Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #1

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#1: Homeland
There is simply nothing more thrilling than Showtime’s new show, which has yet to find a dull plotline and offered up one of the most exciting and awesome freshman seasons in a while. Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, and Mandy Patinkin are all terrific, and the writing is exceptionally strong. This has been called the new “24” by many, but I’d argue that it’s even better.

Best Episode: Pilot
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #2

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#2: Outcasts
Watching this amazing science fiction series was always bittersweet, since it had already been cancelled by BBC in February long before making it to the American airwaves. Reminiscent of “Battlestar Galactica,” this show boasted some tremendous characters and performers, particularly Liam Cunningham as Richard Tate and Amy Manson as Fleur. Eight episodes were entirely gripping, and I would have loved to see much more of this super sci-fi show.

Best Episode: Pilot
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #3

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#3: Shameless
Despite being miscategorized by awards bodies as a drama, this hilarious hourlong Showtime comedy unites a fabulous ensemble to create one of the strangest and most entertaining television families ever. Emmy Rossum is superb as the de facto matriarch, and the rest of the cast shines as well. It manages to be alternately sweet and depraved, and it’s hard to find a show skilled along the whole spectrum.

Best Episode: “It’s Time to Kill the Turtle”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #4

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#4: Boss
This Starz Friday night drama got really good fast, and the best part was that it wasn’t just the Kelsey Grammer show. He’s terrific, but so are Kathleen Robertson as Kitty and Ezra Stone as Ezra, his two most trusted advisors. The show is dark and Grammer’s Tom Kane is insanely corrupt, which makes for tremendously fantastic television, managing to fit so much material into just eight episodes.

Best Episode: “Stasis”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #5

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#5: Episodes
This biting Showtime satire brilliantly captures the unbelievable transformation that can occur when British shows are adapted for American television. Matt LeBlanc’s parody of himself is amusing, but the best part is the supporting cast, highlighted by Tamsin Greig’s Beverly and Kathleen Rose Perkins as Carol. Season one was self-contained, and episode two is sure to be just as hilariously funny.

Best Episode: Pilot
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #6

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#6: Enlightened
Though it initially seemed a better fit for Showtime, HBO’s newest and now pretty much only comedy has a wonderful spirit embodied by its main character Amy, played by a delightful Laura Dern. The show has a positive imagination and a superb score that captures its mood and energy. It may not be entirely conventional, but it’s highly interesting and enjoyable.

Best Episode: “Not Good Enough Mothers”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #7

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#7: Game of Thrones
HBO’s fantasy drama was dense at the start and took some time to develop, but once it got there, it was easily one of the most fascinating shows on television. Emmy winner Peter Dinklage is just one standout of a terrific cast, and this universe is one that’s full of treachery and violence, and immensely watchable as the latest great series produced by HBO.

Best Episode: “Fire and Blood”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #8

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#8: Wilfred
It’s hard to find a show more offbeat than the only FX comedy I’ve ever liked, which stars Elijah Wood in the delightfully hilarious role of poor Ryan, an underachiever who sees his neighbor’s dog as a foul-mouthed Australian man in a dog suit. The show is highly funny and entirely peculiar, and Jason Gann is terrific as Wilfred. I’m intrigued to see more of this quirky series when it returns sometime next year.

Best Episode: Pilot
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #9

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#9: Suits
USA’s latest offering was an innovative and peculiar choice, quickly establishing itself as a quirky law drama that’s much more of a comedy, with Gabriel Macht oozing haughtiness as super-lawyer Harvey Specter and Patrick J. Adams bumbling his way around with marvelous success as fake lawyer Mike Ross. The two make for a powerful combination, and the wacky ensemble helped make this one of the most entertaining new shows of the year.

Best Episode: “Dirty Little Secrets”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #10

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#10: Lights Out
This slow-starting show turned out to be one of FX’s most powerful offerings, trading in excessive violence and nudity for a difficult look at an aging boxer nowhere near his prime. Holt McCallany was an unconventional lead who was immensely believable in the role of Patrick “Lights” Leary, and he was supported by a strong ensemble. This show left off on an emotional note, and it’s a pity that FX didn’t give it a second season.

Best Episode: “Head Games”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #11

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#11: The Chicago Code
The best new network television show of the year was on FOX, starring Jennifer Beals as a tough-as-nails police superintendent and Jason Clarke as her temperamental former partner. Delroy Lindo’s corrupt Alderman was a great villain, but the show was so much more complex than that, presenting a vision of law enforcement in the Windy City just gritty enough for network television, and the show should certainly have seen more than one season.

Best Episode: “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #12

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#12: Alphas
Syfy’s newest show is a procedural, technically speaking, but it’s one done the right now, enhanced by the powers possessed by its team members. David Strathairn is a great moral anchor, and the standout is Ryan Cartwright as high-functioning braniac Gary. This show is full of action and humor, making it a terrific science fiction series worthy of a healthy life.

Best Episode: “Pilot”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #13

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#13: 2 Broke Girls
This CBS comedy succeeds thanks to the inspired pairing of Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs as broke waitress roommates in Brooklyn. Dennings has a retort ready at every possible moment, and Behrs is bubbly and entertaining in her own way. It may not be wildly sophisticated, but it’s still plenty enjoyable and full of laughs each week.

Best Episode: “Pilot”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #14

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#14: New Girl
As time goes on, this show may move up in these ranks, given how consistent it’s been since it found its tone in episode five. Zooey Deschanel is delightful as the bright-eyed Jess, and her roommates are turning out to be pretty great too, each with his own baggage and tics that makes this show more than just about its title character, and one of the most entertaining and preservable new comedies.

Best Episode: “Bad in Bed”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #15

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#15: Suburgatory
ABC’s new addition to its Wednesday night comedy block started out looking less than promising, but by episode three, it had found its funk. Jane Levy is wonderful as the eternally sarcastic Tessa, and it turns out that Jeremy Sisto is actually pretty funny. While the show is still searching to find a way to make Alan Tudyk relevant, Cheryl Hines is fabulous, and this show can be quite hilarious.

Best Episode: “Thanksgiving”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #16

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#16: How To Be a Gentleman
This show was one of the first of the fall season to die, and I can’t understand the hate it created since I found it to be quite funny. Kevin Dillon found himself a solid post-“Entourage” role, and it was a smart usage of both Mary Lynn Rajskub and Rhys Darby in the supporting cast. This show certainly deserved a longer life than this, even if it was somewhat generic.

Best Episode: Pilot
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #17

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#17: Love Bites
This show never stood a chance. After being long-delayed, it premiered in June and starred a pregnant actress who had to be relegated to doing so very little. Becki Newton shone whenever she appeared, and this anthology series had some high points with specific guest stars like Krysten Ritter, Michelle Tratchtenberg, Matt Long, and Rebecca Creskoff. Some things worked and others really didn’t, but this show was sweet and enjoyable, and too short-lived.

Best Episode: Pilot
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #18

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#18: The Killing
I never loved this show as much as others do, finding the finale frustrating but hardly the most objectionable part of this show. I did like the tone and wanted to see it get better, and it did towards the end of the season. I think a second year will give it a chance to redefine itself and become top-notch AMC programming.

Best Episode: “I’ll Let You Know When I Get There”
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #19

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#19: Falling Skies
Much like #20, this show started off strong and then got lost along the way, unable to keep a proper focus on the invading aliens and instead harping on the human drama. The show went out on a sour, disappointing note, but unlike #20, it will definitely be returning for a second season and have a chance to redeem itself. There’s plenty of potential here, and I’d love to see some more alien action.

Best Episode: Pilot
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews

Top 20 New Shows of 2011: #20

My annual TV Awards, the AFT Television Awards, are given out during the summer. But this year, during both the spring and the fall, produced many impressive new television series. As 2011 closes out and 2012 begins, here’s a look back at the best new shows of the year.

#20: Terra Nova
This sci-fi spectacular started out with a superb and action-packed two-hour pilot, before petering off into boring territory with a focus on inane characters and dialogue, and a sparing interest in dinosaurs. This show could have been so great, and almost everything after the pilot was a letdown.

Best Episode: Pilot
Pilot Review | Episode Reviews