Countdown to the Countdowns: The Best & Worst TV of 2011

The Best:

American Horror Story
What a breath of fresh air! Some of the things they're doing on this series are just crazy. In a way, the excitement I feel watching this reminds me of the days of Buffy and Angel. It's just unbelievably good. I get giddy even thinking about it.

Shameless (US)
The rare Americanized import that actually worked, due in large part to an outstanding cast and sharp writing. I'm so obsessed with this and can't wait for it to come back.

X-Factor AU/UK
While Australia takes the crown for best contestants this year, the UK version continues to be the most bombastic, must-see television of the year. They know how to put on a show, unlike the dead-in-the-water US version.

The Middle
The most reliable comedy on American TV, I'm in love with these characters and their working class story lines. It's just good old fashioned storytelling.

The Walking Dead
They've got some work to do with this second season (pick up the damn pace!), but it's still one of the most engaging dramas on cable TV.

Suburgatory
The best new comedy by a mile, it took a minute for it to completely click with me, but I'm all in now.

The Glee Project
Unlike the show it supports, this packed a heavy dose of humanity, likable "characters" and editing that kept the pace up.



The Worst:

X-Factor US
Could this have been more of a train wreck? Boring contestants, wooden host, horrible judges, watered down production, horrendous voting decisions, and setback after setback. They took one of my absolute favorite shows (guilty pleasure or not) and completely ruined it for the American market. I couldn't have imagined it turning out any worse.

Disappointing:

Misfits
Well, I've actually only watched the first episode of the new series, but it's simply not the same without Nathan.

Terra Nova
Could've been so epic... ended up being so cliche.

Angry Boys
After Summer Heights High (still one of the best series ever), my hopes were high. Sadly, this failed to live up to them in every single way.

Glee
It's gone from "must-see" to "I'll watch it if I have to" in such a worryingly short period of time. Too many characters and uneven writing.

The Fall's New TV Line-up: Part Three

Okay, so I wrote about my most anticipated new Fall shows, I offered my initial thoughts, and now it's time to conclude the TV fun with my final verdict.

1. X-Factor
Still watching, but I'm finding myself slightly underwhelmed. I guess I'm just so used to the UK and Australian versions, which are much, much more entertaining. Our host is ridiculously stiff, our contestants (while talented) are mostly American Idol-style boring, and last night's results were a disaster. America continues to vote for the predictable over the surprising. I'll watch the entire season, but not with the excitement I give the other versions of the series.

2. Terra Nova
Dropped. I gave it about four episodes. I loved the pilot, but the quality of storytelling dropped considerably after that. Too many cliched, been-there-done-that storylines. Too bad.

3. Ringer
Dropped. It didn't completely pull me in after the first episode and I just don't have time for shows that are only alright.

4. American Horror Story
Still watching, and loving. It's my favorite new show of the year. I love the characters, I love the unsettling vibe, and most of all I love how I don't know where each episode is going.

5. The Playboy Club
Dropped. Well, it was the first show of the season to be cancelled. That about says it all.

6. Revenge
Still watching. I've lost some interest with this new romantic portion of the storyline, but I'm still fully onboard with this show and will be all season.

7. Once Upon A Time
Watched Pilot. The second episode's on my DVR. I liked it, but I'm obviously not all that excited.

8. Pan Am
Never watched. I intended to. I really did. But it's not gonna happen.

9. The Secret Circle
Dropped. Same deal as Ringer. I watched the pilot, thought it was alright, but never saw another episode.

10. Suburgatory
Still watching, and enjoying more with every episode. It took me awhile to fully get onboard, but I'm glad that I am because this show is very funny.

So there we go, the Fall TV Season in a nutshell. This is actually a pretty good ratio of "Still Watching" and "Dropped" for me. What about you guys? What are you into and what have you dropped?

Rating the New Shows - The Fall TV Season So Far

Previously, I wrote a post highlighting the top ten new TV shows I was most excited about this Fall. I've managed to watch most of the pilots now (some haven't yet premiered, and a couple are still on my DVR) and here's what I think:

1. X-Factor
I knew the most about this going in, since I've been watching the show internationally for years. I like how the audition rounds are shortened and I love the judges (though Cheryl should've stayed over Nicole). The only downside is that the thing seems almost too glossy compared to its companions around the world. Still love it, though, and it's undoubtedly this Fall's appointment show. A-

2. Terra Nova
Who knows if it'll be able to keep up the pace in the episodes to come, but I was very, very happy with the pilot. Sure, it's got its cliche moments, but the sheer audacity of the project more than makes up for that. The entire 2-hour premiere had me hooked. That's rare. A-

3. Ringer
A disappointment. Cheesy, and not in the good way. But more than that, I was just a little bored. I still love Sarah Michelle Gellar, but she needs better material. C+

4. American Horror Story
Haven't seen yet. Looking forward to it!

5. The Playboy Club
The pilot started out promising, but by the mid-way point my attention was flagging. There just doesn't seem to be enough substance to make it interesting. B-

6. Revenge
I loved this! I've yet to see the second episode, but the pilot was the perfect mix of soap opera drama and tension. Madeleine Stowe MAKES this show. (and for anyone reading my book, she'd make and excellent Madame.) A

7. Once Upon A Time
Not on yet, but I hope it's good!

8. Pan Am
Still on my DVR. I'll watch the pilot eventually, but it's not compelling me to do so at this point.

9. The Secret Circle
It's like an old-school WB show, but not as good. Or maybe I'm just getting too old. I like the premise and most of the cast (some of the acting was dodgy), but it had a sense of "been there, done that" to it. B-

10. Suburgatory
I hated this pilot at first, but it ended up changing my opinion towards the end. It's still got a ways to totally convert me, but I'm sticking with it. B

My Fall TV To-Watch List

Ah, Fall TV season. Always exciting, usually disappointing. Most shows I end up liking get cancelled, and those that become hits end up being something I've got no interest in. Still, it's always fun to give new shows a chance and see what sticks out. There's an unusual amount of new series I'm interested in this year. Here's what I plan checking out, along with an excitement rating (#1's the most exciting and it goes down from there).

1. X-Factor
I'm an X-Factor nut. I've watched the UK version since 2006, as well as the Australian and Danish (!) versions. And I went to a filming of the Seattle auditions for the US version. It's really the perfect format for a reality show. And it's so gratifying to see it finally come to America.
(Fox 9/21)

2. Terra Nova
Sci-fi? Spielberg? Family drama? Dinosaurs? Yes, please. I have a feeling this will end up disappointing, but I love ambitious stuff like this. I have my fingers firmly crossed.
(Fox 9/26)

3. Ringer
They had me at Sarah Michelle Gellar. This better end up being the tense thriller it promises to be. But even if not, there's Sarah Michelle Gellar. Come on!
(CW 9/13)

4. American Horror Story
Ryan Murphy doing horror? I loved the whole serial killer arc on the third season of Nip/Tuck, so if this is anything like that, I'm in.
(FX 10/5)

5. The Playboy Club
This has a lot of potential to be very entertaining. I love that they're going for a darker angle. Could be trashy fun.
(NBC 9/19)

6. Revenge
I've loved the trailers, though who knows if this will actually deliver. Its concept certainly sparks my interest.
(ABC 9/21)

7. Once Upon A Time
This could be super interesting or just a super mess. I hear it's plotted like Lost. Not sure about how it's going to work, but I'm eager to give it a try.
(ABC 10/23)

8. Pan Am
I'll be tuning in just to see if the story matches the ambition. The more I read about this, the more I'm curious. I love that it'll include historical aspects.
(ABC 9/25)

9. The Secret Circle
I wasn't originally excited for this, but I'm hearing good things...
(CW 9/15)

10. Suburgatory
The only comedy on my list, and the only one that looks like it (potentially) might not suck.
(ABC 9/28)

And Two Returning Shows I Can't Wait For:

The Walking Dead
The first season was flawless. And I need to see where they're going next!
(AMC 10/16)

The Middle
My favorite on-air sitcom. It's a shame I'll have to tape it since the X-Factor is on the same night.
(ABC 9/21)

The Best of the Rest

Yeah, this is primarily a music blog, but I am an avid devourer of pop culture of all sorts, so to cap off my year end countdowns, I want to share the other morsels of entertainment that rocked my 2010.

Top 10 Movies of 2010

Now, I'm no serious movie critic, but I did see 33 of this year's movies (which I think is a personal record), and I know what I like. My list'll be populated by a few more genre films than the typical "critic's list." I've developed quite a wide range of tastes when it comes to movies (just no lame romantic comedies, please).

Let Me In
A dark, scary coming-of-age film about the connection between outcasts. It just happens to have a vampire in it, too, but this is no Twilight. In my opinion, it managed to one-up the artier Swedish original. It can be a brutal watch at points, but absolutely worth it. (Coincidently, the film's star -- Kodi Smit-Mcphee -- also co-starred in my favorite movie of 2009, The Road. He's undoubtedly the best kid actor out there)

Inception
Lived up to the hype as an original, thinking man's action movie. Plus, it's got one of those endings that people will be talking about for years.

Black swan
The most beguiling of all this year's Oscar contenders, I wasn't sure exactly what I thought of it until that stunning, operatic ending.

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows: Part One
The truest to the book, and by far the darkest, most character driven film in the series.

Salt
My favorite straight-up action thriller of the year. More twists and turns than any other movie in 2010 and one kick-ass heroine.

How To Train Your Dragon
The umpteenth "boy and his dog" story told in the movies, but this made it fresh with stunning visuals, endearing characters, and a sharp script with plenty of heart.

It’s Kind Of A Funny Story
The "smallest" film on my list, this slice-of-life coming of age in the psych ward indie was a pleasant surprise. Very endearing.

Tron: Legacy
Most impressive visuals of the year. This brought me back to when I was about ten years old. It's all about the suits and the cars and all that cool stuff, honestly.

127 Hours
Wasn't sure how they could form an entire film around this story, but the acting and direction proved to be enough to be at turns gripping and profound.

True Grit
From setting to dialogue (some of the best dialogue of the year, for sure) this deposited the viewer so clearly in a place that it was impossible not to be entranced. Plus, Hailee Steinfeld = birth of a star.

+ a few more worth a mention:
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Toy Story 3, Unstoppable, Kick-Ass,

Top TV

British Invasion

Misfits
I loved it last year, and adored it this year. Robert Sheehan is without a doubt my breakout star of 2010. His Nathan is a force to be reckoned with and well worth watching even if you're not a fan of genre shows. The series grew in both quality and depth this year, introducing some sci-fi inspired mystery into its already potent blend of Heroes (anti)super-heroism and creepy/funny Twin Peaks-esque plot lines.

Skins
Yeah, I'm a couple of years late on this one. I've only made it through the first two seasons (with the unbeatable, original cast), but what I've seen thus far has been the best teenage drama I can remember being put to screen. Look past the sex and drugs and romantic triangles and you've got an incredibly natural, sharply written coming-of-age story with one of the strongest ensemble casts in recent memory. And
no series this year has upset/gripped/touched me more than Skins in its final two episodes.

X-Factor
Quite bluntly, it took over my life this Fall (as it does every Fall, to be honest). But this year was the biggest and best yet. More controversy, more interesting contestants (bar the eventual winner, who was the definition of "bland") and a larger than life, coliseum style live show that cemented the X-Factor as appointment TV. I only hope the American version is as addicting.

And on my own Shore:

Weeds
America's best series reinvented itself yet again as a twisted road trip dramedy. It was in a lot of ways the series' most inconsistent, strange season and lost a lot of steam in the middle, but at the same time I felt like the writers really tried to push the characters to new levels this year. Both the beginning and the end of the season were amongst the strongest this show's been, and that final episode stands as one of the best (if not the best) half-hour Weeds has given us so far.

United States of Tara
Tara had one of my favorite debut seasons of any show last year. The four central actors are enough to keep me watching no matter what they do. Throw in the ongoing mystery element that season two got closer to solving and I was completely hooked. Basically, this show makes me want to travel to Kansas and live with this family for a day. It's just so endearing.

The Middle
Modern Family's gotten all the love (and mostly deserves it), but my preferred Wednesday night sitcom is its companion piece, The Middle. I was a huge fan of Malcolm In The Middle when it was on the air, and this is in a lot of ways very reminiscent (in title, even). I'm a sucker for a good, light family comedy and 2010 proved that this series is one to watch. The cast is gelling, the quality's improving, and it often gets more laughs from me than its more-critically praised ABC counterpart.

Top Books

Will Grayson/Will Grayson
Two very different books this year. Will Grayson was the first book in awhile to literally make my mouth drop at one point. Strong characterization and an interesting dual-narrative format made this a standout.

The Marbury Lens
Quite simply, one of the most gripping books I can remember reading. Often times it's as close to a nightmare as you can get on the page, but the book's real power is its ability to draw you back in and stay with you after you've finished. It's a real mystery of a story, but one I'll never forget.

Top Stage

I don't often get to go see shows (unfortunately), but I managed a couple this year, and even though I've mentioned it before on the blog, this one still warrants another mention:

Billy Elliot
It's, by a hundred miles, the best show I've seen. I can't remember ever leaving a show/concert/movie feeling better than I did after this one. You'd think a show about a young boy who wants to dance would be schmaltzy and sugary -- a strictly "for the kids" affair, but like the movie they managed to retain the wit, darkness and adult subtexts. No wonder it won all those awards. I can't wait to see it again this Spring.

That's it for 2010! What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree? I'd love to hear your own lists. I'll be back in the new year with a five part tribute/review/analysis of the best band in the world, who will be celebrating their last year together in 2011...