Top 5 TV Shows of the 2000's

Kicking off my Top 5 lists for the Aughts or the 2000's. Funny that it took all the way until the end of 2009 for this decade to even have some sort of a name. And yet this decade is not really marked for any significance. Although technologically we have made leaps in all facets of our life, I think this decade did more to rehash everything good and bad we did in every other decade of the 20th Century. In other words the first decade of the 21st Century was definitely one of transition. With that in mind I tell you that you could easily argue with any and all of my picks for Top 5 TV, Video Games, Movies, and Albums, but I would also tell you to leave a comment and share or start your own blog. This is my list for the Top 5 television shows of the 2000's. These are the shows that I watch with a passion. I cannot wait to see the latest episode of these series and this is why they are my Top 5. And these are not ordered per se, they are just numbered so you know I have 5.

#5 Justice League Unlimited - for the first time on television I not only got to enjoy my favorite DC characters, but they were done in the Dinistyle, with lots of action, great characterization and an over arching story that tied the entire series together. Once you saw the entire plot laid out it was fun to go back and rewatch episodes to see the clues that were laid out along the way. The show was a continuation of the Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, and Justice League shows that had helped define and shape the modern DC universe since the early 90's. Also the show had to expand in this expanded direction because of corporate concerns over Batman, Teen Titans, Aquaman, and other characters being used in other Warner Bros properties at the time. I'm just glad I got to see Superman and Shazam throw down.

#4 CSI Las Vegas - The originator of the CSI shows. Obviously procedural crime drama had been done before with shows like Law & Order but this one was done by movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer. The show revolved around crime solvers that use the evidence alone to solve the crimes. From the camera inserting into the body to empathize the action, to the low cut tops and hot chicks, this show helped rewrite the standard for crime dramas that you can still see spoofed to this day. The show also takes place in Las Vegas and the city itself becomes a character in this long running show. I cannot believe I have been watching this show for almost 10 years now.

#3 The Office - whether you are a fan of the British original for this show or not, The Office and the employees of Dunder Mifflin have become staples in my life for the last 6 years. From Jim's pranks on Dwight, Micheal's vapid insistence to be liked, Creed's constant stealing, and Dwight's over the top antics this show has never ceased to make me laugh and sometimes squirm. To think the first season of The Office I just could not find funny. Everyone told me it was funny, but it really took me awhile to warm up to this show.

#2 LOST - Another show that I was slow to warm up to. My buddy Haze used to call me on Wednesday nights and tell me how much I reminded him of this character Hurley. An overweight character on LOST. I resented that highly. And I had missed the first few weeks of episodes. But before Season 2 came out my roommate Tyler and I sat down and watched Season 1 on DVD for an entire week in September. I have been hooked ever since, and Hurley has become one of my favorite characters on television. Also no other show has brought me such amazing hours of television with episodes like Through the Looking Glass, or the fake commercials during the broadcast that hid secret messages and an out of television game that you could play by following clues on websites. Really cool.

#1 The Venture Bros - Wow did I ever come late to this show. Originally airing in 2004 on Adult Swim, I just discovered this awesome show in 2009 and now own the first three seasons. And with 5 years of life the show is just now half way through it's 4th season. This show spoofs 60's culture and mocks everything from Johnny Quest, Scooby Doo, 70's rock bands, Star Wars, Firefly, Superman and Batman, and everything in between. Characters like The Monarch, Sgt. Hatred, Brock Sampson, Dr. Venture, Dr. Mrs The Monarch, Twenty One, Twenty Four and more are really not even the two title characters. In which we have Dean and Hank Venture, children of former boy adventurer Dr. Venture. Venture is really an allegory for shows like Johnny Quest with action, adventure, super spies, and intrigue. And yet the best shows of the series are those featuring heavy dialogue and comedy zingers then the one's with adventure. Almost like a Kevin Smith movie, just with more interesting characters. And I love Smith. Go figure.

Top 5 Ben Moments on LOST

I'm back! I know I really should not say that. My blog is more of whenever I get around to it then I would like, but I have been sitting on this topic for a couple of weeks now. Ben Linus, on of the villains on the tv show LOST, has done many evil and devious things on his time on the show. He is an evil, sadistic, and highly manipulative bastard and we love him for it. Here is a list of the Top 5 Ben Moments on LOST.

#5 Episode 216 "The Whole Truth" - In one of Michael Emmerson's first chances to shine and bring this character to life, he begins to play Locke and Jack against each other when talking about drawing up a map for Ana Lucia. He calmly begins eating his cereal while absentmindedly discussing how he would set a trap if he was on of the bad guys. " I guess it's a good thing I'm not one of them, huh? You guys got any milk?" Classic Ben.

#4 Episode 409 "The Shape of Things To Come" - It's really hard to pick out my favorite moments. He just has so many good ones. Season Three and Four really set the bar high. Here in Season 4 we see that Charles Widmore has sent armed mercenaries to the Island to kill Ben and everyone in their way. When Alex, Ben's adopted daughter, is captured and held at gun point, Ben calls Kearny's bluff and tells him to shoot her. Kearny does. Ben's simple response "He changed the rules." It was a shocking moment, and led to even further violence from this evil man. And this episode alone carried at least 3 moments in Ben history that could have made the list.

#3 Episode 402 "Confirmed Dead" - This moment was further proof that even when we think the heroes of the show, the 815 survivors, catch up to Ben and have him pinned down he proves that he is always two steps ahead. At the end of the episode Ben recites Charlottes name and background to those around him completely unexpectdedly. When John Locke asks him how he knows who she is, Ben responds "Because I have a man on their boat." It was a great WHAT?! moment from LOST.

#2 Episode 322 "Through the Looking Glass" - Ben's daughter Alex is complaining about the treatment that Ben has been giving her boyfriend Karl when this exchange occurs. I must admit that it is not a well remembered moment, but it makes me laugh all the same. Alex "You put my boyfriend in a cage and then you locked him in a room and tried to brainwash him!" Ben " I didn't want him to get you pregnant. I suppose I may have overreacted..."

#1 Episode 413 "Theres No Place Like Home part 2" - After almost four seasons of LOST and the survivors of 815 struggling with nature, fate, each other, The Others, a smoke monster, and now mercenaries from Charles Widmore we finally get a weird sort of freedom moment from Ben when talking to Richard Alpert. Sayid and Kate had teamed up with Richard to help save Ben from the mercenaries, and after they were successul Ben simply asks Richard what the arrangement was. When Richard says their freedom from the island, Ben replies "Fair enough, the helicopter is yours, You and Sayid have a safe journey back." When Kate asks if that is it, Ben replies "That's it." The man is always in control and it seemed like he was finally allowing the survivors there freedom.

Top 5 Ways to Save Money in this Recession

These are in no particular order

#5 - Buy TV Shows with full seasons and watch those night after night. Some good ones to try: LOST (5 Seasons on DVD), Entourage (4 Seasons on DVD), The Office UK (2 Seasons on DVD), The Office America (4 Seasons on DVD), and many more.

#4 - Skip buying DVD's and download them illegally! Um this blog does not advocate nor encourage you to break the law, just pointing out that option. ;)
Of course you could always just stream shows live over their websites or on www.hulu.com.

#3 - Read a book. Read many books. Books are relatively inexpensive and you can always share them with friends or borrow your friends books.

#2 - Have a game night instead of going out to the clubs.

#1 - Walk to a local bar that is having a drink special night instead of taking a cab somewhere further away. You save money on not cabbing, you get some mild exercise, and you save money by picking the right night to go!

Top 5 Deaths on LOST

So last night while watching the LOST repeat from 2/11/09 I realized that the show has had some really memorable deaths. In the episode "This Place is Death" the trips through time finally catch up to Charlotte and we learn that she was not only born on the island but that Daniel was around during her youth and warned her to never come back for fear of death. Guess that came true huh? So without further ado here is my list for the Top 5 deaths on LOST. These all made some sort of impact on the story. Although when making the list I found that over 23 people had been killed in some sort of memorable fashion.


#5 Gary Troup aka "Guy sucked into the Engine" - Blink and you missed it. This poor guy who wrote the novel "Bad Twin" and was dating one of the flight attendents is sucked into the still running engine turbine on the first episode of LOST. It set the stage for an awesome show and really upped the ante on the danger factor.

#4 Seth Norris aka The Pilot - Poor Matt Grunberg. Guest stars as the pilot of the ill fated Oceanic Flight 815 that was supposed to be flown by Frank Lupidus. Seth is sucked out of the cockpit by the Island Black Fog Monster. Setting the stage for the islands security system and killing yet another one of the cast early on.

#3 Mr. Arzt - Poor poor school teacher Mr. Arzt. We barely knew you. But what a memorable impression you made. Mr. Arzt was the one who helped the Losties get dynamite off the Black Rock, the crashed pirate ship in the middle of the jungle. He explained many times just how volatile the dripping dynamite was, only to explode in a fiery death, proving just how dangerous that stuff was.

#2 Ana-Lucia and Libby - Oh! We get a two-fer. Ana-Lucia and Libby, survivors of the tail section. They survive being infiltrated and chased by the others only to be shot in cold blood by Michael. Michael takes his turn as a "heel" in his desperate attempt to find and save his son. He shoots Ana and Libby while they are guarding Ben Linus in the Hatch. It was one of those moments in the show that you just said "What the fuck?!"

#1 Charlie Pace - Sweet sweet Charlie Pace. You kicked your addiction to heroin, became someone that could be trusted and loved, and then died. As great shows do, LOST shows us that no one is safe and anyone one of our heros may die. Well Charlie goes out in style, saving Desmond, getting word out the Penny, and warning Desmond that the freighter is not Penny's boat. Which of course sets up that Kearny and his mercenaries in the next season as hired goons sent by Charles Widmore, but Charlie's drowning was a redeeming and touching scene that almost brings this viewer to tears every time I see it. One of the highlights of this amazing show.