TVSquad

FOX had a flaming puck. ESPN had blanket coverage and Barry Melrose's mullet. And Versus has... well, since no one can see them, no one really knows what they have. Almost every network has tried to make hockey a more attractive game to national viewers, and they've universally failed. So what is NBC, in the second season of its broadcast deal with the NHL, going to try? Think youngsters in skates.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, NBC's strategy this year will be to highlight the young stars of the league, especially in their primary game of the week. They will still show three regional games every week, but will concentrate marketing efforts on the main game, which will often feature up and coming players like Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins. In fact, the Penguins will play the Philadelphia Flyers in the first NBC Game of the Week on January 13. Anything should help; the Peacock Network averaged a 1.0 rating in their games last year, down a tenth of a point from ABC's coverage in the pre-lockout season of 2003-04.

Best:

5. CBS Sunday Morning  If you don't watch this, you should. It's old-school television news at its best with in-depth news stories, and lots and lots about the arts. Plus, the original "moment of zen" at the end.
4. The Daily Show  A good way to blow off steam when the news of the day is really getting you down.
3. The Office  This show really came into its own this season, and I just adore all the characters.
2. My Name is Earl  Always good for a one-liner.
1. Lost  They mess with our heads. And we like it!

Worst:

5. Night Stalker  I couldn't even stomach the first episode of this new show. Sad, because I had such high hopes for it.
4. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition  Too much showmanship, fabricated content (i.e., who can we get to build this house?), and way too much product placement.
3. Britney & Kevin: Chaotic  Quite possibly the most useless piece of crap to air this year.
2. Desperate Housewives  That's right. I can't stand this show. Too many open plotlines that don't interest me at all.
1. Saturday Night Live  It hasn't been funny in years. Except for that Narnia rap everyone is talking about.