I watched more tv shows in 2011 than the past 5 years combined and it’s been a sensational year. I apologise as I haven’t watched enough of huge hits like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Treme, Boardwalk Empire, Mad Men, Parks and Rec, Boss etc to add them to the list, but what I have seen has proved impressive. Other titles that missed out on this list but I enjoyed to some degree were A Gifted Man, Grimm, Person of Interest, Hell on Wheels, Falling Skies, Fringe, Happy Endings and How I Met Your Mother.
Enjoy!
01 LOUIE
Louis CK, possibly the coolest stand-up comic in the World, continued his critically acclaimed self-made series by propelling his sophomore season to even braver, bolder, more honest, heartfelt and simply funnier heights than ever before. The best show currently on tv.
02 HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA
One of my favourite shows ever had a surprise return this year, continuing it’s sizzling New York tale of 30-somethings looking for success in the fashion industry. Sadly, it’s now been canned, but luckily this 2nd series goes out on a bang.
03 HOMELAND
The best new series of the year, hands-down, was this incredibly mature and well-acted political thriller, boasting stellar performances from Damien Lewis and Claire Danes. An absolute must-see.
04 EASTBOUND & DOWN
Kenny Powers returns in the funniest show on tv. Be prepared to let all your taste-buds slide to enjoy this gem.
05 THE PLAYBOY CLUB
This much-hyped show eventually only aired 3 episodes of the 5 filmed and planned 12 for it’s initial series, which is a huge shame as I fell for it immediately. Admittedly Amber Heard helps, but even so – this is a well written and intriguing show.
06 HUNG
Now in its 3rd season, Hung has finally found its voice. After a well-written and acted pair of initial seasons, it was frustratingly hard to really feel compelled to keep watching for some reason, but season 3 offers up a more confident, determined and enjoyable slice of rent-boy action and has solidified it as one of tv’s current greats.
07 BORED TO DEATH
Jason Schwartzmann’s tv show is now in its 3rd season and is still one of the funniest, refreshing and plain bizarre shows around. Co-starring Zach Galifianakis in a role he was born to play and Ted Danson in a phenomenal character who remains one of the most interesting and enjoyable to watch on tv.
08 THE WALKING DEAD
Season 2 of this huge series is more confident and effective than the first, with some brilliant twists and turns and a finale you won’t soon forget. Sure it’s still not a patch on the sublime graphic novels, but it’s stellar tv all the same.
09 MR. SUNSHINE
Matthew Perry starred in this wonderfully light, funny and fluffy tv show early this year which one would have thought would have been a runaway success, sadly it was cancelled midway but the 9 episodes aired proved to be some of the funniest moments of the year.
10 DEATH VALLEY
This horror comedy is simply brilliant. Taking it’s cue largely from Airplane / Naked Gun style humour and mixing in a docu-horror slant, it’s fresh, fun, vibrant and snappy as hell.
11 NEW GIRL
Unlike most people who dote on her, Zooey Deschanel drives me up the wall with her forced alternative-kookiness. But even she is not enough to stop me from loving this brilliant new comedy which hosts a whole bevy of superbly written and played comedy characters. Charming, barmy, fun and intelligent – this is a great show.
http://remotecontrol.mtv.com/2011/06/13/video-trailer-awkward/
12 AWKWARD
From the makers of My So Called Life came this new show which in many respects is the modern-day version of that classic series. It’s hard to tell whether it’s problems are down to occasionally cliched writing or merely a reflection of the depressing times our contemporary teenagers find themselves in, but regardless – it’s mostly a soaring success and is sharp, fluffy, high school fun.
13 SUITS
I’d love to place this show higher on the list as I’m currently really into it, but I’m only a few episodes in so don’t feel it’d be right to give it the benefit of the doubt just yet. But so far this is a sharply written comedy with a satisfying lead character and plenty of humorous moments. Could be a winner.
14 COMMUNITY
One of my absolute favourite shows is shamefully low on the list this year due to some lazy writing and a gradual spiral into forced zaniness. A short sabbatical forced by the shows producers will hopefully see it get back to it’s more compelling and heartfelt roots, but this is still one of the funniest shows on tv with a now beloved collection of characters.
15 2 BROKE GIRLS
This show is massive in the USA. Seriously, the numbers are insane. Which I find odd as I watched it thinking it was a hidden, trashy gem. It’s pretty crap to be honest, but I still love it, mostly because it’s a dirty sitcom that stars Kat Dennings. Need I say more?
