Top 10 of 2006: TV

As I made out this list I realized what a great year it has been for the situation comedy which I believe was declared dead about two years back. Also, it looks like NBC might be on the verge of a come back as 5 of my top 10 were brought to us via the peacock. Without further ado, here’s the list:

Honorable Mention: Family Guy, 24, Nip/Tuck, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, Dr. Who, The Amazing Race, Survivor, The OC

10. The Hills (Reality/MTV)- Okay so I had to have one completely guilty please on this list and what better show in 2006 then The Hills. While the new season of Laguna Beach struggled with newbies, The Hills thrived at mixing established faces like LC and Jason with their new wealthy brain challenged neighbors.

9. Scrubs (Comedy/NBC)- Despite the fact that the show saw more time spots then viewers, Scrubs persevered with another great year. The Carla/Turk pregnancy turned out to be the best storyline the two characters had ever been given, while Dr. Cox’s turn to the bottle showed how this show can punch you in the gut even while you’re laughing.

8. Project Runway (Reality/Bravo)- 2006 featured the end of the 2nd and the entire 3rd season of what has become my favorite reality show. The creative challenges, Tim Gunn and the contestants all make this show worth coming back for. It also raises your knowledge of fashion which can be viewed as either positive or negative.

7. The Venture Brothers (Animated/Cartoon Network)- Here’s a show that took me a while to warm too but now I can’t imagine my 2006 without it. The pre-credit teaser to the 2nd season opener was the best opener to any show all year long. The two part finale sent a new high for the show and featured the best guest star of the year (the guy that flew the Falcon with Lando in Jedi).

6. Studio 60 (Drama/NBC)- I missed Aaron Sorkin and more importantly TV missed Aaron Sorkin. 2006 brought him back to network TV with the sublime Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. While I was pretty sure I’d fall hard for this show it has surprised me. Amanda Peet has been a revelation as Jordan and DL Hughley has more chops then I think anyone could have predicted. Best of all we get to enjoy the show for a whole year, so thank you NBC and thank you Aaron Sorkin.

5. Heroes (Drama/NBC)- A show that creates a deep mythology AND something happens every week that progresses said mythology? I wouldn’t have believed it myself it I hadn’t seen it. I must admit that when I saw a preview in front of a movie back in July I wasn’t that interested, but as the buzz started to grow towards the premiere I decided to check it out, and thank god I did or I would’ve missed the catchphrase of the year: “Save the cheerleader, save the world.”

4. Lost (Drama/ABC)- While it could probably take a lesson from Heroes and actually…you know…have something happen, Lost remained one of the best in 2006. The 2nd season finale easily topped the first and while it created a multitude of new questions, it also created an illusion that the audience was making progress. Season 3 of course has set back some of that progress but the “fall finale” was excellent and I think 2007 holds a great deals of answers…and questions.

3. 30 Rock (Comedy/NBC)- Rural Juror? Live every week like its shark week? Beeper King? How many great moments has this show had it in its short run? After a rather boring pilot this show has been on fire. Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan are the best triple threat on TV right now. Hopefully the move to Thursday works for this ratings challenged show.

2. Battlestar Galactica (Drama/Sci Fi)- Usually you spot a moment like the second season finale where Galactica jumped ahead a year and you say they’ve jumped the shark. Battlestar has found yet another way to confound the constructs of television by not only defying this idea but by beating it into the ground. The jump forward provided a 3rd season full of tension, flashbacks, and believe it or not humor. It’s a shame people still look at this as sci-fi first and great TV second.

1. The Office (Comedy/NBC)- While the first season showed the American version would do nothing to tarnish the British original, the second and now third season are proving it can match or even exceed the original. From the booze cruise to the introduction of the Stamford branch, this year has brought the show from good to great.