At Yahoo! TV, we watch more shows than your loopy Aunt Louise and we're just as opinionated. And in our opinion TV has never been better, so narrowing our
must-watch list to our 10 favorites was a difficult task.
"Gossip Girl" became one of last season's biggest TV sensations -- even if that never seemed to translate into ratings. Teens flocked to the New York City set hoping to catch a glimpse of the cast members, girls began purchasing headbands and tights to emulate the characters' wardrobes, and fans started to add key phrases like "xoxo" and "you know you love me" into their everyday conversations. As if it's almost-too-good-to-be-true attractive cast wasn't enough, the over-the-top, soapy plotlines, cheesy dialogue and witty narrative has us gossiping with our friends too, anticipating hook-ups, break-ups and meltdowns. "Gossip Girl" has fast become TV's best guilty pleasure -- we mock the show's heightened reality concept, yet we can't help but absolutely adore every scandalous bit of it. Returns Monday, 9/1 at 8pm ET on The CW.
J.J. Abrams set the bar high. First he wowed us with "Alias," then he thrilled us with "Lost," so we had no choice but to expect big things out of his latest creation "Fringe." This new drama blurs the line between science fiction and fact as a female FBI agent (Aussie newcomer Anna Torv) seeks out a brilliant but unstable and institutionalized scientist and his estranged son (Joshua Jackson AKA Pacey from "Dawson's Creek") to investigate wide-sweeping paranormal phenomena. It's non-stop action but, to be honest, J.J. had us at the cow. Premieres Tuesday, 9/9 at 8pm ET on Fox
We're not sure how many companies would put up with this kind of politically-incorrect and unproductive behavior, but it sure makes for good laughs. "The Office" sets itself apart from other American sitcoms thanks to its mockumentary-style, which gives characters the chance to talk to (and share glances with) the audience. Funnyman Steve Carrel continues to steal the show as Michael Scott, whose own insecurities and social ineptitude subject all of his employees to awkward situations. We're not sure how the getting-a-little-too-cute romance between salesman Jim and receptionist Pam is going to play out, but with the pregnancy of Michael's disturbed ex-girlfriend Jan and the addition of the new HR lady Holly, we're sure season 5 will bring just as many laughs as ever. Returns Thursday, 9/25 at 9pm ET on NBC.
The name says it all, really. "Dirty Sexy Money" is a luscious drama fleshed out with eccentric and interesting characters who know no boundaries, and each week we get to peek inside their extravagant and lonely lives. Our favorite rich misfit is the spiteful Reverend Brian Darling, who learned at the end of last season that he is not a Darling after all, but the bastard child of sworn enemy Nick's (Peter Krause) father. And to top it all off, the already outstanding cast (Krause, Donald Sutherland, William Baldwin, Blair Underwood -- just to name a few) gets even dirtier and sexier this season with the addition of Lucy Liu. Returns Wednesday, 10/1 at 10pm ET on ABC
Christina Applegate charmed us right off the bat when she returned to the small screen in "Samantha Who?" last fall as Samantha Newly, a meanie who gets the chance to start all over again after she's hit by a car and winds up with amnesia. And even though we know the real, er, "former" Sam was a cheating, selfish alcoholic, we can't help but root for the new Sam as she fixes broken relationships, looks for new love, and just seems like the kind of gal we'd like to befriend. Add to the mix her pals the partying Andrea and the ditzy Dena and her forgiving parents Howard and Regina (mom played by our favorite "Designing Woman" Jean Smart); and it's easy to see why this is one comedy we can't wait to welcome back this fall. Returns Monday, 10/6 at 9:30pm ET on ABC
There's a reason why this show has taken the Emmy every year it is nominated (take THAT, "American Idol"!). "The Amazing Race" is a simple concept with a whopping $1 million prize. Part travel show, part couples therapy session, but all entertainment, this around-the-globe reality competition show is entering its 13th season and we've loved every leg of the race. From its much beloved host Phil Keoghan to the unique challenges that are native to each country the racers land on, this show is chock full of drama, excitement, and amazing scenery at every turn. Returns Sunday, 9/28 at 8pm ET on CBS.
For every semi-successful, geeky chick out there who eats through her pain and considers her job her real life, you have a modern hero in Liz Lemon. And for every corporate-talk-loving, conservative dude out there with his eye on the big prize, you have a new role model in boss man Jack Donaghy. Not afraid to mix stupid with clever in all the strangest and most unexpected places, "30 Rock" is a comedy that makes us laugh out loud, then rewind and laugh out loud again, then call our friends and butcher the joke until they fake their laughter to get us off the phone, and then hang up and slap our knees and laugh out loud again. Thank you, TV, for the gift of Tina Fey. Returns Thursday, 10/30 at 9:30pm ET on NBC.
If you're looking for a surreal escape, jump into the magical world of Cour D' Cours and "Pushing Daisies." This show is colorful, quirky, and creative, and we simply have never witnessed anything else like it on television. Oh, and any show that brings the joyous Kristen Chenowith and Swoosie Kurtz back to our TVs will always score top points with us. Returns Wednesday , 10/1 at 8pm ET on ABC.
"Friday Night Lights" is not just a football drama full of jocks and clichés. This look at small-town life in Dillon, Texas feels REAL. We feel for characters like young quarterback Matt Saracen; whether he's dealing with his awkward relationship with the coach's daughter, the pressures of being a team leader, or his ailing grandmother, every moment is authentic. And the kids aren't the only ones getting the juicy storylines... Coach Taylor and Mrs. Coach have a marriage unlike any other on TV. Gritty, real, heartbreaking, and often full of hope, this drama was a slam-dunk choice for our list; and if you don't believe us, just ask the folks at DirectTV who went through an awful lot of trouble to save the show and bring the first run of Season 3 exclusively to their subscribers. Returns Wednesday, 10/1 at 9pm on DirecTV.
Remember the big dramas of the '80s like "Dallas," "Dynasty," and "Falcon Crest" that centered around wealthy families? Well, think of "Brothers and Sisters" as the big family drama of the new millennium. It deals rather realistically with modern-day family issues like gay marriage, child custody battles, infertility, addiction, and the impact of the current war. Oh, and instead of Joan Collins, we've got the much more likable Sally Field as matriarch Nora Walker whose family owns the long-standing business Ojai Foods. Since Nora's husband died (and she discovered the interesting little tidbit that her dearly departed had a child with another woman), her kids have stepped in to help save the now faltering family business. And, frankly, it hasn't gone so well. The star-studded cast, made up of Fields, Rachel Griffiths, Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe, Patricia Wettig, and the recent addition of Danny Glover, has made this one of the most well-acted primetime soaps on television. Returns Sunday, 9/28 at 10pm ET on ABC.
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"Gossip Girl" became one of last season's biggest TV sensations -- even if that never seemed to translate into ratings. Teens flocked to the New York City set hoping to catch a glimpse of the cast members, girls began purchasing headbands and tights to emulate the characters' wardrobes, and fans started to add key phrases like "xoxo" and "you know you love me" into their everyday conversations. As if it's almost-too-good-to-be-true attractive cast wasn't enough, the over-the-top, soapy plotlines, cheesy dialogue and witty narrative has us gossiping with our friends too, anticipating hook-ups, break-ups and meltdowns. "Gossip Girl" has fast become TV's best guilty pleasure -- we mock the show's heightened reality concept, yet we can't help but absolutely adore every scandalous bit of it. Returns Monday, 9/1 at 8pm ET on The CW.
J.J. Abrams set the bar high. First he wowed us with "Alias," then he thrilled us with "Lost," so we had no choice but to expect big things out of his latest creation "Fringe." This new drama blurs the line between science fiction and fact as a female FBI agent (Aussie newcomer Anna Torv) seeks out a brilliant but unstable and institutionalized scientist and his estranged son (Joshua Jackson AKA Pacey from "Dawson's Creek") to investigate wide-sweeping paranormal phenomena. It's non-stop action but, to be honest, J.J. had us at the cow. Premieres Tuesday, 9/9 at 8pm ET on Fox
We're not sure how many companies would put up with this kind of politically-incorrect and unproductive behavior, but it sure makes for good laughs. "The Office" sets itself apart from other American sitcoms thanks to its mockumentary-style, which gives characters the chance to talk to (and share glances with) the audience. Funnyman Steve Carrel continues to steal the show as Michael Scott, whose own insecurities and social ineptitude subject all of his employees to awkward situations. We're not sure how the getting-a-little-too-cute romance between salesman Jim and receptionist Pam is going to play out, but with the pregnancy of Michael's disturbed ex-girlfriend Jan and the addition of the new HR lady Holly, we're sure season 5 will bring just as many laughs as ever. Returns Thursday, 9/25 at 9pm ET on NBC.
The name says it all, really. "Dirty Sexy Money" is a luscious drama fleshed out with eccentric and interesting characters who know no boundaries, and each week we get to peek inside their extravagant and lonely lives. Our favorite rich misfit is the spiteful Reverend Brian Darling, who learned at the end of last season that he is not a Darling after all, but the bastard child of sworn enemy Nick's (Peter Krause) father. And to top it all off, the already outstanding cast (Krause, Donald Sutherland, William Baldwin, Blair Underwood -- just to name a few) gets even dirtier and sexier this season with the addition of Lucy Liu. Returns Wednesday, 10/1 at 10pm ET on ABC
Christina Applegate charmed us right off the bat when she returned to the small screen in "Samantha Who?" last fall as Samantha Newly, a meanie who gets the chance to start all over again after she's hit by a car and winds up with amnesia. And even though we know the real, er, "former" Sam was a cheating, selfish alcoholic, we can't help but root for the new Sam as she fixes broken relationships, looks for new love, and just seems like the kind of gal we'd like to befriend. Add to the mix her pals the partying Andrea and the ditzy Dena and her forgiving parents Howard and Regina (mom played by our favorite "Designing Woman" Jean Smart); and it's easy to see why this is one comedy we can't wait to welcome back this fall. Returns Monday, 10/6 at 9:30pm ET on ABC
There's a reason why this show has taken the Emmy every year it is nominated (take THAT, "American Idol"!). "The Amazing Race" is a simple concept with a whopping $1 million prize. Part travel show, part couples therapy session, but all entertainment, this around-the-globe reality competition show is entering its 13th season and we've loved every leg of the race. From its much beloved host Phil Keoghan to the unique challenges that are native to each country the racers land on, this show is chock full of drama, excitement, and amazing scenery at every turn. Returns Sunday, 9/28 at 8pm ET on CBS.
For every semi-successful, geeky chick out there who eats through her pain and considers her job her real life, you have a modern hero in Liz Lemon. And for every corporate-talk-loving, conservative dude out there with his eye on the big prize, you have a new role model in boss man Jack Donaghy. Not afraid to mix stupid with clever in all the strangest and most unexpected places, "30 Rock" is a comedy that makes us laugh out loud, then rewind and laugh out loud again, then call our friends and butcher the joke until they fake their laughter to get us off the phone, and then hang up and slap our knees and laugh out loud again. Thank you, TV, for the gift of Tina Fey. Returns Thursday, 10/30 at 9:30pm ET on NBC.
If you're looking for a surreal escape, jump into the magical world of Cour D' Cours and "Pushing Daisies." This show is colorful, quirky, and creative, and we simply have never witnessed anything else like it on television. Oh, and any show that brings the joyous Kristen Chenowith and Swoosie Kurtz back to our TVs will always score top points with us. Returns Wednesday , 10/1 at 8pm ET on ABC.
"Friday Night Lights" is not just a football drama full of jocks and clichés. This look at small-town life in Dillon, Texas feels REAL. We feel for characters like young quarterback Matt Saracen; whether he's dealing with his awkward relationship with the coach's daughter, the pressures of being a team leader, or his ailing grandmother, every moment is authentic. And the kids aren't the only ones getting the juicy storylines... Coach Taylor and Mrs. Coach have a marriage unlike any other on TV. Gritty, real, heartbreaking, and often full of hope, this drama was a slam-dunk choice for our list; and if you don't believe us, just ask the folks at DirectTV who went through an awful lot of trouble to save the show and bring the first run of Season 3 exclusively to their subscribers. Returns Wednesday, 10/1 at 9pm on DirecTV.
Remember the big dramas of the '80s like "Dallas," "Dynasty," and "Falcon Crest" that centered around wealthy families? Well, think of "Brothers and Sisters" as the big family drama of the new millennium. It deals rather realistically with modern-day family issues like gay marriage, child custody battles, infertility, addiction, and the impact of the current war. Oh, and instead of Joan Collins, we've got the much more likable Sally Field as matriarch Nora Walker whose family owns the long-standing business Ojai Foods. Since Nora's husband died (and she discovered the interesting little tidbit that her dearly departed had a child with another woman), her kids have stepped in to help save the now faltering family business. And, frankly, it hasn't gone so well. The star-studded cast, made up of Fields, Rachel Griffiths, Calista Flockhart, Rob Lowe, Patricia Wettig, and the recent addition of Danny Glover, has made this one of the most well-acted primetime soaps on television. Returns Sunday, 9/28 at 10pm ET on ABC.
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dirty sexy money!! 
