If You Can't Say Something Nice...

I'm most grateful for the soon-to-be-occurring regime change in washington. I'm definitely not digging on a lot of the new shows. Sons of Anarchy is the new show that has pretty much blown my mind and been way better than expected - it totally surprised me. It has a kinda Deadwood-meets-Sopranos vibe and a pretty awesome cast. Fringe is aiight, it has potential but I'm now two weeks behind in my viewing. . . I'm such a slacker.
.
Returning favorites that I look forward to every week: Supernatural, Terminator, Gossip Girl, The Office, Bones, Heroes, and House. In that order.
.
I've definitely been watching less TV in general this season, although I do plan on catching up on HIMYM, Everybody Hates Chris, Big Bang Theory, Fringe, Ugly Betty, Greek, Dexter, and Chuck at some point. I tend to like to marathon those episodes, and wait till there are several piled up to watch at once, rather than worry about keeping up with them weekly. So, I'm next most grateful for iTunes and online episode streaming.

This season has definitely been one of returning favorites. Heroes has dropped lower on my list of must-watches while House has bumped up significantly. That could be because I just finished reading a book Hugh Laurie wrote that was fantastic and it got me reinvigorated in his brand of comedy though.

The only new shoes I am enjoying to any degree are Sons of Anarchy, which is the one show I can't DVR because I am so hooked; and True Blood, which is a type of show I would not normally be interested in, but some unknown force keeps pulling me back every Sunday (or whenever I find the time to open my DVR listing).

Chuck. Chuck. Chuck.
.
Seriously, this is the only show on in fall 2008 that deserves a ton of praise (aside from 30 Rock and The Office, both of which we already know are genius). Chuck and Sarah's chemistry, the ridiculously hilarious employees at the Buy More (including the return to TV of Buster Bluth!), the nerd-love, and (most importantly), Adam Baldwin as Casey -- a comic genius in the pantheon of Bruce Campbell. Seriously, James -- this show belongs on any best list - I mean, it has EASILY surpassed Heroes as appointment Monday night television.
.
I'll also give props to Bones (although the end of the Gormogon thing still bothers me), and Pushing Daisies (although it appears to be dying).

I'm thankful to Supernatural for doing that story with the giant drunken suicidal teddy bear that had been brought to life by a little girl's wish. Because there's been a real lack of giant drunken suicidal teddy bears on TV, and they're much funnier than the description sounds.

Pushing Daisies, of course. But I'm actually really happy that Ugly Betty has turned into a really great show, allowing Betty to grow up and face a lot of challenges rather than being stuck always trying to clean up Daniel's messes. She still does that, of course, but she's also branching out, actively seeking more responsibility and learning how to deal with her difficult coworkers.

I'm thankful for discovering this blog earlier this year! Great insight and entertaining perspectives. Thanks.
.
Oh, also (of-course) thankful for Fringe. May it live to the ripe old age of 5. Eleventh Hour is kinda-sorta on my radar too and those Murder She Wrote reruns have beguiled me!!

Still don't get Chuck. Poor Heroes, but they deserve it. Liking Fringe. The Shield is by far the best thing on TV this fall. South Park has been more miss than hit. The Office has been very strong. Just started watching 30 Rock, and it's funny, but it ain't all that for me. Daily show and Colbert report are always good. I miss Lost in the fall.

I am thankful that the FX network exists to bring entertainment to jaded young men such as myself (roughly, in order of preference, The Shield/Testees/Sons of Anarchy/Sunny in Philly).

Fringe disappoints me with its underachievement more than it entertains me, and Pushing Daisies in its cheapend form seems to have lost some of its spark, but compared to everything else on TV, I am thankful for them.

Just about the only thing I'm thankful for on TV is the near constant availability on cable of reruns of Law & Order SVU.

btw, as your above Heroes post demonstrates, it more fun to read (and write, I assume) about bad shows than good ones -- so I do hope that you'll be doing a worst of list as well -- I mean, what other purpose did Tin Man serve than to make "worst show of the year" list.

Did not get into Chuck either. Come on, give Sons of Anarchy some love. I cried during last night's episode. I cannot remember any crime drama, even the Sopranos, going as far as that. Well, maybe the Sopranos, but I'd argue it was more intense in SOA.

I'm thankful for Mad Men (and comcast for putting the first season on demand, best weekend non-alcholic-binge ever!) Also for Fringe being worth watching, The Office and the guilt of all the Emmys 30 Rock got to make me start watching it consistently. (Happy Tina?) But give me more Tracy Morgan on that show! I'm also thankful Dexter finally started getting interesting to continue watching it.

My fall lineup: The Life and Times of Tim, Chuck, Pushing Daisies, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (season finale tonight!), The Office, 30 Rock. I catch up on True Blood every few weeks, but I'm not crazy about it.

Bill Maher had a good run this fall, too.

How about TV we don't think of here? I really enjoyed Morning Joe each morning to give me my fix of Campaign 2008. Saturday Night Live hit some amazing high notes this season. Deadliest Catch made for some really compelling TV. Was Discovery's Planet Earth this year (I forget)?
.
All deserve some props (presuming they were 2008).
.
As for the worst list, we gotta throw in CNN's holograms....and their debate pundit scorecards....

@beerbaron: what is The Life and Times of Tim about? Never seen/heard of it

The Daily Show and the Colbert Report have become must-see at our house. I think they had some of the best election coverage on TV. I got kind of teary-eyed when Jon Stewart interrupted Stephen Colbert to announce the election winner. Hubby is also very fond of Craig Ferguson and will occasionally DVR an episode for me. I really enjoyed "Psych" over the summer and can't wait for it to come back in January.

I'm thankful that Maureen Ryan has jumped on the Supernatural bandwagon. I believe this show is one of the best on tv right now, and unfortunately it's one of the least publicized and most underrated. I'd be even more thankful if more critics would join the fun... cough cough. Also, very thankful for the Psych commercial with the Snoopy dance. It makes me smile every time I see it.