Top 5 TV Shows of 2009
I’ll admit it: I spent a ridiculous amount of 2009 in front of the TV. But I couldn’t help it; there is so much good stuff to watch, both network and cable. Here are my faves – see if yours made the list!
5. 10 Things I Hate About You
This still-unknown ABC Family comedy filled with pop culture references is a super fun spinoff of one of my very favorite teen movies. Kat and Bianca are such strong characters, and yet they still care about each other and never become cliches. The school dance and the finale houseparty were the season’s highlights. Ethan Peck might look too old for high school, but I hope he never graduates.
4. How I Met Your Mother
This Friendsish comedy is on the brink of its big 100th episode milestone – and it’s as good as ever. I don’t really care who the mother is or how Ted meets her, but I loved Marshall’s photo montages (try getting “Cat Funeral” out of your head) and Ted’s experience as The Sexless Innkeeper.
3. The Vampire Diaries
Based on a bestselling book series, this CW show probably also takes the title for my favorite new show of the year. I don’t buy into the Twilight mania, but the vampires on this show are so well-muscled AND sarcastic that I just can’t resist them. The Vampire Diaries also takes some big risks, regularly killing off main characters and ending episodes with major OMGWTF moments.
2. Mad Men
Season three with our friends at Sterling Cooper may not have been as flawless as season one (was anyone else disappointed that the Pete vs. Ken rivalry set up in the premiere fizzled away?), but it was still one of the best shows on TV. And like all the seasons of Mad Men, this round led up to an intense finale that may have been my favorite hour of television all year. My Sundays will be so sad until it’s time for season four!
1. 30 Rock
Kenneth as a Muppet, Liz’s Dealbreakers and Tracy’s attempt at EGOTing had me laughing my ass off this year. And with guest stars like Jon Hamm, Whoopi, Julianne Moore and Salma Hayek, how can you go wrong? On 30 Rock, the weirder it is, the better it is.
