The Best Television of 2010

Televisionary has posted his picks of 2010 over at his blog, and it's inspired me to quickly whip up the stand out shows from this year. All before I disappear into a massive end of year deadline.

All TV mentioned on here is MUST WATCH. As in, go to your nearest JB, Big W, or wherever and buy it. If you can't find it there? Buy it on Amazon. Help me get a job later in my life.

In what really has been a rather garbage season of TV this year, there certainly has been a few gems that have stuck their heads up craving attention. Unfortunately, the shows craving the attention either didn't get what they deserved and have suffered (cancellation) or aren't getting enough. These selections are in no particular order; except for Terriers which was hands down the best piece of television this year. This list is rather short, as I've got some big stuff that needs doing before the year goes out. Here goes!

The Best

Terriers



It was one of the saddest moments in television when the small but strong audience of followers for Terriers received the news that it's first season would be it's only season. But, my god was it a superb 13 episodes we were treated to. The mix of charm, humour and heart all came together in such a powerful way that the show became a testament to the beautiful work from the cast of Donal Logue (Hank) and Michael Raymond-James (Britt) who have some of the best on screen chemistry I've ever seen, the crew who brought San Diego to life, the writers who crafted a magnificent mix of standalone and serialised stories and creator Ted Griffin for making such an excellent show.

I think what made this show special to myself, is that so early on in the series, I cried after some really emotionally powerful stuff between Hank and Katie. I emailed and blogged about why Terriers needed to stay on air. It was all in vein, but I know that I've still got 13 episodes to go to enjoy, cry, laugh and smile along with such a fantastic series.

Parks and Recreation



Never have I seen such a radical improvement from season to season. If you've heard of this show, the initial reception to it's first 6 episode season was rather lukewarm, with people not finding the funny, the character interesting or the stories valuable. However, the second season completely changed everything and what we were shown was a show that contained revamped characters, stories and jokes that were infinitely more stronger.

Rather than focus on one overall problem for the Parks and Recreation department to solve, the shows focus turned to it's characters, all of which received a superb improvement backed by some hilarious acting, in particular, Parks and Recreation's ace up the sleeve, Ron Swanson, made everything better. By redirecting it's focus, Parks quickly became one of the funniest comedies of the last year; an absolute must watch.

Community



I'm proud to have been a member of the Community fan club from it's premiere episode last year. From there, the characters and stories have never faltered, all bouncing off one another, and building relationships and stories that are so damn funny, heart-breaking and heart-warming. The tail end of season one offered up the infamous painball episode which was by far one of the best pieces of television I've ever seen. And in it's sophomore season, it offered a bleak (ZING) look at how alcohol ain't the best thing ever, an episode that acts as a homage to conspiracy theories and Arrested Development, a Mean Girls reference heavy episode and it's Christmas animation special was so damn warped and ripped so hard on Lost, I was jumping out of my chair screaming "Snap!"

I think that's what makes me love this show so much, is that it references everything so brilliantly, it's like having my own little joke with a close friend that only the two of us know about. That kind of audience development is a great thing. Community is a comedy that has heart, cast and stories of absolute gold.

Fringe



It took me a while to get into Fringe, the pilot deterred me from getting into it, but I sat through the first season, and watched it develop into such a magnificent sci-fi drama. The close of season two and the opening of season three opened up such a thought-provoking story that I had no idea where the writers were going to take the series. I had a helluva lot of fun watching this and wondering where they would go or which universe we'd see this week. John Noble's turn as Walter is absolutely stunning, actually, my hat off to the entire cast juggling two completely different personalties between the universes.

The show recently moved to the Friday night in the US, which isn't a good sign, however, I believe that it's viewers will keep watching. The writers severed the universes ties a few weeks ago in awesome fashion and I know it's not the end of Walternate, but what has made this show such a joy to watch is it's ability to keep it's audience guessing and thoroughly creeped out and entertained. Long live Sci-fi!


Modern Family



The second season has lacked a bit of the funny from the first, but some of the latest episodes have had some hilarious moments tied together with some great character bits. I love that we're watching the cast evolve, and they all work together like a well oiled machine. I mean, Phil going nuts at a perfume salesman screaming "MEN!" is great or the Dunphy household going on a technology ban and Manny's attempt to have a childhood? Just fantastic stuff.

The show occasionally suffers from delivering it's message a little too straightforward or cliched, but you still get a nice feeling from watching it (it does a better job of it than other certain shows. Like, Glee). But I think if the show's tag can end with you smiling, laughing and reliving the moments you've just seen, isn't that kind of what a Modern Family should be doing?


Shows I know I'm fucking missing and I'll watch them when I have damn time - get off my back:
Mad Men
Boardwalk Empire Friday
Night Lights

Merry Christmas everyone!

Writers are Walking Dead

The biggest piece of news this last week, was the apparent firing of The Walking Dead's writing staff. I'm late to the party, I know. I just started this blog.

Quick disclaimer: I'm voicing my opinion, it is wrong, it's flawed to shit, but that's because I don't work in the US and Australia's TV system sucks.

From a budding screenwriters perspective and from a perspective from someone who's read the responses and has NO idea about how the writers room / WGA really works over there. I can 110% say that I really shouldn't be posting about this. So here's my two cents on everyone elses two cents.

I think [the awesome] Ashley Edward Miller [Writer of Andromeda, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, Fringe and most recently, Thor] summed it up really nicely in two tweets.

Sigh. Really? “@NikkiFinke: 'The Walking Dead' Lets Go Of Writers; Considers No Writing Staff For S2 http://dlvr.it/9Tvxp”

followed by...

Because you know, that shit just writes itself.

Immediately after hearing and then reading about the news, my first thought was: why in the hell are you doing this Mr. Darabont? And proceeded to write and read other writers and the public's opinions. However in doing this, [the awesome] Mr. Edward Miller tweeted:

It's always amusing hearing people express opinions about how television shows function when they've never produced a minute of it.

So I backtracked and took a seat on my couch and started to cry. I've got two short films produced as a student. Nothing else. The Australian TV industry isn't what it's cracked up to be. It's NOTHING like the US system or the UK system. But it's interesting to see the difference in opinions from writers that have the produced credits.

The general consensus from everyone is that this isn't a particularly smart move from Darabont. Why? I mean, 6 episodes really isn't that much work for Darabont by himself [Although - Kirkman, the creator of the comic is still around] however when the show was renewed for a 13 episode second season, then it becomes a bit worrisome. I mean, AMC wants The Walking Dead to be ready for Halloween next year, that means that in less than 10 months, Darabont and Kirkman need to [and correct me if I'm wrong or missing anything]:

• Plan 13 episodes
• Outline 13 episodes
• Break 13 episodes
• Write 13 episodes
• Redraft 13 episodes
• Produce 13 episodes

You get where I'm coming from? That list actually goes on but I can't be bothered detailing the process further. But you see, It's a lot of work. I know that we haven't been given all the facts and if you'd read the article at the top of this post, you would have seen that there are changes to the writing staff. But for the purposes of this seemingly superfluous entry, we'll just stick with Kirkman and Darabont, actually, let's just stick with Darabont. He's the "showrunner."

Reports are also saying that production on S2 will roll on in Feb next year. That's a small timeframe, which is something you work against, but ultimately you come out with something. You have to, otherwise you face delays, people supremely pissed off at you leading to your ass inevitably getting fired. The great thing about writing for TV is that it rolls over, if you have writing staff, that is. While your crew is working on an episode, your writing staff can be sitting in a fucking cool room [or toilet, or whatever] outlining, breaking and ultimately writing the stories we see on the screen.

It's a process that tries it's best to streamline everything into something that runs smooth and [hopefully] stress free. BUT - whilst production gears up for a Feb start, Darabont has a choice: he can write the whole fucking season by himself OR hire freelance writers.

If he wants to write the whole fucking season by himself, the quality of this show will probably turn to shit. It doesn't seem like Darabont is a "take the back seat and let someone else have a go" kind of guy. He wants to do it all by himself. He's the hero! [Darabont, if you read this. I'm sorry. I do want to work with you, but probably never will].

If he wants to hire freelance writers to bring their talents to the plate, then I can see the production moving a bit more steadily. Quality wise? I'm not so sure. I know that any freelancers that have smelled the opportunity have probably already rewatched the first season six times, bought the comics and are studying them. To you freelancers, good luck! I wish you all the best. There's some quality writing out there and I'm sure AMC will pick it up.

Whatever choice Darabont makes, I'm sure we'll be seeing 13 episodes in the next 10 months. The ratings for this show are very healthy, so that's a start, the season finale picked up 6 million viewers which is great. But in light of all of this drama, whatever choice is made, the overall production will be stressed [most productions are, I'm sure]. However, I can tell you now from experience in keeping myself to deadlines and working off advice given to me from other produced screenwriters, that all of this is an insane undertaking for one man. It's your move Mr. Darabont.

Thoughts? Questions?