Better Late than Never: TheChanges23's Top 15 BEST Television Shows of 2011!

Alrighty Schmoes and Schmomettes! I finally put together the shows that made 2011 a great time to be a couch potato and watch nothing but the boob-tube. As I'm sure some of you have vastly different opinions than I do, keep in mind that there's still so many other shows I still need to give a gander to, so hopefully this year i'll get the chance, but as it stands, these are my favorites as of right now... Enjoy!

Honorable Mentions - Mad Love, House, Franklin and Bash, Archer, Alphas, Suits, and Tosh.0.

Now to the Nitty-gritty!

15. Being Human.

"Three's Company" with a supernatural edge has never been a more intriguing mix here with this potentially great SyFy show that's a remake of the original British series of the same name. While most have said that the original is far superior, there's just something about this one that keeps me coming back for another taste. I don't know why, but I just want to see where it goes, and in my mind, that's as good a reason as any to dive into a supernatural diamond in the rough. Plus, the Jedi apprentice Galen "STARKILLER" Marek is a vampire here, and he's actually THREE dimensional! That's already a huge reason to check it out in my book.

14. Necessary Roughness.

On paper the story of a therapist struggling to get her life back on track after a divorce by taking on a famous and hot-headed football quarterback as a patient seems like it's a one-note kind of idea. Yet like "Being Human" this could be another stellar find on the airwaves. One thing I will always compliment the USA network for is really putting a near-boundless amount of support into their shows. Not to mention taking chances on concepts that honestly seem like they won't work, but somehow, they do. (See Monk and Psych for proof of this fact.) For the record, this show works on so many levels with originality, setting, and all around great performances from Callie Thorne as Dr. Dani Santino and Mechad Brooks as arrogant and wild quarterback T.K. King. I hope the next season will keep this trend going, but as it stands, this is one of the most welcomed surprises of the summer season.

13. The Soup.

Joel McHale is an extremely funny man, and one of the hardest working men in the biz today. While NBC may not know what to do with "Community," the E! network knows exactly what it has in McHale, and has known for years now. There's really nothing I can say about the brilliant satirical and social commentary of "The Soup" that I haven't raved about before. If anything, its the one ray of hope we have on TV that let's us all know how asinine and ridiculous things are on the tube. McHale and E! are doing a service to our intelligence; pointing out what we shouldn't be watching, why its beyond stupid to do so, and making us laugh-out-loud along the way. Nothing wrong with that in the slightest. God Bless McHale! (And I'll keep my fingers crossed that NBC gets off their asses and puts Community back on the air. Still haven't gotten into that show yet, but I will, and I would like to still be making episodes once I get to it.)

12. Beavis and Butt-head.

Last year saw the return of the funniest dim-witted delinquent duo as they still, after all these years, strive to score with chicks and make fun of everything around them, no matter how simple. Its amazing how easily B & B seem to flourish in the new millennium as they did in the 90s, taking various shots at most of the stupidest MTV programming with a certain beyond their grasp satirical intelligence way beyond the fourth wall. (Does MTV actually know how ridiculous their reality shows are? One has to wonder.) But even with that in mind, Beavis and Butt-Head are still just as uproarious as they've ever been. Hopefully they won't leave us again because this is definitely a homecoming we all can get behind. (huhhuhhuh, I said Behind.)

11. American Dad.

As "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" continue to sink into irrelevance and mediocrity, "American Dad" is still going strong, with many ultra-creative, out-of-this-world random episodes that bring the funny no matter what the situations The Smith family falls into. I keep thinking after six seasons that this show will somehow lose its steam, but nothing doing, as I laugh just as much now as I did when season one first aired. Now that's saying something. I just pray MacFarlane and Co. don't fuck up this show like they did Family guy and even The Cleveland Show. Until then, This show still rules all!

10. WWE Raw & Smackdown.

I inform anyone who'll listen that pro wrestling just isn't what it used to be from the legendary "Attitude" era, but this last year of WWE has actually come pretty close to its former days. With the return of The Rock, Booker T, Triple H, and Jim Ross among others - CM Punk's feuds breaking not only the promo records but even the kayfabe boundaries -- John Laurenidis coming into the fold -- Mark Henry becoming one of the most dominant champions ever -- Zack Ryder's rise to super-stardom -- The Walk-out of the WWE superstars -- and so many other moments and story lines throughout the year, WWE has gotten a little of the magic it once possessed back in the day. While the new year promises the clash of The Rock and John Cena, there's still a question mark over the company's head on whether it'll continue this momentum or squander it completely. I know which side I'm aiming for, so we'll all just have to wait and see what comes next.

9. Burn Notice.

USA Network's favorite Burned Spy's latest saga not only spanned the globe, tracking international and genocidal agendas, but brought the danger as close to home as it could possibly get, and even revealed some past tragedies that weren't as cut and dry as superspy Michael Westen previously anticipated. Combine this with the powerful yet mysterious season finale, and you've got one of the best seasons of Burn Notice yet. One can only imagine where this story is going to take us next. One things for sure, its one of the best USA has to offer, and what it has is cool as ice.

8. The Avengers.

Earth's Mightiest heroes have never been so awesome in this animated series that I almost passed up, considering it has shit for marketing. Thank goodness for the internet, as upon stumbling across this show and diving right into it, by the end of season one it became one of my favorite animated shows ever. Its pretty much everything you could ever want from an Avengers cartoon; Grand Action, Incredible Battles, and a proverbial whose-who of the Marvel Universe Elite, portrayed the way they were meant to be, in all their kick-ass glory. With season 2 on the horizon (April can't get here fast enough) It'll be another fun time on Saturday morning to see The Avengers save the world from the next huge threat...at least, before they do it again on the big screen in May.

7. The Big Bang Theory.

Comedy is an exact science and Dr. Sheldon Cooper knows what the people want. For the longest time I heard how hilarious this show was, but I never wanted to give it its proper chance. It wasn't until I saw a re-run on TBS that I decided to bite the bullet. Needless to say, I was floored by how much I got a kick out of this series. I've watched all the seasons up to now and I still can't get enough of it. Sheldon, Leonard, Penny, Raj, and Howard never cease to make me laugh and their exchanges and interactions with one another are easily some of the best parts of each episode. While this latest season is bringing new characters Bernadette and Amy into the fold a bit more, there's no denying that this show deserves its two future season additions, and that Jim Parsons deserves his emmys for making Dr. Sheldon Cooper the funniest theoretical physicist ever.

6. Young Justice.

"Batman," "Batman Beyond," "Justice League," and "Justice League Unlimited" not being on television anymore still leaves a hole in my heart to this day, yet "Young Justice" is starting to fill that hole completely. From the stellar animation, darker tones, and amazing battles, this series has won me over hook, line, and sinker. Its definitely one of the coolest animated shows on today, and continues in the tradition of what so many other outstanding DC animated shows left behind once they left the tube. Plus, any show that makes Aqualad and Speedy bad-ass deserves all my admiration and respect.

5. True Blood.

It hurts so good. Do Bad Things. and last year, it was Show your true colors. True Blood's fourth season saw the introduction of more supernatural goodies, baddies, and weirdies with a bloody vengeance and crafted numerous compelling crisis-es to fall upon our favorite cast of Bon Temp southerners. And this new season spared no expense with plenty of "what-the-fuck" moments, revelations, and gory resolutions. It was immensely graphic and devilishly fun all the way through. This next summer and season also promises the same, so stay tuned.

4. The Walking Dead.

The first half of the second season of Robert Kirkman's comic masterpiece turned TV series slowed the action down considerably but kept its overall huge production values, grim moments, and overall dark dramatic tone that not only made for engrossing storytelling, but kept all of us at the edge of our seats -- whether the events from the comic were changed or not. While most schmoes and casual watchers felt that this season has been pretty dry and lackluster, those of us who've read the comic know that this is the proverbial calm before the storm. I know one thing and for certain, the second half of this season will reassure everyone that this show hasn't lost any of its source material's abysmal yet brilliant roots. And if by some chance it doesn't happen, the third season definitely will confirm that belief.

3. Parks and Recreation.

The Adventures of Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson, and the Parks department of City Hall in Pawnee is by far the best comedy show on television right now. (Yes yes I know, most of you will say Modern Family but I don't watch that show, I watch THIS one, sue me.) I can't compliment, raved, shout, or congratulate this show enough for not only crafting an awesome cast of characters that are ALL piss-in-your-pants hilarious in their own distinctive ways, but how every single episode is worth watching multiple times because of how funny they are. Unfortunately, what enrages me about this show is that it hasn't won any emmys yet. I mean, what the hell right? Watch any episode from this season ALONE, and tell me it doesn't deserve its share of love and awards. I just hope and pray that NBC knows what it has here, because again....The best comedy series on the air today - bar none.

2. Supernatural.

For the longest time, I heard so many discuss this show but I never wanted to watch it because I felt it was too much like Buffy or Angel. I couldn't have been more wrong, as this was THE greatest surprises of the year for me. Every single episode of every season watched? Check. Favorite characters picked? Check. Obsessed fan-base? Achieved. The rest is pretty much history as this is series literally has....everything you'd want in a horror series and THEN some. And i do mean EVERYTHING too. And the biggest surprise, it all works on so many levels, remains fresh, intriguing, and downright delicious fun that you can't get enough of. So yeah,, you all know it and now I know it as well...Supernatural is the shit! Its the Best show of the year..seconded only by...well...My number one...

1. THE VAMPIRE DIARIES.

My God do I adore this fucking show! I surmised with every other series either getting better last year or the ones I discovered catching my attention that maybe...just maybe..."Vampire Diaries" might lose its appeal a little bit for me. I need to be slapped for my ignorance. This show still remains as one of the most rewarding and addictive hours on television for me. There isn't a time when I'm NOT raving about this show, or becoming totally riveted, compelled, engaged, and immersed in its spectacular story-lines and performances. Not only does this show deserve an Emmy just like "Parks and Rec," (Preferably for Ian Somerhalder. His Damon Salvatore is by far one of the best characters EVER created. And Ian literally shines with every line of dialogue he has.) it needs to be viewed by people who just want fantastic storytelling and dynamic characters. Yet, if any of you ever took a look at YouTube and just typed in Vampire Diaries -- you'll get nothing but scene after scene with so many views from fans who are as hardcore as any other fan could be. But in this case, unlike other types of fandom, (rhymes with midnight.) you actually understand the love and hype here. Still Don't believe me? Ask LegendarySuit and let him tell you how great this show is! He'll back me up. So yeah, Vampire Diaries was the best show of 2011 for this humble schmoe and if it continues being as awesome as it has been so far, I can't imagine it not being the best of 2012 as well.

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT SCHMOES! my top television shows of 2011. Stay Tuned because I got two more lists to throw your way and show ya what I thought was the best and worst at the cinema of '11.

Thanks for reading.

Mood: Happy

Gemma_ at 03:54 PM Feb 02

great list, what about the secret circle? i believe same maker of vampire diaries,,,, it's excellent!

YoshioKun13 at 03:06 AM Feb 03

Welcome back B&B.

Love AMERICAN DAD too.

Terminal_83 at 12:24 AM Feb 06

Wow what a fantastic list.

Read all 7 comments >>

Underworld: Awakening

Nite Owl at 02:27 PM Jan 30

Been hearing such mixed reactions to this one. I liked the prequel though so I'll keep an open mind about it until I finally see it.