Dice's Top 10 TV Shows of 2004
Submitted by pastordice on Fri, 08/18/2006 - 11:08
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- 10. Smallville - The only time I’ve ever put a show on my list based on syndication. Unfortunately (or would that be fortunately) we don’t get the WB, so I never got a chance to get into the teenage adventures of Clark Kent and Lana Lang when they aired the first time around. But I heard enough positive stuff about it to check it out when the reruns hit ABCFamily, and I can see how this show hooked people. Despite rather mediocre acting and production, the stories in this show are compelling and hook you. It’s kind of that X-Files “monster of the week” thing, but with Superman at the center of it all.
- 9. American Dreams - Sheesh, what issue hasn’t this show covered? Gambling? Marriage? Teenage Pregnancy? Politics? Drugs? Feminism? Racism? Abortion? Yep, all there. Yet, the issue that has resonated most deeply this past year was the war. As JJ was MIA in Vietnam and his family dealt with it, we got an intimate look into what many American families are going through right now. I love that there are no pat answers in this show, I love that it feels real, and I love that it deals with real issues and real consequences. Oh, and how could you not love a show that lets the guys in “Hawk Nelson” imitate “The Who”?
- 8. Alias - Sydney and the gang are still a lot of fun, but this show is another that has been lagging for me recently. I used to get amped about this show every week, but when last season ended it seemed like a convoluted mess. JJ Abrams has a gem here and it looks like now that the show has moved to Wednesdays (to complete the “JJ rules the earth” block of programming) he may be bringing the focus back to where it needs to be, on the characters.
- 7. CSI:Miami - The best CSI on TV. If the original CSI revels in quirkiness, and CSI:NY revels in mediocrity (Mr. Sinise, I expected better of you) then CSI:Miami revels in heart. I love how Horatio Cane invests himself in both the people he works with and the people he works for. It isn’t uncommon to see H put his neck on the line for a coworker or friend even when it doesn’t seem necessary. His character provides a rare example of what true servant leadership looks like.
- 6. The Simpsons - Who would have thought over 15 years ago while watching a short cartoon on the Tracy Ulman Show that it would spawn the most successful TV sitcom in history? The Simpsons has become a cultural touchstone and has consistently been the funniest show on TV. It’s more than the laughs that keep me glued every Sunday, the writing is dead on and the satire is unmatched. Whether you see yourself in Flanders, Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge, or even Ralph, it helps us laugh at the things about us that need laughing at.
- 5. Extreme Home Makeover - The most positive and good hearted hour of television every week. Unlike most fix 'em up shows (ie. Trading Spaces, While You Were Out) this one focuses more on meeting needs than looking good. Ty and the crew spend each week creating a love letter in the form of a home for a family that deserves and needs the upgrades. I’m certainly amazed at the transformation of these homes, but I’m even more amazed at how it transforms my heart.
- 4. Survivor:Vanuatu - Survivor is back! After the monumental misstep that was “Survivor:All Stars” Mark Burnett and Jeff Probst have brought us back to what we loved about Survivor in the first place. Amazing new personalities, amazing locations, and the intricacies of human nature as it applies to competition. I loved how Chris snaked his way through the wall of women who stood in his way, and how once again it became more about who offended the jury least instead of who played the game best. Here’s hoping Palau is as much fun as Vanuatu.
- 3. 24 - The “Jack Bauer Power Hour” remains the most intense 60 minutes of programming in the universe (well at least the galaxy). My favorite television moment of last year was probably the ending of 24’s last season as Jack broke down in tears after another stress filled day. It was seemingly out of character but perfectly in step with human frailty no matter who you are.
- 2. Amazing Race 5 - The Amazing Race has always been a great show, but everything fell together in season 5; Great teams, great locations, imaginative challenges (pay attention Survivor), a nail biting finish, and great winners. Chip and Kim embodied teamwork, perseverance, and self-sacrifice, and hopefully gave this underperforming show something it’s always deserved, more viewers.
- 1. Lost - Things are not always as they appear. Aside from being the main theme of this freshman phenom about a group of stranded strangers on an island that is stranger still, it also directly applies to the show itself. The show isn’t really about polar bears, creatures in the trees, dead relatives, healed limbs, or 15-year-old French transmissions. Amongst all these things the show is really about one thing, people. Jack, Sawyer, Locke, Charlie, Claire, Hurley, Shannon, Boone, Kate, and others step in and out of the spotlight, as each deals with their own conflicts and stories. And we’ve only barely scratched the surface of the 48 who survived the crash (down to 45 at last count). The other major theme in “Lost” is the freedom in letting go, a reminder to us to glance down and see what things we hold on to too tightly. JJ Abrams has hit it out of the park with this one (allowing me to forgive him for Alias’ little downturn.) and has given me the first show since X-Files that I save indefinitely for further viewing.
