The 30 Best Television Debut Series of 2011
This is my personal list of the best debuting series of 2011. This year is surprisingly good.
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1.
Awkward.
(2011 TV Series)
An unpopular 15 year old gains immediate, yet unwanted, popularity at her high school when the student body mistakes an accident she has for a suicide attempt. (22 mins.)
“ The best teen dramedy so far, edging Suburgatory (also in this list) at the top. This show has the wit, drama, comic timing of all teen drama cliches combined (Glee, Popular, Felicity, Freaks and Geeks, et al) and has the cutest love triangle ever (I sound like a fangirl typing this. Haha.). The Jenna-Matty-Jake would make John Hughes proud. And Sadie is such a Heather you'll love her bitchin'. ” - thedaphb
2.
American Horror Story
(2011 TV Series)
An anthology series that centers on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an insane asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel and a sinister farmhouse. (60 mins.)
“ When I heard Ryan Murphy is doing the horror genre a run, I thought I had it with Nip/Tuck circa Season 2-3. With the horror house in the mix with Tennesse Williams aspirations and Gothic roots, this first season is fun and a good effin' mess. Plus, TATE LANGDON! ” - thedaphb
3.
Enlightened
(2011 TV Series)
A self-destructive woman who has a spiritual awakening becomes determined to live an enlightened life, creating havoc at home and work. (28 mins.)
“ I know since then Mike White is a writing genius. And Laura Dern is a multi-faceted Method actress. Even though the ratings do not ensure its return next year I am glad I had my chance for a therapy kind of television. ” - thedaphb
4.
Homeland
(2011 TV Series)
A bipolar CIA operative becomes convinced a prisoner of war has been turned by al-Qaeda and is planning to carry out a terrorist attack on American soil. (55 mins.)
“ When all great writing genius behind 24, Cold Case, E.R., Beauty and the Beast and Alias come together, we get the verve of psychological warfare at very far heights. What you get is Claire Danes being annoyingly effective, Damien Lewis at his most charismatic acting, and Mandy Patinkin at his best. ” - thedaphb
5.
Boss
(2011 TV Series)
Mayor Tom Kane, diagnosed with a dementia disorder, struggles to keep his grip on power in Chicago. (56 mins.)
“ A tragedy of Greek proportions. And Jeff Hephner is love. ” - thedaphb
6.
Revenge
(2011 TV Series)
An emotionally troubled young woman makes it her mission to exact revenge against the people who wronged her father. (44 mins.)
“ A future gay camp classic. ” - thedaphb
7.
Ringer
(2011 TV Series)
A young woman on the run from the mob poses as her wealthy twin sister to try and evade them, but soon discovers that her sister has a price on her head as well. (44 mins.)
“ Silly, tired, but understandable. Plus, it heightens its entertainment level episode by episode. ” - thedaphb
8.
Happy Endings
(2011 TV Series)
This Chicago-set sitcom follows the intertwined lives of six young urbanites trying to learn the ropes of adulthood. Through breakups and whatever other curve-balls life throws them, the pals stick together. (22 mins.)
“ The funniest television show this year. ” - thedaphb
9.
Death Valley
(2011 TV Series)
A mockumentary following a police force as they deal with various perpetrators who are mostly supernatural in nature. (22 mins.)
“ The 2nd best at being funny this year. Plus, the gorefest is the *beep* ” - thedaphb
10.
Hell on Wheels
(2011 TV Series)
Cullen Bohannon, a former soldier and slaveholder, follows the track of a band of Union soldiers, the killers of his wife... (42 mins.)
“ AMC has found another gold. ” - thedaphb
11.
The Playboy Club
(2011 TV Series)
Centers on the Bunnies and patrons of the original Playboy Club in 1960s Chicago. (60 mins.)
“ The critics attacked its nudity, shallow attempt at thiller and above everything else its writing. Yet I find it the best at its campy best. Amber Heard is a plus. ” - thedaphb
12.
Suburgatory
(2011 TV Series)
Tessa Altman is used to the big city but when her dad moves her away, she has to adapt to her new suburban life in Chatswin. (22 mins.)
“ Jane Levy is a revelation. Jeremy Sisto is a hot dilf. Cheryl Hines is funny. This should last. ” - thedaphb
13.
Grimm
(2011 TV Series)
A homicide detective discovers he is a descendant of hunters who fight supernatural forces. (45 mins.)
“ Better than Once Upon a Time in terms of making me stick to it. This has the edge of being procedural, meaning it would be sure to last. ” - thedaphb
14.
Pan Am
(2011 TV Series)
Period drama about the pilots and flight attendants who once made Pan Am the most glamorous way to fly. (42 mins.)
“ It wasn't as good as I expected it to be but it is worth the dedication and the patience. ” - thedaphb
15.
“ Anderson Cooper is love. ” - thedaphb
16.
Wilfred
(2011 TV Series)
The story of a depressed man who inexplicably is the only one who can see his neighbor's dog as a full grown man in a dog suit. (22 mins.)
“ This is funny and sad. ” - thedaphb
17.
Teen Wolf
(2011 TV Series)
A somewhat awkward teen is attacked by a werewolf and inherits the curse himself, as well as the enemies that come with it. (41 mins.)
“ Hot guys alert. Yum, yum! ” - thedaphb
18.
Game of Thrones
(2011 TV Series)
Nine noble families fight for control over the mythical lands of Westeros; A forgotten race returns after being dormant for thousands of years. (56 mins.)
“ The best drama of its genre. ” - thedaphb
19.
The Killing
(2011 TV Series)
A police investigation, the saga of a grieving family, and a Seattle mayoral campaign all interlock after the body of 17-year-old Rosie Larsen is found in the trunk of a submerged car. (45 mins.)
“ I found nothing wrong with the show runners making a Twin Peaks effect this time around. It's actually thrilling and poetic. ” - thedaphb
20.
“ A political treasure. ” - thedaphb
21.
Breaking In
(2011 TV Series)
A high-tech security firm takes extreme, and often questionable, measures to sell their protection services. (30 mins.)
“ It has the energy of Chuck and the wit of Better Off Ted. ” - thedaphb
22.
Prime Suspect
(2011 TV Series)
About Jane Timoney, an iconoclastic female detective who has to make her bones in a tough New York precinct that is dominated by men. (60 mins.)
“ Maria Bello just delivered a knock-out performance. ” - thedaphb
23.
Being Human
(2011 TV Series)
Three twenty-somethings share a house and try to live a normal life despite being a ghost, a werewolf, and a vampire. (44 mins.)
“ Thrilling and cute. ” - thedaphb
24.
Shameless
(2011 TV Series)
An alcoholic man lives in a perpetual stupor while his six children with whom he lives cope as best they can. (46 mins.)
“ I love this show. Forever. ” - thedaphb
25.
Up All Night
(2011 TV Series)
Takes an irreverent look at parenthood through the point of view of an acerbic working mother, along with her stay-at-home husband and opinionated parents. (22 mins.)
“ Cute. ” - thedaphb
26.
New Girl
(2011 TV Series)
After a bad break-up, Jess, an offbeat young woman, moves into an apartment loft with three single men. Although they find her behavior very unusual, the men support her - most of the time. (22 mins.)
“ Yay! ” - thedaphb
27.
Person of Interest
(2011 TV Series)
An ex-assassin and a wealthy programmer save lives via a surveillance AI that sends them the identities of civilians involved in impending crimes. However, the details of the crimes--including the civilians' roles--are left a mystery. (43 mins.)
“ This takes time for some love. Like Fringe. ” - thedaphb
28.
Falling Skies
(2011 TV Series)
Survivors of an alien attack on earth gather together to fight for their lives and fight back. (42 mins.)
“ Fun. ” - thedaphb
29.
Terra Nova
(2011 TV Series)
Centers on the Shannons, an ordinary family from 2149 when the planet is dying who are transported back 85 million years to prehistoric Earth where they join Terra Nova, a colony of humans with a second chance to build a civilization. (46 mins.)
“ Exciting. ” - thedaphb
30.
Alphas
(2011 TV Series)
Dr. Lee Rosen leads a team of "Alphas", (human beings with enhanced abilities) who investigate the death of a witness in a court case. They soon uncover more than they had bargained for. (44 mins.)
“ So far so good. ” - thedaphb