May 2010 TV Power Rankings

Just for grins, let's do some tv power rankings, yeah! Keep in mind, I'm only including shows I'm currently watching. I figured it was a good time to get some of these in under the wire as many of them are about to go off the air for the summer.

10) Justified - What started off as a strong pilot has quickly descended into crime of the week material. While well done, I'm not interested in watching a show that could very easily be renamed, U.S. Marshals: The Crazy Misadventures of Raylan Givens. Much better when it focuses on the serialized aspects of the show, but still may have to be dropped from the DVR come next season if it doesn't take some significant strides towards making me not view it as a parasite on my recorded list.

9) 30 Rock - Still good for some of the best one-liners on television, I'm beginning to wonder if the ascension of Parks and Recreation is a detriment to 30 Rock's effectiveness. It used to just be the hour-long block of The Office and 30 Rock, but now it's a full 2 hours and since Community has actually started being, ya know, FUNNY recently, I think I may just be worn out by the time 8:30 rolls around. I'm not a machine.

8) Community - While I still don't love how this show is basically a live action version of Family Guy with its barrage of pop culture references being passed off as humor, the Goodfellas homage was brilliant. The supporting characters still aren't funny enough, but I actually laughed quite a bit over the past 3 episodes, so maybe there's hope for you yet, kid.

7) The Office - Let's be fair to The Office. This hasn't been its most consistent season (whether we're talking storylines or humor), but while we bemoan how one of the greatest shows in the history of television is not reaching the bar, let's keep in mind that without The Office, there would be no bar. The last few episodes have been more vintage Office so let's end the season strong, regroup and come back next year back in the zone.

6) Modern Family - This has probably been tv's most consistent comedy over the past 7 months or so. Rare is the occasion that I watch an episode of Modern Family and walk away feeling unfulfilled. I've been very pleased/impressed with this show's first season as the writers already seem to have a very good grip on the characters and the humor they can derive from those characters. That's a rare thing for any show in its first season.

5) Treme - The latest show from that ever brilliant, irascible critic of the institution of "America", David Simon. Despite the lack of a central driving narrative, I've found myself quite engrossed in Treme. Of course it's well written and well-acted and while the themes are strong and apparent, there still isn't any sort of logical endpoint. Or maybe that's the idea. I'll have to see where this is all going, but so far, I'm really enjoying the ride. And hey David, the more Wire cameos you wanna throw in, I'm good with it.

4) Parks and Recreation - If we're looking for the new king of NBC Thursday nights, you're looking at it. I was worried after the first season, but this show has really found its footing. Excellent writing with a great cast and even slight hints of genuinely affecting human connections, reminds me of another NBC Thursday night juggernaut. Oh look, both shows written by the same people, NO WAY. Maybe that's what it is, the writers are using all their "A" material on Parks & Rec leaving The Office to sift through the scraps.

3) LOST - While this has been a season full of memorably fantastic episodes on par with anything LOST has ever done, it's almost impossible to properly grade this season without seeing where it ends up. I guess for now, all that matters is that we get compelling, edge of your seat television and that's exactly what we've gotten.

2) The Pacific - While it's not quite on par with Band of Brothers, The Pacific sure has been one deliriously hardcore abomination of the senses. While BoB seemed to focus more on the bond formed between soldiers to get through war, The Pacific definitely doesn't sugarcoat any aspect of war, opting instead to show every horrific scenario as well as the toll it takes on your soul. Not for the faint of heart, but worth it if you can handle it.

1) Breaking Bad - Who the fuck do you think you are BB? Are you trying to unseat Mad Men as my favorite show on television? Thought you were so cool with how great season 2 was and how it ended, but that just wasn't enough was it? This is the time, ladies and gentlemen, that we should just take the time to smell the roses and thank whatever divine being allowed us to be conscious while we witness the ongoing evolution of one of the best shows I've ever seen. I didn't think it could get much better than season 2, but I guess BB is in the business of showing me who's daddy.