After a long absence from tv.com, I am back with another countdown show:

14. CSI

CSI is a good show, maybe great, as the intertwining mixture of mystery and intrigue with the personal lives and characteristics of the main characters. I've heard it's gone downhill, but I've lost track recently, so I like to remember it is as it once was; engaging and dramatic.

Favourite Character: As much as Grissom is the iconic character of the show, and an excellent role played brilliantly by William Pietersen (which makes a CSI without him pretty pointless!), he is not my favourite. That accolade has to go to Greg, as he is easily the most entertaining of the bunch, and is the best to watch through the series as he grows so much more than the rest of the team.

Favourite Episode: I felt that CSI was better when it was original and came up with ideas easily. For that reason my favourite episode is Slaves of Las Vegas (2x0, for the brilliant introduction of Lady Heather, the complexity of the case, and the insight we get into the characters.

15. Eureka

At number 15 is a great show, not particularly for any specific area, except for the fact that's it's fun! Eureka combines humour, drama and a little bit of sci-fi-ish technology to help keep you watching. The characters are funny and work well together, and whilst most are super-smart, and at times arrogant, the main character, Sheriff Jack Carter, is a much more ordinary person, and is as flabbergasted by Eureka as we are!

Favourite Character: I think that Carter is awesome! He's so normal that when he's thrown into this world of geniuses, almost anything can, and does, happen to him.

Favourite Episode: Once in a Lifetime (1x12) is an excellent episode, as it combines the usual crazy situation we are accustomed to, and also relies a lot on the emotion of the characters. The tease at a good life for Carter and Alison is excruciating when you come to the end of the episode and what Carter has to do. Overall just an amazing episode.

16. The OC

I feel bad having such a good show so low on the list, but when a show peaks in its first season, it's hard to justify it moving above other shows. For me, The OC was best in its first season, when everyone was getting a feel for it, both the viewers and the characters in the show. Under the backdrop of an idyllic Newport community, The OC introduces the ruffian-esque character of Ryan Atwood, a overall good kid, who's just had his run of bad luck. But he soon learns that this community has its share of problems too. With a fantastic cast, with amazing chemistry, The OC manages to show you what life may be like on the other side.

Favourite Character: Seth. Everytime it has to be Seth. No other character engages the audience with humour and emotion more than he does. Excellently played by Adam Brody, Seth gives hope to all geeks in the world, that maybe they can get the girl too.

Favourite Episode: It's a tough one, but oddly enough, for me it's going to be 1x01 Pilot. I'm not quite sure why; there were other candidates, but the pilot just stands out on its own, as an excellent episode. It may not include all of the continuities that the later episodes do, but as a single episode, it is immensely good. From Ryan's first talk with Sandy, to Seth's introduction to the world of Newport, the pilot gives you so much more than any other episode.

Due to certain blog-related losses, I have had to repeat no 18 on my countdown, but will not let this slow me down, as today we have a double-header!

18. Hustle

The one and only British show on the list, as I tend to dislike British shows, but I guess that this is the exception that proves the rule. Hustle manages to be funny and clever without making you angry about it's ability to do this. Following a group of con artists on their many escapades, the show manages to make you think and laugh at the same time. The team stayed constant for the first three seasons (the best seasons), and then cast shake-ups made the next two seasons a bit sub-par, the fourth without talismanic leader Mickey, and the fifth without cheeky chap Danny, and Stacey.

Favourite Episode: 1x04: Cops and Robbers. This episode showed the loyalty that all of the team showed each other, as well as showing us the incredible way the team managed to pull off a con which seemed impossible.

Favourite Character: Who else could it be other than Danny? His cheeky smile and undeterred confidence light up the show like none of the other characters can.

17. How I Met Your Mother

A funny comedy from CBS, which, although good, is disappointing when you highlight the cast members. Boasting actors such as Alyson Hannigan and James Segel, the only thing that pulls this show into the top 20 single-handedly is Neil Patrick Harris, who steals every single scene he is in as womanizing Barney Stinson. He is quite simply the best man in comedy at the moment, nobody can match what he brings to the table at HIMYM. Generally better in it's first two seasons, the show has survived on NPH's genius, and this year is nominated for an emmy, as is NPH.

Favourite Episode: My favourite episode has to be the one with the first showing of 'Robin Sparkles', Slap Bet (2x09). A great episode where on a rare occasion, the whole cast worked brilliantly together. The whole continuty of the 'slap bet', was a great idea, and really defined the kind of comedy the show could do.

Favourite Character: Again it's a no-brainer. I don't think I even need to say it, and if anybody who watches HIMYM does not think that Barney is the best charcter, they need to get their head checked. Seriously.

19. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

A brilliant drama, depicting the behind-the-scenes view of the making of a comedy sketch show, after its producer has an on-air rant, two of the shows old executives are brought in to try and bring the show back to the top. Sounds complicated, it is a bit, but is well worth the watch, as a brilliant cast manage to pull drama out of a world of laughs.

Favourite Character: For me it has to be Matt. Matthew Perry plays the character perfectly, and his interaction with the other characters always brings entertainment, as he manages to be both funny and serious at the perfect time. Matt writes the show almost wholely by himself, so even within the show he is one of the most hardworking people.

Favourite Episode: Nevada Day (1x07-0, a brilliant two-parter showing how Tom Jeter ended up getting arrested in Pahrump, Nevada, and the guys struggle to get him released in time for the show. Brilliant interplay between all the characters, and a particularly brilliant guest star in John Goodman.