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Dialogue So Sparkles On Top 10 Series, It Makes Us Appreciate Writers Even More

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By WALT BELCHER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 25, 2007

As we bask in the umpteenth showing of "A Christmas Story," dine on ham and turkey and prepare to hit the malls for the annual after-holiday spending spree, we must pause a moment and remember why television needs writers.
Couch potatoes will start feeling the impact of the current writers strike after New Year's, when television turns into a vast wasteland of reality and game shows. We will miss our comedies and dramas.

There is a smattering of midseason replacement stuff, such as the action-adventure drama "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (inspired by the "Terminator" movies), that may entertain. And NBC has new episodes of "Law & Order" and "Medium."

But there won't be any new episodes of favorites such as "House," the "CSI" franchise, "The Office," "Ugly Betty," "Desperate Housewives," "Grey's Anatomy" and dozens more that have a fan base.

With that bleak future ahead, we look back at the top 10 new series of 2007. These are shows where good writing was paramount.

1. "Mad Men" (AMC): Easily the most intriguing drama of the year, this haunting look at the cigarette-smoke-filled 1960s culture introduced us to a new antihero. Don Draper (Jon Hamm) is a Madison Avenue advertising executive with a tragic past who keeps reinventing himself. The writing here is "Sopranos" level.

2. "Pushing Daisies" (ABC): A surreal romantic fantasy, this highly stylized comedy-mystery series has clever plotting and offbeat characters. It's refreshingly innovative. An affable piemaker (Lee Pace) can bring the dead back to life, but he can't touch the woman of his dreams.

There are elements of Broadway, including an occasional musical number. This modern fairy tale is artfully directed and well-acted.

3. "The Riches" (FX): The FX network, known for edgy projects such as "The Shield" and "Nip/Tuck," explores new territory with this drama about a family of gypsy con artists. British actors Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver are captivating as a couple of Louisiana grifters who have assumed fake identities and are trying to live the American dream in a gated suburban neighborhood.

4. "Damages" (FX): This complex legal drama has four well-deserved Golden Globe nominations. Glenn Close's ruthless civil lawyer, Patty Hewes, is one of the best villains on television.

The first season centered on Hewes trying to destroy a corrupt tycoon (Ted Danson). There also was a mystery about who killed the fiance of Hewes' eager young assistant, Ellen (Rose Byrne).

5. "The Tudors" (Showtime): Think of it as "The Sopranos in Tights." This historical drama follows early years of King Henry VIII (before he got chubby and gray). Jonathan Rhys Myers plays him as a ruthless, lusty ruler who beheads friends and foes.

6. "Torchwood" (BBC America): This offbeat sci-fi spinoff from "Doctor Who" arrived stateside this year, and it's a hoot. Sexy, funny and freaky, it's about an underground team in Cardiff, Wales, that investigates extraterrestrial activity. Led by Captain Jack (John Barrowman), the team gleans alien technology and tangles with kinky situations.

Welsh actress Eve Myles co-stars as Gwen Cooper, the newest and most normal member of the team.

7. "Chuck" (NBC): At this point, the quality drops off and it's a bit of a struggle to fill out the top 10. This action-romance-comedy about a nerd turned superspy is not in the same league as the preceding programs, but it's entertaining and cute.

8. "Samantha Who?" (ABC): Christina Applegate shines as Samantha Newly, a woman who comes out of an accident with amnesia. As she tries to put together bits and pieces of her life, she learns that she was mean and nasty. Now she wants to do the right thing. The writers deserve credit for stretching a thin concept through half of a season.

9. "Back to You" (Fox): This underrated sitcom would be a hit if it were part of CBS' Monday comedy block. Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton play bickering, ego-driven news anchors at a Pittsburgh TV station. There are really funny lines during their newscasts. Both actors have great comic timing.

Also in the cast is Fred Willard as the befuddled sportscaster. Sadly, "old" has been attached to this series. Its stars are past middle age, and the format harks back to sitcoms filmed before a studio audience.

10. "Dirty Sexy Money" (ABC): Donald Sutherland plays another great sleazy villain. He's the manipulative patriarch of the Darling family. They are rich. They are spoiled. They test the morality and patience of their well-meaning family lawyer, Nick (Peter Krause), the only one with a moral compass. It's trashy good fun.

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