Time for another decade list!  (Yes, I know some people do not consider 2010 a new decade… but the media sure does).  Listed below are my top choices for television of the 2000s.

Keep in mind that until I went to college, I didn’t have cable, so my opinions may be biased by that.  Also, don’t attack me, but I’ve never once watched Mad Men, The Sopranos or The Wire.  Believe it or not, I’m still alive.

Let’s start with #10:

10.  Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-now)

Episodes of Curb are either a hit or a miss for me, but when they’re a hit, they’re really a hit.  Larry David’s strangely aggressive antics make you uncomfortable at times, but in a good “he is so strange and non-human that it’s really funny” sort of way.  Even more impressive– this show is mainly improv.

9.  Flight of the Conchords (2007-now)

Though it has only been around for two seasons, Flight of the Conchords is a great little show so far.  A mockumentary about Jermaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, FOTC is the perfect combination of music, comedy, and awkward indie New Zealanders.  Last May, I saw them in person, and they were just as talented and hilarious as they are in their show.

8.  The Colbert Report (2005-now) / 7.  The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (1996-now)

A Ohio study recently found that most conservatives actually think Colbert is serious when he bashes liberalism.  Guess what?  He’s joking.  Big surprise.  Steven Colbert and Jon Stewart were staples for getting through George W. Bush’s reign of confusion.  Now, they’re in charge of calling out Fox, Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck and reminding us that despite the regime change, we are still surrounded by crazy idiots.  Excellent shows… unless you’re conservative, and then I imagine you’d hate them.

6. Glee (2009-now)

I’m conflicted ranking Glee so highly considering it has only had one season so far, but this show is great.  On the surface it seems like High School Musical for adults, but it is much more than that– I hardly know anyone that doesn’t watch this show.  The DVD of the first season just came out, so be sure to rent it!  (I’ve recently gotten my mom started watching this show…)

5.  The Office (2005-now)

The Office is by far one of my favorite shows to watch.  The cast is great, the mockumentary style works perfectly and the jokes always keep me laughing.  Why not a higher ranking then?  Well, first of all, it is a line-by-line copy of the original UK version… so not very creative.  Second of all, the last season totally fell apart and lost many viewers.  Luckily, the show is regaining ground and becoming the gut-splitting hilarious show that it once was.

4.  Lost (2004-now)

In the last few seasons, Lost has kind of lost me, but there are fewer shows out there that demonstrate more creativity and mystery than Lost.  The cast is amazing, the plot is constantly evolving and every episode leaves the audience thinking “what’s next?!!?!?!”  The best part about Lost is that it doesn’t demean its audience.  Many shows and movies dumb down their content so it will appeal to the largest number of viewers.  Lost is written for intelligent people; it plays a cat and mouse game with the audience, revealing and concealing information so that you will participate, but you won’t anticipate everything.  My busy college schedule kept me from watching all of the last season, but I definitely need to catch up so I can enjoy its explosive finale this Spring.

3.  30 Rock (2006-now)

Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin make 30 Rock what it is, but every actor on this show deserves an Emmy… immediately.  30 Rock is the best meta-television show out there and the screenwriters keep this show ultra-current.  Like Lost, what I like about 30 Rock is that it is aimed toward the most intelligent audience possible.  The jokes are subtle but hilarious– no need for a laugh track here.

2.  Sex and the City (1998-2004)

I’m a girl– so shoot me.  I know most men probably cringe at this high rating, but I’m pretty sure most girls would put SATC close to the top of their lists.  This is the ultimate girl show– intelligent, modern, witty and classy.  Doesn’t everyone wish they had friends like Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte?  If you don’t, there are 6.5 seasons and 2 movies to keep you busy.

1.  Arrested Development (2003-2006)

One of my friends introduced me to Arrested Development last year, and I am so glad he did.  This show is by far the best TV series of the decade– too bad Fox canceled it after three seasons.  If you haven’t seen this show– rent it; if you have a bad sense of humor, rent Hannah Montana instead, because this show will make you laugh your face off with every episode.  Most dysfunctional family on television.  Best cast.  Best writing.  Brilliant.

Looking forward to the next decade!