Sci-Fis, prime-time soap operas and procedural dramas ruled the airwaves this 2005 once again, hopefully obliterating all of the “My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancés” and “Bridezillas” of the past.

The highest-rated TV shows of 2005 have been the good ‘ol procedural dramas we all know and love (the "CSIs" and "Law and Order" franchises), and thankfully, nary a reality show has entered the top twenty this season, except for ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” benefiting from a pre-“Desperate Housewives” lineup, and “Survivor,” surprisingly staying strong in the ratings for the 11^th straight season.

The original “CSI” (CBS) remains the number-one rated show, with a season average of about 18.9 million viewers turning in to see dead people cut up and photographed. Crime dramas “NCIS,” “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case” and “Law and Order: SVU” are the top-rated non-soap opera shows of the season. But it’s really returning dramas “Desperate Housewives” (with an average of 17 million viewers) and “Grey’s Anatomy” (with an average of 13.4 million viewers), who both round out the TV top five, that captivated viewers this TV season.

ABC, clearly the hottest network of the big four – which also includes NBC, FOX, and CBS – didn’t lose any steam going from the spring to the fall seasons this year, seeing “Desperate Housewives” come out on top and “Lost” crowned as the new “X-Files” – the breed of critically-acclaimed sci-fi shows that actually have good ratings.

“Lost’s” revolutionary success launched several sci-fi themed shows throughout network television this year, including the aliens-are-coming dramatics of ABC’s “Invasion,” the monster-of-the-week fun of WB’s “Supernatural” and the screwy timelines of the WB’s “Reunion” (which was unfortunately cancelled). “Lost’s” success and the shows it spawned is certainly a sign of TV moving into the right direction, into more serialized scripted TV shows with innovation – that 10-letter word that scripted TV has been missing for a while.

“Lost’s” success couldn’t help out “Alias,” unfortunately; the show’s killing off of a major character was enough to put the show into the grave by alienating its core fanbase, which led to the announcement of the show’s cancellation at the end of the Spring season.

Besides continuing its trend of gimmicky, shameful programming (“The War at Home,” anyone?), FOX succeeded in bringing in three very good new shows this season. “Prison Break,” definitely a surprise-hit, is one of the most talked-about new shows of the season; “Kitchen Confidential,” starring “Alias”-alum Bradley Cooper and Buffy-former Nicholas Brendon, is the most criminally under-watched sitcom this year other than the recently-announced-as-cancelled “Arrested Development,” also on FOX; and “Bones,” a procedural drama with a very good cast, including ex-“Angel” star David Boreanaz.

The WB had an uncharacteristically bright year in 2005, primarily from the announcement of the end of the drudgery that is "7^th Heaven" (yay, rejoice!) and the surprise late-game success of “Smallville,” which saw an 88 percent increase in viewership this season (it’s now ranked number 83 with 5.8 million viewers a week). Besides a jump-start in its writing (The Fortress of Solitude! Resolved sexual tension between Lana and Clark!), it’s the gimmicky shout-outs that make Smallville this season’s best guilty pleasure, from a recurring appearance by “Star Wars” alum Carrie Fisher as a Daily Planet editor-in-chief to Aquaman (who is getting his own spin-off next year, rumors say) to casting Buffy-alum (and jaw-dropper) James Marsters as a villain.

Another channel having a fantastic year is UPN, which made the absolute right decision by signing up critical darling “Veronica Mars” for season 2 and picking up Chris Rock-penned sitcom “Everyone Loves Chris,” one of this season’s most critically-acclaimed new shows that gave NBC’s Thursday ‘Must See TV’ sitcom lineup a scare.

Over in cable-land, “Nip/Tuck,” basic-cable’s highest-rated show in the 19-49 demographic, set the viewership record for FX by brining in 5.3 million views to its season three premiere. Ratings for the plastic surgery soap have remained strong, despite critical lashings from the likes of Entertainment Weekly.

“Six Feet Under” likely provided this year’s most memorable hour of television (and commercial-free!) with its series finale, where every main character dies in a series of forward-flashes into the future.

Over in HBO-land, the mini-series “Rome” scored good ratings, and definitely looks like an Emmys contender. “Extras” was also a hit, a show starring “The Office” lead Ricky Gervias as, you guessed it, a move-extra. HBO’s super-hit “The Sopranos” returns for its sixth (and last) season after a year and a half hiatus.

Now, it’s time for the list of the best of the best of 2005 in television.

This one was easy, easy easy. “Lost” is easily having one of the most gripping, tightest years of sci-fi television in a long time with quick-paced storytelling and a killer cast. The beginning of this season’s focus on that mysterious hatch provided viewers with some of the best “Lost” episodes yet, balancing suspense with rich and intriguing mythology. I haven’t been this excited about a TV show since “Angel’s” fourth season, which is a very, very good thing.

Honorable Mention: “Grey’s Anatomy” – ABC, Sundays

Full of heart and a truly phenomenal cast, “Grey’s Anatomy” is entertaining and inspired every minute, every episode. Not even ER could pull off the crispness of this show’s second season.

Sporting the best ensemble cast in a comedy this year (besides “Arrested Development,” of course), this innovative new sitcom has the potential to be the new “Friends” – if only more viewers were watching it. Though Buffy-alum Allyson Hannigan is as charming as ever, it’s Neil Patrick Harris, the former “Doogie Howser” star, who is getting all the heaps of praise as one of TV’s most ingenious and hilarious new characters.

Honorable Mention: “My Name is Earl” – NBC, Tuesdays

 This surprise hit may not be everyone’s cuppa tea (definitely not mine), but you can’t argue with the ratings, as this quirky show starring Jason Lee is set to replace “Joey” in the NBC “Must See TV” lineup.

Okay, so it hasn’t officially been announced yet, but ever since FOX cut off its order of episodes and the show’s ratings have been steadily declining from its already paltry numbers, cancellation is inevitable. Fans, start writing your “Save ‘Arrested Development’” letters to FOX now.

Honorable Mention: “Kitchen Confidential” – FOX, Mondays

Where else are Nicholas Brendan and Bradley Cooper going to find work? Shame on you, FOX. Shame, shame shame.

This show wasn’t necessarily bad last year… but it wasn’t good, either. At least not as good as it is now: even though many fans screamed bloody murder at the offing of the Michael Vartan character, I say ‘good riddance, damn that character sucked.’ Other baggage was lifted, as funny-but-bland Weiss and never-clicked-with-the-cast Nadia were also given the boot. Their replacements were characters I can actually care about, including Rachel Gibbons, who provides the show with much needed vulnerability and lets Jennifer Garner take the sidelines during her pregnancy. Too bad the show is ending this year, right when I was becoming emotionally invested again.

Honorable Mention: “Lost” – ABC, Wednesdays

Hear me out. “Lost” went from must-see-TV last year with interesting characters, great acting and an addicting mythology to a legendary TV show with tight pacing, fantastic non-linear storytelling and outstanding acting. Somebody please give Terry O’Quinn and Matthew Fox Emmys, mmmkay?

“Smallville” – WB, Thursdays

Having seen every episode of this soapy, poorly acted and badly written genre show, I can say that Smallville is merely a passable show with a few interesting characters (Chloe, Martha Kent) and (mostly) great special effects. This season, all of that washes away, as it’s the cameo appearances from Buffy alums and the numerous science fiction shout-outs that make “Smallville” a must-see show. Just be prepared for stilted dialogue. Lots of it.

Honorable Mention: “Desperate Housewives” – ABC, Sundays

Hardly a ‘guilty pleasure’ to me – I adore this show’s characters and its wonderful actresses – this season’s soapy storytelling has finally set this show in stone as a major cheese-fest. So, even though my love for this show still exists, I realize that perhaps this love could be spent rewatching “Lost” episodes.

Easily TV’s current king comedy, it continuously baffles me why more people aren’t watching this brilliant, hilarious show. But then I remember how often FOX shuffles this show around its schedule, how it barely advertises it and how whenever it advertises it, it makes it look like a really, really unpleasant TV show with bad camera angles.

Honorable Mention: “Veronica Mars” – UPN, Wednesdays

This show has heart, intelligence, wit and a certain warmness to it. Oh, and it has Charisma Carpenter – always a plus. Unfortunately, airs on the same night as “Lost,” and you should never, ever miss an episode of that show, so oh phooey.

Obviously stealing the best storylines this season, every episode’s highlight revolves around this character’s struggle with balancing a demand job and still staying connected with her children – often with hilarious results. Wonderfully acted by Felicity Huffman (who I was actually not too fond of in season one), this talented actress shows us just why she deserved her Emmy.

Honorable Mention: Tie: Sun, Jack, Locke, Shannon and Mr. Ecko on “Lost” – ABC, Wednesdays

Yeah, this is cheating – but I don’t care. The best thing about these characters, besides the intelligent way that they are written (flashbacks in episodes reveal layers and motivations for these characters as crazy and strange things happen to them in the present on the island), these characters have some of TV’s best and most appealing actors playing them.

I love me some VH1… and some Michael Ian Black, Hal Sparks and Rachael Harris.

Also the composer on Lost, Mr. Giacchinono elevates already stunning material into the stratosphere with his tense, amazing arrangements. The best music guy on TV, period.

Watch the season premiere again, and try not to be awed by the CGI creation of the Fortress of Solitude.

Now, I’ll admit to liking this show whenever I see it in syndication, but did you even realize this show is still on the air? That’s what I thought.

I’m doing a happy dance, right now, as I’m writing this.

MOST IRONIC LINE OF DIALOGUE

“There’s no such thing as vampires!” – Braniac, “Smallville” WB – Thursdays

Ironic because the character delivering the line is acted by James Marsters, who portrayed a vampire on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”

This character was a blonde, female vampire. Just think about it. You have permission to giggle.

Three shows on Metacritic.com that I’ve never heard of before and which I’ll probably never watch:  “Close to Home” – CBS; “Run’s House” – MTV; “Killer Instinct” - FOX