Mid-point in the TV season

So, with the holiday break nearly upon us and starting to come upon most of our favorite shows, I thought now would be a good time to go over shows I'm liking and shows that missed the mark during the first half of the season. Below are my five favorite shows based on this season and three that were disappointments.

First the good:

5. House, Mondays at 8 p.m. on FOX

The show hasn't quite paid off on the way it ended last season. That being said, it remains a compelling hour of television. I like the way they've attempted to add some growth and focus to the main characters. One growing concern for me is the fact the show continues to belittle belief. I hope it is going somewhere with this, but the last new episode was more than a little offensive. Still, there are at least a couple solid laugh lines per episode and I think the show has found a decent rhythm.

4. Friday Night Lights, Wednesdays at 6 and 9 p.m. on DirecTV 101

This is the final season of the show that continues to have some of the best performances on television. Five years in many of the faces of the players — and even the school — have changed by the heart of the show — coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and his wife Tammy (Connie Britton) — remain. This season hasn't been the show's best, but it's still full of heart and characters you want to root for. I can't wait to see how it all ends.

3. Chuck, Mondays at 8 p.m. on NBC

"Chuck" remains a fun, compelling show. There have been a few episodes that didn't quite work they way I expected, but there has been some fun character growth this season. "Chuck" continues to embrace the transition to a different kind of show and still finds ways to surprise the audience. The cast is really gelling together and going in some fun creative directions this season.

2. Dexter, Sundays at 9 p.m. on Showtime

I couldn't help but wonder how the show could top its monumental season 4 finale. Well, season 5 has been just as good and just as compelling as the show heads for its finale on Sunday night. I imagine more incredible surprises are on the way. The acting has been great — Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, and Julia Stiles have been great this season — and the story is compelling. No show uses cliffhangers better. This show remains a moral quagmire and definitely isn't for everyone.

1. Fringe, Thursdays at 9 p.m. on FOX

"Fringe" had its biggest episode of the season on Thursday and it didn't disappoint. It was the end of an arc that began at the end of season 2 and has really set up some intriguing possibilities for growth the rest of the season. The low ratings leave it vulnerable, but this show personifies creative excellence. Outstanding performances from Lance Reddick, Joshua Jackson, and Anna Torv so far this season. This is my favorite hour of the TV week right now.

And now the bad:

3. Running Wilde, Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m. on FOX

I was one of those that loved "Arrested Development," so when I heard there was a new show from that creative team featuring Will Arnet I was excited. So far, the show has delivered few laughs and no reason to tune in. It's on the verge of cancellation, and that should be no surprise. Everyone involved is capable of better.

2. The Event, Mondays at 9 p.m. on NBC

This was billed as the big new serial drama this season. The pilot was OK, but the show continues to have an uneven pace, weird flow, and borderline ridiculous plot. I keep hoping I'm going to see some kind of growth, but I think there's a reason the ratings continue to erode. Maybe this hiatus will be good from a creative standpoint.

1. Glee, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on FOX

This is far from the worst show, but last year this show was among my top five easy. Now it leads to more frustration and confusion than laughs and satisfaction, which is a problem. I chronicled the reasons for this in an earlier post ("Woe is Glee"), so I hope the ship gets righted as the season continues.