20. The Other Two (season 3, HBO Max)
I really love this show, the ensemble cast, and the whip-smart script. Some funny and bizarre story lines in this latest and last season of the series, which mostly worked. Regardless, I'll miss these folks and could have been on board with another season or two.
19. Single Drunk Female (season 2, Freeform/Hulu)
Oh wow, this show is great. And it's over (read: sad). But super thankful I caught this one. A story of a young woman dealing with alcoholism that doesn't shy away from the messy corners. Funny and engrossing.
18. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (season 3, Netflix)
This show is hilarious. Sketch comedy at its peak.
17. Fargo (season 5, FX on Hulu)
Okay couldn't get into season 4 of this anthology series but season 5 has hooked me in real quick. I'm about 2/3 of the way through the season and its had some real stellar tense scenes, perfect character creation, and spot on northern midwest vibe.
16. Only Murder in the Building (Hulu)
It's great to be back with my NYC friends, solving crimes and watching a-list actors guest star for a season (Streep & Rudd). The central three are still spectacular and this season's murder premise might be my favorite?
15. Beef (mini-series, Netflix)
Much has been written about the tension of this show and, specifically, the pilot's road rage scene. Leads Yeun and Wong are just perfect and this show takes so many twists and turns and the series ends just spectacularly and cathartically.
14. Starstruck (season 3, BBC/HBO Max)
What a feel good show. Premise: a normal unknowingly has a one night stand with a famous actor and antics follow. The lead actress is just so comfy and funny and I want to spend time with her. The ensemble cast is firing on all cylinders with their eccentricities on full display. The new love interest this season is so endearing. I think the series is over and I think they pulled off a great conclusion, if so.
13. Barry (season 4, HBO Max)
So many series finales of iconic shows this year! Barry has a wild premise -- hitman taking a turn towards acting. This series finale season didn't let up on the intensity. Some fantastic curves and interesting choices made to close out the series. Maybe not a homerun but still so, so good.
12. The Climb (season 1, HBO Max)
Okay this reality climbing competition show is so good. I'm a sucker for climbing docs and this reality take is just so encouraging and good-natured. I was engrossed and loved it and couldn't wait for each week's next installment.
11. Dave (season 3, FX on Hulu)
Dove into this show this year and low-key loved it. Originally held off because it looked bro-y and it is but also heartfelt and hilarious and the music is on point. Filled with self-doubt and critique and social commentary and just perfect guest roles / cameos.
10. Reservation Dogs (season 3, FX on Hulu)
I love the trajectory of this show and the lead teenagers' lives. Dealing with grief and loss while also contemplating and exploring life outside of rural Oklahoma. Each season, the show has expertly built on the previous. The four leads are great and have only grown in their ability to live into their complex characters.
9. The Bear (season 2, FX on Hulu)
Fan of season 1 and despite all of the hyperbolic buzz, season 2 lives up to the hype. A study of desire and improvement and community bettering each other. Just crushing it. Oh, and the flash-back Christmas episode is tied with Beef for most tense viewing experience.
8. Claim to Fame (season 2, ABC/Hulu)
This is not my normal viewing. But I caved and hopped on the Claim to Fame train, getting fully invested in the celebrity adjacent reality competition shenanigans, making my own guesses on who the contestants are related to and loving the competition gameplay. If you need a hook, ep 1 of season 2 has a full-on anger meltdown from a relative of one of America's kindest public figures.
7. Succession (season 4, HBO Max)
This may be the first season of Succession that I've watched as the episodes have dropped, certainly upping the enjoyment factor. The memes, the commentary, the shock and awe was a fun ride. This show is expertly written and this season had a few episodes that will likely go down as all time greatest in television history. My attention span tends to dwindle on the 45 minute+ episodes but no notes for how this series wrapped up.
6. Our Flag Means Death (season 2, HBO Max)
Gay pirates! Back for season 2 and I couldn't be happier. I'm hoping this show continues to find its audience and give us a few more seasons. Bloody and heartfelt and charming through and through. I'm on board whenever there's something wholly new and original presented.
5. Abbott Elementary (season 2, ABC/Hulu)
You heard of this show? While Abbott may be crushing the viewing numbers and winning all of the awards, it would be easy to write it off as a broad, feel-good show (which it is). But the writing is smart, the performances are on point, and season 2 came back bigger and better. Long live Quinta and her team.
4. Somebody Somewhere (season 2, HBO Max)
Why do I love this show so much? Is it the queer Midwest vibes? I don't know. I love all of the characters so much and it's charming as hell and it just makes me feel good.
3. Heartstopper (season 2, Netflix)
Not sure if I binged season 1 but season 2 was a one-time viewing, front to back, late into the night when I had work in the morning. And it was worth it.
2. Jury Duty (season 1, Freevee on Amazon Prime)
I was a few months behind in viewing but this show got me. As mentioned previously (and in my top pick), I'm almost always down for a genre busting show that delivers. Pulling off a long-form hidden-camera "prank" has so many potential pitfalls. The cast breaking character, the subject being wild or mean or not-into-it, the James Marsden of it all. But they pulled it off. And it was pleasant viewing, not mean or cringey. Will they ever be able to pull off a season 2??
1. How To With John Wilson (season 3, HBO Max)
Three brilliant seasons of John Wilson wondering around NYC and beyond. Finding connections between the oddities of (city) life, meeting endearing and eclectic folks, and lightly investigating corners of society that I've never even considered. This is just brilliant, genre-busting television. I don't want any copycat shows except for folks who have a unique idea and want to follow it to perfection.
Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically)
100 Foot Wave (season 2, HBO Max)
Am I Being Unreasonable? (season 1, Hulu)
Beckham (doc mini-series, Netflix)
Big Mouth (season 7, Netflix)
Bob's Burgers (season 14, FOX/Hulu)
Cunk on Earth (season 1, Netflix)
Deadloch (season 1, Prime Video)
Extraordinary (season 1, Hulu)
A History of the World Part II (season 1, Hulu)
Human Resources (season 2, Netflix)
Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York (doc mini-series, HBO Max)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (season 5, Prime Video)
Never Have I Ever (season 4, Netflix)
Painting with John (season 3, HBO Max)
Platonic (season 1, Apple TV+)
Poker Face (season 1, Peacock)
Queer Eye (season 7, Netflix)
Rupaul's Drag Race (season 15, MTV)
The Secrets of Hillsong (doc mini-series, FX on Hulu)
Sex Education (season 4, Netflix)
Shiny Happy People: Dugger Family Secrets (doc mini-series, Prime Video)
Shrinking (season 1, Apple TV+)
Swiping America (season 1, HBO Max)
Telemarketers (doc mini-series, HBO Max)
Ted Lasso (season 3, Apple TV+)
Welcome to Wrexham (season 2, FX on Hulu)
What We Do in the Shadows (season 5, FX on Hulu)
- Black Mirror (season 6, Netflix)
- The Crown (season 5, Netflix)
- The Curse (season 1, Showtime/Paramount)
- The Diplomat (season 1, Netflix)
- Full Circle (mini-series, HBO Max)
- I'm a Virgo (season 1, Prime Video)
- Mrs. Davis (season 1, Peacock)
- Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, & Reckoning (doc mini-series, HBO Max)
- The Other Black Girl (season 1, Hulu)
- Rap Sh!t (season 2, HBO Max)
- Savior Complex (doc mini-series, HBO Max)
- Survival of the Thickest (season 1, Netflix)
- Swarm (season 1, Prime Video)
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