2013's Worst Television Series and Episodes

The Worst 

I rarely put the shows that are obviously bad on this list, I would rather put the shows who have fallen from grace, jumped the shark or shows in their first year who tried too hard to be "great" rather than just finding quality writing.  In fact every major network got a lump of coal in their stocking, including one pay cable show.  I honestly hate doing a "worst" list, but some shows, are just begging for it!

1-Dexter (Showtime)

This list has the opposite of the best list.  The best show of the year (Breaking Bad) had one of the best closing seasons of all time, while Dexter had one of the worst, and an atrocious series finale that did not redeem things from the season.  The plot with the beginnings of the code was cool enough, but divide between Dexter and Deb was oddly handled.  While some shows can have a season that has a ho-hum business as usual season this show always was best when it pushed the envelope, like with Trinity.  This was one of the most uneven shows I have ever watched, even last season had rebounded, but this season fell flat, and (SPOILER) Dexter throwing his sister in the sea with all his other victims proved the writers just went along with the motions and the constant changing creative minds can ruin a show. End rant.

2-Family Guy and The Simpsons (tie-FOX)

Brian Griffin died, and he's apparently coming back to life.  Well the creative team behind this show needed people to start talking about this show again in some capacity, and it got the twitter buzz it wanted, but people moved on, something FOX should do, let go.  This show just is not funny any more.

Speaking of shows that need to be put out of their misery, The Simpson's is another animated series, which needs to be put out of its misery.  I watched this years Halloween episode, the intro directed by Guillermo del Torro was awesome, but the rest of the episode felt like it was made 20 years ago without the laughs.  Terrible, time to end! 

4-The Millers (CBS)

A show with so much talent, Will Arnett, Margo Martindale, Beau Bridges, and Jayma Mays wasted.  This material for this show is terrible, CBS's number one comedy is number one because of its placement on Thursday nights, why change the channel, oh that's right because this show like their other crap Thursday show Two and a Half Men is dumb.  This is honestly the best I can do to describe this show, this write up is as simplistic as this show.

5-1600 Penn (NBC) 

Putting Bill Pullman back in the White House seems like a slam dunk, right?  I mean he helped stopped those aliens in the film Independence Day so he should be able to help save an NBC comedy.  Wrong!  This was NBC's worst new comedy last year, but the talent was there.  Josh Gad was directed poorly, and while Jenna Elfman had her funny moments she could not help save this show.  Comedy and politics has worked a lot recently, but this show was a big fat 00.

The Worst Episodes

1-Dads-"Pilot"

Beyond the racism, of the Asian assistant this pilot set in motion a show that almost made the worst list, it would be number 6 above.  The episode itself tries too hard, and guess what characters in real life can't be made like able the way they are set up in Family Guy.  This was just the biggest piece of garbage.

2-Dexter -"Remember the Monsters?"

One of the worst series finales of all time, and that includes my anger towards the fade to black in The Sopranos.  A massive hurricane is coming and Dexter kills someone, goes back and forth driving, toward this storm and ends up a mountain man alone without his son, leaving him with a crazy murderer he really doesn't know?  That's the plan you had from the beginning?  Awful.

3-Glee-"Shooting Star"

When this show gets heavy handed, it gets heavy handed, and this school shooting episode was just out of place.  I get why they wanted to try this, and help people cope, but this was a clunker, and just proves this show needs to be put out of its misery.  (World be number 7 on the list above).

4-Community-"History 101"

The build up from the stars of this show, talking about Community with Dan Harmon was their undoing.  This was an overstuffed episode that tried too hard, and did not get Community.  I hope Dan Harmon makes season four a dream.

5-Mad Men- "The Crash"

I know some people will yell at me for this (my friend Keith), but I hated this episode.  Don and the office on amphetamines? This reminded me of when The Sopranos attempted their trippy stuff, this worked better because of the era, but this episode felt odd, and out of place.  The exposition on Don's past was all that was need, not a trip gone wrong, to make the episode feel just off.

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Writing and Directing in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

The people behind the scenes, putting the words to paper, or their computers, then those who bring the action to life through their vision of the script.  Over this past television series writing and directing within dramatic television series have become even more sophisticated.  Men who, and I stress men because I have not seen any high profile women within this arena, have started to transition from their work in film to the smaller screen more, as writers and directors.

Over the past few years men like Spielberg, and Scorsese have brought things to life on the small screen from mini-series like Band of Brothers, to dramatic series like Boardwalk Empire.  This year there was a one two punch from Beau Willimon (Ides of March) and David Fincher (Seven, The Social Network, Fight Club) with the Netflix original series House of Cards.  Cards, not only put Netflix on the map, but the show upped the ante making the political arena one of the most interesting.  Willimon's creation of Franic Underwood feels as though you are in the intimate reality of DC, and Fincher's direction takes direction of a television series to a whole new level, making this intimate series feel much more large scale, an impressive feat for both men.

Some writing was a bit more controversial, namely television producer/writer Aaron Sorkin who has also made a name for himself in film writing both The Social Network and Moneyball, Network scored him a win, and Moneyball a nomination.  Aaron Sorkin was praised for his television series The West Wing, but his newest creation The Newsroom received mixed reviews.  Newsroom was seen by some as misogynistic, and manipulatively liberal.  While watching this series I could see the critiques having merit, but this show was just too compelling, and Sorkin's writing style is too brilliant to ignore.  Sorkin creates an accurate representation of the real life news world. Even seasoned news anchors like Dan Rather praised the show, for being realistic, that's an impressive affirmation.

Sorkin is not alone in the world of transitioning from television to film seamlessly; he is joined by writer/director Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick).  Johnson made his first foray into television in 2010 directing episodes of Breaking Bad, and Terriers.  Johnson has returned this year to Breaking Bad directing the season finale entitled Fifty-One.  In Fifty-One Johnson creates a sequence mirroring the genius story transition of the film Goodfellas.  Johnson shows his mastery of the show through elegant, but gritty direction, which highlights the show perfectly.  The episode takes television to a higher level raising the the bar for style and substance like no show, proving once again television has become an elevated art form.

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Breaking Bad- Fifty-One-Sam Catlin

The Good Wife-Red Team/Blue Team-Robert King and Michelle King

Homeland-Q&A-Harry Bromell

House of Cards-Chapter One-Beau Willimon

Justified-Decoy-Graham Yost & Chris Provenzana

The Newsroom-5/1-Aaron Sorkin

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Breaking Bad-Fifty-One-Rian Johnson

Dexter-Are You….? -John Dahl

Game of Thrones-The Rains of Castamere-David Nutter

The Good Wife-What’s in the Box? -Robert King

House of Cards-Chapter One-David Fincher

Homeland-Q & A- Leslie Linka Glatter 

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Guest Actor and Actress in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

 I decided to separate these categories from the writing and directing this year.  All I can say is that The Good Wife could fill all twelve spots on these lists.  The Good Wife's use of their recurring/guest stars is handled better than any other television series on the air.  Wife seamlessly blends together the guest with their main characters.  Whether you are watching Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) a lawyer who often work with Lockhart Gardener, or is sometimes represented by them, or Clarke Hayden as Lockhart Gardener's trustee.  These are just two of the many memorable guest performances from this past television season.

What makes a memorable guest performance?  Hard to say, but these twelve people do a great job, and represent some of the best I have ever seen in these categories.  William Daniels is a person on few people's radar, but as Dr. Craig Thomas a mentor to Christina Yang he made your heart melt as someone Christina finally believed in without sleeping with him.  Game of Thrones has so many moving parts, but Diana Rigg who played Lady Olenna Tyrell stood out as a larger than life character in the few scenes she has had.  While Daniels was on Grey's Anatomy for several episodes, and Rigg has had only a few scenes their impact on the season has been important, and they have made an impressive showing.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama

Jim Beaver-Justified

William Daniels-Grey’s Anatomy

Rupert Friend-Homeland

Nathan Lane-The Good Wife

Ray Romano-Parenthood

Ray Stevenson-Dexter

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama

Alison Brie-Mad Men

Jane Fonda-The Newsroom

Margo Martindale-The Americans

Martha Plimpton-The Good Wife

Carrie Preston-The Good Wife

Diana Rigg-Game of Thrones 

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2012-2013)

One week after the Supporting Actors, it's time for the ladies, and like the men this was a tough category to narrow down, at one point in the year I had 9 or 10 women vying for the topic six spots in this category.  These six women became the no brainers.  Not only are these some of the strongest women on television, but they provide some great layered female characters, which are hard to find!

Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart in The Good Wife 

Diane navigated the potential break up of her firm, the choice between career and love, and at the end of the day did so with poise.  While everyone loves Kahlinda Diane stole this season making her one of the most valuable pieces to The Good Wife family.  Watching her fight to keep her firm was like watching a parent fight for a child, Diane battled to keep the firm, and made sure that at the end of the day she and Will kept control of their baby.  Diane is the most underrated character on the show, and Baranski plays her like no one else could; she is strong, and one of the most commanding female performers on television.

Jennifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan in Dexter 

Boom, you find out your brother is a serial killer, go!  Carpenter's acting skills have grown throughout the years, and while everyone has paid attention to Michael C. Hall they often have forgotton about Debra.  Watching Debra cope with finding out about the "dark passenger" was one of the most amazing story lines, and Carpenter gave incredible performances week after week.  I think the most heart breaking moment was within the last episode where (spoiler) she killed Laguerta instead of Dexter.  The ramifications of this act are going to be interesting but Carpenter proved that Deb, not Dexter was the most interesting character this season.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys "Khaleesi" Targaryen in Game of Thrones

Over the years Clarke has grown into her acting much in the same way Lena Headey grew into character in Thrones.  Khlaeesi is the "mother of the dragons"she is becoming a force to reckoned with, and the growth of her character has been chronicled well this season.  As Khaleesi grows Clarke's strong performance is something powerful, and that should be recognized.  In the past this story line, often was my least favorite, but as Clarke's determination and power grow her performance becomes 

impressive time and time again.  I love the way she not only commands her army, but the screen.

Anna Gunn as Skylar White in Breaking Bad 

Skylar may not have spoken much, her grief about the way she and Walt handled themselves and their fake business got the best of her.  I always hated this character, and to be honest I still do, but Skylar's portrayer Gunn has taken this once shrill character and made her layered, and given a new depth to her, which never existed.  Whether its watching her disgust for Walt, in a more subtle manner or empowering herself Skylar is a different women after a year (the time passed in the show).  Gunn has turned in the most spectacular performance this past season, namely because you can't imagine someone working through the complexity of a husband who makes and deals meth.

Kate Mara as Zoe Barnes in House of Cards

House of Cards who be nothing without the foil to Francis Underwood (Kevin Spacey), Ms. Zoe Barnes.  Zoe is young naive, driven, selfish, and I could use many more adjectives to describe this young woman.  At the beginning of Cards Zoe is ready to do and be anything in order to get ahead.  As the season passes by Zoe grows more and more hesitant about the path she has chosen, and the darkness within the political realm which has made into something she never expected.  There are times when you believe Zoe and Frank are cut from the same clothe, but in reality this character is the millenial opposite, biting off more than she can chew.  Mara is fantastic in this role.

Monica Potter as Kristina Braverman in Parenthood 

This was one of the most personal stories told on television this year.  My mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, I am glad that diagnosis came after watching Potter's Kristina Braverman go through the experience.  Kristina's cancer story line was one of the driving forces of this season of Parenthood, and one of the most believable journeys of a family to cope with disease.  Potter's performance throughout the season was both beautiful and heartbreaking, I may have cried several times.  Whether you were laughing with her when she got stoned, or crying as she went into septic shock Potter nailed every moment this season.  At the heart of things beyond this story line Kristina is a great mom in the show and together all of these things play out because of Potter.

Runners Up: Abigail Spencer-Rectify, Olivia Munn-The Newsroom, Morena Baccarin-Homeland

Travels with Kevin Part 11: Time for a Fall Television in Harrisonburg, Virginia

After my few days in Washington DC ended I went with my friend Steven to his current residence, Harrisonburg, Virginia.  Steven works at James Madison University with Orientation and First Year Programs.  While is town I was able to do one of my favorite things, explore a college campus.  While there I was able to see a truly beautiful campus, that appears to maximize there rolling hills/mountains from the various vantage points of campus.

After exploring the few places I ran out of things to do (beyond hanging out with Steven). Harrisonburg is a small town that has absolutely no connection with popular culture (that I could find).  While Steven was at, I decided to take advantage of this down time to sit down, relax, and watch television that I missed because of work, or my vacation interrupted the chance to watch the shows.  For me spending time in this small quaint college town was the perfect chance for me to reboot, recuperate, spend time with my best friend, and not think about work.

Most of the television I was able to catch up on  was the Sunday premiere night, and here are my thoughts:

After magic was unleashed on the town of Storybrooke, Once Upon a Time returned with a reckoning.  This was a show that it took me a while to get into, but when I watched in on Netflix recently I got hooked.  As the season came to a close I was slightly concerned as to how this show would continue the story.  From the storming of the "castle" also known as Regina's house to the remnants of those characters who were left behind in the magical land.

The campaign is on, the firm is in financial trouble, and Kahlinda's husband is here! The Good Wife set a lot of stories in motion, there is a lot going on and the show focusing on some new issues and items.  Aside from Zack's run in with the law, I am excited to see Peter run for another office, although it feels been there done that (a little).  The firms financial woes was the most interesting thing to me bringing out two characters who have amazing chemistry, Josh Charles, and Christine Baranski.  I am excited to see where Kahlinda's story is going to go, but this felt disjointed, I want them to make the connection sooner than later.

Back to the Hamptons with Revenge!  Emily/Amanda is back for another summer in the Hamptons, and of course the shows first few minutes started with a cliffhanger death, making the audience believe Jack would die, although this is another bait and switch.  I think Declan is the victim.  We all knew Victoria was alive, and her return could have been handled a little better, but this is one terrific hour of pulp fun.

One of the best returns of the season belongs to Dexter.   Deb knows Dexter's secret.  This episode had me constantly on edge, watching as this new version of cat and mouse was set in motion.  Dexter kept feeding her lies, and Deb finally started to see his darkness.  After two awful seasons this show could finally get back to form.  Most of the times the flashbacks are pandering, but even in this episode they connected things well.  I am excited to see the direction of this season.

The only new show I started on Sunday was 666 Park Avenue, and it may not last long.  While the show is frightening, creepy, and gave me a small nightmare, this show feels like a toned down American Horror Story.  I often wonder how this show would sustain more than one or two seasons.

The winner of Outstanding Drama series at the Emmy Awards, Homeland, returned Sunday as well.  This show brought Carrie back into the fold of the CIA, and continued Brody's confusing journey as an anti-hero.  Homeland is a show that paces itself beautifully, and watching Danes and Lewis is like watching poetry, these two are beyond talented.

While these shows have no connection to my actual journey, Harrisonburg, Virginia provided me a great release from the everyday stress of work.  I was able to not only catch up on television, but spend time with my best friend, what a great time.

Fall 2012 TV Preview

Last year I highlighted the show returning that I am was anticipating, and the new shows I was excited about or had potential.  Of the four new 2 were cancelled (Terra Nova, The Ringer), one is now more of a mini-series or hybrid (American Horror Story), and NBCs Up All Night, was not must see television except for Maya Rudolph.

What exciting things lie ahead for this fall television season?

Sunday:

Once Upon a Time-The curse is lifted, and magic has become unleashed on Storybrook.  The trailer for the new season looks action packed/exciting.  I am ready to see some of my favorite fairy tale characters return, and also watch some new ones grace the screen! (8 pm on ABC starts Sunday September 30th)

The Good Wife-Carey is back at Lockheart/Gardener, Kahlinda's ex husband is in the picture, and Alicia and Peter have started to have a much more cordial relationship.  All of this along with Lockheart/Gardener facing financial difficulty will bring viewers to edge of their seat as Peter seeks to be elected to the governorship. (9 pm on CBS starts on September 30th)

Dexter-Deb knows! There is no turning back, Dexter's dark secret has been discovered by his sister, where does the dark messenger go now?  Can he outsmart her, so many burning questions (9 pm on Showtime starts on September 30th)

Revenge-The haunting ending of season one still plays back in my mind.  Did Victoria Grayson go down with the plane?  Meeting Amanda's mother is going to be on intense roller coaster ride.  Faux Amanda is really pregnant.  Did Charlotte overdose?  This soapy night time drama has a lot to live up to. (10 pm on ABC starts September 30th)

Homeland-Watching the first two minutes proved why this is the most bankable program on Showtime.  Carrie is doing well and out of the CIA, but how long can she really stay away?  Brody is a congressman, and a potential VP candidate.  How will this cat and mouse meet again? (10 pm on Showtime starts on September 30th)

The Walking Dead-Last season ended with some shocking revelations, and some surprising zombie-fications.  The second part of season 2 was much darker, and it looks like the show has only one direction to go, dark! (10 pm on AMC starts on October 14th)

Monday:

How I Met Your Mother-Barney is going to marry Robin, but first we have to watch his relationship with Quinn fall apart.  Lilly and Marshall are parents.  The most important question is why have we not met the damn mother?  Time for this show to make good on the title.(8 pm on CBS starts September 24th)

Partners (new show)- The other LGBT show from Ryan Murphy was a flop, let's see how this one from the creators of Will and Grace does.  I am betting this one will do well in the ratings because of the CBS comedy strong hold, but will it be good? (8:30 pm on CBS starts September 24th)

Revolution (new show)-Another J.J. Abrams creation set in a world where technology has gone away.  Will Gus Fring be enough to save this show?  I feel like this show relies too much on a gimmick, and will not just let the plot unfold. (10 pm on NBC starts September 17th)

Tuesday:

Happy Endings-This show has been missing for way too long.  It will be AMAHZING when it returns so I can watch Brad look for a job, while Jane takes on another.  I love watching Penny's love life too; she tries so hard, and gets so many laughs.  Dave and Alex are looking for an apartment together, will it last ?Love this great comedy. (9 pm on FOX starts October 23rd)

New Girl-The return of the quirk!  Nick moved out to be with his girlfriend, and the gang has to try and cope with this.  Schmidt is newly single ladies, so look out, and Jess is on the market, can't wait to watch her have a slew of awkward dates! (9 pm on FOX starts September 25th)

The Mindy Project (new show) Mindy Kailing is on funny lady, and of the new network comedies this show looks to have the most promise.  I am excited to watch this hopeless romantic struggle to search for love! (9:30 pm on FOX starts September 25th)

Wednesday:

Arrow-The CW has done the super hero genre well on the small screen, and this show looks to prove to keep up the strong tradition, way to capitalize on a genre!  (8 pm on the CW starts October 10th)

Modern Family-Gloria pregnant, sign me up!  Having more adventures with the Dunphies and Pritchertts is always a good time.  (9 pm on ABC starts September 26th)

Nashville-Nashville could be this years Revenge, the soapy night time drama that just gets it right, the cast is great, and I think this could be one fun show. (10 pm on the CW starts October 10th)

American Horror Story-The show that added the chill that ran down your spine returns with some truly terrfying story from an insane asylum.  Most of the cast is returning, but the story is new, this should be good!
(10 pm on FX starts October 17th)

Thursday: 

30 Rock-The last season will be upon us soon.  Liz seems happy in her relationship, hopefully that will last.  Jack's story ended weird last year, I hope they come up with some quality stuff for the gang at TGS to close things out well. (8 pm on NBC starts October 4th)

The Office-Another show in its last season, NBC is losing two major players at the end of this season.  After Michael Scott left this show lost a lot of character.  Greg Daniels has promised a lot for this final season, and I hope the ending pays off.

Grey's Anatomy-Did everyone whose left survive the plane crash?  Eric Dane is leaving the show so odds are that Mark has been hit hard.  Arizona's fate is still up in the air.  What doctors will stay at Seattle Grace and how will they cope as attendings. (9 pm on ABC starts September 27th)

Glee-In true Ryan Murphy style the show has become fractured, and lost its purpose caring too much about actors and big names, like Kate Hudson, and Sarah Jessica Parker. This show is getting to the boot from my TiVo, but give it a try if you dare. (9 pm on ABC starts September 13th)

Parks and Recreation-A march onto DC, as Ben becomes a big time campaign major, Leslie steps up to city council and the parks department will need to take a new direction as Leslie leaves.  I am proud of this show for evolving smartly. (9 pm on ABC starts September 20th)

Scandal-Who is Quinn?  What deep secret is she hiding?  The show left with some major cliffhangers, and spoilers surrounding Olivia Pope and crew.  Shona knows how how to pulp up the drama. (10 pm on ABC starts September 27th)

Friday:

Community-Friday is usually a dead night, but now that it has Community, I actually will have a Friday night show.  This will most likely be the last year for the Greendale 7, I hope the new show runner who has replaced Dan Harmon can fill his shoes. (8:30 pm on NBC starts October 19th)

Best Title Sequences (TV Drama)

Last watching watching two shows made me think about just how brilliant and key a good title sequence can be to a television show, from the music to the imagery title sequences add something to the television show experience.  Last night watching Game of Thrones title sequence had me excited for what was to come.  The show's title sequence "changes" every week, the changes show you new places, or just places where the show is going to take place in tonight's episode, brilliant!  Then there is Mad Men's falling executive, and the brilliant score.  Together these are two of the most recent title sequences to grace television, and they are also two of the best of all time.

Most of the shows on my list are more recent television series.  Television dramas have evolved throughout the years, they are smarter, and sometimes (most recently) better than the films being released.  As the quality of television drama has evolved so has the title sequence for shows. The oldest show on my list is The X-Files, and the most recent is American Horror Story from 2012.  These title sequences feel a part of the show, the build up the intensity or are not to be missed.  These title sequences have become sleeker, prettier, and made the viewer remember just score without lyrics (for the most part) this is a rare challenge.  Here is a list of the best title sequences (in alphabetical order).

American Horror Story 

Damages

Dexter 

Game of Thrones

Mad Men

Six Feet Under 

The Sopranos 

True Blood 

The X-Files

The Wire 

Jumping the Shark Part 2: Attack of the Shows

In the last edition a while back I cited the the following shows that are past their prime: The Office, Desperate Housewives, How I Met Your Mother, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order: Special Victim's Unit, and Weeds.  Here are some shows that should hedge their bets and either end at the end of this year or wrap things up pretty soon.  I will say I agree with all of these shows needing to end, although I think How I Met Your Mother needs to just stop playing games and move the purpose of the story forward.

Glee (2009-Present) FOX-This singing show started out as a fresh take on outcasts at a high school who wanted to just sing.  There was a small group of students who came together through a strong powerful ballad and they did not want to stop believing that anything could be possible.  Glee's pilot aired at the end of May sweeps and built the up the excitement and interest throughout the entire summer for viewers.  This was a great move.  While as a fan I was frustrated, I applaud the creative way this show garnered strong word of mouth.  I am surprised they have not done this with any other show.  There is also the hopeful teacher who wanted to help his students.  In the the beginning Lea Michelle was not annoying, Mr. Schue's hopeful ways were endearing, and the antagonist Sue Sylvester had some of the best one liners.  The show hit a major creative wall in season two adding too many characters and not being able to juggle the different stories.  The show became so popular numerous famous people wanted guest star and their appearances took away from the the main characters.  The show also decided to do tribute episodes to Madonna, Britney Spears, and these episodes were more problematic because they seemed to force songs and performances into the thread of the show.  In season three these problems have slowly been fixed, but the damage is done.  Jane Lynch is barely around, and her character is one note.  Lea Michelle is shrill, and Mr. Schue is good guy teacher is bordering on annoying.  With most of the shows cast graduating this year, including the best part of the show Santana, the show is at a pivotal cross roads and needs to decided a path to take.  While many of the graduating students will surely go off into the sunset many are sticking around, and while this is great I think it will create dead weight.  I think the show should end this year, but it won't.


30 Rock (2006-2013) NBC-Let me start this with the statement, I love this show and these characters.  Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin are the present day Mary Tyler Moore and Lou Grant.  The supporting cast which includes Jane Krakowski, Tracey Morgan, Jack McBrayer, and Judah Friedlander is also brilliant.  This show has slowly lost its edge, and while there are still funny moments I want this show to end while its ahead.  I am almost one hundred percent sure that this will not be the last season.  I think when the show comes back next year it should end next year with a shortened season.  So far the shows most recent season has lacked focus, and does not have as strong of a comic edge.  This started throughout seasons four four and five.  While seasons four and five were had many flawed moments this season flaws have been the most apparent that the show is losing steam.  Time to end on top.  I love you Tina!

Dexter (2006-2013) Showtime-This is going to contain spoilers so reader beware.  My friend said something intriguing about how this show should have ended.  My friend said this show should have ended at the end of season five with Rita in the bath tub and Harrison in her blood.  Dexter comes in to see his son sitting in his mother's blood the way he was found by his step father.  Dexter then says "What next" and the show cuts to black.  I like this idea, and exploring this concept is too late because the show has lasted two more seasons.  Season 6 and 7 both have created a problematic downturn in quality.  This past seasons episode entitled "Nebraska" where Dexter hallucinates his brother and talks to him instead of his step father Harry, and leaves his sister behind was the worst episode of the series and one of the worst episodes of television this year.  I was beyond disappointed.  Showtime has a hit on their hand, like they do with Weeds, and when they realize they can make money they keep going.  I need Michael C. Hall to say enough is enough and move on the way it sounded like he wanted to a few years ago.  The next season needs to be the last but this show should have ended a few years ago.


True Blood (2008-2014) HBO- This is another one of my favorite shows, but sometimes you have to let go of the things you love most.  Season 4 had a creative resurgence, but this show has proven to be uneven.  Season 3 was all over the map, and I had lost faith in this show.  Even though season 4 restored my faith (a little) I think this show needs to end when Alan Ball steps away after season 5.  While I realize there are way more than five books in the series this show is based on, the show needs to focus and move forward to the end game.  Alan Ball ended his series first series Six Feet Under after 5 seasons, and did so with grace, class, and dignity.  Six Feet Under had one of (if not the best) series finales of all time.  The end of season 4 seemed to be an explosion of character deaths in order to clean house.  My advice is to plan the final days, and end on top the way Six Feet Under did.

CSI (2000-Present) CSI: Miami (2002-2012) CSI: NY (2004-2013)-Let me make this perfectly clear.  I have only watched the original, and by watched I mean I saw an episode or two on Spike because my friend wanted to watch.  These shows appear to be fine procedural dramas but as CBS announces more and more shows for their new fall lineup it appears that its time to retire these procedurals.  CBS has two successful bankable shows in NCIS, which I think LA should go, but do not watch that one either, so I have a hard time commenting.  These shows have followed the path of the Law & Order series.  At the end of this season one or two of these may be off the air for the first time.  I think CBS is coming up with better more creative programming, and clearing these three shows from their lineup would show their commitment to rejuvenating their schedule.

The Killing (2011-2014)-AMC-The season finale of season one was a big middle finger to the viewers who watched this show.  The premise of this show was that young girl named Rosie Larson was killed, and the plot was meant to be a whodunit that avoided the procedural.  The exact opposite happened.  Week after week we were given a red herring rather than allowing the detectives piece together the clues.  This show should have been a mini series rather than a series, or solved the crime in season one and focused on different characters like they are doing with American Horror Story.  The only reason I am returning to watch this show will be to see the mystery play out, I want an answer.

Update

CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Dexter and 30 Rock have ended.  True Blood will end in Summer 2014, The Killing was axed, but then brought back to life for a successful third season on AMC.