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.

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.