It's the end of the year, and you want top ten lists. Well I got a Top Ten list for you RIGHT HERE: it's the best television shows of 2010, as determined by a panel of ME.
Of course, the "best" shows by Warming Glow standards are those that I find to be the most indispensable on my DVR. So I'm not rewarding the best writing or the best acting per se; I'm merely making a list of the shows that I enjoyed the most (with an addendum of snubbed shows). Nevertheless, that shouldn't stop you from complaining about my choices if you disagree. But just know that if you don't concur with my choices, it's merely because you have terrible taste and should be euthanized. It's nothing to take personally.
The short first season couldn't sustain the stark and terrifying cinematic heights of the 90-minute premiere, but even when the zombie drama lagged, it was still the most compulsively watchable new show of the fall season.
A superbly written throwback to '80s sitcoms, "Modern Family" is that rare gem of a show that is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. It's smart, funny, sexy, and sharply executed, but what impresses me the most is the show's ability to find heartfelt resolutions that are sweet but not saccharine.
Gambling. Drinking. Prohibition. Naked Paz de la Huerta. Michael Pitt blasting people's heads off. Lesbians. A rabidly devout federal agent. Steve Buscemi. Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. Arsenic. A half-faced World War I sniper. And did I mention naked Paz de la Huerta?
This show OWNS.
Perhaps a lone jackass in front of a green screen isn't a blueprint for great TV, but Daniel Tosh captures the profane and insane nature of Internet culture like no one else on TV. The jokes he tells have the same cut as the edgiest comments sections on the web, which is a nice way of saying that he tells racist, homophobic, and misogynistic jokes. That he can do that on TV without getting lynched is a testament to how funny the show is.
There's nothing flashy or strikingly original about this FX drama, but it quietly became one of the most satisfying ways to spend an hour in front of the television this year. What started as a fun neo-Western crime procedural gave way to a wonderfully immersive show with complex villains, femmes fatales, and a trigger-happy U.S. marshal who can use his head instead of his gun -- but only if he has to.
Because Louis C.K. is a comedian, and because clips of his stand-up routine punctuate the show, "Louie" gets categorized as a comedy. But to call the show "comedy" is reductive of its true nature: it's more an examination of how pain and unhappiness can be the root of humor. "Louie's" meditations on religion, family, and growing older can sometimes be awkward, sometimes sad, sometimes funny -- but they never fail to say something poignant about humanity.
It's no longer just Bryan Cranston's show: Season 3 featured a gripping performance from Aaron Paul, who earned a surprising but deserved Emmy win for Best Supporting Actor. It also featured terrifying ax-wielding Mexican twins, an uneasy detente in Walter White's fractured marriage, progressively deeper stakes for all of the show's characters, and a cinematic tension unmatched by any other show on television.
It's no secret that this cast loves working together, and it's obvious on the screen: the ensemble clicks like no other show since "Arrested Development" -- another pitch-perfect comedy with devoted fans and low ratings. Showrunner Dan Harmon's savvy, self-aware scripts allow "Community" to work within traditional sitcom boundaries while smartly acknowledging the tropes (and getting laughs along the way). It's all very meta, but not in the annoying Charlie Kaufman way.
Yes, that's right: "Archer" is one of the best shows on TV. "Sealab 2021" and "Frisky Dingo" vet Adam Reed has created a workplace where the most loathsome characters are the most likable, and the most perverse situations are the funniest. Whip-smart writing and impeccable comic timing from the terrific cast of H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Judy Greer, Chris Parnell, and Jessica Walter make every episode hilarious even after multiple viewings. Not since the heyday of "The Simpsons" has a sitcom provided such instantly quotable lines.
Dammit, I didn't want to be another two-bit critic praising "Mad Men" as the best show on TV. But the fourth season of AMC's period drama continued on its unpredictable trek, taking the characters -- and Sterling Cooper (Draper Pryce) -- to narrative arcs that would have been unthinkable during the first season. From Roger Sterling's racism in "The Chrysanthemum in the Sword" to the stellar acting from Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss in "The Suitcase," Season 4 continued to captivate me by capturing every detail, small and large.
Treme -- Viewers complained that it moved too slowly and generally wasn't "The Wire," but I loved this love letter to New Orleans. The acting and music alone make it worth my while. (It almost snuck into the tenth spot, but I gave it to "The Walking Dead" instead on the strength of it giving me scary dreams.)
Sons of Anarchy -- Despite the cathartic season finale, Season 3 was a letdown after the brilliant powder keg of Season 2 the year before.
Lost -- I enjoyed the introduction of the "flash-sideways" in the final season, but its philosophical resolution left me unsatisfied. All in all, I appreciate the ambition of "Lost," but its secretive nature appeals to a certain kind of viewer. And I'm not that kind of viewer.
Friday Night Lights -- With the whole DirecTV/NBC staggered season thing going on, this hasn't made my viewing rotation. I'll catch the entire series on DVD when it's all over, and then I will apologize to everyone for not seeing it sooner.
Dexter -- I've never met a "Dexter" fan who didn't produce a caveat about liking it. "Well, if you can get past this character..." No other show has had so many characters that drag the series down.
The Good Wife -- On CBS. Didn't watch.
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How the FUCK does Sons of Anarchy not make this list or at least not get an honorable mention!?!?! And fuck Louie. What started out as a great and quirky show quickly became another unfunny, look at me how depressed I am even though I have tons of fans and make a living do what I pretend to love even though its obvious that my mother should have aborted me show.
No Terriers either?
WHEN’S JUSTIFIED ON, MATT!?!?!!!ONE!
NO SONS OF ANARCHY? Yikes.
Ripping on Dexter while watching it (a la KickPuncher) is more than half the fun of watching the show, IMO. I think The Walking Dead’s, to use your words, chunky, soap operatic dialog makes it at times almost unwatchable, though.
That last sentence you wrote about Friday Night Lights? It can also apply to Terriers.
NO FAMILY GUY??!?!?!?!?!????!!!!?!
?!
I’m guessing “SoA” was number 11.
How the FUCK does Sons of Anarchy not make this list or at least not get an honorable mention!?!?!
I don’t know. How the FUCK do I put up with commenters who don’t read the entire post?
How the FUCK does Sons of Anarchy not make this list or at least not get an honorable mention!?!?!
How the FUCK do you not see the inclusion of SOA on the “Best of the Rest” list as being an honorable mention!?!?!
And as much as I love that show, Matt’s right — it doesn’t crack the top ten this year.
(*skips part on page 1 where Matt says this is a list of his favorite shows, not the “best” of the year*)
(*walks outside into rain storm, tears off shirt*)
(*drops to knees, screams to heavens*)
TEERRRRRRIIIIEEEERRRRRSSSS!
But yeah, Terriers should’ve been in there somewhere.
“Terriers” was good, but giving it “best of the year” honors would be elevating it simply because it was underwatched and canceled.
this list is good except for Louie fuck that show, and no LOST?
How can you have different opinions than mine? This is an outrage!
P.S. Props to doing a list like this. Mine would’ve been all shows I watched last night, forgetting every show I loved in the spring.
Fantastic pick with Archer and Mad Men, though I think Boardwalk needed to be a few spots up and Walking Dead to be off entirely.
Why would I read past the number 1 show? Count down lists end at number 1. You dont make a “oh by the way” page after the number 1 show. This is clearly a 51-50 problem. 51% my fault for being too lazy and too blown away by the lack of inclusion of SOA and the inclusion of that bullshit Louie crap to want to keep going and 50% your fault for making a “oh by the way” page after blowing my mind.
I still say fuck Louie.
Yeah, I just gave “props” to a blogger for a top 10 list. It’s more than I ever did with my life.
BlacktoothGrin, he said he would put them at the end. So it’s more like 100/0 problem…considering it is 100% your problem.
Sounds like you should make your own list. I did. Entries 1-10 are Justified. Tim Olyphant is my Chase Utley. I’m sure our relationship would be a real home run.
Anyone else having a problem with these slideshows on Chrome today? Anyone else use Chrome? No? Okay.
(*still wailing to heavens in rain-soaked front yard*)
DG, it always seems to rain at your house when you discuss Terriers.
How the fuck did not one show from TLC not make this list?
/eagerly awaiting the bottom 10 shows list
Watch most of these and agree entirely, and so will probably add the remainder to my downlo-I mean, Netflix. Glad to see Treme, FNL and Sons tacked on. Pretty much all my must-see TV is listed, with one CW exception that I won’t tarnish my cred by mentioning.
The way you described Justified is perfect, and applies to The Good Wife as well, for me. It sneaks up on you and is somehow this really solid, awesomely written and compelling hour of television.
@TJ, using Chrome with no problems.
@DG, it will get better.
This is 2010, almost 2011. Havent you realized its always someone else’s fault?
Putting Louie on a list of anything other than “Overrated comedians internet nerds cream their pants over” is heresy.
Fuck it. I give up. Where do I send the Lagavulin 16 Year Matt? I have been bested in the art of internet combat and will tip my hat and my scotch to you sir.
I think Mad Men is horribly-acted, and Christina Hendricks is really pasty and fat but it gets hidden behind her huge boobs (much like her knees get hidden behind them when she isn’t wearing a bra).
I agree with the rest of the list, however.
Having never watched even a second of “Modern Family,” I’ll go out on a limb and say that its place should have gone to “The League”.
How the FUCK does $@#% My Dad Says not make this list or at least not get an honorable mention!?!?! And fuck COmmunity. What started out as a great and quirky show quickly became another unfunny, look at me how depressed I am even though I have tons of fans and make a living do what I pretend to love even though its obvious that my mother should have aborted me show.
No Big Bang Theory either?
And your on the money about dexter. Aside from the main character and the bald asian, no one seems to like anyone else on the show and yet it keeps getting renewed! I don’t have anything clever to say, I’m just still pissed off about terriers.*sad trombone*
these new slideshows cause my firefox to crash. anyone else have that problem?
You call yourself a TV blogger and you don’t even have Two And A Half Men in your top 10? Are you some sort of crackpot?
Your opinions are different than mine. Argh!
I have to admit, I LOVE Community but the last few episodes have been kinda downers {*ducks down from the rocks being pelted*). I feel like I’m watching Extras and feeling depressed every week. But this might just be due to a lack of Dean Pelton for me.
Oh banjobandit. I see what you did. You are so funny. You took my exact words and substituted even shittier shows than Louie. How is it you dont have an overrated show on FX yet?
Re: SLIDESHOW CRASHING
The crashes are the result some bad ad tags. Our tech guys have gotten rid of them (or so I’ve been told), so clearing your cache should make the slideshows work. Sorry about that, folks.
where’s glee? oh wait, in the crapper
Two and a Half Men or GTFO!
I only started watching Community this year but fell in love with it. The second series hasn’t hit the heights of the first but the zombie episode and the bottle episode were still top notch television.
It was a shame about the rubbish Lost ending but the show had some great moments.
Re: SLIDESHOW CRASHING
Live did a great version of that song. Also, “Mike and Molly” or GTFO. They’re fat and in love!!!
So much complaining going on about stupid shit…just relax, have a couple Schraderbraus, and enjoy the three day old pizza that I just scraped off of the roof.
I think you shit the bed leaving Venture Bros out. At least give it the Hon. Mention stroke-off.
It’s a good list, but no Sunny in Philadelphia? Uff, it makes you look like a total jabroni.
Ads still are messing shit up just fyi.
And just to be different instead of bitching I’d like to compliment you on your excellent taste in television.
@donturtucio: crapper, Glee, it’s gay and it’s in the toilet…….I see what you did there
@UU +1: Matt, time to deliver on your “best AND WORST, mostly the worst” in the tagline
@everybodywhoscomplainingbecausetheirfavoriteshowisnotonthelist get your own blog, make your own list, and we’ll all be right over to read it…..
I second the Big Bang Theory and IASIP nominations.
Perfect list. Top to bottom.
No Burn Notice!??!? This list is utter pig shit!
/I felt left out of the internet opinion bashing going on in here
//Some surprising exclusions though, but a lot of weak seasons so It’s understandable
WTF is wrong with me? I love every show you listed (aside from Louis CK) and watch them religiously, except for Mad Men. I’ve tried on multiple occasions to watch it. All my friends watch it. All my coworkers watch it. All my internet commenting colleagues watch it. It wins awards and gets rave reviews. It has to be a great show, right??? Why can’t I stand it????
Love the list. My list would have had Terriers in place of Louis CK, and something other than Mad Men at number one, but overall a great list.
Great list man… Mad Men definitely earned Top Show status after its best season ever. I’d personally swap Louie & LOST and Modern Family & The League, but otherwise wow, your rankings are pretty legit.
Oh and not that anyone cares, but here are my Top 10 favorite episodes of TV this year… pretty sure if you watch just this episode of each show, you’d dig everything about the series:
1) Breaking Bad – “One Minute”
2) Mad Men – “The Suitcase”
3) LOST – “The End” (yes, i liked everything about it, plus it was epic as fuck)
4) Sons of Anarchy – “NS”
5) Community – “Modern Warfare”
6) Friday Night Lights – “The Son” (don’t got Direct TV, so sorry if this is supposed to be on last year’s list)
7) The Walking Dead – “Days Gone By”
8) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – “Who Got Dee Pregnant?”
9) The League – “Bro-Lo El Cunado”
10) Justified – “Long in the Tooth”
No Antique Roadshow? No Bridalplasty? No Two-and-half Men?
(I really just wanted to participate in the outrage.)
Archer and Community might be the most rewatchable shows on television [granted partially because they're 20 minutes and you can watch just one episode without wanting to watch every subsequent episode in one sitting.]
Archer and Community might be the most rewatchable shows currently on television, mostly because they’re only 22 minutes and because you can watch just one episode instead of wanting to watch every subsequent episode in one sitting. [thanks for that lost weekend Breaking Bad.]
Something’s up with the site lately.
The Uproxx tech guys put up faulty ads in response to Outsourced‘s snub.
@blacktoothgrin: It may be an oft utilized trope catering to the lowest common denominator, but I made myself laugh anyway. Probably more a wonder that I don’t have a sitcom on CBS.
Hey Matt, nice list – maybe Lost should have ended with ‘the incident’ in season 5 eh? –
You might like the following shows as well:
“Bored To Death”
“Eastbound and Down”
@squabbles: I’m with you. I swear every single person I know loves Mad Men and I find it unwatchable.
That said, I have no complaints with any list that has double Alison Brie on it.
ahhhhhh fuck me, i forgot to mention “Steve Guttenburg’s Birthday” from Party Down as one of the best episodes of TV… and something that should have earned the show a mention in your top 10 list Matt.
Ffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuu there was alot of good tv this year. Meanwhile, i think i saw 6 new movies all year.
I am the biggest fan of Sons of Anarchy but this past season has been lacking compared to the previous two. Fantastic finale though. I endorse Matt’s top ten selection.
You better believe I’m calling someone a jabroni tomorrow.
You just put Tosh on there because you are dating him.
Wow way to just drop Sons like that. One slightly subpar season and you give it the axe. And it’s like, we get it, you’re in love with Community, which in my opinion failed after the pilot because they abandoned the basic concept of the show and simply went the route of The Simpsons and South Park after season 20 and just satirize current events as opposed to actual story telling. Oh they made a reference to the black guy not getting the spider man gig. brilliant!
I agree with most of this list. Excellent stuff. One difference – replace Community with Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
Great List. Party Down was an excellent show as well, unfortunate it got cancelled. Very well written and some great performances. Children’s Hospital was hilarious too…
This list is perfect…..I think I’m going to cry.
This list sux my balls. Who the fuck wrote this?
No Terriers? Fuck this list
Some of the people commenting on this are fucking morons.
Seen a couple of people comment on family guy. This a 2010 not 2006 and family guy with the exception of a few episodes has sucked this whole season and most of the last. Its lost its touch.
Dexter is a brilliantly tense show and is critically praised and commercially successful for all the right reasons and it will stay on the air till it otherwise fails.
As for the list…Some of you think the list sucks and I disagree with parts of it myself and everyone is entitled to there choices but there are definitely some things that should be here aswell!
Sons of anarchy, chuck, dexter, burn notice and possibly eastbound and down
FAMILY GUY RULES ROB J. EVERYONE WHO MENTIONED FAMILY GUY IS BEING SERIOUS AS FUCK.
Lost, How I Met Your Mother, Sons of Anarchy, It’s always Sunny in Philadelphia, Dexter….
This article sucks, not sure what qualifies you to create lists like this but maybe you should take your eyes off the computer screen for a bit and actually watch some TV!
^^ I agree, How I Met Your Mother has been a #1 sitcom in North American for 6 seasons. How is it not in your top 10? Boo.
YES! I’ve been reading down this article waiting for someone to mention How I Met Your Mother.
That show is the Seinfeld/Friends of this generation and should get some credit. I’m not saying it’s a #1 show but it’s a top 10 for sure.
Louie? Tosh? can these even be classified as shows? I’d say they are more self-indulgent comedy bits…but that’s just me I guess.
Appreciate the read but you’re list leaves a lot to be desired.
I’m using my real name this time. I think Better off Ted deserves and Honorable Mention here.
this list sucks balls. Archer & Louie over SOA and Friday Night Lights ? blow me fucktard
This list is great!!!!!
Except for where you left out my favorite shows!!!!!!
Where’s 60 minutes you donkey fucker!!!!!!
Found this site by accident… kinda like the setup of a friend of a friend of a friend. Not impressed by the Top 10 TV shows list. Just a buncha snapshots in no particular order. If you don’t know the show then the pic and descriptions (for some) don’t even identify the show. I finally figured out that the “tags” underneath must be the show titles, but they’re not in the same order as the slides. Thank God you don’t claim to be a journalist.
PJ
No “Sarah Palin’s Alaska”?
Agree with PJ. You sincerely suck and so do your shows.