Pushing Daisies: Most Underrated Show of 2008

Flying under Nielsen's radar.

Our TV obsessions didn't always get the most love this year. Here's the shows we think were especially heart-worthy and generally overlooked in 2008.

Pushing Daisies: Ned, his Pie Hole, his undead girlfriend and band of merry investigators are unlike anything else on television right now. From the set design to the politically-tinged zingers, this show is fresh, witty, whimsical, and just plain fun - like eating cotton candy high-a-top a big-ass Ferris wheel. We're now starting to experience the post-cancellation come down. 

Friday Night Lights: The nominations for both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards were recently announced. Yet again, this gem was overlooked. The acting is superb, the ensemble cast terrific, the writing understated and poignant. So, yes, we totally get why you wouldn't want to nominate this show for any awards.

Life: Let's just start with the obvious: Detective Charlie Crews is hot. Giving a good-name to redheads everywhere, this LAPD officer is anything but typical. Peaced-out yet tormented, kooky yet level-headed, he brings new mystery to an old genre. If only NBC could pick a time-slot and stick to it - please.

Lipstick Jungle: We kind of wanted to hate this show. Sex and the City it wasn't, and yet it seemed bent on imitation - from the click-click of its stiletto-heeled opening to its tony digs and well-heeled fashions. But, we waited it out, and slowly we became converts. The characters, while distinct, aren't staid archetypes, and their complexities are well-drawn (and who ever complained about looking at Robert Buckley's abs week after week?). We're sad this one looks like it's getting the kiss-off.

Fringe: We had one reason and one reason alone for tuning into this new series: Joshua Jackson. And while he's certainly kept our attention on Tuesday, we've also found much to love about his character's whack-job, mad-scientist father, Walter, and have even warmed to the aloof but compassionate Olivia. We can't say we always understand what's happening (dead people telepathy, time travel, and "The Pattern" are a bit beyond us), but we're always entertained.