Inside Television with Alan Sepinwall

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TV Top 10 of 2011: The best 10 (or 11) overall shows

A strong year for veteran series like 'Breaking Bad,' 'Louie' and 'Parks and Recreation'

By Alan SepinwallTuesday, Dec 13, 2011 1:56 PM

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It's that time of year, everybody, where critics of every stripe have to break down the best things they covered over the last 12 months into a list of 10 (or thereabouts). Eventually, all the members of Team HitFix will be rolling out his or her top 10 list, but I get to be first up at bat this year. (Katie Hasty should be up next with some thoughts on the year in music.)

The set-up is the same as last year: I came up with my list of the best overall shows and narrated it along with videos of the shows in question, all edited together by our ace video editor Alex Dorn, and I also did two separate written lists covering my favorite new and return shows of the year. But where I posted all three together last year, my schedule this year hasn't made that possible, so you get the overall list right here, right now, and I'll be publishing the returning shows list tomorrow and the newbies list on Thursday.

NOTE: As a few commenters pointed, a few of the clips feature key scenes from late in a show's season, so if you haven't seen the latest seasons of "Justified" and "Breaking Bad," specifically, to their conclusion, you may want to skip over those parts.

If you've been reading me over the last year, the 11 shows I picked (I'm a wimp and can't choose, and wound up with a tie for 10th place) won't especially be a surprise, though the order of some might. I deal with that a bit in the narration, and will perhaps discuss it more in tomorrow's returning shows list, since the majority of the overall list is made up of veterans. Where the last couple of years were super-strong on new product - last year's freshman class was particularly impressive, and occupied half the spots on the overall list - this year there was a very marked split between new and old, with 9 of the 11 shows on this list being ones that existed before 2011 began.

I would also suggest you take a look at James Poniewozik's list of list caveats and explanations, not because our lists are the same, but because the same questions he thinks would be pointless ("how could you ignore...," etc.) are ones I don't have especially interesting answers about beyond "these were the ones I liked best, in this approximate order."

This was a very good year in television, and though some of the shows on this list won't continue into 2012, the new year will have "Mad Men," "Luck" and other potential candidates to be on the version of this list I do 12 months from now.

So watch the video, then yell at me in the comments for a while, and then we can do this all over again tomorrow when I do the returning shows list.

Alan Sepinwall may be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

Alan Sepinwall
Sr. Editor, What's Alan Watching

Alan Sepinwall has been reviewing television since the mid-'90s, first for Tony Soprano's hometown paper, The Star-Ledger, and now for HitFix. His new book, "The Revolution Was Televised," about the last 15 years of TV drama, is for sale at Amazon. He can be reached at sepinwall@hitfix.com

Alan Sepinwall Recaps & Reviews

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Next 148 Comments

Stan

Great list, Alan. Surprised Breaking Bad wasn't #1 (especially since unlike you I think this new season of Parks and Rec hasn't been AS great as last season.) But last season's Parks and Rec was so phenomenal that I can see it staying #1. And we've had episodes like April and Andy visiting the Grand Canyon this fall.
December 13, 2011 at 3:13PM EST Reply to Comment
- Stan Still can't believe Bill Simmons hates Louis C.K.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:14PM EST
- sepinwall I don't know about Bill's overall feelings about CK, but he loves "Louie." We talked about it at length on one of my last appearances on his podcast.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:26PM EST
- Ronald MACdonald I kind of agree though (assuming that is the case). Louis CK's stand-up is very overrated to me. Funny, but not as groundbreaking as people make it out to be. "Louie," meanwhile, is like nothing else on TV.
  December 13, 2011 at 5:59PM EST
- andythesaint I think Simmons was also close to giving his "Comedian of the Year" award to CK this year (it was tight between he and Larry David if I recall), so no, he does not hate Louis CK.
  December 13, 2011 at 6:50PM EST
- Stan Ok, so "hate" is too strong a word. It just seemed like he wasn't giving Louis his due except that everyone else kept talking about him. Like choosing between what CK did this year and a very average Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Or doing the same thing two years ago between CK and Daniel Tosh. That's right, he was politicking for Daniel Tosh as the funniest person.
  December 13, 2011 at 11:17PM EST
- Grognac Also surprised about Breaking Bad coming in at number two. And I don't watch Mad Men, but has that not aired this year? Because I can't imagine that wouldn't be up here otherwise.
  December 13, 2011 at 11:27PM EST
- geoffzilla I tried to watch Louie CK based on Alan's props of it, and it just didn't click for me. Didn't float my boat at all. I didn't think it was BAD, but it just didn't have an appeal to me. Maybe I'll try it again in the future, but maybe it's just not my cup of tea.
  December 14, 2011 at 1:10AM EST
- Murph In the next mailbag after the one that discussed Louie/Larry for comedian of the year, Bill changed his pick to Trey Parker and Matt Stone for The Book of Mormon and South Park.
  December 14, 2011 at 3:36AM EST
- Brian Saying that Louis CK is one of the two funniest people on the planet means you "Hate Louis CK?" F*ck the Heck?
  December 14, 2011 at 12:37PM EST
- BDUB Simmons just did a two part pod with CK last week.
  
  December 19, 2011 at 3:33PM EST
Johnification

The clip you chose of Parks and Rec serves as a perfect reminder as to why it's ranked where it is. :)
December 13, 2011 at 3:14PM EST Reply to Comment
- chris Community ranked #5? hahaha what a joke it makes your whole list. Try watching Curb. Or maybe you have but they don't kiss up to you like the people at Community do
  December 14, 2011 at 6:02PM EST
- fbihop Haters gonna hate.
  December 14, 2011 at 6:49PM EST
Ashley

The only thing that bummed me out was Community and Game of Thrones not being higher.
December 13, 2011 at 3:16PM EST Reply to Comment
Mike

Had to have been tough to leave Chuck and Cougar Town off the list.
December 13, 2011 at 3:16PM EST Reply to Comment
- Mayhew HAHAHA good one. :)
  December 13, 2011 at 7:41PM EST
- Aznsrule yeah where's Chuck my friend?
  
  December 15, 2011 at 2:02AM EST
paula_newman

I don't like getting information from videos, so I'll just have to wait until you publish the written lists. Too bad, because I'm very interested in knowing what your choices are.
December 13, 2011 at 3:17PM EST Reply to Comment
- Hatfield A comment as satire! I love it!
  December 13, 2011 at 3:19PM EST
- Stu totally agree with paula
  December 14, 2011 at 1:19AM EST
- Action_Kate Actually, I agree with Paula too. Alan, I love your writing. I don't have the time to watch an eight-minute video; I read a LOT faster than that. Granted that narrating the video might well be easier for you given your own time constraints, but I'm genuinely disappointed not to be able to read your comments.
  December 14, 2011 at 2:48PM EST
Zach R.

The NYT would dispute your number 1 pick I suspect. I, however, do not.
December 13, 2011 at 3:17PM EST Reply to Comment
Craig Ranapia

To quibble, I'd have put 'Game of Thrones' down at number ten - for much the same reason you're iffy about about 'Boardwalk Empire'. The first four or five episodes were hampered by kludgy writing (though to be fair, the problem was over-reverence for the difficult source material than carelessness). And, yes, I'm one of those dull prudes who was really bothered by the "sexposition" - I'm too old to find gratuitously topless female day players titillating rather than annoying.
December 13, 2011 at 3:21PM EST Reply to Comment
ideemo

I agree with your list and the order although I would've tried to put Bob's Burgers in
December 13, 2011 at 3:25PM EST Reply to Comment
- estoy I don't get the appeal of that show.
  December 13, 2011 at 11:29PM EST
Sean

So glad you put Parks and Rec as #1. Best Thursday Night show for sure now. Not a bad member of the cast.
December 13, 2011 at 3:25PM EST Reply to Comment
LDP in Cincinnati

For me, part of the pleasure of reading the work of good critics is that it helps me think of tv shows (or movies, or whatever) in a way that might be different from how I would have thought of them otherwise. When I first heard about "Game of Thrones," I assumed I'd hate it. But based on Alan's review, I gave it a shot and it turned out he was right. Thanks.

Anyway, good list, although as much as I love "Parks and Recreation," "Breaking Bad" should be number one.
December 13, 2011 at 3:25PM EST Reply to Comment
- LDP in Cincinnati And "Louie" should be #1A.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:28PM EST
Brian

I know, you're gonna get a lot of these type of comments, but really? No Curb Your Enthusiasm? I thought Curb had one of its best seasons ever this year and at least two all-time great Curb episodes (Palestinian Chicken and the Bi-Sexual).
December 13, 2011 at 3:26PM EST Reply to Comment
- Raphaella Skye Agreed, Palestinian was god-tier, and for a comedy show that was in its 8th season! Larry moving to New York was a great decision.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:46PM EST
Brett

How about a spoiler alert for that video. If I hadn't seen the 4th season of Breaking Bad yet, I'd be pretty pissed. I skipped over Justified for the same reason.
December 13, 2011 at 3:26PM EST Reply to Comment
- LDP in Cincinnati Please, no more spoiler alert debates. If an episode has aired, then it should be fair game for open discussion.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:30PM EST
- sepinwall Eh, I could add a warning. And did. No skin off my nose.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:34PM EST
- Chris Yeah, they should have only used clips from episodes that Brett has already seen.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:41PM EST
- AP LDP, if someone was looking to this list for some suggestions of what shows to get into during this winter season lull, the spoilers could be annoying and a bit ruinous. Spoiler alerts don't really effect anybody besides those being warned, so I don't see why there shouldn't be one.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:44PM EST
- LDP in Cincinnati I suppose that's right, AP, but I just think the whole "spolier alert!" business has become ridiculous. Yesterday, for example, Michael C. Hall was on "Fresh Air," and the (guest-)host took pains not to say anything specific about the series finale of "Six Feet Under." It made that part of the interview seem so silly, as they stepped so delicately around a "secret" from a show that ended six years before.
  
  I realize that's not what's happening here, but I guess this is a pet peeve of mine. One of many.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:52PM EST
- brucek2 Its one thing to defend the right to have a full discussion in a forum where it can be reasonably expected (say, the comments section for a particular episode.) I understand not wanting to have to add a "spoiler warning!" to every comment there.
  
  But its entirely something else to stick in late season reveals (or book endings, etc.) in a general discussion where you should expect many participants wouldn't have had their own chance to experience that ending yet. Far from being ridiculous, that's just common courtesy.
  
  Experiment: as you make your holiday party rounds this season, whenever someone mentions a film you've seen or book you've read, try immediately jumping in with the ending. Then see how many of those parties you get invited back to next year ;-)
  December 13, 2011 at 8:08PM EST
- MollyMc To use your example..If you are at a party and are talking about, let's say, the ending of Fight Club and then someone who overheard you has a hissy fit because they have yet to see the 12 year old movie, I'm sorry but in that example the dude crying is not getting invited back.
  
  Again, this is not exactly the same thing but I 100% agree with LDP about people crying spoiler about every thing, no matter how long ago it came out.
  December 13, 2011 at 10:55PM EST
- brucek2 Well yes, if you're going to make it about overhearing someone else's discussion, of course its unreasonable. But no one reading Alan's articles is "overhearing" anything. And even in that example, the group that got around to discussing the ending probably started by realizing that they they had all seen it or those who hadn't had no plans to see it.
  
  Not to mention this article is a dicussion of current year shows, not 12 year old ones; and one of the implied purposes of the article is to recommend these excellent shows to new viewers.
  December 14, 2011 at 12:23AM EST
- Brett Jeez, I didn't expect people to get so pissy. I'm not complaining about it, simply mentioning that it wouldn't hurt. For example, I love Justified, but I didn't have access to FX when the 2nd season started, so I've been waiting patiently for the DVD to come out. With Breaking Bad, there's an entire seasons-worth of clips to choose from, but the 10 seconds that are shown explicitly spoil how the season ends. I understand not putting spoiler warnings under specific episode discussions because that's just common sense. However, I wouldn't necessarily start watching this video expecting it to spoil the very end of Breaking Bad, for instance.
  December 14, 2011 at 1:24AM EST
- ZEKE Your comment is warranted, Brett... I just fast forwarded through a couple of spots for shows I'm not caught up on yet, but I won't be forwarding the link to this (excellent) top 10 because I don't want a lot of emails coming back saying 'thanks a lot, asshole.'
  December 14, 2011 at 11:46AM EST
joelwhyrock

After Homeland last week I am comfortable putting it in the top 5 of the year if it sticks the landing in the finale. And on Community, just hearing your brief rundown of plot devices from 2011 makes my heart hurt for the cast and crew of the most ambitious show on television.
December 13, 2011 at 3:29PM EST Reply to Comment
- sepinwall I recorded this a couple of weeks ago. The most recent episodes may have bumped it up a spot or two, but the finale is going to be HUGE for this show.
  December 13, 2011 at 3:35PM EST
- TheGamblurr Oh wow Alan. Your caps for HUGE are killin me. Are they a spoiler? Heh. Can't wait for Sunday.
  December 13, 2011 at 6:27PM EST
oliver

Caution! MAJOR spoilers in the video!!! I feel it should be mentioned in the article or at the beginning of the video.

But the list is great! My number one is the same as yours. I'm also extremely glad you included MoaCA. Literally no one i know watched it. And what a great show it was.
December 13, 2011 at 3:30PM EST Reply to Comment
- John That is the weirdest definition of "spoiler" that I've ever seen. It's a spoiler if it's a major twist that would hurt the enjoyment of the show for people who haven't seen it yet. Not everyone can watch every TV show as they air. Sepinwall can because he gets paid to. At any rate, when reading a Best of the Year list, I wouldn't automatically expect one of the biggest spoilers from the best show of the year (Breaking Bad) to be in there. I mean, I had seen it already, but I know people who are just getting started on the DVDs. And it's completely unnecessary. There's tons of stuff Sepinwall could have used there instead (he managed to pull it off with Game of Thrones, which is chock full of plot twists and reveals), and then a spoiler warning wouldn't have even been necessary. I don't get it.
  December 13, 2011 at 5:12PM EST
- sepinwall John, we asked the networks for clips for each show. These were the clips we were given. In the case of Justified and Breaking Bad, they chose climactic moments from the end of the season.
  December 13, 2011 at 6:14PM EST
- oliver We (the regular readers) know to expect stuff like that. But I'm sure there are plenty of first time visitors and other casual viewers. Alan IS a relatively famous critic... google "tv gritic" and see what pops up ;). I don't know, maybe it's something that the referring sites should do - spoiler warnings, that is.
  I think it's reasonable to assume I don't get huge spoilers when I click on some year-ending-TOP-10-by-famous-critic link. Are "the rules" for TV spoilers different than for cinema? Have you ever seen a spoiler-filled TOP 10 movie list?
  Think of your fellow man... your fellow man who's been in a coma for the past year and is getting a "Justified" season 2 DVD as a New Year's gift (out on January 3rd!)
  December 13, 2011 at 6:43PM EST
- oliver Yep, "tv gritic". Just tried it, works great!
  December 13, 2011 at 6:50PM EST
- Tedd Well, turns out that the spoilery clips also have audio, can't just have the review up in a separate tab. And that's the story of how I learned how Breaking Bad ends.
  December 13, 2011 at 10:36PM EST
aseroff

I think the word "transcendent" is more applicable to Louie than Parks and Rec, and I'd definitely flip their spots (well actually, it'd probably go 3 P&R 2 Louie 1 BB). But one quibble doesn't an opinion invalidate, great video and list.
December 13, 2011 at 3:36PM EST Reply to Comment
Ptid

Hum. No Treme ?
December 13, 2011 at 3:42PM EST Reply to Comment
- Commander Taylor Yeah. Swap out "Boardwalk" for "Treme" and this is roughly my top 10 list (though I'd also swap out "US of Tara" for "Enlightened").
  December 13, 2011 at 4:49PM EST
jon dunn

I think the important thing to remember is that ALL of season 3 of P and R was in 2011.

I disagree with it being number 1, because season 4 has been just okay, just more of the same we have come to expect. I think Community is always better than Parks because of the variety in what they do. But season 3 definitely helps keep Parks afloat over season 4 for this year imo
December 13, 2011 at 3:49PM EST Reply to Comment
- Stephen R I pretty much agree with this. Season 4 of Parks hasn't had nearly the degree of consistency, and I feel that Season 3 of Commmunity, despite some inconsistencies early in the season, has reached higher peaks, putting it back comfortably ahead of that series.
  
  However, Season 3 of P&R was certainly better than the second half of Season 2 of Community, so, for me, it's a toss-up between those two shows.
  
  However, Louie and Breaking Bad should definitely be ahead of Parks.
  December 13, 2011 at 4:03PM EST
- josh Modern Family is better than this show
  December 13, 2011 at 6:04PM EST
- Nah Mean The second half of Community's season 2 had a couple unfulfilled episodes and at least one outright bad one (Wine Tasting), but it also had one of the best TV episodes ever in Advanced D&D, as well as the clip show, Critical Film Studies, and the paintball finale. And this season has delivered another all time great episode in Chaos Theory, but plenty of other great episodes. I just can't understand how Parks can compare to that.
  December 13, 2011 at 6:45PM EST
- Joe I love Community as much as anyone, & agree with Nah Mean that between Advanced D & D and Chaos Theory it has two of the best episodes of television I've seen, but I agree with Alan's putting Parks ahead of it. Parks just doesn't have off nights (like the aforementioned Wine Tasting or first few episodes of this season of Community) and at it's best (Flu Season, Fancy Party) is right up there with Community at its peak. It's very close but that consistency gives Parks the edge in my book.
  December 13, 2011 at 7:33PM EST
Greg

I loved Justified, but I think you placed it too high. There are still too much procedural episodes on the show for me to consider it consistently good.

Good list.
December 13, 2011 at 3:59PM EST Reply to Comment
- Joe When I think back on Justified I have the same issues. Based on the more serialized episodes it absolutely deserves such a high ranking, but some of the procedural episodes aren't up to snuff.
  December 13, 2011 at 7:21PM EST
- Greg Exactly. The second season was a tremendous improvement from the first, but the procedural episodes seem to be unnecessary. I hope they realize that on season 3.
  
  It's not that I find them bad, they're okay, but they just don't allow me to see the show as consistent as a heavily serialized one like Homeland or Game of Thrones.
  December 13, 2011 at 9:35PM EST
- Mike I certainly agree that the commitment to some degree of procedural elements hurt the early part of the season of Justified, but even with a slight dip in consistency, it's heights are enough for me to say that its still the second best drama to air this year. Is there any show, even including Breaking Bad, that has a four episode run that reached the heights of "Cottonmouth", "Brother's Keeper," "Reckoning," and "Bloody Harlan?"
  December 13, 2011 at 10:51PM EST
Greg

I loved Justified, but I think you placed it too high. There are still too much procedural episodes on the show for me to consider it consistently good.

Good list.
December 13, 2011 at 3:59PM EST Reply to Comment
jack

Can someone post the order in text format? Can't watch videos at work.
December 13, 2011 at 4:00PM EST Reply to Comment
- AR 10. United States of Tara
  10. Men of a Certain Age
  9. Boardwalk Empire
  8. Homeland
  7. Game of Thrones
  6. Friday Night Lights
  5. Community
  4. Justified
  3. Louie
  2. Breaking Bad
  1. Parks and Recreation
  
  I really hate this video format for presenting your list for many reasons and hope we can actually read your other lists, Alan.
  December 13, 2011 at 7:48PM EST
- JedyKnight Thanks. AR. I had the same issue as Jack.
  December 14, 2011 at 1:07PM EST
Mike

Great list. I watch 1-6 regularly, but don't watch 7-11. Of the latter group, I will definitely be checking out Homeland and Game of Thrones. I was a bit surprised Chuck didn't make the cut in its last season, although it did peak in 2010. I would have also liked to see The Good Wife make the cut, which remains the only great legal drama currently on TV, and is enjoying a strong season with Chris Noth back in the State's Attorney's Office.
December 13, 2011 at 4:04PM EST Reply to Comment
ChampSkins

I feel like if I made a list, I would have pretty much all the same shows, but definitely a different order. Surprised to see a comedy top the list, as I think hourlong dramas are much better if done right, as many you listed are. Also would be interested to see if Boardwalk and Homeland would each be a few spots higher if the list was done after their finales. For me, the last two episodes of Boardwalk and Homeland easily made them top 6.
December 13, 2011 at 4:06PM EST Reply to Comment
Teklanika

My top:
Breaking bad
Men of a certain age
Justified
Homeland
Game of thrones
Friday night lights
Boardwalk empire
The league
Curb your enthusiasm
Parks &rec

December 13, 2011 at 4:11PM EST Reply to Comment
TJ

A great reminder that season 3 of Parks and Recreation aired in 2011. I had actually forgotten that. I'm right with you, Alan. For my money, that is the funniest complete season of television I have ever seen. And since it's pretty much acknowledged that comedy is much harder to do than drama, I love seeing Parks and Recreation #1 on your list. Also, for all the "season 4 hasn't quite lived up to season 3" talk, I really think it's still been more consistent than season 2, which also had its brilliant moments. Just an amazing 2.5 season stretch that hasn't been broken yet.
December 13, 2011 at 4:13PM EST Reply to Comment
Karyn

I don't necessarily disagree with Community being on the list, but I find it interesting that fans and critics are always having to qualify their praise of it. "When it's good, it's very very good, and when it's bad it's rotten" is a really strange way to praise a show.

And I know it's hard to even do these kinds of lists because how do you compare a network 30 minute sitcom to a premium channel 60 minute drama, but given that qualifier that's usually added I'm not sure it's really a #5 show, ahead of something like Game of Thrones that swung for the fences and homered every time even though they had fewer "at bats", so to speak. Community is a strange show in that way, not just because it is a strange show, but because the way people talk about it is really weird.
December 13, 2011 at 4:16PM EST Reply to Comment
- sepinwall I never said, or implied the latter part of that phrase. There are times when Community seems like the best show on TV, and others where it's merely a very, very funny comedy. That's more than enough for me to put it at 5.
  December 13, 2011 at 4:23PM EST
- Personally, Karyn, I always think that qualification should be taken as read. We're going to have to agree to disagree on your assessment of GoT - but, damn, the wobbly first half of the season doesn't diminish 'Baelor' or Dinklage's well-earned Emmy winning performance. Even my favourite shows have things that don't work as well as they could or should - because television is made my human beings not robots.
  December 13, 2011 at 4:28PM EST
- BOB VANCE, VANCE REFRIGERATION I think the people that love Community are strange (including myself). Thus, the strange way of talking about the show.
  December 13, 2011 at 4:37PM EST
- Col Bat Guano Yeah, I've never heard the "when it's bad it's rotten" description for Community either. It may not hit a high point every episode (which series does), but it's always enjoyable. Frankly, I would put it, Louie and Parks & Rec in the top three, but never sure in which order.
  December 13, 2011 at 5:25PM EST
DinoChow

Oh Alan, I nearly cried with joy when I realized you were putting Parks and Recreation at number one! I agree with your list wholeheartedly. Breaking Bad had one of the all time great TV drama seasons, again, but Parks and Recreation just barely edged it out for me as well. Comedy or Drama, no TV show has the consistency of characterization, vision, message, and most of all, heart. Great list!
December 13, 2011 at 4:17PM EST Reply to Comment
Jared K

This an excellent list, Alan, one that effectively represents what I feel like was a pretty damn good year of television. I actually would have placed 9 of these 11 shows in my own hypothetical top ten (the one change being that I would have put FX's Archer - which had a wickedly funny second season and three-week fall special - in the tenth spot over Men of a Certain Age and United States of Tara - two shows that I liked but unfortunately didn't watch often enough to fairly judge them).

We can have minor disagreements about the order, but honestly, I feel like those arguments are too subjective to put any real weight, let alone venom, behind. These shows operate in such distinct worlds that sometimes it can seem crazy to reasonably compare the struggle for the Iron Throne to Walter White's inexorable march into darkness to Leslie Knope's attempts to breathe life into both the Harvest Festival and her beloved, fiscally crippled department (though you've done this task admirably well). Ultimately, what matters to me is that each of these worlds are so meticulously crafted and fully realized that it's remarkably easy to slide in, and incredibly hard to pull back out again. Good TV is fascinating no matter what the supposed stakes are, and in the case of these eleven shows, good frequently became exceptional.
December 13, 2011 at 4:29PM EST Reply to Comment
Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration

Great job Sepinwall. So many great shows and a few new ones to watch! I love Parks & Rec, so many go to funny people but I cannot look at Aubrey Plaza without laughing. To me she does that "look at the camera" thing better than anyone (including The Office folks).
December 13, 2011 at 4:30PM EST Reply to Comment
...her?

season 2 of community was much better than any season of parks...love parks too though. even if community faltered a bit with season 3, it still has a few really good episodes in it and 2 was just to great to not win. the clip show is my favorite episode of anything since arrested development.
December 13, 2011 at 4:39PM EST Reply to Comment
LJA

Of the shows I watch on your list, which is about half, I'd take US of Tara off and let Men of a Certain Age stand alone. I'd push Game of Thrones up a couple notches, too. Otherwise, totally solid.
December 13, 2011 at 4:42PM EST Reply to Comment

TV Top 10 of 2011: The best 10 (or 11) overall shows

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Alan Sepinwall Recaps & Reviews

Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Stan Still can't believe Bill Simmons hates Louis C.K.

sepinwall I don't know about Bill's overall feelings about CK, but he loves "Louie." We talked about it at length on one of my last appearances on his podcast.

Ronald MACdonald I kind of agree though (assuming that is the case). Louis CK's stand-up is very overrated to me. Funny, but not as groundbreaking as people make it out to be. "Louie," meanwhile, is like nothing else on TV.

andythesaint I think Simmons was also close to giving his "Comedian of the Year" award to CK this year (it was tight between he and Larry David if I recall), so no, he does not hate Louis CK.

Grognac Also surprised about Breaking Bad coming in at number two. And I don't watch Mad Men, but has that not aired this year? Because I can't imagine that wouldn't be up here otherwise.

geoffzilla I tried to watch Louie CK based on Alan's props of it, and it just didn't click for me. Didn't float my boat at all. I didn't think it was BAD, but it just didn't have an appeal to me. Maybe I'll try it again in the future, but maybe it's just not my cup of tea.

Murph In the next mailbag after the one that discussed Louie/Larry for comedian of the year, Bill changed his pick to Trey Parker and Matt Stone for The Book of Mormon and South Park.

Brian Saying that Louis CK is one of the two funniest people on the planet means you "Hate Louis CK?" F*ck the Heck?

BDUB Simmons just did a two part pod with CK last week.

Johnification The clip you chose of Parks and Rec serves as a perfect reminder as to why it's ranked where it is. :)

chris Community ranked #5? hahaha what a joke it makes your whole list. Try watching Curb. Or maybe you have but they don't kiss up to you like the people at Community do

fbihop Haters gonna hate.

Ashley The only thing that bummed me out was Community and Game of Thrones not being higher.

Mike Had to have been tough to leave Chuck and Cougar Town off the list.

Mayhew HAHAHA good one. :)

Aznsrule yeah where's Chuck my friend?

paula_newman I don't like getting information from videos, so I'll just have to wait until you publish the written lists. Too bad, because I'm very interested in knowing what your choices are.

Hatfield A comment as satire! I love it!

Stu totally agree with paula

Zach R. The NYT would dispute your number 1 pick I suspect. I, however, do not.

ideemo I agree with your list and the order although I would've tried to put Bob's Burgers in

estoy I don't get the appeal of that show.

Sean So glad you put Parks and Rec as #1. Best Thursday Night show for sure now. Not a bad member of the cast.

LDP in Cincinnati And "Louie" should be #1A.

Brian I know, you're gonna get a lot of these type of comments, but really? No Curb Your Enthusiasm? I thought Curb had one of its best seasons ever this year and at least two all-time great Curb episodes (Palestinian Chicken and the Bi-Sexual).

Raphaella Skye Agreed, Palestinian was god-tier, and for a comedy show that was in its 8th season! Larry moving to New York was a great decision.

Brett How about a spoiler alert for that video. If I hadn't seen the 4th season of Breaking Bad yet, I'd be pretty pissed. I skipped over Justified for the same reason.

LDP in Cincinnati Please, no more spoiler alert debates. If an episode has aired, then it should be fair game for open discussion.

sepinwall Eh, I could add a warning. And did. No skin off my nose.

Chris Yeah, they should have only used clips from episodes that Brett has already seen.

AP LDP, if someone was looking to this list for some suggestions of what shows to get into during this winter season lull, the spoilers could be annoying and a bit ruinous. Spoiler alerts don't really effect anybody besides those being warned, so I don't see why there shouldn't be one.

ZEKE Your comment is warranted, Brett... I just fast forwarded through a couple of spots for shows I'm not caught up on yet, but I won't be forwarding the link to this (excellent) top 10 because I don't want a lot of emails coming back saying 'thanks a lot, asshole.'

joelwhyrock After Homeland last week I am comfortable putting it in the top 5 of the year if it sticks the landing in the finale. And on Community, just hearing your brief rundown of plot devices from 2011 makes my heart hurt for the cast and crew of the most ambitious show on television.

sepinwall I recorded this a couple of weeks ago. The most recent episodes may have bumped it up a spot or two, but the finale is going to be HUGE for this show.

TheGamblurr Oh wow Alan. Your caps for HUGE are killin me. Are they a spoiler? Heh. Can't wait for Sunday.

oliver Caution! MAJOR spoilers in the video!!! I feel it should be mentioned in the article or at the beginning of the video.But the list is great! My number one is the same as yours. I'm also extremely glad you included MoaCA. Literally no one i know watched it. And what a great show it was.

sepinwall John, we asked the networks for clips for each show. These were the clips we were given. In the case of Justified and Breaking Bad, they chose climactic moments from the end of the season.

oliver Yep, "tv gritic". Just tried it, works great!

Tedd Well, turns out that the spoilery clips also have audio, can't just have the review up in a separate tab. And that's the story of how I learned how Breaking Bad ends.

aseroff I think the word "transcendent" is more applicable to Louie than Parks and Rec, and I'd definitely flip their spots (well actually, it'd probably go 3 P&R 2 Louie 1 BB). But one quibble doesn't an opinion invalidate, great video and list.

Ptid Hum. No Treme ?

Commander Taylor Yeah. Swap out "Boardwalk" for "Treme" and this is roughly my top 10 list (though I'd also swap out "US of Tara" for "Enlightened").

josh Modern Family is better than this show

Greg I loved Justified, but I think you placed it too high. There are still too much procedural episodes on the show for me to consider it consistently good. Good list.

Joe When I think back on Justified I have the same issues. Based on the more serialized episodes it absolutely deserves such a high ranking, but some of the procedural episodes aren't up to snuff.

Greg I loved Justified, but I think you placed it too high. There are still too much procedural episodes on the show for me to consider it consistently good. Good list.

jack Can someone post the order in text format? Can't watch videos at work.

JedyKnight Thanks. AR. I had the same issue as Jack.

Teklanika My top:Breaking badMen of a certain ageJustifiedHomelandGame of thronesFriday night lightsBoardwalk empireThe leagueCurb your enthusiasmParks &rec

sepinwall I never said, or implied the latter part of that phrase. There are times when Community seems like the best show on TV, and others where it's merely a very, very funny comedy. That's more than enough for me to put it at 5.

BOB VANCE, VANCE REFRIGERATION I think the people that love Community are strange (including myself). Thus, the strange way of talking about the show.

Col Bat Guano Yeah, I've never heard the "when it's bad it's rotten" description for Community either. It may not hit a high point every episode (which series does), but it's always enjoyable. Frankly, I would put it, Louie and Parks & Rec in the top three, but never sure in which order.

Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration Great job Sepinwall. So many great shows and a few new ones to watch! I love Parks & Rec, so many go to funny people but I cannot look at Aubrey Plaza without laughing. To me she does that "look at the camera" thing better than anyone (including The Office folks).

LJA Of the shows I watch on your list, which is about half, I'd take US of Tara off and let Men of a Certain Age stand alone. I'd push Game of Thrones up a couple notches, too. Otherwise, totally solid.

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Johnification

The clip you chose of Parks and Rec serves as a perfect reminder as to why it's ranked where it is. :)

Ashley

The only thing that bummed me out was Community and Game of Thrones not being higher.

Mike

Had to have been tough to leave Chuck and Cougar Town off the list.

paula_newman

I don't like getting information from videos, so I'll just have to wait until you publish the written lists. Too bad, because I'm very interested in knowing what your choices are.

Zach R.

The NYT would dispute your number 1 pick I suspect. I, however, do not.

ideemo

I agree with your list and the order although I would've tried to put Bob's Burgers in

Sean

So glad you put Parks and Rec as #1. Best Thursday Night show for sure now. Not a bad member of the cast.

Brian

I know, you're gonna get a lot of these type of comments, but really? No Curb Your Enthusiasm? I thought Curb had one of its best seasons ever this year and at least two all-time great Curb episodes (Palestinian Chicken and the Bi-Sexual).

Brett

How about a spoiler alert for that video. If I hadn't seen the 4th season of Breaking Bad yet, I'd be pretty pissed. I skipped over Justified for the same reason.

joelwhyrock

After Homeland last week I am comfortable putting it in the top 5 of the year if it sticks the landing in the finale. And on Community, just hearing your brief rundown of plot devices from 2011 makes my heart hurt for the cast and crew of the most ambitious show on television.

oliver

Caution! MAJOR spoilers in the video!!! I feel it should be mentioned in the article or at the beginning of the video.

But the list is great! My number one is the same as yours. I'm also extremely glad you included MoaCA. Literally no one i know watched it. And what a great show it was.

aseroff

I think the word "transcendent" is more applicable to Louie than Parks and Rec, and I'd definitely flip their spots (well actually, it'd probably go 3 P&R 2 Louie 1 BB). But one quibble doesn't an opinion invalidate, great video and list.

Ptid

Hum. No Treme ?

Greg

I loved Justified, but I think you placed it too high. There are still too much procedural episodes on the show for me to consider it consistently good.

Good list.

Greg

I loved Justified, but I think you placed it too high. There are still too much procedural episodes on the show for me to consider it consistently good.

Good list.

jack

Can someone post the order in text format? Can't watch videos at work.

Teklanika

My top:
Breaking bad
Men of a certain age
Justified
Homeland
Game of thrones
Friday night lights
Boardwalk empire
The league
Curb your enthusiasm
Parks &rec

Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration

Great job Sepinwall. So many great shows and a few new ones to watch! I love Parks & Rec, so many go to funny people but I cannot look at Aubrey Plaza without laughing. To me she does that "look at the camera" thing better than anyone (including The Office folks).

LJA

Of the shows I watch on your list, which is about half, I'd take US of Tara off and let Men of a Certain Age stand alone. I'd push Game of Thrones up a couple notches, too. Otherwise, totally solid.

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