I found this at the Denver Post:<\/p>\n
High Notes on the List<\/strong><\/p>\n
December 23, 1999
\nby Joanna Ostrow<\/p>\nThe end-of-the-year “10 Best” and “Five Worst” list-making bug is contagious.<\/p>\n
The five best reasons to do a year-end list:<\/p>\n
1. We crave order in a chaotic universe;<\/p>\n
2. Lists are meant to inspire conflicting opinions;<\/p>\n
3. Stray ideas sound better when grouped in lists;<\/p>\n
4. We love to tout “The Sopranos” whenever possible;<\/p>\n
5. It gives us one last chance to knock the UPN drivel that’s polluting the airwaves.<\/p>\n
That said, here’s my 1999 Top 10:<\/p>\n
1. “The Sopranos” (HBO) – For its amazing range of comedy, tragedy, emotional depth Joanne Ostrow TV\/Radio and vivid character studies, it tops my list. The first 13 episodes were television at its best; the next 13 begin Jan. 16.<\/p>\n
2. “The West Wing” (NBC) – Aaron Sorkin writes brilliant oration as well as more mundane dialogue for characters struggling with moral, ethical and interpersonal dilemmas.<\/p>\n
3. “Action” (Fox) – Controversial for its rough language and unlovable main character, this adult sitcom might have lasted on cable.<\/p>\n
4. “Freaks and Geeks” (NBC) – This high-school angst-fest is a clever meditation on the pains of adolescence suffered by the out crowds.<\/p>\n
5. “Once and Again” (ABC) – Talky and frustratingly self-absorbed, the struggling grownups at the heart of this drama still compel us to watch, much the way “thirtysomething” did.<\/p>\n
6. “The Simpsons” (Fox) – For subversive political humor, for delightful silliness and for the highest per-minute joke count of any show on television, Matt Groening’s masterwork still reigns.<\/p>\n
7. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel” (The WB) – Both the original and its spinoff showcase rich, clever writing, great metaphors for life and solid coming-of-age role models.<\/p>\n
8. “Everybody Loves Raymond” (CBS) – No gimmicks, just pure domestic comedy where the writing really counts. Doris Roberts deserves the Emmy next year.<\/p>\n
9. “NYPD Blue” (ABC) – Retaining its edge despite cast changes. 10. “Felicity” (The WB) – Essentially a soap set on an urban college campus, the performances are good enough to keep us interested.<\/p>\n
Honorable mentions: “Roswell” (The WB) – A soulful drama mixing “X-Files” paranoia with WB young adult concerns, this freshman series is a serious contender. “Oz” (HBO), a powerful prison drama, not for the squeamish.<\/p>\n
Short-lived but pointing the way to the comedy future: “Frank Leaves for the Orient” (Comedy Central) – only six episodes ran, but this expensiveto-produce, mixed-media sitcom, music-video-animated, special-effects experiment was truly innovative.<\/p>\n
Old reliables: “Friends” (NBC); “Law & Order” (NBC)<\/p>\n
Best TV movie: “Annie” (ABC) – This was better than the feature film version, and it proved again (like “Gypsy”) that the American musical has found new life on television.<\/p>\n
Best miniseries: “Vanity Fair” (A&E)<\/p>\n
Ugliest success story: “WWF Smackdown!” (UPN)<\/p>\n
Saddest cancellation: “Homicide: Life on the Street”<\/p>\n
Fondest farewells: George Clooney on “ER,” Tim Allen and “Home Improvement”<\/p>\n
Tonight on TV<\/p>\n
“A Home for the Holidays” at 7 p.m. on Channel 4 is a new program encouraging adoption and featuring comments from celebrities who have been adopted – Scott Hamilton, Faith Hill and Wendy’s chief Dave Thomas. Participating are Stevie Wonder, LeAnn Rimes, Brian McKnight and ‘N Sync.<\/p>\n
Denver Post Radio\/TV Critic Joanne Ostrow’s column runs Monday through Thursday. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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