My 2010 Hot List

The Glades

The current issue of TV Guide highlights the “2010 Hot List” – the shows, characters, themes and story ideas that were the hottest things to grace our TV screens this year. And, while there were countless categories to wade through as I flipped the pages of that issue, the thought occurred to me that I should come up with my own hot list.

What were the shows, characters, themes and/or story ideas that really caught my attention over the past 11 months? Well, take a look below and see if you agree:

1. The Wilds of Florida – The new A&E drama The Glades about a transplanted Chicago cop in a small Florida town only aired 13 episodes over the summer, but averaged 3 million viewers during its short run. It was renewed for a second season, which means another 13 episodes, and I cannot wait to see where the stories lead Detective Jim Longworth (Matt Passmore), his medical examiner partner Carlos Sanchez (Carlos Gomez) and nurse (soon-to-be doctor) Callie Cargill (Kiele Sanchez).

Unnatural History

2. Watching Cartoon Network – I would be the first to argue against watching the Cartoon Network simply because I grew out of cartoon viewing when I was a child; but the introduction of the network’s first two live-action series has made me at least reconsider watching the network. While Unnatural History and Tower Prep are teen dramas, they are two very cleverly written action-adventure series that adults can sit and watch on their own, with their families or with friends and not have to feel bad about it at all.

Tower Prep

3. The Mythology of The Vampire Diaries – Looking beyond the wonderful eye candy contained in this show in the form of every single member of the cast and the fact that vampires still seem to be a hot commodity (and let’s not forget the lure of werewolves and witches and even hunters – oh my!), the mythology that has been interlaced with the overall stories on The Vampire Diaries has me screaming for more every week.

Pretty Little Liars

4. Pretty Little Liars – The little show that could on the ABC Family Channel did just that. It held its own with the likes of Gossip Girl on the CW and actually had me tuning in each week to find out what was going to happen next not only the teens but the adults as well.

5. Top TV Couples – While these shows – Chuck, Castle and Smallville – have all been on TV for a number of years, especially Smallville, which is in its, astounding, 10th season, the main couples on each show have easily become among my favorites of all time. Each of these shows would not function without these core characters and the relationship, romantic or otherwise, that each couple has just adds so much to each series. So, three cheers to Chuck Bartowski and Sarah Walker on Chuck, Kate Beckett and Richard Castle on Castle and Clark Kent and Lois Lane on Smallville. Thanks for the wonderful memories, crazy escapades and true moments of romance.

Doctor Who

6. The Introduction of a New Doctor and New Companion – Even though I grew up as a sci-fi nerd (albeit not realizing that truth until I was in my in early 30’s), I never got hooked on Doctor Who until this year when the new doctor and his new companion were introduced. I don’t know what it has been about Matt Smith and Karen Gillan, but their chemistry as the Doctor and Amy Pond has been nothing but infectious and I cannot wait for the holiday special that is to air next month and the return of new episodes in early 2011.

What have been the hot button moments, shows, characters, et al for you this year? Please share as I know I would love to hear what you have to say.