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Since we're keeping our Top 5 Returning Shows to series that premiere in the Fall, that eliminates 24 and Lost from contention (not to mention American Idol and Scrubs), so that makes things easier.  Cynics taking note of the state of modern television may be blinded by the cacophony of downright putrid reality programming on the cable networks (I'm looking at you, Dina and Ali Lohan), but don't be fooled: the upper echelon of television is currently better than it's ever been.  The sheer volume of good to great shows on network television is nearly staggering.  Every night, there is something of worth to be watched, and some nights (Monday, for instance) have almost too many quality options.  In previous years, finding five returning shows to get excited about might have been an arduous task.  This year, the options were vast. 

5. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Start watching this show, people.  Forget about any misgivings you have about film to television adaptations.  Terminator is as good an action show on network television as I can remember.  It stays completely true to the film series, while taking advantage of the television medium to add great depth to the characters and the ultimate Terminator story.  The cast is great, the action exciting, and the first season ended incredibly well.  Watch Terminator, please, before it gets canceled. 


4. How I Met Your Mother

The Britney experiment is over; you can all come out now.  How I Met Your Mother isn't the most consistent show on TV, but when it is good it is great.  Not only does the humor come fast and furious, How I Met Your Mother might also be the most experimental network comedy in history.  The writers are constantly playing with story structure in increasingly clever ways.  Unlike other comedies, there are over-arching stories, constant call-backs to previous episodes, and a modicum of drama that doesn't take away from the laughs.  Also, of course, there is the comic genius of national treasure Neil Patrick Harris, who alone is worth the weekly half-hour commitment. 


3. The Office

The Office is often the funniest show on television.  I keep waiting for the quality to taper off, but it's yet to happen.  The main characters keep evolving, the cast goes through occasional changes but, most importantly, the humor remains consistently great.  The Office is the closest thing to an event comedy that TV has seen since Seinfeld.  Every week, I watch the show with a group of friends, and it rarely disappoints.

 
2. Survivor

Yes, after a decade, I'm still excited for Survivor.  It's the best, most pure reality-competition show on TV, and still provides the goods.  And, there are a couple of reasons to get extra super excited this season.  Survivor: Gabon will be the first Survivor to be shot entirely in High-Definition.  If you've watched the show, then you know that Survivor is already a beautifully shot series – the addition of HD will only make the viewing experience that much better.  Also, Survivor: Gabon is only the second season to take place in Africa.  Gabon is a place of incredible wild life (surfing hippos!), and should give the new season a different feel than seasons past.


1. Pushing Daisies

If you hate whimsy, don't bother.  Creator Bryan Fuller has made it his goal with Pushing Daisies to plaster a smile on his viewers' faces for one hour once a week.  Pushing Daisies is a magical show of unmatched wonder.  Characters inexplicably break into song, there are monkeys and mustache-twirling villains.  After the abbreviated first season, fans should be extra excited for twenty two episodes of one of the most unique shows ever to grace the small screen.


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-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of ABC)