My Top 5 TV Shows of 2011

Since most shows have wrapped up for the holiday hiatus already, I figured why not get a jump of the top ten lists?  Mind you, I’ll only be doing 5 since my TV viewing has dropped a lot, since I don’t have AMC or Showcase and the Networks have decided to start going with garbage sitcoms again like Whitney and Two Broke Girls.  However, there are still a few gems out there.

5. Modern Family

Modern Family is one of the most popular comedies on the air right now because its just really funny. It has some great comedic characters who interact well, and it has some great moments like the marketing van and the flash mob.
With that said, this show is certainly not without its flaws, as the humour appears to be getting more broad and the jokes are often very contrived. As this trend continues, I have a feeling Modern Family may start to fall off my radar.

4. The Office

I have to give a shout out to The Office still, even though it is in its waning years. But this year we had the very interesting and exciting build up and aftermath of Michael leaving the office. I also think they made a good decision to make Andy the new boss. Also, Dwight seems to be getting better and better lately. In the middle of the series’ run, Dwight was getting far too ridiculous and overused, but now he seems to have hit his stride once again.
But lately, and especially with this latest Christmas episode, I’ve been realizing how much I’ve been missing Michael Scott.

3. How I Met Your Mother

Even though this show is in its 7th season, I never really watched it other than the occasional episode here and there. It was never a show I got into. But over the past few months, the show has been in syndication a lot, which has introduced me to this wonderful show. Its funny, sweet, and inventive, and the characters are surprisingly easy to connect with after a short while. Too bad its stuck with that stupid laugh track.

2. Community

Community is the funniest show on TV hands down. However I have to admit that I hardly ever get to watch it. Why? Because its on the same time as Big Bang Theory, and, well, I don’t have any choice in what to watch at that time. And no, I still don’t have a DVR. But when I do catch Community, man do I laugh. Its so outrageously quirky and has some truly bizarre plots, like a secret air conditioner repairman society and even a zombie halloween episode.
Community is the new Arrested Development with its imaginative and inventive humour. Unfortunately, like Arrested Development, its future appears to be uncertain.

1. A Game of Thrones

I have a feeling that this will top many peoples’ lists this year. A Game of Thrones ended up becoming a monster hit for HBO, and people who I would never have expected to like it became addicted. And many of my friends who were strangers to the novels (despite my constant recommendations) have now read all 5 books.
Being a huge fan of the Song of Ice and Fire books, I was anticipating this series for a long time, but I was also skeptical, remembering the adaptation of Terry Goodkind’s fantasy series with the horrible Legend of the Seeker the year before. But my fears were assuaged within watching the first two minutes. This is a fantasy world taken seriously by everyone involved. The characters are deep and rich, the locations are fantastic, and everything just seems to click. I love this show.