2010 Faves: 10 Shows We Love
2010 Faves
10 Shows We Love
10) The Simpsons
An institution, Matt Groenig’s animated take on American family life is still consistently hilarious.
9) Community
Community came strong out of the gate and continued its winning formula
of genre-destroying sitcommery in 2010. Originally a vehicle for Joel
McHale, the rest of the cast has broken through to make it an ensemble
show, especially Troy and Abed. The cast and writing are funny enough,
but high-concept Halloween and Christmas episodes have kept things
fresh.
8) Louie
Louis C.K. learned much from his first failure, HBO’s Lucky Louie. A live family sitcom was a nice idea, but it really wasn’t very good. This time around, C.K. managed to get complete creative control from F/X and produce one of the most unique and original half hours in recent memory. Built around his stand-up, but never feeling like Seinfeld, C.K.’s world can be surreal or realistic, but wherever he goes with it, it’s always true, sincere, and extremely funny, whether it’s a trip to the doctor, destroying a heckler, or unpacking his extremely complicated relationships with God, his mother, or his children.
7) An Idiot Abroad
Ricky Gervais ((The Office (UK), Extras)) is one of the most creative and original voices in comedy. His latest project turns the traditional travel show on its ear by sending a lovable buffoon, Karl Pilkington (the same one Gervais and writing partner Stephen Merchant ridiculed in their popular podcast series) into potentially dangerous situations in remote locations. It’s hilarious, but it also offers compelling views at beautiful wonders like Petra and the Great Wall of China.
6) True Blood
Standard vampire fare we adore – sex, drugs and blood – made fresh again with some not-so-subtle social commentary on how we treat perceived social outcasts. Plus, HBO’s unmatched production.
5) 30 Rock
Alec Baldwin is the greatest living comedic actor. Tina Fey is one of the best comedy writers working today. Add in a great cast and you’ve got a multi-year sitcom staple.
4) Parks and Recreation
With great characters, quotable lines and laugh-out-loud moments, Parks and Recreation does the TV version of the "mockumentary" style popularized by Christopher Guest even better than its predecessor,The Office.
3) The Walking Dead
NadaMucho.com skews nerd, so it’s likely that we’d appreciate any show based on a graphic novel about a zombie apocalypse. This one, however, sheds the cheese factor resident in most zombie art, opting instead for film quality cinematography and character development.
2) Boardwalk Empire
Have you heard the news? HBO is really good at making dramatic television. BE is their take on prohibition-era Atlantic City, a fascinating time and location for esteemed director Martin Scorcesee to explore. Bonus points for theme music by Brian Jonestown Massacre.
1) Eastbound & Down
A breath of fresh air in a world too concerned about political correctness, EB&D’s lead character Kenny Powers (a crass, former big league picture turned high school gym teacher) walks that fine line between funny and offensive.
“Sure, I’ve been called a xenophobe, but the truth is I’m not. I honestly just feel that America is the best country and all the other countries aren’t as good. That used to be called ‘patriotism’.” – Kenny Fuckin’ Powers
Amen, brother.
(Also receiving votes: 60 Minutes; Antiques Roadshow; Archer; Conan; General Hospital; Deadliest Catch; Futurama; Hawaii 5-0; Hell’s Kitchen; Headline News; The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret; Lost; Mad Men The Mentalist; Saturday Night Live; The Sing-Off; Two and a Half Men; United States of Tara; and The Whole Truth. Also, "the show about white chicks getting kidnapped, with the oddly upbeat narrator.")
More 2010 favorites: