The top ten TV Shows of 2012 had some select criteria. The show must have premiered new episodes in 2012. This means the first showing of the episode anywhere (i.e. something that debuted in the USA in 2011, but was not shown in the UK until 2012 would not be eligible). The shows would be judged purely on the episodes broadcast in 2012, so no coasting on past glory. An initial longlist of 34 was reduced to 33 when I realised I haven't seen any of the Boardwalk Empire episodes originally broadcast in 2012. The list was further whittled down to a shortlist of 17, of which I was surprised to find that 12 were of the 22 minute format. Over the next three days, I'll look at the 7 shows that didn't quite make the cut.
Community
NBC (US), Sony TV (UK).
Community aired 12 episodes in 2012, the latter half of its third season being shafted around the schedules by NBC. With the threat of cancellation looming, creator and showrunner Dan Harmon worked his magic with some of the finest episodes of the show's run. Unfortunately some of the episodes fell a bit flat - although perhaps only due to the sheer quality of the best episodes - but as a whole, the 2012 output was more than solid. The high concept episodes generally worked - especially the utterly outstanding "Digital Estate Planning" which saw much of the episode take place in an 8-bit video game - and the more straightforward few (straightforward for Community at least) set the scene perfectly for a season finale that played like a series finale. The last few minutes of "Introduction to Finality" wrapped up the season absolutely perfectly, and if the show had ended on that note, it would have been a wonderful way to go out. As it is, Community will return in 2013, but sans the inexplicably fired Harmon and for the latter part the bonkers Chevy Chase. Whether it can withstand the upheaval is yet to be seen, but the legacy has been left. And it's a fine legacy at that.
Key episodes: "Pillows and Blankets", "Digital Estate Planning", "Introduction to Finality".
Suburgatory
ABC (US), E4 (UK).
Coming into 2012, Suburgatory had aired only 9 episodes, and was still finding its feet. The latter 13 episodes of the first season, starting on January 4th found those feet, steadied them, and just continued to improve. Seven more episodes have aired in the second season so far, and of the 20 episode output in 2012, 17 have been great. The show is at its best when the biting satire is in force, but does tender, emotional moments surprisingly well, especially in the early part of the second season. The Alicia Silverstone arc was an unfortunate blip (possibly not her fault, most would have struggled with the character) but otehr than that, it's been a strong year. The lead actors are all very good in their roles, but the real star has been Carly Chaikin's deadpan delivery as Dalia. Watch the "You Missed A Spot" music video from the latest episode "Krumpus" to see exactly what I mean. It's not been perfect, but Suburgatory has been a show I've looked forward to every week in 2012.
Key Episodes: "The Body", "Down Time", "The Witch of East Chatswin".
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