It was a good year for new television, according to the American Film Institute.
The AFI's TV Top 10 of 2009, announced on Sunday (Dec. 13) afternoon, features five programs that premiered this year, including the surprising inclusion of the Starz comedy "Party Down."
Also making the AFI TV Top 10 were "The Big Bang Theory," "Big Love," "Friday Night Lights," "Glee," "Mad Men," "Modern Family," "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," "Nurse Jackie" and "True Blood."
The only show carried over from last year's AFI TV Top 10 was "Mad Men," meaning that "Breaking Bad," "In Treatment," "The Office" and "Life" must have done something to disappoint the AFI's voting panel.
While the AFI honored a pair of TV movies/miniseries last year, with "John Adams" and "Recount," this year's list only saw value in series television.
The 13-person AFI TV panel included writer-producer David Milch, actress CCH Pounder, Syracuse University quote machine Robert J. Thompson, critics Maureen Ryan, Matt Rouch and Brian Lowery, plus an additional assortment of academics and industry professionals.
The AFI Awards will be presented at a Jan. 15 luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles.
AFI's Top 10 TV Shows of 2009
* ""
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