While many awful shows continue to pull in good ratings this year, a few gems just narrowly avoided cancellationas the 2006-2007 television season closes. Sure, audiences turn up in droves to watch well-known,quality programs like “The Sopranos” and “The Office,” but they also neglect funny and clever shows suchas “Veronica Mars” in favor of crap like “The Pussycat Dolls.” Here are some excellent comedies and dramasthat deserve more attention this season, followed by a few that definitely deserve less.
Show: How I Met Your Mother(CBS)Time: Mondays at 8 p.m.With shows like “Scrubs” hittingit big, it may seem like thestandard-format sitcom is dead,but “How I Met Your Mother” isa great example of how cannedlaughter and stage sets can stilltranslate into smart programming.The show is essentiallyone long flashback, as Ted (JoshRadnor) explains to his childrenthe story of their parents’ meetingand courtship.GOLD
Show: MI-5 (A&E)Time: In transitionAs season six of “24” has turnedout to be a big disappointment,fans of high-tension spy thrillersshould consider giving this BBCimport a try. “MI-5,” while lackingsome American glitz, providesa much more paranoid, cerebraland realistic look at how spies operateon a daily basis, told throughthe eyes of an intelligence team atBritain’s version of the CIA.GOLD
Show: 30 Rock (NBC)Time: Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.Often overlooked in favor of”The Office,” “30 Rock” is easilythe best-acted show on television,boasting top-notch performancesby Tracy Jordan, Alec Baldwin,and Rachel Dratch (in multipleroles). Baldwin, especially, ishilarious as the eccentric, workaholicnetwork executive overseeingthe production of a weeklysketch comedy show at the titularstudio address.GOLD
Also check out: “The Riches” (FX) and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (FX)
Show: 24 (FOX)Time: Mondays at 9 p.m.Consider it a mercy killing. This show,once one of the most creative on television,has been going downhill sincethe end of season four. Forget nuclearbombs and evil terrorists, Jack Bauer’sgot bigger problems – namelyrecycled plot lines, unbelievable scenarios,and lack of overall direction.GARBAGE
Show: Juvies (MTV)Time: Thursdays at 10 p.m.Just when you thought reality TVcouldn’t sink any lower, MTV rolledout this morally bankrupt “documentary”about kids in prison. Supposedlya chronicle of the family court system,”Juvies” does little more than exploitthe stories of troubled youths for entertainmentpurposes and fails even atthat.GARBAGE
Show: CSI: Miami (CBS)Time: Mondays at 10 p.m.Apparently, audiences have decidedthat they just weren’t getting theirpolice-procedural fill with only two”Law and Order” and “CSI” spinoffs,”Without a Trace” and “Cold Case”on the air. For some reason, 18 millionviewers show up each week to watchDavid Caruso talk like a pedophileand an overpaid supporting cast.GARBAGE
Also avoid: “Heroes” (NBC) and “Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll” (CW)
