13.) Nashville
In many ways, Nashville is one of those shows that is filled with petty drama. I don't consider shows like that to be very smart. The reason this show makes the bottom of my list however is due to what I like to call its "music IQ." The songs for this show are extremely well written. It would be easy for this show to phone in the songs, and just rely on the petty drama to get ratings. I'm glad they don't. The musical aspect of this show feeds the illusion of young artists breaking into the music world with honest lyrics and simple melodies. It may not always have the smartest plot lines, but the music keeps you coming back for more.
12.) Elementary
Another new one to the list this year, Elementary squeaks in at the bottom of the list not so much for the crime solving as for the character dynamics. I'll be honest, when the first season of this show started, I thought it was just going to be a slower, less interesting, version of The Mentalist or Psych. At first, it was. But as the season went on, they made the perfect decision to turn the season into a mutual journey of growth between the two lead characters Joan Watson and Sherlock Holmes. Seeing Watson, easily the most likable character on the show, come into her own was very rewarding. What was even more rewarding however was seeing how Watson changed Holmes' view of himself, leading up to what I think was the best scripted finale of any network show this season.
11.) Necessary Roughness
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In its short time on air, this show has had its touchdowns as well as its bumps and bruises. The missteps were odd love triangles, and over extended plot lines that were never that interesting in the first place. Most of this occurred in season two. That being said, what this show will always have going for it is the tough wit of Callie Thorne playing Dr. Dani Santino. Sports and psychology might not seem like a likely pair, but the two topics meld together extremely well on this show. Another reason to give it ups in the intelligence department is that it is one of the few shows on TV that is even willing to take on tough topic of psychology, and do so while still giving the profession the serious treatment it deserves.
10.) The Simpsons
You might notice that this show is down four spots from where it was last year. This is for a couple of reasons. First, my goal in putting this show on the list last year was to give it the recognition it deserves as a major force in modern day television comedy. It's still on the list for that reason. The reason it is down from last year is because the last season of the show was not quite as impressive as the season before, and I wanted to give some other shows more credit. The Simpsons is and always will be a comedy pioneer, but they'll just have to do that from the number 10 spot for now.
9.) Psych
Psych is a show defined by the witty banter of its two main characters, Shawn and Gus. I'm glad to say that during this last season of the show, that witty banter was still there. The problem, and reason it is down two spots from last year, is that it almost seemed like the writers of the show were determined to undermine the show's wit with horrible plot twists. The plot choices that were made on this last season often seemed more confusing than entertaining, and often made the show far less enjoyable than it should have been. Another problem I had was that some of the fun "gimmicks" that have made the show great in the past kind of fell flat this season. For example the 100th episode of the show was a parody of the film Clue featuring some cast members from the film. The plot lacked any interesting twists, which was a distinguishing feature of the film. For being the show's 100th episode, it didn't even have the entire main cast in the episode. All of this being said, the chemistry of Shawn and Gus will make this show one of the smartest on TV as long as it is on (which hopefully isn't, but probably is only one more season).
8.) The Mindy Project
I'm pretty excited to have this show on the list this year. Of the sitcoms that survived their freshman season (not many did), this is easily the best. It's not the funniest show on TV, but it can be very witty when it's at the top of its game. What really makes the show work is creator/writer/star Mindy Kaling. She's a funny woman. Her character is a less neurotic, more professionally successful, Liz Lemon type, which is a good model to have for a show. What makes the show smart is that Kaling's character balances being a highly intelligent woman with a comical "always the bridesmaid, never the bride" love life. I also like that the show is unafraid to take on serious topics such as dating between people of differing religious backgrounds, and gender politics in the workplace. Add that all on top of a rag tag cast of misfit characters and you have a show that could have a bright future.
7.) Castle
This show actually moved up three spots on the list this year. It's still the same charming crime drama that it has always been, but the reason it jumped up so much was because the writers made just about every correct plot choice that they could have this season. First of all, there is Caskett. For those of you who aren't fans of the show, this is the fan created relationship name for the show's two main characters. Finally getting Castle and Beckett together was smart in my opinion. You could only keep that "will they, won't they" alive for so long without people just not caring any more. So this show took the plunge and I'm glad to say that everyone who claimed they were "jumping the shark" was completely wrong. The show perfectly balanced the Caskett relationship with the day to day casework. Beyond Caskett, this season just had a solid line-up of well written episodes. From the episode where Beckett and Castle are on the run to save their lives, to the 100th episode which paid perfect homage to Hitchcock's Rear Window (and was much more enjoyable than the Psych 100th episode which took place with roughly a week's distance between the two), the writers did their jobs well this season.
6.) The Good Wife
This show fell two spots this year, but for the most part, that isn't the show's fault. One reason is that new shows have made the list and simply out performed what is easily network TV's best and most critically lauded drama. Another aspect is that I don't have as much to judge the show on. Due to football delays and DVR issues, I was only able to make it through about half the season before I got too far behind to catch up. I fully plan on catching back up when the season is released on DVD. Another reason the show fell a little is because in the episodes I did see, I felt as if Alicia Florrick, the strongest female character on TV, wasn't being utilized as well as she had been in past seasons. Does this mean a dip in quality for the show? I doubt it. Like I said, it's the best network drama, and I have no doubt that legacy will continue.
5.) Parks and Recreation
Holding steady at the number five position, Parks and Recreation was, as always, one of the most consistent and solid comedies on TV this season. Instead of one big plot line that spanned the season, as was done very successfully the last two seasons, this season consisted of more small, mostly unconnected, plot lines. It still worked very well however. The show never lost any of it's charm or ensemble fueled wit. A particular highlight of the season was the Leslie/Ben wedding. It was touching at points and hilarious at others. One thing I noticed was the very uneventful season finale (again breaking the mold of ending the season with a big event/cliffhanger). Like my friend said when we were discussing the finale, "It didn't even really seem like a season finale." Overall though, it's the same great show with the same great cast. Also, can we get Amy Poehler an Emmy for her work on this show?
4.) New Girl
Last season there was a feeling of "will this show work, or will this show bomb." The critics of the show were loud, but season two proved that they were wrong. It picked up right where the pace of season one left off. This season didn't stumble on the "how will a girl live with these guys" premise of season one. That had been dealt with in season one, and I was very glad to see season two move on. Also, I liked how there was growth from every character. It was a smart choice to just dive into the Nick/Jess relationship without apologizing or looking back and being afraid to progress with it. Most of all, the show was just funny. Episodes such as the one where Jess thinks one of her adult writing students wants to kill her were downright hilarious. The show is also getting in a habit of having some very charming Christmas episodes, which is a good precedent to set. Overall, I think this show can only go up in the future.
3.) Community
You could probably argue, and maybe justifiably so, that after the season Community just had under its new show runners, that it should be much lower on this list. I can respect and acknowledge that argument, but three things prevent me from listening to it. First of all, this is the same beloved cast that has always brought this show its charm. The second reason is that while many episodes were not as good as previous seasons, a few were (namely the Origin Story episode and the Thanksgiving episode). Third, in case you haven't heard, for season five DAN HARMON IS RETURNING AS SHOWRUNNER. I'm glad that my loyalty refused to let me give up on this show because with Dan Harmon back at the helm, I have no doubt season five will be everything fans loved about seasons 1-3. No matter what trials it has been through, Community is still the little show that could.
1.) Cougar Town (Tie)
Speaking of little shows that could. Cougar Town went from being shoved into a corner by ABC, to almost being cancelled by ABC, to being bought by TBS, to being not only renewed for a fourth season by TBS, but a fifth season as well. Out of the wreckage of ABC's mishandling of a very funny and witty show came the funniest season of TV this year. Let's just pause and say thanks to TBS. Why was Cougar Town so great this season? Well unlike Community, the show got a new showrunnner without losing any of the witty writing or ensemble charm that it had with the old showrunners. There were also some really great and creative episodes this season. The origin story episode was a highlight for me (I may have watched it four or five times). But I respected that the show also took time to touch on some serious issues, such as religion (I have to admit I didn't see that one coming, but I respected where they went with it). Most of all the show was great because the characters have incredible chemistry and their witty banter is hands down the best on TV.
1.) The Newsroom (Tie)
While Cougar Town was the smartest comedy on TV this year, The Newsroom was hands down the smartest drama on TV. HBO crafted ten near perfect episodes of television that started with a bang and ended in a very satisfying place. So what makes this show smart? First of all, the premise of the show is so simple and genius that it is almost criminal that no show has done this before. The main theme of the show is journalistic integrity and using the news to inform viewers of what they need to know going into the voting booth. If only the real news followed these ideas. The second aspect that makes it great is that the show is set a couple years in the past so that it can cover actual news stories, but not so far in the past that these news stories aren't still very real and fresh in our minds. Third, perfect casting. I mean it is spot on. They could not have picked a better cast. Each character is extremely intelligent and powerful in their own right, but they also each have flaws that are exposed on a regular basis. There has been some criticism that the female characters on the show are weak. I don't understand this. These are some of the strongest female characters on TV. Their flaws often present themselves through clumsiness, true, but their strengths present themselves through acts of great character. I think this criticism is born out of misogyny. You don't here anyone calling Don Draper or Walter White weak characters, and yet their flaws are presented through selling drugs, murdering, and cheating on their wives. Are critics really saying Mac (the lead female character in The Newsroom) tripping over a cord or getting her words mixed up makes her a weaker character than her male counterparts on TV who have done much worse? Back to the show. The final element of the show that makes it great is the writing. It is extremely intelligent, but also extremely witty. If you can watch the opening scene of this show and not get drawn in, then you must have the TV on mute.
