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From 'Survivor' to 'The Wire' TV's Top 10

The Fien Print celebrates the best of the TV year including 'Lost,' 'Mad Men' and some surprises

Published on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 By Daniel Fienberg
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TV's 10 Best of 2008
Jon Hamm of 'Mad Men'
Credit: AMC

 

Nielsen ratings show that the most popular programs for 2008 included a singing duel between The Davids, Cloris Leachman pretending to dance, various teams of crime scene investigators investigating crime scenes and a group of doctors who are willing to have sex with ghosts when they can't bang each other. 

None of those shows made my Top 10 list.

But this isn't some snobby list of cable shows that nobody but critics watch. Confession time: I just didn't have the time and patience for "In Treatment," so even though I have trusted friends who tell me it's the best thing going, it didn't make my list.

I also didn't include shows like "House," "The Office," "Dexter" and "Weeds," which have had featured places in my Top 10 in previous years.

No network has more than two shows on my list, but ABC, NBC and HBO all have two apiece.

Without any further ado... My Top 10...

 

10)"Survivor: Micronesia Fans vs. Favorites" (CBS)

9)"The Life and Times of Tim" (HBO)

8)"Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along-Blog"

7)"Lost" (ABC)

6)"Pushing Daisies"(ABC)

5)"Chuck" (NBC)

4)"30 Rock" (NBC)

3)"Mad Men" (AMC)

2)"The Wire" (HBO)

For TV's very best of 2008 and complete explanations and analysis of the list, Check The Fien Print.

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  • 24_vorlage_talkback_profile
    • LesterGroans said
    • I love Dr. Horrible as much as the next Whedonite, but c'mon, it's a TV list, leave it off.
    • Jan 9, 09 at 08:37PM EST
        Reply to Comment
  • Default-avatar
    • rerunthegreat said
    • Lost is my #1. Chuck is just a fun show to watch and always entertaining. Tracy Morgan makes 30 Rock. I would add "Life", "Dexter", and "Californication".
    • Jan 2, 09 at 06:43PM EST
        Reply to Comment
  • Flickricon_talkback_profile
    • carey.adams said
    • I have no idea how the final season of "The Shield" doesn't make this list. Absolutely mind boggling.
    • Jan 1, 09 at 03:57PM EST
        Reply to Comment
  • Caricatureandrew4_talkback_profile
    • Biddle said
    • Battlestar Galactica would be in my top 10. Lost would probably rank in the number 1 spot, due not only to a fast paced and focused season 4 but to the level of anticipation I have for season 5.

    • Dec 31, 08 at 04:07AM EST
        Reply to Comment

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