Wednesday, December 17, 2014

2014's top 10 TV shows

Everyone has appeared to transform into "end of the year list"-mode, so I may as well too, right? I have decided to share my top 10 television shows that I enjoyed in 2014.

As I have in the past mentioned with columns like this, these are only shows that I viewed in 2014, so your favorite show might not be on this list, and it's not because it isn't great (I mean, it could be), but is probably left out because it really is bad, or not that good or maybe I just didn't see it.

Anyways, without further adieu, the top 10 TV shows of 2014:
10. Degrassi: The Next Generation
I've been in love with the realness, and excellent casting of this Canadian TV melodrama for way over a decade now, and it has not lost much steam in its 14th season. New characters continue to invade the plot lines twisting and turning through the halls of Degrassi High, and as long as they do, I'll continue watching.

9. Parks and Recreation: I can not get enough of what is the only good program left on NBC. That Ron Swanson does it to me every time, especially when he is drunk, but also like last season, when he shows he cares. Aziz was hilarious as always last season, and anytime that Jean-Ralphio (brilliantly acted by Ben Schwartz) shows up, it is a good time.

8. The League: Comedies will be a theme within the top 10, and this sports writers/fantasy football enthusiasts dream has chugged along this year, even going so far as to add an Adam Brody ghost to the mix, plus the whole Ménage à Cinq bit was great in the end. This show continues to innovate, yet stay oh so familiar. Plus anything Jon Lajoie touches turns to gold. 

7. House of Cards: Netflix's best and most storied franchise had a solid second season. While many critics, including one of my favorites, Grantland's Andy Greenwald, didn't think the season was great, but I enjoyed it, and anytime you violently kill off the show's main protagonist, and still stay relevant, is impressive. 

6. Archer: This season it was really Archer: Vice, since the gang became drug dealers/smugglers for a year, but the same hilarious antics ensued, and it was pretty great. If I hadn't heard the news that they were basically forced to change  away from using ISIS, it probably would have been higher. 

5. The Walking Dead: TV's most popular show made some headway into becoming watchable and exciting this year. The heart-wrenching finale last season, along with the quick wrap-up of Terminus, more deaths in the family, and a thrilling ending to the fall season, it was once again a solid year of TWD. 

4. Scandal: Always exciting, thrilling, twisting, turning and sexy, Scandal has not disappointed me yet. Revelations, secrets, lies and steamy bedroom scenes, should keep anyone tuned into what has become my secret pleasure. 

3. Pretty Little Liars: I just lied. My real secret pleasure is Pretty Little Liars, which is a murder-mystery version of Scandal, set in a small town in Pennsylvania. The road to finding out who "A" is has been a roller coaster, filled with more twists than the best of water slides. It could be anyone, even my most favorite characters, and whoever it is, is sick. It's great. 

2. Game of Thrones: Still the most relevant, buzz worthy show out there, this had to be near the top of my rankings. The fact that George R.R. Martin told fans who told him he should finish before he dies to f--- off, made it even better. I can not wait to return to the fields and cities of Westeros and hopefully see some more heads get squished. 

1. True Detective: Watched all in a binge after the internet explosion of praise became too much for me to ignore, True Detective turned out to be my favorite show of the year. Woody and Matthew are two of my favorite actors in anything, and they brought forth their best for this one. I am truly looking forward to another season with what looks to be a very promising cast. Taylor Kitsch!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

BOB pt. 8

This will be my final Best of Blog post. It will cover Jan.-March of 2014.

10. Wes Harrison
9. Christian St. Claire
8. Bailey Neubauer
7. Courtney Gallagher and Molly Lodoen
6. Luke Amsbaugh
5. Rachel Fix, Paige Stratton and Joe Bender
4. Danielle McDonald
3. Camille Deschamp
 2. Random Family, should be ad picture
1. Scott Johnson, Corey Fehringer and Dano Fagerlund

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

BOB pt. 7

It is time for the second to last Best of Blog series post, which will cover July to Dec. of 2013.
10. Shelby Grenier
9. Leah Parizek and Savannah Bruce
8. Ethan Miller
7. Several Sioux defenders
6. Ethan Miller
5. Julian Vasquez
4. Hawkin Smette and Tom Nesvold
3. Brody Moum
2. Julian Vasquez
1. Chase Conway
That's all for this week. Next week will be the eighth and final edition, which will include pictures from Jan. to Jun. of 2014, which will includes some MN pics from my new blog: thefullto.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

BOB pt. 6

Sorry for the delay. Was off hunting deer in the Minnesota woods, snow and cold (though I didn't find any). Here is part six of my best of blog series, which covers Jan.-Jun. of 2013.

10. Pedro
9. From left: Qu'Shar Little, Roybell Baez, Billy Engel, Spuddy (R.I.P), Ben Veith and Levi Tomlinson
8. Parker Engelhard
7. Luke Amsbaugh, Harrison Aide
6. From left: Zach McDonald, Seth Serhienko and Matt Mehlhaff
5. Harrison Aide
4. From left: Bailey Neuabauer, Ashley Blue, Karlee McCloud
3. Ladyjacks fans
2. Andrew Hill
1. Dashamone "Spuddy" McCarty
Stay tuned next week (maybe) for Pt. 7, which will be July-Dec. of 2013.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

BOB pt. 5

The fifth part of my series on the best photos on my blog. These are from July-Dec. of 2012.
10. Tom Nesvold
9. Kodie Hancock
8. Logan Millican
7. Ashley Blue
6. Harrison Aide
5. Bob "The Builder"  (R.I.P)
4. Lauren Mach
3. Firefighter training
2. Karlie McCloud
1. Sioux mascot
Thanks as always and pay attention next Tuesday for Jan.-Jun. of 2013. 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

BOB pt 4

The fourth part of my series of reflecting. These are from Jan.-Jun. of 2012.
10. Heidi Artz
9. Jordan Cooper and Kylie Conway
8. Natalie Bahr (and my first puck impact shot)
7. Shakira Walker
6. John Beyer (the ref)
5. Guy at threshing show (great framing by me).
4. Ging Martin
3. Dylan Stratton
2. Mark LaCroix
1. John Gruenberg (the Westhope Superintendent in face makeup and hair dye)