Television: Is it an opiate for the masses or fertile creative soil from which unforgettable stories can be told? The answer really comes down to whether or not you have cable. In the cultural rough that dulls American minds with sub-schlock excrement like Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane and American Idol, there was a cluster of diamonds in 2007 that justified the monthly Time Warner bill.
Michael C. Hall had no plans to return to television after the groundbreaking series Six Feet Under ended its five year run. The esteemed theatre actor had made a name for himself doing off-Broadway productions long before he left an indelible mark on viewers minds with his portrayal of gay undertaker David Fisher, and he presumed he’d pick up where he left off until he was offered the titular role of Dexter, a principled serial killer who only kills other killers and hides in plain sight as a blood pattern analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department. It’s captivating and inventive shows like this that are making Showtime the new HBO while HBO becomes the old Showtime. After a stunning first season in 2006, Dexter’s second season painted our anti-hero into an interesting corner as the bodies of his victims were discovered and an FBI manhunt for the “Bay Harbor Butcher” commenced, culminating in an explosive finale. Dexter fans can only pray the writers strike will soon be resolved so work on a third season can begin. —Robert Starvation
For all those X-Files fans out there, even those who just watched it during bouts of ennui, Showtime’s Californication gave us a David Duchovny role that was completely different. Duchonvy’s character Hank Moody is not only rude, crass, self-loathing and self-serving, he also happens to be the well-known author of novels that bear the titles of Slayer albums. But perhaps that’s just a coincidence. Californication’s first season is riveting, a thematic roller coaster – plenty of ups and downs and always a wise-crack thrown in there, with a set of breasts or three thrown in each episode. Hank is hopelessly in love with his ex-partner Karen, and continuously tries to steal kisses and hugs and Karen herself from her current fiance, Bill. Hank also has a strong relationship with their all-too precocious (and cute, I must say) daughter Becca, who definitely makes this show something worth watching. Without spoiling too much, Hank gets punched during sex, his agent finds himself involved in his own confusing sexual game of twister, his daughter becoming a young lady, and he tries to win Karen back from the wet towel she’s about to marry – all of which make for an enjoyable show with an unexpected season finale. —Sam Pagan
The executives at HBO will burn forever in the molten fires of hell for canceling what was probably one of the best televisions series ever produced, John From Cincinnati. Whether you understood Milch’s sprawling family drama about the condition of the human soul, and the nature of redemption or couldn’t understand a word of it, you have to admit Milch created lively characters you actually cared about. The fact we lost this show in favor of another god damned cop show is a black stain on the creativity of HBO from now until eternity. —Ryan Jovian
Not to put too much pressure on Flight of the Conchords‘ Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, but their dry, wonderful musical comedy is the only thing that’s stopped me from canceling HBO. The sleeper hit of 2007, Conchords follows the career path of two often clueless and always unsuccessful Kiwi musicians trying to make it in New York. The musical numbers are hysterical, ranging from the absurd rap battle Hiphopopotamus vs Rhymenocerous to the almost-romantic Business Time. And though Bret and Jermaine are the focus of the show, its hard to imagine Flight of the Conchords without their incompetent manager Murray (Rhys Darby), dumb-as-a-rock friend Dave (Arj Barker) and most especially their only fan and stalker Mel (Kristen Schaal), who is the perfect combination of awkward and creepy. —Robert Starvation
There were very few shows that came out this decade as funny as Frisky Dingo’s second season was. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, punch yourself in the groin and head to adultswim.com to check out some clips of this genius show from the people who created Sealab 2021. —Ryan Jovian
Hey… Hey you… did you… did you get that thing I sent you? You didn’t? Well, here it is again. If you like wacky, fun, off-the-wall humour than Harvey Birdman is the guy for you. Oh, and if you happen to be a long-forgotten Hanna Barbara cartoon character with personal issues that need to be solved in the courtroom, Harvey Birdman: Attorney At Law will take your case! Although you might be better off with someone who actually has a degree in law. I now own the entirety of this show (which aired its final two episodes on Adult Swim this July) and let me tell you, watching a few episodes of Harvey right before bed can really screw with your head, but it can also throw you into fits of laughter. The running gags are the best and would be completely lost on anyone who doesn’t know their origin. For instance, the dead Scrappy Doo that keeps popping up randomly, or Reducto’s obsession with shrinking things (or enlarging them, in one case of a woman’s hindquarters). Take it from me: if you value your sanity, you might not want to watch an entire season in one sitting. It could very well mark the end of all humanity. —Sam Pagan
