Top 10 TV Shows Blogfest!

I may be a day late and a dollar short, but here is my entry into the Top 10 TV Shows Blogfest. I would like to thank Alex for coming up with this and everyone else for participating and making it so much fun. Here are my top 10 TV shows, in no real particular order:

1) The Wire.
Brutal. Harsh. Real. The Wire is based on real life in Baltimore's city streets, one of the most dangerous places in America. It portrays the brutality of inner city poverty with courage and honesty unknown before or since. Plus one of my favorite novelists was involved in writing several of the screenplays: Richard Price.

2) The Office
It was so subtle at first, what made this show hilarious, just real people, in an office, doing work and living life. Of course yes Michael Scott is one of the most annoying and funniest characters ever created, and love him or hate him (I happen to love him), you can't deny his impact on the "sitcom". Plus Jim, Dwight and Michael are basically the perfect comedy trio. A modern day Marx Brothers.

3) Entourage.
This show is so much fun. Before you slam me I am aware of the inherent misogyny within this show, especially portrayed by Ari Gold, but that's sort of the point. An over the top, satirical look at Hollywood, that's honest and not afraid to make fun of itself. Plus it's fun as hell to watch, completely unbelievable, and as hilarious as it is exciting.

4) True Blood.
How can a show be this ridiculous and this awesome at the same time? You thought twilight made vampires cool again? Wrong. Maybe sparkly ones, maybe for kids, but True Blood goes all out with violence, drug use, sex and nudity. There is no question this show is for adults, and depraved ones at that. Still, you can't deny the entertainment value of this campy romp of sex, blood, gore and violence.

5) Glee.
I haven't had more fun watching a show with my family (my kids, not my parents) ever. There are occasional moments that fly swiftly over my daughter's head, but the music, the singing, the production value in this show know no equal. Plus the concept of bringing back rockin tunes that might have been left by the wayside otherwise is a stellar one. The message of equality cleverly woven underneath it all is also pretty darn cool.

6) The X Files.
Oh the files that were filed under X. Oh Mulder. Oh Scully. Oh Smoking man and Krycek. This was a show from a simpler time. When weird was cool and "big picture" episodes were waited for with bated breath. At least by me. The movies weren't bad, but it was the show that stole my heart. This was the first and only show I planned to watch every week once I finally was out on my own.

7) The Simpsons.
Only in America could a show poke so much fun at real issues in our society and still be so beloved. Only Matt Groening could be so cruel toward New Jersey while being from there originally. The Simpsons are timeless. The Simpsons are hilarious. The Simpsons was probably the first cartoon on national TV that wasn't really appropriate for children, and we loved it for that. The simpsons made Fox cool.

8) Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The show, not the film. This one was a recent discovery for me, but it was also honestly the very first show my own kids introduced to me that I actually ended up loving. This show has it all, martial arts, magical manipulation of the elements, romance, comedy, a quest to save the world. The characters are very lovable, and there are some moments of slapstick that get a little cheesy, but for the most part this is a kids show that adults can enjoy as well.

9) L.A. Law
I actually don't even remember this show that well, but it was the first show my parents watched that I got into at all. I was already a huge Harry Hamlin fan because of Clash of the Titans, and I remember Corbin Bernsen and Jimmy Smits' characters quite well. This show was more of a soap opera than most modern lawyer shows today, but I recall clearly that this was what first made me want to be an attorney. Well, this and the money.

10) M.A.S.H.
The original sitcom. The show that spanned generations. The show that defined many younger Americans understanding of the Korean War until they grew up and found a better understanding. Hawkeye. Trapper. Hot Lips. Klinger. Hunnicutt. Radar. Major Burns. Need I say more? The finale of this show was the most watched television event in history until the Super Bowl that was played this year.

So what do you all think? Discover any new shows during this awesome blogfest? I know I did. Please remember to visit all the other bloggers who participated as there have been a great many wonderful shows, actors and performances mentioned. You will enjoy all of these posts immensely.

I promise.