Note: Only shows currently airing or set to premiere in the fall (with the exception of Lost) are included in these rankings.
1) Lost-This is so clearly the #1 show on television that I even made an exception to the rules to include it on this list. After yet another spectacular season I’ll be counting the days until it returns to the air.
2) How I Met Your Mother-Easily the #1 comedy in my book. How I Met Your Mother is a legendary show that makes me laugh out loud every episode. You all may prefer different comedies but I’ll take How I Met Your Mother any day of the week.
3) Chuck-The first of four amazing second-year shows that make the top ten. 2007 was definitely the best year for new shows since 2004 and Chuck was (just barely) the greatest of the bunch. Mixing great action with nerdy humor, Chuck is exactly the type of show I love.
4) Heroes-Even though the second season was a disappointment I am so pumped up for the “Villains” arc. The previews look very good and as long as Tim Kring fixes the problems from season two, Heroes definitely deserves its place at #4.
5) Pushing Daisies
6) Eli Stone-This was the surprise show of last season. I wasn’t that impressed with the pilot or any of the first few episodes. However, slowly but surely the show improved until it became the best feel-good show on television.
7) The Big Bang Theory-Since I’m a complete nerd and I can identify with these characters, it isn’t shocking that this gets a top ten spot.
8) Fringe-This is the new fall show that I am most anticipating. I wasn’t a huge fan of “The X-Files” (I thought it was just average) but I am hoping this develops a much more detailed mythology along the lines of “Lost.”
9) Ghost Hunters
10) Psych-Psych has had a very solid third season so far and it has clearly passed Monk as the top scripted cable show.
11) Wipeout-Even after six weeks I still can’t get enough of the dizzy dummy, big balls, sweeper, and all the other obstacles. If you don’t enjoy this show you really need to lighten up.
12) Monk
13) The Middleman-I am going to be very upset when this show likely concludes after just one season. This could very well be the next “Buffy” if it would just be given a chance to shine (or if ABC Family would just be smart enough to place it after Kyle XY in January).
14) Ugly Betty
15) Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
16) Desperate Housewives-I’m very curious about the five-year leap forward but I hope it isn’t a jump the shark moment.
17) Grey’s Anatomy-I really hope this show stops being all gloom and doom and goes back to its lighter tone.
18) My Own Worst Enemy-I really didn’t see much in this concept when it was first announced but after the constant promotion during the Olympics I’ve gotten a bit excited about the show.
19) It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
20) The Office
21) Supernatural-I wasn’t a huge fan of the first two seasons but the third saw so much improvement.
22) Burn Notice
23) Crusoe-I loved the book as a child and I’m guessing I will love the show as well.
24) Prison Break
25) House
26) The Amazing Race-After unenjoyable seasons from Survivor and many other reality shows, The Amazing Race has established itself as the top unscripted show.
27) Survivor
28) Bones
29) Boston Legal
30) The Biggest Loser-If NBC didn’t insist on making this a two-hour show it probably would be four or five spots higher.
31) Reality Bites Back-This parody of various reality shows may be the gem of the summer.
32) Family Guy
33) Californication-I enjoyed the DVD set over the summer and now I wish I had Showtime so I don’t have to wait until next summer for season two.
34) My Name Is Earl
35) Hole in the Wall-This will probably be very, very entertaining for the first few weeks before getting boring rather quickly.
36) Two and a Half Men
37) Gary Unmarried
38) MythBusters
39) Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
40) Everybody Hates Chris
41) Gossip Girl
42) Knight Rider
43) Life on Mars
44) Worst Week
45) Kath & Kim
46) Sanctuary
47) 90210
48) Smallville-The last season was awful but I’m hoping the show improves for its final season.
49) Opportunity Knocks
50) Eleventh Hour
What did you think of my list? Which shows were you shocked to see on the list? Which shows do you think were robbed? Sound off in the comments section.
