COLUMN: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly on the TV
Last year was quite a wild ride wasn’t it? Saddam was executed, the Democrats took the House and Senate, and Time Magazine named me (and you) “Person of the Year.” Every way you look at it, 2006 was a roller coaster of a year. The TV world was no exception.
Now it’s a new year and time to take a look back at last year: what worked and what didn’t. That’s right everyone; it’s time for “Aaron’s Best and Worst TV of 2006.”
The Best
Best Comedy: The award for this category has to go to “The Office” on NBC. Now in it’s third season, it has truly risen above any other sitcom on television. It weaves together a seamless web of drama and comedy. The characters are unforgettable, and the writing is magnificent. If you haven’t checked out “The Office,” be sure to.
Best Drama: After the best ratings it’s ever had, “24” pulled out on top as the best drama of 2006 in my eyes. After four previous seasons, “24”‘s fifth season churned out its best ratings yet, showing the show still has “it.” Kiefer Sutherland (The Sentinel), who plays Jack Bauer, has created one of the most memorable TV characters of all time. With the sixth season just around the corner and promising to top the previous seasons, “24” really deserves top honors.
Best Talk Show Host: This has to go to Stephen Colbert of “The Colbert Report.” Poking fun at news talk shows, specifically “The O’Reilly Factor,” Stephen Colbert has staked his claim as one of the funniest men on TV. By bringing humor to a humorless government, Colbert has me laughing every time I watch.
Best New Show: The new show “Dexter” on Showtime takes the cake. The show’s about a blood spatter expert who works for the Miami Police Department by day, but at night he’s a calculated vigilante, dishing out his own form of justice by disposing of the bad guys in ways the courts, well, can’t. That’s right. He kills them, but they all deserve it.
The Worst
Worst Television Interview: Matt Lauer’s interview with Britney Spears will go down as one of the most awkward, unintentionally funny TV interviews ever. Britney cried as she talked about the horrors of the paparazzi and how tough it is to be famous. Matt Lauer feigned enthusiasm, but no doubt was thinking: “Who in the world dresses Ms. Spears?” Her top hung so far down, it seemed that all of Britney would come spilling out at any moment on national TV.
Worst News I Got Personally About A Show Cancellation: When “Lost” went on hiatus, a new show called “Daybreak” filled its spot. I really liked it. It was a fun, fast-paced, action-packed show that combined the elements of “Groundhog Day” with the excitement of “Die Hard.” Sadly, it was not to be. “Daybreak” was canceled because of terrible ratings. It will be missed.
Worst Channel Programming: This award has to go to MTV for it’s numerous reality/dating shows that cause me to lose all hope for the entire human race. To think that the shows “Laguna Beach,” “Parental Control,” “Next” and “The Real World” are getting more than 14 viewers every time an episode airs is disturbing and doesn’t speak highly of the “MTV generation.”
There you have it, a short list of my best and worst of 2006. Here’s looking forward to 2007 and all the mid-season premieres of new shows.
Aaron Peck is a television critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments about his best and worst of 2006 can be sent
to him at aaronpeck@cc.usu.edu.