Five random TV awards

Most controversial: Late Night Big Breakfast (TV One)

If you've been watching the antics of Jeremy Wells (Eating Media Lunch), Leigh Hart (Moon TV) and Jason Hoyte for over the past 10 years, you already knew Late Night Big Breakfast was going to be ridiculous.

But absurd doesn't even begin to cover the kind of shenanigans the trio got up to, interrupting guests with pointless arguments, screening homemade infomercials for fake products, terrifying MasterChef winner Nadia Lim with Once Were Warriors impressions, and giving time to oddball performers like the Mongolian Throat Singer.

People didn't like it, reviewers hated it and TVNZ cancelled it. Heck, debates over its worth almost sparked fist fights in the Herald office. For me, it was the completely unmissable, infinitely replayable TV event of the year.
- Chris Schulz

Most under-rated: The Leftovers (Soho)

If you were looking for a show that got under your skin and stayed there, this was it. Right from the opening credits, The Leftovers delivered subtle and spooky supernatural thrills. It wasn't for everyone - entire episodes would be devoted to single characters, Justin Theroux's comical eyebrows were overused and if you were a fan of Tom Perrotta's novel, you would have found some uncomfortable changes. But the show about two per cent of the world's population disappearing hooked you in and left you wanting more. Season two is coming - don't miss it.
- Chris Schulz

The show you should really start watching: Justified (TV One)

This unassuming American drama doesn't often make awards shortlists, but five seasons in, Justified continues to deliver top knotch storylines, and smart, snappy acting. Revolving around charismatic, sly Kentucky based US Marshall Raylon Givens (Timothy Olyphant), his on-again off- again criminal nemisis Boyd Crowther (Walton Goggins), their complex traditions, manners, relationships, and that sweet southern drawl will have you hooked in no time. Keep an eye out for sensational Mags Bennett in season two if you're starting from the top.
- Lydia Jenkin

Breakout star: Laughton Kora, Coverband

Coverband kicked off with what can only be described as a lacklustre start - especially after the brilliant handwringing awkwardness of The Downlow Concept's last show, Hounds. But then Kora frontman Laughton Kora showed up and made everything better. His explosive entrance wasn't just the burst of electric energy the show needed - it heralded the arrival of a brilliant new TV talent. If that music thing doesn't work out for you Laughton, you shouldn't have any problems finding work on TV.
- Chris Schulz

Best return to form: Homeland (Soho)

After the dire drawn-out third season of the once-lauded CIA saga, Homeland certainly needed a fresh start. It got one with a season that took Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) to the War on Terror frontline in Islamabad as an Agency station chief calling the shots on drone strikes against a Taliban warlord.
But with her former mentor Saul Berenson, now working in the private sector, getting caught in the crossfire, and with a twisting story set against shadowy Pakistan-US relations, Homeland regained its thriller credentials, its ability to spring devastating surprises and its emotional punch.
- Russell Baillie

- nzherald.co.nz