The Young Folks writers have come together to list the very best in pop culture for the year 2012!
From The Voice to Homeland, our tastes in TV differ, but there’s no doubt that 2012 gave us some of the best television in a long while. Check out each writer’s list below, and tell us which shows were your favorite this year in the comments!
Melissa Berne’s Top TV Shows
I’m not big on reality shows or singing shows, but “The Voice” is entertaining and has integrity. What other show has the whole judging panel go up on stage and do what the contestants do? There is always constructive criticism and great banter between the coaches, and that’s fun to watch.
5. “Girls” – Season 1
I love “Girls”! Lena Dunham is brilliant for capturing the thoughts and feelings of early twenty-somethings. Not only is it relatable, but it’s pretty funny. I hope the show just gets better and better.
4. “Scandal” – Season 1 & 2
Advertisement
“Scandal” is just…so very well-written. Kerry Washington is amazing, and she makes me look up to her character. This show is so original and makes me want more every time I see it.
3. “The Vampire Diaries” – Season 4
For its fourth season, the show is keeping things hot and sexy with weekly twists and turns, and I’m totally into it!
2. “Once Upon A Time” – Season 2
Advertisement
The show keeps getting better and better! I’m very impressed with what the writers come up with. Ginnifer Goodwin is a great actress and makes me love Snow White!
1. “Game of Thrones” – Season 2
This is my number one, simply for the fact that at first I didn’t like it because I thought there were too many plots and main characters. But now, I’m obsessed with “Game of Thrones,” and I can’t wait until the new season. I want to see Khaleesi set fire to those Lannisters!
Advertisement
Allyson Johnson’s Best TV of 2012
It took some time to get its bearing, using season one as a trial and error period, but has come back for its second year a strong and more self-assured television show and has ended up as one of the best on TV this season.
2. Breaking Bad (Season 5)
Not as well-balanced and thought out as previous seasons but that’s excusable for three reasons: Jonathan Banks’s Mike, Skylar being a bad ass, and the very last shot as a precursor to the last eight episodes of one of TV histories best shows.
3. Elementary (Season 1)
Because really, who thought they’d actually like it? Smart, full of heart and wonderfully acted, this is another great addition to the reincarnation of Watson and Holmes, with the added bonus of one of them being Lucy Liu.
4. Homeland (Season 2)
Lost some of its stamina around the six episode mark, but was still able to trug along as one of the most gripping television shows carried by the two leads, Damian Lewis and Claire Danes.
5. Sherlock (Season 2)
Let me remind you that this did in fact come out January 2012, because I forgot too. All three episodes were beautifully shot, two and three were wonderfully written, and all were acted with grace and real presence by Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch. And that ending!
6. The Hour (Season 2)
I’m still mad at the BBC for the way the season ended. But I’ll let everyone catch up to that. Everything that the Newsroom wants to be and isn’t, this show IS atmosphere and is led by an amazing cast.
7. Wilfred (Season 2)
Elijah Wood is amazing. This show is dark, comedic but mostly dark, and is severely underrated. Season two found its footing and ran with it, whisking away audiences as well. And it’s about a guy who sees a talking dog.
8. Happy Endings (Season 3)
Not the best it’s been but undoubtedly bizarre and like nothing else on primetime. Also the cast is amazing and touts the best onscreen TV couple, Jane and Brad played by the brilliant Eliza Coupe and Damon Wayans Jr.
9. Shameless (Season 2)
Don’t believe the advertisements that say this is funny show about family shenanigans. It’s not. It’s still funny, but also uncomfortably, realistically grim. And the acting is always overlooked by award pundits.
10. Game of Thrones(Season 2)
I’ll just get to it. “Blackwater”, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage and especially Alfie Alan saved this season and surprisingly enough for this fangirl, that’s enough. Hope season three is better.
Gabrielle Bondi’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2012
10. The Newsroom (Season 1)
I know. I know. I even questioned adding this show to the list, but the fact is I watch exactly 10 shows and The Newsroom is one of them. There’s just something about it that I can’t stop watching. I absolutely LOVED the premiere episode, but it’s been weird seeing how the season progress. I’m only hoping that Sorkin seriously steps up his game next season.
9. True Blood (Season 5)
The addition of Christopher Meloni (although short-lived) was a plus this season. Yet, I still managed to enjoy the season for the most part. However, this show is on its way out, and I hope Season 6 has more interesting things in store for us.
8. The Mindy Project (Season 1)
I love Miindy Kaling; so of course, I find her show funny and endearing. Some episodes are better than others, but I still like it enough to keep tuning in every week.
7. Gossip Girl (Season 6)
Its final season wasn’t very good, but it was definitely unforgettable and kept me kind of guessing throughout. Also, my immense loyalty and love for the show helped make this season more diverting than it actually was.
6. Once Upon A Time (Season 2)
Last season, my feelings toward OUAT were lukewarm at best. But Season 2 has completely surprised me by how much I’ve been enjoying it! It totally stepped up its game this year, and I hope the twists keep on coming.
5. The Walking Dead (Season 3)
I think most of us can agree that Season 2 of Walking Dead was a little too quiet. Season 3 pretty much makes up for it, being the most shocking and entertaining season of The Walking Dead yet. Let’s hope that Glen Mazzara leaving the show doesn’t kill the momentum.
4. Downton Abbey (Season 2)
Two words: Maggie Smith.
3. New Girl (Season 2)
I loved the first season of New Girl, and I love the second season even more. Now that we know these characters, it’s great to see them get into different and hilarious entanglements. Also, Schmidt is funnier than ever.
2. Game of Thrones (Season 2)
Game of Thrones is beyond epic! I love almost all of the storylines and many of the characters are very fascinating. There’s really not much to complain about this show, besides how long we have to wait between seasons.
1. Homeland (Season 2)
No show has given me this much stress (not even Gossip Girl) than Homeland. Season 1 had me captivated. Season 2 just pulverized me. This season, they broke all the rules dropping big shocks and twists when we were least expecting it. Without a doubt, this is my favorite show on TV right now.
Annie Rishty’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2012
2. Shark Tank (S4)
3. Glee (S4)
4. The X-Factor (S2)
5. Catfish (S1)
6. Long Island Medium (S3)
7. Jerseylicious (S4)
8. Big Rich Texas (S3)
9. Say Yes to the Dress (S6)
10. The Voice (S3)
Luciana Villalba’s Top TV Shows of 2012
2. Gossip Girl (S2)
3. Parks and Recreation (S5)
4. Catfish (S1)
5. Game of Thrones (S2)
6. New Girl (S2)
Jenna Johnson’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2012
9. How I Met Your Mother (Season 8)
8. Grey’s Anatomy (Season 8)
7. Modern Family (Season 3)
6. Shameless (Season 2)
5. Sons Of Anarchy (Season 5)
4. American Horror Story (Season 2)
3. Teen Wolf (Season 2)
2. Dexter (Season 8)
1. The Vampire Diaries (Season 3)
Advertisement