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.

6. In Treatment: I fell in love with this show on DVD. When it returned for a 2nd season, I was incredibly excited. It is brilliant and innovative, and you feel like you are going through therapy with each episode and character. I truly wish I could see Dr. Weston. Gabriel Byrne, Dianne Wiest and the entire cast are brilliant. There was talk of it only being two seasons because the Israeli series it is based on (Bei Tipul) only had that number. But thankfully, it returns in 2010 for Season 3 on HBO, so be sure to look out for it.

7. Glee: It has been a really long time since a show made me quite as happy as Glee does, which is quite fitting given the name. Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk are creative geniuses who cast some of the most talented actors I have ever seen, and created one of the most unique shows out there. It will be a long winter without new episodes, but I will most likely be buying the DVD the day it goes on sale. Lea Michele’s voice and talent is unstoppable, and the rest of the cast is fantastic as well. I truly cannot wait until April.

8. Modern Family: This mockumentary style comedy was one of my favorite pilots of the fall season, and it has continued to live up to my high expectations. Each part of the family is hilarious in their own right, and I will never forget Fizbo the Clown, the Lion King moment, the ice dancing routine, and when Luke got shot by Phil. What makes it truly spectacular though is that at heart, it’s about a family. Even in its crazy, dysfunctional state, the family always comes together at the end. It is full of as many touching moments as it is funny ones, and I love it for that.

9. The Good Wife: I really enjoyed this pilot in the fall as well, and even in its first season, it has earned a place on my best of 09 list. It is very different from other law shows out there. Juliana Margulies makes a great leading lady, and I also love Archie Panjabi (Kalinda). With each episode, we learn more about Chris Noth’s character, and the law firm. I think it has a bright future ahead of it, and I hope to see more great episodes in 2010.

10. True Blood: Season 1 stuck mainly to the first book (with a few exceptions), and while Season 2 kept to Book 2 in some respects it also branched out quite a bit. I love Vampires…so this book series and TV series are quite wonderful. There is some fantastic acting, and lovely looking vampires, and I can’t wait for its return!

Honorable Mentions: V, White Collar, The Biggest Loser, The Vampire Diaries, Make it or Break It, and Secret Life of the American Teenager: All shows I loved and enjoyed, and would be on the best of 09 list if I had a list of 20.

What originally drew you to the character of Kyle and the Party Down?
Well for Party Down — I had been on the show Veronica Mars with Rob [Thomas] and I loved working with him a whole bunch and Paul Rudd was doing this and Dan Etheridge and John Enbom. So initially it was the people who were involved with it is why I was so stoked to be a part of it. And then they told me who else was going to be in it and I thought that I shouldn’t be in it because I wasn’t qualified but then they said No! You’re going to be in it! So I said “Okay, I’ll do it.”

(laughs) And do you see any of yourself in your character at all?
Zero. I’m completely opposite…no it’s based off of my life…no it’s based off…I think there’s a little bit of all of us in each of our characters, which is what makes it kind of funny and really real. Hopefully, not too much of my character — well there’s a little bit that’s kind of like me, but hopefully not too much…if that makes any sense.

(laughs) Yeah, it makes sense. Have you ever done anything that crazy to get a role?
Well I used to do — back in the day, I would — I think it was like Joan of Arcadia or something. It was kind of serious role. And in the audition, maybe it was like a page or two in–and I’m like thanks for having me, I can do a back flip. And they’re like oh that’s great. And so I just did a back flip. And they’re like “Oh my gosh, that’s amazing! You get the part.” So yeah, I’ve done some pretty stupid stuff. I used to do back flips all the time in auditions for no reason. Just so they would remember the back flip and not my audition.

He can do a back flip, we should give him this part!
Yeah, exactly! It works.

Have you ever worked in catering or as a waiter?
You know, I actually haven’t. The closest I did to waitering — I was the merch guy at a Hard Rock Cafe. I sold tee shirts and pins. So I was around a lot of waiters, but I didn’t actually waiter. But I did that for a couple months. I worked at a grocery store — I did that for a couple weeks.

Are there any LA actor types that you draw inspiration from to play your role?
Yeah. I mean, I’m not going to name anyone obviously. But just from going out to little events and things and auditions and stuff, I kind of draw from seeing certain guys and there’s so many people like Kyle in Los Angeles. And I’m not far from it, which is sad. But hopefully I’m far enough from it where I can make it believable — wait what? I lost myself, Alix help me!

It’s all good.
There’s guys in Los Angeles who are definitely like that…I’m not going to name anyone.

No I figured you wouldn’t sell out anybody. And so can you give a little teaser of what might happen on Season 2 of Party Down? Especially now that you have this new role on a movie, and Ron may be running a Souper Crackers?
Yeah, so obviously, in Party Down style, not everything that says it’s going to happen, happens for the better. So, obviously everything goes to shit, and we all end up catering still. You can be sure that we’ll still be catering. I think Jane Lynch gets married, that’s a fun episode. She’s coming back, and Kristen’s coming back — Kristen Bell.

Can we expect any more Veronica Mars cast member cameos on the show?
Last season there was a bunch. This season, well Kristen’s for sure coming back. I don’t think anyone else this season. Maybe, but I can’t remember.

And Party Down is such a unique show with a unique premise. What do you think makes this show work so well as a comedy?
Well I think that they’re really playing a lot of the realities of Los Angeles, which is a lot of people come out here to make it and they end up doing a crappy job until then. And a lot of the reality is — you don’t really make it. So I feel like it’s a very real, and it’s like the opposite of the Entourage scene, so it’s kind of just refreshing to see something that’s not always the jack pot. It’s kind of a funnier, darker side of Hollywood, which a lot of people don’t really talk about. They like to talk about the Hollywood dream, and not the Hollywood dreamers. Ooh that was good.

That was real good!
(laughs)

And you do a lot of charity work. Do you still work with Invisible Children?
Oh yeah, I’m still heavily involved with Invisible Children. We’re actually going to a little event, I think Vanity Fair is throwing them a party which is super cool. You know, Vanity Fair, that’s like bad ass. So yeah, still heavily involved with Invisible Children and I haven’t been back to Africa in like a year but I’m planning on going very soon. It’s pretty cool!

What other projects — TV or Movie — do you have coming up?
I did a little movie this summer with my buddy Travis Van Winkle, who I did Friday the 13th with, and the director of Wedding Crashers, and his name is David Dopkins. And it’s a fun little indie comedy that may or may not come out. So that was cool. Other than that, just sticking with Party Down. Hoping it will last another ten years, because we all love doing it so much.

What would you tell viewers to get them to watch Season 2 of Party Down?
I would say hey, you know remember that funny person Megan Mullally from Will and Grace? Well, she’s on it now! You should watch that!

(laughs) I have to ask, since there’s a lot of buzz around making a Veronica Mars movie. Do you have any scoop on that?
No, unfortunately, I don’t. I remember hearing a lot more about it six months ago. I haven’t really heard anything about it lately, so the economy? I don’t know.

And do you have a favorite episode of Party Down that you’ve filmed?
This season or last season?

Either one!
Well I have a feeling that next week is going to be one of my favorites. I don’t know. But it’s the Party Down company picnic, which I think will be a lot of fun to shoot. Because we’re all in normal clothes, and we play kick ball and stuff. There was an African American funeral that we shot a little bit ago which I thought was a lot of fun because this guy who plays the blues, teaches me how to sing the blues. That was fun. They’re all fun.

Do you have a favorite episode from last season that you liked especially?
Yes, last season, the Senior Singles Seminar was really fun, with Ed Begley Jr. I like that one!

Unless you have anything to add about Party Down’s great-ness, I think we’re good.
Yeah, I think we covered it. Thanks for watching the show, you’re so rad!

Bill Hamm, Starz Media EVP of Original Productions and Development announced today that Megan Mullally will be a new cast member next season. “Megan is quite simply one of the most talented actresses in the entertainment industry,” Hamm said. “Her impeccable comic timing and multi-faceted acting skills make her a great fit for the show, and we can’t wait to see how she interacts with the show’s terrific cast.”

I wholeheartedly agree with Hamm here. Mullally was fantastic on Will and Grace and personally, I think she will fill the large void left by the absence of Jane Lynch, quite well. While Lynch will certainly be missed, Mullally has always been a favorite of mine, and I can’t wait to see how she does on this new comedy. Mullally said: “I’m so excited to be joining “Party Down,” one of my favorite TV shows. I am a big fan of the series and really thrilled to have an opportunity to work with such a terrific cast and talented group of writers.”

I cannot wait for the new season to start!

Season 1, Episode 2 “California College Conservative Union Caucus”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsPjbZs5IPw&hl=en&fs=1&]

Season 1, Episode 3 “Pepper McMasters Singles Seminar”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkIAB0qpvw8&hl=en&fs=1&]

Season 1, Episode 6, Taylor Stiltskin Sweet 16

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

Season 1, Episode 7 “Brandix Corporate Retreat”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzSCvzVmh40&hl=en&fs=1&]

What are your favorite Party Down moments? I promise a bigger feature soon, because this show really deserves so much praise and success! You can watch it on Netflix instant, and it is also still playing in reruns on Starz. Check it out before it comes back if you haven’t already! I can guarantee it will make you laugh…a lot.

Jane Lynch won’t be returning to the second season of Starz comedy “Party Down” because of her commitment to Fox fall series “Glee,” the actress told Daily Variety.

Starz had hoped that schedules could be coordinated to accommodate the busy actress, but efforts fell short.

“It looks like I can’t do the second season,” Lynch said. “So I’m not happy about that all … but I’m in ‘Glee,’ so I’m thrilled about that.”

Lynch described “Party Down” as “a blessed event.”

Maybe we can hope for a guest appearance or cross our fingers for season 3. She is great in Glee even though she will be missed! I will be posting some favorite Party Down moments later!

For my first post, I thought it would be appropriate to write about the shows I am watching (and lovin’) this summer. While I may not have caught up with “Wipeout” or “I Survived A Japanese Gameshow” there are many other shows that have my full attention.

Make It Or Break It: Mondays, 9pm on ABC Family: Full disclosure here, I love gymnastics and would probably love this show even if it was truly terrible. But it’s not! I think it provides an entertaining look at elite gymnastics, with interesting story lines and snappy dialogue. As long as they keep flipping, I’ll keep watching.

Army Wives: Sundays, 10pm on Lifetime: Back for its third triumphant season, Army Wives is better than ever. Even Roland, the army husband, is given his due. I think the premise is incredibly strong, and the actors convey (what I imagine to be) a realistic portrayal of life on the base. And I don’t mind looking at Trevor LeBlanc (Drew Fuller) for an hour each week!

The Closer: Mondays, TNT, 9pm: The Closer is the top-rated (ad supported) cable show on television, and for good reason. Brenda Lee Johnson (played by the charming Kyra Sedgwick) leads a team of hilarious (but great-at-their jobs) detectives, as she closes cases (get it, the title of the show…). My favorite continuing storyline: the obvious sexual tension between Assistant Police Chief Pope (the wonderful JK Simmons) and Deputy Chief Johnson. And of course, who doesn’t love Flynn and Provenza?

Secret Life of The American Teenager: Mondays, ABC Family, 8 pm: What I thought might be an outlandish look at a teen pregnancy, has really proven itself to be just the opposite. It may have some of those moments but in it’s 2nd season, Secret Life (for short) is as good as a lot of teen shows get these days. I may not be in ABC Family’s target demographic, but I do enjoy the drama that centers around a group of friends, and their families.

Top Chef Masters: Wednesdays, Bravo, 10pm: I’m a big fan of the regular Top Chef, but was pretty skeptical about this offshoot. Where’s Padma? Why aren’t there the same contestants week-to-week? Stop confusing me Bravo! But, all that aside, it has exceeded my expectations. The chefs are real masters and it’s fun to drool over their creations. I encourage more shows like this in the future.

“It turned colder that’s where it ends…” or shows I wish hadn’t ended so soon:

Party Down: Starz network: I plan on writing a bigger feature on this show, but Rob Thomas captured my heart again. And he does so in extreme fashion with every episode (or just about) featuring a cameo from Veronica Mars. He had me laughing (and crying from laughter, and awkward moments) at Ken Marino’s antics as the head of Party Down, a Hollywood catering company. Lizzy Caplan, Adam Scott, and Ryan Hansen round out the cast, all playing actors or former actors with their own issues. And Jane Lynch adds hilarity to the party as well. Get it, party?!

In Treatment: HBO: I realize that this show didn’t extend into the summer, but Dr. Paul Weston (played by the sexy blue eyed Gabriel Byrne) was back for a 2nd season with all new patients. This show is one of the most unique on television, in that it makes you feel like you are going through therapy with each patient. If you can handle some self discovery each week, I know you are waiting with baited breath for the 3rd season like I am.

So tell me, what are you watching?? What should I watch? I want to check out Hung, and I definitely plan on catching up with True Blood once I finish the books (which I highly recommend if you are a fan of vampire lovin’). There are also some new ABC Family shows coming our way that I plan to check out as well.

Show me some comment love!