think the world needs another Jay Leno show?  This is one of those.  A full fledged dirty, gritty police drama that could the next great cop show.  Only 6 episodes aired but they all knocked you on your ass.  Luckily TNT just picked it up and will apparently air the first 6 as well as the rest that was made for the first season.  Watch this show people!!!

8)  Men of a Certain Age (TNT)

I only placed it low on the list because it’s been on for a mere 4 episodes.  I have always found the buddy dramedy (drama/comedy) an interesting take on tv shows.  This one has a great cast that the viewer really believes are best friends.  Mature in their beliefs but immature in their attitude.

9)   Law and Order franchise (NBC)

Those of you that know me well know that I am a huge Law and Order fan.  All of them.  This past season for all 3 was one of the strongest in years.  The granddaddy of them all, Law and Order has as good of a foursome since the mid 90’s, SVU is one of the best dramas on tv.  Period.  And Criminal Intent added the always cool Jeff Goldblum to play opposite Vincent D’Onofrio.  A fit that seems perfect in premise and execution.

10)  Yo Gabba Gabba (Nick Jr.)

I’m probably late to the game with this one.  For those of you that don’t know, Yo Gabba Gabba is a children’s show that enhances kids musical and kinesthetic skills.  There’s a lot of singing about snacking and napping and such.  What there is to adults is Biz Markie beat boxing, Mark Mothersbaugh (of Devo) drawing funny animals and guest stars like Jack Black, MGMT and Andy Samberg.  One of those great kids shows that don’t make watching it a total chore.  Check it out on Nick Jr.