Faraday was first to meet us inLost.
In this gargantuan Top 100 list, we go a little out of the box by looking at specific elements of television--both on-screen and off-screen--that we thought were the most memorable this year. We'll put up 10 more each weekday through January 2nd, so be sure to check the site often. Until next year, Happy Holidays!
70. The introduction of Lost's Freighter Folk
Introducing four new characters to a show is challenging enough. Doing it all in one episode--and doing it well--is practically impossible. Yet Lost gave us Faraday, Miles, Charlotte, and Lapidus flawlessly in "Confirmed Dead," without ever taking away from the main story. This almost makes up for Nikki and Paolo. Almost.
69. Law & Order restructuring
Wacky Jeff Goldblum is joining Law & Order: Criminal Intent in early 2009, Anthony Anderson has joined the original Law & Order, and Adam Beach and Diane Neal both left Law & Order: SVU. Will these shows be okay? Will they fall into the pits? Find out on the next season of... all three Law & Orders.
68. Miley Cyrus' very un-Disney acts
We love watching Disney get irked over the off-screen antics of one of its prized stars. Like any normal teenager, Miley constantly fights her squeaky-clean image (semi-nude photos will do that), reportedly threatens to quit Hannah Montana, and is dating a dude 33-percent older than she is. We bet Mickey and Minnie wait up for her to come home every night.
Is that a banana in your hand, Charlie?
67. Crunchyroll.com
For anime fans, crunchyroll.com is a must bookmark. Loaded with full episodes of all sorts of animated programs from Asia, the free video Web site is like a Saturday morning in Japan whenever you want it. There's also plenty of live-action drama for those who don't like their characters with spiky hair and gigantic eyes... if that's your thing, weirdo!
66. Charlie Crews' love for fruit in Life
As a police officer who was wrongfully imprisoned for a dozen years, Charlie Crews was finally released and immediately had a passion for...passionfruit. Among Charlie's many endearing eccentricities, his obsession with exotic fruit sticks out the most--especially when he's explaining the origins of a kumquat at a grisly murder scene.
65. Fringe's quasi-science
We were expecting J.J. Abrams' new show to feature science on the verge of breakthroughs, but instead we get LSD-triggered coma talk and people stuck in walls. Ummmm... okay.
64. The sort-of return of Futurama
Sure the straight-to-DVD feature films (the first was released in late 2007) weren't as good as the original series, but for those that were jonesin' for a new fix of Bender, Fry, Leela, and the rest of Planet Express, it was one of the best things in the world. Ever. And don't worry, there's still one more movie left to be released. Watch it... the Hypnotoad commands you.
63. Bravo's reality tandem
Most reality programs suck. It's as simple as that. But Bravo has managed to put together a pair of very tolerable unscripted shows that don't make us want to gouge our eyes out. We'll happily watch the culinary competition of Top Chef and the fashion fights of Project Runway while eating Top Ramen in our ripped-up sweatpants any day.
That's Mia, on the left. Duh.
62. The weirdness of Yo Gabba Gabba
Sid and Marty Krofft would be proud of this trippy children's show. Adored by giddy youngsters and giggling college kids alike, Yo Gabba Gabba teaches valuable lessons to the tune of indie rock (The Shins, etc.) and hip-hop beats (Biz Markie is a regular). It's like Sesame Street on 'shrooms. And considering Sesame Street has a giant yellow bird that can talk, that's sayin' something.
61. Californication's Mia Cross
Played perfectly by Madeline Zima, Mia is a dangerous combination of incredibly intelligent and dangerously manipulative--and we love her for it. Behind her hardened exterior, there's a person longing to connect with someone...or maybe punch in the face during a romp in the sack. We'll take either, Mia. Call us!
Check out more TV.com lists here, and be sure to check back tomorrow for numbers 51-60!
Comments (35)
Lost, Life, Fringe, Californication - what great shows!
Crunchyroll made it site popular by stealing from fansubbers. Now it's trying to go legit by charging users. I don't see a long future for it.
Ha. One of you tv.comer staff members has a man crush on ole' Faraday from Lost (don't think the constant fanboying over him has not gone unnoticed in these articles lately). But yeah I love him, along with Charlotte! They're very well cast and welcome additions to the cast.
Goldblum in Criminal Intent? Can't wait to see... As for Mia Cross/Madeline Zima, I agree completely! Fringe, however, should be higher than 65...
66. Thanks for the LIFE plug. Crews sure does love fruits. Along with freedom, prison also takes away fresh and essential vitamin C.
So sick of Miley already...
Californication is gooooood, but not as good as the 1st season..
This is a good "10 list". The Lost "Freightees" (I think should be higher than 70 though), Charlie Crews' quirky personality & eating habits, Fringe science (it's only quasi-science for those non-believers!) & Mia Cross's manipulative character (stealing Hank's book & pimping it as her own, sleeping with Hank & Lew Ashby).
Californication is awesome all cast.and so fun as sex
I like Projects Runway...
Love Fringe - and I am a scientist, so its extra good. Nerds are cool!!
the science of fringe is great, when a mad scientist says to a fed "lets make some lsd", ya know its gonna be good, its both interseting highlarius. life in general is an entertaining show.
Sigh...I miss Futurama more than I can say.It is the best darn Animation on TV.
I hace some: Life, Californication & Lost
:):)
yay for Futurama and Californication!
http://fawgame.com/?rf=7a6f6d6269
"Fringe" kicks so much ass all that's left is "Fringe's" foot, a hole in the wall and an ass about a mile down the road. But I agree about the Bravo thing. Those shows tend to be fairly entertaining (if sometimes more than a little bit annoyinglicious). :P
Yo Gabba Gabba is pretty good for a kids show. My little nephew loves loves loves this show. The best part is the music. It is very catchy.
Id like if charlie and mr eko came back on lost.
I agree about Californication, but not about Lost, I'd better love if Boone <em>(Ian Somerhalder)</em> return.
Mia is awesome :)
i think all three L&Os will do ok... and yo gabba gabba is defiently weird.
I would have prefered Jess Goldblum to continue with <em>Raines</em>. And Fringe is just disappointing.
I like 70 & 64. And I think L&O SVU will do OK w/out those two.
Give me a break! Mia Cross is the worst thing about that show! I was glad that they toned down the number of her appearances this season, even though I would've preferred they dropped her completely since her father was nowhere to be seen. The Madeline Zima can't act her way out of a cardboard box, with her forced robotic tones, and her single facial expression. Californication deserves to be on this list, but this horrendous mistake of a character does not.
I'm a member of Crunchyroll (sounds wierd I know) and it is a must for anime lover. One of my friends said it was like a Japanese Myspace lol.
I'm not sure about Law & Order, or Law & Order CI, but SVU is still great w/ out Adam Beach, as he was only there for a season, so not tightly wrapped up in the script. As for Diane Neal, I miss her, but I think Michaela McManus is a good new addition to the cast.
Oh and from the freighter folk, LOVE Charlotte Lewis...
I think I started eating more fruit just coz I'm watching Life! go figure. As for Lost's freighter folk, well they're all pretty wierd, Faraday, shows up in Desmond's flashbacks, Charlotte never finishes her sentences, and then there's the dude, who fancies himself a medium. I wonder if there were no ordinary people like doctors or lawyers around
Oh man, I missed 71-90!
I love the freighter folk on Lost, Faraday is one of my new favorite characters :) Good pick!
Lost is always introducing new characters, but I was pretty impressed with the freighter people. I didn't think very highly of the new Futurama though.
I agree with insinity. Mia was definitely just a mere accessory during season 2 but that doesn't make her character any less interesting. It's the writer's fault. I hope she has a bigger role in season 3. I'm also glad crunchyroll made the list. I love that website.
Weren't as good as the original series? How so? There's absolutely nothing less good about them. It's like it's a no-brainer: a show runs for long? "yeah, but it's not as good as it once was." a show comes back? "idem". reasons? well, that's subjective. sure.And "Mia Cross" and Madeline Zima for that matter are pretty overrated. The whole story in the first season was pretty good and kept us on our toes. Also, she got all that boost - let's face it - because she came up showing boobs the first time she appears on the show. But... on the second season she's an accessory, she's dull and pretty pointless. I already have my doubts about Californication's 3rd season, but I'm pretty sure Mia's 3rd season will suck if she has a role on it.moreless
Yay Fringe and Futurama! My best friend watches Yo Gabba Gabba....I think she's insane for it.