May Madness Nominations: Past TV Dramas

Update: Nominations are over, vote in the bracket tournament!

I love TV-related bracket tournaments. What I don’t love is said tournaments leaving out so many great shows (yes, Hulu, I’m looking at you), and not giving TV fans a chance to pick which shows are included.

So in preparation for TV Breakroom’s May Madness bracket tournament, you, this site’s readers, get to choose which 64 shows will battle it out for the best show of all time!

I’m dividing this competition into four sections (though the bracket itself will be randomized), between past and present shows, as well as comedies and dramas. Present shows will include renewed shows and any shows that have aired episodes October 2013 or later (even if they have since been canceled). Comedies will include all 20-30 minute shows, while dramas will include 40 minute plus shows, even if they are very funny. So Psych, which you might consider a past TV comedy, will actually be among the present TV dramas. Each of these 4 sections will have their own nomination poll, in consecutive weeks. Last week’s poll selected great comedies like M*A*S*H, Friends, and 14 others!

This site’s typical guidelines (scripted, live-action, primetime shows) apply. So don’t look for (or nominate) The Simpsons, Whose Line is It Anyway?, or daytime soaps. Online shows like those created by Netflix and Amazon are eligible, web series with episodes shorter than 20 minutes (no matter how much we love The Guild) are not. Shows must have aired either a full season or at least 5 episodes to be eligible as well.

Especially for these past show nomination rounds, there are dozens of shows that aren’t included in the 100+ options below. Feel free to nominate any great ones I missed, and if they meet the guidelines I’ve outlined above, I will add them to the poll.

This poll will be open for one week, and you can vote for up to 20 of your favorite past TV dramas. Be sure to spread the word so your favorites will make it into our bracket tournament next month!

Without further ado, here’s the poll for this week’s May Madness nominations! Voting ends around 12AM April 21st, and the top 16 will make it into our bracket. Update: The three-way tie for 16th place was broken by a one-day Facebook poll, and Veronica Mars secured the last spot!

Which past TV dramas deserve to be in our May Madness bracket? (Choose up to 20!)

  • Leverage (8%, 159 Votes)
  • Angel (5%, 110 Votes)
  • Dark Angel (4%, 90 Votes)
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer (3%, 66 Votes)
  • Firefly (3%, 66 Votes)
  • Charmed (3%, 53 Votes)
  • House (2%, 39 Votes)
  • The X-Files (2%, 33 Votes)
  • Gilmore Girls (2%, 32 Votes)
  • Magnum, PI (2%, 32 Votes)
  • JAG (1%, 30 Votes)
  • ER (1%, 29 Votes)
  • Dexter (1%, 29 Votes)
  • Dollhouse (1%, 28 Votes)
  • Moonlight (1%, 27 Votes)
  • Star Trek (1%, 26 Votes)
  • Veronica Mars (1%, 26 Votes)
  • Stargate: SGI (1%, 26 Votes)
  • Burn Notice (1%, 25 Votes)
  • Merlin (1%, 24 Votes)
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation (1%, 24 Votes)
  • The Ghost Whisperer (1%, 23 Votes)
  • 24 (1%, 23 Votes)
  • Eureka (1%, 22 Votes)
  • Monk (1%, 22 Votes)
  • Smallville (1%, 22 Votes)
  • Lost (1%, 21 Votes)
  • CSI: Miami (1%, 20 Votes)
  • Walker, Texas Ranger (1%, 20 Votes)
  • Fringe (1%, 20 Votes)
  • Prison Break (1%, 20 Votes)
  • Chuck (1%, 19 Votes)
  • Breaking Bad (1%, 19 Votes)
  • 7th Heaven (1%, 19 Votes)
  • Stargate: Atlantis (1%, 19 Votes)
  • Pushing Daisies (1%, 18 Votes)
  • Vegas (1%, 18 Votes)
  • Miami Vice (1%, 18 Votes)
  • Star Trek: Voyager (1%, 17 Votes)
  • The Rockford Files (1%, 17 Votes)
  • Sex and the City (1%, 16 Votes)
  • Lie to Me (1%, 16 Votes)
  • One Tree Hill (1%, 16 Votes)
  • The Closer (1%, 16 Votes)
  • Matlock (1%, 16 Votes)
  • Columbo (1%, 16 Votes)
  • Tru Calling (1%, 15 Votes)
  • Northern Exposure (1%, 15 Votes)
  • Jericho (1%, 15 Votes)
  • Moonlighting (1%, 15 Votes)
  • The Twilight Zone (1%, 15 Votes)
  • V (1%, 15 Votes)
  • Battlestar Galactica (1%, 15 Votes)
  • Sliders (1%, 14 Votes)
  • Dead Like Me (1%, 14 Votes)
  • South of Nowhere (1%, 14 Votes)
  • Alias (1%, 14 Votes)
  • The West Wing (1%, 14 Votes)
  • Hart to Hart (1%, 14 Votes)
  • Terra Nova (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Hill Street Blues (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Roswell (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Gunsmoke (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Heroes (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Beverly Hills 90210 (1%, 13 Votes)
  • The Finder (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Hawaii Five-O (1968) (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Farscape (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Alphas (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Twin Peaks (1%, 12 Votes)
  • Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (1%, 12 Votes)
  • Gossip Girl (1%, 11 Votes)
  • The Waltons (1%, 11 Votes)
  • Dark Shadows (1%, 11 Votes)
  • St. Elsewhere (1%, 11 Votes)
  • Medium (1%, 11 Votes)
  • Star Trek: Enterprise (1%, 11 Votes)
  • NYPD Blue (1%, 11 Votes)
  • Law & Order (1%, 11 Votes)
  • Perry Mason (0%, 10 Votes)
  • Le Femme Nikita (0%, 10 Votes)
  • China Beach (0%, 10 Votes)
  • Being Human (UK) (0%, 10 Votes)
  • The Sopranos (0%, 9 Votes)
  • Dallas (1978) (0%, 9 Votes)
  • Ringer (0%, 8 Votes)
  • Robin Hood (BBC) (0%, 8 Votes)
  • Six Feet Under (0%, 8 Votes)
  • The O.C. (0%, 8 Votes)
  • Rescue Me (0%, 8 Votes)
  • The Secret Circle (0%, 8 Votes)
  • Babylon 5 (0%, 7 Votes)
  • My So-Called Life (0%, 7 Votes)
  • Friday Night Lights (0%, 7 Votes)
  • Life Unexpected (0%, 7 Votes)
  • Private Practice (0%, 7 Votes)
  • Entourage (0%, 6 Votes)
  • The Cape (0%, 6 Votes)
  • Carnivale (0%, 6 Votes)
  • SGU Stargate Universe (0%, 6 Votes)
  • 90210 (0%, 5 Votes)
  • Smash (0%, 5 Votes)
  • Deadwood (0%, 5 Votes)
  • Blood Ties (0%, 5 Votes)
  • No Ordinary Family (0%, 5 Votes)
  • Oz (0%, 5 Votes)
  • Wonderfalls (0%, 4 Votes)
  • Freaks and Geeks (0%, 4 Votes)
  • L.A. Law (0%, 4 Votes)
  • Kyle XY (0%, 4 Votes)
  • Trauma (0%, 3 Votes)
  • The Shield (0%, 3 Votes)
  • The Wire (0%, 3 Votes)
  • The Event (0%, 2 Votes)
  • FlashForward (0%, 2 Votes)
  • Rome (0%, 2 Votes)
  • Life (0%, 2 Votes)
  • Last Resort (0%, 2 Votes)
  • Awake (0%, 2 Votes)
  • Life on Mars (0%, 2 Votes)
  • Journeyman (0%, 1 Votes)
  • Caprica (0%, 1 Votes)
  • Mental (0%, 1 Votes)
  • Made in Jersey (0%, 1 Votes)
  • The Mob Doctor (0%, 1 Votes)
  • Kings (0%, 1 Votes)
  • Felicity (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Terriers (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Undeclared (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Rubicon (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 274

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Monday Madness: Favorite Bear McCreary Show

Update: this poll is now closed. You can vote for this week’s poll here.

He’s composed music for some of TV’s top shows, and today’s his birthday! So for this first poll back after this site’s long hiatus, we’re going to celebrate the work of Bear McCreary!

I first noticed Bear’s stunning scores on the short-lived NBC series The Cape, and soon began paying special attention to who was scoring upcoming shows. I was excited to find out he’d been selected for Agents of SHIELD. His work encompasses everything from the groundbreaking Battlestar Galactica to the culture phenomenon The Walking Dead to the brand new Black Sails.

This poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 3 of your favorite Bear McCreary-composed shows. Be sure to spread the word!

Want more of a say in what makes it onto the poll each week? Be sure to follow me on Twitter, since I usually ask for nominations for the next Monday Madness the weekend before the new poll. Also, feel free to suggest your own poll ideas!

Without further ado, here’s the poll for this week’s Monday Madness! Voting ends around midnight next Sunday night.

What is your favorite TV show for which Bear McCreary has composed music? (Choose up to 3!)

  • Battlestar Galactica (35%, 43 Votes)
  • The Walking Dead (11%, 14 Votes)
  • Black Sails (9%, 11 Votes)
  • Da Vinci's Demons (7%, 9 Votes)
  • Eureka (7%, 9 Votes)
  • Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (7%, 9 Votes)
  • Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (6%, 7 Votes)
  • Defiance (5%, 6 Votes)
  • Caprica (5%, 6 Votes)
  • Human Target (2%, 3 Votes)
  • The Cape (2%, 3 Votes)
  • Trauma (2%, 2 Votes)
  • Holliston (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Shelf Life (0%, 0 Votes)
  • Daybreak (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 63

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Eight TV Fandoms I Embraced in 2012

2012 was a great year for me in regard to uncovering awesome TV shows. It may even top 2011, when I got pulled into Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Bones, Warehouse 13, Eureka, and Veronica Mars, not to mention enjoyed great new fall shows like Once Upon a Time, Grimm, Suburgatory, and Person of Interest.

My top eight new shows for 2012 are also a mix of brand new and new-to-me shows. Like with the list above, this year wasn’t always my first exposure to the shows in question, but 2012 was the year they hooked me. I’m listing the shows in roughly chronological order of getting sucked in.

The Finder

This short-lived Fox drama (so many awesome shows can say the same thing) caught my attention as a companion show to Bones – not quite a proper spinoff as none of the main characters from Bones joined the new show. But with a planted pilot, same showrunner, and guest appearances by Bones cast, the tie was definitely there. Geoff Stults (as Walter) and Michael Clarke Duncan (as Leo) hit it out of the park on day one, but the ratings didn’t match the show’s awesomeness. Fox also aired the episodes out of order, threw in a month-long hiatus in March, and moved the show to the Friday death slot – starting Easter weekend!

From the beginning, the show felt like it should have been airing on USA Network – it had the same breezy, pop-culture-riddled sensibilities as Psych, and would have been a perfect fit for their “Characters Welcome” brand. But in the end, the cancellation of the show was moot, as Michael Clarke Duncan, who as Leo was the heart of the show, passed away over the summer.

I’m still waiting for the DVD set to become available, but at least The Finder introduced me to the amazingness of actor Geoff Stults, who I’m currently enjoying as a reoccurring cast member on Ben and Kate. Sadly, that show also airs on Fox, and I’ve learned not to get attached to anything airing on that network now.

True Blood

Buffy and Being Human showed me that shows about vampires are cool. So to feed my bloodlust, I decided to try out this buzzy HBO show, not really expecting to like it – keeping things PG-13 is more my style, and I’m not a fan of the deep south. But checking out episode one led swiftly to two, and three, as each twisty cliffhanger glamoured me into watching more. Short season meant catching up in time for season 5, and while this show is fairly low on my list of vampire TV shows, it’s addicting enough that I’ll keep coming back.

Happy Endings

There’s a dearth of good comedy over summers, so I decided to give this recommended show a try in late August, and quickly grew to love the quirky group.

The Vampire Diaries

After catching up on True Blood, I decided to try out the last major vampire show currently airing that I hadn’t seen. Plus, I was looking at writing a book with a high school setting and vampires trying to control their urges, and I wanted to make sure it was different enough from this show. The pilot bored me, but I heard later that the rest of the show was a vast improvement, so I dove in during September, and caught up on all three seasons within 3 weeks, just in time for the season 4 premiere.

Like True Blood, the fast-paced storylines made the show insanely addictive, but in this case, the characters and relationships became an even bigger draw. Damon’s struggle with what sort of person to become, Elena’s compassion without weakness, Stefan’s dual nature, Caroline’s ditziness turned to strength, Alaric’s unlikely allies becoming the family he always wanted, and more.

Elementary

No, it’s not Sherlock, but it doesn’t have to be – I love both shows, and Jonny Lee Miller makes an amazing Holmes. Making Watson female, setting the show in NYC, and coming up with new stories instead of revamping the classics all help differentiate this show. And with us getting only 4 1/2 hours of Sherlock every 18 months or so, there’s plenty of room for a fun, quirky drama like this. I enjoy the recovering addict twist, and Joan Watson’s slower progression to teaming up with her client.

Arrow

Aside from Alphas, TV has been sorely missing a good superhero show, and in the wake of The Avengers’ popularity, the Batman trilogy’s gritty conclusion, and America’s obsession with bow-toting heroes, Arrow is exactly what was wanted. While there are still a few rough edges on this new drama (dialogue could use some help), great ratings will give it time to truly soar.

Doctor Who

I always knew I would eventually watch this show. I purchased digital editions of series 1 and 3 back in 2010, and watched a few episodes here and there, but didn’t get hooked. I watched a couple more earlier this year, and in November started liking the show more and more. In December, I started marathoning through Doctor Who in earnest, as most shows were going on hiatus and I had more time. I rewatched season 1 with my sister (and liked it a whole lot more the second time) around Christmas, and caught up with the whole show (excluding classic Who) a few days after the New Year.

Torchwood

I bought the first two series of Torchwood in 2010 also, and despite some misgivings about the show’s adult content, I liked the character of Jack Harkness from Doctor Who enough to give the show a try (and keep all the crossovers in their proper places). As a result of watching the two together, it’s hard to separate Torchwood as a distinct show in my mind. It’s the only show on this list I’m not current with, as I still have 6 episodes left of the Miracle Day mini-series. It’s definitely a more serious show (during various episodes I found myself longing for the more lighthearted Who), morality is a bit grayer, and quite often there isn’t a happy ending. But it definitely grows on you, and there are quite a few exceptional episodes.

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Favorite TV Show We Said Farewell to in 2012

No, we didn’t get the end of the world in 2012, but it was the end for several story worlds we’ve grown to love. Which of these dearly departed shows are your favorites?

Fans have used Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, forums, Reddit, Pinterest, blogs, and chatboxes to get the word out about past polls. Our toolbar at the bottom of the page has lots of quick links to help you share this post, or you can mouse over the image above!

I know I’m missing a few shows that ended in 2012, so feel free to nominate other shows on our Facebook page, tweeting me at @waterfallbooks, or by leaving a comment below. (Be sure to stick with live-action, scripted shows.) Also, there are several shows that have been canceled, but will air their final episodes in 2013, and are therefore not included below (Fringe, Last Resort, The Office, etc.).

Without further ado, vote for up to five of the shows below! Poll will close Monday night, December 31st, so spread the word quickly!

What's your favorite show we said farewell to in 2012? (Choose up to 5!)

  • Leverage (48%, 556 Votes)
  • Merlin (10%, 117 Votes)
  • Chuck (8%, 96 Votes)
  • House (7%, 77 Votes)
  • Eureka (6%, 71 Votes)
  • The Finder (4%, 48 Votes)
  • The Closer (4%, 45 Votes)
  • Fairly Legal (2%, 28 Votes)
  • Common Law (2%, 25 Votes)
  • The Secret Circle (2%, 19 Votes)
  • Ringer (1%, 17 Votes)
  • Gossip Girl (1%, 15 Votes)
  • Awake (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Alcatraz (1%, 6 Votes)
  • Bent (0%, 5 Votes)
  • NYC 22 (0%, 5 Votes)
  • One Tree Hill (0%, 5 Votes)
  • GCB (0%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 715

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Monday Madness: Favorite Christmas Episode

It’s hard to believe Christmas will be here in about a week! One of my favorite parts of the season are the awesome holiday episodes shows put out, and now it’s your turn to vote for your favorites! I purposely saved this poll for right before Christmas so I could add in some of 2012’s holiday episodes.

Fans have used Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, forums, Reddit, Pinterest, blogs, and chatboxes to get the word out about past polls. Our toolbar at the bottom of the page has lots of quick links to help you share this post, or you can mouse over the image above!

I know I’m missing some of your favorite Christmas episodes, so feel free to nominate more episodes on our Facebook page, tweeting me at @waterfallbooks, or by leaving a comment below. Please include both the show and episode name, and yes, you can nominate this year’s holiday episodes! (Be sure to stick with live-action, scripted shows, though it’s fine if just this one episode has some animation, like with a certain Community episode.) Please only nominate Christmas episodes that are part of a regular show, not one-off specials like “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or movie-related specials like “Shrek the Halls.”

Without further ado, vote for up to fifteen of the episodes below! Poll will close Sunday night, December 23rd, giving you one week to spread the word!

What's your favorite Christmas episode? (Choose up to 15!)

  • Leverage - The Ho Ho Ho Job (17%, 154 Votes)
  • Supernatural - A Very Supernatural Christmas (8%, 76 Votes)
  • Doctor Who - The Christmas Invasion (5%, 43 Votes)
  • Doctor Who - Voyage of the Damned (4%, 35 Votes)
  • Doctor Who - A Christmas Carol (4%, 35 Votes)
  • Doctor Who - The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (4%, 34 Votes)
  • The Big Bang Theory - The Bath Gift Item Hypothesis (3%, 31 Votes)
  • Psych - Gus's Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy (3%, 26 Votes)
  • Bones - The Man in the Fallout Shelter (3%, 24 Votes)
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Amends (3%, 24 Votes)
  • How I Met Your Mother - How Lily Stole Christmas (2%, 23 Votes)
  • The Big Bang Theory - The Santa Simulation (2%, 22 Votes)
  • Castle - Secret Santa (2%, 21 Votes)
  • NCIS - Faith (2%, 20 Votes)
  • NCIS - Newborn King (2%, 19 Votes)
  • Bones - The Santa in the Slush (2%, 19 Votes)
  • Friends - The One With the Holiday Armadillo (2%, 18 Votes)
  • NCIS - Silent Night (2%, 17 Votes)
  • Psych - Christmas Joy (2%, 17 Votes)
  • How I Met Your Mother - Symphony of Illumination (2%, 16 Votes)
  • The Vampire Diaries - O Come, All Ye Faithful (2%, 15 Votes)
  • Community - Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas (2%, 14 Votes)
  • New Girl - Santa (2%, 14 Votes)
  • Psych - The Polarizing Express (2%, 14 Votes)
  • Community - Regional Holiday Music (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Community - Comparative Religion (1%, 13 Votes)
  • Eureka - O Little Town (1%, 12 Votes)
  • Warehouse 13 - Secret Santa (1%, 12 Votes)
  • Eureka - Do You See What I See (1%, 12 Votes)
  • Warehouse 13 - The Greatest Gift (1%, 12 Votes)
  • Arrow - Year's End (1%, 11 Votes)
  • Chuck - Chuck vs Santa Claus (1%, 11 Votes)
  • Veronica Mars - An Echolls Family Christmas (1%, 10 Votes)
  • House - It's a Wonderful Lie (1%, 10 Votes)
  • The OC - The Best Chrismukkah Ever (1%, 9 Votes)
  • Glee - A Very Glee Christmas (1%, 9 Votes)
  • The X-Files - How the Ghosts Stole Christmas (1%, 8 Votes)
  • M*A*S*H - Death Takes a Holiday (1%, 8 Votes)
  • The West Wing - In Excelsis Deo (1%, 6 Votes)
  • Seinfeld - Festivus (1%, 5 Votes)
  • The Office - Dwight Christmas (1%, 5 Votes)
  • The Office - A Benihana Christmas (0%, 4 Votes)
  • Go On - The World Ain't Over 'Til It's Over (0%, 4 Votes)
  • The Office - Christmas Wishes (0%, 4 Votes)
  • Monk - Mr. Monk and the Man Who Shot Santa (0%, 4 Votes)
  • The Mindy Project - Josh and Mindy's Christmas Party (0%, 3 Votes)
  • Suburgatory - Krampus (0%, 3 Votes)
  • Smallville - Lexmas (0%, 3 Votes)
  • Monk - Mr. Monk and the Miracle (0%, 3 Votes)
  • The Neighbors - Merry Crap-mas (0%, 1 Votes)
  • Guys With Kids - Christmas (0%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 276

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Favorite TV Couples Ultimate Showdown

Back when we did our favorite TV couples polls (with realistic and speculative divisions) last spring, I promised that in the fall, we’d have the winners from those polls face each other in an ultimate showdown. Friends, that time is now. The top 20 couples in each of the two polls have joined together with 10 newbie wild card competitors to determine which couples are truly TV’s top 10!

Since this poll will take place over Thanksgiving (for us Americans), I’ll keep the poll open through the end of the month, giving you a full 15 days to get the word out for your favorite couples. You can vote for up to 10 couples, but choose carefully, as you only get to vote once! (Oh, and be sure to enter our Friends giveaway!)

Unlike most of our polls, you can’t nominate other couples, since this is based on the results of two previous polls. Even for our ten wild card additions, I only choose couples that did not appear in the previous polls. Some were overlooked, some are newer shows or newer couples, but I chose 5 from speculative shows and 5 from shows without speculative elements: Brad and Jane from Happy Endings, Nick and Jess from New Girl, Auggie and Annie from Covert Affairs, Troy and Britta from Community, Daniel and Kate from Perception, Oliver and Laurel from Arrow, John and Rachel from Alphas, Fargo and Holly from Eureka, Nathan and Audrey from Haven, and Adama and Roslin from Battlestar Galactica.

Fans have used Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, forums, Reddit, Pinterest, blogs, and chatboxes to get the word out about past polls. Our toolbar at the bottom of the page has lots of quick links to help you share this post, or you can mouse over the image above!

Without further ado, choose your favorite 10 out of the 50 couples below! Poll will close Friday night, November 30th.

Which is your favorite TV couple? (Choose up to 10!)

  • Castle and Beckett (Castle) (9%, 1,283 Votes)
  • Tony and Ziva (NCIS) (8%, 1,160 Votes)
  • Elena and Damon (The Vampire Diaries) (5%, 680 Votes)
  • Derek and Meredith (Grey's Anatomy) (4%, 621 Votes)
  • Arthur and Gwen (Merlin) (4%, 555 Votes)
  • Scully and Mulder (The X-Files) (4%, 517 Votes)
  • Booth and Brennan (Bones) (3%, 474 Votes)
  • The Doctor and Rose (Doctor Who) (3%, 462 Votes)
  • McGee and Abby (NCIS) (3%, 461 Votes)
  • Barney and Robin (How I Met Your Mother) (3%, 398 Votes)
  • Chandler and Monica (Friends) (3%, 389 Votes)
  • Kensi and Deeks (NCIS: Los Angeles) (3%, 387 Votes)
  • Luke and Lorelai (Gilmore Girls) (2%, 330 Votes)
  • Rachel and Ross (Friends) (2%, 311 Votes)
  • Charming and Snow (Once Upon a Time) (2%, 304 Votes)
  • Marshall and Lily (How I Met Your Mother) (2%, 276 Votes)
  • Hodgins and Angela (Bones) (2%, 273 Votes)
  • Buffy and Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (2%, 265 Votes)
  • Nick and Jess (New Girl) (2%, 262 Votes)
  • Leonard and Penny (The Big Bang Theory) (2%, 244 Votes)
  • Peter and Olivia (Fringe) (2%, 240 Votes)
  • Chuck and Sarah (Chuck) (2%, 238 Votes)
  • Wash and Zoe (Firefly) (2%, 232 Votes)
  • Peter and Elizabeth (White Collar) (2%, 231 Votes)
  • Mal and Inara (Firefly) (2%, 227 Votes)
  • Leo and Piper (Charmed) (2%, 223 Votes)
  • Rumpelstiltskin and Belle (Once Upon a Time) (2%, 217 Votes)
  • Auggie and Annie (Covert Affairs) (1%, 206 Votes)
  • Sheldon and Amy (The Big Bang Theory) (1%, 192 Votes)
  • Buffy and Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (1%, 188 Votes)
  • Shawn and Juliet (Psych) (1%, 175 Votes)
  • Emma and Graham (Once Upon a Time) (1%, 170 Votes)
  • Michael and Fiona (Burn Notice) (1%, 169 Votes)
  • Adama and Roslin (Battlestar Galactica) (1%, 166 Votes)
  • Eric and Sookie (True Blood) (1%, 166 Votes)
  • Eric and Nell (NCIS: Los Angeles) (1%, 164 Votes)
  • Elena and Stefan (The Vampire Diaries) (1%, 163 Votes)
  • Simon and Kaylee (Firefly) (1%, 144 Votes)
  • Cole and Phoebe (Charmed) (1%, 138 Votes)
  • Willow and Oz (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (1%, 114 Votes)
  • John and Mary (Supernatural) (1%, 104 Votes)
  • Ned and Chuck (Pushing Daisies) (1%, 97 Votes)
  • Nathan and Audrey (Haven) (1%, 89 Votes)
  • Oliver and Laurel (Arrow) (1%, 85 Votes)
  • Ellie and Awesome (Chuck) (1%, 74 Votes)
  • Troy and Britta (Community) (0%, 53 Votes)
  • Brad and Jane (Happy Endings) (0%, 43 Votes)
  • Daniel and Kate (Perception) (0%, 27 Votes)
  • Fargo and Holly (Eureka) (0%, 26 Votes)
  • John and Rachel (Alphas) (0%, 18 Votes)

Total Voters: 4,413

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Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. Casts Ming-Na Wen – TVLine

We finally have our first new cast member announcement for S.H.I.E.L.D.! Ming-Na will play Agent Melinda May, a soulful but somewhat damaged soldier, pilot, and weapons expert. I’m still hoping for more Whedonverse alums to join the pilot, though.

Ming-Na played Dr. Chen on ER, Senator Wen on Eureka, and Camile Wray on Stargate Universe, but her voice may be more familiar than her face: she voiced the title character in Disney’s Mulan!

Marvel Shield Casts Ming-Na – TVLine.

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Coming to ‘Castle’: ‘Firefly’ teases, ‘Eureka’ actor | Inside TV | EW.com

Castle is getting a little Eureka and a whole lot of Firefly! There have been hints about Castle heading to a Comicon-like event this season, and that it would be full of Firefly spoofs and hat tips. Many of the convention attendees will be fans of “Nebula 9,” a nod to the nine members of Firefly’s main cast. Eureka’s Ed Quinn will play a washed-up actor whose life went downhill after his cult scifi show (in which he played Captain Max Richards) was canceled.

Coming to ‘Castle’: ‘Firefly’ teases, ‘Eureka’ actor | Inside TV | EW.com.

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TV Duos Bracket – Round One, Day 1

Our TV duos bracket kicks off with Eureka’s Zane and Jo versus How I Met Your Mother’s Marshall and Lily, as well as enemies-turned-allies-turned-lovers-turned-friends Spike and Buffy the Vampire Slayer up against the original mismatched duo, The Odd Couple’s Oscar and Felix.

Reminder: While there are romantic pairs in this bracket, that’s only one possible aspect of a duo’s relationship. Duos have fun together, work well together, and/or have hilarious interactions. Simply put, they spark.

You can find a full list of upcoming TV duos matchups here. Round one matchups are in teal. Each of the round one matchups will be open for 72 hours (3 days), so spread the word quickly so your favorite pairs will make it into the next round! Our toolbar at the bottom of the page has lots of quick links to help you to get the word out!

Which is your favorite TV duo? Round 1.1

  • Marshall and Lily - How I Met Your Mother (64%, 68 Votes)
  • Zane and Jo - Eureka (36%, 39 Votes)

Total Voters: 107

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Which is your favorite TV duo? Round 1.2

  • Spike and Buffy - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (76%, 94 Votes)
  • Oscar and Felix - The Odd Couple (24%, 30 Votes)

Total Voters: 124

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TV Olympics: Favorite Mother/Son Duos

For this round of our TV Olympics (only 4 more rounds left after today), we’re looking at mother/son duos!

This poll is for actual mothers (not mother-figures), and since the relationship between mom and son is a key part of the poll, they need to have appeared in a number of episodes together, and infant sons are excluded. If you know of any duos you believe should be in the poll, leave their names and the show in a comment!

Poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 3 of your favorite mother/son duos. Remember to keep checking the main event page for all the current polls and results!

What's your favorite mother/son duo? (Choose up to 3!)

  • Martha and Castle - Castle (33%, 99 Votes)
  • Emma and Henry - Once Upon a Time (16%, 48 Votes)
  • Madeline and Michael - Burn Notice (12%, 37 Votes)
  • Clair and Theo - The Cosby Show (8%, 23 Votes)
  • Virginia and Jimmy - Raising Hope (6%, 19 Votes)
  • Mary and Chuck - Chuck (6%, 18 Votes)
  • Martha and Clark - Smallville (6%, 18 Votes)
  • Jane and Pete - Warehouse 13 (4%, 11 Votes)
  • Allison and Kevin - Eureka (4%, 11 Votes)
  • Gemma and Jax - Sons of Anarchy (3%, 9 Votes)
  • Alicia and Wallace - Veronica Mars (2%, 5 Votes)
  • Rose and Jack - Kings (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 161

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TV Olympics: Favorite Dad/Daughter Duo

For this round of our TV Olympics (can you believe we only have 5 more rounds left? ), we’re looking at dad/daughter duos!

This poll is for actual fathers (not father-figures), and since the relationship between dad and daughter is a key part of the poll, they need to have appeared in a number of episodes together, and infant daughters are excluded. If you know of any duos you believe should be in the poll, leave their names and the show in a comment!

Poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 3 of your favorite dad/daughter duos. Remember to keep checking the main event page for all the current polls and results!

What's your favorite dad/daughter duo? (Choose up to 3!)

  • Castle and Alexis - Castle (41%, 205 Votes)
  • Eli and Ziva - NCIS (12%, 59 Votes)
  • Max and Temperance - Bones (10%, 48 Votes)
  • Danny and Grace - Hawaii Five-O (7%, 34 Votes)
  • Keith and Veronica - Veronica Mars (7%, 33 Votes)
  • Carter and Zoe - Eureka (6%, 31 Votes)
  • George and Tessa - Suburgatory (5%, 25 Votes)
  • Jay and Claire - Modern Family (3%, 14 Votes)
  • Phil and Haley - Modern Family (3%, 14 Votes)
  • Frank and Laverne - Laverne & Shirley (2%, 12 Votes)
  • Casey and Alex - Chuck (2%, 11 Votes)
  • Walt and Cady - Longmire (2%, 8 Votes)
  • Jack and Sydney - Alias (2%, 8 Votes)
  • Andrew and Juliet - Ringer (1%, 4 Votes)
  • Will and Joan - Joan of Arcadia (1%, 4 Votes)
  • Silas and Michelle - Kings (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 278

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TV Olympics: Favorite TV Animal

For this round of our TV Show Olympics, we’re looking at animals on TV! Whether furry or scaly, they often add color and dimension to the TV shows of which they are a part. This poll does not include characters who appear human most of the time but also can show up as animals – werewolves, shapeshifters, etc., but mythological animals are allowed.

For an animal to qualify for this poll, it has to appear in more than one episode of the show (which left out some nominated favorites from Psych, Supernatural, and NCIS). As usual, only live-action, scripted shows are included. If you have additional nominations, please put them in the comments!

Poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 3 of your favorite TV animals. Remember to keep checking the main event page for all the current polls and results!

What's your favorite TV animal? (Choose up to 3!)

  • Dragon - Merlin (28%, 108 Votes)
  • Satchmo - White Collar (11%, 43 Votes)
  • Marcel - Friends (7%, 25 Votes)
  • Kit - Charmed (5%, 18 Votes)
  • Pongo - Once Upon a Time (5%, 18 Votes)
  • Miss Kitty Fantastico - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (5%, 18 Votes)
  • Trailer - Warehouse 13 (4%, 17 Votes)
  • Chestnut - 2 Broke Girls (4%, 15 Votes)
  • Annie's Boobs - Community (4%, 14 Votes)
  • Vincent - Lost (4%, 14 Votes)
  • Lojack - Eureka (4%, 14 Votes)
  • Arnold - Green Acres (3%, 13 Votes)
  • Stella - Modern Family (3%, 13 Votes)
  • Happy - 7th Heaven (3%, 12 Votes)
  • Argo - Xena, Warrior Princess (3%, 12 Votes)
  • Yakult - Suburgatory (2%, 9 Votes)
  • Sammy - Revenge (2%, 9 Votes)
  • Dog - Petticoat Junction (1%, 5 Votes)
  • Burt Reynolds - Hart of Dixie (1%, 4 Votes)

Total Voters: 207

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TV Olympics: Favorite Switched-Body Performance

This round of the TV Olympics, we’re looking at switched-body performances! It’s typical of many science fiction and fantasy shows to have an episode or two when characters switch consciousness with each other. Usually it’s a one-to-one ratio, but other episodes get more creative – three characters switching, one character played by two actors, etc.

This isn’t one actor playing two characters (if that is more of a long-term thing, it probably fits into our dual roles poll), it’s where one actor plays a role typically portrayed by another actor (or a new enemy), and usually for only one or two episodes.

This poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 3 options. Please spread the word so your favorites will win medals, and be sure to vote in all our current Olympic polls!

What's your favorite switched-body performance? (Choose up to 3!)

  • Jared Padalecki as Lucifer - Supernatural (31%, 352 Votes)
  • Matt Cohen as Michael - Supernatural (22%, 252 Votes)
  • Joanne Kelly as Pete and Eddie McClintock as Myka - Warehouse 13 (9%, 105 Votes)
  • Sarah Michelle Gellar as Faith and Eliza Dushku as Buffy - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (9%, 98 Votes)
  • Ben Browder as Aeryn and Claudia Black as Rygel - Farscape (8%, 90 Votes)
  • Joanne Kelly as Alice - Warehouse 13 (5%, 56 Votes)
  • Christopher Judge as Jack O'Neill and Richard Dean Anderson as Teal'c - Stargate SG-1 (4%, 47 Votes)
  • Colin Ferguson as Fargo, Zane, and Allison, Neil Grayston, Niall Matter, and Salli Richardson-Whitfield as Carter - Eureka (4%, 45 Votes)
  • Enver Gjokaj as Topher - Dollhouse (3%, 35 Votes)
  • Sam Trammell as Tommy and Luna - True Blood (2%, 28 Votes)
  • Mark Salling as Blaine - Glee (2%, 22 Votes)
  • Darren Criss as Puck - Glee (2%, 21 Votes)

Total Voters: 596

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TV Olympics: Favorite Crossover Episode

I love crossover episodes – when characters from one show guest star on another. Often, this happens when one show is spun off from another. Since the shows are already set in the same “universe,” it makes crossover episodes easier, and you get the opportunity to see characters interacting who haven’t for a while. Other times, two similar shows are on the same network when it’s decided to have them do a crossover event (which sometimes creates logical inconsistencies, like with the Warehouse 13 and Eureka crossovers – main cast from both shows had previously guest starred on the other show, as different characters!).

I will be awarding medals to both (or all three) shows in each crossover. If I’ve missed some great crossover episodes, please let me know in the comments! I purposely am not including “planted pilot” episodes (like “The Finder” episode of Bones, or the two-part “Legend” episode of NCIS that launched NCIS: Los Angeles). This poll is about two (or three) shows connecting after both shows exist.

Poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 3 of your favorite crossover episodes. Remember to keep checking the main event page for all the current polls and results!

What's your favorite crossover episode? (Choose up to 3!)

  • Doctor Who (Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures) - The Stolen Earth and Journey's End (13%, 45 Votes)
  • NCIS: Los Angeles (NCIS) - Random on Purpose (11%, 40 Votes)
  • The Finder (Bones) - Little Green Men (11%, 38 Votes)
  • The Finder (Bones) - Bullets (9%, 30 Votes)
  • Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - I Will Remember You (8%, 28 Votes)
  • CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY - Bone Voyage, Hammer Down, The Lost Girls (7%, 24 Votes)
  • NCIS: Los Angeles (Hawaii Five-O) - Touch of Death (7%, 23 Votes)
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Angel) - Pangs (6%, 20 Votes)
  • Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - Five By Five (5%, 19 Votes)
  • Eureka (Warehouse 13) - Crossing Over (5%, 16 Votes)
  • Warehouse 13 (Eureka) - Don't Hate the Player (4%, 14 Votes)
  • Hawaii Five-O (NCIS: Los Angeles) - Pa Make Loa (3%, 12 Votes)
  • Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - In the Dark (3%, 12 Votes)
  • Hawaii Five-O (NCIS: Los Angeles) - Ka Hakaka Maika'i (3%, 11 Votes)
  • Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) - Orpheus (3%, 11 Votes)
  • Warehouse 13 (Eureka) - 13.1 (3%, 10 Votes)

Total Voters: 160

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TV Olympics: Favorite Alternate Media Episode

TV Breakroom doesn’t cover animated shows, but we do cover live-action shows that have an animated or other alternate media episode. Only a few were nominated for this poll, so if you know of any others, please mention them! They should be a main part of the episode, not just a brief clip. For example, Community’s anime scene in “Foosball and Nocturnal Vigilantism” doesn’t count, but the puppetry in Angel’s “Smile Time” was a driving force in the episode, so it’s allowed.

Poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 3 episodes. Please spread the word, and be sure to check out all our ongoing polls in this Olympic event!

Which is your favorite animated/alternate media episode? (Choose up to 3!)

  • Angel - Smile Time (26%, 37 Votes)
  • Fringe - Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (19%, 27 Votes)
  • Community - Digital Estate Planning (17%, 24 Votes)
  • Community - Abed's Uncontrollable Christmas (15%, 21 Votes)
  • Eureka - Do You See What I See (13%, 18 Votes)
  • Warehouse 13 - Don't Hate the Player (11%, 16 Votes)

Total Voters: 75

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