Best Television of 2023

 

This year I somehow watched significantly less television compared to the year before. How? I don't know. Maybe all of the movies? But still over 100 seasons... Anyhow, we're still in that area where there's tons of content out there. Much of it mid but a lot of it still great. We had the endings of some current classics like Succession, Barry, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and How To with John Wilson along with some teen gems such as Never Have I Ever and Sex Education. Some stuck the landing better than others. All in all some good stuff for our viewing pleasure. 

Alas, my top 20 shows followed by my honorable mentions and highly anticipated. I generally tried to choose shows/seasons that primarily aired in 2023 though may have made a few missteps. 

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)

Highly Anticipated (listed alphabetically)

• 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)

Best Television of 2022

 

Continued onslaught of TV out there. Majority of it is fine but unremarkable. But then I also loved my top 20 and really enjoyed my HM so I guess we keep watching as time and life allows. Perhaps there will be a year I cut back but that's not today.

20. What We Do in the Shadows (season 4, FX on Hulu)

The jokes. The concepts. The execution. This show rules and they've somehow made a house of vampires in Staten Island mockumentary comedy plot line interesting and fresh in a fourth season.

19. Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (season 1, Prime)

LOTR is one of those fantasy worlds I actually get lost in. Not my genre but the movies hit at the perfect time in my teenage years so there's certainly some nostalgia points here. I'm also not a big enough LOTR nerd to actually know if all of the lore lines up appropriately because I'm just along for the ride.

18. Reservation Dogs (season 2, FX on Hulu)

This show's second season got a lot of buzz. The most unique show on television. Doing its own thing. Beautifully shot and scripted and acted. Yes to all of these things. I thought the first season did that too. But glad it's getting the recognition it deserves. Go check out this show about native teens. It's funny and eye-opening.

17. Atlanta (season 3 & 4, FX on Hulu)

Two things. One: Atlanta walked so Reservation Dogs could run. Both from very specific points of view and just bizarre in the best way. Two: I haven't watched season four yet. Season three was wild and very bizarre at times with the crew roaming Europe on tour. I hear season four is back in ATL for the series finale and is excellent. So, it gets included too.

16. Never Have I Ever (season 3, Netflix)

From the mind of Mindy Kaling, this show is so fun and light and one of my fave teen bops of a show. Keep 'em coming!

15. Sort Of (season 2, HBO Max)

I live for these types of shows. Sort Of follows Sabi, gender-queer Pakistani 20 something in Toronto as they figure out life while reconciling their various identities and various communities. Go binge these (short) seasons over a weekend.

14. Hacks (season 2, HBO Max)

Hacks gets recognition for being great. And it is great. Two great comedic actors acting as comedians so, yeah, it's funny. Generational difference is centered but not the only dynamic at play. 

13. Girls5eva (season 2, Peacock)

From the mind of Tina Fey, Girls5eva is joke-packed to the gills. I love it. More seasons, please.

12. The Sex Lives of College Girls (season 2, HBO Max)

Also from the mind of Mindy Kaling! This show is so fun and funny, following four first-year women at a prestigious liberal arts college. Lots of shenanigans and cliff-hangers and jokes. And I'm a sucker for a college-centered anything.

11. Somebody Somewhere (season 1, HBO)

A funny show that meanders through grief and feeling out of sorts and making community. Actors Bridget Everett and Jeff Hiller really make this one a worthy watch.

10. Severance (season 1, Apple TV+)

This show is weird, man. Weird corporation stuff is going on, there's off-kilter dance parties, our relationship to work is skewered. This one is worth the watch. 

9. Big Mouth (season 6, Netflix)

I love this pubescent animated show. A bunch of my favorite comedians voices middle-schoolers going through real stuff and handled so (im)maturely.

8. The Rehearsal (season 1, HBO)

I don't know how to describe this show. Or Nathan, the show-runner. Some weird ethical stuff with child actors revealed at the end. I had no idea where this IRL show was going. And I guess I'm here for shows that reinvent what television can be.

7. Mo (season 1, Netflix)

A handful of A24 auteur shows on my list. I think Mo was my favorite from this year. Mirroring parts of Mo's actually life, this scripted show beautifully depicted Houston, immigrant life, and middle eastern culture. Also, very funny.

6. Stranger Things 4 (season 4, Netflix)

Hour and a half episodes?! Are you kidding me?? But they were really good. And good on ST for creating a summer moment with Running Up a Hill.

5. Derry Girls (season 3, Netflix)

I've been late hopping into this show but these 19080s gals are so fun to follow. Lots of laughs with a tumultuous political backdrop. So, I guess there were literal laugh and cry moments.

4. Our Flag Means Death (season 1, HBO Max)

Easily my favorite queer pirate TV show of all time.

3. Abbot Elementary (seasons 1 & 2, ABC)

At this point, it feels like Abbot has been around for five years. But really it's just (mostly) been the 2022 calendar year. At this point, they mockumentary comedy format is well-trodden. Abbott brings a welcomed fresh-ness to the genre. The full ensemble is solid, the jokes hit, the plots are specific and appeal to a wide audience. Hoping for five more seasons.

2. Heartstopper (season 1, Netflix)

Not much to say other than this cute little queer high school love story was precious and the sweetest way to spend four hours. 

1. The White Lotus (season 2, HBO)

I missed watching season one live so I was ready for the cultural moment that season two turned out to be. Coolidge and Plaza, the intro theme song, the shots of waves crashing, the clothes. Hitting on all cylinders. Can't wait for a third season in the midwest.

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically)

• The Afterparty (season 1)Barry (season 3)
• The Bear (season 1)
• Better Things (season 5)
• Bad Sisters (season 1)
• Bob's Burgers (season 13)
• Killing Eve (season 4]
• Heartbreak High (season 1)
• High School (season 1)
• A League of their Own (season 1)
• Loot (season 1)
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (season 4)
• Only Murders in the Building (season 2)
• Pause with Sam Jay (season 2)
• Ms. Marvel (season 1)
• Ramy (season 3)
• Rap Sh1t (season 1)
• Reboot (season 1)
• Rutherford Falls (season 2)
• Rupaul’s Drag Race (season 11)
• She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (season 1)
• Starstruck (season 2)
• Search Party (season 5)
• Tuca & Bertie (season 3)
• We’re Here (season 3)
• Welcome to Chippendales (season 1)
• Welcome to Wrexham (season 1)

Highly Anticipated (listed alphabetically)

• Andor (season 1)
• The Crown (season 5)
• The Patient (season 1)
• Slow Horses (season 2)

Best Television of 2021

 

Another year. Lots of television and, with pandemic restricting a ton of "going out," a lot of time to view. Particularly with a stressful world/life, I'm continuing to lean towards the half-hour dramedy format. Lots of HBO Max and Netflix though plenty of other streaming sources, particularly with my top five. Here we go.

Favorite Shows

21. Love Life (season 2, HBO Max)

Same universe, mostly new cast. This season hit. Protagonist Marcus (William Jackson, aka The Good Place's Chidi) stumbles his way through a number of relationships and modern woes. I'm here for it.

20. Genera+ion (season 1, HBO Max)

SoCal teenagers doing their thing. Making mistakes, dealing with issues present distinctly today. All very Gen Z. It's removed from my personal experience but congruent with what I see with current college students. Wonderfully shot, sound-tracked, acted, and written. 

19. Special (season 2, Netflix)

Wonderfully funny and engaging and, of course, opening a lens on a person with a disability's experience. 

18. Rupaul's Drag Race (season 13, Paramount+)

Ok, so here's the thing: Since September 2020, I started Rupaul's Drag Race and have caught up on the show, including All Stars and a few seasons of UK and Canada. So, Rupaul has played a large part of my past year and a half. For the latest season, I loved the top five and was very pleased with the winner. The lewks, the kiki-ing, the whole structure of the show. I'm a decade+ behind but I'm all in now.

17. Sex Education (season 3, Netflix)

Wonderfully scripted and explores so much of teenager's (and human's) sex lives. British and Gillian Anderson elevate it. Give us another season or two!

16. Atypical (season 4, Netflix)

Confession: I haven't finished this season but I'm connected to this family and navigating life and it's just good.

15. Feel Good (season 2, Netflix)

This show is hella funny. Lead Mae is perfect, full of insecurities and flaws and so funny. The seasons are real short but pack a lot of plot and humor in, in the best way possible.

14. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (season 2, Netflix)

Sketch genius. Bizarre premises, perfect timing, great guests, and just the right amount of sketch wants. 

13. Hacks (season 1, HBO Max)

Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are fantastic leads. Great writing, great generational comparison.  

12. How To With John Wilson (season 2, HBO Max)

This show is brilliant. Documentarian John Wilson wanders around NYC, chooses a topic, and somehow threads dozens of clips into his theme for the week. Funny and human and unlike anything else I'm watching. 

11.Search Party (season 4, HBO Max)

The gang is back together. Moving on from "solving a crime" and now dealing with the consequences of their actions. Perfectly Millennial but not annoying about it. The show takes bizarre turns in the best way. 

10. Mare of Easttown (season 1, HBO Max)

Watched this hour-long seven-episode season in a two-day period. I'm a sucker for long-form detective shows and this one reeled me in perfectly. Kate is amazing and I'm all about the Philadelphia accents and references.   

9. Tuca & Bertie (season 2, Cartoon Network / Adult Swim)

Netflix dropped this gem but thankfully CN picked it up. Ali Wong & Tiffany Haddish as the lead voices. Their work is perfect. The animation is Bojack Horseman style but they've upped the ante in a creative direction. Love these gals.

8. Only Murder in the Building (season 1, Hulu)

Somehow a comedy, detective thriller, inter-generational, and a meta-commentary on podcasts and true-crime. The leads are fantastic and somehow Steve Martin and Martin Short pair perfectly with Selena Gomez.

7. The Other Two (season 2, HBO Max)

NYC sibling seek to elevate their professional careers in the entertainment industry while watching their mother and brother's careers blow-up with little effort. Both a great family relationships comedy and an incisive commentary on modern day definitions of success.

6. Insecure (season 5, HBO Max)

Issa! You and your crew will be missed! As always, a fantastic exploration of a thirty-something making it in the world, trying to find love, and uncompromisingly black. The final season kept it fresh, kept up the perfect sound-tracking, and kept up a near perfect show.  

5. Girls5eva (season 1, Peacock)

This show slapped. Tina Fey funny and I'm here for it. A group of women come back a couple decades later to revive their careers. So bizarre and somehow plot driven without being overly-complicated. Yes to a second season!

4. What We Do in the Shadows (season 3, FX on Hulu)

Comedy perfection. The show has fully hit it's stride. So funny and bizarre and exploring unchartered territory of premise (documentary style with a group of vampires living in Staten Island). 

 

3. Big Mouth (season 5, Netflix)

I keep waiting for this show to turn a corner and run out of jokes and premises yet they continue to delve into hilarious topics while being kind and considerate to the (raunchy) puberty themes. The hormone monsters are infinitely quote-able and I'm ready for more. 

2. Pen15 (season 2.2, Hulu)

The latter part of season 2 (seven episodes) was just so perfect. I guess I'm a sucker for puberty story-lines written/performed by thirty-somethings (see Big Mouth). Maya and Anna are hilarious middle school girls with all of the charm, annoyance, and illogic of that age. They are infinitely loyal and horny. The last episode was a crowd pleaser and I was more than pleased.

1. Ted Lasso (season 2, Apple TV+)

Along with everyone else, I find this show to be perfection. So heart-warming and good-natured without being saccharine. Each character is fully human and nuanced and they actually have character arcs. Give me season three. 

  

 

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically)

• 100 Foot Wave (season 1)
• Bob's Burgers (season 11)
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine (season 8)
• It's a Sin (mini-series)
• Legendary (season 2)
• Loki (season 1)
• Pride (documentary series)
• Making It (season 3)
• Never Have I Ever (season 2)
• Q-Force (season 1)
• Reservation Dogs (season 1)
• Rupaul's Drag Race All Stars (season 6)
• Rutherford Falls (season 1)
• Schmigadoon! (mini-series)
• Shrill (season 3)
• Starstruck (season 1)
• Succession (season 3)
• Wandavision (season 1)
• We're Here (season 2)
• We Are Ladyparts (season 1)

Highly Anticipated (listed alphabetically)

• Betty (season 2)
• The Chair (mini-series)
• Dear White People (season 4)
• Maid (season 1)
• Master of None (season 3)
• The Morning Show (season 2)
• Modern Love (season 2)
• Landscapers (season 1)
• Sort Of (season 1)
• The White Lotus (season 1)