Typically, Lost starts its season in February and returns the following year at the same month -- give or take. Since the groundbreaking series ended its run last May (with an emotionally solid finale in my book), it hasn't really sunk in that there won't be any more original episodes -- until now. In other years around this time, we'd start seeing sneak peaks of the upcoming season on ABC and start speculating on what the heck was going to happen next on the island. Those days are gone, and for the first time since Jack Shepard closed his eyes for the last time in May, it's set in.
As I began writing my list of favorite television shows of the year, I instantly placed Mad Men in the number one slot. In its fourth season, the drama really hit its stride creatively and displayed the best acting -- and that's saying a lot -- that Jon Hamm and the cast has done thus far. That said, I couldn't shake Lost and the survivors of Oceanic Airlines. The series featured some of the most bizarrely engaging storylines of all-time, and the most-layered and beloved characters -- lead or supporting -- ever. It's a testament to the creators and writers that this show, which left you with boatloads of more questions than answers, rarely pissed you off to the point you'd given up on it. Sure, some viewers did just that but for those who stuck with it, the payoff was well worth the wait. It's hard to find a series who had a stronger final season in the history of television. Yeah, I'm bold.
Anyway, below are my top five shows of the year followed by the fifteen best performances, top ten moments, and five unsung heroes (they don't get the accolades they deserve) I saw on the small screen. I'm just another guy with another opinion so - of course - I'd love to hear yours, and feel free to try to convince me to give "Broken Bad" another try.
My Five Best Shows in 2010
1.Lost
2.Mad Men
3.Modern Family
4.The Walking Dead
5.Parks & Recreation
My 15 Best Performances on TV in 2010
1.Jon Hamm, Mad Men
2.Terry O'Quinn, Lost
3.Ty Burrell, Modern Family
4.Ted Danson, Bored to Death
5.Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
6.Hugh Laurie, House
7.Matthew Fox, Lost
8.Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
9.Chris Colfer, Glee
10.Steve Carell, The Office
11. Jane Lynch, Glee
12.Tina Fey, 30 Rock
13.Chris Pratt, Parks & Recreation
14.Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock
15.Martin Short, Damages
Ten Best Moments on TV
1. Lost Finale
2. Betty White hosting SNL
3. Chris Colfer in Glee's "Grilled Cheesus" episode
4. Don Draper's out-of-left-field engagement on Mad Men
5. Hugh Laurie's performance in last year's House season finale
6. Jimmy Fallon's Emmy opening number
7. Conan O'Brien's return on TBS
8. The entire Modern Family Halloween episode
9. December's Neighborhood brawl on Desperate Housewives (Only in the unintentionally funny category)
10. Ted Danson faking a urine test on Bored to Death
Five Unsung Heroes in TV
1.Lisa Edelstein, House
2.Jared Harris, Mad Men
3.Josh Holloway, Lost
4.Craig Robinson, The Office
5.Nick Offerman, Parks & Recreation