Obligatory update: "Best TV Show of the Decade" contest trends

Well, even a grumpy Simon Cowell would approve of Channel Surfing’s “Best TV Show of the Decade’’ contest results so far.

With more than 500 votes from print and online, here are the front-runners:

1. “American Idol’’
2. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’’
3. “House”
4. “The Office” (US and UK)
5. “24’’
6. “The Sopranos’’
7. “How I Met Your Mother’’
8. “Desperate Housewives’’
9. “Lost’’
10. “Survivor’’

Breaking down the data: Voter tendencies show an obvious preference for network TV -- not a huge surprise considering Green Bay has long been considered behind when it comes to being a technologically-savvy community. That would appear to extend to our desire (or perhaps willingness) to place an emphasis on cable TV. The one premium cable show that does appear, "The Sopranos," has been on DVD long enough for viewers to have played catch-up without purchasing HBO.

One of the biggest surprises -- at least to this Channel Surfer -- is the strong push by "How I Met Your Mother." A relative newbie by sitcom standards, the show continues to get a swell of votes, even making a push for the Top 5. Didn't realize it was that popular.

Also, in case you're curious, other shows hovering just below the Top 10 barrier -- "The Amazing Race," "Sex and the City," "Scrubs" and yes, "SpongeBob SquarePants." Shows that are performing better than expected (by my account) -- "Dexter," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Arrested Development." Disappointments thus far -- "The Wire," "Mad Men" and "30 Rock."

Not happy with reader picks? Remember to head to www.greenbayhub.com and give your favorite show a boost. You can vote once a day online until Dec. 31 for a shot at our random drawing for an $850 La-Z-Boy recliner and food certificates from Coaches Corner and Rosati’s Pizza.

Thanks to everyone for voting so far. And check back next week with an update on write-in votes, along with reader comments on shows we missed.

-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com