by Dorothy Marie Kucera

Created on: November 06, 2009   Last Updated: November 07, 2009

The best television shows of 2009 were the ones that made us smile, lifted our spirits during adverse circumstances, encouraged us to reach our potential, networked us with resource information and kept our minds active as we analyzed problems. It was a tough year and we needed many mini-breaks and advice to get through it with grace. Television programs offered a plethora of self-help information, including cosmetic secrets, buying fashions on a budget, medical break-through announcements, consumer alert warnings and finding a job. The H1N1 flu pandemic was the medical event of the year.

Smiling continued to come from viewing America's Funniest Videos, with dogs doing incredible things. A favorite was the big dog who had learned how to open the refrigerator door with his mouth, then he pulled out the entire shelf, also with his mouth (!) and tossed it onto the floor so he had his own personal buffet table of selections. A hidden camera in the house captured the mystery of what was happening each time the owners would leave home. That dog should have won the $10,000 award all by himself!

Dancing with the Stars has music and fashion aesthetics in lovely gowns or handsome costumes that lift our spirits. This show is a strong example of what it takes to press through adversity to success. It is always interesting as celebrities and professional dancers push muscles, ligaments and attitudes of courage to the limit as they endure grueling rehearsals. It is amazing how they can learn complicated new dance choreography routines in just three or four days. In the competition for the Fall of 2009, it was fun to see Donny Osmond once again and everyone cheered for the young Osbourne daughter, Kelly, as she moved into an entirely new realm never before experienced. All of the professional dancers are favorites and the special performances by invited famous singers add extra sparkle to the show.

Although the 7:00-9:00 AM morning news shows shifted from more news to mostly entertaining or frightening sensational criminal news, they did a great job featuring many self-help segments about how to make life easier, more productive and safer. They should publish an index of all features presented because there is a wealth of information that every person should know but most individuals are hard at work, not watching television at that time of day. People need to stay informed of all current situations as well as options in handling them.

The most notable medical segments were

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