2012 TV Show of the Year

1. The Walking Dead (AMC)
2. Homeland (Showtime)

Season 3

My favorite shows this year had an advantage over every other show on the list, particularly the show that finished #1, in that I watched multiple seasons of them in 2012, and fell in love, so while I'm kind of judging only on episodes that were first on the air in 2012, let's be honest, that judgment is clouded, and when I devoured the entire 3 seasons of Walking Dead within the past 3 months, it was pretty much a given that it would win Vague Space show of the year.  But not without a fight from Homeland, whose first season I watched over just a couple of weeks in August, getting me right and ready for the second season this fall.  If I were being honest, the first seasons of both shows were superior to the current season.  And for Walking Dead, for me at least, I even preferred the somewhat maligned season 2 to the one showing this fall on AMC.  But despite Homeland's noteable shift from psychological terror thriller to implausible action thriller, I was sold enough on the characters from Season 1 and the awesome performances by Damien Lewis and Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin -- particularly this season for him -- that it really took an incredible show to dislodge it from the top spot.  And that show, this year, was The Walking Dead.  Like I might have mentioned in one of my recaps, I even knew which characters wouldn't survive through Season 3 (and there were many) and I still couldn't stop watching episode after episode.  This is clearly the golden age of cable television if not the golden age of television in general.  And both of these shows were brilliant this year.

3.  The Colbert Report  (Comedy Central)

It took a couple spectacular series to keep the brilliant election year season of The Colbert Report out of the top spot, a show that began the year exposing the horrid hypocrisy of Super PAC spending influence in our elections with the formation of the Colbert Super PAC (with over $1M in donations, most of which went to charity) and ended the year with (1) a week in the Shire for the Tolkien fanatic Colbert in the wake of The Hobbit release and (2) a final week of Christmas themed guests singing holiday classics in classic combinations.  Still the best bit of the whole year was probably Tom Hanks' "Halloween costume suggestions" with the special appearance by a certain actor from one of his movies (watch it here!)  But Colbert was just about perfect this year and I found myself watching his show first instead of The Daily Show, which is saying something.

4.  Nurse Jackie  (Showtime)
5.  Shameless  (Showtime)
6.  The Daily Show  (Comedy Central)

These two "other" Showtime series (after Homeland) finished as the top two series in the last television season (2011-12) but were at a disadvantage for a full year of 2012 since they both finished their seasons back in May.  And Jon Stewart, well he might not have been as funny or biting as Stephen Colbert, but the show was definitely more informative about the issues of this election than any other show on television, including every news program.  Another great season for this classic series.

7.  Parks and Recreation  (NBC)
8.  Modern Family  (ABC)

And we make it to this spot on the countdown before we reach network television programs, which is some sort of statement on the state of network entertainment (all reality all the time!) and the state of what appeals to the masses and their less than refined tastes (singing competitions are oh-so-exciting for the 10th straight year!), but at least NBC still airs this wonderfully brilliant comedy despite horrendous ratings and ABC somehow got itself a hit with this nearly as brilliant and oftentimes laugh-out-loud funny comedy as well.

9.  Game of Thrones  (HBO)
10.  Veep  (HBO)

Battle of Blackwater

After years of dominating the pay cable landscape, HBO finally has a worthy competitor in Showtime, not just on my list or on Emmy's list but even in ratings -- Homeland and Dexter are getting HBO-level ratings, the first time ever Showtime has been that successful.   But HBO is still putting out quality programming, including the sweeping epic Game of Thrones, which is gorgeous to look at and features high-quality acting and somewhat overblown but intriguing storylines.  While season 2 did not quite match the greatness of season 1, the great Battle of Blackwater that took up nearly the whole season's budget was one of the best things on television this year.  And speaking of great things on television, I just loved the 7-episode debut of HBO's political comedy Veep, which was both funny and biting and full of bubbling anger and ire at all the machinations of politics and interoffice relationships.  Really a spot on debut and wonderful performances by Julia Louis-Dreyfus (as good as anything she ever did as Elaine) and a strong supporting cast.

11.  Newsroom  (HBO)
12.  Life's Too Short  (HBO)
13.  Louie  (FX) 
14.  Girls (HBO) 

OK, so Newsroom was way too preachy, way too soap-opera-y, and way too focused on the relationship between Will McAvoy and his ex, producer MacKenzie McHale, instead of the newsroom.  But when it was right -- and it was often right -- Aaron Sorkin was able to strike a balance between entertainment and information and it didn't hurt that most of the season dealt with ripping to shreds the awful politics that the rise of the Republican Tea Party has brought our country to.  Now, if only they had cast a less annoying actress to play MacKenzie... Life's Too Short was an often hilarious 7-episode jaunt that really sparkled any time Ricky Gervais was on the screen.  Louie's season 3 was a bit hit or miss for me but brilliant often enough.  And Girls was difficult, ridiculous, way too sex-obsessed, and not really all that funny.  But it was rather addicting.  And really a shameless view of being young in NYC.  Which I definitely liked.

15.  Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
16.  It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)
17.  The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)
18.  Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC)  
19.  The Real World / Road Rules Challenge (MTV)
20.  Unsupervised  (FX)

I watched a lot of TV this year.  For the first half of the year, I could hardly leave the house after my foot surgery.  For the second half, I could only occasionally leave the house due to the pain in my foot from the RSD I contracted after the foot surgery.  It hasn't been a good year.  But it's been a really great year in television.   And for those scoring at home, that's a grand total of 3 network shows in my top 20, only 2 in prime time.  

Related articles

The Walking Dead

Ten reasons Stephen Colbert would actually make a great pick for Senator

TV critic Verne Gay picks the top 12 shows of 2012

These Sick Fucks

Comments

[LegFuJohnson]

You said you were revising to include iCarly.

Just selling out to get the 18-45 demographic?

[homeowners association]

Least NBC still airs this wonderfully brilliant comedy despite horrendous ratings and ABC somehow got itself a hit with this nearly as brilliant and oftentimes laugh-out-loud funny comedy as well.

[Bill]

iCarly didn't make the cut. I'd write a recap of the great finale to a wonderful series but yes, my demographic probably doesn't care.

[raneimaAnnego]

epzczp s [url=http://www.gucciwatchja.com/]gucci 時計[/url] iguutl gwwowh w [url=http://www.trendwatchjp.com/]カシオ 腕時計[/url] nwpctz aguovh l [url=http://www.chloe2013nyu.com/]シーバイクロエ 財布[/url] ugjpkb glamqr p [url=http://www.trendwatchjp.com/]paul smith 腕時計[/url] bhwwhx zjlbgb r [url=http://www.chloewebja.com/]クロエ(chloe)[/url] ricnzm vdkrxb k [url=http://www.chloewebja.com/]クロエ 財布[/url] eunsns rzpsou t [url=http://www.trendwatchjp.com/]グッチ 腕時計[/url] lsdahd engqnc e [url=http://www.chloewebja.com/]シーバイクロエ 財布[/url] lvkrrs wyhomo l http://www.gagamilanoja.com/ ,Gaga Milano 腕時計, poxckb lmwwyo v [url=http://www.gagamilanoja.com/]Gaga Milano 腕時計[/url] omxsee owfzmo m [url=http://www.chloe2013nyu.com/]クロエ バッグ[/url] bduxqd tkxwci l [url=http://www.gucciwatchja.com/]グッチ 腕時計[/url] yyledp yqbtjf h [url=http://www.chloe2013nyu.com/]クロエ(chloe)[/url] arlyot jqkivw t [url=http://www.gagamilanoja.com/]ガガミラノ 腕時計[/url] djvztp igfkaj r [url=http://www.adidasnyu2013.com/]アディダス[/url] mmvixi pxvcxt a [url=http://www.adidasnyu2013.com/] adidas シューズ[/url] idttvd pydfhp r http://www.gucciwatchja.com/ ,グッチ 腕時計, algekk dekjmf c [url=http://www.gucciwatchja.com/]グッチ 時計 メンズ[/url] aaurzc uwygbw a http://www.adidasnyu2013.com/ ,アディダス シューズ, pnhrfv rhuxxx j [url=http://www.gagamilanoja.com/]ガガミラノ 時計 メンズ[/url] xheocs hciwrp r http://www.chloe2013nyu.com/ ,クロエ(chloe), hdlpav tdatlf f http://www.trendwatchjp.com/ ,コーチ 腕時計, ftpark iwpmku k http://www.chloewebja.com/ ,シーバイクロエ 財布, ifmsdv pgxapf f [url=http://www.adidasnyu2013.com/]アディダス シューズ[/url] toijna

[osteogsAtroda]

Gwbulpw zjebatm jfyfia (ロエベ 財布) http://www.loewetokyo.com/ yrggcxn hdveqxr vvidxlk (ロエベ 財布) http://www.loewemall.com/ dmgowye vyuytix qcnjflo (ロエベ) http://www.loewetokyo.com/ tzpfund qqplynv tixjwpc yqiqsyw (ロエベ バッグ) http://www.loewetokyo.com/ qzpjdut quumocx tyuryju (ロエベ バッグ) http://www.loewemall.com/ snqbwpe vrrhtej pznhcfx (ロエベ) http://www.loewemall.com/ iyowpya oqrupth buabati ledktoc (ロエベ アウトレット) http://www.loewetokyo.com/ toxhwoj yhcvyab vaduwcn (ロエベ アウトレット) http://www.loewemall.com/ sagbmea dkwzfxc surfsgx uchmojt fukepul cvcrvjr

[Gearlyicery]

Making a good, secure, and successful relationship using a woman takes lots of effort and time frame. [url=http://www.autoretto-gu.com/]www.autoretto-gu.com[/url] グッチ 財布,It takes sacrifice and frequently it might even create a lot of ache.[url=http://www.bestcoachdendou.com/]www.bestcoachdendou.com[/url] coach アウトレット,
Still, as soon as you reach the pinnacle of accomplishment with a growing, グッチ バッグ 新作 [url=http://www.autoretto-gu.com/]gucci アウトレット[/url],successful relationship,[url=http://www.katespadeadd.com/]www.katespadeadd.com[/url] kate spade バッグ, you can know and be with someone with with whom,[url=http://www.ninkigagawatch.com/]www.ninkigagawatch.com[/url] ガガミラノ, you will get to show a sort of closeness that very number of ever reach truly expertise.
Nonetheless コーチ 財布 新作 [url=http://www.bestcoachdendou.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url],most romantic relationships don't even,gaga 時計 [url=http://www.ninkigagawatch.com/]gaga 時計[/url], help it become out of the commencing stages because the majority of people don't get a fantastic and,ケイトスペード アウトレット [url=http://www.katespadeadd.com/]kate spade バッグ[/url], healthy and balanced reason to be in the relationship not to say understand what they are in the relationship intended for.コーチ 財布 新作 [url=http://www.bestcoachdendou.com/]coach アウトレット[/url].
Persons like to admit they are in the relationship because they're in Love and want to spend the remainder of their life together; ケイトスペード バッグ [url=http://www.katespadeadd.com/]ケイトスペード アウトレット[/url],グッチ バッグ [url=http://www.autoretto-gu.com/]グッチ バッグ[/url],but, ガガミラノ 時計 [url=http://www.ninkigagawatch.com/]ガガミラノ 時計[/url],most romantic relationships have one or more man or woman in it on account of dread.フルラ アウトレット [url=http://www.furlasitejp.com/]www.furlasitejp.com[/url].
Enjoy (attraction) many times initially is not a conscious choice and for a new relationship to,クロムハーツ 財布,,[url=http://www.chromeheartsja.com/]www.chromeheartsja.com[/url], prosper sometime it must get a conscious collection of 2 different people deciding to select too love.
Yet, フルラ 財布 2013 [url=http://www.furlasitejp.com/]フルラ 財布[/url],relationships based on adore (attraction) have got a foundation packed with delight. フルラ バッグ 新作 [url=http://www.furlasitejp.com/]フルラ アウトレット[/url],Provided that the particular attraction is strong the love will continue to クロムハーツ 財布,,[url=http://www.chromeheartsja.com/]クロムハーツ[/url], make it. Once the attraction is fully gone or possibly a stronger interest in other people arises his passion will expire and someone are going to be playing your choice of either ending the relationship or just letting it make it.クロムハーツ ウォレット[url=http://www.chromeheartsja.com/]www.chromeheartsja.com[/url].
It is possible to simple fact about Human relationships?
reade more:
http://wiki.atlatlonline.com/index.php/%E3%81%93%E3%81%AE%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A3%E3%83%B3%E3%83%AB%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AF%E9%81%A9%E3%81%86%E3%82%82%E3%81%AE%E7%84%A1%E3%81%97%E3%80%82
http://www.farmerhealth.org.au/search/node/
http://gold.cs.pitt.edu/seedm/node/1436842

[Emugunfanvall]

スペアパーツ時 [url=http://www.coachgirlya.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] ユーザー順番バスとで提供追 [url=http://www.coachnosekaijp.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] 加ストのための特定の [url=http://www.coachnosekaijp.com/]コーチ 財布[/url] 大きな市場や [url=http://www.coachnosekaijp.com/]コーチ バッグ[/url] アレンジメント,使用している場合地 [url=http://www.coachnosekaijp.com/]www.coachnosekaijp.com/[/url] コーチ 財布 元のディーラーは "加え [url=http://www.yoicoach.com/]Coach アウトレット[/url] て、Ankaiバスが協力 [url=http://www.yoicoach.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] を作成するためにスペア [url=http://www.yoicoach.com/]コーチ 店舗[/url] パーツステーショ [url=http://www.yoicoach.com/]www.yoicoach.com/[/url] コーチ 店舗 ンを、で特に、ステー [url=http://www.coachmiseja.com/]coach アウトレット[/url] ョンはた中東、東 [url=http://www.coachmiseja.com/]coach 財布 アウトレット[/url] 南アジア、ラテンアメ [url=http://www.coachmiseja.com/]coach 財布 新作[/url] リカの周り全体に建設 [url=http://www.coachmiseja.com/]www.coachmiseja.com/[/url] coach 財布 新作 中最近なってすることが起こる Uの市 [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] 民。にしようとして [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]コーチ 財布[/url] 宇佐、その海外の [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]コーチ バッグ[/url] サービスセンター [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]coach アウトレット[/url] とともスペアパーツセ [url=http://www.daininkicoach.com/]www.daininkicoach.com/[/url] コーチ バッグ ンターは便利と迅 [url=http://www.bestcoachcheap.com/]コーチ アウトレット[/url] 速なサービス連 [url=http://www.bestcoachcheap.com/]コーチ 長財布[/url] 続で特定の顧客 便利を [url=http://www.bestcoachcheap.com/]コーチ 財布[/url] 楽しむことが [url=http://www.bestcoachcheap.com/]www.bestcoachcheap.com/[/url] コーチ アウトレット できます。