Letter Grades 2010-11: Cable TV

"Mad Men" kicked ass recently. Same with Pete for scoring on Trudy | Credit: Mad Men

Here is my annual write-up about my evaluation for TV the 2010-2011 season. I realized that I have watched too much American TV shows this past year so I am going to cut the blog entry to two parts: one for cable TV and the other for network TV. All of the cable shows in this list either ended up last year (Mad Men, Entourage, The Walking Dead) while some ended earlier this year (Friday Night Lights). Just right before we begin the Summer Cable TV stretch, here is the review of the cable TV shows from last season (June 2010-June 2011)

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Dirk and the Mavs: Can’t You See I’ve Waited Long Enough?

Congratulations to the Dallas Mavericks! | Credit: Sports Illustrated

I'm learning to walk again
I believe I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
I'm learning to talk again
Can't you see I've waited long enough
Where do I begin?
-    Foo Fighters from the song “Walk”

The Championship Window

A decade ago, I watched Karl Malone and John Stockton’s final years in Utah. Michael Jordan just left the league but my Utah Jazz failed to capitalize on it during NBA’s lockout-shortened season. As a young fan, the idea of the window closing has not yet sunk in. Utah’s dynamic duo was exceptional – they played with a high level of basketball despite of their ages. When San Antonio “stole” the crown in 1999 (yes, I was that bitter then), I thought that the Jazz still have a shot the following year. I was young and delusional. I thought that Utah just had a bad start against Portland and they could recover the following year. I never viewed the Lakers as a threat because they always ended up getting swept in the playoffs. Utah swept them a year before after all.

Enter the 2000 NBA Playoffs. Guess what, Portland defeated my team again. By that time, things started to become bleak. The Lakers have become the new dominating force and the idea of urgency began to creep. A year ago, Utah was in the top of the conversation when it comes to championship contenders. By the end of 2000, they were easily replaced by the LA Lakers, Indiana Pacers and San Antonio Spurs.