The Top Television of 2012

American Horror Story: Asylum

When writing about the top television of 2012 I feel that I must begin with the fact that I don't actually watch two of the shows that often top these lists. I have seen season one and a few season two episodes of “Breaking Bad” and I have yet to see a single episode of “Homeland.” One day these shows will happen for me, I promise. I also lost track of “Doctor Who” and am several episodes behind on “Fringe” (although having seen a couple of episodes it still almost made my top 10.)

A few shows just missed my top 10. “Glee” truly had a resurgence this year, incorporating new choir members and finding the perfect place for all of its original ones. On a side/related note it also seems as if most of the Glee hate watchers gave up and moved on to something else. It's a nice place for “Glee” to be. “Mad Men,” which I mentioned in yesterday's “Honor Roll” Had a wonderful season, despite what you might have heard from Megan haters. The Lane story line was both hilarious and heartbreaking. And the choices made with Peggy near the end of the season were inspired. Here's to an amazing final(?) season(s). We also a very strong season of “The Good Wife” and a brilliant end to one of my favorite shows “Gossip Girl.” They just simply didn't make my list.

I thoroughly enjoyed both “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Project Runway” this year (Runway being better than it has been in years!). And Oprah's Next Chapter finally gave OWN something truly worth watching since “Behind the Scenes” ended. But it was a reality show following a group of amazing women (no, not Housewives of any kind!) that cracked my top 10. And quite high on the list!

So...here we go!

1. American Horror Story Asylum
Last year I didn't quite make it through all of the first season of “American Horror Story.” But, the time shift and new setting for “Asylum” in addition to my excitement over Jessica Lange (the highlight of season 1) taking over as the major focus had me hooked for more horror. The new season was much more focused and more terrifying, but not completely ignoring it's wacky side (yes...I think there are aliens involved. Or something like it. And it looks like the brilliant Lily Rabe is playing the Devil.) Focusing mostly on the past (there is a present day element as well) we are following the goings on at Briarcliff Manor, started by Jessica Lange's Sister Jude and Joseph Fiennes's Monsignor Howard with the assist of (former Nazi) Dr. Arden portrayed by James Cromwell.

The action truly begins when two patients are submitted. First Kit Walker (portrayed by the pouty lipped and brilliant Evan Peters) who is believed to be the serial killer Bloody Face and Sarah Paulson's Lana Winters, a reporter trying to find out more information on Briarcliff and Bloody Face...but ends up admitted herself by Sister Jude when she realizes Lana is a Lesbian. Things truly heat up when Zachary Quinto's character shows up to use new techniques to “cure” Lana. But he is not exactly who he seems to be. We are still a few episodes away from the end, but unless Ryan Murphy takes the show completely off the rails, this is the strongest show of the year.

2. Elementary
At a very close second, we have “Elementary.” And no, I have not seen the original, “Sherlock.” And as a matter of fact, I'm thrilled about that. Like “The Office” (see below!) I have had so many people suggest that I would like the British original better. I honestly can't imagine that. Of all the procedurals I have seen over the years, this is by far the strongest. Anchored by a wildly “out there” performance by Johnny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and a solid (career best) performance by Lucy Liu as Watson, the show brings to mind “The X-Files” and “Scarecrow and Ms King” combined with a dash of “Law and Order.” There are many places the show can go. A Sherlock relapse (Watson is his post rehab companion.) is probably inevitable. And we haven't gotten close to the “will they or won't they” scenario. But for now we have simple, creative mysteries that make the show a blast!

3. Girls

“We are the ladies!”
“I'll be your crack spirit guide.”
“You're so hip I could puke.”

What can I say about “Girls” that hasn't already been said. It's been criticized both good and bad by everyone who has seen it. So, how about this. I'm still searching my neighborhood (Bushwick) for a cracktastic loft party.

And I can't wait for season 2.

4. Police Women of Broward County

I stumbled up the “Police Women of Broward county after trying to come up with reason to somehow singlehandedly save the OWN network. It is actually a TLC show, but OWN marathons hooked me. Broward county is a place full of crack dealers, prostitutes, drunks, rednecks and several incredible female police officers who keep the place in line.

5. Happy Endings

“Happy Endings” is the best comedy on television right now. It is the heir to “Friends” with its 3 boys/3 girls set up, two of which are siblings, and two of which are on again off again soul mates. But "Endings" has a little more spice. I wasn't sure they could top the Hipster episode of season 2. But last year's wedding episode and this season's Christmas episode have definitely come close. Everything seems to be going great for our beloved characters. Penny has a boyfriend. Alex and Dave are dating again. And Jane is as happy as can be playing the role of husband. I'm sure that come February sweeps (if there is such a thing anymore) we will get at least one breakup followed by a breakdown. Or maybe the opposite will happen and Max will get a boyfriend.

6. Katie

Thank goodness for Katie Couric! We finally have something to fill our Oprah Winfrey Show void. Although the first episode left a little to be desired, we had some incredible and surprising guests as the season progressed. Including Amy Grant, the reclusive Delilah, the cast of past and present “Annie”s, Madeline Stowe, Barbra Streisand and more! But the journalist who handled 9/11 brilliantly on The Today Show is also present here. With immediate shows about the Newtown shootings and Hurricane Sandy, Katie has been a band aid for a pained and confused country. Asking the necessary questions about why we are so divided and so angry. If you aren't watching her every day, it's time to start.

7. New Girl

I wasn't the biggest fan of “New Girl” when it first started. And it wasn't because of the polarizing Zoe Deschanel. But in season two the actors have really settled into their characters, making them real and matching Zoe's commitment. Now...are Jess and Nick ever going to hook up?!

8. True Blood

When the latest season of “True Blood” started I wasn't sure I was happy with the direction it was headed. The original vampire (naked Lilith), the vampire bible, Russel and Rev. Newlin, Sookie not dating anyone! The return of the fairies (YAY CLAUDE!) These were story lines I wasn't sure would actually work after the first few episodes, but then, the Lilith story started to terrify me and all of the elements of the story started to merge, ending with a Bill Compton that may or may not be the reincarnation of the original and possibly now unstoppable vampire. Cannot wait for the new season!

9. The Office

I can't quite believe it is the final season of “The Office.” I almost didn't include the show on the list because the previous season was pretty weak...and technically part of 2012. But the return of Greg Daniels has breathed necessary life into the show. Jim and Pam finally have an interesting story going (will they eventually leave the office?) Angela brilliantly almost had Oscar killed once she found out about his affair with the senator. The amazing Catherine Tate has finally found her place on the show. The documentary crew became more of a presence. And (sad to say it was necessary) Andy went away for a while. Will Michael come back for the final hurrah? Perhaps when the documentary finally airs? I'm not sure that I want him to. But if he does I have a feeling it will be perfectly appropriate.

10. Don't Trust the B... in apt 23

I was a big fan of this show last season. James Van Der Beek is hilarious as himself. June (played by Dreama Walker) is still perfectly naïve. And Krysten Ritter who plays our crazy B still steals the show. Still in standalone episode mode, the show just needs something to give it more of an arc and just a tiny bit more of a heart to inch up higher on my list. I just hope it gets another season so that can actually happen.

DECEMBER 28, 2012