The Shut-In’s Guide to the Best of TV, 2008 – Part 2
9. The Daily Show / The Colbert Report (Comedy Central) – The best political satire on television just keeps getting better and more vital. Granted, there was a rough start, when both series began the election year mired in a writer’s strike. (Although that did give us the Jon Stewart / Stephen Colbert / Conan O’Brien feud which culminated in the greatest slapstick brawl 
since we lost Curly Howard.) But once they found their footing again, Jon and Stephen took on this most historic of elections in grand fashion. Between scoring interviews with all of the major candidates, seizing on the stories and flubs that the legitimate media missed, and even turning their sights on that same media, both shows did something amazing this year: They made satire part of the national discourse. And let’s face it, would Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin impression have scored like it did if Jon Stewart hadn’t called Palin out first? If he hadn’t taken apart the Katie Couric interview, Fey’s performance wouldn’t have rung as true as it did. These guys not only made some of the funniest TV of the year, but they made other people funnier as they did it.
since we lost Curly Howard.) But once they found their footing again, Jon and Stephen took on this most historic of elections in grand fashion. Between scoring interviews with all of the major candidates, seizing on the stories and flubs that the legitimate media missed, and even turning their sights on that same media, both shows did something amazing this year: They made satire part of the national discourse. And let’s face it, would Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin impression have scored like it did if Jon Stewart hadn’t called Palin out first? If he hadn’t taken apart the Katie Couric interview, Fey’s performance wouldn’t have rung as true as it did. These guys not only made some of the funniest TV of the year, but they made other people funnier as they did it.8. The Shield (FX) – Now, that’s how you end a series. In its final season, the always controversial drama pushed every one of its characters to their limits. The season-long arc involving the 
Armenian Mafia and the blackmail box was as complex and rewarding as anything on The Wire, and the brutal power struggle between Vic Mackey and his former partner, Shane Vendrell, was gripping and emotionally affecting in a way that only the best TV can manage. While the quality of The Shield is often overshadowed by its audacious button-pushing, the final episode of the series was on of the best hours of television this year. Between Shane’s final moments, the steady decline of Claudette, Ronny’s betrayal, and even Vic’s ironic fate, The Shield took us to the dark side one last time.
Armenian Mafia and the blackmail box was as complex and rewarding as anything on The Wire, and the brutal power struggle between Vic Mackey and his former partner, Shane Vendrell, was gripping and emotionally affecting in a way that only the best TV can manage. While the quality of The Shield is often overshadowed by its audacious button-pushing, the final episode of the series was on of the best hours of television this year. Between Shane’s final moments, the steady decline of Claudette, Ronny’s betrayal, and even Vic’s ironic fate, The Shield took us to the dark side one last time. 7. Breaking Bad (AMC) – Speaking of dark… Here we’ve got nebbishy chemistry teacher Walter White who, upon discovering that he has terminal lung cancer, starts brewing and selling crystal meth to support his family. Bryan Cranston won the Emmy for this role, beating out Jon Hamm, Michael C. Hall, and Hugh Laurie. That’s like, I don’t know, some sports metaphor about an underdog beating all the best teams in the league simultaneously. (That 
happens in sports, right?) Some of the darkest humor on TV mixed in with gut-wrenching character drama, every episode of Breaking Bad was a triumph. And let me tell you, Walter pulled off the single most badass character moment all year when he roughed up a big-time drug dealer. If that scene didn’t bring you to your feet, then I question whether you have a soul (and/or feet).
happens in sports, right?) Some of the darkest humor on TV mixed in with gut-wrenching character drama, every episode of Breaking Bad was a triumph. And let me tell you, Walter pulled off the single most badass character moment all year when he roughed up a big-time drug dealer. If that scene didn’t bring you to your feet, then I question whether you have a soul (and/or feet). 6. The Wire (HBO) – And that’s the second great cop drama to wrap up this year. The Wire may well be TV’s greatest drama, chronicling the Baltimore drug wars from the corner boys all the way up to the politicians. This season brought the media into the story, where we saw that newspapers are suffering the same way as the dock workers, the police, and the city itself. Meanwhile Jimmy McNulty, the detective who centered the series, turned the corner and made what seemed an indefensible moral decision. The fact that we were sad to see he didn’t get away with it just points to the brilliance of The Wire. From the senseless death of Omar Little to druglord Marlo Stanfield’s new life, The Wire rarely gave us what we wanted, but it seemed all the more true for it. Really, this should be in first place, but I’m a little bitter. The Wire didn’t need to end when it did. Some of the characters may have moved on, but the game never ends. If I may quote Clay Davis, “Sheeeeeeeeeeeit.”
5. The Venture Bros. (Cartoon Network) – This is Adult Swim’s crown jewel, right here. This season started from one very simple premise, something that had never been indicated before: The 
late Jonas Venture Sr., brilliant scientist and paragon of virtue, was a dick. That little revelation turned the Venture universe on its ear. In the process, it deepened the backstory, turning their continuity into a rich mythology. And as a bonus, it was hilarious the whole way through. The Venture Home News, a German hitman named Herr Trigger, the nozzle, the Lepidopterists, Dr. Killinger’s magical murder bag, the inevitable fate of Henchman Number One, and poor, doomed Dr. Dugong (“But…I have cuttlefish!”). Over the top violence and comedy combined to somehow make the characters more sympathetic and interesting than ever. And then, there was that season finale that threw all of the established relationships into chaos (Is Sgt. Hatred really going to be their new bodyguard?), brought a new level of danger to the series (No more clones!), and provided both the season’s best joke and most horrifying moment. Seriously, I’m still upset over what happened to Henchman 24.
late Jonas Venture Sr., brilliant scientist and paragon of virtue, was a dick. That little revelation turned the Venture universe on its ear. In the process, it deepened the backstory, turning their continuity into a rich mythology. And as a bonus, it was hilarious the whole way through. The Venture Home News, a German hitman named Herr Trigger, the nozzle, the Lepidopterists, Dr. Killinger’s magical murder bag, the inevitable fate of Henchman Number One, and poor, doomed Dr. Dugong (“But…I have cuttlefish!”). Over the top violence and comedy combined to somehow make the characters more sympathetic and interesting than ever. And then, there was that season finale that threw all of the established relationships into chaos (Is Sgt. Hatred really going to be their new bodyguard?), brought a new level of danger to the series (No more clones!), and provided both the season’s best joke and most horrifying moment. Seriously, I’m still upset over what happened to Henchman 24. 4. Mad Men (AMC) – Oh, yeah. After writing about it every week this season, I’m not sure what
more I can say right now. After a brilliant first season, creator Matthew Weiner kept the audience off-balance by making us question everything. We’d just gotten used to the idea that Don Draper wasn’t really Don Draper, and then we had to figure out exactly who he is. In fact, as the season progressed, it seemed he was only really happy when he got to be Dick Whitman again. Pete Campbell continued to be disgusting and pitiable in equal measure, and the invincible Joan’s story took a shocking turn. As everything is about to change for America, all of our favorites struggled in vain to get their footing. What about that buyout? Is Harry’s baby OK? When will Joan’s fiancée get the wild dog mauling that he deserves? What this season made clear is that we’re actually seeing the birth of the next Sopranos. Yeah, Mad Men is that good.
more I can say right now. After a brilliant first season, creator Matthew Weiner kept the audience off-balance by making us question everything. We’d just gotten used to the idea that Don Draper wasn’t really Don Draper, and then we had to figure out exactly who he is. In fact, as the season progressed, it seemed he was only really happy when he got to be Dick Whitman again. Pete Campbell continued to be disgusting and pitiable in equal measure, and the invincible Joan’s story took a shocking turn. As everything is about to change for America, all of our favorites struggled in vain to get their footing. What about that buyout? Is Harry’s baby OK? When will Joan’s fiancée get the wild dog mauling that he deserves? What this season made clear is that we’re actually seeing the birth of the next Sopranos. Yeah, Mad Men is that good.3. 30 Rock (NBC) – When all is said and done, Sarah Palin’s greatest contribution to the culture is 
the exposure she allowed Tina Fey, which finally translated into some improved ratings for 30 Rock. The guest-shots from Steve Martin, Jennifer Aniston, and Oprah Winfrey (!) didn’t hurt, either. But unlike most stunt-casting, these appearances fit perfectly into the series and served to highlight the fact that 30 Rock has the best darn cast on TV. Between Fey, Zen Master of Comedy Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, and a supporting cast that includes geniuses like Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, and Judah Friedlander, 30 Rock boasts a comedic Dream Team. This year brought us MILF Island, the almost feral Cathy Geiss, Jack Donaghy’s appointment to the Bush Administration, Liz Lemon’s attempts to adopt, Tracy Jordan’s porno videogame (and lifelike sex doll), a continuing obsession with werewolves, and the line “If you want a hug from a Black person, just host The Price is Right”. In terms of the speed and depth of the humor, Rock is a spiritual successor to Arrested Development, which is a very good thing to be.
the exposure she allowed Tina Fey, which finally translated into some improved ratings for 30 Rock. The guest-shots from Steve Martin, Jennifer Aniston, and Oprah Winfrey (!) didn’t hurt, either. But unlike most stunt-casting, these appearances fit perfectly into the series and served to highlight the fact that 30 Rock has the best darn cast on TV. Between Fey, Zen Master of Comedy Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, and a supporting cast that includes geniuses like Jack McBrayer, Scott Adsit, and Judah Friedlander, 30 Rock boasts a comedic Dream Team. This year brought us MILF Island, the almost feral Cathy Geiss, Jack Donaghy’s appointment to the Bush Administration, Liz Lemon’s attempts to adopt, Tracy Jordan’s porno videogame (and lifelike sex doll), a continuing obsession with werewolves, and the line “If you want a hug from a Black person, just host The Price is Right”. In terms of the speed and depth of the humor, Rock is a spiritual successor to Arrested Development, which is a very good thing to be. 2. The Office (NBC) – For my money, the best single episode this year was The Office’s first post-Strike episode. “The Dinner Party” was an absolute masterpiece of desperately awkward comedy. Watching Michael and Jan fight was depressingly realistic, especially finding out that Michael has to sleep on a tiny bed at the foot of the real bed. Or his incredibly tiny plasma screen television. Or that he built a trophy case for his Dundees. (That’s so much sadder when you realize that he gives out the Dundees himself.) Luckily, it was balanced out with the side-splittingly funny. Michael trying to play “Celebrities”. Hunter’s album. Dwight showing up with his own food and his former babysitter. I’ve watched that episode so many times, and I can’t stop laughing at it. This whole year has been one classic after another, from Holly’s interactions with Kevin to Toby’s exit and return. 
And then there’s the beautiful moment when Jim proposed to Pam. Personally, I’m much too emotionally involved with the Dwight/Angela/Andy triangle. (I just want Dwight to be happy, but Andy is so simple and childlike that I can’t stand to see him get hurt.) Five seasons in, and they haven’t made a misstep yet. That’s amazing!
And then there’s the beautiful moment when Jim proposed to Pam. Personally, I’m much too emotionally involved with the Dwight/Angela/Andy triangle. (I just want Dwight to be happy, but Andy is so simple and childlike that I can’t stand to see him get hurt.) Five seasons in, and they haven’t made a misstep yet. That’s amazing!And that brings us to my top show of 2008…
1. Lost (ABC) – This probably shouldn’t come as a surprise. Season Four brought everything into high gear. Without any of those space-filler episodes that would slow down past seasons from time to time, this year introduced new characters who actually meshed with the cast, pointed us in a whole new direction for the Big Bad of the series (Widmore!), and included some big, giant revelations about the nature of the Island. (“He wants us to move the Island.” I don’t care who you are, that’s awesome.) We had romance, tragedy, action, and time-shifted bunny rabbits. And there was some excellent acting, especially from Terry O’Quinn and Michael Emerson. Locke and Benry formed the spine of this season, with what was either an epic battle between Good and Evil or an incessantly cruel mind game. This season changed everything. Not only did the Oceanic 6 escape the Island, but the Island went and disappeared. And in the upcoming season, we can look forward to seeing 
what happened after the Island disappeared, but what exactly is going on in the Flash Forwards with the survivors. Right now, it’s looking like Benry is their best hope for the future, and that’s a bad place to be. Every single episode ended with a shocking cliffhanger or a jaw-dropping revelation, and none moreso than that damned last shot of the season finale. I was a lot happier before I knew who was in the casket. That’s right, even ending the season with a shot of the corpse of my favorite television character, Lost still managed to take the top spot this year. And now, it’s time to begin the countdown to Season Five!
what happened after the Island disappeared, but what exactly is going on in the Flash Forwards with the survivors. Right now, it’s looking like Benry is their best hope for the future, and that’s a bad place to be. Every single episode ended with a shocking cliffhanger or a jaw-dropping revelation, and none moreso than that damned last shot of the season finale. I was a lot happier before I knew who was in the casket. That’s right, even ending the season with a shot of the corpse of my favorite television character, Lost still managed to take the top spot this year. And now, it’s time to begin the countdown to Season Five!And there we go. My favorite shows of the year. Let’s hear it for 2008, everybody!
Seriously, how could they kill Locke?
