TVSquad

Here we are again. Another year has passed us by and what do we have to show for it? A little more gray hair, a little less money in our pockets (have you noticed how the price of, um, everything has gone up?), and a little more fear that the world in slowly unraveling. Normally, television is there to soothe our brows in these times. Alas, the current pissing match between the Studios and the Writers is stifling that ability to the point that we may all be having Chaucer parties by mid-year because there's nothing to watch on the tube.

Not sounding too bitter, am I?

Well, you're not here to read about doom and gloom (unless it's a review of 24). You're here to see what I, and many of my TV Squad colleagues, thought television's best and worst were for 2007. So, without further interruptions on how much I paid for my daughter's karate lessons (you DON'T want to know), here is my list of best and worst for the previous year.

Remember that? 86 episodes and how does it end? Black. The end of an era. Clichéd, yes -- but still true. June 10th, 2007 marked the conclusion of one of the biggest cultural phenomenons we've ever seen. HBO's The Sopranos. Everyone watched it and whether or not you loved or hated the series finale doesn't really matter. Why? Because we're still talking about it.

The year 2007 was definitely one of great change for television. The award-winning The Sopranos faded to black on HBO, Rosie O'Donnell left yenta-talk show The View to the relief of many, and there was nary a mention about Joey. Well, at least no mention except from me, that is.

However, none of those events paled in comparison than to what took place June 15th on the CBS television network. That's the day when Bob Barker took his microphone, his spayed and neutered pets, and his sexual harassment suits and left the hosting job of The Price is Right after 35 years. And, as he kissed his last contestant and waved his last good-bye, fans of the show thought a replacement host would never be found.

Like Moe from The Simpsons, I usually spend Festivus time with my head in an oven and a "no funeral" sign taped to my back. This year, though, is a little different, because a) I just found out my oven is electric and b) TV Squad asked me to compile a list of the things I wanted for Festivus. There's no time for holiday depression when an editorially-mandated list of things-that-will-never-come-to-pass is waiting to be written!

So, off with the noose and on with the list...

In 2004, the Venture Bros. gang pumped up our holiday spirit with a cover of Bing Crosby and David Bowie's "Little Drummer Boy" duet; in 2005, Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas"; and in 2006, a little thing called "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (part of Venture-Aid 2006). This year, the Christmas love continues with yet another Dr. Girlfriend and Monarch duet, in the form of The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York".

I quite like this song, but I don't think anything will be able to top the Monarch/Henchmen love that was "Hard Candy Christmas". And what's up with the Monarch doing every single song? Jackson Publick must have a little too much fun with that voice.

I don't want a lot for Festivus. There is just one thing I need --

Well, by "one thing", I really meant "six TV-related requests", but that's still not asking for much. Please, mysterious Festivus entity, I promise that I've been a good girl and that I have done my absolute best to properly preface all of my spoilerific posts. I also promise to make a much better effort in 2008 to be less creepy to all my favorite TV stars (sorry, Mr. Colbert). Super swear. All I want is...

My second Festivus list! Sure, the aluminum pole is a bit tarnished, and I'm not at my peak stamina to perform the Feats of Strength, but I have plenty of grievances to air. However, since this is a wish list I'll hold off on the grievances until I can shout them in the middle of Rittenhouse Square during the last shopping weekend before Christmas. Come on out before the fine members of the Philadelphia police force take me away.

So, without further verbiage on my part, here are my wishes for this Festivus season.

... One great TV moment.

Like you don't know what this is! There weren't that many talked about moments on television in 2007 than the one that took place on June 10th. It was the night that millions of viewers called their cable company to complain about the lack of signal from HBO. In other words, it was the night of The Sopranos series finale.

Perhaps not since the series finales of Cheers, M*A*S*H, Seinfeld, or The Flintstones was there so much talk about about a final episode of a show. But, unlike the Seinfeld finale, for example, it wasn't the whole episode that was discussed and over-analyzed. It was only the last five minutes of The Sopranos finale that was on the minds of millions. And, boy were they verbal about those last 300 seconds!

...Four TV shows you should be watching

Let's not beat around the bush -- television is a humongous, bloated wasteland. Granted, it's a humongous, bloated wasteland that I adore and worship any chance I get, but it is a humongous, bloated wasteland nonetheless. Due to the copious amount of crap that is placed on the airwaves many good shows are pushed aside, waiting for an unknowing viewer to tune into them and get hooked. Sometimes, these shows grab a few people, develop a following, and become a hit. Other times, they disappear down the television toilet, never to be seen again.

So, in order to save them from the Great Flush, here are four (plus a few more) shows that you should be watching.

... Five canceled shows.

Isn't it really sad when a TV show is canceled? It's like a family pet has died. You're not going to see these characters anymore, you're not going to find out what happened to them, and now you have to learn to like a whole new show and a new set of characters. And if the show replaced your favorite canceled show, you probably won't even watch. I still remember when Walker, Texas Ranger replaced Raven on CBS in the early 90s. I never forgave Chuck Norris for doing that and couldn't even watch his show, even though both shows were about heroes who kicked people with their feet.

2007 brought many cancellations to fans. Many cancellations we saw coming, many we didn't care about at all, and some truly hurt us. After the jump are the top five cancellations of the year. The ones that hit us the most and we talked about the most. Air your cancellation grievance in the comments below and at your Festivus party.

...eight seasons to look forward to.

Ho ho ho... nothing's on... my remote is collecting dust. Pesky writer's strike. Season's greetings? Not so much. More like "seasons canceled" or "seasons delayed." Fortunately (thank the TV gods) some shows didn't get touched when the WGA hit the picket lines. Either they wrapped production before the guild walked out or in some cases, full seasons had already aired. Here's to hoping that the New Year brings a speedy resolution to this whole mess so that business can move on as usual. And by "business as usual," I mean a selection of new episodes instead of me going out of my mind deciding if I should watch a Law & Order re-run from 1998 or 2002. Angie Harmon or Elisabeth Röhm... tough decision. Anyway, in the meantime, we have plenty to look forward to.

1.) The Wire, season 5: All in the game for one more season. As the fifth and final season of The Wire approaches, I can't help but be giddy over the fact that it wrapped production before the strike got underway. With only ten episodes, can you imagine the mess that would have been created if production would have been tweaked by a mere few weeks? Similar to the predicament Scrubs finds itself, HBO's greatest achievement could have been without a series finale. The thought terrifies me. Not the case, so take a deep breath and watch all these great previews. The Wire premieres on Sunday, January 6.

... ten reality television nuggets

Okay, my Festivus pole is up in my living room, my Festivus meal is planned. Although during the Airing of Grievances, I came up with a lot of issues related to recent seasons and upcoming reality television shows, this is a happy time. My grievances are already aired, it's time for serenity now. I couldn't participate in this year's Feats of Strength, but I did supply a doctor's note. My spirit was in the match, just not my body.

But, to me, it's not all about the Feats of Strength -- it's all about the Festivus miracles. And, as a reality television buff of sorts, here they are:

For the next twelve ten straight days, we here at TV Squad will be performing our own rendition of The Ten Days of Festivus, counting down from Jackie's number ten later today. Be sure to check back every day for the next gift that TV has given us this Festivus season -- you won't want to miss any of them.

Be sure to also check out last year's list if you've got no idea what the heck I'm talking about.

Christ, I had to do one of these "All I Want for Festivus" posts last year and I couldn't think of anything to write about back then, either.

Here's the thing: I'm pretty content when it comes to what television offers these days, and now that so many television shows are being offered through iTunes and for free online, it's easier than ever to ignore what I don't like and just enjoy what I want.

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today on TV Squad Daily:

• Now's the time to start thinking about New Year's resolutions. ABC wants you to be "Ugly in 2007".
• Jessica Simpson's Dolly Parton tribute won't air on television, not even the re-do.
• Festivus is tomorrow, and the Festivus pole business is going well.

The video's embedded after the jump below, or you can download the file directly (Quicktime required). You can also subscribe to this vodcast via our feed.