UPDATE 2.
Everyone keeps mentioning some great shows -- Dexter, Breaking Bad, 24, Generation Kill, etc. I've watched episodes from all these shows and think they are great. But I don't return for more. In some cases, I'm too far behind the story and will have to catch up on DVDs. In other cases, I think they are too similar in tone to Sons. Watching them is a little too much like going to work. You can tell by the things on my list that I use TV like most of you do -- to escape.
UPDATE 1.
I forgot to check the DVR in the bedroom. There were several guilty pleasures I watch with my wife. The additions are *** below.
It's not a"top ten" list, it's not the "best of" list, it's just the shit that I enjoyed watching this year. I don't watch a lot of television. I try to sample the new shows on both network and cable. That sampling very rarely leads to a desire to watch again. So these are the things that ended up on my DVR this year (SOA not included). No particular order, no compelling reason.
HOUSE HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL
Katey and I watch it religiously. It's our escape fantasy. We dream of quitting everything, liquidating our assets, putting the kids in boarding school and moving to the south of France, northern Italy or a Greek Island.
ROBOT CHICKEN
Irreverent, ridiculous and fucking funny. It's fifteen minutes of juvenile escapism.
THE DAILY SHOW
Jon Stewart is my only news source. If it wasn't for him, I'd have no idea what's going on in the world.
NURSE JACKIE
Took me a few episodes to embrace the adulterous junkie caregiver with the heart of gold, but by the end, I was wanting more. Edie Falco is a writer's dream -- she turns a six on the page into a ten on screen.
*GLEE
Katey started watching. Got my daughter, Sarah hooked. I begrudgingly watched an episode with them. Shaking my head in a manly, "C'mon" manner the whole show. Then, when Katey was out of town, I watched every episode. I laughed, I cried, I sang, I danced.
ENTOURAGE
Some critics hate it, but I still love hanging out with these guys. It ain't brilliant, but it's entertaining and addictive.
HUNG
Episodes were uneven, but the overall narrative arc and the acting were very compelling. And yes, an average Joe with a huge penis that every woman wants to fuck... and then pays him, does appeal to my ego-righteous sense of "I could do that... if my penis was four inches longer and I was good looking."
FAMILY GUY
Nothing else in the world makes me laugh more. Nothing.
KIDDIE SHOWS
My three-year old only watches television with her daddy. Twenty minutes in the morning, twenty minutes before bed. These are her favorites in order of dvr requests:
Mio Mao
Bonnie Bear
Musti
Sesame Street
Sponge Bob
LOST
The only network drama I watch. Not just because my wife is on it. Damon and Carlton have me on a string. It's appointment television for the whole family.
IMPORTANT THINGS WITH DEMETRI MARTIN
Love this guy's stand-up. The show is still finding its way, but I watched every episode. And laughed.
CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM
I thought I'd be tired of Larry by now, but he still makes me fucking cringe with laughter. Some of the episodes felt derivative, like spec scripts of the show, but there were several shows this season that rivaled the first year in their ingenuity and irreverence. The Seinfeld arc was classic Larry.
TRUE BLOOD
Sexy, intriguing, totally over the fucking top. I'm in, Alan. Can't wait for next season.
MAD MEN
I had to force myself to watch the first half of the season. I was having a hard time relating or caring about ANYBODY. (spoiler ahead) After the grandfather died, I finally started plugging in. The finale was awesome. Looking forward to seeing Don Draper with a sense of purpose next season.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
I watch it for Andy Samburg's Digital Shorts and anything with Kristen Wiig and Kenan Thompson.
