TV of 2012: The Nearly Men - Part 2

American Dad

Fox (US), BBC Three/FX (UK).

Only 17 episodes of American Dad have aired in 2012 due to Fox's highly bizarre scheduling of the show, and while not all of them have been stone cold knockouts, the show has been consistently funny throughout the year. The plots have been downright silly from time to time, but they've worked well, and the lack of continuity between episodes has never hurt the show before. American Dad makes use of guest voices better than any animation, and some of the guest stars who have come through the show in 2012 have been outstanding, as have the musical numbers (I dare you not to have "Girl, You Need a Shot (of B12)" stuck in your head for days. Even at its worst, American Dad is entertaining. It's been at its best much more often that that this year, and is one of the most enjoyable half hours on TV.

Key Episodes: "Wheels & the Legman and the Case of Grandpa's Key", "Ricky Spanish", "Adventures in Hayleysitting".

30 Rock

NBC (US), Comedy Central (UK).

Due to Tina Fey getting knocked up in 2011, we've had a full 30 episodes of 30 Rock this year, and while the best ones have been outstanding, the uneven quality of the season and a half has kept the show from making the Top 10. Tracy Morgan has been his brilliant bonkers self, but has descended into self-parody a little too often for my liking, while Fey and Alec Baldwin have been completely solid. But the star of the year has been Jane Krakowski, who has portrayed the unhinged Jenna Maroney with aplomb all year. Unless the final 5 episodes of this show are spectacular, I don't foresee it hitting next year's top 10. But if it doesn't, it's been a great ride.

Key Episodes: "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell", "Leap Day", "Mazel Tov, Dummies!".