The Best and Worst of the Season That Was

Because I know you’ve all been waiting, it is now my pleasure to present—in my humble opinion—the best and worst of the 2005-2006 TV season.

However, like John Madden used to do with his “All-Madden Team,” I can only pick shows I actually saw.

So without further ado, here are the winners (and losers)…

Best Cliffhanger: “Invasion”
It’s just such a shame that we’ll never see how this one comes out. While trying to defend his family, Sheriff Underlay accidentally shot Russell’s wife, Larkin. In the chaos after the alien-caused hurricane, Underlay was unable to get her help and Russell was with Underlay’s wife (Russell’s ex) trying to save others. Knowing the aliens were the only thing that could save her—though she would never be the same—Underlay carried Larkin to the ocean (where the aliens were) as Russell approached. But when Russell got out of his car, Underlay was standing in the ocean, no longer carrying Larkin. Seeing the look on Underlay’s face, Russell screamed at Underlay to tell him what happened. It was both a chilling and satisfying ending.
Honorable Mention: “Lost”

Best Season Finale: “24”
Though the sight of Jack’s swollen face put a little damper on things (Seriously guys, was that totally necessary?), this was an outstanding conclusion to an outstanding season powered by the phenomenal Gregory Itzin and of course, the-more-phenomenal-than-words-can-say Kiefer Sutherland.
Honorable Mention: “Lost”

Worst Season Finale: “Desperate Housewives”
Though the Orson-Mike thing was an interesting twist, it just wasn’t enough to save those dreadful two hours.

Best Series Finale: “Arrested Development”
Yes, there was talk of resurrecting this show on Showtime; but after the finale, there’s no way you can convince me that creator Mitchell Hurowitz ever had any intentions of going along with it. The show totally destroyed everything we knew about the Bluth family. Lindsey was revealed to be adopted and made a play for her brother, Michael (as did her husband, Tobias); and Lucille was revealed to be the real mastermind behind everything. Plus, the episode completely echoed the season premiere. It was a beautiful way to end the show.

Best Series Finale That Wasn’t Meant to Be One: “Commander In Chief”
Templeton declares his candidacy! Dickie shifts to Templeton! Jim stakes his claim to the Vice-Presidency! Sarah Clarke makes a winning guest turn! It was all so good I almost forgot the show was cancelled…almost.

Best Guest Appearance: Daryl Hall and John Oates, “Will & Grace”
My favorite music act of all time joined the “W&G” guest parade this year; but their appearance was actually funny. The duo poked fun at themselves with John serving water to the guests and Daryl saying they were “Oates and Hall” now because they agreed to change it every 20 years (“I didn’t think we’d be together that long when I agreed to it.”). I still laugh at the “old lyric” money jar joke.
Honorable Mentions: Peter MacNicol, “Boston Legal” and Kevin Bacon, “Will & Grace”

Worst Guest Appearance: Britney Spears, “Will & Grace”
Her storyline was stupid and her acting was atrocious. If “Will” wanted Britney so bad, she should have just played herself so Jack could have some real fun. Remember Jack and Grace dancing to “Oops, I Did It Again”? That was when the show was actually funny.

Show With the Best Guest Stars: “Boston Legal”
“Will & Grace” would like to think it’s them, but this award goes to “BL” hands down. Michael J. Fox, Tom Selleck, Jeri Ryan, Ed Begley Jr., Joanna Cassidy and Peter MacNicol all made memorable appearances with roles that actually made sense.

Most Shocking Plot Twist: Andrea is dead, “Ghost Whisperer”
If you would’ve told me at the beginning of the season that I was going to put anything from “Ghost Whisperer” in the best of column, I would’ve said you were crazy. But I must give credit where credit is due; and this is how good twists should be written. Looking back at the episode, all the clues were there (The FAA agent ignoring her, Andrea only talking to Melinda). I was just convinced it was her brother who was dead. And quite frankly, I didn’t think this show had this kind of twist in it.

Most Shocking Moment: Jack shoots Henderson’s wife, “24”
You’d think I’d be used to it by now. But when Jack turned the gun from Henderson and instead shot Henderson’s wife in the leg to get him to talk, I jumped off the couch. Honorable Mention: T-Bag slices Abruzzi, “Prison Break”

Creepiest Moment: T-Bag threatens his girlfriend, “Prison Break”
Everything about T-Bag (beautifully played by Robert Knepper) is creepy. But during the flashback episode, we learned that T-Bag actually had a normal girlfriend—until she found out he was wanted for the brutal molestation and murder of a child. The creepy T-Bag we all know came out as he told her he wouldn’t forget what her front door looked like. It still makes me shudder.

Most Dramatic Hour: “Fault,” “Law & Order: SVU”
This was the episode the promos said we had to see, and they were right as everything about Benson and Stabler’s relationship came to a head. When Stabler paused to check on Benson after she was wounded, a child lost his life. Then Benson paused to shoot the perp because it might have meant Stabler’s life. The episode ended with Benson asking for a new partner.

Most Welcome Return: Michael J. Fox. “Boston Legal”
Though watching his struggle can sometimes break my heart, the guy’s still awesome.

Worst Exit: Tony, “24”
As one of only two original characters remaining, Tony Almeida deserved more than just an afterthought death. But unfortunately, that’s what he got. However, after reading the original idea Carlos Bernard (Tony) pitched the writers to have Jack kill Tony, I like this exit a whole lot better. But it was still wrong to not give Tony the silent clock.

Best Character: Jack Bauer, “24”
I’m afraid I just don’t have the room to tell you all the reasons for this one.
Honorable Mention: Alan Shore, “Boston Legal”

Worst Character(s): The Applewhites, “Desperate Housewives”
Can anyone tell me what their purpose was?
Dishonorable Mention: Johnny, “The O.C.”

Best Couple: (tie) Seth and Summer, “The O.C.” and Pepper and Charlie, “Pepper Dennis”
Even though the show did its best to screw them up, Seth and Summer were still a great couple. “Pepper” did everything in the world to keep Pepper and Charlie apart, but the crackling chemistry between Rebecca Romijn and Josh Hopkins still made them great, even if they weren’t together.
Honorable Mention: Josh and Donna, “The West Wing”

Worst Couple: Marissa and Volchak, “The O.C.”
Seriously, what were the writers thinking? Marissa first met Volchak when he threatened her friend, Johnny. But for some reason, she found that attractive and after Johnny died; they started dating—which led her to start skipping school and snorting coke. The relationship would eventually lead to Marissa’s death.

Best Duo: Alan and Denny, “Boston Legal”
No two people on television have more chemistry than James Spader and William Shatner. They’re flamingos, after all (You had to be there.).

Best Supporting Character: Aaron Pierce, “24”
After languishing in the background for four seasons, Aaron finally came into his own this season by helping Jack and saving the First Lady’s life. And he survived!

Best Scene Stealer: Brooke Burns, “Pepper Dennis”
Who knew that the woman who couldn’t read cue cards on “Dog Eat Dog” was such a good comedic actress?

Best (Creepy) Villain: Christopher Henderson, “24”
I still haven’t forgiven the writers for giving Tony’s killer my last name, but Peter Weller was an excellent foil for Kiefer Sutherland.
Honorable Mention: Henry Darius (James Badge Dale), “CSI: Miami”/"CSI: New York"

Best Villain: Nathan Templeton, “Commander In Chief”
Templeton (Donald Sutherland) was TV’s best villain since J.R. Ewing—until Steven Bochco screwed him up. Fortunately, he made a comeback before the show ended.

Performance Most Worthy of an Emmy (Besides Kiefer): Gregory Itzin, “24”
Logan’s transformation from bumbling, insecure fool to bumbling criminal mastermind was totally believable thanks to the brilliance of Gregory Itzin. It would be a total travesty if Itzin does not at least get a nomination.

Best Cast: (tie) “24” and “Prison Break”
This was the year the ensemble cast of “24” really broke through and it’s the ensemble that keeps “Prison” believable. Now if only Peter Stormare (Abruzzi) would pick an accent.Honorable Mention: “Lost”

Biggest Disappointment: “Reunion”
Ah, where to begin with this one that still makes me angry just thinking about it. The premiere was outstanding, but eventually the unique time element of the show (each hour was another year in the life of six friends) got the best of it as the stories dragged and got more and more implausible. Eventually, FOX was forced to cancel it; but the network did give the show the chance to wrap up its murder mystery in 13 episodes. However, the producers passed and FOX pulled the plug before the remaining episodes had the chance to air. FOX’s Entertainment President later revealed that Sam and Will’s daughter was going to be the killer, which completely flew in the face of the show’s original premise that one of the friends was the killer. And then, in one final disappointment, reports surfaced that the writers changed their minds and decided that Craig’s father would be the killer, which made absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Honorable Mention: “Commander In Chief”

Worst Sophomore Slump: “Desperate Housewives”
As over-hyped as “DH” was, it was inevitable there would be a letdown, but I don’t think anyone was expecting this. The stories were completely inconsistent and the characters became almost impossible to care about.

Best Reality Show: “Project Runway”
A show has to be good if I watch the same episode 10 times. You gotta love Bravo’s constant reruns!
Honorable Mention: “American Idol”

Worst New Drama: “South Beach”
I’m all for cheesy soap operas (I loved “Sex, Love and Secrets.”); but this one was so bad I can’t even describe it.
Dishonorable Mention: “Killer Instinct”

Best New Drama: “Prison Break”
There’s no doubt that “Prison” was a little implausible—especially when it was stalling for time—but it was the most solid of the new dramas with an outstandingly creepy cast.

Worst New Comedy: “Sons and Daughters”
This was one of those times the critics and I were watching two different shows. They loved it, but for me it was just painful to watch.

Best New Comedy: “Pepper Dennis”
I’m apparently the only person alive who loved this show; but loved it I did. Rebecca Romijn was surprisingly adept at physical comedy and her chemistry with Josh Hopkins was first-rate. Unfortunately the death of the WB (and a delayed start) meant the end of “Pepper.”
Honorable Mention: “Kitchen Confidential.” Apparently this year I had a real affinity for doomed comedies.

Best Comedy: “Boston Legal”
You can try and tell me that “BL” is a drama, but Denny shooting that fish when he couldn’t catch one was the funniest thing I saw all year.

Best Drama: “24”
Did you even have to ask? This was the show’s best season so far. In fact, it was so good, I’m a little concerned that anything they do next year will pale in comparison.

Now it’s your turn. Post a comment and let me know what I left out.

And yes, I know I didn’t give anything to “Grey’s Anatomy” but I only saw 1½ episodes, so cut me a little slack...