Top Shows of 2012

It's the end of the year, so I will once again make my list for my picks of the top shows of 2012.  Making this list was very difficult, considering I watch just shy of 50 different television shows, and to narrow it down to just 10 took many, many edits. I have also made a list of the top 5 new shows of the year, which was not as difficult considering the selection of this year's new quality TV was slim compared to last year.

Warning: Mild Spoilers

Top 5 Best New Shows of 2012

5. Ben and Kate
-This adorable comedy about a brother and sister relationship has moments where I am crying because I laugh so hard. Nat Faxon is hysterical, and I cannot believe it took him this long to have his own show. The little girl, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, is ones of the cutest kids I have ever seen.  Plus, the sibling relationship reminds me of my own relationship with my brother, so I think it adds to its comedy.

4. Girls
-This HBO comedy has been an complete hit with critics, and has been recognized by both the Academy and the HFPA. Series creator and star Lena Dunham isn't afraid to showcase what is real about young single women. It's like Sex and the City, but more edgy.

3. Don't Trust the B**** in Apartment 23
-Krysten Ritter is one of those girls who is so funny without even trying. Her chemistry with Dreama Walker is spot on, and the main stars of the show are not even its leads. The real star is James Van Der Beek, who plays an outlandish version of himself. If you grew up loving Dawson's Creek, do yourself a favor and watch this show.

2. The Newsroom
-Easily the best written Drama on television, and Jeff Daniels is one of the strongest Lead Actors. From covering the BP oil spill, to Bin Laden's capture, to the election, the writing is so strong that is has me laughing and crying each week. I even personally enjoy the love stories that go along with it. The show was created by Aaron Sorkin, so would you expect anything but success?

1. Nashville
-From the pilot episode, this show became my new obsession. I cannot wait to buy the soundtrack to this show, considering all of its songs are original and have great potential to become Country hits. Connie Britton is an incredible actress and her rival, Hayden Panettiere is in a role that perfectly suits her. I also love the political backstory. Everything about the show makes you yearn for the next episode.


Top 10 Shows of 2012

10. Game of Thrones
-This show had the single best episode of any show all year. The "Blackwater" episode was written by the author of the books and was the best fight/battle scene I have ever scene. Add that to a decently steady season, and the show deserves to make a top ten list.

9. The Walking Dead
-Most fans would agree that this season of TWD is its strongest. I will agree with those fans. The show's ability to kill off its lead characters left and right makes you love and hate the writers at the same time. The show is not afraid to take risks, which is why it is so successful. The only reason it is not ranked higher is because of the stupid Andrea and The Governor story line.

8. Sons of Anarchy
-I just started watching SOA this season, and I became very involved, very quickly. I didn't even have an attachment to certain characters and I found myself loving and hating them as though I had been a fan from the beginning. I applaud the creator, Kurt Sutter, for taking a risk killing off a fan favorite out of the blue, as well as for showing the single most disturbing image I have ever seen on television (Otto ripping out his own tongue...you all were horrified too right?)

7. Parks and Recreation
-I personally don't think the current season of P&R is its best (minus the engagement!), but I am putting them on the Top 10 because of the episodes last spring, which was some of the best comedy on TV.  The election  episodes were very well written, and Paul Rudd made a perfect addition to the cast. Plus, the cast is the most collectively funny group of actors on television today.

6. Community
-If you know me well, or follow me on Twitter, you know how much I obsess over this show. Everything about it is hysterical and the only reason I am not putting it at number one is because there have not been any new episodes since May.  Also, I am still holding a grudge that Dan Harmon, its creator, was fired. Please NBC, save this show.

5. The Newsroom
-See above.

4. Nashville
-See above.

3. Dexter
-Call it the comeback story of the year. The show had two disappointing seasons and then came back with arguably its best season yet.  I cannot even count the times I was at the edge of my seat and shaking with suspense. And how about that ending?

2. Happy Endings
-Most people have probably never even heard of this show, and shame on you if you haven't.  The writing is fantastic, and there are constantly amazing (or should I say Ah-Mah-Zing) one-liners. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.

1. Homeland
-Two years in a row this has been my number one. There is a reason this show is winning all the awards and that is because it is consistently excellent each week. There are more twists and turns in a single episode than most shows have in a whole season. Claire Danes and Damien Lewis are both top-notch actors and have amazing chemistry that makes the show that much better.

Honorable mentions: Don't Trust the B**** in Apt. 23, Girls, 30 Rock, The Voice, and American Horror Story.

*It is also important to add that I am not completely caught up with the past year of Louie and Breaking Bad, which are two shows that most critics have within their top 10.