Best of 2000: Television

#8 ED [NBC]

When they share a scene with other actors, Tom Cavanagh and Julie Bowen manage to capture the most evanescent essence of the first stages of a love affair: No-one else exists for them but each other. Would that the rest of us could ignore the bowling-alley oddballs gawping at Ed and Carol: I fear that the comparisons to 'Northern Exposure' in the area of the "eccentric" supporting cast members are all too true-whimsy is the death of wit, Mr Producers. But Gregory Harrison's turn as a smarmy twit was impeccable, and I'll tune in every week to watch for Ed's goofball-lascivious grin and the way Carol's hips swivel in her schoolmarm's long, prim skirt.--Ken Tucker
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A Second Opinion...

#4 ED [NBC]

A kind of anti-'Providence', the potentially sappy story of a big-city yuppie (terrific Tom Cavanagh) returning to his hometown undercuts any sentimentality with welcome doses of absurdity.--Bruce Fretts