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The Priestess's
top ten eleven TV shows for 2001
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1. Absolutely Fabulous
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When I heard Patsy and Edina were making a comeback,
I was worried that new episodes would pale in comparison to classic
Ab Fab. ("The Last Shout" certainly did.) However, I
couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. The divas of debauchery
are better than ever, and all of the characters are being more
fully developed. (Though I'd like to vote Katy Grin off the island!)
The show has some heart now, but at the same time, it's become
so depraved that even I don't get some of the sex and drug
references! French and Saunders have turned everything up a notch.
"This is the future, babe." |
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2. The Simpsons
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The writing is back on track this season (for the
most part). Thank goodness! What the hell were they smoking last
year? Remember folks, take the plastic wrapper off your Philly's
blunt before firing it up! |
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3. Late Night With David Letterman
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Anybody who antagonizes Oprah Winfrey is a hero
of mine. It is one of my life goals to see the show live. In the
meantime, I settle for staying up late once in a while just to
catch in on the tube |
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4. Malcolm in the Middle
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This is dysfunctional family programming, brutally
honest and not for the little ones. Jane Kaczmarek's character,
Lois, may be utterly loathsome, but she reminds me of Mom -- and
I mean that as a compliment. |
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5. Will & Grace
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This is the closest America has ever come to the
decadence and flamboyance of Ab Fab - thankfully, before Roseanne
took a stab at it! |
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6. ER
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I don't know how much longer I can hang on now that
Anthony Edwards (Dr. Greene) and Eric LaSalle (Dr. Benton) are
leaving. Noah Wylie (Dr. Carter) and Laura Innes (Dr. Weaver)
can't carry the show alone. And why don't the producers ever flesh
out Paul McCrane's character (Dr. Romano)? |
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7. Animal Precinct
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"A small group of agents dedicated to
protect New York City's 5 million animals." This is my favorite
show on Animal Planet! It's about ASPCA agents who answer
reports of animal abuse and neglect in the "nation's capital."
(In other words, it's my dream job.) Some of the stories have
happy endings, and some don't. THIS is reality TV! |
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8. Who's Line Is It Anyway?
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When they imported this show from the U.K., I expected
them to ruin it. Instead, it's just as funny and almost (not quite)
as bawdy as the British version, owing in large part to U.K. players
like Colin Mochrie and Ryan Stiles. Of course, Wayne Brady often
steals the show, and rightly so. He's hysterically funny and beyond
hot (i.e., probably gay). Oh, and you know it's hosted by Drew
Carey, right? |
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9. The Ellen Show
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Another recent comeback was that of Ellen
Degeneres. CBS boldly scheduled the show at 8 p.m. on Fridays
- prime family time - which is admirable, but I hope her audience
will stay home to see it. It's good to see Ellen back in the spotlight,
and long overdue |
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10. Emergency Vets
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My second favorite show on Animal Planet,
this show is rumored to be on the chopping block. It's another
real reality TV show, which focuses on emergency veterinary situations.
It's educational and sometimes icky, but you still might like
it. |
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11. The Bernie Mac Show
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A recent discovery of mine, this show is
definitely worth mentioning. The title character is a successful
(whatever that means) comedian. In the show, his sister is on
a "state-sponsored vacation," and he and his wife gain
custody of her three children. The show is peppered with Mr. Mac's
reflective, yet naive monologues on parenting and other funny
little subtexts. The Bernie Mac Show is geared toward
black America but is entertaining for everyone. It's not The
Cosby Show
thank goodness. |
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Related Links:
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Return to the End Of
Year Lists menu. |
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