The Super Way Late 10 Best Shows of 2011

Walt, Jesse, & Gus cooked up a fantastic season of Breaking Bad.

Now that we're entering the fourth month of 2012 I had two options with this:

1. Don't write it. It's not timely & no one cares what I think anyway. Or... 

2. Write it anyway! 

Obviously I opted for #2 because I spent too much time watching TV & thinking about this list last year not to write it & it serves as a good advisory for shows to Netflix. 

Before we get to the list here's a brief summary of shows that didn't make the cut.

Shows I didn't watch that never stood a chance anyway:

1. Anything created by Chuck Lorre (THM, BBT, & "Mike and Molly")-if you like his shows good for you but let's not confuse mediocrity with the best television has to offer.

2. Actually anything on CBS-they may be "America's most watched network" but that's because they aim for the middle, never trying for anything that pushes boundaries (unless it's THM & the boundary is taste), instead filling their lineup with laugh track & stereotype laden comedies & dramas about cops & CSI's that offer few stock characters & no interesting continuous storylines. It's great business, not great TV.

3. "Dexter"-I've only seen 1 season of "Dexter" & I liked it. I didn't think it was anything mind blowing, outside of Michael C. Hall's impressive performance, but it was enjoyable & relatively smart television. That said season 1 wouldn't have made my top 10 this year & by all accounts this latest season was a low point for the show.

4. "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena"-Do I hate this show because it became Starz first big hit instead of the incredible "Party Down" which got cancelled due to its incredibly low ratings? Maybe. That said by both popular & critical account it has developed into a pretty good show. That said top 10? I highly doubt it. Besides I already get my full on nudity & sword wielding from a superior pay cable program.

5. "The Walking Dead"-I watched season1 & the first few episodes of season 2 & it's good but let's be real, the most interesting characters on the show are zombies. 

10 shows I didn't watch (in no particular order) that might have made it if I had:

1. "The Good Wife"-ok CBS you got me, you guys make 1 show that could've, in fact likely would have  from what I here, made it onto the list. Be proud.

2. "Enlightened"-I never caught HBO's new dramedy starring Laura Dern but it drew acclaim from many & will be on my summer watch list (with about 50 other things).

3. "Parenthood"-I only just started watching Jason Katims' show about an affluent California family's trials & tribulations this January (midway through its 3rd season) but I very much enjoy this equally moving & hilarious show. A deserving follow up to Katims' brilliant "Friday Night Lights."

4. "Downton Abbey"-It's supposed to be about a bunch of rich British people gossiping in the early 20th century, but it's supposed to be fantastic. Ah who am I kidding I love shows about rich people gossiping "OC" for life!

5. "Sons of Anarchy"-Never seen it but my brother says it's good & the critics agree about this biker gang drama.

6. "Treme"-David Simon made, undoubtedly, one of the greatest shows of all time in "The Wire"& he brought a significant amount of the cast & writers from that show to "Treme" but I only ever watched the pilot & it wasn't quite interesting enough to draw me back. It could just be that I just don't find the music scene & rebuilding of New Orleans as interesting as the drug wars, inner city politics, & failing school system of Baltimore.

7. "Southland"-TNT's cop drama starring Ryan from "The O.C." (Ben McKenzie) is supposed to be the best non-"Justified" cop show on TV & I watched the first few episodes of its 3rd season & enjoyed them but ultimately I failed to keep up. Maybe this summer...

8. "Fringe"-I caught most of the first season of this sci-fi drama & word is it has only gotten better, & more complex, since then.

9. "Bob's Burgers"-the one show on FOX's Sunday night "Animation Domination" that isn't "The Simpsons' or from the mind of Seth MacFarlane is also its best. I've never watched consistently, but when I do the laughs come aplenty.

10. "Curb Your Enthusiasm"-I've never watched a full season Larry David's hilarious creation but some of the episodes I've seen were awesome, & it's also Peyton Manning's favorite show.

Now onto the 10!*

*If you click on the show's name you'll be lead to a clip from it.

10. Chuck-In making this list I tried to be as objective as I could be but ultimately the TV one likes is subjective & none more so than my #10. There were definitely funnier shows than "Chuck" that didn't crack my list (they'll be in the honorable mentions) & shows with more dramatic weight but ultimately that all went out the window when I thought about how much I loved "Chuck." It was just an extremely fun little show that I was glad to watch one last time (except for my DVDs) in 2011. 

2011 MVP: Joshua Gomez as Morgan Grimes-one of the shows most annoying characters in the early seasons became the funniest over it's final few.

Essential Episodes: "Chuck Versus the Push Mix," "Chuck Versus the Family Volkoff," "Chuck Versus the Hack Off," & "Chuck Versus the Santa Suit." 

9. Friday Night Lights-Here's a good example of my being objective. FNL was fantastic & no show gets to me emotionally the way it does (though "Lost" comes close) but overall I felt this was one of its weaker seasons (Julie & the TA anyone?), which says a lot seeing as its still #9. That said there was a lot to love this past year as the East Side Lions rose to prominence & we said one final goodbye (until the movie?!) to Coach Taylor, Mrs. Coach, Riggins, Saracen, Vince & co.  Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose!

2011 MVP: Kyle Chandler & Connie Britton as Eric & Tami Taylor-the heart & soul of the show the Taylor's perseverance, dignity, & respect for each other made them the greatest marriage yet see on TV.

Essential Episodes: "Kingdom," "Don't Go," "Texas Whatever," & "Always."

8. Louie-I never caught Louie during its first season but good God was its second season good. Comedian Louis C.K. has made a wonderfully unique show that featured everything from a hobo's head popping off in a traffic accident to his rocking out in his car to "Who Are You" for 5 minutes to one of the best love declarations I've heard to a discussion about masturbation on FOX News to a USO trip to Afghanistan. It's an incredible show that can be gut bustingly funny one episode & then be one of the better dramas on TV the next, simply it's like nothing else I've seen before.

2011 MVP: Louis C.K. as Louie-considering he writes, directs, edits, & stars in every episode he's not just the clear choice for MVP of the show but of the entire year in both television & comedy (he also released a hilarious comedy special online).

Essential Episodes: "Bummer/Blueberries," "Country Drive," "Come On, God," & "Duckling."

7. Justified (Super Spoilers in the clip)-This was my favorite new show of 2010 & it only got better as it delved deeper into the roots of Harlan, Kentucky & the past of Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) as he faced off against resident crime family the Bennet's, headed by their ruthless mother Mags (Margo Martindale in an Emmy winning performance). Few shows, if any without any "Mad Men" last year,  have a sharper wit & when the action comes it is well earned. Its third equally compelling season is currently wrapping up & it's been renewed for a fourth which I will eagerly await.


2011 MVP: Margo Martindale as Mags Bennett-as diabolical a mother as the one in Australian crime drama "Animal Kingdom" but of course hardly anyone's seen that fantastic movie so... she won an Emmy! Of course she's the MVP.


Essential Episodes: "Cottonmouth," "Brother's Keeper,""Reckoning," & "Bloody Harlan." 


6. Game of Thrones-I wasn't all that excited about this show. I love "The Lord of the Rings" (the films & books) & "Harry Potter"  (the novels more so than the movies) but I'm not generally all that inclined to  want more kings, swords, & magic in my life, so I didn't watch GOT during it's run but rather waited to watch it on HBO on demand during the summer. I watched all 10 hour long episodes in 2 days. It's filled with violence & nudity (sometimes needlessly so-or maybe I'm just a prude) but it's built far more on dynamic characters with interesting motivations & plenty of political scheming (Yay!). In many ways one might describe it as a better version of "Spartacus," but of course that wouldn't be doing author George R.R. Martin & the people at HBO their proper due. Season 2 starts Sunday & this time I won't be pushing it off till summer.


2011 MVP: Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister-Tyrion's sharp wit made any time spent with him a highlight & Dinklage deservedly took home an Emmy.


Essential Episodes: "The Wolf and the Lion," "A Golden Crown," "Baelor," & "Fire and Blood."

5. Homeland-Unseating GOT for the best new show at the tail end of 2011 was this political thriller from two former adapted from an Israeli series by 2 writers, Howard Gordon & Alex Gansa, who both worked on "The X-Files" & "24." Fans of "24" should enjoy "Homeland" (I did after all) but those who found problems with that series sometime absurds plot twists, lack of character development (particularly in later seasons), & right wing politics (though I've always felt this was a little overstated) will find plenty to love as well. It's much more character driven, meticulous show about a somewhat unstable CIA analyst, played by Claire Danes, who suspects a returning POW (Damian Lewis) has been turned while in captivity, & there are both villains driven by Islamic radicalism & those overzealous to protect America at any costs. Only 1 other show this year had as much depth of character & suspense... but we'll get to that later.


2011 MVP: Claire Danes & Damian Lewis as Carrie Mathison & Nicholas Brody-I couldn't decide between these 2 as they're both fantastic & among the best performances of last year (as far as dramatic leads go Danes would be my #1 actress & Lewis my #2 actor). Heck I'm not even listing my favorite character (Saul, played by Mandy Patkinson).


Essential Episodes: "The Weekend," "Achilles Heel," "The Vest," & "Marine One."


4. Men of a Certain Age-WHAT?! That Ray Romano show about middle aged guys? Really? Yes, & yes. There's aren't any serial killers, shootouts, sword fights, or bombs on this show & that's one of the reasons I love it so much. It's an understated show about regular guys dealing with growing older & discontent & uncertainty that brings. Romano's acting ability, as well as Scott Bakula's, is a revelation & Andre Braugher's as good as you would expect if you're familiar with his work. What's great about it is that it never allows its characters unearned happy endings, rather its rooted in real life-things rarely work out exactly as you hoped or planned, but you make do. It also doesn't hurt that it's funnier than "Raymond" ever was. 


2011 MVP: Andre Braugher as Owen Thoreau Jr.-I could've choses any of the 3 leads but Braugher gets the slight edge as a man trying to overcome an overbearing, but not overly loving, father & win the respect of his employees.


Essential Viewing: "The Great Escape," "A League of Their Owen," "Whatever Gets You Through the Night," & "Hold Your Finish."

3. Community-If you're facebook friends with me (chances are you are) than you had to know this was coming eventually. It's easily the show I'm most vocal about & for good reason, at its best no comedy on TV can match it thanks to its seemingly limitless ambition. It shoots jokes off at a rate not seen since "Arrested Development" & unlike many sitcoms it treats its viewers with a respect towards their intelligence, trusting the audience to know classic tropes & understand when they're being subverted. I can only home NBC brings back Dan Harmon's brilliant creation for at least one more fantastic season.*


*I'm also in love with Alison Brie, so feel free to factor that bias in. 


2011 MVP: Danny Pudi & Donald Glover as Abed Nadir & Troy Barnes-I couldn't choose between Troy & Abed, the best comedy duo alive & some great rappers as well.


Essential Episodes: "Advanced Dungeons and Dragons," "For a Few Paintballs More," "Remedial Chaos Theory," & "Regional Holiday Music."

2. Parks and Recreation-As much as I love "Community" it can't match "Parks's" consistency-its third season didn't have one "off" episode-or comedic depth, Aziz Anzari's Tom Haveford is, at best, the sixth funniest character. Amy Poehler has done such brilliant work that those early criticisms that Lesley Knope was just an imitation of Michael Scott now seem beyond ridiculous, & the additions of Adam Scott & Rob Lowe only made she show funnier. Co-creator, show runner, & Boston Red Sox fan has said the biggest influence on the show is not another comedy but rather "The Wire," however what says it apart from "The Wire, " & many sitcoms, is its cheerfulness & optimism. Government is flawed but it is not the problem on the show (no matter what Ron Swanson says), instead it's a tool for Leslie & the rest of the department to try & help the crazed citizens of Pawnee, Indiana. & the characters actually like & support each other, the comedy of hate (championed by THM) is nowhere to be found (unless you're Jerry Gergich). All this is to say that "Parks" is a great show & its 2011 was as good a year as any comedy has ever had.

2011 MVP: Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson-this is the funniest performance on TV.

Essential Episodes: "The Flu," "Fancy Party," "Ron and Tammys," & "Born and Raised."

1. Breaking Bad-There can only be one. That's what both "Highlander" & the latest season of "Breaking Bad" taught us, & that lesson was true for this list as well. So as good as "Parks" was it couldn't quite match the drama of the latest season of what some have called the best television show in history. This was a very different season for BB as Walt (Bryan Cranston) was backed into an ever smaller corner by criminal mastermind Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito), who, with the help of bad-ass henchman MikeJonathan Banks), constantly anticipated all of Walt's moves & even turned his partner Jesse (Aaron Paul) against him. In fact Gus even began turning viewers against the protagonist (if Walt can still be called that) of the show. On most shows the main character remains largely the same person throughout. House has flirted with progress but always reverts back to his old ways. Jack Bauer became more tortured but otherwise did not change. Tony Soprano was never going to be anything but a gangster. "Breaking Bad," however, has shown us the transformation of Walt from a mild mannered chemistry teacher to a drug dealing, & murdering monster & it's been fascinating to watch. And in 2011 no other show was as captivating as "Breaking Bad."*


*For my more detailed thoughts on the latest season of "Breaking Bad" click here.

2011 MVP: Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman-though Gus Fring was my favorite character of 2011 I'm going with Jesse because as Walt's descent has continued Jesse, & to a degree Hank, has become the character to root for & Paul's performance is matched only by his co-star's. Also no one says "bitch" quite like Jesse Pinkman.

Essential Viewing: "Salud," "Crawl Space," "End Times," & "Face Off." (Really the whole season though)

Honorable Mentions:

Archer-answers the question of what you'd get if you mixed "Arrested Development" with "James Bond," & what a wonderful & hilarious answer it is.

Awkward.-MTV has created the best non-FNL teen centered show since the early seasons of "The OC."

Boardwalk Empire-A show I respect a lot more than I love, but fine viewing nonetheless especially for Michael Pitt's tortured performance.

Happy Endings-It's first season was pleasant, but nothing special, however once its second season started up HE quickly became one of the funniest comedies on TV, shooting off jokes left & right & even turning Elisha Cuthbert into a legitimate comedy star.

How I Met Your Mother-Not a banner year for HIMYM but it had enough high points, Marshall & Barney's very different dad issues & "The Ducky Tie," to warrant mention.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia-the gang was up to some more disturbing antics in 2011, including the brilliant Fat Mac gag that kept on giving, but it just doesn't have the consistency to crack the top 10.

Luther-my ultimate man crush Idris Elba delivers a bravura performance in a show I like to describe as "Criminal Minds' except good.

Modern Family-People may love MF, & the Emmys surely do, but I feel that, while still good, the show has been getting progressively lazier the longer it's been on. Though Phil & Luke provide enough inspired comedy to keep it among the better shows on TV.

Well that's it. I welcome your thoughts on my list & your own top 10 lists. Until next year!*

*In only 9 months!