Twenty-five favorite moments from 1,000 posts at CliqueClack

Four digits is a frustrating place to be. To go from three digits to four, all I needed to do was crank out 900 posts. But now, my next major milestone is at 10,000 … the world could have melted by then! Might as well enjoy the mountains I’ve already climbed.

And so, without further ado and in no particular order, here are my favorite twenty-five moments from my time writing for CliqueClack:

Let’s start with my very first post, which was a guest clack (and therefore not included in my post total!). Ode to shows past was a nice walk down memory lane for me. Of course, there are tons of shows that could be added to the list at this point, but it was already pretty long to start with. What a shame we’ve lost so many good shows.

I loved the quiz I put together in honor of Worst Week. Too bad no one was watching the show, because I don’t think anyone read it. By the way, I’ve watched the show countless times on DVD … still awesome.

Pitting Buy More against The Workbench was lots of fun. Chuck doesn’t hold a candle to Reaper, but the devil’s son had no answer for the likes of Jeffster, which has got to count for something.

There are a number of shows I got/get a real kick out of covering:

• The Celebrity Apprentice is hilarious to follow and dissect. And I’m not positive that Donald Trump is definitely more ridiculous than some of his contestants; at the very least it’s a tie. I love watching this show and then discussing it with all of you!
• Greek had plenty of rough weeks, but I truly enjoyed the series overall. I still occasionally forget and wonder when Rusty, Dale, and Calvin will be returning to my TV. What do you think they’re up to now?
• Weeds is awesome. It gets a bad rap because it got totally crazy in the latter few seasons, but it’s still hilarious. I’m super excited that it’s been picked up for another season!
• I was sad to see Dark Blue go, although I’m no longer sure if I miss the show as much as I miss some of the actors from the show. I’m well aware of the fact that Dylan McDermott is back on the air, but I’m not tuning into a show with a man in a rubber suit. Nope, not gonna happen.
• Entourage will be back on the big screen, but it won’t be the same. The great irony of movie star Vincent Chase’s story was that it was told on the small screen. I fear the gang will be dwarfed by a multiplex. But I’m grateful for the consistently great years they gave us. I loved that show.
• I thought I’d won the lottery when I took the reins of The Office over a few seasons ago. Little did I know what would be…. Still, when I review the show I feel like I’m covering the equivalent of a board of director’s chairman emeritus. Guy doesn’t do much anymore, but you still respect the hell out of him.
• Californication is phenomenal. That’s kind of all there is to say about it. Hank Moody is one of my favorite characters on TV, and David Duchovny is one of my favorite actors. I oftentimes think back on the season four opener, where the professor got loaded and jumped out the window naked. What a great show!
• White Collar season one was a thing of beauty. Neal and Peter were the new kings of partners. Ever since they haven’t done quite as well, but with Mozzie rounding out their threesome, the gang’s still better than most everything else out there.
• The Middle turned out not to be Patricia Heaton’s triumphant return to television, but everyone else is flying high on the show. Perhaps the best sitcom on network TV right now? Perhaps.
• The Good Wife season one flew ever so high that I wonder if its success didn’t make the ensuing seasons seem pedestrian in comparison. Still, the show gave us Derrick Bond, as well as Michael J. Fox‘s superb return to TV. So there’s that.

In the same category, yet in a category all its own, was Men of a Certain Age. For me this twenty-two episode series stands shoulder-to-shoulder with The Sopranos, The West Wing, and The Wire in the greatest dramas ever category. Ray Romano was robbed … but at least we got as much as we did. I’m thankful for that.

I got to do some awesome flashbacks: Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Frasier, Friends, Dead Like Me, The Sopranos, Will & Grace, Malcolm in the Middle, Boston Legal … I ran out quickly, but at least I got to revisit some of my favorite shows.

Which, of course, includes The West Wing … expanding a series flashback into a full week of reflecting in The West Wing Week was awesome. Thanks to all my fellow CliqueClack writers for making that happen!

My quasi column, entitled Clacking the Dream, gave me the opportunity to revisit shows that had aired over the past thirty years. Narrowing that into a list of greatest hits for every night of the week was an overwhelming, and really fun, process.

Getting a second crack at Seinfeld on the seventh season of Curb Your Enthusiasm. For a fan like me, that was a real gift. Thanks, Larry!

My ill-fated attempt at making Commercial Break a fan favorite. At least I tried!

My list of possible reasons why Kelsey Grammer signed on to do Hank. Sorry, Mayor Kane, but you know I was right!

My hypothesis that Big Love would end with Don murdering Bill. It didn’t happen, but you know you could see it, too.

Debbie really hoodwinked me by recommending that I write a column where I try a new show every week. Sure it was an innocent suggestion! But it’s been lots of fun, and as a result I’ve experienced more new shows than I care to count. So, thanks?

Getting blindsided by Episodes. I totally can’t wait for it to return already.

The opportunity I had to review the late Len Lesser’s hilarious and interesting memoir. I think it got lost it a bunch of other stuff, so if you have a minute, give it a read now. He was a whole lot more than just Uncle Leo on Seinfeld.

But most of all, it’s been the opportunity to share television, something I enjoy so much, with readers and fellow writers who are just as passionate about the subject matter as I am. TV’s become something that we as viewers have the opportunity to participate in, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to do so these past three years. We don’t always agree, but that’s what makes it fun.

And what will continue to make it so. Keep on reading!

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Dec 21, 2011 @ 12:00 EST5EDT