The TV Chick

As opposed to my Best of the Decade list which contained moments and episodes from the decade, this list will be less extensive because I didn’t want to limit myself to 5 best shows of 09. Keep in mind, this is in no particular order!

1.  Parks and Recreation: I did not enjoy this show in its first season. It was always all about “the pit” and getting rid of the pit. I adore Amy Poehler, but her role seemed a bit too Michael Scott-esque to me. However, whatever happened during the off-season was fantastic. Season two has been hilarious. The pit has taken a secondary role, and each character has had a chance to develop and grow. I didn’t care for Andy in the first season, but he has become one of my favorites. I think this show deserves a ton of recognition for really stepping up its game. It is a show I look forward to every week.

2. Lost: This past season has been phenomenal. Time changing, Dharma goodness, Hurley’s hilarious questions…it’s all been great. The creators are brilliant, and I have faith that they know exactly what they are doing and that the series finale is going to blow our minds.

3. How I Met Your Mother: This year has had such great episodes as The Playbook and The Front Porch (I will never forget how hard I laughed at suitjamas). While this show can have its up and downs, every episode makes me happy. And any excuse to watch Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) wax poetic about his “bro code” and “lemon laws” is great in my opinion.

4. The Office: Season 5 started off (in ’08) with the Jim and Pam proposal, and ended on a pregnancy. And season 6 had one of the best episodes of The Office ever with the Jim/Pam wedding. It was perfect in so many ways–hilarious but also showed us what we have been wanting for 6 years. I may have watched the boat scene upwards of 10 times. The show is at its best truly brilliant, and it has been a great season thus far. I can’t wait to see more.

5. Party Down: This show on Starz Network has garnered quite a following for itself. Created by Rob Thomas (of Veronica Mars fame) it stars many of his VM colleagues, and is truly fantastic. It is a hilarious and wonderful portrayal of a catering company in Los Angeles, and its employees who clearly want to be more than just cater waiters. It returns for a 2nd season in 2010, where Kristen Bell will be back, and Megan Mullally joins the cast. This is a show you must see! Catch up with it on DVD before season 2 begins.

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The Oscars are more my type of Awards show (hey, we can all  have our guilty, non-TV pleasures, right?) but I enjoy the Golden Globes. The show is fun, and I like that they honor television and movies.

Take a look at the list of (most) Television nominees and my thoughts:

BEST TV SERIES – DRAMA

• Big Love
• Dexter
• House
• Mad Men
• True Blood

I think most of these are good choices. Noticeably absent however, is Lost.

BEST ACTOR – TV DRAMA SERIES

• Simon Baker, The Mentalist
• Michael C. Hall, Dexter
• Jon Hamm, Mad Men
• Hugh Laurie, House
• Bill Paxton, Big Love

I support all these choices. They are all good leading men.

BEST ACTRESS – TV DRAMA SERIES

• Glenn Close, Damages
• January Jones, Mad Men
• Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife
• Anna Paquin, True Blood
• Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

I adore Kyra Sedgwick, so I am happy to see her get a nod. Julianna Margulies has been wonderful in The Good Wife, so that nomination is well deserved. And Anna Paquin is just great in True Blood. Although where is Mariska Hargitay?

BEST COMEDY SERIES

• 30 Rock
• Entourage
• Glee
• Modern Family
• The Office

So, so, so, so, so glad Glee and Modern Family are on this list. Perhaps the 30 Rock era is done? Not that I have anything against the show, I am just so totally in love with Glee and Modern Family. I’m going to pick Glee to win by a narrow margin. The only series I would have liked to see up there is Parks and Recreation. They have had an amazing second season, and they deserve some recognition.

BEST ACTRESS – TV COMEDY

• Toni Collette, United States of Tara
• Courteney Cox, Cougar Town
• Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
• Tina Fey, 30 Rock
• Lea Michele, Glee

Lea Michele — for the win! I’m glad to see Cougartown represented there, and United States of Tara, but Lea Michele is unstoppable. I sense an Emmy nomination in her future.

BEST ACTOR – TV COMEDY

• Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
• Steve Carell, The Office
• David Duchovny, Californication
• Thomas Jane, Hung
• Matthew Morrison, Glee

I am so excited for Glee! I want to pick Matthew Morrison to win, but he is in a category with Steve Carell and Alec Baldwin, so I say it’s anyone’s game.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS- SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

• Jane Adams, Hung
• Rose Byrne, Damages
• Jane Lynch, Glee
• Janet McTeer, Into the Storm
• Chloe Sevigny, Big Love

The nominees are truly wonderful. But if the Hollywood Foreign Press doesn’t honor Jane Lynch for her comedic genius, I’m pretty sure I may swear off the show next year. (Who am I kidding, I’d never do that–but I am clearly rooting for Lynch here)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR- SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MADE-FOR-TV MOVIE

• Michael Emerson, Lost
• Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
• William Hurt, Damages
• John Lithgow, Dexter

My heart wants Neil Patrick Harris to win. I absolutely adore How I Met Your Mother. However, John Lithgow is amazing on Dexter. We shall see!

Overall thoughts: I have been writing about Glee since Day 1. It feels so great to see it honored at the Golden Globes. Lea Michele and Jane Lynch are so incredibly talented (as is Matthew Morrison), and I can’t wait to see them recognized. Also, if Lea wanted to sing Don’t Rain On My Parade, I would have no objections. Modern Family has been one of my favorite comedies since the pilot. I wish it were nominated for more than just Best Comedy Series, but I’ll take it. Eric Stonestreet, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell will get their nominations one day. I think that overall, I like most of the nominations. I think Ricky Gervais will make it an interesting night, and I can’t wait to see who wins. (But a preliminary congratulations to Lea Michele…)

Last night’s episode of Glee was filled with amazing Sue vs. Schue moments, and musical numbers that were unstoppable. Jane Lynch is such an incredible comedic talent. Pair that with Matthew Morrison’s quick wit, and anytime Lea Michele or Amber Riley belt out a tune, and you have a winning combination. Not to mention my eyes filled with tears at the closing number “Keep Holding On.”

However, there was an ongoing blogger debate earlier this week about “Glee,” stemmed from this article. The article’s main point was that the show relies on stereotypes and they need more depth of character. Some TV critics agreed with the article, saying they loved the musical numbers, but not the over-the-top drama. Others were saying that they could do without some of the characters. But for me, this show is pretty close to perfect. I understand that it can be over-the-top, but how did you feel in high school? I felt like little things could be the end of the world. And that feeling is portrayed perfectly through the main characters on Glee. Yes, they do spontaneously burst out in song (but hey, who doesn’t?), and sometimes Sandy is just too much for words. But deep down, Glee is charming and wonderful. Not to mention full of extremely talented actors and singers, that each week leave me eagerly anticipating the next episode. I am loyal to a number of shows, but there are few that I must watch that night no matter what time I get home from work, and Glee is one of them. So keep doing what you’re doing, Ryan Murphy and all the creative staff. You are brilliant!

And because I know you need to watch these videos over and over again until next week, please enjoy!

Glee cast sings Keep Holding On:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGUuhXnSXvg&hl=en&fs=1&]

Glee cast sings No Air:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so7knu1djB8&hl=en&fs=1&]

Every week, I look forward to Glee. I eagerly wait to see the songs (even if we already have a vague idea from the track listing), the drama and the will they/wont they progression with Rachel and Finn (Lea Michele and Cory Monteith). I don’t think there has ever been a show quite like it. It somehow manages to pull off an exquisite balance between showstopping numbers and quirky, hilarious story lines. This week Kristin Chenoweth guest starred as April Rhodes, a woman from Mr. Schuester’s past who never graduated from high school. He brings Rhodes back to Glee Club to replace Rachel and she surprises everyone with her voice by busting out “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret. And she sings this as a duet with Lea Michele! I think Kurt’s reaction showed it best (at the end of the number, he was brought to tears).

In addition, throughout the entire episode, Finn is trying to convince Rachel to come back to Glee by shamelessly flirting with her. He wants to get a college scholarship for music, and the only way Glee can win regionals is with Rachel. In the end, she comes back to Glee and quits the musical, but not without her (and the rest of Glee) finding out about Quinn’s baby. The ending number is “Somebody to Love,” where Mercedes (Amber Riley) ends it on a note that will take your breath away.

Glee very clearly understands what viewers wants to see, and knows how to leave the audience wanting more. While I was wishing for a big Lea Michele solo song (because how amazing were her renditions of “Take a Bow” and “Taking Chances”), this episode was still fantastic. I can’t wait to see more guest stars and more incredible duets.

Glee airs every Wednesday on FOX at 9 pm.

And in case you missed the stunning duet of “Maybe This Time,” with Kristin Chenoweth and Lea Michele, check it out here:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nhSz0ckG1M&hl=en&fs=1&]