Top 5 Comedies of 2014

For the past few years, I have made it a point to rank my favorite shows of the year. As a TV podcaster, I feel it is important to give my opinions about what I've enjoyed in a longer format than I could do a podcast episode. I welcome your opinion

Parks and Recreation – Parks and Rec continues to be my favorite comedy on TV. The ensemble is amazing and each character has developed into something special. Leslie and Ben's relationship continues to mature as a married couple and before the time jump at the end of the season, they found out she was pregnant! She continues to kick butt at her job and when given the choice to take her dream job and move, the office compromised and moved their office to Pawnee! At the end of the season they did a time jump three years forward to see Leslie and Ben's children grown, her hair longer and having a great team behind her. Most of the Parks and Rec team is now with her at her new job and I hope they explain quickly where the others are. Ann and Chris left town to start their new life and I'm glad to see they will come back for at least one episode in the final season. I'm really going to miss this show but I'm glad that NBC stuck with it (especially because the ratings have never been stellar) to give it a proper sendoff. It's unfortunate that they are burning them off on Tuesdays for several weeks this winter, but at least we get an ending. I will miss Pawnee very much.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine – This show continues to get better and better. There is no other comedy on the air (besides Parks and Rec) that does workplace ensemble this well. They established the characters from the beginning and they continue to develop them. Charles is as weird as ever, but at least he's not obsessed with Rosa anymore (that was getting tiresome.) Jake has developed into an actually effective detective (although he does still do some crazy stuff) and he finally expressed his feelings for Amy (although that hasn't gone anywhere yet.) The Captain is still getting his job done and Jake has yet to get the best of him. The rest of the ensemble is also great and it continues to make me laugh weekly.

The Goldbergs – I really enjoyed this series last season and it continues to improve. It continues to mine the nostalgia of the 1980s but in a way that really works. It's another great family show that I'm glad is finally getting it's rightful time period on Wednesday night.

Enlisted – This is a show that had such potential but Fox didn't realize the gem they had. They originally planned to air it in November, but the plan was revised. They started airing it on Fridays in January and of course the ratings were terrible. The network didn't promote it and the only ones talking about it were critics. As the season went on, the situation became more and more dire. Fox eventually pulled the show from the schedule, but the cast and crew were so behind it that they started throwing online viewing parties where fans could tune in to older episodes and live tweet while they watched. They also released an app which had exclusive content for fans including videos from the stars. Fox did eventually air the rest of the episodes, but despite their best efforts it wasn't enough. Fox decided to cancel this gem and it lives on on DVD. It was clear that it was doomed from the start. It was another very funny and wonderful show that got treated like garbage by the network. Find the DVD, watch and enjoy. You won't regret it.

blackish – Only one new comedy makes my list for the best this year. It's been a long time since a comedy was based on an African American family, but this one is done right. It's very funny and at times there are lessons to be learned (as you'd expect). The casting for the kids is incredible and bring in Jennifer Lewis as Dre's mother was genius. I'm glad they quickly abandoned their original premise for the show because what it is really is is a strong family living life and their race doesn't matter.

Honorable Mentions:

Cougar Town
The Mindy Project
Young & Hungry
About a Boy
Undateable
Mom

Again, it's only my opinion. I welcome yours..