2014 is quickly approaching and The Mag’s got your annual year-end round up of the best television shows! Check out our top ten favourites! Did we miss one that you think deserves an extra shout out? Leave us a comment below!
1. THE NEXT STEP (Family Channel)
Number one on our list is our new favourite Canadian show, THE NEXT STEP! Following its premiere in early 2013, the show has closely focused on a group of teen dancers who train at The Next Step Dance Studio and compete in tons of dance competitions. This is a show geared towards pre-teens and it’s got all the elements that reel in viewers. We’re talking drama, romance, music and dance! It’s also a very inspiring show. You might just feel the urge to start dancing after watching one episode!
2. MR. YOUNG (YTV)
MR. YOUNG is very captivating. The show is about a child prodigy, Adam Young, who’s a high school teacher at the ripe old age of… 14! This show often gets viewers rooting for the different subplots that are happening. From the romance to being trapped in between the adult and teenage world, Adam’s got a pretty crazy life. The show offers promising up-and-coming talent, so don’t be surprised when you see these actors and actresses up on the big screen!
3. GOOD LUCK CHARLIE (Family Channel)
This is an entertaining family friendly show and it never ceases to impress with the endless quirks and funny moments. Season one started with Teddy, PJ and Gabe waiting for the arrival of their new sibling and now we’re on season four! It’s been so much fun following the growth of baby Charlie throughout the years.
4. LAB RATS (Disney XD)
This live-action comedy is about a boy named Leo, whose mother marries a rich inventor. He also discovers that his step-dad created three super-powered teenagers in a secret lab and it’s his job to introduce them to the outside world. The plot of this show is hilarious and with the help of good writing, the actors are able to bring life to their unique characters. This well-rounded show earns its spot as number four on our top ten list.
5. DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk (Teletoon)
If you’re a HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON fan, this show is perfect for you. But you probably already know that. RIDERS OF BERK serves as the bridge between the first movie and the second one, which is coming out in 2014. It features the original voice cast, with Jay Baruchel as Hiccup and America Ferrera as Astrid. The series follows the never-ending adventures Hiccup and his friends experience on the Island of Berk. The first movie was so successful, so it’s no surprise this television series with a heartwarming story has hooked viewers.
6. LIV & MADDIE (Family Channel)
As one of the newer shows on Family Channel, LIV & MADDIE had a lot to live up to. A show about twins? Sounds quite similar to THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK AND CODY… but no twins were actually used in LIV & MADDIE. Actress Dove Cameron portrays both Liv and Maddie on the show, which shows her versatility in acting because Liv and Maddie are complete opposites of each other. The crazy antics of Joey and Parker add to the comedic factor and it’s easier to relate to this show because even if you don’t have a twin sister, everyone’s got a complicated life they’re trying to live.
7. SAM & CAT (YTV)
We’ve got quite the mashup here! Sam from iCARLY and Cat from VICTORIOUS have crossed paths, ending up on a show TOGETHER?! Sam and Cat were both comedic reliefs on their previous shows, so it’s no surprise to see how creative and fun the new show has become. Also, since they’re in the spotlight now, their personalities shine. To put it bluntly, Sam’s nicer and Cat’s smarter. That’s right. This collaboration of two of the most loved characters from two of the most popular Nickelodeon shows is a total hit.
8. TEEN TITANS GO! (Teletoon)
We’ve been a fan of TEEN TITANS ever since the first animated series came out in 2003. So hearing about this cute spin-off really perked up our ears! First of all, the animation style is completely different. Turns out TEEN TITANS GO incorporates more humor and deals with the lives of the TEEN TITANS when they’re not saving the world. From intense pranks to sports tournaments, there’s always a new story to look forward to. What’s also cool is that the original voice actors and actresses from TEEN TITANS are voicing their respective characters in TEEN TITANS GO, too!
9. Mighty Med (Disney XD)
Another fairly new show on Disney XD (it premiered this fall), Mighty Med has really climbed up the popularity ladder. It’s about two boys who find themselves in a superhero hospital and together, using their comic book knowledge, become superhero doctors and heal their role models from sicknesses such as “haywire laser vision” and invisibility diseases. MIGHTY MED has made it to ninth place on our list because it has shown potential to rise to the top in 2014. With an experienced cast and an interesting synopsis, this show is perfect for young sci-fi fans!
10. Shake it Up (Family Channel)
SHAKE IT UP ran its final episode a month ago but it has always been one of the fan favourites. This show is about Rocky and CeCe, who work as background dancers on a local TV show, SHAKE IT UP CHICAGO. We follow them on their journey between balancing their academic life to controlling their rising social status. Rocky and CeCe had a great on-screen BFFL relationship, which allowed viewers to feel more connected to them. As Disney Channel’s first “female buddy show,” it has garnered positive feedback and set a high standard for future shows to follow. We’ll miss you, SHAKE IT UP!