My Top Five Television Shows of 2012-13

Earlier, I posted #31-6, ranking the shows that I watched this year. I needed a bit more time to rank #5-1. I needed some deliberation. There may be a slight bias, but I'll back it up, yes I will! Here we go, roundin' 'em out!

5. Psych

Psych had a pretty killer seventh season. The humor stayed hilarious. The episodes had a mix of creativity and nice nods to classics. Plus, the show went to some places it hasn't before. The season premiere showed Super Shawn going into extreme-observation mode as he tried to find out who shot his dad. I thought Corbin Bernsen was going to die and we were going to see Shawn forced to grow up. We didn't, but there'd be a way for him to mature in Deez Nups, the episode of Lassie's bachelor party and wedding. Jules throws the drink in his face after she discovers the truth that he's not a psychic. One knowing glance to Gus and we know it's over. But it's not because Shawn grows up and the couple is on the mend. The truly greatest part of the season was the episode Lassie Jerky. That was television at his finest. Especially with the quote, "Lassie, Jules knows how to shoot a crossbow!" 100 Clues, Office Space and Dead Air were all legendary in their own right, but Lassie Jerky is really what shot this show to the top.



4. Parks and Recreation

Parks and Rec somehow managed to keep up the killer momentum from last season's season four, in which we saw one of all-time greatest things.

But, it handled Leslie's embark onto City Council perfectly and stayed at the top of television. We got to see Jerry have a heart attack and see Jerry retire only to come back. We saw one of the all-time best bachelor parties for Ben at Lucas Oil Stadium. We got to hear "Chris Traeger, feelings update." (By the way, he's probably become my favorite character on this show). That was all just part of the great season that was harmed just a little bit by Jamm, but still perfected by this great show. AND we still got some Swanson!

And also Patton Oswalt:



3. Community

I'm not sure that there are many seasons of television that can top what happened on Season Three of Community. There's Friends Season Five, The Office Season Two, I Love Lucy Season One, but eventually the list starts to run dry. That's why it comes as no surprise to me that Community wasn't as good as it was last year, but don't get me wrong. It was still AWESOME. Still great television and I hardly even knew that Dan Harmon was gone (but I would love him back). It's too bad about Pierce, but it was hardly noticeable over the rise of Kevin Chang and Dean. We got many awesome throwbacks in the background (Starburns, Six Seasons and a Movie). And somehow, Community still manages to churn out awesome series finales which end up being season finales because it's coming back again! We tackled the journey of Jeff in that season finale and it really seemed like the end. But it's back and we'll get some more and that makes me feel good because this show was awesome this year just like every other year. In my opinion, this is the smartest show on television. Plus, the rescheduling of the premiere worked perfectly because we saw Thanksgiving in March and that was mint! It was even great when it wasn't on the air yet.



2. New Girl

What a strong season for New Girl that is sure to cement its legacy in television lore and will be the catalyst for all of its successes in the future. I fell in love with this show because of the CHARACTERS. Characters, characters, characters, you gotta love the characters and then, you'll love the show. I never thought I'd rank a FOX comedy so high, but this is so very deserving. Schmidt has come into his own, Jess is still adorkable, Nick Miller is legendary and Winston is...funny! We got to see a lot of Fat Schmidt, the blossoming romances of Cece and Schmidt and Nick and Jess, Jess as Elvis and the return of True American. Plus, have you ever seen a show handle a death scene as great as they did with helium voices?

The show was beautiful:



The show was hilarious:



And all-around, truly legendary! Long live Schmidt.

1. The Office

Was there ever any doubt in your mind? Alright, time to back up this argument. Have you ever seen a final season as great as this? Have you ever seen a payoff this amazing? This truly was the greatest payoff ever. A huge build-up for a legendary outcome! Yes, it had its weaker moments like every show does (The Farm, Work Bus), but The Office did everything that we could have asked for and more. It gave us the reveal of the documentary, Dwight becoming manager, a beautiful Andy singing moment, a legendary Jim and Pam montage after a year of Jim and Pam drama which was needed for the final season to show how strong they really are, the return of MICHAEL SCOTT, Dwight and Angela's wedding, the return of Ryan and Kelly, and Jan and Packer and a whole slew of The Office greats. Clark was a great addition to Season Nine. The final season had humor:



Heart:



And one of the all-time greatest series finales of all-time:



How great can a final season be? Well it was the best, number-one, most key thing to watch on television all year. It earned this spot. I didn't give it to it, The Office earned this. With help from the best episodes of the season too, of course. (Dwight Christmas, Promos, Customer Loyalty, Suit Warehouse, Livin' the Dream, Paper Airplane, A.A.R.M., Finale).

What a great year for television!