My Favorite TV Shows of 2012

As I did in 2011, I wanted to end the year with my list of favorite TV shows.  As expected, some of the shows will overlap, but I have also found new shows that I would recommend to others.  I also found that my old favorites were bumping up against a batch of new entrants, so I cheated and made my life easier by providing two categories (listed in alphabetical order).  

Old Favorites (Started before 2012)

-- Borgen (Dutch television broadcast on LinkTV online)
-- Bored to Death (HBO, ended after three seasons)
-- Boss (Starz, ended after two seasons)
-- Falling Skies (TNT)
-- Fringe (Fox, ending after five seasons)
-- Justified (FX)
-- Louie C.K. (FX) 
-- Mad Men (AMC) 
-- Parks and Recreation (NBC)
-- Southland (TNT)

New Favorites (First appeared in 2012)

-- Battleground (Hulu)
-- Blood & Chrome (Internet BSG mini-series, SyFy movie in 2013)
-- The Fades (BBC, ended after one season)
-- Hatfields & McCoys (History Channel mini-series)
-- The Inbetweeners (MTV remake)
-- Last Resort (ABC, ending after one season)
-- Lilyhammer (Netflix)
-- Longmire (A&E)
-- Magic City (Starz)
-- The Newsroom (HBO)

I know, it's a lot of TV.  Of the 20 shows, 7 will not be back either because they were cancelled or never intended to last more than one season.  And what strikes me as interesting is the number of non-network shows on the list.  In fact, 3 of my 10 favorites from 2012 were not even run on television.  I guess this list reflects the growing presence of the Internet in this realm.  Who knows what 2013 will bring?  Stay tuned.  

Year-End Television Changes

Well, we are almost into a new year and quite a few changes have taken place altering the TV landscape.  For instance, this month marks the end of some popular shows, including 30Rock, Leverage (I started this blog with the show), The Office, and Merlin (while the last season of Merlin has yet to show in the US, it was already broadcast in the UK). 

This year we also saw the end to other good shows, such as Boss, Damages, Bored to Death, Last Resort, and The Fades. 

We also said good riddance to other shows that will not be missed by many, including Work It, The Firm, Alcatraz, I Just Want My Pants Back, Luck, and Terra Nova (though I am starting to reevaluate the show). 

Finally, we had the treat of watching a few reboots and reunions, such as the online Battlestar Galactica movie/miniseries Blood & Chrome, the Firefly cast reunion, and the American remake of The Inbetweeners.

And let's not forget there is also talk of resurrecting The Killing and Jericho, while also making a movie version of Bored to Death. 

Enough change in one year?  I know this is just the tip of the iceberg, but this is what caught my attention.

Some Favorite Shows of 2012

As the year comes to an end, it is time to reflect on the past season.  Last week a few TV critics from The New York Times chimed in with their favorites.  And while the lists were similar in many ways, a few entries stood out.  For instance, Mike Hale placed PBS's Moyers & Company among the top 10, noting:

Conservative politicians campaigning against PBS shouldn’t focus just on tax dollars: the network is also home to the most subversive show on American television. Sitting at a small desk on a bare set, Bill Moyers asks scholars, journalists and activists questions about our political system — whom it serves, how it’s paid for — that no one else is asking on screen. 

And  Alessandra Stanley's list includes the Presidential election:

Normally epic on-air meltdowns happen on reality shows or during an Oscar acceptance speech, but this year the most memorable live moments were prompted by the presidential campaign. The best came on election night on Fox News, when the channel’s Republican expert Karl Rove had a tantrum, rejecting his network’s own figures, and sulkily refused to accept that despite all his predictions, and “super PAC” spending, the winner was Barack Obama. 

I would add the Republican debates to this list if you were strictly rating comedies (or is it farce?).   

June Thomas in Slate has her own top 15 picks, with a few surprises including C-SPAN2's Book TV: 

A DVR malfunction can reveal a lot about your true feelings for a show. When you feel bereft to learn that a show hasn’t recorded, you’re saying that some part of you finds it essential. Book TV—a parade of author readings, Q&As, and live feeds from book festivals from around the nation—speaks through the electronic program guide. Every few weeks I curse the TV gods when my Friday night cruise through the listings to find out which authors Book TV will be serving up this weekend comes up empty—offering vague listings rather than specifying which new books will be featured. That’s how I know Book TV is an indispensable part of my weekend.

I am still compiling my list, but it's fun to see what others are watching.

Kennedy Center Honors: Letterman and More

If you are concerned about a holiday week with little new programing, why not check out the 35th Kennedy Center Honors?  The show broadcasts on Wednesday night on CBS at 9pm ET.  This year's awardees include:

-- bluesman Buddy Guy,

-- actor and director Dustin Hoffman,

-- comedian and television host David Letterman,

-- ballerina Natalia Makarova, and

-- rock band Led Zeppelin.

 Last year's award winners included Barbara Cook, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma,Sonny Rollins, and Meryl Streep. You can see a clip here summarizing the 2011 awards ceremony. 

More Award Worthy Shows

I already noted the Golden Globe nominees, but I did not highlight the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) nominees.  Like the Golden Globe, the SAG has both film and television nominees.  Here are the television nominees for the 19th SAG Award:  

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES

-- Boardwalk Empire

-- Breaking Bad

-- Downton Abbey

-- Homeland

-- Mad Men

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES

-- 30 Rock

-- Big Bang Theory

-- Glee

-- Modern Family

-- Nurse Jackie

-- The Office 

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

-- Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

-- Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

-- Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom

-- Jon Hamm, Mad Men

-- Damian Lewis, Homeland

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

-- Claire Danes, Homeland

-- Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey

-- Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum

-- Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

-- Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

-- Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie

-- Tina Fey, 30 Rock

-- Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

-- Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

-- Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES

-- Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys

-- Woody Harrelson, Game Change

-- Ed Harris, Game Change

-- Clive Owen, Hemingway and Gellhorn

-- Bill Paxton, Hatfields & McCoys

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES

-- Nicole Kidman, Hemingway and Gellhorn

-- Julianne Moore, Game Change

-- Charlotte Rampling, Restless

-- Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals

-- Alfre Woodard, Steel Magnolias

As with the Golden Globes, I did not see too many surprises on this list.  I was happy to see Jeff Daniels from The Newsroom recognized here as well.  And I was also pleased to see both Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton from the History Channel's Hatfields & McCoys on the nominee list.  Kevin Costner won an Emmy for this same performance earlier this year, so maybe it is Bill Paxton's turn this time.  Otherwise we may just see a feud, and it could get ugly if history is any guide.

The 19th SAG Awards show will be broadcast on January 27, 2013.

Monsters on Netflix: Hemlock Grove

Netflix is currently producing a new series called Hemlock Grove.  The 13-episode series, to be broadcast in early 2013, will bring to life Brian McGreevy's novel of the same name about suspicious a murder in the Pennsylvanian woods and rumors of a werewolf.  Yes, more werewolves.  But at least we are not talking about the already overdone vampires.  

Here is a quick description of the story from Amazon's book site:  

The body of a young girl is found mangled and murdered in the woods of Hemlock Grove, Pennsylvania, in the shadow of the abandoned Godfrey Steel mill. A manhunt ensues—though the authorities aren’t sure if it’s a man they should be looking for.

Some suspect an escapee from the White Tower, a foreboding biotech facility owned by the Godfrey family—their personal fortune and the local economy having moved on from Pittsburgh steel—where, if rumors are true, biological experiments of the most unethical kind take place. Others turn to Peter Rumancek, a Gypsy trailer-trash kid who has told impressionable high school classmates that he’s a werewolf. Or perhaps it’s Roman, the son of the late JR Godfrey, who rules the adolescent social scene with the casual arrogance of a cold-blooded aristocrat, his superior status unquestioned despite his decidedly freakish sister, Shelley, whose monstrous medical conditions belie a sweet intelligence, and his otherworldly control freak of a mother, Olivia.

 

At once a riveting mystery and a fascinating revelation of the grotesque and the darkness in us all, Hemlock Grove has the architecture and energy to become a classic in its own right—and Brian McGreevy the talent and ambition to enthrall us for years to come.

While the television version of shows often stray (for example, Vampire Diaries), that may be less likely here since McGreevy is an executive producer on the series.  McGreevy is a screenwriter turned author who knows the process and wanted to share his story via a long term series rather than a two-hour movie.  

And while the original plans were to film much of the show in Pennsylvania, keeping it close to the storyline, this fell through because of tax issues.  Hence, the series will be shot in Toronto was some scenes being filmed in Pennsylvania.  I know that some of the show was being filmed in Toronto's Casa Loma on November 23rd, which is an impressive setting.  And the town of Hemlock Grove will now be represented by Ontario's Port Perry just north of Toronto.

Hemlock Grove's cast includes actor Landon Liboiron (Terra Nova) as Peter and Bill Skarsgard (brother of True Blood's Alexander - so there is a vampire connection!) as Roman.  It seems that Netflix was able to save one of the actors from Terra Nova even it it was unable to save the show itself.

You can learn a little more about the McGreevy and the book in this Wall Street Journal online book review.  And here is a clip of Eli Roth, who is the director/executive producer of Hemlock Grove, talking about the show and the role of Netflix.

2013 Golden Globe Nominees in Television

The 2013 Golden Globe nominations were announced last week and the television selections include some nice surprises.  First, after all of the negative press, I am happy to see The Newsroom was nominated for best television series and Jeff Daniels was nominated for best actor in a drama.  For some reason, television reviewers love to hate Aaron Sorkin.  I do not know the source of this bad blood, but it is nice to see that the show has risen above the insider politics.  

Another surprise is Connie Brittan from Nashville being tapped as best actress in a drama.  While I cannot praise her singing, her acting in the series has been terrific.  Hayden Panettiere as supporting actress was okay but not in the same category at all.

I was also please to see Glenn Close nominated for best actress in a drama.  She has been brilliant for many seasons on Damages, which puts her at the top of my list for winning this year.  And this being the last year of Damages, this is her last shot.

Finally, nominating Danny Huston from Magic City as best actor in a supporting role was a good choice.  I was not sure if anyone was even watching the Starz series.  That said, I think Jeffrey Dean did an even better job in season one.  

On a sad note, Starz' 2012 Golden Globe winner Boss will no longer be on the air.  Clearly the awards cannot ensure success, but at least they are recognizing it.

The Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast on January 13, 2013.  This year the award show is hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (both of whom are competing this year for best actress in a comedy). 

 Best Television Series – Drama

• Boardwalk Empire
• Breaking Bad
• Downton Abbey
• Homeland (last year's winner)
• The Newsroom

Best Performance by an Actor – Drama

• Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
• Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
• Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
• Jon Hamm, Mad Men
• Damian Lewis, Homeland

(Last year's winner, Kelsey Grammer, Boss)

Best Performance by an Actress - Drama 

• Connie Britton, Nashville
• Glenn Close, Damages
• Claire Danes, Homeland (last year's winner)
• Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
•  Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

 Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical 

• The Big Bang Theory
• Episodes
• Girls
• Modern Family (last year's winner)
• Smash

 Best Performance by an Actor - Comedy or Musical

• Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
• Don Cheadle, House of Lies
• Louis C.K., Louie
• Matt LeBlanc, Episodes (last year's winner)
• Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Best Performance by an Actress - Comedy or Musical

• Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
• Lena Dunham, Girls
• Tina Fey, 30 Rock
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
• Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

 (Last year's winner, Laura Dern, Enlightened) 

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Game Change
• The Girl
•  Hatfields & McCoys
•  The Hour
• Political Animals

(Last year's winner, Downton Abbey)

Best Performance by an Actor – Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Kevin Costner, Hatfields & McCoys
• Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock (Masterpiece)
• Woody Harrelson, Game Change
• Toby Jone, The Girl
• Clive Owen, Hemingway & Gellhorn    

(Last Year's winner, Idris Elba, Luther)

Best Performance by an Actress – Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

• Nicole Kidman, Hemingway & Gellhorn
• Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum
• Sienna Miller, The Girl
• Julianne More, Game Change
• Signourney Weaver, Political Animals   

(Last Year's winner, Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce)

 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role – Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

• Max Greenfield, New Girl
• Ed Harris , Game Change
• Danny Huston , Magic City
• Mandy Patinkin , Homeland
• Eric Stonestreet , Modern Family

 (Last year's winner, Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television 

• Hayden Panettiere, Nashville
• Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
• Sarah Paulson, Game Change
• Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
• Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

(Last year's winner, Jessica Lange, American Horror Story)

Update:  The winners have been named and provided on my page here.  Also, I updated the listing above since I seemed to have left out some of the nominees under Series, Mini-series, or Motion Picture Made for Television.