What were the best new television shows in 2009 for the major networks? All four major networks contributed strong new shows but I had to narrow it down to my top 5 new television shows of 2009. Here is a list of my favorite new television shows in 2009 and reasons why I chose them. I am sure some will disagree but here are the shows that made me want to watch and beg for more in 2009.
1) The Middle-ABC
Why The Middle over Modern Family? Most critics seem to choose Modern Family and I can’t completely disagree for the long haul. My wife even thinks Modern Family is the best new television show of 2009. I, however, choose The Middle as the best new television show of 2009 and here’s why. You can’t put a price tag on good old fashioned humor. The Middle struck a chord with me on the very first episode. My initial reaction was that this show probably won’t make it because it’s a little too raw. I continued to watch because I was a big fan of Modern Family right off the bat. Something happened somewhere and I became extremely attached to the characters of The Middle. The part that was raw with the characters became the part that I enjoyed. So what if each and every family member has their own quirky habit. Isn’t that true in real life and isn’t that what makes this show funny? For me, it was what eventually won me over. The character development is fun and you feel like you’re experiencing some of the growing pains right along with the family.
Patricia Heaton just cracked me up week after week being the clumsy mom in The Middle, literally. She’s in fact in the middle of wacky family that includes a teenage son who always wears just boxers, a daughter going through the pain of puberty and a younger son who just mumbles and repeats stuff. Add to that a husband who rattles off the same quirky personality and you get a typical Midwestern family. I thought initially that the show was named The Middle because Patricia Heaton is stuck in the middle of a crazy family. I also thought that maybe it was because the family is stuck in the middle of nowhere in corn crazy Indiana. Now I realize that it’s definitely me the viewer that is caught in The Middle and I like it.
The plots are usually just real enough to strike a note but the humor is sometimes over the top. It all works though and you feel like you could be the neighbor or even envision this as your own family. You empathize with each of the characters and their individual plights. It’s not just a Midwestern thing. The Middle based in nowhere, Indiana but it still works for many reasons. I’ll have to admit that I’m anxious to see what else this show has to give with plots and character development. It’s probably my favorite family comedy since the wacky days of Growing Pains or The Wonder Years. Is it that good? Maybe it won’t be mentioned in the same regard when all is said and done but the bottom line is the show just makes me laugh consistently each and every week. Life is weird and odd and somehow The Middle captures all of that into a 30 minute sitcom. The Middle won the battle if I had to make time for a new television show each week in 2009. It’s by far my favorite new television show of 2009. Let’s just hope ABC keeps it around for a while.
2) Modern Family-ABC
Any other year and I would choose Modern Family as my favorite new television show. In 2009 it takes second to The Middle. Still, Modern Family experimented with such an odd family dynamic that it touched the funny bone for many people not to mention critics. Modern Family is a strong offbeat show and ABC has a long term winner no doubt with this 30 minute situation comedy. Julie Bowen is hilarious as expected after stints on Ed and Boston Legal. Don’t forget the guy who played Al Bundy is back in comedy where he belongs. Ed O’Neill is as funny as the day he played on Married With Children or even better. Ty Burrell is also terrific and quirky in every episode.
The scene stealers though are the gay couple of Mitchell and Cameron. Each week those two provide laughs that you just don’t see coming. The reaction of family members to Mitchell and Cameron is kind of what makes Modern Family tick overall. It’s terrific and one of the brightest and best new television shows of 2009. When it comes down to it, Modern Family will probably beat The Middle in terms of longevity and fan support.
3) Glee-FOX
Glee isn’t just fun and engaging. It’s a trend setting show that everyone else wishes they would have thought of. Glee is solid on the humor and strong on music. The musical acts of the Glee club may be lip-synced but nobody seems to care. Glee also has provided Jane Lynch with the opportunity to showcase her talents as Cheer coach Sue Sylvester. Her character and Will Schuester collide with such a ferocity that it’ll make you crack up and miss the entire next block. Glee is a smash hit for FOX and the only question is when will the show fizzle? Will it have the strength to make it 3-4 years or will season 2 be the logical ending as the kids continue to grow older. Glee is definitely one of the best new television shows of 2009. Let’s hope FOX sticks to it’s game plan and figures out a way to give Glee at least 3-4 years.
4) V-ABC
I’ll have to admit I was hooked after the first episode of V even though I watched it just for giggles. I watched the old show and enjoyed it as a kid but didn’t have many expectations for this remake. I was impressed and have continued to watch the new V and I think without a doubt it’s one of the best new television shows of 2009. Can it sustain it’s early surprise numbers of 2009? That’s a good question but V has many hooked right now. Sci-Fi always seems to snatch up viewers much like the aliens are planning to do with the people on planet Earth. V is compelling and it hasn’t shown any signs of being too silly yet. That allows V to keep fascinating viewers into 2010 and have them begging for more. The first few episodes in 2010 could be pivotal for a show that is trying to draw numbers much greater than a niche market.
5) Flash Forward-ABC
Flash Forward just isn’t Lost but it’s still intense and interesting. The big question for Flash Forward is will it be able to maintain it’s energy and focus once the plot continues to thicken. The premiere was outstanding but the show has struggled at times to keep up the pace. It just doesn’t have the same strength as Lost.
I hate even comparing it to Lost but that’s kind of how this show was branded which might not have been the best idea. That doesn’t mean I don’t like it. It’s fun and intense and I look forward to seeing what happens in 2010. Much like Lost, Flash Forward has a lot of explaining to do in 2010. It’s still one of the best new television shows on the major markets in 2010. Let’s hope when the show begins to offer more answers that viewers don’t start tuning out.
Honorable Mention for Best New Television Shows in 2009
My close but not quite awards go to two really terrific shows that are well worth watching in The Forgotten and NCIS: Los Angeles. Thanks for tuning in to my list of the best new television shows in 2009.
