There have been times, compiling my annual 10 Best list of TV series, that I've had to be very generous just to fill out the roster. Not this year. For 2007, I could double that amount, and still leave some worthy shows waiting in the wings.
Think that's an exaggeration, or that I've gone soft? Just watch. Here, on the last day of the year, are my Top 10 prime-time TV series for 2007:
10 BEST:
1) "30 Rock," NBC
2) "Friday Night Lights," NBC
3) "Dexter," Showtime
4) "Lost," ABC
5) "Heroes," NBC
6) "Nip/Tuck," FX
7) "Pushing Daisies," ABC
8) "Sopranos," HBO
9) "Mad Men," AMC
10) "Damages," FX
Now here are my NEXT 10. Tell me if that doesn't seem like a damned good Top 10 list all by itself...
"Extras," HBO
"The Simpsons," Fox
"Boston Legal," ABC
"The Shield," FX
"Desperate Housewives," ABC
"Entourage," HBO
"Flight of the Conchords," HBO
"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," NBC
"Rescue Me," FX
"The Riches," FX
This doesn't even account for late-night comedy shows or programs from other dayparts - just prime time. Look at that list, and it becomes clear that, for TV, 2007 was a very strong vintage. These shows are delightfully diverse, but I can't help noticing they have one thing in common.
They're all scripted.