Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for this year?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… or at least it’s about to be, since today’s festivities kick off the beginning of The Holiday Season. So first and foremost, to all our USA readers, I’d like to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving to you and yours on behalf of all of us here at NWN.

Personally, I’m thankful for a few things in my life — including this little blog and the people who come here daily to read and comment. Thanks to all of you who keep NWN chugging along. But, given that we talk about television around here, there are a few things I’m thankful for in that arena as well. And before you go around the family table airing your thankfulness to friends and family, let’s spend some time reminiscing on what we’re thankful for in the past year in TV.

Here are just a few of mine in no particular order:

Damien Lewis wins the Emmy

It was no shock when Damien Lewis’ Homeland costar Claire Danes received her award on Emmy night. It was definitely hers to lose. But many pegged Lewis as a secure nominee but never a winner, thinking it would go to Bryan Cranston yet again. And while I love Cranston and his work on Breaking Bad was impeccable, this win for Lewis was what I was hoping for. Seriously, if you haven’t watched Homeland, well WHY? But also, after the season one finale, there was no way he wouldn’t win this.

This Parks and Recreation scene

Few scenes stick with me as downright, absolutely hilarious for a lifetime, but this scene from the first episode of 2012 of Parks and Recreation will do exactly that. I can’t exactly explain it, but no other scene this year has made me laugh out loud for such an extended period of time as this scene can. I li-truh-ly was rolling on the floor. (Also the Ben and Leslie engagement was amazing.)

The Friends cast being in my favorite comedies

With Courteney Cox’s Cougar Town, Matt LeBlanc’s Episodes, and now Matthew Perry starring in my favorite new comedy of the year Go On, the Friends cast is three for three on being in some of the best comedies currently on television.

Episodes is generally amazing, so going on what happened this year specifically: I’m thankful that TBS smartened up and decided to save wine-soaked Cougar Town for a fourth season premiering in January! Thank you so much! I’m also thankful for Go On slowly but surely becoming one of my favorite comedies in the long run. Every time an episode ends, I just stop and say, “God, I love this show. Ugh, such a good show.” It’s happening. I’m also thankful that the ratings thus far warrant a second season… let’s hope it stays that way.

Also, Web Therapy is okay, but The Comeback was amazing. Go Lisa Kudrow!

Issa Rae and Shonda Rhimes

The mastermind/genius behind the amazing Awkward Black Girl webseries and one of ABC’s hottest producer commodities join forces to create a new comedy titled I Hate L.A. Dudes that basically means there’s a very good chance it will see the light of day? You better believe I am thankful for that. I just need Issa Rae to create lots of things and for her to be rich and successful is all.

30 Rock’s re-found genius

In its final season, 30 Rock has finally reclaimed that special je ne sais quoi and reminded me why it reigned as my favorite comedy for so many years. It’s been downright hilarious and genius every episode of the way. I can’t wait to see the rest of the season (but also, I don’t want it to end!).

The Walking Dead’s fearlessness

In a TV world where so many writers feel plagued to keep fan favorites (and non-favorites) around way past their experation date, The Walking Dead continues to be fearless and whacks people off the show at any given moment. And it’s something to be admired, rightfully so. It’s also proven that silly idea that if you kill characters off, the audience will start to leave — the series is the most watched drama in the coveted demo on all of television at the moment.

The Simpsons chugs along

After 500 episodes, The Simpsons is still chugging along on television. Many have claimed that it’s just not good anymore, but I personally believe it’s gone through a bit of a resurgence — and I still enjoy it more than some of the other choices on Fox Sunday Nights. Even after a bit of a public conversation between the cast and the production company, The Simpsons will live on to see at least another two years.

My summer first-run watches

If it weren’t for this blog and the amazing people that come here every day, I probably never would have finally pressed play on both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Breaking Bad. And you know what? I’m a much better person and TV watcher because of it. Seriously, I am thankful that both these shows exist and that I am able to experience them. And they’re still not over! (Well Buffy for me since I’m on the fifth season currently.) Thank you!

And that’s all I could think of for right now. I hope I didn’t leave anything out. The truth is I’m thankful for a lot of things in television this year. But now it’s your turn: what are you thankful for?