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The Pajiba Power Rankings ("Terriers" Cancelled Edition)

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under TV Reviews | Comments (44)

padma-lakshmi-allstars.jpg

It was a fantastic week for drama, but not so much for comedy, as “30 Rock” fails to break the top ten for the first time all season. Rankings are for shows that aired between November 28th and December 4th.

10. Top Chef: All Stars: Sorry, I had to. This is the first entry for a reality show in the Pajiba Power Rankings (it’s one of only three reality shows I watch, including “Survivor” and “Amazing Race.”) “Top Chef” is my favorite reality show, and to basically cast all the best chefs from the entire series’ run in one season made me giddy. Early favorites, anyone? I want Richard to win, but I’ve always had a crush on Casey. And besides Richard, I think that Angelo (robbed of a win by sickness) is probably the best chef of the bunch, even if I’m not such a fan of the guy, personally. Would have liked to have seen the losing Voltaggio brother on this, but otherwise, great casting.

9. Raising Hope: Jason Lee guest starred on this week’s episode as a really, really washed up bar singer, and Garret Dilahunt’s Burt got his moment in the limelight. “Smoke on that, jerk!”

8. Fringe: The Olivia Dunhams are finally back in their respective dimensions, and alter-Dunham is kind of an evil bitch. Too bad about alternative-dimension Broyles, too. That was a stunner.

7. Community: It was strange direction for “Community” this week, away from the pop-culture inspired episodes and toward what was a really sweet episode, in which Troy declined his first adult beverage as a 21 year old in order to take care of the rest of the crew. Also, Abed is not a coat rack, folks.

6. Friday Night Lights: Not to reveal anything about this episode for those who won’t see it until next summer on NBC, but it was nice that the writers allowed almost everyone (except for poor Julie) to have an episode of almost unbridled happiness. The consequences will come next week, but it was nice to see everything work out for one ep.

5. Boardwalk Empire: I know with the wealth of huge dramas last week that some of you may not have caught “Boardwalk” yet, so I don’t want to spoil anything, even from an episode 8 days ago. But damn! Did anyone see that coming?

4. The Walking Dead: The fifth and penultimate episode of the season was a heart breaker, with two characters getting zombified, and the crew making it to the CDC. (See TK’s recap)

3. Dexter: Jordan Chase is coming in to his own as a worthy successor to the Trinity Killer. (See the recap)

2. Terriers: It was a close call between this and the top show of the week. “Sons of Anarchy” got best finale, but “Terriers” had the best overall season, by far. Sadly, it was also the last episode, as F/X shitcanned the show today. (See the recap)

1. Sons of Anarchy: It didn’t make a lot of logical sense, but it was chock-full of oh-shit moments and was an incredibly satisfying conclusion to the season. (See the recap)









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Comments

Psych's "Dual Spires" was on this week, and not only does it not get a mention, you put a fucking reality show on the list instead? Total dick move.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at December 6, 2010 1:04 PM

We all knew Terriers was going to be canned but I'll be drinking tonight anyway to a wonderful show that at least got to conclude itself very well. OK, I'd be drinking regardless but so what?

Posted by: Paultera at December 6, 2010 1:15 PM

I"m fairly new to Psych (only seen a handful of episodes so far), but "Dual Spires" was AMAZING. I loved it so f'n much. I agree with Three-nineteen... it definitely deserved a spot on this list.

Gus: They act like they've never seen a black person...
Young Girl: Excuse me, sir, but are you Frederick Douglas?

Posted by: Mac at December 6, 2010 1:15 PM

I can't read the post because I haven't caught half the shows yet. But the girl in the header pic...Who is she? I will make her love me.

What? It could happen

Posted by: Blank at December 6, 2010 1:16 PM

God Dammit on the Terriers news. I knew that it was going to be canceled, but I was holding out hope for FX. At least they gave it until the end of the season.

Posted by: chad at December 6, 2010 1:19 PM

"Opie, please! You showed mercy once!"

"Now I don't"


/cut. print. Awesome!

Posted by: Fredo at December 6, 2010 1:19 PM

We all suspected it was going to be canceled but I was hoping FX would do the right thing and allow it to find an audience. Fuck you, FX and your crappy marketing department!

Posted by: Porkchop Express at December 6, 2010 1:19 PM

Farewell, Terriers, you stay classy!

Posted by: lubeg at December 6, 2010 1:20 PM

Terriers...now I wish the boys went to Mexico.

Posted by: Keith at December 6, 2010 1:21 PM

Blank, that is Padma. She is hot. She cooks. She was married to Salman Rushdie.

So we know we got a chance!

Posted by: Fredo at December 6, 2010 1:22 PM

I agree that "Dual Spires" deserved to be on the list. The "Twin Peaks" references were hilarious to me, and the final scene was...from another world.

Posted by: Siege at December 6, 2010 1:23 PM

Somebody needs to start watching It's Always Sunny...

Posted by: chayes at December 6, 2010 1:35 PM

I'm glad a couple people agree with me. I don't know anyone in meat space who watched Twin Peaks (I have the series on VHS), and I was really hoping to get a recap or at least an acknowledgment of this episode here. All the Twin Peaks references were amazing: the opening credits, the pie, the scene where they see the body, the guest spots, Ray Wise's hair, the entire last scene, and all the other things I won't mention or didn't catch. But it was still a great Psych episode with all the regulars acting in character.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at December 6, 2010 1:41 PM

It won't be me, chayes. I have gone and blocked channel 77(FX) from the televisions in the house. My vendetta against FX has just started. Too bad the cable company won't allow us to pick and choose our stations right now. Even if FX were to come out with a show better than the Wire, I would refuse to watch it (alright, maybe I wouldn't go that far THOUGH they would probably cancel it after the first season. OH, BURN).

Posted by: Porkchop Express at December 6, 2010 1:44 PM

Where oh where is my Boardwalk recap??? I look forward to it almost as much as the show.

Posted by: daria at December 6, 2010 1:49 PM

Psych is a great show, period. It never gets any love on here.
That said, my fiance and I are huge Twin Peaks junkies, and were obsessed with the "Dual Spires" episode - bonus points that Julee Cruise sang a rendition of the Psych theme song for it too!

Posted by: ninetwenteetoo at December 6, 2010 1:52 PM

SoA SPOILERS

OPIE: This is what she felt.

My lord that was a satisfying finale. The final few minutes are worth a re-watch too. Especially the very Shakespearian "Gemma as queen" sequence. And MAN but the look on Jax's face when he realizes that it actually worked was just amazing. My wife and I high fived I shit you not when we realized the deal with Stahl had all been a con. And I loved that after they celebrated they calmed down pretty quick as the realization set in that they were STILL going to prison for a couple of years. "The king is gone, but not forgotten..."

Posted by: TylerDFC at December 6, 2010 1:52 PM

ok, what gives? We just finished watching Season 3 of Veronica Mars (yes, I'm four years late to the party, what of it?) and were looking for a worthy successor, thinking Terriers could be it from all the love it got on this site, and then it's cancelled? And yet, motherfucking Running Wilde is still on? WTF.

Next you'll tell me Raising Hope is shitcanned (after all they did say, "it's why shows with babies never last more than one season", did they not?). Sometimes I hate life.

Posted by: Stella at December 6, 2010 1:52 PM

daria,

I think last week's recap is missing, too. I like to imagine Aggie Maguire getting hopelessly lost in all the glorious 1920's bush proudly displayed in every episode. It's better than thinking something terrible has happened to her. But that's what you have to ask yourself: Do I prefer my daydreams to be focused around female internet writers distracted by the warm embrace of natural vaginas, or do I enjoy picturing an unfortunate soul mangled by partially animated household kitchen items?

Your call, my friend.

Posted by: Kballs at December 6, 2010 1:58 PM

Me too, daria. I've been hoping everyday for the Boardwalk Empire recap, and nothing....

Posted by: Alice at December 6, 2010 1:59 PM

Thanks Fredo!

And the arguments against FX are unfounded, My defense?

It's Always Sunny in Philidelphia
The League
Archer
Sons of Anarchy
Justified
Louie

FX is probably the single greatest network on TV right now, excluding pay channels and AMC.

Posted by: Blank at December 6, 2010 2:06 PM

I love the recap but this week I really need it. I was making rather merry with the eggnog and even though I watched it I have a few blank spots!!

Posted by: daria at December 6, 2010 2:14 PM

10. Top Chef: All Stars: Sorry, I had to.

Well, maybe. Top Chef skirts perilously close to synthetic melodrama with the cheesy reality show editing. Bad cheese. Overwhelms the other flavors in the dish.

For my money it's Iron Chef America. The chairman's eyebrows have sound-effects. Genius! Besides, who hasn't taken some strange new ingredient with no idea what you're going to do with it, but knowing it will be awesome?! And by "ingredient" I mean stuff to cook, or someone to cook with. (More cheese!)

Posted by: BierceAmbrose at December 6, 2010 2:19 PM

Porkchop, so you'll deny yourself the twin awesomeness of Archer and Justified because FX canceled Terriers?

What's the line Khan gave?

"From hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee. To the last, I will grapple with thee. "

Posted by: Fredo at December 6, 2010 2:20 PM

Yep.

Posted by: Porkchop Express at December 6, 2010 2:26 PM

I haven't watched Terriers yet (sorry I'm late!), but I'm hard pressed to think of anything that would keep me from Raylan Givens.

Posted by: Melissa at December 6, 2010 2:29 PM

In all fairness, Fredo, I haven't seen an episode of Archer (the commercials really didn't do much to entice me to watch) and I've only seen 2 episodes of Justified (it was alright but I wouldn't rearrange my schedule to see it every week which I did for Terriers, also I don't have a DVR). I've seen IASIP and just don't see the appeal. SOA is something I've been meaning to catch up on but haven't had the time. FX is dead to me now.

Posted by: Porkchop Express at December 6, 2010 2:38 PM

Somebody needs to start watching It's Always Sunny...

Posted by: chayes at December 6, 2010 1:35 PM


I agree. Tom Sizemore was goddamn amazing.

Posted by: sailboat at December 6, 2010 2:40 PM

Psych's "Dual Spires" was great. Especially after the drought that show has been in lately. Damn near a pitch-perfect parody of a groundbreaking series.

But Top Chef's first "All-Stars" episode was wonderful, and could very well be the best season of the best competition show on TV. It deserves a place on this list.

I kept meaning to get around to start watching Terriers, especially after the Culture Gabfest people compared it to Rockford Files (my all-time favorite TV show). But I didn't. Guess I'll wait for the inevitable DVD.

Posted by: Rollo Tomasi at December 6, 2010 2:53 PM

What's the line Khan gave?
"From hell's heart, I stab at thee. For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee. To the last, I will grapple with thee. "

Actually, that last part ("To the last, I grapple with thee.") comes first, and in the film, separately from the rest.
He said the first when he activated the Genesis device, and then the rest a few minutes later when he observed their attempt to get clear of the impending blast.

/nerdgasm

Posted by: Rykker at December 6, 2010 3:15 PM

For your consideration:
Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes - Gamma World Parts 1 & 2.

Posted by: John W at December 6, 2010 3:24 PM

Dual Spires was the bomb. When they saw the lady holding the log...priceless. Ray Wise was fan-fuckin-tastic, and the funniest part of the whole episode.

FX is a great network. Hell, when the Dish dropped it this year we very nearly dropped the Dish. Personally, I think Dish Network's boycott of FX caused the failure of Terriers. My wife and I still haven't watched those lost episodes (yet!). I can't put the blame totally on FX for the loss of Terriers, but I will say there is a lot of utter shit out there on FOX that can't match the awesomeness of Terriers. It will be mourned. I wish FOX would have given it a chance.

Posted by: EJ at December 6, 2010 3:49 PM

While we're talking FX, can we discuss for a second how much Damages went downhill after the first season? I recently caught it on Netflix and was totally hooked during Season 1. I loved nearly everything about it, but Season 2 was just significantly less interesting and a lot of the characters seemed superfluous. Darryl Hammond as a villain? Really? Come on!

Does it get better in Season 3? I can't decide if I want to continue.

Posted by: Melissa at December 6, 2010 4:34 PM

FX fucks up by not pairing shows together. They insist on making good on their stupid tag line "FX HAS THE MOVIES" and the shows are an after thought. So instead of blocking together Terriers and SoA, or even better, Terriers and Justified, they pair it with Silver Surfer, Xmen 3, and Rush Hour because god forbid they not run their crappy movies every damn night for the one MILLIONTH fucking showing. That is why FX sucks. Also their marketing for Terriers was horrible. The title was too vague and the previews didn't reveal what the hell the show was about. They failed miserably with this. Or maybe I'm just still bitter to be left hanging with 1.5 seasons of The Riches after those fuckers cancelled it midstream.

Posted by: TylerDFC at December 6, 2010 5:08 PM

Alan Sepinwall has some interviews with the creators of Terriers and the head honcho of FX. Pretty interesting stuff and some clues as to what was going to happen in the next season.

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/fx-cancels-terriers-take-2-interviewing-creator-ted-griffin

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/fx-cancels-terriers-take-2-some-thoughts-from-john-landgraf

Posted by: Porkchop Express at December 6, 2010 5:28 PM

Fringe was FANTASTIC.

Col. Broiled :( :(

Posted by: Amanda at December 6, 2010 5:38 PM

With Terriers, FX has now prematurely cancelled a second show that was dear to my heart.
The first was Lucky.

Then again, remember that show about people with eating disorders? I wasn't really sad to see that one go.

Good or bad, I guess FX puts out stuff that's at least intriguing.

Posted by: Big Softie at December 6, 2010 6:01 PM

Terriers was great (watched all eps) but the title of the show guaranteed a failure...c'mon, Terriers?! Should have been called just about anything you can think of in 30 seconds:

Pit Bulls, P.I.
Oceanside
Ex-Cop for Hire
etc...

Tried to watch Psych when it first came out, unwatchable camp, did it get so much better???

Posted by: TrickyHD at December 6, 2010 7:16 PM

Psych's "Dual Spires" was on this week, and not only does it not get a mention, you put a fucking reality show on the list instead? Total dick move.

I will drink to that.

I also heartily disagree with the non-appearance of 30 Rock, but I can live with it.

Posted by: Gabs at December 6, 2010 7:37 PM

Melissa
No, Damages didn't get better in the third season. I wouldn't recommend wasting any more time watching it.

I was pretty bummed when we didn't get the recap for Boardwalk Empire. I'll accept Kballs reasoning as to why.

What a shame about Terriers.

Posted by: Uda at December 6, 2010 9:04 PM

Yeah, this is coming in late, but I need to get this off my chest...

I'd let Padma Lakshmi take a poop on me. I don't even care. I'd probably thank her for it, too.

That's all I got.

Thanks.

Me.

Posted by: Skitz at December 7, 2010 2:45 AM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOnot canceled.

I'm in denial. This didn't happened.
I did not read this.

So I was right, it IS the new Life.
Sigh.

Posted by: Magiel at December 7, 2010 5:27 AM

Wow I diagree about 30 rock. I thought it was a great episode. And I thought community had by far it's worst episode of the season. Still entertaining, but not up to its usual standards.

Posted by: Me llamo at December 7, 2010 9:37 PM

Thank goodness you put Fringe on here, otherwise I was going to call you out. The last couple of weeks of Fringe have been flat out amazing.

Posted by: homeslice at December 8, 2010 2:42 AM