Wrapping Up 2011

It's that time again to look back at the year and figure out what worked and did not work.  Back in August, I provided the status of a number of shows that were cancelled or continued in 2011.  However, TV.com has done an excellent job summarizes the end of approximately 95 television shows this year.  I cannot say I will miss many of them.  Only Friday Night Lights was the true gem among the pile, though I enjoyed the quirky United States of Tara and the frat fun of Greek and Glory Daze.  It is also unfortunate that Camelot could not find it's way.  And the list is incomplete since it does not include a number of British shows on American television, such as BBC America's Outcast, which I thought had some promise.

I can only say good riddance to the U.S. version of Skins as well as the dumb $#*! My Dad Says.  And some shows need to know when to leave.  Both Brothers & Sisters and Entourage should have left the air years ago.  Of course, the list contains a lot of additional dreck. 

Overall, 2011 had a lot of great shows that I covered earlier.  While I am not saying my list is complete, here are 10 shows from 2011 that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend to others.  And I did not limit myself to U.S. programs.  I listed them alphabetically so as not to give too much weight to one over another (though I think Game of Thrones was the top show of the year).

1. Awkward (MTV)
2. Borgen (LinkTV)
3. Boss (Starz)
4. Downton Abbey (PBS)
5. Falling Skies (TNT)
6. Game of Thrones (HBO)
7. Happy Endings (ABC)
8. The Killing (AMC)
9. Portlandia (IFC)
10. Shameless (Showtime)
11. Wilfred (FX)

Okay, that is 11 shows, but I only had 9 last year, so it all balances out.  I would have included even more given the space, but I had to prioritize.  I hope 2012 has such a healthy crop of programs.  And I believe every shows has been given a second season, so I expect a very full DVR this year.

Happy New Year!