Best shows of 2011

7. Fringe

Let’s be honest here — I would watch Josh Jackson eat spaghetti for an hour a week. But watching him on Fringe is even better. What began as an X-Files-type, serialized, Sci-fi crime fighting show, has turned into a lot more. Its main romance has you on the edge of your seat not because of the typical will-they-or-won’t-they push and pull, but a much more intriguing can-they-or-can’t-they. But the more interesting love story here is between a father and his son. Seeing the always impressive John Noble (LOTR shout-out!) do his thing as Walter, a bereaved, mentally unstable (but fiercely protective) father, leaves you nothing short of breathless. And this year, Fringe did something amazing. It played out an alternate universe storyline in such a way that made us forget about the over-trodden premise and concentrate on the moral and emotional implications of its storyline. Plus 100 points for introducing the term “Walternate” into my repertoire.

 

8. Friday Night Lights

It’s not easy to deliver on the promise that comes with seasons of some of the most solid work ever to grace our TV sets. But FNL (perhaps the only show on TV to be given the greenlight season after season based solely upon the quality of its content rather than the fans that it can bring) managed to do just that. This season saw the action move into East Dillon, as Coach Taylor had to wrestle with a less-storied program, a less-trained group of kids and all of the personal drama that career upheaval brings. We also got to see the stalwart go through something that every high school show dreads — bringing in a crop of new students — and come out better than ever on the other side. Throughout, the show never strayed from its roots: We got to see what happens to real (good) people when life simply gets in the way.

 

9. Modern Family

The Pritchett family is a return to classic television form. For years, the only comedies about home life that received ratings or critical success were quirky or sardonic or just plain weird. But Modern Family is unabashedly genuine. Its extended family, while representative of the kind of blending that’s become the norm in the 21^st century, is wholesome and dedicated to one another. And its that dedication that pays off: There’s really is something to be said for a show that you can sit down and watch with the whole family.

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#17 Dexter

A glipse into the darkest of human instincts often gives way to some of the most tender moments on television. Dexter, for all of his meticulous chop-and-Shopvac ways, is a conflicted family man struggling with the same devil on his shoulder that we all do. His just tells him to wrap people in plastic and murder them.

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#46— Brooklyn Bridge

Perhaps the most influential piece of pop culture in terms of my desire to move to New York, this CBS gem from the early ’90s followed a multi-generational Jewish family living just over the Bridge. Even as a kid I loved the themes of change and progress as expressed through the cultural clash of the city and the times. My Daddy also really loved this show, I’m sure because it reminded him of his own youth. I’m bet, given its nostalgic tone, I’d feel the same today.

10.    The Pacific:

HBO’s Eastern answer to the unquantifiably good Band of  Brothers, this miniseries delivered the goods in every way that its predecessor did — and made us realize just how desperate the situation in the Pacific really was. It also marked star turns for some of the best under-used actors of our time. James Badge Dale (later seen in AMC’s Rubicon) was restrained and thoughtful as highly-affected writer Robert Lackie. (And Caroline Dhavernas as the girl back home he always wanted to be with almost stole the whole show for me). Joseph Mazello made his big return to film (so nice of godfather Stephen Spielberg to let us all see us again) and worked well as the heart of the piece — a physically and emotionally weak boy whose experiences in battle steel his spirit to a point of no return. But the real star of the show here was Rami Malek (also a high point in this year’s final season of 24, and set to get his big break in the upcoming Twilight movie). As PFC Snafu, he was a shit-talking, emotionally restrained dick — the sort of guy girls fall in love with knowing full well they’re going to get their heart broken in a few weeks. But even  for men like this, no matter how much they try to hide it, war changes them, warps their hearts. And I can imagine very few people portraying that as well as Malek did.

11.    United States of Tara:

I know that this show is past its buzz years. I know that some might say that after this many seasons, the premise lends itself to being hokey and shark-jumping in every storyline. But despite all of these minefields I think that Diablo Cody’s brainchild hit a stride this year. Tara, for the first time, started to really tackle why her personality spilt in the first place. And, like any discovery worth finding out at all, it came with its pitfalls. Her other personalities start coming through full-force, despite the meds she’s on the contain them, and the first real fracture in her relationship with husband Max begins to appear. Add to that a mystery from her past that’s ignited by a creepy house next door (why does Tara hate basements after all these years?), excellent supporting work by the effervescent Rosemarie DeWitt and Emmy-worthy Keir Gilchrist, and the decidedly relatable storyline of a family at a crossroads, and you get one of the most interesting and well-executed shows of the year.

12.    NBC’s Thursday Night Comedy Lineup:

OK, so I know that this is a total copout, but I couldn’t pick just one and I felt weird filling the whole list with comedies. With the exception of Outsourced (OMG! It’s funny because their cultures are different!!1), this block is pretty solid. 30 Rock’s meta take on television production has made smart-funny cool again. The Office, preparing for Steve Carrell’s departure at the end of the season, has hit its stride after a few lackluster seasons — and allowed secondary characters to really shine (Andy for Office Manager!). Community is quite simply one of the best things to come out in a good, long while. It’s fresh and original without being indie pretentious, and Troy and Abed (in the mooooorning!) are possibly my favorite friends on television. And Parks and Recreation, the Office-off-shoot-that-could has really come into its own. With the addition of characters like Adam Scott’s bitter (but secretly sweet) government assessor and Rob Lowe’s too-perfect-to-be-true boss, as well as shining moments for everyone’s favorite Libertarian mustache (aka Ron Swanson), Chris Pratt’s doofy-but-loveable Andy and the most likeable woman on television, Leslie Knope, this show just keeps hitting out of the park. (Get it?! Park!!!!)