TV… Still a junkie I am…

It’s been a crazy year or so and I’ve backed off a little from DVR’ing everything in sight, but there’s still a fair amount of stuff I squeeze into the week. It also goes that percentage-wise, I lean heavy on the funny… That being said, here’s a few bits about a few faves…
COMMUNITY – NBC

This show kicks off NBC’s Three hour block of Comedy (which only contains 2.5 hours of comedy…I’m talking to you Outsourced…), and week after week is stronger and funnier. Quietly underrated, there’s a bit of perfection that comes out every week. I can’t quite pin it down, but it’s some remarkable balance between the casting, the plot-lines and the way it plays along, into and around stereotypical television premises. Where a show like ‘Family Guy’ – also hilarious – bombards and inundates with pop culture references out the wazoo, Community will pick a subtle few and weave them into the story, sometimes overtly (Dungeons & Dragons episode), other times subtle (Abed’s many quick references…). Easily one of my favorite comedies right now…

PORTLANDIA – IFC

Basically Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein have one of the most hilarious sketch comedies (sadly, it’s only 6 episodes).. The cameo appearances enhance the show greatly, and the loose connection to Portland helps tie it together…(Kyle McLaughlin as the mayor of Portland was fantastic…)

LOUIE – FX

Louie (currently in between seasons) was by far the best surprise of the past year. Painfully original, so awkward and uncomfortable, and some of the most honest humor ever to hit television…

PARKS AND RECREATION – NBC

People mostly talk about The Office (losing steam big-time) and 30 Rock (always awesome…), but Parks and Rec is a pretty big heavy hitter on the funny front. Slight modifications in cast have really helped this show grow and thankfully it survived the weird hiatus between mid-seasons… Like Community, its the strength of the ensemble cast here that works… Plus any show that has the Ron Swanson Pyramid of Greatness has to be good…

ARCHER – FX

Following in the footsteps of it’s FX cousins “It’s Always Sunny” & “The League“, Archer is chock full of non-PC goodness. Archer may just be the most inappropriate spy, but that’s what makes it so damn funny…

MODERN FAMILY – ABC

I’d be remiss not to mention Modern Family. Even though it’s a mainstream hit, it’s a winner every week…

Honorable Mentions:

Mr. Sunshine – ABC: One episode so far, but it has some good potential.

Perfect Couples – NBC: Started watching because of Mary Elizabeth Ellis & Olivia Munn, but Christine Woods steals the show…

Raising Hope – FOX, How I Met Your Mother – CBS,  Traffic Light – FOX, Episodes- SHOWTIME, Cougar Town – ABC…