Here’’s to the brightest stars of 2014 in TV

  • By Neal Justin Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
  • Monday, May 5, 2014 1:06pm
  • LifeGo-See-Do

As the second half of the television season wraps up this month, here are some standouts who deserve to take a bow:

The Grim Reaper. Unexpected departures on “The Good Wife,” “The Walking Dead,” “Scandal” and “Game of Thrones” gave us a proper jolt and a reason to watch in real time so we could safely play on Twitter. Now if only the Angel of Death could do something about “Two and a Half Men.”

Noah Hawley. Where did this guy come from? Before this year, he was best known for contributing stories to “Bones” and creating TV shows nobody saw. All that changed when he created FX’s “Fargo,” a series that manages to channel the Coen brothers without stealing from them. Might have to find some time for reruns of “Bones.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The actress retained her title as the funniest actress on the planet with another terrific season of HBO’s “Veep” and a promotional campaign that included comically erotic photo spreads in GQ and Rolling Stone. At 53 years old, she’s never been sexier or more sensational.

Jimmy Fallon. His monologue is the weakest on the air, and as an interviewer, he’s about as hard-edged as a reporter from Tiger Beat magazine. So why is he the king of late night? Because Fallon is killing it with kindness. In this snark-infused climate, what’s so wrong with that?

Leslie Moonves. Smart network executives save the drama for their programs. There’s no one smarter than the Godfather of CBS. It’s clear that Moonves was more than prepared for Dave Letterman’s retirement announcement, sliding Colbert into the hold position within a week. That eliminated a lot of jockeying and speculating that would have interfered with our full enjoyment of the last year with the most influential comedian of this generation.

Tatiana Maslany. You’ve heard about her amazing ability to play multiple characters on BBC America’s “Orphan Black,” seen her on the cover of Entertainment Weekly and been charmed by her appearances on late-night talkers. Now all you have to do is actually watch her show.

Chris Licht. Just when morning TV was starting to feel like artificial sweetener in your coffee, Licht was hired to executive produce “CBS This Morning” and give us the best reason in years to get out of bed. The former “Morning Joe” creator is proving that you don’t need concerts and cooking segments to make a compelling program.

Cary Fukunaga. It’s rare that one person will direct every episode of a series. It’s even rarer when he can make each hour feel like a big-budget movie. That’s exactly what Fukunaga pulled off with HBO’s “True Detective.” Matthew McConaughey may get the red-carpet treatment, but Fukunaga deserves a few “all right, all right, all rights” of his own.

Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer. Women may still be underrepresented on late-night TV, but they made considerable strides this past year in prime-time comedy. Leading the pack are these two Upright Citizens Brigade veterans who created Comedy Central’s “Broad City,” the Amy Poehler-produced sitcom in which two best friends take the slacker life to a whole new level.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Everett P. Fog, 15, in front of an Everett mural along Colby Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hello, Everett! No escape when your name is same as the town

Everett P. Fog, 15, sees and hears his first name wherever he goes. His middle name is also epic.

2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek edition (Provided by Nissan).
2025 Nissan Rogue has new Rock Creek edition

Enhanced outdoor capability is a boon for the more adventurous.

Futuristic Kona Limited Photo Provided By Hyundai Newsroom.
2025 Hyundai Kona Limited SUV Gets Roomier

All-Wheel Drive Option Add To All Trims

Children play and look up at a large whale figure hanging from the ceiling at the Imagine Children’s Museum (Olivia Vanni / The herald)
Fun for all ages: The best places for family adventures

From thrilling activities to relaxing outings, here’s where to make unforgettable family memories!

Jared Meads takes a breath after dunking in an ice bath in his back yard while his son Fallen, 5, reads off the water temperature on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chill out: Dive into the cold plunge craze

Plungers say they get mental clarity and relief for ails in icy water in tubs, troughs and clubs.

Schack exhibit to highlight Camano Island watercolorists

“Four Decades of Friendship: John Ebner & John Ringen” will be on display Jan. 16 through Feb. 9.

XRT Trim Adds Rugged Features Designed For Light Off-Roading
Hyundai Introduces Smarter, More Capable Tucson Compact SUV For 2025

Innovative New Convenience And Safety Features Add Value

Sequoia photo provided by Toyota USA Newsroom
If Big Is Better, 2024 Toyota Sequoia Is Best

4WD Pro Hybrid With 3-Rows Elevates Full-Size

2025 Toyota Land Cruiser (Provided by Toyota).
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser revives its roots

After a 3-year hiatus, the go-anywhere SUV returns with a more adventurous vibe.

Enjoy the wilderness in the CX-50. Photo provided by Mazda USA Newsroom
2025 Mazda CX-50 Adds Hybrid Capability to Turbo Options

Line-Up Receives More Robust List Of Standard Equipment

Practical And Functional bZ4X basks in sunshine. Photo provided by Toyota Newsroom.
2024 bZ4X Puts Toyota Twist On All-Electric SUV’s

Modern Styling, Tech & All-Wheel Drive Highlight

Photo provided by Mazda USA Newsroom
2025 Mazda3 Turbo Premium Plus Hatch Delivers Value

Plus Functionality of AWD And G-Vectoring

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.