If This is December, It's Time for Top Tens

By Barry Garron

In keeping with the most sacred traditions of journalism, I'm here to supply the Top Ten lists. Maybe these are signposts for the future direction of popular culture or maybe they are just answers on some future Trivial Pursuit game cards.

In any case, here they are. Commit them to memory and you'll always have something to talk about on New Year's Eve when there's a dangerous lull in the conversation. (The data is from The Nielsen Company, our parent corporation, so don't even think about questioning its veracity.)

Top Ten Regularly Scheduled TV Programs:
1. American Idol - Wednesday (Fox)
2. American Idol - Tuesday (Fox)
3. Dancing with the Stars - Monday (ABC)
4. Dancing with the STars - Tuesday (ABC)
5. NBC Sunday Night Football (NBC)
6. CSI (CBS)
7. (tie) Grey's Anatomy - Thursday (ABC)
7. (tie) Samantha Who? (ABC)
9. House (Fox)
10. CSI: Miami (CBS)

Top Ten Programs "Buzzed" About Online:
1. My Name is Earl (NBC)
2. American Idol (Fox)
3. Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
4. The Simpsons (Fox)
5. The West Wing (NBC) (I know it's off the air but people are still buzzing)
6. The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated)
7. Lost (ABC)
8. Sex and the City (HBO) (Also gone but not forgotten)
9. House (Fox)
10. Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi)

Top Ten Programs for Product Placement:
1. American Idol (Fox)
2. Fast Cars & Superstars (ABC)
3. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
4. America's Next Top Model (CW)
5. The Biggest Loser (NBC)
6. Deal or No Deal (NBC)
7. Pussycat Dolls Present (CW)
8. Amazing Race (CBS)
9. Hell's Kitchen (Fox)
10. Beauty and the Geek (CW)

Top Ten Timeshifted TV Programs:
1. Lost (ABC)
2. Heroes (NBC)
3. Bionic Woman (NBC)
4. Private Practice (ABC)
5. 24 (Fox)
6. Survivor: China (CBS)
7. Grey's Anatomy - Thursday (ABC)
8. House (Fox)
9. American Idol - Tuesday (Fox)
10. American Idol - Wednesday (Fox)

Now go out there and use this newfound information to impress your colleagues, amaze your friends and pick up members of the opposite or same sex, depending on your predilection. And drop us a line if it works.