Dish Of Salt: Laura’s Top TV Shows Of 2009

The Dish’s Top TV Shows 2009
It seems this year reality shows finally took a back seat to some fantastic storytelling with brand new shows like “The Good Wife,” “Flash Forward” and “Nurse Jackie.” Audiences returned to their televisions looking for less train wrecks and more fun, fresh programming like “Glee” and “Modern Family.” It was extremely tough for me to pick my ten favorite shows this year because there was so much good stuff out there. Of course, as you will read, picking my number one was eventually easy though. I present my annual list of my favorite shows of the year.

10. “Modern Family” – I remember watching the pilot of this show and laughing a few times but not completely loving it. It wasn’t until the second episode where I discovered the charm, wit and sharp humor the cast brings to this unconventional family comedy. Families do come in all shapes and sizes and this show has the perfect cross section of dysfunction – a gay couple adopting a baby, a rich older man with a hot young, Latina wife (who actually might just love each other) and your typical two parent team raising three kids with very different personalities all while trying to remain cool and hip themselves (and as standout performer here Ty Burrell proves not doing a very good job of it)!. They truly are what the show’s title says!

9. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” – It’s rare that a show in its seventh season would ever make my list. Typically it’s “been there, done that.” However, show creator and star Larry David did something magical this season by reuniting the cast of “Seinfeld” for a non-reunion, reunion. Original “Seinfeld” cast members Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Michael Richards were delightfully sprinkled throughout the shows ten episodes. But the true magic happened in episode 9, “The Table Read,” where the cast read from their “reunion” scripts. It was like returning to a familiar place where when you walk in the sounds and smells take you right back to when you used to go there. Plus, we finally got a glimpse into what actually happened to the characters of Jerry, Elaine, Kramer and George after the finale aired in May 1998. In the final episode of “Curb” I think fans who were disappointed with how “Seinfeld” ended all those years ago (with the foursome being sentenced to a year in prison) finally got the ending the show deserved. With Cheryl and Larry’s perfectly out of sync reconciliation it seems all those loose ends are tied up and the show could easily make this its last season. The only question remains. Do you respect wood?

8. “How I Met Your Mother” – This lovely little gem of a show just keeps getting better and better. A well-deserved Emmy nomination for the show finally gave it the recognition it deserved in this town. Somehow a sitcom has found a way to strike a perfect balance of giving us what we want (Robin and Barney couple up) and then taking it away when we realize we actually don’t really want it (Robin and Barney break-up).

7. “Big Bang Theory” – Anyone who follows me on Twitter or sees my weekly Dish of Salt segment on our weekend show knows exactly why I love this show. Two words: Jim Parsons. I nearly did a back flip of the back of the NBC building when I heard he was nominated for an Emmy for Best Actor up against the likes of Alec Baldwin and Steve Carell. Parson’s spot on performance of the uptight, opinionated, narcissistic, clueless, socially awkward, king of all geeks Sheldon Cooper is the best thing on TV right now. Although leave it to the old Emmy voters to award the trophy to the old guy (sorry, Alec). In this case however, I would truly say it was an honor for him to just be nominated.

6. “30 Rock” – Now I’m making up for that Alec slap with some love for NBC’s best show on the roster. I guess it’s an acquired taste, as the ratings don’t really reflect how good this show really is. I’m guessing that a lot of the inside TV jokes based around “The Girly Show” go over people’s heads so they just tune out. It’s unfortunate because this cast of misfits, led by Tina Fey, consistently delivers the funniest lines on TV. Each actor has created a truly unique character for himself or herself from the lovelorn, pathetic Liz Lemon, to the sweet and endearing Kenneth, to Jack Donaghy, the worst and best TV network president ever.

5. “True Blood” – It’s rare that I would enjoy a show with so much blood and gore. I think we have too much violence in TV and movies but somehow I got sucked into this show (pun intended) in season one and never looked back. While we got way less of Jason Stackhouse’s bare backside in season two what we did get was a pulse pounding ride on the bizarro train that was maenad Maryann (Michelle Forbes). All those blacked out eyes gave me the creeps! This season also set up what is sure to be the sexiest, most dangerous love triangle of the summer between Sookie Stackhouse and vampires Bill and Eric.

4. “Weeds” – With so many medical marijuana shops opening up across Southern California it seems that Nancy Botwin’s pot dealing days were numbered anyway. So, the fact that this show has moved away from her everyday drug dealing and into her life as the pregnant wife of Mexican drug lord Esteban came at the perfect time. It’s rare when a show can actually make me say “wow,” but the season five finale stands as 2009’s biggest jaw-dropping moment (sorry, “Grey’s Anatomy’s” George and Izzie… we saw that coming). Nancy stands being threatened by the powerful and evil Pilar, who has made it clear she will kill Nancy’s sons Shane and Silas to keep her in line. Wham! In comes a murderous teenage Shane to save the day and give Pilar the deadly ending she deserves.

3. “American Idol” – Season eight was all about Adam Lambert for me. From our first interview together (when he made it into the Top 12), something about him just clicked for me. In all eight seasons I have tried to never pick favorites and throw my hat into the ring for one contestant — Until Adam. Finally, the show gave us someone who was content being exactly who they are without compromise on this behemoth show. Not to mention… there were his immaculate vocals and endless style.

2. “Lost” – Intense. Compelling. Intriguing. Mystifying. Maddening but ultimately satisfying. Every year this show delivers the most consistently entertaining drama my TV has ever known. I’m excited for the journey to the end to begin but also sad to know in May it will all be over.

1. “Glee” – For anyone who knows me here at “Access Hollywood” it will come as no surprise that this is my number one show this year. This perfect little show with heart, drama, and snarky wit all mixed with fantastic musical numbers perfectly blended into the storyline has made my life just a little bit better. It’s almost like my heart smiles while it’s airing. I’m proud to say that I have been on the “Glee” bandwagon since I was sent the pilot way back in April. I’ve been bringing people along with me on the train to happyville ever since. I guarantee when this show returns in April 2010 it will become the true phenomenon it deserves to be.