'Parks and Recreation' stands very tall next to 'Boardwalk Empire' on the American Film Institute's list of Top 10 TV shows of 2011. Can you imagine a meeting between Leslie Knope and Nucky Thompson?

A who's who of veteran shows and critical darlings filled out the rest of the list, some for the first time. 'The Good Wife,' 'Parks,' 'Louie,' and 'Justified' are all brand new entries to AFI's year-end list.

Showtime's 'Homeland' and HBO's 'Game of Thrones' were the only new 2011 shows to make the list.

Take a peek at the full list below.

The cold winds are rising, but Stannis Baratheon may be a more pressing problem for the Lanisters in 'Game of Thrones.' In the latest teaser for Season 2, King Robert's brother stakes his claim to the throne currently occupied by young Joffrey.

"My brother left no true-born heirs. By right and birth and blood I do this day lay claim to the iron throne of Westeros. ... The iron throne is mine by right." He follows this with the chilling threat: "They will bend the knee or I will destroy them."

Watch the clip after the jump.

Winter can't come fast enough for 'Game of Thrones' fans who are itching to see Season 2. While they wait in anticipation, they'll soon be able to re-watch Season 1 at their leisure. The DVD and Blu-ray versions -- complete with a host of goodies -- will be in stores March 6.

According to 'Entertainment Weekly,' the sets are really, really good: "HBO has pulled out all the stops. Based on the two disks I previewed, 'Thrones' was given a lavish presentation. The sophisticated menu navigation and behind-the-scenes extras that are on par with DVD sets from hit movies rather than what fans typically receive for TV shows."

After the jump watch a new sneak peek of Arya Stark's "rough and tumble" new look for Season 2 and check out the DVD/Blu-ray extras.

I'm hard to shop for -- I fully admit that -- but the one way to my heart is with anything TV-related. Now that it's officially December, it's time to start putting up holiday decorations and brainstorming the perfect presents for everyone on your list ... even the picky people.

I've pulled together the best of the best holiday presents inspired by TV, including full series box sets of fan-favorite shows, a paperweight worthy of geek must-have status, a few books (yes, books) written by TV funny ladies and more gotta-have gear from the hottest comedies and dramas. There's something for all ages, all price ranges and all TV lovers.

So put your kids down for a nap in their leather jackets (you'll see), curl up with Big Joe (you'll love) and settle in for this epic list of TV-themed gifting goodness. Happy shopping!

"Thanksgiving is coming" ... 'Game of Thrones' fans have been getting into the Thanksgiving spirit on Twitter this week by creating a world of puns known as 'Game of Turkeys.'

Sadly, 'Game of Thrones' creator George R.R. Martin hasn't joined the fun as he is rather Twitter-averse, but his original words have given rise to some truly hilarious, clever and, at times, just plain weird word play.

From Ned Stark's "If you would take a turkey's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words," through Tyrion Lanister's "A Butterball ALWAYS pays his debts," to Jon Snow's "You baste them with the pointy end," homage is paid to all the classic 'Game of Thrones' lines. Enjoy!

We're thankful for a lot of things, but we're all about TV around here, and so is this list. Yes, it's time once again for the annual staff picks for TV Shows We're Most Thankful For.

There's plenty to choose from -- and obviously we had to narrow it down quite a bit -- but each of us has decided on one show that makes weekly viewing and analysis fun and worthwhile, for whatever reason.

Some of us appreciate a good laugh above all, some put dramas on a pedestal, and others are into vampire dramas with a hint of Somerhalder. You get the idea.

Take a peek at our quick list, then please share your own show that makes you thankful in the comments. Gobble gobble!

In a new behind-the-scenes video that aired on HBO Sunday night, we got our first glimpses of the second season of 'Game of Thrones.'

The show doesn't return until April, but we're sure this is the first of many preview tidbits designed to whet our interest for the next round of machinations in Westeros and beyond. What do you think, 'Game of Thrones' fans -- did it work?

What am I saying? Of course those of us who became entranced by the first season of the show are counting the days until Tyrion, Cersei, Arya, Jon Snow and all the rest return -- not just those characters, of course, but the dozens of new players who will join the game in 2012.

Ciao Seaside! The Situation is leaving the shore and headed to the suburbs.

Our favorite juicehead gorilla, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino will guest-star on ABC's hit new comedy 'Suburgatory,' reports TV Guide.

The Situation will play himself, and we can't wait to see him and Noah (Alan Tudyk) compare tans. The 'Jersey Shore' star will somehow end up in the suburbs, where he'll serve as the fist-pumping DJ at Tessa's (Jane Levy) school dance.

Sorrentino's acting debut will air sometime next year.

In other casting news ...

Halloween is just days away, but you've still got time to pull off an awesome conversation-starting costume.

Where better to look for inspiration than to the reality TV stars, possibly fake baby bumps and memorable TV characters that have made headlines lately?

From our favorite zombie dodgers, to Nancy Grace (optional accessory: an exposed nipple) in one of her 'Dancing With the Stars' ensembles, to a very clever new use for grandma's old Rascal scooter, we've got you covered with costume ideas for men and women.

After the jump, our picks for the hottest TV-inspired Halloween costumes, sure to give you all the tricks and treats you need to make the holiday as pop-culturally relevant as possible.

Share your own clever costume ideas in the comments ...

The excitement surrounding 'Game of Thrones' Season 2 has been building recently with the news that HBO has set a premiere date.

Now it's been reported that another key piece of casting has been finalized. According to 'Entertainment Weekly,' the role of Wildling girl Ygritte has gone to 'Downton Abbey' actress Rose Leslie.

She played Lady Sybil's protégé, housemaid Gwen, in Season 1, at the end of which Gwen left Downton to work as a secretary.

And that's not all. Jon Snow's sword, the mighty Longclaw, will be making a cameo appearance on 'The Big Bang Theory,' and an NBC comedy will reference the HBO drama this week. Find out more after the jump!

Winter is coming ... this spring. HBO has announced 'Game of Thrones' Season 2 will premiere in April 2012. Can you hold out six more months?

No specific premiere date has been announced.

Production of Season 2 has had some weather-related problems. In early September, five people were injured by high winds on the Northern Ireland set. Meanwhile, the cast has been growing as more book characters prepare to make their appearance in the TV show.

'Mister Ed' paved the way for animals in the entertainment industry, breaking through the glass ceiling barn door by talking up TV viewers and being as charming as any leading man out there.

As the theme song said, "A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse, of course. That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed!"

Yes, Ed was in his hay-day on TV for six glorious seasons, always easily bribed to tell a good story with a little peanut butter, making him a horse we can endorse. But he also gets the sniff of approval from his fellow four-legged friends in Hollywood.

As the 50th anniversary of 'Mister Ed''s big Oct. 1, 1961, network debut approaches, we gathered quotes from some of the biggest names in TV's animal kingdom to roast and pay tribute to the equine entertainer.

Check out our gallery for commentary provided by everyone from Flipper and Lassie to weed-smoking Wilfred and Annie's Boobs, the monkey from 'Community.'

HBO provided the tiniest tantalising glimpse of 'Game of Thrones' Season 2 last night for those fans who are starting to feel that winter just can't come soon enough.

"The night is dark and full of terrors." Frankly, there's not much of the teaser to savor, but you can do so after the jump.

Meanwhile, 'Game of Thrones' creator George R.R. Martin says he has "mixed feelings" about The CW's planned remake of 'Beauty and the Beast.' Martin served as a writer and producer on the original series, which aired on CBS from 1987 to 1990.

Peter Dinklage wins one for the geeks.

'Game of Thrones' picked up its first Emmy tonight after Dinklage won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister.

Surprisingly, Dinklage took the time to thank his dog sitter -- as well as his wife Erica Schmidt.

"Wow, I followed Martin Scorsese," said a completely shocked Dinklage. "I couldn't do this without David Benioff and Dan Weiss, the producers, they were the first to call me and tell me about this part. HBO you're quite simply the best place to work for you; you let artists create."

Dinklage not only picks up his first Emmy, but he also takes home the golden statue for his work in a fantasy drama -- a genre that often gets overlooked by the academy.

It may only be early September, but it feels like winter is coming on the Northern Ireland set of 'Game of Thrones.'

High winds swept across the set Monday and blew apart the lunch tent just as everyone was settling down to eat.

The coastal area has been battered by strong winds caused by the tail of Hurricane Katia crossing the Atlantic and, although the weather was fine Monday morning, conditions started to deteriorate around noon.

A worker on the set told the 'Belfast Telegraph' that production had been called off for the day and everyone was moved to the catering tent to eat. Then it collapsed. "It all happened so quickly. The floor started to come up, then the side rose up, the roof took off and beams starting falling down. ... It was definitely a bit more drama than we were expecting."