Top TV Obsessions for 2009
(in no particular order)

Friday Night Lights
Now on its fourth season, Friday Night Lights continues to be amazing. Despite moving on from old characters such as Lyla and Tyra, Smash and Street, the show proves that it could reinvent itself by splitting Dillon into two sides — East and West. Viewers now find themselves rooting for a whole new color, a whole new team… the East Dillon Lions.
This particular shift in the story gave us new and interesting characters as well as a lot more drama caused by the rift that the re-districting created. So far, not a single disappointing episode has come out… with Zach Gilford’s performance in “The Son” as a definite highlight.
With half a season left, I couldn’t wait to see what else the show has in store next year.

Chuck
When the show promised a game-changer by the end of season two, they definitely delivered everything they’ve got. The old Intersect is gone in Chuck’s brain; but Intersect 2.0 proves to be much more interesting than the first one… with Chuck doing kung-fu at the drop of a hat.
A long hiatus is not helping things, however. When the season ended in April, it was set to return March 2010. Thankfully, the season premiere has moved up to January 2010; but it is still a long wait from the awesome second season finale. Hopefully, 2009 brings more good things for Chuck, with guestings from Kristin Kreuk to Brandon Routh in the horizon.

Modern Family
This show is just so much fun to watch. I decided to check this out after its glowing review on Entertainment Weekly’s Fall TV Preview (my annual bible for what’s new that’s worth watching); and I wasn’t disappointed. Episode after episode, the family just keeps on giving the laughs. From Phil Dunphy to Manny Delgado, everyone has something funny to offer each and every episode. It’s definitely one of the best shows to come out this year.

Dexter
Though the Jimmy Prado storyline didn’t provide as much sparks for the show last year, Dexter bounced back quickly with the Trinity Killer in tow during the recently concluded season. John Lithgow’s amazing performance brought on the suspense we always expect from the show; and Michael C. Hall continues to pull his own weight as the Dexter who wants to have it all.
We have yet another long wait to see what happens next; but the finale offered up yet another game-changer that will surely make the next season interesting.

The Big Bang Theory
This show is honestly kicking How I Met Your Mother’s butt recently. I still love HIMYM; but TBBT is much higher on my comedy favorites now. I find myself constantly laughing at joke after joke.
Sheldon, as usual, is the revelation that keeps this show entertaining. Still, credit has to be given to the other characters because they pull their own weight when it comes to comedy… with Howard’s Jewish mom and Leonard’s mom (I loved the Christine Baranski episodes), even Penny and Raj provide enough laughs that are sustained throughout each and every episode.

True Blood
The show definitely officially became a hit this year, with ratings catching up to records set by The Sopranos by the end of the second season. Despite a disappointing finale, True Blood’s sophomore effort is still one that I got completely obsessed with. Sookie’s trip to Dallas, Eric’s obsession with Sookie, Jason’s new friends in the Fellowship of the Sun, and Lafayette’s personal journey since being held captive in Fangtasia kept things interesting. Forget about the Maenad and Tyra… those were forgivable given the other, more fun stuff the show offered.

Glee
A musical comedy that didn’t end in disaster (Anyone remember Viva Laughlin?), Glee was a hit from the very beginning. Glee premiered its pilot episode before American Idol; and since then, buzz for the series grew to amazing heights, leading up to the second episode that aired almost four months after.
Although flawed sometimes in its storytelling and characterization, the music and the energy offered by its characters saved it from being ignored. Gleeks from all over the world have multiplied tenfold; and the show is now riding high with a couple of Golden Globe nominations.
Personally, I just LOVE the music. The stories are interesting and fun; but I just LOVE the music. I’m obsessed.

Greek
I still haven’t lost the love for this show. Especially when in the latest season, Casey and Cappie are finally giving their long-elusive relationship a try! Aside from that, old friendships are rekindled when Cappie and Evan find themselves recruited as members of a secret society at Cyprus Rhodes University. Also, Rusty is trying to survive yet another relationship and Calvin continues to deal with homosexuality in the fraternity when he develops feelings for a fellow Omega Chi who is not willing to come out of the closet.
And with that, the show looks like it’s not going to run out of drama while at the same time, keeping the fun aspect of the show intact.

Other Awesome Comedies
How I Met Your Mother and 30 Rock are still on my list. Ugly Betty has also been a revelation this season with the storylines they’ve come up with for Marc, my favorite character. There’s little to be desired, though, about Daniel’s cult storyline.
Anyway, a surge of new comedies are making their mark as well. Early 2009, Better Off Ted and 10 Things I Hate About You were pretty great comedies that premiered. By Fall 2009, I was enjoying Cougar Town and The Middle. Also, Community is getting better with each episode. Plus, who doesn’t love Joel McHale?

On the Other End of the Spectrum…

Gossip Girl
The show is now losing its “guilty pleasure” top hat. I couldn’t care less about Jenny or Serena… about Chuck and Blair… And don’t get me started on Nate or Vanessa… or Dan.
I sort of already whined about it in this entry. Also, they went ahead with the stories I didn’t want them to go for (like Serena’s affair with Tripp Vanderbilt). I’m still watching this series, though with much less interest as compared to before. Hopefully, this twist involving Lily and Rufus will pick things up to better heights… SOON.

Grey’s Anatomy
I just don’t care that much anymore. Although the Mercy West residents have made things a bit more interesting the past couple of episodes, they haven’t done all that much to get me as hooked to the show as before.

Desperate Housewives
I just wish they didn’t have to make Katherine Mayfair go crazy. Other than that, all the other things going on are okay, with Lynette having another baby and Bree’s affair with Karl. Still, I’m not as hooked as before.

Lack of New and Notable Dramas
I haven’t gotten hooked with any of the new dramas I started watching: The Vampire Diaries, Melrose Place, The Good Wife… They’re all okay; but not must-watch, in my opinion. Hopefully, the new year will bring in new blood when it comes to quality dramas. I’m particularly looking forward to Life UneXpected. I hope it doesn’t disappoint.

Of course, there are lots more to say about 2009; but I decided to keep things short, simple and straightforward this year. I’ll leave the rest to other, more capable, TV-watching individuals. Other than that,

This is Mars, saying hats off to 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!