Show That’s Better Than You Think: Even before Heather Locklear’s Amanda strolled back in, MELROSE PLACE was a surprisingly viable primetime sudser. Too bad only about 23 people a week have been watching.
Show That’s Way, Way Better Than You Think: No doubt viewed by many as a TV version of Twilight, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is instead a surprisingly addictive thriller that just may be the best new show of the fall season.
Reveal That Rocked: Who was expecting GLEE’s Will to find out about his wife’s fake pregnancy so soon? The resulting confrontation was tense and realistic, even if the follow-up (Why did Will never confront his wife’s co-conspirator, Quinn?) was neither.
Most Improved Sitcom: Last year, PARKS & RECREATION was nothing to write home about. But season two has found the Amy Poehler laugher hitting its stride.
Character We’d Most Like To Party With: While there’s little doubt that COUGAR TOWN’s Laurie (played by Busy Phillips) would drink us under the table, we’d still love to party with that chick!
Worst Decision: NBC was practically cavalier in handing their 10 p.m. timeslot to Jay Leno. Oddly, ABC failed to take advantage of the situation, counter-programming with losers such as THE FORGOTTEN and EASTWICK.
Best set-up for a second season we’ll never get: The final episode of KINGS set up an epic battle between Silas and David. (Not to mention Silas and God, whom the angry despot declared war upon!)
Weakest link on a strong show: We love Michelle Forbes, but her TRUE BLOOD character was ill-conceived and badly directed, making it impossible to understand her motivation from week to week.
The ACCORDING TO JIM Award: Can anyone explain to us why ’TIL DEATH is still on the airwaves? Anyone? Bueller? 
Related:
• Our Top 10 TV Shows of 2009
• Our 2009 TV Year in Review (Part IV)
• Our 2009 TV Year in Review (Part III)
• Our 2009 TV Year in Review (Part II)
• Our 2009 TV Year in Review (Part I)