With the end of the year approaching, what is your top 10 shows that aired new episodes during the 2008 calendar year?

1. Desperate Housewives
2. Privileged
3. Without a Trace
4. Back to You
5. Million Dollar Password
6. Life is Wild
7. The Secret Life of the American Teenager
8. According to Jim
9. The Mentalist
10. American Idol

CBS 3
ABC 2
CW 2
FOX 2
ABCFamily 1
NBC 0

shows I've dropped
Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
Criminal Minds
Everybody Hates Chris

bump

#1 The Simpsons
#2 The Big Bang Theory
#3 How I Met Your Mother
#4 According To Jim
#5 Knight Rider
#6 Pushing Dasies
#7 The Game
#8 King Of The Hill
#9 Family Guy
#10 Millionaire Password.

In no paticular order:

1. Back to You
2. Big Bang Theory
3. New Adventures of Old Christine
4. Swingtown
5. Medium
6. The Mentalist
7. Hell's Kitchen/Kitchen Nightmares
8. 5th Grader/Don't Forget the Lyrics
9. Million Dollar Password
10. Ghost Hunters

1. Chuck: The reason this comes in at number one over Big Bang Theory, is due to its time off the air. Many fans thought we'd never see a return with 9 months off the air. Pre-season hype lived up to expectations. Creatively, one of the best shows on Television and at the moment, best new show on NBC.

2. The Big Bang Theory: This show has never let the fans down. Last season was so good and I think the reason why Two and a Half Men lacked its usual great-ness last year was due to Chuck Lorre's determination to make BBT work. The reason for this particular show being at #2 on my list is due to the fact that while this show continues to amaze me even more with each ongoing episode, the quality of Two and a Half Men has risen higher than it has in a long time this season and I think that this year, after a period of thinking and process, Chuck Lorre has been able to balance himself between the two shows.

3. Two and a Half Men: Last year, I got iffy. Although I was a first time viewer, I had seen many episodes of the earlier years on my local CW affiliate and with the exception of a few episode here and there, the quality Two and a Half Men once held seemed to have vanished. The reason, as stated above, is that Chuck Lorre must've had a hard time working with two shows. He knew 'Men' had a following, however needed to make sure viewers continued to poor in so that The Big Bang Theory would find its audience (which obviously, this season it did.) This season has been exceptionaly good, in my book, right there next to the first two years of its glory.

4. How I Met Your Mother: NPH...how much more can you ask for? This season has definately been my favorite next to season 2. The show has gone back to it's silly, crazy, unpredictable wack-ness that it's known for, without losing the main idea of how Josh Radnor's character of Ted Mosby met his future children's mother. The show is at its prime!

5. House: Having now seen most of the series, I know like many, I felt season 4 didn't live up to the first three seasons. After the season four two part finale, I know like many, I had hope that season 5 would be back to being the fantastic show it was. And David Shore delivered!

6. Back to You: No other one-year wonder is on this list, but there's a reason. Like 2006's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip which starred the remarkable Matthew Perry and Bradley Whitford, this show had something most don't, great writing and great chemistry between the actors. One fine show that will not soon be forgotten.

7. ER: In my opinion, the writing this year has been fantastic. This show will def. go out in March with a BANG!

8. Rules of Engagement: Maybe not original, but season 2 was def. laugh-out-loud funny. Patrick and David work fantastic together. Can't wait for
season 3!

9. Million Dollar Password: What's great about this show is CBS isn't spreading it thin. Small doses are good. They lead to bigger appitites. My favorite game show since Millionaire. Let's hope they keep the show as a mid-season or summer filler, this way, it won't get tired to quickly.

10. Worst Week: Far, far, far from original. But the show has seen great acting come together and the psyhical comedy is spot on. Although the likely-hood of a second season is unlikely, its one show I wont be sad to see go. It's not a show that needs a second season. Let's end it at its prime.

Show's that could've made the list:

Gary Unmarried: Generally good, but character development is lacking and there have been quite a few bad episodes.

Til Death: Season 3 killed it. At least I'll always have seasons 1 and 2!


Sorry for my long, long post. But hey, you don't have to read it if you don't want to!

;)

Nice list, Ryan - I have to agree with you about Worst Week and MDP especially - WW isn't original, and at times not even that creative, which is why I kept it off my list. But, the acting is great, and the physical humor they add in is great. And like you said, MDP is great in small doses - it's a great show, and it's great as a filler/summer show.

7. ER: In my opinion, the writing this year has been fantastic. This show will def. go out in March with a BANG!
There's no doubt about it. ER is beyond outstanding. :D

I agree with a lot of your other choices as well:

1. Chuck - I can't say I'm the most devoted fan, but from the episodes I've watched, and reading all the glowing reviews, and seeing posts upon posts about Chuck on several websites, it's obvious that this show has one of the most devoted followings on TV. I hope to catch up on seasons one and two next summer/fall.

2. The Big Bang Theory - A future "modern" classic.

4. How I Met Your Mother - I've been a fan since day one, and agree with you that it's in it's prime right now. Ever since the writer's strike ended early last year, almost every single episode has been nothing but top-notch. They've been on one hell of a winning streak. Just look at those ratings!

6. Back to You - It was a good show with a lot of potential, and definitely should have lasted for many years. It's dearly missed, especially here on SO.