V+V Remembers 2010: A skewed-towards-sitcoms top 10 best television shows

Yeah, I’m the one on this blog that watches a lot of television. Yeah, I probably missed your favorite—what do you think I missed?

1. Friday Night Lights

In its fifth and last season on DirecTV (the amazing fourth season aired in the Spring on NBC), FNL is the best drama on television right now. Last season’s episode “The Son” showed how gripping, and downright devastating, a character-focused episode of television can be. It’s a shame this show never really found a wide audience, but it’s also interesting how many are just now discovering the show. Perhaps if it didn’t air on Friday nights on NBC. (Wednesdays on DirecTV’s 101 Network)

2. Parks and Recreation

On hiatus currently because of star Amy Poehler’s pregnancy, the second season of the show, which ended in the Spring, was a fantastic rebirth of this single-camera show focusing on a small-town government agency. Much like Greg Daniel’s earlier project, The Office, the strong writing and acting allow every character the ability to be both hilarious and touching. (Thursdays on NBC)

3. Party Down

It was on Starz, and as a result, nobody saw it. Yet, it was one of the funniest shows on television following a troupe of Hollywood characters who all work for a catering company. It’s possible that the name was a little confusing (many people I’ve describe the show to thought it was a show about partying.) You can catch the second season right now on Netflix Instant View, although I kind of prefer the first. (Starz, Canceled)

4. Parenthood

A drama from Jason Katims, the same creator from Friday Night Lights, and the show has a similar feel. It’s a retelling of the 1989 film by the same name, a follows a similar large extended family. (Tuesdays, NBC)

5. Better Off Ted

Here’s an ABC sitcom nobody watched, but was probably the best satirical look at the modern corporate office workplace, complete with parody ads. It was fun to watch Portia de Rossi play a smarter and way meaner character than Lindsay Funke. Comparisons to the funky and offbeat feel of Arrested Development should not be tossed aside. Where The Office was about an office, Better Off Ted was about corporate culture. (ABC, Canceled)

6. Community

A group of rejects attend a community college. What am I kidding, you’re already watching this. (NBC, Thursdays)

7. Rubicon

An ambitious serial following an intrepid intelligence analyst as he uncovers a massive conspiracy. While slightly uneven (probably due to the showrunner changing after just a couple of episodes), the show’s gritty texture, dark storytelling, slow pace and solid acting made it one of the most interesting pieces of television in several years. (AMC, Canceled)

8. Modern Family

It’s finally a good, modern reissuing of the family sitcom. And it’s really, really funny, unlike Full house. (ABC, Wednesdays)

9. 30 Rock

Who would have thought that a show about a live comedy show would be one of the funniest shows ever produced? And who would have thought that it would go up against another show in its first year with the same exact premise, but written by wunderkind Aaron Sorkin and win? Well, she may have flopped on SNL, but Tina Fey made a genius sitcom, and it only helps that it features the brilliant Alec Baldwin. (NBC, Thursdays)

10. Rescue Me

A show about New York City firefighters dealing with the aftermath of September 11. Yes, created by and starring Denis Leary, and it’s some of the most gripping and troubling television ever produced. Oh, and often downright hilarious. The final season airs next Spring/Summer on FX. Watch this clip, especially at the 3:00 point: