The top-ten lists are starting to come out fast and furious, in TV as in everything else, and this weekend AFI released its list of the top 10 TV shows (as well as top 10 movies) of the year. Having been on the AFI jury a couple times before (most recently in 2008), I feel especially invested in this one. After the jump, the list, and a couple thoughts:
The Big Bang Theory
Big Love
Friday Night Lights
Glee
Mad Men
Modern Family
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
Nurse Jackie
Party Down
True Blood
Much like the lists generated the years I’ve been on the AFI jury, the end product is, to me, about equal parts “Yeah!” and “Huh.” As you can see, it half matches my own list. As for the others—I’ve never been as big a fan of Big Bang and True Blood as other critics. On the other hand, even though I didn’t put them on my own top 10, I’m happy to see some love for Nurse Jackie, Party Down and even Ladies, which honestly I would not have come close to considering but was a distinctive and well-acted surprise this year.
One thing I do like about the AFI lists, agree or disagree, is that they tend to focus more on new shows, and they’re a little idiosyncratic. The reason, I think, is the structure and manner of the judging. I can’t go into details from my own years—they make you observe a pretty serious pinky-swear of secrecy—but the panels are equal parts TV critics, TV professionals and academics. Some of the people have watched most everything on TV that year, others not so much; some are highly connected to the industry, some not at all. So the group’s voting is open to outside-the-usual choices, and one person’s passionate advocacy for a particular show can get it into the top 10.
In any case, this year’s is a thoughtful list—even the items I don’t agree with. Here’s the list of panel members—including C.C.H. Pounder and David Milch—if you want to know who to thank or blame.
