There are many articles I should be writing and videos I should be attempting to post, but technical difficulties have created a divergence. Thus, I am distracted, and because I love lists - I decided instead to share what I believe are the very best shows on TV right now. 

Caveat 1: these shows are scripted and still airing (although very few are gracing our small screens during this dull summer). Caveat 2: don’t focus on the the exact placement of one particular series over another; this is just my (J)opinion about each as of this very moment, and obviously YOUR shows and order will differ.

1. Breaking Bad
2. Mad Men
3. The Good Wife
4. Fringe
5. Justified
6. Dexter
7. Community
8. Game of Thrones
9. Modern Family
10. Parks and Recreation
11. Parenthood
12. Southland
13. Damages
14. Rescue Me
15. Falling Skies
16. Nurse Jackie
17. The Big C
18. Cougar Town
19. The Big Bang Theory
20. Happy Endings
21. 30 Rock
22. The Killing
23. The Walking Dead
24. Weeds
25. Boardwalk Empire

Truthfully, I have fallen out of love with four shows that I’d watched from the beginning: Entourage, House, The Office and True Blood. Thus, they did not make my list. In addition, I just started Castle, which is why it didn’t make the cut (yet). 

* File under: Guilty Pleasure Shows that I really enjoy watching (but don’t belong in the list above) 

1. Hawaii 5-0
2. The Vampire Diaries
3. Body of Proof
4. Bones
5. Warehouse 13
6. Pretty Little Liars
7. Chuck 
8. Private Practice
9. Grey’s Anatomy
10. Glee

Ideally, I would really love this Tumblr page to become a more interactive experience, much like the good old days with LOST posts. So please leave any comments or lists you might have!

I have a large quantity of items that I’ve collected or been given over the years at various press and charity events, etc. As promised, because I reached 4,000 followers on Twitter, I am going to give them away! Seriously, I am humbled by the support and appreciate every single one of you for sticking with me, long after Lost. 

One caveat: due to the number of items, I’d like to request that you pay for some of the shipping; on a donation basis, whatever you can afford, $3-$10 via Paypal would be appreciated! If you win one of these items, I will send you the shipping info via email. 

These are literally first come, first served. If you are interested in any of these items, simply email me your choice (jo at jopinionated dot com) from today through June 1. 

• Dead Like Me: small poster
• Dexter: Comic-Con bag [CLAIMED!]
• Doctor Who: WonderCon tee, size XL [CLAIMED!]
• Fringe: 3 small posters (glyphs) [CLAIMED!]
• Gargamel: tee (Japanese clothing company, not Smurfs), size S
• House: Season 6 DVD set [CLAIMED!]
• Iron Man: Stark Industries pen drive [CLAIMED!]
• Juno: tee, size L [CLAIMED!]
• Mad Magazine: Alfred E. Newman tee, size L [CLAIMED!]
• Magic The Gathering: deck of cards
• Parks and Recreation: Season 2 DVD set [CLAIMED!]
• Star Trek: 2 small posters (Zoe Saldana & Zachary Quinto)
• Star Wars: Yoda Jedi Trainer Backpack & Gimer Stick action figure [CLAIMED!]
• Twilight: small poster (Bella & Edward)
• V: fan & Comic-Con room key [CLAIMED!]
• Watchmen: Silk Spectre action figure & 5 Nite Owl postcards [CLAIMED!]
• Wonder Boys: small poster (cast)

Once an item has been claimed, I will note it above. ONE item per person, please.

Thank you again for the follows, and for visiting my virtual garage sale!

As usual, the lovely folks who decide upon major television award nominations exercised their sci-fi bias. Egregious omissions this year include the final season & cast of Lost, and Fringe (WHY DOESN’T THE WORLD RECOGNIZE HOW BRILLIANT JOHN NOBLE IS?).

Sigh. Here are my initial reactions to the TV nods. I have not seen enough of the nominated films to comment on them. Yet.

Best Television Series, Drama

1. Boardwalk Empire [yawn]
2. Dexter [bloody great]
3. The Good Wife [the good choice]
4. Mad Men [deserving every year]
5. The Walking Dead [goo, too new]

Best Televison Series, Comedy or Musical

1. 30 Rock [average season]
2. The Big Bang Theory [absolutely geektastic]
3. The Big C [not particularly funny]
4. Glee [music: yes, comedy: no]
5. Modern Family [for. the. win.]
6. Nurse Jackie [also not particularly funny]

Best Actor in a Television Series, Drama

1. Steve Buscemi - Boardwalk Empire [just…no]
2. Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad [just…YES]
3. Michael C. Hall - Dexter [not this season]
4. Jon Hamm - Mad Men [for The Suitcase alone]
5. Hugh Laurie - House [annual nod; yawn]

Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama

1. Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife [love love love]
2. Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men [it was her season]
3. Piper Perabo - Covert Affairs [does not compute]
4. Katey Sagal - Sons of Anarchy [don’t watch the show]
5. Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer [don’t watch the show]

Best Actor in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical

1. Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock [the saving grace of the show]
2. Steve Carell - The Office [annual nod; yawn]
3. Thomas Jane - Hung [does not compute]
4. Matthew Morrison - Glee [oh HELL no]
5. Jim Parsons - Big Bang Theory [approve; please reward the nerd]

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

1. Hope Davis - Special Relationship [does not compute]
2. Jane Lynch - Glee [hers to lose]
3. Kelly McDonald - Boardwalk Empire [strong second choice]
4. Julia Stiles - Dexter [great guest role; this nod belongs to Jennifer Carpenter]
5. Sofia Vergara -Modern Family [Jay! Don’t talk smack about Jane Lynch if I lose]

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television

1. Scott Caan - Hawaii Five-0 [well ok]
2. Chris Noth - The Good Wife [not on screen enough]
3. David Straithairn - Temple Grandin [have not seen]
4. Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family [hilarious & deserving]
5. Chris Colfer - Glee [the saving grace of the show]

Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical

1. Toni Collette - United States of Tara [challenging roles, deserves nod]
2. Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie [stellar as always]
3. Tina Fey - 30 Rock [consistently entertaining]
4. Laura Linney - The Big C [flawless dimples & performance, not a funny role]
5. Lea Michelle - Glee [not this season]

To sum up, I am primarily thrilled for the TheBigBangTheory BreakingBad Dexter TheGoodWife MadMen & ModernFamily creative teams and casts.

Which nominations surprised/elated/annoyed YOU?

#Lost. #Dexter. #Fringe. #House. #Supernatural. #TrueBlood. #TheWalkingDead. If you are a fan of these shows, I highly recommend that you check out Mo Ryan’s SwagForCharity auction fundraiser for Partners in Health/Haiti on eBay. Mo is the lead TV critic for AOLtv/TVsquad, and generously gives away her personal collection of television swag every year to benefit various charities.

Jorge Garcia was kind enough to sign my limited edition Lost Live poster and Lost Encyclopedia last weekend, both of which I have donated to the cause. 

Namaste & happy holidays.