JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, January 2, 2006 6:00 pm
Maybe it’s just me, but I thought 2005 was a pretty strong year for television.
The once-dead comedy made a resounding comeback, with new shows such as “My Name is Earl,” “How I Met Your Mother” and Showtime’s “Weeds.”
Even some returnees — “Two and Half Men,” “The Office” and “Will & Grace” — have raised their game a level and are funnier than ever.
Serial dramas are the rage, with ABC schooling the other networks in how it’s done with “Desperate Housewives,” “Lost” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Cable proved this past year that it’s a permanent major player in primetime.
F/X had “The Shield,” “Rescue Me” and “Nip/Tuck.” HBO scored again with “Deadwood” and “Six Feet Under” and garnered new acclaim with “Rome.” Even Showtime (“Sleeper Cell”) and TNT (“The Closer”) enjoyed some success.
Yes, there are still too many procedural shows and dopey reality programs, but they were offset by fresh, innovative programs such as “Prison Break,” “Veronica Mars” and “Supernatural.”
On the news front, the broadcast and cable networks did a tremendous job humanizing hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
I often poke fun at Fox News Channel and its “fair and balanced” reporting, but Shepard Smith provided some of the most important and memorable coverage of Katrina’s aftermath.
I will miss Ted Koppel on “Nightline.” He offered an alternative to the same-old, same-old of Leno and Letterman. Of course, there’s always Jon Stewart and “The Daily Show,” which is by far the best thing on late-night television.
The following is a rundown of my favorites and not-so-favorites of the 2005 season. I invite you to send me your comments on my blog at www.journalstar.com.
Best shows
Drama: “Lost.” I agree with those message-board writers who believe the survivors are in purgatory and move on (i.e. die) once they’ve righted the wrongs from their lives.
New drama: “Rome.” Only HBO would dare to tackle something this big. Caesar’s Rome is about excess, and viewers will find more than enough sex, violence and intrigue in this one.
Cable drama: “Deadwood.” The dialogue is so lyrical, so Shakespearean, that I would be content to hear (and not see) the storylines play out.
Comedy: “Arrested Development.” Most sitcoms are formulaic, but not “Arrested.” You never know what you’re going to get from week to week. It could be why viewers aren’t tuning in to it.
New comedy: “My Name is Earl.” Talk about a show most of us can relate to. We’ve all done things we regret. Earl is helping us to atone for those mistakes — in a very, very funny way.
Cable comedy: “Weeds.”I played the the first five episodes for one of my conservative friends, who I thought would be appalled by the concept — a suburban mom selling marijuana to make ends meet. My friend loved it.
Family: “Everwood.” I get more positive e-mails and phone calls about this show than any other. That should tell you something. And, yes, I too hope Ephram and Amy get back together.
Teen: “Veronica Mars.” “Buffy” and “Angel” creator Joss Whedon calls it the best show ever. I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s pretty darn good. I look forward to the show’s snappy dialogue riddled with pop culture references.
Police: “The Shield.”Glenn Close was a spectacular one-season addition. I can’t wait to watch Michael Chiklis and this year’s newcomer Forest Whitaker go toe-to-toe.
Medical: “Grey’s Anatomy.” I can’t recall a show where I find myself caring so much about the characters. Well, yes, I can, but it was a certain other medical drama, and it was 10 years ago, when it was good.
Procedural: “Law & Order: SVU.” Sure, the original “Law & Order” and “CSI” set the standard for procedurals, but “SVU” goes to the next level with better performances and guest stars.
Science fiction: “Battlestar Galactica.” I was wary of the remake, but the creators have gone beyond special effects to provide deep stories about man, machine and their places in the world.
Reality: “American Idol.” The early episodes — the ones with the bad singers and not the overwrought ones that come later — are the reasons I keep coming back.
Best acting
Actor: James Spader, “Boston Legal.” This is what I say at the end of each episode: “Wow, that guy can really act.” It’s not surprising he’s won two Emmys.
Actress: Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer.” Sedgwick’s character is smart, sassy, sweet, sexy … OK, I’ve run out of “s” words, but you get the point.
Comeback: Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother.” Harris finally has put to rest Doogie Howser with his brilliant and hysterical turn as the self-centered, suit-wearing girl-chaser.
Worst shows
Drama: I have trouble sitting through entire hours of “Crossing Jordan,” “Wanted,” “Commander in Chief,” “Close to Home,” “CSI: Miami,” “One Tree Hill” and “Ghost Whisperer.”
Comedy: “Yes, Dear” (Why is this show still on?) and “Joey” top my list. Also, here are those lame name sitcoms: “According to Jim,” “George Lopez” and “Freddie.” “Rodney” gets a pass because producer Mark Gross is from Lincoln.
Reality: Anything with the word “Nanny” in it. Do we really want to see bad parenting and misbehaving children on TV? I know I don’t. Martha Stewart’s version of “Apprentice” also was agonizingly painful to watch. Thank goodness it’s gone and done.
Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.