LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - - Sometimes great writing fuses with a brilliant performance to form a perfect television character. The character pops off the screen and commands our attention. And perhaps you’ve noticed I can’t stop prattling on about them

You know the rules by now. All characters on my list are from a network television shows in at least their second season. This season has offered up some terrific characters (I’m convinced that Barney on "How I Met Your Mother" is going to be, wait for it ... legendary), but great characters evolve over time. We’ll see you next year, Randy Hickey. I also stuck to the rule of only one character per show (if I didn’t, the castaways on "Lost" would make up half the list).

To make room for some NKOTT (new kids on the TV), I’ve entered John C. McGinley, the fabulous Dr. Cox on "Scrubs" (I can’t wait until the show returns in January) and Kelly Bishop’s remarkable Emily Gilmore on "Gilmore Girls" (ever doubt that Bishop is phenomenal? Re-watch her recent scene on the airplane) into the TV Gal Hall of Fame. They join last year’s inductee, Dennis Franz’s Andy Sipowicz.

Here, in no particular order, are my Top 10 characters for 2005:

# Jim on "The Office": Now calm down, it’s not just because he’s my new secret TV boyfriend. John Krasinski could have easily been the office class clown. He’s blessed with a funny script and some of the series’ best deadpan lines. But whether he’s silently pining for Pam, torturing Dwight, or barely keeping a straight face during Michael’s outbursts, Krasinski takes Jim to a whole other level. On a show that is so absurd, I actually care about Pam and Jim. An actor who can so easily vacillate from the ridiculous to the serious is a true find.

# Bright on "Everwood": Listen up, all you lollygaggers who just arrived at the "Bright is awesome" party. I’ve been on the Bright bandwagon for years now. And this season, you’ve really had a chance to see why. Because, like his character’s romance with Hannah, Chris Pratt has blossomed. This is a role that could have easily been the dumb jock role and Pratt never, ever played it that way. I’m continually amazed by the layers Pratt has given such a seemingly one-dimensional character.

# Lynette on "Desperate Housewives": How long have I loved Felicity Huffman? She amazed me when she was Dana on "Sports Night" (there are episodes of that series that still give me chills). So that certainly gives Huffman the edge among the "Housewives." But Huffman has been able to achieve something the other leading ladies haven’t. I always, always believe Lynette. Talk to a rat in a trash can? Why not? Set up a fake kidnapping of your own children? Sure. She has always made Lynette the most relatable character (when they come out with the TV shirts, I’m so getting one that says, "I’m a Lynette"). Bonus points for having the show’s best marriage. # Logan on "Veronica Mars": Like Pratt, Jason Dohring brings an unexpected complexity to his character. What I’ve loved this season is Dohring’s ability to play Logan’s bravado as a thinly veiled defense mechanism. Plus his delivery is spot-on. That scene between Logan and Kendall when she’s trying to get his money was a master class in comic timing and delivery.

# GOB on "Arrested Development": Michael (said in a deep, overly dramatic voice), what am I going to do without GOB in my life? I’m going to really need your support when "Arrested Development" goes off the air (which seems inevitable at this point). If one day you go to my column and it’s just a blank black screen, send help immediately. With his deadpan voice and ever-solemn expression, Michael’s older brother GOB is the funniest member of the Bluth family. And that’s some tough competition.

# Dr. Miranda Bailey on "Grey’s Anatomy": I have long said that "Grey’s Anatomy" is a mediocre, rather predictable show brimming with stellar performances. I think that is slowly changing (it’s certainly an interesting move to keep McDreamy’s wife around). And Chandra Wilson’s sassy drill sergeant, who cares about her doctors but rarely shows it, is such fun to watch on a weekly basis.

# Jin on "Lost": Trying to pick my favorite "Lost" character is a little bit of an exercise in futility. It changes from week to week. But Daniel Dae Kim has done something never before done is a network TV series — he’s gone a season and a half speaking very little English. He conveys in facial expressions what many actors cannot with pages of dialogue. On an island full intriguing characters, Jin remains the most fascinating.

# Tony on "24": Who didn’t cheer when Tony, Tony, Tony came to Jack’s rescue last season? Every time we think he’s out, the series pulls him back in. Although he’s often burdened with preposterous situations (Michelle we’re in crisis, let’s make out), Carlos Bernard brings grace and gravity to his role.

# Donna on "The West Wing": Um, the fact that I staged a "Where’s Donna?" sit-in until her character was brought on to the Santos campaign is evidence that the show simply isn’t the same without Josh’s His Girl Friday.

# Dr. House on "House": You’re a mean one, Dr. House. Your patients may think you’re nasty, but viewers simply love you. Hugh Laurie approaches his title role with an unabashed enthusiasm and zest for his on-screen alter-ego. He is the show.

So that’s my list. Who’s on yours? Who are your favorite characters on television? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.

Quotes of the Week

"And my roommate wants to meet everybody because I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m making Dwight up." Jim on "The Office."

"This gainful employment is really starting to cut into our social life." Bree to Lynette on "Desperate Housewives."

"So — Rose’s husband is white. Didn’t see that one coming." Hurley to Jack on "Lost."

"You’re just Latin on paper." Chris to Freddie on "Freddie."

"Rode hard meet put away wet." Logan introducing Kendall to Trina on "Veronica Mars."

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Well just about everyone was thrilled to see Danica McKellar, Winnie Cooper on "The Wonder Years," as Ted’s one-night stand Trudy on "How I Met Your Mother."

Adrienne was the first to recognize Leonard Roberts, the Initiative’s Forrest on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," as the district attorney prosecuting the case on "Bones." Roberts was also in the season premiere of "Smallville" as one of the not so nice folks from Krypton.

Diane recognized Josh Hopkins, Ray on "Ally McBeal," as Brennan’s former professor and currently colleague with benefits Michael on "Bones." He was also ADA with a thing for Lilly on "Cold Case." And you’ll see him soon on the new WB series "Pepper Dennis."

Melinda Page Hamilton is Sister Mary Bernard on "Desperate Housewives." We just saw her on "Nip/Tuck" as the woman who wanted to be exactly like Kimber (sans the Carver kidnapping of course).

John Bennett Perry, Matthew Perry’s dad, played Principal Alan Moorehead, Trina’s birth father, on "Veronica Mars."

Robby recognized Bryce Johnson, Josh on "Popular," as the soldier who slept with Quentin on "Nip/Tuck." We also saw him in the season premiere of "House" as Dr. Cuddy’s new assistant.

And Amy recognized that it was a good week for Alicia Coppola. She was a serial killer on "Crossing Jordan" and then popped up as an obnoxious jury consultant on "Bones." Name a show and Coppola was probably on it (remember when Audrey met her in rehab on "Dawson’s Creek?) but she was also Lt. Cmdr. Faith Coleman on "NCIS" and also a series regular on "Trinity," "Cold Feet" and "Bull."

Fall Finale of "Prison Break"

Okay, we were all hoodwinked. Yes, Michael and the rest of the chain gang made a break for it on "Prison Break," they simply didn’t get very far. And the episode was as preposterous as ever. Could Veronica be more dumb? She goes and talks to the local news about her source before she’s actually talked to the source? Special Agent Paul Kellerman doesn’t even look around, he just asks Danny where Veronica is and then leaves (after killing poor Danny of course). Would a prisoner locked in solitary confinement, hours away from execution, really be allowed to be in the infirmary alone? We so need to play a game with "Prison Break." Who can come up with the most number of preposterous events to happen in the fall finale? Ready? Go.

But there were some great twists (the vice president’s brother isn’t actually dead), surprising revelations (who knew you could slit Abruzzi’s throat and he would live to tell the tale?), and a great performance by Wentworth Miller. Wouldn’t it be fun if he ran into Jack Bauer when he got out?

The series will be back with new episodes on March 20 — much earlier than the rumored May return. It doesn’t seem that the show is sustainable if they keep having them almost break out (like "Gilligan’s Island," except you know, not funny). But I’m keeping an open mind.

Highlights of the Week Ahead All times listed are Eastern Standard for Dec. 5 to 11

Raise your hand if you think FOX will actually air "Arrested Development" and "Kitchen Confidential" on Monday at 8 p.m.? Yeah, I put it at even odds too. But you simply must see Michael Vartan reunite with his old "Alias" pal Bradley Cooper when he plays a rival French chef on "Kitchen Confidential."

The fans of "NCIS" (Tuesday, CBS, 8 p.m.) have mobilized and they want to know why I never talk about the show. I have no excuse, so I plan to watch soon because the people have spoken.

So who can explain to me why everyone hates the Weavers on "The Amazing Race" (Tuesday, CBS, 9 p.m.)? I understand they’re annoying and a little wacky. But it’s nice to see a family that is so supportive of each other and always gets along. I’m still rooting for Wally and his girls, however.

I love "Veronica Mars" (Wednesday, UPN, 9 p.m.). And after last week’s scene between Charisma Carpenter and Alyson Hannigan, I’m pretty sure the show loves me back. I’ve heard from several of you who think the series simply isn’t the same this season. And, yes, I miss Wallace (although I so don’t miss his annoying, I-can’t-really-act new girlfriend). But this year’s mystery is just as strong as last year’s (memo to "Desperate Housewives": You might want to try that some time), the dialogue as witty, and the relationships as complicated (we could sell tickets to a Duncan v. Logan debate). And what a great and shocking revelation that Meg is pregnant. The show just keeps the plot twists coming. Now do we think Duncan actually slept with Kendall? Please discuss. Don’t forget that Robert Maschio, The Todd on "Scrubs," guest-stars on this week’s episode that finds Veronica on jury duty.

Sexy Lexy (Michael Rosenbaum) is in trouble in the aptly titled "Lexmas" episode of "Smallville" (Thursday, WB, 9 p.m.).