10. John Casey (Chuck) A hardened Marine employed to watch after naive Chuck, a important government asset, John Casey is nothing but annoyed, simmering dry humor.  Played wonderfully by Adam Baldwin (of Firefly fame), Casey never misses to deliver a snappy line under his breath just after saving Chuck…again…and he’s so dang cute.

9. Sam Axe (Burn Notice) Bruce Campbell is screen gold, no matter what he’s in.  But as Sam, Michael’s FBI agent friend who ratted him out but is still loyal, Campbell gives this show an interesting mix of levity and credibility.  The brand of ladies’ man introduced to us in The Rockford Files, Sam has seen and done it all and still has time for a beer.  No one…and I mean no one…has better hair or shirts on television these days.

8. Rachel Berry (Glee) In another life, I was Rachel Berry.  In a parallel world, I am Rachel Berry.  The aggressively talented sophomore “star” of William McKinley High’s glee club, Rachel Berry is the most perfect mix of intelligence, conscience, and obnoxiousness wrapped up in an impressive soprano belter.  The object of continual harassment by the “cooler” kids while and her own affections, Rachel somehow ends up being the competent, talented soul in this whole venture.  I just love her.  And she sings like a true star…while annoying the shit out of everyone.  Mostly I love that this character is so real.  I taught many students who were Rachels…it’s almost heartwarming to me.

7. Deborah Morgan (Dexter) This show is the story of a serial killer Dexter who commands most of the screen time.  But Deborah, his sister, is the most compelling character on the show.  She’s a self-made Detective of distinction who has watched her father die, was engaged/almost killed by the Ice Truck Killer, was shot and watched her beloved Frank Lundy die right in front of her…and solved the Trinity Murders–all without wanting to commit suicide.  But honestly, this character would be lesser without Jennifer Carpenter’s incredible acting.  She gives the most convincing performances that tap into the emotional edge that Deborah walks every day of her life.  I’m fascinated by Dexter’s serial killer, but I’m compelled by Deborah’s humanity.

6. Tracy Morgan (30 Rock) When this show started, I didn’t get Tracy so I paid much more attention to Liz and Jack.  But Tracy delivers the absolute BEST most nuanced lines in this entire show.  And this man-child-star character that appears so one-dimensional is actually evolving in a really interesting way, seen in his developing friendship with Kenneth.  I’m beginning to crave the moments when he’s on the screen.

5. Abed (Community) Played by Dani Pudi (who went to Marquette) Abed is the greatest example of Asberger’s disease as a term of endearment.  Creepy, weird, social inept…yet 100% lovable.  Makes whatever he’s doing absolutely hilarious, especially when paired with Trey.

4. Tom Colicchio (Top Chef) This feels a little unfair because Tom’s a real guy.  But he is the saving heart-and-soul of that show.  Padma, with her weird, distant delivery and snotty food commentary, annoys me in a “who do you think you are?” kinda way.  But when Tom talks, we all should listen.  But I was really sold on Tom in a Diet Coke commercial he did that airs during the show…he’s got a hilarious sense of humor, he knows and obviously loves food, and I think he gives very important feedback.  Watching the show, we can learn from Tom.  The others are just catty without him there.

3. Kurt (Glee) Man I love this kid.  Kurt is “the gay” in the glee club which could carry a particular stereotype, especially because his character knows his way around fashion.  But, in the middle of the season, we got a peek into Kurt’s life that was both endearing and granted him a really solid internal strength that counteracts the intended flamboyance.  And when he sang “Defying Gravity” as a countertenor, I cried.  It was wonderful.  I can’t wait to see where they take Kurt.  He’s got the most potential of the students in Glee.

2. Phil (Modern Family) Playing the insane dad with 3 kids, Phil is everything that fathers both should and should not be.  He’s goofy, loving, caring, girlie, clueless, tender, stupid…he’s what I think I want to be married to.  And what would drive me absolutely crazy to the point of murder.  It’s such a genius character for television, especially among all of the horrible “dad” characters that are either stupid or unreally attentive.  He’s real, I think.

1. Sue Sylvester (Glee) Such a fantastic evil walking through the halls of WMH.  Played impeccably by Jane Lynch, Sue Sylvester is the coach of the Cheerios who will stop at nothing to destroy the glee club just because it’s fun to watch innocents die.  With her swaggering arrogance, heartless manipulation, and refusal to apologize or show any evidence of a conscience, Sue is what everyone secretly wishes they could be if life really had no consequences.  But she does have a heart; she fell for Rod and when it didn’t work out she took it out in multiple ways on everything that crossed her path.  So wonderful.

Honorable Mentions: Liz Lemon & Jack Donaghy (30 Rock), Cameron (Modern Family), Fiona (Burn Notice)

And of course, there are characters I miss and am looking forward to seeing again come the new season this winter: Jack/Kate/Sawyer (Lost), Michael/Sam/Fiona/Michael’s Mother (Burn Notice), Casey/Sarah/Chuck (Chuck) to name a few.

Yeah.  I’m so back.

5. Real Housewives of New Jersey (BRAVO)
What pleasure this show provided at a time of the year when Scrubs reruns on Comedy Central look like the golden pathway to happiness.  Such drama.  And oh those accents.  And the hair.  And the boobs. And the shiny lame (say Lah-MAY, not LAYME).  This show made me long for Aqua Net.  And yet, these women have more heart than the New Yorkers or OC’ers. (I don’t even count Atlanta as credible).  Thank you Dina and Theresa and Jacqueline and Caroline.  And to Danielle…”go away.”

4. Battlestar Galactica (SCI-FI)
Jacob bought me the first season of this show on DVD, oh I don’t know, about 3 years ago. I’ve always passed on it because I never felt ready to 1) invest in a long-running show that’s 2) sci-fi. Well, Jacob, I’m an ass, because this show is awesome.  A re-working of the classic 70s tv show, it’s the perfect mix of All My Children and Star Trek.  And I’m sorry but it doesn’t get any better than Mary McDonnell and Edward James Olmos.  Brilliant.

3. Weeds (Showtime)
This is a repeat savior. I don’t get Showtime, so I have to completely cram in the DVDs and then…wait. This is exactly what I did last summer. Now I’ve picked up Season 3 and it’s like eating pixie stix: slightly disorienting, delightful, and thirst-inducing. Oh Nancy Botwin and your crazy crew.  While the show has lost a lot of the snap in the plots it used to have, it’s taken on this magical realism vibe that is just as delightful.

2. Big Love (HBO)
I have nothing but Big Love for this show. I find this VERY compelling tv packed with stars, some already legitimate (Jeanne Triplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, Bill Paxton) and some in the making (Ginnifer Goodwin, Amanda Seifried).  If you need a case study for character development, this is it.  You will get sucked into the secret world of polygamy and then feel guilty that they struggle with similar problems to yours…and you’ve been judging them all these years.  So, so interesting.

1. Burn Notice (USA)
THE scoop of the summer.  I can’t even believe I’m saying this, especially because it’s on USA for god’s sake.  But this is the snappiest, funnest show to come on tv in a long time.  Capturing the attitude of The Rockford Files and Miami Vice (yes, I said it) with the quirky characters of Get Smart and the “how’s he going to make it work?” of MacGyver, this show is sleek, clever, well-written, and funny.  It’s a slam-dunk of television formula.  Then add in the great character actors I like to call Bruce Campbell and Sharon Gless and there’s virtually nothing wrong with this show!  Except that it’s only been a summer replacement up until now.  Thankfully, they’re adding a winter season so I only have to wait a couple months.  Thank you USA.  You’ve made my summer.

And next on the Netflix cue: Dexter.  I’ve been waiting months for season 3 on DVD…now, it’s merely hours away.  Thank you. Thank you.