Best Shows of 2011

Since the year comes to a close today, I figured I would make my picks for the 10 best shows of 2011.  I also made a list of the top 6 new shows of 2011 (I wanted to pick my top 5, but couldn't decide between the last two, so I included them both). 

Top 6 New Shows:

6. Pan Am- Yes, this show is borderline canceled, and as of right now it only has 5 more episodes and then it awaits its fate as to weather it will be renewed for a second season.  This show's biggest downfall is that it airs on Sundays at 10pm.  People watch football live, and if you look at the DVR ratings, this show does pretty well since a lot of viewers record it.  I hope that the few episodes that air after the football season is over will show growth in their numbers so that it can have another chance.  On a sidenote: all of the episodes are currently free on iTunes! 

5. New Girl- Before this show came on, I for some reason couldn't stand Zooey Deschanel.  I now find her the most adorable character on TV.  Max Greenfield who plays Schmidt is the highlight of the show, and never fails to make me crack up.

4. Revenge- This is the best prime time soap opera to ever exist.  Emily Thorne has the most twisted mind, and Madeline Stowe is terrific in playing the ice queen Victoria Grayson.  I am always fascinated by the way Emily takes down her victims, so I am looking forward to more revenge in the new year.

3. American Horror Story- There is nothing else on TV like this show.  I have no idea how Ryan Murphy could have came up with such an idea, but I am always impressed with the storytelling.  I love horror films, and this show actually scares me.  More than other shows, this is one that I absolutely have to watch live. 

2. Game of Thrones- If a show is bold enough to spend all of its money advertising an actor in the lead spot, only to kill off said character, they have my attention.  The supporting cast is what makes this show, Emila Clarke is probably the most bad ass woman on cable, and Peter Dinklage well deserved his Emmy win.  I cannot wait to see the battles for the throne next season.  Winter is Coming.

1. Homeland- I never watched the show 24, but a lot of people compare this to that, but ten times better.  It is hands down the best acting on TV.  The storyline is incredible and you will constantly question who is a terrorist and who is good.  At times, you may even be routing for the terrorists.  I have never been more intrigued by a show week after week, as not one episode was flawed. 


Top 10 Best Shows of 2011:

10. Chelsea Lately/After Lately- I know, a news show technically should not be included in all of these scripted shows, but I am so in love with her and all of her writers and guests.  I find everyone on the show hysterical, and After Lately, although terribly scripted, is actually funny. Chelsea entertains me 5 nights a week, and also in between through all of her writer's twitter feeds. 

9. How I Met Your Mother- In the beginning of 2011, I thought that HIMYM was losing its focus.  The episodes were becoming too emotional and I was almost just wanting Ted to find the mom just to get it over with.  The beginning of the fall season however, I fell in love with the show all over again.  It could be because it has become very Barney-focused, and whenever Barney and Robin are in a scene together, I am hooked. 

8. Revenge- See Above.  It's just awesome.

7. The Walking Dead- A lot of people who watch this show are disappointed with the second season so far.  I personally love it.  Yes, it is significantly slower than the first season, but the slow storytelling just means that the show can go on longer.  We also are seeing more character development which means once a character gets killed off, it will have more of a shock factor.  I do think it is time for them to leave the barn, as I am sure they will do now.  The last ten minutes of the mid-season finale were phenomenal, especially Shane's monologue. 

6. The Good Wife- This current fall season of The Good Wife, although great, has its ups and downs for me.  I more so put this as my sixth pick because of last spring.  Last season had the best story lines and the best acting.  The final few episodes alone, with the twist of the Kalinda-Alicia fight, and Alicia finally moving out, were the best of all episodes to date.  And who can ever forget that elevator scene with Will and Alicia? 

5. Parks & Recreation- The key to a great show in my opinion is if you love every character.  There is not one person on this show I dislike.  It has a perfect blend of comedy, while filled with pop culture references.  Plus, it has Ron Swanson, enough said.

4. American Horror Story- See Above.  Hopefully this will be able to make my list again next year, although the idea of a complete change of direction scares me. 

3. Game of Thrones- See Above.  The only downside is that a few episodes had some dull moments.  Hopefully HBO can work out those kinks in the next season, and create a more even line of storytelling.

2. Community- This is consistently called the funniest show on TV by a lot of TV critics, yet it never receives any recognition through nominations, and even NBC has yet to find a time slot for it in their spring lineup.  The show has a huge twitter movement that started when the show became borderline canceled, and even won TV Guide's fan favorite contest.  Last spring, Community had an epic two-episode paintball finale, and this fall had several standout episodes.  Remedial Chaos Theory, in which the gang replayed 6 different timelines, was in my opinion the best episode to date.  The Christmas episode in which the gang all became part of glee club was also one I watched several times.  Please save this show NBC!!

1. Homeland- See Above.  I know a lot of people probably never even heard of this show, but you need to go and watch it right now. 

I usually pick my favorite shows by the ones I am most excited to watch each week.  I did not include any of my CW shows because I do realize that they are not actual "great" shows, just ones that are my guilty pleasure to watch.  A lot of my favorite shows this year are actually new shows, as this fall season was packed full of great new titles.  There are a few new ones planned for this spring, so I am sure next years list will also include a lot of new names.