TV Feature – Top 10 of 2005

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Looking back at 2005, we had some truly great shows, and putting together the Top Ten is actually tougher than it seems. But out it together we must, and below we have my look at what I thought was the Top Ten. But first…




Honourable Mentions (one shots, in haiku):
‘Fromage 2005’ (MuchMusic)
Ed the Sock bashes
Music vids that truly sucked.
The best thing on Much.

‘UFC Ultimate Fight Night/Ultimate Finale’ (Spike)
Good fights each time out.
Plus Rogan makes good comments.
Diaz/Sanchez ruled.

‘Super Bowl XXXIX’ (FOX)
Pats win Game again.
You Know Who excels, then whines.
Good game, enjoyed ads.

DISHonourable Mentions (in haiku):
‘Trading Spaces’ (TLC)
Paige Davis was fired,
Show now lacks je ne sais quoi.
This show now bores me.

‘The Apprentice’, Seasons 3, 4 and Martha (NBC)
Too much of this show?
Same shit, new tasks each time out.
Perhaps we need a break.

‘Tommy Lee Goes to College’ (NBC)
They tried comedy
But it never produced laughs
The tutor? She’s hot.

And now… the Top Ten:

10. ‘Prison Break’ (FOX) – Large logic gaps. Poor acting from Dominic Purcell and Robin Tunney. The idiotic subplot of Veronica Donovan. Brett Ratner. All of this should have gotten this show cancelled in three episodes. But the acting of Wentworth Miller, the actions of Michael Scofield and the wacky cast of prisoners have somehow managed to overcome all of this, and create a compelling show.

9. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (ABC) – I got on board with this show a bit late, but I can safely say that it’s the smartest, funniest thing that ABC has on Sunday nights. Even if I think Sandra Oh is a horrible actress.

8. ‘Numb3rs’ (CBS) – If you’ve read my column, you know about my love for this show. Plus, where else are you gonna get to see Bill Nye the Science Guy guest star?

7. ‘Survivor: Guatemala’ (CBS) – It’s been called the most physical ‘Survivor’ season yet, and I can’t disagree with that sentiment. Keeping up the momentum created by ‘Survivor: Palau’, this season provided some great new challenges, good twists, and a worthy winner in Danni Boatwright, who at this point may be the frontrunner to replace Dick Vermeil as coach of the Chiefs. (Note: This was written before Kansas City traded for Herm Edwards)

6. ‘The Office’ (NBC) – Unshackled from the BBC scripts, the American version of ‘The Office’ has taken a life – and direction – of it’s own without losing the charm it built up from last season. It’s now much better suited for the American viewing audience, and I actually think that it’s gotten better.

5. ‘The Amazing Race 7’ (CBS) – This will forever be known as the season where Boston Rob reinvented the game without breaking the rules. The circumstances surrounding Uchenna and Joyce’s win are still a bit dodgy in my mind, but overall the show managed to shine from start to finish.

4. ‘My Name is Earl’ (NBC) – After a couple of turns playing a slacker in Kevin Smith films, Jason Lee was a perfect fit to play the laid back ex-con Earl in this sitcom. The show could have stumbled with Earl continually succeeding and being a perfect angel, but by having Earl stumble and even add to the list, the show retains it’s charm and humour. Oh, and Nadine Velasquez is smoking hot.

3. ‘Arrested Development’ (FOX) – One of the charms of this show is that there is a lot of subtle or referential humour throughout an episode, even as some blatant jokes are going on. Unfortunately, I think that it’s this subtlety that also turns people off of the show. Still, it’s far funnier than any of the crap Fox puts out on Sunday, and yes, that does include the past-it’s-prime ‘The Simpsons’ (I’m not gonna get started on the unfunny McFarlane hour), and I’ll be sad to see it go if the rumours are correct.

2. ‘Lost’ (ABC) – The show has been experiencing the sophomore slump common on TV – ‘Desparate Housewives’, ‘Dark Angel’ and ‘Alf’ to name a few – but it’s still compelling television. Still, they can salvage the season by making the mystery not about the “others”, but about when and who finally pops a cap in Ana Lucia’s ass.


Is that lingering stare for Reiko or Kiefer’s neck?

1. ’24’ (FOX) – Jack and Tony rule. That is all.

Kevin has been an Insider since 2003, writing on a variety of topics ranging from The Amazing Race to Mixed Martial Arts. His current hobbies include Fantasy Football, Sporcle, travelling, making liberal use of his DVR and wondering what the heck he's gonna do when his two daughters are old enough to date. You can follow Kevin on Twitter (@starvenger).