Top Ten Honorable Mentions.

Just a quick follow-up to my post a week ago on my Top Ten of 2006. Obviously, I couldn't include everything that deserves a shout-out. This is pretty much off the top of my head, here, so if I missed something, I apologize.

I mentioned Noggin's The Upside Down Show before, and if it played more for adults, it would have made the Top Ten. Also, I've mentioned before how I tend to dislike animated voice work by people we know from in front of the camera, but William H. Macy's work on the PBS Curious George series deserves praise.

There are many BBC America shows that are worth watching-- especially if the American comedy show scene has got you down.

Shows that I couldn't include because I didn't watch new episodes-- but were f-ing brilliant are: Bodies (BBC America; I've praised it before); Coupling (BBC America; four seasons of fantastically funny stuff); Deadwood (HBO; vulgar, violent at times, and incredible); The Sopranos (HBO; while not seeming as groundbreaking now as it was when it premiered, it's still earned everything it's gotten).

Peter Stormare's "Vee Dub" commericals. Like 'em or hate 'em, you gotta love Stormare's work. Ever since Abruzzi was Swiss-cheesed by the feds on Prison Break, this is the only way you'll see him (unless you check out his numerous movie/TV appearances from the past).

ESPN's NFL Countdown on Sundays has a feature called "Mayne Event" that still has me watching-- well after the Fantasy Football season is over. Every week, Kenny Mayne finds some ridiculous story to comment on-- and he gets players and coaches to go along with it. Like when he did a piece on players throwing the football out into the crowd after a touchdown. One player lamented his actions by saying, "The worst is the fine. Two thousand dollars! Sure, it doesn't hurt me too much, but what about the college players? They don't get paid as much as they used to." Check it out; it usually airs in the last half-hour.

And, finally TV Guide Channel's Square Off. It's not exciting, it's certainly not sexy, but that suits me just fine. Kevin and Andy talk to actors, producers, network execs, and others in a straight-up manner. No "Who are you dating?" or "Who are you wearing?" bullshit. But more along the lines of "How do you see the future of TV?" or "What did you go through to get this show on the air?" If you want to get a glimpse of how TV works behind the scenes, check it out.

And, in the same vein, check out Bill Carter's book Desperate Networks. It's a great look at the stories behind Survivor, Lost, CSI, Desperate Housewives, Joey, and many others as he sees how luck and hard work saved some companies (ABC, CBS) and the lack of luck and hard work ruined others (NBC). You may know how the story ends, but you'll be amazed to find out how they got there.