Seven Best Television Shows From 2013

 

Source: ©Andrew Parfenov - Adobe Stock

Back when television first began, there were minimal amounts of channels with a minimal amount of television shows. There were only certain shows on the air and most people watched the same ones. Nowadays, there are hundreds of channels along with hundreds of television shows running on the air currently. There's more quantity than quality and it's not always easy to weed out the best. Most television shows come and go easily and quickly these days as though the channels are a revolving door. Shows need to be unique or humorous to hook in the viewer. Though still it's originality that is rare and gives the newer shows its uniqueness to determine their shelf life.

Below is a list of the top seven best television shows that were on the air in 2013, focusing specifically on sitcoms and dramas. Some shows had been on the air for quite a few years and have proven themselves against the test of time. Some were quite new but show lots of potential as they are connected to previous show stories that we love or they were brought to us by the witty and talented actors/writers/directors whom we can’t get enough of.

Source: IMDB.com

7.) The Carrie Diaries

“The Carrie Diaries” is connected to the previous television show “Sex and the City.” This is the prequel to the “Sex and the City” show and had lots of potential to be unique, original, and fashionably loveable. It is also based on the same book series “Sex and the City” is. “The Carrie Diaries” throws us back in time to when Carrie Bradshaw was a teen in the 80s, and how she began writing and was pulled into the allure of glamour New York City life. If you loved the “Sex and the City” television show and the two big screen movies, then you will get ‘carried away’ with this show (thank you to the ‘Sex and the City’ movie for the pun connection), especially if your favorite character is Carrie herself.

Source: IMDB.com

6.) Mike & Molly

The sitcom “Mike & Molly” is brought to us by the witty writer/producer Chuck Lorre, whom also has brought us another great series on this list (but we’ll get to that later on). “Mike & Molly” starred one of the wittiest and talented comedic actresses – the very funny Melissa McCarthy – along with a great comedic cast with great chemistry. This show is one that is taped in front of a live audience, as I have been a member of the audience myself for a past episode. It is just as funny live in person as viewing an episode on air. The sitcom is about a couple, who met at a club for overeaters anonymous, and fell in love. They deal with quirky friends and family while working on becoming a team couple. You will want to overindulge with the unique sweetness of this show, if you have a sweet tooth for quirky comedy.

Source: IMDB.com

5.) Melissa & Joey

“Melissa & Joey” is another sitcom that was brought to us by someone we love, and is witty and talented. It was produced by and starred the comedic Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence as the main characters. Both of their characters share the same first name as themselves. The team’s chemistry, along with the two younger actors, was naturally great and showed wonderful potential. This show is definitely witty and unique. The “Melissa & Joey” show was about the character Mel Brooks (Melissa Joan Hart), a young city councilwoman, who took in her niece and nephew after their parents were sent to jail when their company went down. She ended up hiring a manny, Joe (Joey Lawrence), a former executive from the company, to help raise her teen niece and nephew. You will want to laugh continuously when watching this show from all the antics and challenges that the characters find themselves in, and their approach to solving them. This show never fails to deliver feel good laughter.

Source: IMDB.com

4.) The Big Bang Theory

Next on the list is the show, “The Big Bang Theory.” “The Big Bang Theory” was a show that had been on the air for quite a few years and had proven itself against the test of time. The show has proven it is witty and unique. “The Big Bang Theory” was the other show on this list, introduced to us by the writer/producer Chuck Lorre, besides ”Mike & Molly.” "The Big Bang Theory” sitcom was about a group of friends who are nerdy scientists, and a waitress who is an aspiring actress who lives across the apartment hall from two of the scientists whom were roommates. It followed their lives and how they interacted with the world in a humorous way being very literal. This show will always give you spontaneous laughter continually.

As an update in 2020, this show ended up running for a total of 12 seasons, with its final episode airing in May 2019. This show had definitely proven itself against the test of time!

In fact, also, this show ended up producing a spin off called "Young Sheldon," of which ran for a total of 7 seasons, from 2017 to 2024. "Young Sheldon" was a prequel spin off that followed the life of the character Sheldon Cooper and situations he went through when he was growing up in Texas. 

As an update in 2026, the story was expanded by a spin off of the "Young Sheldon" prequel, which is now currently on air in 2026. The new spin off is called "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage." "Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage" is a sequel to "Young Sheldon," but still takes place earlier in the timeline before the original series timeline of "The Big Bang Theory." "Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage" started airing in 2024 and is currently in its second season.

Source: IMDB.com

3.) The Vampire Diaries

The show, “The Vampire Diaries,” is next on this list, cracking the top three shows. With this show, we leave the world of the comedy sitcoms and migrate into the drama shows. “The Vampire Diaries” had been on the air for a few years, since 2009, and also had proven itself unique across the test of time. The show started off being about a human girl, Elena, who is a doppelganger to a vampire named Katherine, and finds herself caught in a love triangle between two vampire brothers, Damon and Stefan. This show, like “The Carrie Diaries” and “Sex and the City,” is also based off a book series. “The Vampire Diaries” has vampires, witches, and werewolves (oh my!), along with humans, hunters, hybrids, and doppelgangers, to form an intricate world that proves anything is possible. The further into the series the show gets, the deeper and more complicated the situations become. It sucks you in from the beginning and once you’re bitten, you will be changed. If you want to have your eyes open and pulled into a world full of mystery and mayhem, being drenched in a supernatural world, you will fall in love with this show.

As an update in 2020, this show ended up airing for a total of 8 seasons, with the final episode airing in March 2017.

This show has actually produced 2 spin off shows! The first spin off called "The Originals," which had followed the original vampires family, the Mikaelson family. This spin off show aired from October 2013 to August 2018.

The second spin off - a direct spin off from "The Originals" - is called "Legacies," in which this one follows the daughter of Klaus, Hope, and her two friends Lizzie and Josie (the twin daughters of Alaric). As an update in 2026, this second spin off ran for a total of 4 seasons, having aired from 2018 to 2022, with its first episode having aired in October 2018, and its final episode having aired in June 2022.

Source: IMDB.com

2.) Bones

The next show on this list is “Bones.” “Bones” was a drama show that is comedic enough also, but in a unique way if you understand the characters’ jokes. This show was going strong, having been on the air for several years already before 2013. It is a crime solving type filled with mysterious cases each episode while also carrying on a story between the characters. “Bones” is about an FBI agent named Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) who is partnered with a world-renowned anthropologist, Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), whom is also a best-selling author. This crime case show is about when the victims are down to their bones, which are too far to be easily identified visually. Booth and Brennan always figure out and capture the culprit as their characters (and the actors) have a wonderfully balanced chemistry. If you want mystery, this is the show for you.

The reruns of this show are still continually being aired on the tv to this day. This show ended having completed a total of 12 seasons of episodes! Its final episode aired in March 2017.

This show also produced of spin off called "The Finder," however that show was short lived, having only aired a total of 13 episodes.

Source: IMDB.com

1.) Castle

The final and top show on this list is the show, “Castle.” “Castle” is another drama, crime-solving show and is unique in its own way. It had been on the air for quite a few years and continued to have great episodes past 2013. This show also hit on the right amount of comedy between the characters on how they react to their own story, besides the case, and the world around them. “Castle” is like “Bones” in that besides the case, there is also a story woven between the characters. I discovered this well written show by mistake, and it was a great mistake. I admit had been watching “Dancing with the Stars,” when an episode of “Castle” followed after on the television. I watched that episode of “Castle” since I

was curious as to what the show was like. Since then I’ve been hooked on this show, especially since being a writer myself. This show is about a female detective, Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), who is partnered with a best-selling mystery writer and author named Rick Castle (Nathan Fillion). If you’re a mystery literature fan and someone who loves case solving detective shows with a little comic relief penned in, this show will keep you hooked, wanting more.

As an update in 2020, this show ended up airing for a total of 8 seasons, which is still great for tv shows, with the final episode airing in May 2016. This show, like "Bones," also has reruns that still air on the tv today. The show also inspired two series of mystery books based off the main character Rick Castle appearing to being the author. These two series are the Nikki Heat series, and the Derrick Storm series. Books in these series are still being written and published till this day. I admit, since I loved the show "Castle," I have found myself reading the Nikki Heat series, especially since the characters in those books are based off of the fictional characters from the "Castle" tv show.

Final Summary

There you have it, the top seven television shows that were, in my opinion, the best that were on the air in 2013. There are other great shows out there too, no doubt about it. Some other great shows include “How I Met Your Mother,” “Hot in Cleveland” with the always-funny Betty White, “Once Upon A Time,” and “2 Broke Girls.”

Television shows may come and go, but it’s the unique, creative, and the ones that have the best combination of chemistry, writing and acting that can stand their ground and hit home runs. They can and have proven to the entertainment world that they are worth their airtime slot.

Originally published July 30, 2013 on Hubpages. Last updated on Whimsical Thoughts on May 20, 2026.

"Dr. Seuss' The Lorax" (2012) - Movie Review -Take Care of the Environment

Source: IMDB.com

 

Take Care of the Environment

The resources in our environment, especially trees and animals, give us the items we need to survive. At the same time, it gives us a true beauty that cannot easily be recreated. We need to be careful when we take from the environment. We need to be careful that we don't abuse the resources around us. The movie (and book), "The Lorax," show that great message. The message is that if you aren't careful about using the resources and use it for your selfish ways, then it will all be gone.

Summary and Characters

The movie, "The Lorax," which is based on the book by Dr. Seuss, is about a boy, Ted (Zac Efron), who lives in a city, Thneed-ville, which is enclosed in walls. They have all fake trees and nothing of real nature, including air, which they import. On the outside, there are no animals and all of the trees are cut down to stumps. The outside is dead and eerie, haunted by a world of color and life that used to be.

Ted decides he wants to find a real tree so he could impress a girl in town, Audrey (Taylor Swift). He sneaks out of the town multiple times, with the help of his grandma (Betty White), to visit the only person who knows where to find the truffula trees, the Once-ler (Ed Helms), whom was the reason the trees are all gone. The Once-ler tells him the story of why all the trees are cut down to stumps, his invention of Thneeds, and about the Lorax (Danny DeVito), which is a small orange creature. The Lorax appeared from the stump of the first truffula tree that was cutdown by the Once-ler. He is the creature who cautioned the Once-ler of the effects of using up all of the trees because he "speaks for the trees." The Once-ler brushed off the Lorax and his warnings, but was left with one truffula seed. Ted is eventually given the seed because he showed determination and care for the trees, and told to fix the Once-ler's mistake and the environment.

Direction

The animation of the movie is wonderfully done in enforcing the difference between the dead present world and the lively happy world of the past. The voice acting from the actors/actresses was impeccably believable that they were the voice of the characters as they would have been imagined through the book. The directors and animators did an amazing job bringing the book and the book's great message to life.

Theme of the Film

Dr. Seuss wrote, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." If no one cares for the environment, then it won't get better by itself. It's a true and powerful message that in order to fix and save our environment, we need to take care of it before it becomes too late and it's all gone. If we let everything become dead and dulled down to nothing, we will soon be having foe trees and plants, and import air to breathe because we were selfish and only thought of ourselves.

Overall

This movie is a must see, whether you love Dr. Seuss or care "a whole awful lot" about the environment. And if you love and care lots about both those reasons, then you will definitely enjoy this film. Overall, this movie is a win in all areas: animation, the great message that we need to take care of our environment, enjoyment for all and losing yourself in an inspiring world. The grade I would give this movie is an A.

Originally published March 22, 2012 on Hubpages. Last updated on Whimsical Thoughts on May 1, 2026.

“Valentines for Life”

A Sweet Valentine’s Day Poem

Heart decoration for Valentine's Day | Source: ©AlyssaScheidemann

“Valentines for Life”

When it comes to Valentine’s Day,
I’m not pressured to dress up.
I don’t need to act a certain way,
I can be myself, even without makeup.

I’m not pressured to dress up;

And my hubby enjoys saving money with a grin.

I can be myself, even without makeup,

As we prefer low key nights in.

My hubby enjoys saving money with a grin.

We prefer to order take out or cook.

Since we prefer low key nights in,

Even in my comfiest clothes, I make him lovingly look.

Though we prefer to order take out or cook,

We keep each other on a healthy track together.

Even in my comfiest clothes, I make him lovingly look,

And I know there is nothing we can’t weather.

We keep each other on a healthy track together,

As we are not just hubby and wife.

He is one of my best friends as there is nothing we can’t weather.

We are valentines for life.

We are not just hubby and wife,

And I don’t need to act a certain way.

We are valentines for life,

Especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day.

[Alyssa Scheidemann - 2023]

Originally published February 13, 2023 on Hubpages / LetterPile. Newly published on Whimsical Thoughts on February 14, 2026.

Poetry Taste #24: “Watchful Hawk”

 

The watchful hawk perched

Tall atop the soccer goal -

Monitors in dusk.

[Alyssa Scheidemann - 2022]

Poetry Taste #23: “Monarch Butterflies in a Garden”

Monarch butterfly in flight | ©AlyssaScheidemann

In the butterfly

Garden, a Monarch passes,

So regal in flight.

Two Monarchs flutter

Around each other in dance,

On an autumn day.

One butterfly lands

On an orange flower to

Rest in the garden.

[Alyssa Scheidemann - 2021]

Poetry Taste #22: "Bright Summer Sea"

 

The sun shining bright

Makes the sea water sparkle

Like a diamond stone.

[Alyssa Scheidemann - 2011]

Poetry Taste #21: Nonet - "Family Time on Easter"

 

Bunny with decorated eggs in a basket. © kobeza - Adobe Stock

Easter is lovely family time.
The house decorated with eggs,
Pastels and bunny statues.
Dipping eggs in colors.
Festive family meals.
Shaped chocolates
In baskets.
End of
Lent.

[Alyssa Scheidemann - 2023]

Easter decorations. © Pixel-Shot - Adobe Stock

Happy Easter to those who celebrate!