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The Pajiba Power Rankings

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (35)

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It was mostly reruns this week, as most of the shows launch or return this week (though, you’ll have to wait until the 20th for NBC’s Thursday night line-up with “Parks and Recreation” to return). It was otherwise a lot of football on television this week, and if you’re like me — a Indianapolis Colts and an Arkansas Razorbacks fan — it was an amazingly awesome sports week. Adam Vinatieri kicked a field goal with 53 seconds left to beat the Jets (I was celebrating so much I missed the last 53 seconds, but I’m sure with less than a minute left, the Jets sputtered on their own 30 yard line) and the Razorbacks won the Sugar Bowl after an amazing blocked punt with around a minute to go. I was so stoked about the blocked punt I actually blacked out and missed what I’m sure was a Ryan Mallet TD to take the lead. Go Hogs!

Here were the five best episodes of television this week, and by that, I mean five of the six episodes I watched this week (sorry, “Parenthood,” you were great, but there’s only five slots).

Remember, as always, that the Power Rankings go from Sunday to Saturday, so last night’s episodes of a few new shows on NBC and Showtime will vie for Power Ranking attention next week (and reviews are forthcoming).

5. Modern Family: How awesome is James Marsden? He was living in the playhouse! Also, Jami Gertz Alert! Plus, a nice little nod to Pajiba’s grammar geeks from Mitchell: “”I think you mean you couldn’t care less because if you could care less it means that you care a little bit.”

4. Cougar Town: I think I’m in a safe space, right? OK. Then I’m going to admit this. I like “Cougar Town” slightly better than “Modern Family.” (*flinch* pleasedon’thitme). It’s “Scrubs” with alcohol. In fact, I should do a graph chart of some sort to associate each “Cougar Town” character with each “Scrubs” character. For instance, Tom the Neighbor = Ted the Lawyer.

3. Friday Night Lights: Goddamn this show. Why do they make it so fucking stressful? They build up these characters, and then they break them down until I can’t fucking take it anymore.

—spoilers—

And then Matty Saracen shows up.

—end spoilers—

2. Top Chef: Assholes. Casey was my all-time favorite Top Chef contestant. Sure, maybe her chicken feet tasted like ass. I mean, they are chicken feet. But 1) Jamie is a pitiful excuse for a contestant, and she’s only around because the network needs her drama, and 2) Antonia clearly fucked up Casey’s dish. And Casey, being the nice person she is, didn’t throw her under the bus like she should’ve because Casey is a wonderful human being (yes, also, very hot).

1. How I Met Your Mother: Number four on the weepiest TV episodes of all time, this episode absolutely knocked me on my ass. Obliterated me. I have never been so happy to be watching a television show by myself, saving from the embarrassment of having to seek comfort from my toddler son.









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Comments

So since your week goes Sunday to Saturday, next week's number one will be Downton Abbey, right? Because I already know there would be a live broadcast of the Second Coming this week and it wouldn't be better than last night's premiere of DA.

Posted by: PaddyDog at January 10, 2011 11:35 AM

For once I'm glad that I had known a slight spoiler from FB that HIMYM would be a tearjerker, because I don't think I could have taken it otherwise.

Posted by: mswas at January 10, 2011 11:44 AM

Where in the fuck is The Cape?!?

Posted by: Porkchop Express at January 10, 2011 11:44 AM

Brava.

Posted by: Ian at January 10, 2011 11:46 AM

Dustin, I like Cougar Town better than Modern Family as well. Only slightly, but still. I laugh more often and I have an unnatural affinity for those drunken bastards. And Busy Phillips is a goddess, she can make the most ridiculous antics seem adorable.

Posted by: Julie at January 10, 2011 11:46 AM

Cougar Town is horrible, man. I've tried to watch it several times. Well, okay, no. I've watched it several times; tried to like it each time, but usually I can't make it past the second act break. It is not Scrubs with alcohol. Okay, maybe later, final, lesser seasons of Scrubs, but not seasons 2-5. That show was about something. I don't know what Cougar Town is about, other than the tragedy of what's happened to Courtney Cox's face and personality (though, I do like the son character, he needs to become best friends with the lead in Raising Hope).

Maybe I just can't relate to people who sit around all day and do nothing but drink...

Modern Family was good this week, not great, so it probably deserves it's placement. Couldn't agree more with HIMYM, but I'm a diehard.

Posted by: RobP at January 10, 2011 11:48 AM

I was celebrating so much I missed the last 53 seconds

Dustin--You inadvertently described what happened to the Indianapolis special teams/defense.

Has Taj Smith been let go yet?

Dungy was right though--the offense needed to convert that 3rd down and run the clock down before kicking the field goal because the defense couldn't hold water with a bucket.

Sigh.

Posted by: ankitty at January 10, 2011 11:53 AM

Where in the fuck is The Cape?!?


Posted by: Porkchop Express at January 10, 2011 11:44 AM

Really? I turned it off after the first hour. I could deal with the obvious storytelling and characterizations, even the impossible-not-to-see-it-coming plot twists, if they just had an interesting, charismatic lead. I don't understand why showrunners pick the most bland actors to lead their shows. Sometimes I wonder who can be a fan of Scott Summers/Cyclops, then I watch a show like The Cape and realize, "Ah. These people."

At least Michael Chiklis is an interesting performer.

Posted by: RobP at January 10, 2011 11:55 AM

I'm so despondent I can't even spell my own name right. How will I ever make it to the most commented list?

Posted by: anikitty at January 10, 2011 11:57 AM

It was, you know, a joke. The show was truly awful.

Posted by: Porkchop Express at January 10, 2011 12:02 PM

Dustin, I love this site and I always look forward to your reviews, but I do not understand your love for Cougar Town. That show tries so goddamn hard to be smooth and witty and it shows. I think they're going for the a kind of vibe you would get if Aaron Sorkin wrote Scrubs which is a great idea in concept but Christ almighty do they fail in execution.

You should take your love for Cougar Town and file away deep in the guilty pleasures section.

Posted by: RomeoCranberry at January 10, 2011 12:04 PM

Dustin, I fully support your love of Cougar Town, although perhaps that is due to the required bottle of wine that accompanies each viewing.

Posted by: Petrie at January 10, 2011 12:09 PM

This seems like a safe place to paste this. I had to order lunch for a meeting this week. This is one of the options:

Tender Chicken Breast sauteed with your choice of sauce and served with vegetable and starch du jour. Choose from Marsala, Francaise, Piccata, or Balsamic Glazed.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at January 10, 2011 12:15 PM

Oh and DIBS on Starch Du Jour as a band name.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at January 10, 2011 12:16 PM

Co-Worker: What's the starch du jour?

Mrs. Julien: It's the starch of the day.

Co-Worker: Mmmmm... That sounds good, I'll have that.

(Minutes later, in the distance, the redneck temp can be heard mutter-yelling, "Kick his ass, Seabass!" in regards to an issue with the fax machine.)

Posted by: RobP at January 10, 2011 12:36 PM

Damnit, I knew I shouldn't have read this. I took a chance since I've watched almost all of my shows from last week, but I hadn't watched Top Chef yet. I acknowledge this is my fault. Modern Family was great last week, the best in a while. The tussle in the play house was hilarious, and the bike into the bushes scene was good too.

I am firmly on the fence with Cougar Town. Sometimes good, sometimes so annoying I can't finish the episode. It makes for good Hulu viewing when nothing else is on and I have a huge mess to clean in the kitchen. The iPad/Hulu/Cougar Town combo has its place.

Posted by: katy at January 10, 2011 12:40 PM

dibs on "DIBS" for a band name.

Posted by: logar at January 10, 2011 12:41 PM

Well I admittedly haven't seen any of these episodes, but Parenthood was absolutely fantastic this week. The best part about the entire episode was no Camille (Grandma Braverman). Man does she suck the life out of everyone fast.

I LOVED the scene when Sarah finally admitted to her father how serious her ex-husband's problems are... Lauren Graham and Craig T. Nelson continue to be great together. And is there a better TV husband than Joel? He broke my heart this week. Love him.

Finally, the look on Crosby's face when he realized being a parent sometimes means your kids hate you... priceless.

Posted by: Melissa at January 10, 2011 12:49 PM

Cougartown is hilariously funny and I agree definately better than Modern Family which is very funny but can get very cliche and "cute" sometimes. RIP Tuffie La'Rue.

Also, DAMNIT Parenthood! How is this show expected to survive?! I had no idea that it was already back with new episodes. I've been waiting since Thanksgiving!

Posted by: valerie at January 10, 2011 1:15 PM

Dustin, I too celebrated the Vinateri field goal, and then sighed in despair as the Jets took it over. Man, that sucked.

Also: there is nothing wrong with Cougar Town love. I find the cast consistently hilarious/heartwarming.

Posted by: bonnie at January 10, 2011 1:34 PM

I gave The Cape a chance because you kept talking about it. It's everything the previews promised it would be: bad dialogue, flimsy story-telling and ridiculous premises.

Though the five-minutes of arm flailing by The Cape guy made it worth it. Hilarious! There is no way this is not meant to be an intentional comedy.

Also, Toby showed up! And as usual, he was standing up for something that is good and right and he was so Toby-ish. I love Toby.

Posted by: denesteak at January 10, 2011 1:37 PM

Cougar Town is great largely due to Busy Phillips and Stan and Ellie. Also - I immediately thought of Pajiba when Mitchell corrected Cam on his use of "I could care less". I don't feel safe in my own home!

Posted by: Even Stevens at January 10, 2011 1:43 PM

Oh, Mitchell. I will always love you.

Posted by: dsbs at January 10, 2011 1:43 PM

I love me some Cougar Town. "Why is there a dead squirrel in my trashcan? And why is it in a tampon box?"

Posted by: Vee at January 10, 2011 3:24 PM

Cougartown is definitely a hidden gem (Thanks for turning me onto it by the way, I would have never given it a chance otherwise), but as good as "Modern Family", you have to be freaking kidding ... [sigh] you know what, I can't do it, you’re right, damn you for making me admit it.

Posted by: NItty at January 10, 2011 4:20 PM

I am a Cougar Town fan as well. I wasn't so into it at first but it has really grown on me. I think I like the familial tone of the show and Ellie is by far my favorite character. She would fit in perfectly here at Pajiba.

And Modern Family bringing in James Marsden made my TV week. Cameron giggling like a little girl makes me laugh every time. The biking lesson was classic.

Posted by: prairiegirl at January 10, 2011 4:32 PM

Hee! Vee, I love the episode of Cougar Town where Bobby gets robbed by that lady and he buys a cd of dogs barking to ward off intruders. When he presses play and it's dogs barking to "Jingle Bells" I laughed until I cried.

Posted by: Julie at January 10, 2011 4:44 PM

Cougar Town over Modern Family? I'm going to go cut myself. I hope you're happy!

Posted by: camytaru at January 10, 2011 5:25 PM

Why is Modern Family so low? Luke's performance alone should have bumped it up to at least 3.

Posted by: Sage at January 10, 2011 7:25 PM

Cougar Town is scathing TV for bitchy people ©. Perfect for Pajibans.

Plus, a nice little nod to Pajiba’s grammar geeks from Mitchell: “”I think you mean you couldn’t care less because if you could care less it means that you care a little bit.”

To an old nazi like me, that was gold.

Posted by: Uriah Creep at January 10, 2011 9:27 PM

The only shows I watched at all this week were Modern Family and Cougar Town. I couldn't decide which one I like more because it really depends on the episode.

And I laughed, Porkchop Express.

One of these days I'm going to have to start watching Friday Night Lights. Though I don't think I could get into Parenthood.

Posted by: Uda at January 10, 2011 9:30 PM

Your list.

Fuck it. *wipes eyes*

Posted by: duckandcover at January 10, 2011 10:38 PM

I have to speak up in support of Cougar Town. While Modern Family is great, it's a lot more inconsistent, some episodes just fall a bit flat. Cougar Town is always entertaining, and frequently among the consistently funniest of all the sit-coms my husband and I watch every week.

Although I will agree that HIMYM was excellent this week, and the end was a total gut-punch. My husband and I knew there was something sad, having been mildly spoiled, and figured out what the countdown was counting down for when it was in the early 40s. Even so, we were both crying at the end. I'm really glad we didn't drop the show, as we originally planned, at the end of last season.

Posted by: Malin at January 11, 2011 3:30 PM

Why are none of you bastards talking about Friday Night Lights? This is one of the best seasons of the show EVER and this episode was, again, fucking amazing.

Sigh. I was almost sure Julie would go to school... I'm torn about her decision. I love seeing him again SO MUCH but wtf. Girl, quit lettin' those season 2 new-puberty-boobs get in the way.

Posted by: AlexaCastro at January 12, 2011 5:35 AM

I would just have to say that I jumped two feet in the air on the couch when I saw Zach Gilford's name in the opening credits of that episode. Ho-ly shit.

Posted by: grace b at January 21, 2011 4:45 PM