Two Tivos To Paradise 01.01.10: 2009's TV Entertainers of the Year

Posted by Al Norton on 01.01.2010

It's the third annual Two Tivos To Paradise TV Entertainer of the Year Awards! Find out our picks for those who brought us the most television joy over the last 12 months and see which winners stopped by to accept their awards!

Hello Friends. Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe send off to 2009 and is looking forward to a prosperous 12 months of 2010.

Santa was very good to the twins, in particular with the toys. I did pretty well for myself as well, including a Blu-Ray player (a gift given to the whole family), a much needed new watch, and some serious Dunkin Donuts gift card action. Mrs. TiVo enjoyed her diamond earrings and the Cowboy Junkies tickets.

This is part two of our year-in-review special, with today being our picks for the TV Entertainers of the Year as well as a peak at the things we are most looking forward to in 2010. Thanks for all the comments last week on the top shows – keep them coming! Checking to see what readers had to say each week is second only to writing the column itself in terms of the fun part of the job. Well, that and getting a personal Christmas note from Katee Sackhoff.

Next week I'll have interviews with The Biggest Loser host Alison Sweeney on Tuesday, Ugly Betty executive producer Silvio Horta on Wednesday, and a chat with a couple of the sharks from Shark Tank on Friday, a day which will also feature the first standard form TTTP of the new year!

I've been lovin' you for such a long time girl, expectin' nothin' in return except for you to have a little faith in news.

The Two Tivos To Paradise 2009 TV Entertainers of the Year

19) The HBO Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert
The best music TV had to offer in 2009 was found in this four hour event that bought together some of the biggest names in music history for some once-in-a-lifetime collaborations. Throughout this column I will be sprinkling in some of the performances for your listening pleasure.



18) Eddie McClintock
Everyone has those actors who the really like but who never seem to get that one part that makes them a star so when that perfect mix of role and performer comes together for them it's a cause for celebration, as it was this year when Syfy made the brilliant decision to cast Eddie McClintock as one of the leads in Warehouse 13. The series was a breakout hit for the network, thanks in no small part to his performance as Pete Lattimer; his real life reactions to the show's science fiction scenarios make him the character the audience most relates to and his laid back charm combined with some very smart decision making (he has the uncanny ability to know when not to overplay a scene) make him one of TV fastest rising stars. Look for his face and name to become much more familiar when the show returns for its second season.

17) Shark Tank
While just missing out on the Top 10 Other Programming list that ran last week, Shark Tank was enough of a pleasant surprise – and an example of a quality, non-manipulative reality series – that it earned a spot on this list. What could be more basic than people pitching a group of potential financiers on their big ideas? What could be more compelling than people trying to achieve their dreams? I am a huge fan of Shark Tank and hope that it really takes off when its second season premieres next week.

16) Artie Lange
Over the course of 2009 Artie Lange was one of the most entertaining talk show guests making the late night rounds, with multiple visits to The Late Show with David Letterman, The Jimmy Kimmel Show, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon that produced much laughter. Of course, those appearances aren't really why Artie is here; the reason the comedian makes the list is premiere of The Joe Buck Show. Some may think he was crass and offensive but there is no doubt that the only time the show was at all watchable was when Artie opened his mouth. I know I laughed a ton and it was most definitely one of the most memorable TV segments of the year.

15) First Year Comedies
I am not ready to say that 2009 was the best year in TV history for first year comedies but after reviewing this list – Modern Family, Community, Parks & Recreation, Hung, Bored to Death, United States of Tara, Nurse Jackie, Cougar Town, The Middle, Glee, Better Off Ted, Party Down – I can't think of another year when a dozed quality new series premiered. What's even better about that list is how different the shows are in tone and style, meaning that comedy writing is alive and well in the TV industry.

14) Ted Danson
The guy who I once thought would forever be Sam Malone has had quite the resurgence over the last couple of years, starting with his work on Curb Your Enthusiasm and continuing with his Emmy nominated role on the first season of Damages, and this year he hit ever higher marks. His screen time on Damages may have been reduced but his Arthur Frobisher was still a pivotal player in season two, with his journey to self relation being challenged at every turn, but it was his performance on the new HBO comedy Bored To Death that really found him at his best. His George is a unique character, one whose insecurities feed his curiosity about whatever he is missing out on in life. Danson's chemistry with Jason Schwartzman is great and his scenes with Zach Galifiankis as the two got high in a parked car were priceless.

Ladies and gentleman, Lou Reed and Metallica…



13) TNT
TNT's resume for 2009 looks pretty solid; another great year for The Closer, the debut of Men of a Certain Age, which is one of the best new dramas of the year, the acquisition of Bones and Supernatural reruns for their line-up, and in perhaps their most inspired move of 2009 they saved Southland, which was THE best new drama of the year. Their decision to air the seven episodes from season one along with the six that had been produced before NBC pulled the plug as one, 13 episode season starting later this month was a victory for anyone who enjoys high quality television and the single smartest programming decision move by a network over the last 12 months.

12) Paul Johansson
I distinctly remember when I first saw Paul Johansson; he was playing John Sears on Beverly Hills, 90210, who at the time I labeled the most realistic character on television as his sole purpose was to get in Kelly Taylor's pants and he didn't care how he made it happen. The character was a total ass but I was impressed by how much Johansson made him remind me of plenty of guys I knew.

Years later when I saw him on the first episode of One Tree Hill as resident villain Dan Scott I totally recognized him and it made me more interested in giving the show a shot than I would have otherwise, which has led to me thoroughly enjoying the show's seven season (so far) run. For most of the show's early run Dan was downright evil, with occasional glimpses of a lighter side, but it's been this fall that Johansson really had the chance to show his chops as Dan has sought redemption for his previous deeds. It has been incredibly compelling and empathetic to see a character realize he is never going to be truly forgiven for what he has done but still try to lead a good life anyway. Haunted is a word that comes to mind when I think of Dan Scott, both in terms of the character as well as the performance by Johansson; his inner torment is always written all over his face, and not in way that seems at all showy.

When One Tree Hill creator and executive producer Mark Schwahn found out I was including Paul Johansson on my list he weighed in with the following…

I used to say that Dan Scott was designed for people who like to yell at their televisions. He was designed to be the quintessential villain. But along the way, Paul Johansson's performances showed me that Dan could be more than that. He could be human. Villainous, yes, but also heroic. And amazingly...sympathetic. I love writing Dan and I love watching Paul consistently elevate the material. Of all the actors cast on this show over the years, and there have been many, Paul Johansson was Dan Scott the moment he walked into the room for his first audition. And Dan Scott has been better and more vibrant and relevant because of Paul's talents.

11) Andre Braugher
If you only do five hours of TV in a year it's got to be a pretty damn impressive five hours to make this list, which is certainly the case with Andre Braugher. His guest spot on the two hour season premiere of House alone might have placed him on this list as it was a major reminder of the power his presence has, but combined with his role as Owen on TNT's new Men of a Certain Age cemented it. Owen could not be more different from characters Braugher has played in the past; showing the difference between knowing you're right and actually having confidence in yourself, he makes Owen's lack of control of his life compelling and believable. The rhythm he and Lisa Gay Hamilton have as a married couple is unrivaled in TV realism, and his friendship with the other two men of a certain age is never questioned.

10) Mark Harmon
20 million viewers can't be wrong! If some had told me back in 1987, the year Summer School hit the big screen, that Mark Harmon would be the star of the most popular scripted series on TV 23 years later I am guessing I would have laughed quite a bit. Well, it's the start of 2010 and there is only one non-reality series regularly pulling in 20+ million viewers for each new episode and it's the Harmon starring NCIS.

It's not like Harmon hasn't had his share of success over the years; he's got two Emmy and four Golden Globe nominations on his resume along with award winning shows like St Elsewhere and Chicago Hope on his resume, not to mention some lesser known but still quality series like Reasonable Doubts and Charlie Grace. My guess is that his stint on The West Wing in 2002 as CJ's secret service bodyguard convinced some people that his low key charm was still in full effect and his good looks had matured nicely, turning him into a more world weary, seen-it-all version of his younger self since it was the next year that saw him debut as Jethro Gibbs, first on JAG and then on NCIS that fall.

150+ episodes later it's clear that Harmon has joined the likes of James Garner, Michael Landon, and Mary Tyler Moore as a TV Hall of Famer.


Please to enjoy Paul Simon, Graham Nash, and David Crosby…



9) Callie Thorne
I wish I knew why those who vote on such things haven't given Callie Thorne proper recognition for her work as Sheila on FX's Rescue Me. Sheila may not be the most likeable character in the world – or the sanest – but historically that hasn't stopped them in other cases. In any event, Thorne's dynamic, tightrope walking performance has certainly made Sheila one of TV's most compelling characters, and the scene in which she talks to the French writer about her life after losing her husband in the Twin Towers at 9/11 ranks as some of the finest acting of the season.

8) The cast of The Closer
I have frequently lamented the lack of acclaim that the cast of The Closer gets – although the SAG Awards recognize them as one of the top ensembles every year – so I thought I should put my money where my mouth is and give them some of the props I wish others did.

Kyra Sedgwick is front and center but she is hardly the only regular who excels in their portrayal of a law enforcement officer; J.K. Simmons, Corey Reynolds, G.W. Bailey, Robert Gossett, Anthony Dennison, Michael Paul Chan, Raymond Cruz, and Jon Tenney all are pretty damn flawless.

As I said last week, I will put the cast of The Closer up there with the casts of Mad Men, Lost, Friday Night Lights, Rescue Me, and Big Love, which is pretty strong company to be in.

7) Michael C Hall
If I had had the time to do a TV Entertainers of the Decade list there is no doubt Michael C Hall would have been on it; who else has created two of the most interesting characters of the last 10 years (David Fischer and Dexter Morgan), especially two who are as different and yet still as rich as these two?

While this season wasn't Dexter's best – some major high points but also some subplots that lagged and John Lithgow ranged from brilliant to campy – there is no doubt that Hall was as good as he has ever been in role that has become one for the TV ages. Contentment is never a state we thought we'd see Dexter approaching but up until the tragic finale it seemed a real possibility. Can't wait to see what next year has in store for everybody's favorite serial killer.

6) Kenan Thompson
It might be odd to have a breakout season when you've been on a show for over six years but Kenan Thompson has clearly become Saturday Night Live's MVP this fall. He has added Reba and What Up With That host Deandre Cole to his already full bag of recurring characters (prison inmate Lorenzo McIntosh, financial expert Oscar Rodgers, and French Def Comedy Jam winner Jean K Jean are my favorites) and been consistently the funniest person on the show.



When told he had been named # 6 on Two Tivos To Paradise's TV Entertainers of the Year list, Kenan had this to say…

Snap. Thank you very much. I don't think I ever been in a top ten anything so I'm excited about it. I've got to get working so I can bust into the top half; that will be my focus for next year.

5) Jon Slattery & Christina Hendricks
Since Mad Men's Joan and Roger so clearly belong together I though it only logical to pair the two actors who bring these rich characters to life on the list. While Roger was not in the forefront of the story for the first half of the season, Jon Slattery took the ball and ran with it when given the spotlight; not only did he have some of the best lines of the season but you felt his pain over the loss of his friendship with Don and you were with him every step of the way as he was drawn back to Joan, not for her physical attributes but rather for the way she just plain gets him.

Joan is not so far along in her voyage to self discovery – her relationship is headed nowhere fast but she is clearly not ready to admit this to anyone – but Christina Hendricks was just as good this season. The biggest complement to her was how the audience was just as thrilled as the characters when Joan arrived during the finale to help the boys sneak out in the middle of the night.

Mad Men is known for the jumps in time from season to season and I would not be surprised if Roger and Joan were back together when the show returns, although I would not be surprised if they were both married to other people at the same time. These two aren't the best people but they are among the more interesting.

4) Katey Sagal
Some have dismissed Sons of Anarchy as a testosterone driven show but they are missing out on one of the best female characters TV has seen in some time, not to mention one of the best – and most surprising – performances of the last few years. Nothing Katey Sagal had done before prepared me for the sheer intensity with which she brings Jemma Morrow to life, and in the show's second season she brought that portrayal to a new level. Jemma's brutal attack in the season premiere set her on a path to recovery, both from that horrible night and from the sins of her past as well.

Sagal's ability to show Jemma's more emotional side without sacrificing any of the strength of the character was remarkable, and her bond of friendship with Chief Unser made for a fascinating and touching relationship.

It baffles me why the highly overrated work of Glenn Close (Damages) and Holly Hunter (Saving Grace) get all the award voter love while Sagal's layered, moving role is left to be praised in internet chat rooms but I am doing my best to give her her due.

3) Jane Lynch
Sometimes there is pairing of an actor and a part that is so perfect that from the moment you see them in the role you know no one else could have ever done it, and that's the case with Jane Lynch and Glee's Sue Sylvester. On a show made up of mostly (at least somewhat) realistic characters, Sue is so deliciously evil and over the top that it's a testament to how great Lynch is that she doesn't in any way ruin the tone or mood of the series.

And Glee wasn't Lynch's only high quality TV work in 2009; she also got a ton of laughs on Starz Party Down, putting her much heralded improv skills to good use. Lynch has been a TV presence for years, with notable guest spots on Two and Half Men, Boston Legal, The L Word, Criminal Minds (yes, Criminal Minds!), but something tells me it's her brilliance on Glee that will make her forever associated with the Sue.

The last musical number of the night comes from Simon and Garfunkel…



2) Craig Ferguson
I mean it as the highest of praise when I say that Craig Ferguson has ruined me for all other late night programming. One week of his monologues on The Late Late Show– actual monologues, with winding stories and continuing thoughts – and I couldn't sit through more than a bit of the standard – and deathly boring – straight line/punch line sets that the other hosts trot out night after night after night.

It helps that Ferguson has led most interesting life of any of the current talk show hosts, s does the wonderful combination of how much he loves the job and how little he seems to care about the way things are usually done. Ferguson breaks ground for late night talk shows by actually putting the emphasis on the talk.

He may not be the best with guests but he is far and away the most genuine, and how many guests are clearly fans of the show says something. Even better, The Late Late Show books as wide an array of guests as you will see in the current TV landscape.

I only got clued into just how good the show is because Will Dailey, the official singer/songwriter of TTTP, was appearing as a musical guest and I TiVo'd it. One musical segment featuring puppets later and I was hooked.

1) Joel McHale
Ahh, Joel. Every year when it comes time to put this list together I wonder who will be able to top you, and every year it doesn't take long for me to realize no one can. First off, the shear volume of episodes is unmatched on TV – a new episode of The Soup airs EVERY Friday night. Sure, some are Best Of's, but it's the clips that are reruns, not the commentary. Plus there are the 10+ half hours of The Soup Presents that get aired as well, more compilation shows where the clips are recycled but everything else is all new.

Not that he wasn't funny enough to begin with but this year he sharpened things up a bit, with his shots at the nightly entertainment shows a major highlight.

Oh, I forgot to mention he is now starring in a sitcom for NBC. Community is hitting leadoff for the network on Thursday and is producing some pretty solid numbers as well as some seriously funny episodes, good enough to place on last week's Top 10 Comedies of the Year list. Joel is such a natural in his role that you wonder why no one cast him previously.

There is no one currently on TV who makes me smile more than Joel McHale, which is why he once again is our Two Tivos To Paradise TV Entertainer of the Year. Take it away, Joel…

It's a great honor to receive this award. Let alone for a third time. It leads me to believe that either I'm the only potential winner who responds to Al Norton's incessant emails or my competition is illiterate. I'm hoping it's a little of both. That said, with the rapidly changing landscape of entertainment I can't imagine I'll win next year. I mean, Tyra canceled herself. What am I going to talk about on the Soup now? This is a great honor. Thank you to the voters. Without you everything else would pretty much be the same. Thanks again and please watch Community Thursday nights at 8 on NBC.

Things To Look Forward To In 2010

10) The end of The Jay Leno Show…
…at least on a nightly basis. To say this experiment didn't work is like saying the Titanic didn't make it to New York, and now NBC has to pick up the pieces and try to jump start their original programming to the tune of up of at least five new hour long series. My best guess is that they run the show one or two nights a week; with all the money they are paying Jay they can't just cancel the show outright. Besides, airing on only Mondays and Fridays (for example) will make it much easier to book guests as well as make the show seem a bit more like an event and less like the boring, standard talk show we are seeing now.

I think if NBC were smart they would use Jay's years on The Tonight Show to create hour long best of clip shows to air on Saturday nights. Think about it; they own the shows, and they have Jay under contract, so what would a series like that cost them to produce? Jay could do little intros and outros for each segment and there could be theme episodes that focus on things like comedy, heads of state, superstars, and screw up's.

In any event, it seems clear that when NBC announces their fall line up in a few months you won't have nightly outings of The Jay Leno Show to kick around anymore

9) Ellen on American Idol
There is no doubt that Ellen DeGeneres is a very funny woman who has a rather substantial fan base. There is even less doubt that American Idol is the single most popular show on TV, eight seasons running. Where there is doubt is whether or not these two great tastes will taste great together or if Ellen will be too soft and nice on a show where sharp, constructive criticism makes both the contestants and the product better.

Ellen has said she wants to be the voice of the audience but the truth is the audience already has a voice, and it's a biggest one of all – they vote each week to decide who stays and who goes, and they ultimately pick the winner. The role of the judges is to offer some expert view points to give the audience some context in which to make their choices. I am not saying Paula Abdul was a walking Think Tank or anything but she had some music cred to back up her opinions. What exactly does Ellen have to back her up?

8) Men of a Certain Age's Go With It episode
I saw a screener of this episode last month and it was one of the best hours of TV I saw in 2009 (although technically it will air in 2010) and the best episode of the series so far. Ray Romano's character goes on his first date since separating from his wife and the events are shown through flashbacks as he tells his friends at the diner about it the next day. Yes, it's laugh out loud funny, but the reason the episode works so well is in its honesty in its warts-and-all look at the dating world when you are in your 40's. Well, that and Romano's performance, which could earn him an Emmy nomination. You feel every bit of Joe's nervousness along with him and I mean that in the best of ways.

7) Jim & Pam's baby being born
Based on how well The Office has done event episodes in the past – the one hour season two finale is perhaps my favorite in series history, ranking only behind the wedding episode from earlier this year – so I have no doubt that when Jim and Pam's baby is born later this year (most likely in the season finale) it will be one for the comedy ages.

6) The new season of Southland
As I mentioned above, God bless TNT for saving this gritty, beautifully acted police drama from the trash heap NBC unceremoniously tossed it to. The cast is uniformly excellent (pun intended) but the truth is Regina King alone makes Southland worth watching. Here's hoping the 13 episode combo-season finds its audience and makes it easy for TNT to pick up another full season.

5) Life Unexpected
I have seen the first three episode of this utterly charming new series and am here to say it is easily the best new show in The CW's history. The characters who are parents are super wise, the kids don't speak beyond their years nor are they Alexis Carrington Colby Dexter-esque bitches, and while there may be some lessons learned each week, no one makes any huge jumps; the growth that occurs for the characters as individuals as well as in the relationships they have comes a very natural pace. In short, Life Unexpected is unlike any show on TV right now that features both teen and adult characters. It's also pretty damn funny.

4) FX programming
Here is a rundown of new and returning shows that FX has planned for 2010…

*The final season of Nip/Tuck

*Season three of Damages featuring new cast members Campbell Scott and Martin Short as well as guest stars Lily Tomlin and Keith Carradine.

*Archer, a new animated secret agent comedy.

*A new autobiographical sitcom starring Louis C.K. as a stand up comic who adjusts to life as a single Dad.

*Timothy Oliphant stars as a US Marshall in Justified, based on several books and stories by Elmore Leonard.

*Lights Out, a drama about a former boxer trying to leave his family in good financial shape before the head injuries from his old career take his mind from him. The series stars Holt McCallany, Melora Hardin, Elias Koteas, and Mahershalalhashbaz Ali, is executive produced by Warren Leight (In Treatment, Law and Order: Criminal Intent), and the pilot is directed by Clark Johnson.

*Terriers, a buddy private eye dramedy written and executive produced by Ocean's 11 screenwriter Ted Griffin with The Shield's Shawn Ryan as an executive producer as well. Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James co-star and Hustle & Flow director Craig Brewster helms the pilot.

3) Chuck
I have seen the first five episodes of the new season of Chuck so it may be slightly disingenuous to say I am still looking forward to it. What I am more looking forward to is if the show can attract a larger audience this time around. The first five outings are strong, some quite so, and feature a bit more danger than usual in some of the adventures. The comedy is there, as is the delicious romantic tension between Chuck and Sarah, although I wish the dynamic between them had changed more; things are different between them but in ways that aren't really all that unlike the first two season (trust me, that will make sense a couple of episodes in). I know fans will love the start of season three but I am not sure how the show will attract the new viewers it needs to not end up on the critical list again next spring.

2) Caprica
My Battlestar Galactica withdrawal is still in full force, which means this prequel series is just what that Doctor ordered. Ron Moore and Jane Espensen being a part of the writing/producing team goes a long way toward assuring me that the integrity of storytelling that was such a huge part of BSG's success will be in tact, and a cast that includes Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales, and a stint by James Marsters has been downright excited.

1) The finale season of Lost
I mean, how could anything else top the list?!?! While there is no doubt some will be disappointed with however the show comes to a close, the Harry Chapin line "it's got to be the going not the getting there that's good" that comes to mind. I don't think I will care so much about what the ultimate "why" turns out to be as long as the journey there is true to the story and the characters that inhabit it.

I Want To Be With You, Be With You Night And Day
Here is rundown of some of the marathon TV programming available to you on the first day of 2010…

*Law and Order: SVU (USA), 6 am, 24 episodes
*100 Most Shocking Music Moments (VH-1), 8 am
*Criminal Minds (A&E), 8 am, 20 episodes
*Dance Your Ass Off (Oxygen), 8 am, full season
*Ice Road Truckers (History), 8 am, 12 episodes
*Looney Tunes (Cartoon), 8 am, 11 episodes
*Cheaters (G4), 9 am, 24 episodes
*Family Feud (GSN), 9 am, 12 episodes
*Lethal Weapon 1-4 (Spike), 9 am
*Martin (TV One), 9 am, 42 episodes
*Myth Busters (Discovery), 9 am, 18 episodes
*Golden Girls (WE), 10 am, 18 episodes
*Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami (E!), 11 am, full series (8 episodes)
*The Matrix trilogy (AMC), 11 am
*Lockup (MSNBC), noon, 10 episodes
*Next Iron Chef (Food), 12:30 pm, full season
*Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? (CMT), 2 pm, 14 episodes.
*America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC Family), 3 pm, 6 episodes
*Ghost Adventures (Travel), 3 pm, 12 episodes
*Married With Children (TVLand), 4:30 pm, 9 episodes
*Pit Bulls + Parolees (Animal Planet), 5 pm, full series

TV Pick Of The Week
Friends, our long national nightmare is over; Buffy the Vampire Slayer is back on the airwaves. It has been way too long since the series has been on in reruns but Logo is changing that as of today, running a marathon of episodes (starts at 6 am) to launch Buffy into its weekday line-up starting next Monday. So far it looks like the episodes are running randomly and not starting from the beginning, but the good part of that is that in the first week we get both Once More with Feeling and Hush, two of the best episodes in series history.

Don't miss Buffy the Vampire Slayer, new to Logo starting today!!!

Hope You Need My Love, Babe, Just Like I Need You
Here is some other noteworthy programming of the next seven days…

*The season premiere of NatGeo's Dogtown (10 pm) features a look at some of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's house.

*USA keeps the marathons coming, with 17 episodes of NCIS on Saturday starting at 9 am followed by 19 episodes of House on Sunday, 12 episodes of Law and Order: CI on Monday, and 20 episodes of Law and Order: SVU on Tuesday.

*BBC America airs the series premiere of Demons following the last David Tenant Doctor Who outing on Saturday night.

*Style's latest makeover series – What I Hate About Me – debuts Saturday at 9 pm, just before The Dish's 2009 in review special.

*Food Network has some big things brewing on Sunday night; first up in Iron Chef America: Super Chef, where First Lady Michelle Obama makes an appearance as Emeril Lagasse (making his Iron Chef debut) and Mario Batali go head-to-head with Bobby Flay and White House Chef Comeford with the secret ingredient being vegetables from the White House garden. Following that two hour special at 10 pm is the series premiere of Worst Cooks In America, where Chefs Anne Burrell and Beau McMillon try to whip some of the country's worst culinary offenders into shape.

*Supernatural fans rejoice; reruns of the show begin running weekdays at 10 am on TNT as of Monday. Not that it would make sense any other way but they are starting from the beginning, with Monday's episode being the pilot, so you can catch up on anything you missed as well as revisiting your favorites.

*Antiques Roadshow (PBS) returns for a new season – check your local listings for specific times.

*Monday is a big night for ABC Family as The Secret Life of the American Teenager (8 pm) and Make It Or Break It (9 pm) return for the second half of their current seasons.

*Jeffrey Osborne should be reaping some sweet, sweet financial rewards thanks to The Bachelor: On The Wings Of Love, which premieres Monday at 8 pm on ABC, followed at 10 pm by Conveyor Belt of Love.

*It's the Monday Night Wars, 2010 edition; Hulg Hogan's TNA debut on Spike goes head-to-head with the Bret Hart's WWE return on USA's Monday Night Raw.

*Last Restaurant Standing – my favorite food related reality show – kicks off a new season Tuesday at 8 pm on BBC America.

*Professional TV guest star Rena Sofer begins a multi-episode stint on NCIS Tuesday at 8 pm.

*Awards Show season officially kicks off on Wednesday night with the Queen Latifah hosted People's Choice Awards (9 pm, CBS).

*The final season of Nip/Tuck (FX) premieres Wednesday at 10 pm.

*How can you not watch at least one episode of a show called The Bear Whisperer??!?! The series premieres Thursday at 8 pm on Animal Planet.

*Texas takes on Alabama for the BCS Championship Thursday at 8 pm on ABC.

*Dr Drew continues to profit on the misfortune of others with the new season of Celebrity Rehab, Thursday at 10 pm on VH-1.

Two Tivos To Paradise
30 Rock, The Academy, Accidentally on Purpose, American Idol, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Antiques Roadshow, Better Off Ted, Big Love, Bones, Bored To Death, Breaking Bad, Brothers & Sisters, Burn Notice, Celebrity Apprentice, Cake Boss, Chopped, The Chris Isaak Hour, Chuck, The Closer, Community, Cougar Town, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Daddy's Girls, Damages, The Deadliest Catch, Desperate Housewives, Destination Truth, The Dish, Entourage, Eureka, Flipping Out, Food Network Challenge, Gary Unmarried, Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters Academy, Ghost Hunters International, Ghost Lab, Glee, Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, The Hills, House, How I Met Your Mother, Hung, Iron Chef America, Launch My Line, Law And Order, Law And Order: Criminal Intent, Law And Order: Special Victims Unit, Lost, Mad Men, Make Me A Supermodel, Man v. Food, Medium, Men of a Certain Age, The Middle, Models of the Runway, Modern Family, The New Adventures Of Old Christine, Next Food Network Star, Next Iron Chef, The Office, One Tree Hill, Paranormal State, Party Down, Private Practice, Project Runway, Psych, Real Time With Bill Maher, Rescue Me, Royal Pains, Rules Of Engagement, Run's House, Sanctuary, Saturday Night Live, Scrubs, Shark Tank, Shear Genius, So You Think You Can Dance?, Sons of Anarchy, The Soup, Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…, Sports Soup, Supernatural, Table For 12, Top Chef, Top Chef: Masters, Top Design, Torchwood, True Blood, Ugly Betty, V, The Vampire Diaries, Warehouse 13, Web Soup, Will Work for Food

People Love You When They Know You're Leaving Soon
Here ends another edition of Two Tivos To Paradise. We'll be back next Friday with the first new standard edition of TTTP of the year, covering all the TV news we've missed these last three weeks.

Please use the comments section below to let me know who gave you the most TV pleasure of 2009 as well as those things you are looking forward to in 2010!

Bonus Video...Another Simon and Garfunkel classic from the 25th Anniversary concert...Holding my daughter while watching this was one of the emotional high points of my year