mindset.

Note: This is a top 10 list of network television, not cable television. That means only programming from ABC, NBC, CBS, Channel 4, etc is included. I don’t subscribe to cable channels and although I have seen a few shows through means other than television, I feel I haven’t seen a wide enough variety to be able to include them in this list. Therfore, programs such as Dexter, Weeds and True Blood will not be included here.

10. Samantha Who?
A good sitcom. It manages to be funny while keeping an interesting storyline beyond relationships that unravels as the series progresses… something sitcoms aren’t known for. Successfully changed Christina Applegate from “that one actress” to actually being known, and for good reason. She’s fantastic on screen.

9. Fringe
Like Cloverfield, this one’s a bit gimmicky. Well, really gimmicky. And that’s part of the charm. As pseudoscientific terror attacks/experiments occur all over the world (collectively called “The Pattern”), Olivia Dunham and the rest of the Department of Homeland Security have to figure out what it all means and what’s coming next. So. Many. Cliffhangers.

8. The Office (US)
These paper company office workers are being filmed documentary-style, and know it. They often stare directly into the camera. Plus, Steve Carell. Quirkily hilarious.

7. Pushing Daisies
Morbid at times, yet always uplifting. Lee Pace and Anna Friel are wonderful, as are the brilliant set designs. It’s like a fairytale except it revolves around murders and talking to the resulting victims. The dead ones.

6. Chuck
Chuck Bartowski works at a fictional Best Buy clone. Unfortunately, when the CIA’s most important secrets become embedded in his mind via email (long story), he becomes their most important asset — the Intersect. And more than just one person wants him dead. It’s also really funny, sometimes in an awkward way. Ryan McPartlin.

5. House
This show’s been around for a while, with many of the episodes directed according to a overplayed formula. This season and last season have introduced unexpected twists. Employees quitting suddenly, fatal diseases affecting staff, hostage situations… and House still manages to be the douchebag to end all douchebags. Hugh Laurie is a god.

4. Ugly Betty
Michael Urie (Mark) is one of my favourite gays on the tee vee. His one-liners, when combined with Becki Newton (Amanda) and Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina), make for bitchy/cynical entertainment at its finest and most hilarious. Betty is adorable, although her outfits are getting increasingly and unbelievably ridiculous.

3. 30 Rock
Comedic genius right here. Tina Fey is hilarious, both as a writer and as an actress. Alec Baldwin is perfect. Nice to see people are actually watching 30 Rock this season, too. It’s important to note that it’s unfair for Tina Fey to be on a jury because she can read minds.

2. Numb3rs
Numb3rs is nothing short of enthralling. Charlie, pictured above, is a math genius that works with the FBI (along with his brother) to solve crimes. What’s amazing is how everything you can possibly imagine relates to math in some way or another. As cases are solved, math that lies just beneath the surface is revealed in an easy to understand and entertaining way. It’s more entertainment than it is educational, but the fact that there is a bit more than just car chases and gunfire is a nice change.

1. Skins
The number one show of the year is also the only non-American show on the list. Skins is produced by E4 in the UK and revolves around the lives of a group of middle-class teenagers in Bristol, England. There’s sex, drugs and parties (raves, I mean), but Skins goes deeper than that. Mental illnesses, homophobia and religion issues are all brought up, from the perspective of the teens. A main character dies of a drug overdose, while another has multiple eating disorders. This isn’t Gossip Girl. This is as close to real life you’re going to get from a drama. With HBO-style content and breathtaking cinematography, Skins makes as much of an impact on adult audiences as it does for youth. Highly recommended.