Best TV of 2009
Posted by: Kevin-W on 03 January 2010
In my experience if there's one thing that's more contentious than religion it's TV 
. Due to ill-health I watched quite a lot of telly in 2009, some of which was garbage, some of which gave me an enormous amount of pleasure. Here are my 10 faves:
1. The Thick Of It Brilliant, sweary political satire, with some of the best acting on the box. This year's series was the best yet. Malcolm Tucker is truly an anti-hero for our times: remarkably, he became more sympathetic and likeable as the series went on.
2. Mad Men. The best drama of the past ten years - yes, it's even better than The Wire, mainly because the characterisation is deeper. Critics say very little happens, but this is a drama about change, and plenty happens - it just happens very slowly. The acting, writing and art direction are peerless.
3. Come Dine With Me This reality cooking show has everything - snobbery, class warfare, competitiveness... A thing of rare beauty.
4. Life Another brilliant state-of-the-art natural history series from the BBC and Attenborough.
5. Cranford The best period drama, back on the Beeb for three glorious hours over the Xmas holidays.
6. The Apprentice Still compelling and utterly addictive.
7. Family Guy Funnier, more scabrous than the overrated and rather conservative The Simpsons. Worth the admission for the "Bag Of Weed" song alone.
8. Andrew Marr's A History of Modern Britain. Magnificent popular history series.
9. Masterchef: The Professionals Michel Roux Jr is God
10. Curb You Enthusiasm The latest series is pure comedy gold...
Anyone else got some suggestions/faves of their own?
. Due to ill-health I watched quite a lot of telly in 2009, some of which was garbage, some of which gave me an enormous amount of pleasure. Here are my 10 faves: 1. The Thick Of It Brilliant, sweary political satire, with some of the best acting on the box. This year's series was the best yet. Malcolm Tucker is truly an anti-hero for our times: remarkably, he became more sympathetic and likeable as the series went on.
2. Mad Men. The best drama of the past ten years - yes, it's even better than The Wire, mainly because the characterisation is deeper. Critics say very little happens, but this is a drama about change, and plenty happens - it just happens very slowly. The acting, writing and art direction are peerless.
3. Come Dine With Me This reality cooking show has everything - snobbery, class warfare, competitiveness... A thing of rare beauty.
4. Life Another brilliant state-of-the-art natural history series from the BBC and Attenborough.
5. Cranford The best period drama, back on the Beeb for three glorious hours over the Xmas holidays.
6. The Apprentice Still compelling and utterly addictive.
7. Family Guy Funnier, more scabrous than the overrated and rather conservative The Simpsons. Worth the admission for the "Bag Of Weed" song alone.
8. Andrew Marr's A History of Modern Britain. Magnificent popular history series.
9. Masterchef: The Professionals Michel Roux Jr is God
10. Curb You Enthusiasm The latest series is pure comedy gold...
Anyone else got some suggestions/faves of their own?
Come Dine With Me - only got to know about this last year as I never saw it when living in Oz. Love it as it is soap, home interiors, cooking, big brother all in one. And that guy who does the voice overs is sharp.
The Restaurant - again first time seeing this and loved it - not one of the couples were suitable to open a restaurant.
Masterchef Professionals - just liked it.
Harry Hill - light hearted fun I like to watch with the kids
Grand Designs - like to catch up on all the super episodes of this that I have missed during my exile.
Deal or no deal - I think Noel is so good in this. It can be very exciting.
The Apprentice - enjoyable enough
and I like watching Nothing to Declare - just makes me feel at home down under
Otherwise I listen to music
Oh and a special mention for Sian Williams - a lovely way to wake up in the morning
The Restaurant - again first time seeing this and loved it - not one of the couples were suitable to open a restaurant.
Masterchef Professionals - just liked it.
Harry Hill - light hearted fun I like to watch with the kids
Grand Designs - like to catch up on all the super episodes of this that I have missed during my exile.
Deal or no deal - I think Noel is so good in this. It can be very exciting.
The Apprentice - enjoyable enough
and I like watching Nothing to Declare - just makes me feel at home down under
Otherwise I listen to music
Oh and a special mention for Sian Williams - a lovely way to wake up in the morning