The year is almost over and we've seen lots of shows come and go. It's hard to believe that so many of us were in a panic when LOST finally ended. I was almost suicidal. I remember all the rumors about "Locke and Ben" getting their own show. This big tease kept us fans from killing ourselves until fall. It didn't happen, but they gave Michael Emerson (Ben) his own show called Person of Interest (ABC). You won't find it on my "worst" list because it's just boring. He's no Ben Linus on this show and it's on the verge of cancellation. Locke, on the other hand, has been relocated to Hawaii Five-O, in the hopes that he will save that show. Terry O'Quinn is now Lt. Joe White. It may work for them. Now they just need to put Ben on there as the new evil "Wo Fat". I digress...

This year has been one of the best for grabbing our attention, at least mine that is. I would like to share my favorites with you and then some of my biggest disappointments. See if you agree.

THE BEST

1. American Horror Story (FX) This show was a kick from the very first episode. Jessica Lange as Constance Langdon with all those kids. Her southern attitude and sense of entitlement were delicious to watch. I haven't had such compassion and love for a mass murderer, especially a teenager like Tate, since Dexter. My 15 yr. old niece is even in love with him. We can only hope that Ryan Murphy delivers a roller coaster ride again next season. "Here piggy pig pig pig..."

2. Breaking Bad (AMC) The only "BAD" thing is that they are only going to produce one more season. I never thought that this show would hold the intense drama for so long, but Walt and Jesse have managed to keep me on the edge of my seat EVERY single episode. I can go back and watch previous seasons and see new things I never saw before. It's that intense. For those of you who haven't seen it, it's well worth the time and now Netflix has every season.

3. Once Upon a Time (ABC) How can you not love a fairytale? The whole thing about the parallel universes is so Star Trek meets Walt Disney and that's right up my alley LOL! Mr Gold/Rumplestiltskin is fabulous. He's definitely the new "Ben Linus" in the villain world. He's so evil and conniving, you just never know what he's going to do next. The Queen/Mayor Regina is so stunningly beautiful with her ruby red lips and cold black heart. Perfect! The show is so good that I can even get past the fact that Emma Swan is Cameron from "House".

4. Game of Thrones (HBO) I have only one real complaint. As with all HBO shows, there are just not enough episodes. Just when it really starts getting good, when the dragon eggs finally hatch, it's over and we have to wait almost a year to see what happens. Who will be the King and what about those dragons? By then, we (me) have forgotten what the 1st season was even about! "A Lannister always pays their debt." Peter Dinklage deserved his Emmy. He's the best part of the series.

5. Louie (FX) Do any of you guys watch Louie? His show is usually on after that idiotic show Wilfred (that's on my worst list). I watched last season and it was pretty good, but this year he's gotten so much better. I can totally relate to his duck story, having ducks of my own. Seriously though, he makes an uncomfortable real-life story humorous, except when it was sex with Joan Rivers!

6. Falling Skies (TNT) Finally! A sci-fi TV show with all the bells and whistles, at least for me that is. The earth has been invaded and it's us against them and they are nasty. It's war people! Kidnapped teens with alien harnesses, alien "skitters" that control them in work camps, giant Mechs that blow up everything in their way. 90% of the world's population is dead. Only a small group of rebels lead by Capt. Weaver and Dr. John Carter Tom Mason can save the world. I love it!

7. 2 Broke Girls (CBS) This is the only NEW sitcom I consider funny enough to mention. I had real issues with their horse living in the alley. If I think about any of the other things that are wrong with this show I'm going to take it off the list. Let's just say that it does make me laugh when they are at the restaurant and that's a good thing.

8. The Big C (Showtime) OMG! The season finale was right out of left field for me. I usually see them coming or at least get some sort of heads up from a spoiler I wasn't suppose to see. The one thing I have noticed is that the "big c" has taken a back seat to the storyline, in a sense. The characters have become so interesting that you almost forget that Cathy has cancer. Is that a bad thing? I don't know, I just know that I enjoy watching her not die while everyone around her does.

9. Prime Suspect (NBC) CANCELED! That's what it is... canceled and that's too bad because it was a really good show as far as procedural cop shows go. It was a little bit different and that's what I liked. I don't like knowing who did it and why and with this show the bad guy wasn't always right guy. Maria Bello made a great tough female cop and I really think she could kick some ass in real life. It would have done well on cable.

10. Pan Am (ABC) This one is canceled too. Too bad. I loved the four stewardesses, in their uniforms and their girdles flying all over the world, on their adventures. It was fun and not at all lame like that stupid The Playboy Club. It definitely had the 60's groove to it, but it was the cast that sold the show. Hey, I'm old and I remember when a plane trip was like that. My first flight was on Eastern Airlines. (never heard of it did ya) All young girls wanted to be a stewardess back then, even me.

THE WORST

1. Two and a Half Men (CBS) It's just Kelso, who has moved out of Red Forman's basement to  Charlie's house in Malibu. I tried to watch, but it's just awful. Jon Cryer is no longer even funny now that he has no one to work off of comedically and that's just sad.

2. New Girl (FOX) I wish I could say something critical, but until I can figure out what this show is about, I can't. It has yet to make me even laugh, not once and I've watched 4 episodes. It's too bad that FOX is considering ditching Raising Hope, which is hysterical, while this "pandering to the pretty girl" show gets renewed.

3. The Playboy Club (NBC) When the "bunny" stabbed the bad guy in the neck with her stiletto and he died INSTANTLY with hardly any blood, I knew this was NOT a winner.

4. Wilfred (FX) I do not think that a man in a dog suit drinking and smoking pot is funny. The fact that Elijah Wood is the only one who sees him that way is even less funny. He needs to go back to work as a hobbit.  It's just that simple.

5. Dexter (Showtime) Worst season EVER. I can only hope that Dexter wakes up and walks to the bathroom and pulls back the shower curtain and Lumen is standing there from season 5 and this "Doomsday Killer" and "Debra Loves Dexter" has all been a terrible nightmare.

6. Walking Dead (AMC) When the writers blame budget cuts, you know they are just running out of ways to creatively kill zombies. Last year's big-season hit has lost some of it's charm, or should I say thrill. I hate to say it, but I lost interest.

7. Last Man Standing (ABC) Tim, the Tool-Time Taylor, has traded in his boys for some girls. The names have changed, but the jokes are basically the same. ABC spent a chunk of money to get Tim back, so they plan on keeping him around as long as they possibly can. Too bad they don't know what to do with him.

8. Harry's Law (NBC) They spruced up Kathy Bates' neighborhood, even took the "hood" right out of it, gave her a second floor with fancy law offices and partners. The shoe store is all but gone. The one thing they forgot to do... make it entertaining. The show's still a snoozer. Kathy Bates, you're no Denny Crane! Go back to movies and quit embarrassing yourself on TV.

9. Hell on Wheels (AMC) I really thought we had a winner with this one. The building of the railroad across the great open spaces of America sounded awesome. Telling the tale in a way that only AMC can do it, but this time with cowboys and Indians! Instead we get some long drawn out bullshit with stupid , dare I say it, metaphors! for what these people are SUPPOSE to be experiencing... I think. I don't even know. It's a bore to me.

10. Unforgettable (CBS) Totally forgettable. Somebody who remembers every moment of their lives certainly wouldn't want to be law enforcement. There are only 6 people with this ability in the US and Marilu Henner, from Taxi fame, is one of them. By the way, they had her on the show to boost ratings!

Well kids, those are my choices. Feel free to disagree. I would love to hear what you loved this year and what really disappointed you. If you'll notice, I left out all of the reality shows. That's a whole different ballgame!

love

chooch

source: http://www.tvgasm.com/newsgasms/tv-patrol-ten-best-and-worst-tv-shows-of-2011/