NDSU Spectrum: Top 10 TV shows of 2001

‘Buffy’ edges ‘Gilmore Girls’ as year’s best

By JOHN HANSEN

Jan. 11, 2002

Although the shows on this year’s top 10 list range from the wildly creative (“Buffy”) to the addictively formulaic (“The Practice”), all of these shows have an important thing in common: they all boast likable casts of characters who are a lot of fun to hang out with for an hour each week. And that, of course, is what good TV is all about.

1. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (Seasons 5-6, The WB/UPN)

Still the best written, best acted, most creative show on TV. It can be haunting (“The Body,” where Buffy’s mom dies), powerful (“The Gift,” where Buffy dies) or flashy (“Once More with Feeling,” the musical episode), but it never fails to entertain. Joss Whedon has been carefully paving the way for the pairing of Buffy and Spike ever since he noticed the Sarah Michelle Gellar/James Marsters chemistry, and its paying off: their fight/sex scenes push the envelope of how disturbing TV can be.

2. “Gilmore Girls” (Seasons 1-2, The WB)

Amy Sherman-Palladino’s drama takes advantage of the rapport between mother Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and daughter Rory (the criminally cute Alexis Bledel). Lorelai and Luke (Scott Patterson), who’s perfect-for-each-other status is evident to everyone in town except Lorelai and Luke, are TV’s current hot couple.

3. “The Simpsons” (Seasons 12-13, Fox)

Social satire doesn’t get any better than the exploits of everyone’s favorite yellow-skinned, four-fingered family.

4. “Angel” (Seasons 2-3, The WB)

This deliciously moody (and oddly humorous) show has set up some new threads that should pay off in the new year. Two surprising developments — Angel (David Boreanaz) being a daddy, and hints of a romance between Angel and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) — become quite foreboding when you consider that new villain Holtz wants revenge for Angelus killing his wife and kid.

5. “Roswell” (Seasons 2-3, The WB/UPN)

An extremely likable cast, solid stories, a new-found sense of humor and the best pop music on TV make this saga of young aliens a consistent pleasure. But when UPN cancels the show (which could happen any day), it will be the understated, angst-filled romance between Max (the much-improved Jason Behr) and Liz (the flawless Shiri Appleby) that will be missed most.

6. “Undeclared” (Season 1, Fox)

The most painfully realistic comedy since “Freaks and Geeks.” Although the half-hour format unfortunately hampers character development, the show still delivers more “oh, crap” moments of cringeworthy realism than any other comedy. And it has an actor from Fargo (Timm Sharp, who plays Marshall).

7. “Futurama” (Seasons 3-4, Fox)

Blending modern satire with sci-fi parody, this is easily the edgiest show to not become controversial. Only “Futurama” could have a Christmas episode where Santa goes around murdering people, and not cause an uproar. Ah, the freedoms of being an animated show.

8. “The Practice” (Seasons 5-6, ABC)

This absurdly addictive courtroom saga toes the line of self-parody every week, but it also has the uncanny ability to make a viewer think about the moral and ethical dilemmas presented.

9. “The X-Files” (Seasons 8-9, Fox)

Doggett (Robert Patrick) and Reyes (Annabeth Gish) have filled in nicely for Mulder and Scully (Gillian Anderson, now in her last season). It’s true that no one on Earth understands Chris Carter’s sprawling, self-contradicting mythology anymore, but the stand-alones are still the best horror hours you’ll find on TV.

10. “24” (Season 1, Fox)

The day isn’t even half over, but it’s already becoming a lot of fun to play “guess the next plot twist.” My prediction is that Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) will end up being the evil mastermind behind it all. You heard it here first (unless I end up being wrong, in which case forget I said anything).