It's that annual time to reflect on what worked on TV over the past year… and what didn't. Here is my personal list.

BEST

"Mad Men"
This intricately woven tale of 1960s ad men's work and home lives captured the imagination of an obsessively loyal fanbase. It's also one of the few things Emmy got right, awarding the show its outstanding drama trophy. And creator Matthew Weiner has become one of our favorite people this year. See our Q&A here.

DirecTV's deal for "Friday Night Lights"
A shared window plan between the satellite provider and NBC bought the critical darling another season. Those lucky few who subscribe to DirecTV have had the privilege of enjoying a season that approaches the greatness of the show's epic first season.

"Big Bang Theory"
This comedy about socially awkward geniuses has emerged as a surprise hit this fall after garnering fair ratings in the strike shortened 07-08 season. Creatively the show's never been better, with the razor sharp ensemble now firing on all cylinders and auds propelling it to season high numbers week after week. See our Q&A with star Jim Parsons here.

"Desperate Housewives"
Fast forwarding the ladies' lives five years added a much needed jolt to the flagging drama. See our Q&A with creator Marc Cherry here.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
Priceless

"Privileged"
A sweet dramedy that's too smart for the CW's core audience. More people ought to be watching.

"Worst Week"
Consistently laugh-out-loud funny.

"Dexter"
Jimmy Smits proved a suitable friend, then foil, to our favorite sociopathic hero. See our Q&A with exec producer Clyde Phillips here.

“The Office”
Anyone who works in an office has got to appreciate this painfully accurate laffer.

“The Biggest Loser”
As reluctant as I am to include a reality show in any best of list, I have to admit, this one hits on every emotion.

"The Capture of The Green River Killer"
This Lifetime mini was an engrossing and emotional account of the 20+ years search for a serial killer with stellar performances from Tom Cavanaugh and Amy Davidson. It's too bad the broadcast nets have given up on movies and minis.

WORST

The Emmy Awards
An embarrassment to the television community. Everyone involved should be ashamed. If you've blocked out how truly awful it was, read my review from that night here.

"Do Not Disturb"
Auds mercifully checked out early from this dreadful Fox comedy.

"Grey's Anatomy"
This show has lost whatever charm it once had and now just feels desperate.

"Knight Rider"
A bad idea, executed horribly.

"Crusoe"
Unwatchable.

"ER's" final season
I've been a fan for most of this hospital drama's 15 seasons but this last gasp has been a slow painful death.

"Boston Legal"
Someone needs to explain to me how this ever attracted an audience. I've never been so happy to see a show end its run.

Those are mine. What are yours?

For more best of lists, visit TVGuide.com's list of best shows and best TV moments. TV.com weighs in here. Our pal Mo Ryan of the Chicago Tribune has her say here.

Did you see other lists that resonated with you?

— Kathy Lyford

I just want to thank you all for being so patient! I had my lunch with Marc on Saturday and he answered many of your questions about "Desperate Housewives." Because of time contraints we did not get to every question but I did try to cover as much territory as possible, in some cases combining similar queries. Also, I wanted to give everyone a fair shot so some of you who answered multiple questions may not see answers to every single one. Please don't take it personally if your question isn't answered. This was the first Q&A for Season Pass and I've learned some lessons about procedures.

I've been lucky enough to get to know Marc a little bit over the last year. He's a generous soul and extremely sweet, with a razor sharp wit and a biting sense of humor. He's great fun to be around. He's also wickedly good game player although he's a bit of a taskmaster at charades. (Sorry Marc, but you know it's true!)

I read to him all of your lovely comments and he was very touched. And Julie and Karin, he was quite impressed that you made a video question. There was a little technical difficulty and he didn't get to that answer, but I'm hoping he emails it to me so I can add it later.

His favorite question was Simon's, about how the strike affected production of season 4. See below for that answer. But I'm going to start with a little video (please excuse the jiggling, I just got this flip video thing) where Marc explains his inspiration for the fast-forward device and his answer to fans and/or critics who aren't happy with that decision:

Bonus video answer (with text after in case you have trouble viewing it):

Q. What made you want to fast forward the show at a point in all the storylines when it would have been so simple to stay at the current time? — Kate

Q. I feel like we are going to be going through another upheaval again… Can’t we get a little stability? I was happy with the finale but so annoyed by the last five minutes that I at the time I never wanted to see the show again. — Jake

A. I thought it was a fascinating artistic choice and I thought it would be interesting for the gals. And I thought that really since all the storylines in some way relate to where we last left the characters I thought it would just be a fun, interesting move for the fans. I don’t think people will object once they see what we’re doing with the new season.
You know as an artist you get used to not everyone liking your art. It’s almost the definition of what it means to be an artist that some people’s ideas of what would be good will not coalesce with yours. I think that if this person tunes in to see the season premiere they’ll see how the five-year jump connects to where we left the characters. You know, what is a series anyway? You’re following the lives of characters and seeing how the respond to different situations. This five-year jump has just taken characters you’ve known and loved and just plopped them forward ahead in their lives and I think it will be just as interesting as it was if we’d stayed exactly with them. I actually think now that I’ve been writing it, it makes so much sense. I may start a trend with TV series. And, you know, I’m hoping people respond. But that being said, maybe it will turn out to be a big mistake. But I’m glad I did it because I’m having fun writing it.

And the winning question:

Q. What material was planned for the second half of the fourth season, had the writers’ strike not occurred? Did you manage to represent all the planned storylines, even if only briefly (such as Lynette finding faith in “Sunday”), or can you think of arcs that had to be scrapped entirely? Similarly, how would the season’s mystery have been expanded? This question can also apply to season three, with the mystery’s arc shortened because of Marcia Cross’ maternity leave. —Simon
A. That is a good question. We ended up using most of what we had planned and there were a couple of storyline ideas that we just pushed later. We had a storyline (that we had to let go of) involving Gabrielle and her stepfather who molested her. We’ll be revisiting him sometime in the future.
(and the second part of that question) Marcia’s twins caused me and my writers many sleepless nights. But I’m happy to say it was worth it because they’re so gorgeous and we did manage to come up with some good stories even though we had to shorten the mystery that season.

Hey DH fanatics. There has been a slight delay in the Marc Cherry Q&A. Due to the Emmy awards madness all weekend I have to reschedule my lunch with him. Working on that now. I promise to have the answers soon.

When last we left Wisteria Lane, the ladies’ lives had been fast-forwarded five years. If you’re a fan of “Desperate Housewives,” I’m sure you have questions.

Well, here’s your chance to ask them. I will be having lunch with “Housewives” boss Marc Cherry on Sept. 20, where I will present him with the best questions submitted. On Monday, Sept. 22 I will post the answers.

Anything you’re curious about? Have a query about one of the stars? Just hit the comment button below and ask. The person who submits the question Marc deems the most interesting will receive season 4 of “DH” on DVD. I’ll even see if I can persuade Marc to sign it for you.

And SoapNet.com has generously offered to award some other lucky participants t-shirts emblazoned with “My Life is So Like TV.”

In the meantime, you can catch up on “Housewives’ gossip or refresh your memory on last season’s episodes at the re-launched SoapNet.com. The site covers 42 shows including “90210,” “Gossip Girl,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Weeds” and more.

Visit SOAPnet.com for:

• Show Recaps
• News on the hottest primetime and daytime dramas
• A fall premiere calendar
• Video interviews with your favorite TV stars, clip shows and more

— Kathy Lyford

P.S.
Check back for future Q&A opportunites for “Ugly Betty” and “Mad Men.” I’m also working on “Lost” and “Friday Night Lights.”

UPDATE:

Lunch has been rescheduled for Saturday! Answers will be posted Monday. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

What'er the only two new shows to crack TiVo's top 50 Season Pass (no relation) rankings?

Surprise, surprise: "Private Practice" and "Bionic Woman." ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff "Practice" (pictured left) ranks No. 18 on TiVo's ranking of most its most popular Season Pass settings, in which the whiz-bang DVR grabs all original segs of a designated series."Bionic" (pictured below) ranks No. 43 on the list.

TiVo's Season Pass top 10, not surprisingly, closely corresponds to the Nielsen top 10: "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "House," "Lost," "CSI," "Heroes," "American Idol," "24," "The Office" and "CSI: Miami." Pretty sad to see only one comedy on the list; god bless "The Office."

A little surprising to see ABC's big buzz show "Pushing Daisies" not make the top 100, particularly after last night's solid preem. NBC's "Journeyman" ranks head-scratchingly high at No. 54, followed by ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" (No. 55); Fox's "Back to You" (No. 65); CBS' "Cane" (No. 70); NBC's "Chuck" (No. 75); PBS' Ken Burns mini "The War" (No. 76); CBS' "Kid Nation" (No. 89); and ABC's "Big Shots" (No. 95).

Last fall the only newcomer to crack the top 50 was NBC's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip," and we all know what happened there...

--Cynthia Littleton

I was obsessed with “Desperate Housewives” that first glorious season. I used to get together with a large group of friends and watch every episode. I would sometimes even re-watch scenes I really liked when I got home from the “DH” party.

Then came season two. Some shows have sophomore slumps but this was ridiculous. The episodes ranged from disappointing to unwatchable. And as much as I love Alfre Woodard, the whole slow, homicidal son locked in the basement storyline was just stupid. Still, Marcia Cross’ lovely OCD-afflicted Bree kept me tuning in. I guess I always hoped it would return to form.

Season three was better, but still not up to snuff. It needed more of the mystery and magic long missing since season one. Susan lost in the woods was nearly a jump-the-shark moment for me. And Marcia Cross’ maternity leave really sucked the life out of the show. Why I’m still planning to give season four a chance is the only mystery remaining.

Of our panelists who listed "Desperate Housewives" on our season pass list, 75% of us said we were very close to giving up on it and another gave up last season.

This season the neighborhood will see the addition of a gay couple, played by Tuc Watkins and Kevin Rahm, and a new family (Dana Delany, Nathan Fillion and Lyndsy Fonseca) moving in. According to TV Guide, the family has a dark secret. Please let it not be a relative locked in a dungeon or a deceased person in the basement freezer … again. Also Sarah Polley joins as Lynette’s sister who moves to town to help Lynette as she goes through cancer treatments.

I sincerely hope the additions add some life to Wisteria Lane. Otherwise, my thumb is poised over the “delete this season pass” button.

— Kathy Lyford