TV in 2008: The good

OK, I’ll go ahead and admit this up front.

“The Wire” and “Mad Men” should probably be on this list. They’ll be on most critics’ best-of round-ups as 2008 comes to an end.

There’s just one problem: I’ve never watched either show regularly, and I can’t, in good conscience, list them.

I know, I know. How can I call myself a couch potato with two such glaring omissions from my TV watching schedule? Well, there are only so many hours in a day and only so much space on my DVR.

When I first set out to write this list, I also worried that it wouldn’t be highbrow enough (um, no “Mad Men” or “The Wire,” remember?). And you know what? It probably isn’t.

Don’t look at this as the list of a hardened critic. Look at it as one from a genuine TV fan.

Lost
This season gave us our first taste of the flash-forward formula.

And, boy, did it work, whether the writers were slowly revealing the identities of the Oceanic Six or introducing four new characters (Daniel Faraday, Charlotte Lewis, Frank Lapidus and Miles Straume) that fit seamlessly into the ensemble.

It also gave us one of “Lost’s” best hours, a freaky, time-jumping tale that had Desmond toggling back and forth between the island present and his past with true love Penny.
And, really, whose jaw didn’t drop when the island up and disappeared in the finale?

Supernatural
This CW series, which follows brothers Sam and Dean as they hunt monsters and other creatures that go bump in the night, was better than ever this year. Dean went to Hell, was pulled out — by an angel, no less — and now he and Sam are in a mad dash to stop the Devil himself from rising.

Greek
There is no cast of characters I look forward to spending time with each week more than the kids in Cyprus Rhodes University’s fraternities and sororities. “Greek” has wit, clever pop culture references and some of TV’s most loveable personalities (Cappie, Rusty and Dale, to name a few).

30 Rock
They’re out-there, for sure. But “30 Rock’s” kooky inhabitants never fail to entertain.

Some memorable moments from this year included Liz’s high school reunion, where she found out her entire class hated her; her drug-induced hallucination of Oprah, who was really a heavy-set preteen named Pam; Jack’s illicit romance with Congresswoman C.C. (guest star Edie Falco), complete with secret rendezvous at a Pennsylvania OTB; and pretty much anything involving Kenneth and Tracy.

Eli Stone and Pushing Daisies
I’m in complete denial that ABC has cancelled both of these shows. They’re both charming and funny, with a lot of heart and great casts.

“Eli” leading man Jonny Lee Miller is the perfect anchor for the series, even as his character finds himself in the midst of some crazy hallucinations. But he’s only the beginning. His cohorts in the legal dramedy are the always-fabulous Victor Garber as Eli’s boss and father figure Jordan; Loretta Devine as Eli’s outspoken assistant Patty; and Sam Jaeger as Matt, the office jerk with a soft side.

The cancellation of “Daisies” has hit me even harder. Words can’t express how much Ned, Chuck, Emerson, Olive, Lily and Vivian will be missed. You all made TV a little bit brighter.

The Office
I’ve had my complaints about this season (did they really have to keep Jim and Pam apart THAT long?). But “The Office” remains one of TV’s funniest half hours and always provides at least one instantly quotable line a week.

This year’s Christmas episode was a particular favorite. It was a perfect example of what the show does best: spotlighting random, entirely odd moments with each character.

And a very special shout-out goes to Amy Ryan, who played Michael’s goofy soul mate, Holly Flax. Who knew the “Gone Baby Gone” Oscar nominee could play dorky so well?

Life On Mars
“The Mentalist” has gotten all the attention as the breakout new series of the season, but I like this British import more.

Jason O’Mara is the epitome of cool as Sam Tyler, a modern-day cop who is hit by a car and wakes up in the 1970s. I love O’Mara’s frequent bemusement about his situation and ’70s culture in general, as well as his antagonistic relationship with fellow officer Ray (“Sopranos” vet Michael Imperioli, sporting an impeccably groomed Fu Manchu mustache).

Harvey Keitel is also hilarious as Gene Hunt, Sam’s old-school boss, who doesn’t do anything by the book. He’s a corrupt cop, for sure. But Sam’s presence has almost guilted him into being a better one — and you can see how much that annoys him.

How I Met Your Mother
This show just continues to bring the funny, with storylines like the Naked Man, Woo Girls and Barney’s NCAA-esque bracket to figure out which spurned lover was trying to ruin his life.

And, to think, CBS considered canceling it last season!

The Closer
Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson is one of TV’s best leading ladies. And we all know a chief is only as good as her detectives, and “The Closer’s” supporting cast of characters is no exception. The odd-couple sparring of Detectives Provenza and Flynn remains a high point, as does Brenda’s romance with the dreamy Fritz.