I could have made a huge list of great shows of 2009, but instead decided to just go with my number one pick and explain why it’s so great.  This is of course only choosing from new in 2009-2010 season shows.

I have to say though the pickings were thin this year, even so Community had a serious run for its money in my choosing it to both:

and

Both are worthy adversaries but Community is just a great show.  Here’s why:

1. The Ensemble: Community has put together one of the finest comedy ensemble casts in years.  Each character is distinct and there’s no weak link.  From the very first time you see the collected cast in the pilot you get the idea that there’s something special going on and from there it’s only gotten better.  Let’s break it down.

First you have Joel McHale, best known as the host of E!’s The Soup.  The guy knows funny and his part as an ex-lawyer who sees how insane everyone else is sort of an audience in to the crazy world for Greendale Community College.

Gillian Jacobs as Britta

Then you have the girl who sees right through Jeff’s (McHale) cool guy act and thus holds his attention, Britta played by Gillian Jacobs.  Britta’s also plays it pretty cool but might just want Jeff after all.

Next up is Donald Glover as Troy, a star football player in High School who got injured.  This guy is so great he not only appeared on 30 Rock twice, he wrote 2 episodes of 30 Rock.  For serious.  And his portrayal of the dumb jock, is like everything else on this show, a unique take that’s pretty twisted.

Yvette Nicole Brown plays Shirley, the older black woman who is trying to get an education after her children have grown up.  Her and Britta are great together.

Danny Pudi plays Abed who is crazy about film and in the first episode delivers the “smoke up Johnny” speech from The Breakfast Club, and does frequent shoutouts to all sorts of great films.  He also lives in his own little world, as Jeff says in one episode “Abed is not normal”.

Rounding out the cast is Chevy Chase in a triumphant return to form.  Chase has not been this good since the 80′s.  His role as an ex-CEO who is totally clueless is killer.  He totally steals scenes.

Alison Brie as Annie

And finally we have Alison Brie as Annie, an uptight overachiever who had to leave High School after a pill addiction.  She and Troy went to the same school and she still holds a torch for him, though he’s clueless.  Annie provides a ton of greatness including one of the funnier scenes in the series so far when she admits to not ever having seen a penis before and Britta and Shirley set out to show her one.

Alison also had a significant part on Mad Men, so she’s having a great year.  Also she’s adorable and at some point made this:

and this:

OK…ummm…give me a second to compose myself…Alright, well there’s also Ken Jeong who has done a ton of great comedy like Knocked Up, The Hangover, etc. who plays the Spanish teacher who really doesn’t give a shit.

2. The Writing: The writing on this show is seriously strong.  It’s way above an average sitcom and that’s what sets this apart from other shows.  And it’s no wonder considering it’s from Dan Harmon of The Sarah Silverman Program and Joe and Anthony Russo of Arrested Development.  It’s aware of all the college comedy that’s come before, it’s aware of the stereotypes of it’s characters, and it’s got a pop culture awareness that’s dead on (see the above penis clip for a great reference).  There’s a great joke rapid fired every few seconds and the show doesn’t stop to make a big deal out of it.  It’s delivered and then moved on.  If you get it then you got it, and if you didn’t there’ll be another great one that you will get coming right up.

This show really sets itself apart from the rest of the pack and I highly recommend you check it out.  Right now all 12 episodes that have aired up till now are available on Hulu until January 17th, so go and watch it.  If you want you can also check it out in HD on