The Year in TV (Part Uno)

I can only begin to imagine how many Best Of…Worst Of lists you have been subjected to over the past few weeks. But I have to say, moving into a new year doesn’t seem right without reflecting back on the year that was. And what a year it has been for TV. We are smack in the middle of some of the best television we will ever see. Enjoy it people – it only goes downhill from here.

So I guess it’s my turn to look back, and share the best and worst (*cough* Happy Hour *cough*) of TV in 2006. A scientific panel was gathered and consulted to bring you this list (yes, the GMMR recappers are all scientists, you didn’t know). So here’s the best of the best and the worst of the worst…of the shows we watched in 2006. Oh and since this is my blog, and I can pretty much call the shots, be warned that there isn’t any rhyme or reason to my 2006 review (but this is GMMR you should be used to this by now). And in some categories…well, let’s just say that some decisions were just too hard to make. This is the first installment of GMMR’s “The Year in TV”, so check back later to read more about my take on TV in 2006. And I fully expect for my good little GMMRers to share your thoughts with us too.

On we go….

Best TV Trend of 2006:
No nominees needed here, because there can really only be one winner: Towels. From what I know, the trend started with Battlestar Galactica and has been growing steadily all year. No one expected McSteamy to blow back into Seattle for the ultimate booty call and leave Addison’s shower covered by just that little towel, but no one complained about it either, did they? Nor did they when McDreamy wore nothing but a towel and a smile in his trailer later earlier in the season. The towel trend also hit Supernatural and Jericho, allowing us to see what Jared Padalecki and Skeet Ulrich have been hiding. And I, for one, can’t wait to see who’s next.

Worst TV Trend of 2006:
Jeffrey Dean Morgan dying. He’s a crazy talented actor. Can’t he play someone who DOESN’T wind up kicking the bucket? We lost him on Supernatural and Grey’s Anatomy, and now we are ready for him to be among the living in 2007.

Best bitches:
Marc and Amanda (Ugly Betty). I thought these two were the weakest part of the Ugly Betty pilot, and now I find myself tuning in every week just to see their shenanigans (sorry, but I just love that word). More Marc and Amanda…please!

Angela Kinsey (The Office). A bible beating, no-nonsense accountant by day, and I suspect a kinky dominatrix my night. Angela Kinsey’s judgmental glare can burn right through your soul, and don’t even get her started on wearing green orange.

Best Newbies:
Autumn Reeser (Taylor Townsend, The OC). Ok, technically Taylor isn’t new to The OC, but let’s face it, we’ve NEVER seen the likes of this Taylor Townsend before. She’s brought a new energy to the show, and is a big part of why The OC is worth watching again. (Watch)

Ed Helms (Andy Bernard, The Office). He may be nothing but treble, but Andy Bernard has “merged” seamlessly with his cohorts at Dunder Mifflin-Scranton (well almost) and we’ve been laughing harder ever since. A new nemesis for Dwight, and perhaps some competition for Jim – watch out for Andy in 2007. Unatay! Areway ouyay iddingkay emay? (Watch)

Best Nickname:
“Swarley”. There was almost an entire episode dedicated to Barney’s (How I Met Your Mother) loathed nickname. Fans haven’t seemed to let the name go, and a website was even created on its behalf (www.swarley.com). Let’s hope we haven’t seen the end of Swarley.

Best Show of Skin:
There are a lot of boys in the running for this one. The aforementioned “towel” boys of Apollo, McDreamy & McSteamy were definitely in contention. As were the shirtless Wentworth Miller and Josh Holloway. But in 2006 no one worked it like Sara Ramirez (Callie Torres, Grey’s Anatomy) did dancing around in her undies. She owned her curves and showed the boys a thing or two about the bootylicious ladies. (Watch)

Most Ineffective Use of Tears:
I’m not sure if the writers of Prison Break have ever really looked at Wentworth Miller, but he’s supafine!! The ladies (and some of the boys) don’t need Michael Scofield blubbering every week to make us fall more in love with him. The first time he boo hoo’d, I’ll admit it, I was smitten, but week after week…well it just became gratuitous. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again “Man up Scofield”

Most Effective Use of Tears:
The one single tear that cascaded down the cheek of Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) as he was shut down after confessing his love for Pam Beesly. It was simply…you know what? I can’t do this right now. I’m getting choked up just thinking about it. Let’s move on. We’ll come back to this one later. (Watch)

Best “Just Give Me the Damn Emmy Already” Moment:
I’m going to go ahead and give this one to Katherine Heigl (Izzie, Grey’s Anatomy) for her career defining performances surrounding the death of Denny. She’s always been great, but something just clicked the minute she cut that L VAD wire, and it was all over after that. Whether she was lying in bed clinging to Denny’s lifeless body, lying on the bathroom floor stricken with grief, or baking those damn muffins, Katherine Heigl grieved like no one else in 2006. It was beyond Emmy worthy. (Watch) Keeping on the subject of the dearly departed…

Best Death:
Yeah this one is a no brainer. Ironic to think about it, but Marissa’s (Michsa Barton) death on The OC gave the show a new life. She was an albatross, and the show has gone in a fabulous new direction now that it isn’t weighed down by Marissa’s drama and Mischa’s bad acting. Although, I will say, I do kind of miss Drunk!Coop. She was at her best with a flask in her hand. RIP Marissa Cooper. (Watch)

Worst Death:
Mr. Eko (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Lost). I’m not sure I will ever understand why the producers of Lost decided to off perhaps the most interesting character on the show while simultaneously burdening us with new, less interesting characters. I know they want to “shock” us all with their unexpected deaths, but they are killing off the wrong people. Go for Clare, Rose, hell even take Charlie if you want, but why Mr. Eko? Dumbasses. (Watch)

Biggest “Holy Sh%t that Did NOT Just Happen” Moment:
NO way could I narrow this down to just one.

Chris Daughtry is booted from American Idol – yeah, well I guess it was for the best but when his name was announced (and so harshly) by Ryan Seacrest, it was as if the world just stopped turning. I guess Chris Daughtry will have the last laugh in 2007. As the song goes, “It’s Not Over”. (Watch)

Two islands? Really? And “The Others” live their lives like they are on Wisteria Lane? Next to the pilot this was the best first 5 minutes of Lost. Way to open up the season. (Watch)

Pam’s “I can’t” and subsequent “Me too” on The Office. Jim Halpert stands before you and declares his love and you shoot him down. He later kisses you and although you admit you want it you still say your marrying Roy. I know you called off the wedding, but I’m not sure I’ve completely forgiven you for this one. (Watch)

BOOM! And pink mist flies all over Seattle Grace Hospital. Come on, you can’t tell me you didn’t jump a mile high when Kyle Chandler was blown to bits (also known as mist) on Grey’s Anatomy earlier this year. What a moment!

Best Love Triangle (or whatever shape it may be):
Jim/Pam/Karen/Roy, The Office – So let’s take a look at this one shall we? Jim was in love with Pam who was engaged to Roy. Roy didn’t pay much attention to Pam who in turn developed a crush on Jim. Jim declared his love, got shot down and moved to Stamford where he met Karen. Karen fell for Jim who was still holding a torch for Pam. Jim eventually caved and started dating Karen. They both head to Scranton, where Roy has now decided that he loves Pam and wants her back. But it seems that Pam has now fallen for Jim, who is still dating Karen, but really still loves Pam. Did you follow? Well all you need to really know is that Pam loves Jim and Jim loves Pam. Oh, and that Karen and Roy would make the BEST couple. Done and done.

Sawyer/Kate/Jack, Lost – It should be every woman’s dream. Stuck on a deserted island surrounded by hot, sweaty men. But leave it to Kate to find herself in the middle of a love triangle. Yes, on one side we have the sexy bad boy Sawyer and on the other side, the sultry and classically handsome Dr. Jack. What’s a girl to do? Kiss one, bang the other I guess. And that’s just what Kate did. Her recent night of lust with Sawyer indicates that maybe Kate has finally made her choice. But I’m not convinced.

McVet/Meredith/Derek/Addison/McSteamy/Callie/George/Izzie/Denny/Alex – oh hell, the entire staff of Seattle Grace Hospital – I think it’s quite fitting that an earlier episode focused on the rampant breakout of syphilis among the hospital staff since they apparently can’t seem to stay out of each other’s pants. I keep a little book next to my TV to remind myself who is sleeping with who on this show because I’m so easily confused. But hey, it makes for good TV.

Worst Network Programming Decision
The WB cancels Everwood – Consistently one of the best shows on television and it doesn’t even get a shot on the new CW network? Wrong, just wrong, and I’m still bitter about this one. I think the cancellation of Everwood and the renewal of One Tree Hill said a lot about the type of network The CW wants to be. And that’s a damn shame.

The CW resurrects 7th Heaven – Yeah, not going to say much here, other than this one almost made it into the WTF moments of 2006 category. Dawn Ostroff saw the series finale numbers go up and took this to mean that people still actually cared about this tired and preachy show. Yeah, no. The blue states don’t at least.

Fox cancels Arrested Development – I can’t say that I truly blame Fox for this one. I really think it gave Arrested Development every chance to find its audience. The public is more to blame for not watching. But, nevertheless, one of the greatest comedies of all time was let go, and sorry Fox, but you are the scapegoat.

Best Network Programming Decision:
The CW not dropping Veronica Mars. It’s good television – one of the best. Thank you CW for keeping Veronica and friends around for at least a little while longer.

NBC Must See TV – Bravo! Bravo! A flailing NBC has decided to revive it’s Thursday night line up with the four best comedies on TV going back to back to back…nice job. The best part? There’s not a dud among them. You’ve got My Name is Earl, The Office, Scrubs and 30 Rock. Notice there wasn’t a Four Kings in that bunch? Which leads us to….

The Best and Yet Worst Night of TV:
I’m going to have to go ahead and give this award to ye old Thursday night. As if to be cruel, the networks have taken some of my favorite shows and put them on against each other on Thursday nights. No one should be forced to choose from The Office, Ugly Betty, Scrubs, The OC, Grey’s Anatomy, CSI…to name a few. Now that’s just cruel.

Part 2 of GiveMeMyRemote.com’s Year in TV coming soon….