On Monday, I posted my Top 10 Dramas of the year. Today I will be focusing on the top ten comedies. And I'll again post my Top 50 shows of the decade, posted in early December. Don't have much time, so I'll quickly get to the post and repost my introductory disclaimer if you're upset about the picks.
A couple of important points to make before I get to the list. There are about 500 shows out there, and I may not have seen your show. I am pretty selective with what shows I watch, even though I watch a lot, and I hate to say it, but me happening to read one bad review at the wrong time could put me off that show forever. So I'm sorry if your show didn't make the list, but if its any consolation, this is a stacked year for comedy, to the point where a couple of no brainer shows at the beginning of this process did not end up making the final list.
#10 Silicon Valley - Season S6 (HBO)
Apologies to the honorable mention shows, which could have easily made their way on this list. Ultimately, the tiebreaker is that Silicon Valley has never made my top ten and it should make it at least once. And this was the final season, a season that I think was very good and an improvement over the last few seasons. With a shortened episode count, they had less "filler" episodes than usual, which has always been my main issue with the show.
#9 The Tick - Season 2 (Amazon Prime)
Another show whose final season just aired, though The Tick's wasn't exactly by choice. Hard to feel too bad though - the creator was the original comic book creator of The Tick, which then got turned into an animated series for three years, and then a very short run on Fox back in early 2001, and he got a third try at it. I've seen all three versions - not read the comic book - and this one is by far the attempting to be the closest to reality and I obviously recommend it.
#8 Sex Education - Season 1 (Netflix)
I'm going to forgo trying to describe this series and sell you on its premise and simply tell you that Gillian Anderson plays a sex therapist, too sharing mom and I think that should pretty much sell you on watching the show, shouldn't it? Also features someone who looks suspiciously like Margot Robbie's little sister. Anyway, good show.
#7 Bojack Horseman - Season 6 (Netflix)
Yeah Netflix is running the comedy game right now. As part one of a two part season, it's getting kind of shortchanged for a list such as this - less episodes and less cohesiveness than watching the season as a whole I imagine. But I like the direction that the show seems to be taking so far, and will be watching the final eight episodes of the show when it comes out.
#6 You're the Worst - Season 5 (FX)
Yet another show whose final season aired in 2019 - if Sex Education's second season hadn't already been made, I'd think it was cancelled based off this - this was yet again a strong final season. Television hasn't exactly been known for good final seasons, but that trend seems to be changing? This wouldn't be here if I didn't like how it ended, so feel free to binge this show knowing it ends well.
#5 Tuca & Bertie - Season 1 (Netflix)
If there's one complaint I'll make about this show is that the first and second episodes aren't exactly the best. The show becomes something great and I'll even give credit that the first two episodes lull you into thinking this show is something it's not - it's from writers of Bojack Horseman for a reason is all I'll say - but I can kind of see why it didn't get viewership numbers to get renewed.
#4 Russian Doll - Season 1 (Netflix)
A Groundhog Day style story told in eight installments, it actually benefits from being an episodic story rather than either in a movie or a one-off of a genre show. I have no idea how they're going to do a season two to be perfectly honest, but I'm not going to write off any show with an obvious one season premise after American Vandal pulled a great season two out of their ass.
#3 Fleabag - Season 2 (BBC)
Well, you've probably heard all about this show at this point. I think this is an improvement over the first season - which I won't make you look but made my #9 comedy of 2016 - but the whole and very short-lived show is worth watching. The season focuses on Pheobe Waller-Bridge's flirtation with "hot priest" (played by Andrew Scott) and of course her relationship with her family. And would you believe it, this show's final season was this year too!
#2 Barry - Season 2 (HBO)
I cannot give enough praise to a specific, standout episode during this season called "ronny/lilly." I've truly never seen an episode like this and it's a treat. It's written, directed, and starring Bill Hader, and I'm not even worried I'm overselling this it's that good. What I am worried is that I'm giving short shaft to the rest of the season, which perhaps didn't reach the heights of that episode, but just about no other show did either so can't fault it for that.
#1 The Good Place - Season 4 (NBC)
Yeah another final season here, although there are a few more episodes left until the season is over. I'm a little surprised this is my first #1 posting for The Good Place, but it surprisingly is. Anyway, it's one of my favorite comedies ever, even if it wouldn't be on my funniest. I only partially watch it for the laughs, the other part is some good ole existential thinking and philosophical debates. I can't believe this show works as well as it does.
Honorable Mentions
GLOW - The drop from #2 to honorable mention is probably over exaggerating the drop off, but this was a genuinely uneven season and I'm less sure the writers know what they want to do after they blew up the status quo at the end of season two.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Black-ish - Two shows keeping the network sitcom alive deep into their runs. I like B99 more, but I had basically the same thing to say about both.
Archer - In what could be a final season - but looks like Adam Reed's final season at the least - it would have fit in well with this list.
Bob's Burgers - Remaining as consistent of a show as it's ever been, this show is comfort food in the best way.
It's Always Sunny - I would have liked this to make my list, seeing as it's one of my favorite comedies ever, but couldn't find a way to squeeze it in even though it had a good season.
Rick & Morty - I'm as shocked as you this isn't on my list, but I'm only working with five episodes, two of which were not very good, so not particularly hard to leave off the list.
Better Things - This show is not really made for me, so it's probably not a surprise it's off my list, but I just can't find a way to include it in a top ten.
Veep - While comedy isn't as strong as the drama field, there seem to be a million comedies I would have been cool putting at the back end of my list. Yet another final season that I ultimately couldn't squeeze onto the list.
Catastrophe - I like Catastrophe, but it is a six episode a season show with the urgency of a 24 episode a season show, so it's easy to forget about.
Documentary Now! - Only one more show, it's actually ridiculous how many shows I want to at least mention here.
Dear White People - I watched a few shows with incredibly strong second seasons with a third season that isn't as good, and this is another one of those shows.
Showing posts with label Fleabag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fleabag. Show all posts
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Monday, December 9, 2019
Top 50 Shows of the 2010s
With 2020 approaching, many websites primarily writing about movie and television are doing their end of the decade list, so I thought - why not join in? I've certainly seen enough to make such a list. While I glanced at a few - mostly to make sure I wasn't forgetting any shows - I have tried to make this list with as little outside information as possible. And there are a few shows listed in most lists that I simply haven't seen or haven't seen enough of to include unfortunately - Halt and Catch Fire, Treme, Persons of Interest, The Good Wife, Legend of Korra, Fringe - those are at least the big ones. There is a good chance that - when I would get to those shows - at least one or more would be a part of this list. But there's always going to be blind spots for a list with one person.
I'm going to follow Alan Sepinwall's model on this one on what shows to include. For shows that premiered before 2010, it must have over half of its episodes air in this decade and that it must not have aired over two seasons. The big omission by this rule is Mad Men, which aired 3 seasons in the 2000s, and It's Always Sunny, which has actually had 97 of its 148 episodes this decade. Which is a blessing frankly. I have no idea how to judge Mad Men as a show if I'm forced to remove the first three seasons, which when included with the fourth, I think are its best. It's certainly on this list, but where is a mystery, especially since I haven't watched the show since the finale.
That's another thing - I am not a heavy rewatcher of shows. Its why I'm able to watch so many shows, because I watch it once and then move on to another show. So some of this list will include shows that I haven't seen in over five years, and thus, I'm mostly trusting my memory of how I felt about the show. Again I have one very specific example in mind that I will rewatch at some point, because I don't remember the show all that well, just that I loved it. This is going to be a long list, so I'll just get on with it.
#50 - Drunk History
Drunk History has suffered in my annual top ten lists, just because it's basically the same thing season after season. But for a list like this, that doesn't matter. It's a simple concept - drunk people trying to tell history accurately - and done well. As a person who has entertained the idea of becoming a history teacher and as a drunk person, this show is right up my alley.
#49 - Arrow
The first Arrowverse show is also its best. Legends of Tomorrow was strongly considered and frankly I have preferred that show to Arrow for most of its run, but no Arrowverse show has matched the heights of Arrow - back half of season 1, all of season 2, season 5, and this latest season. It would not have made the list if not for its last season and I'm worried I'm letting recency bias affect this too much, but I think it deserves a spot.
#48 Key & Peele
I watched my first episode after it went off the air - although obviously I had seem some of the individual sketches - and was at first underwhelmed. The thing about sketch comedies shows - even highly acclaimed ones - is that not every sketch is a hit. But this has enough classic sketches that can go face to face with any classic sketch comedy show and the pure consistency of this show to produce at least mildly funny laughs is nearly unparalleled in sketch comedy shows.
#47 New Girl
I'm not much of a binger - I try not to watch two episodes of the same show in one day believe it or not - but I was put off by the ads for this show and didn't watch it immediately, but I watched the first two seasons on Netflix in like 2 weeks. And I was a fan for good. This just has a very good comedic cast that could make even mediocre writing funny. And I'm not suggesting this had mediocre writing (although later in its run, they kind of did, but that's most comedies that air as long as this one did)
#46 Marvel's Agents of Shield
Two superhero (or superhero-adjacent) shows already? I believe this is the last one. Whether you consider that a good thing or bad thing, well I'm just letting you know this really isn't indicative of most of my list. Partially due to trying to time the show with a Marvel movie, this show started really slow, so much so that I stopped watching. But I picked it back up and it got better and better. It still has one more season to go, but the show doesn't pick up steam until the last batch of episodes in season 1. (If you're considering starting this, just start at Bill Paxton's first episode. You may or may not be a little lost, but the first fifteen episodes are extremely skippable)
#45 Silicon Valley
Pending on how I end up finishing my 2019 top ten list - which I haven't started - this show never made my top 10 comedies of the year and yet I have it here. Part of that is that I didn't have a list in 2014 honestly (I think it would have made it), but it was pretty consistently in the 11th-15th range if I extended my list past ten shows. I probably gave it an honorable mention every year for instance. Anyway good show with a very good cast.
#44 Black Mirror
I hesitate to put this on my list because it doesn't have that many episodes and it doesn't really have that many truly great episodes either. It's not like it has a 100% success rate with its episodes, especially the Netflix seasons. But I don't know it would feel weird to not include this show (which also never made my list and I'm not even sure its best seasons that were before I started this would either cause they were three episodes). And even if the episode is not quite as good as I'd like, it at least is vastly different than anything else on television.
#43 The Leftovers
Holy shit Gabe this is low, right? I liked the show more with each successive season, but there are three seasons and I liked two episodes - TWO - of the first season. And the Guilty Remnant was a huge drag on the show in my opinion. So yeah it's not going to rank all that highly for me - especially in comparison to other critics - and I'm definitely going to one day give it another shot, but hey I still have it at 43, so clearly I like it a lot.
#42 Catastrophe
One of the truly annoying things about making a list like this is just how different certain shows are in length. This has four seasons with six episodes a season. That's as much as one season of a network comedy. How the hell do I judge these shows in comparison to one another? Well, fair or not, what I usually do, is I give credit to the longer show if it uses the extra episodes to still make good episodes. Which is mostly why Catastrophe is this low. Because there just aren't that many episodes. (I do have shows with less episodes higher, so it's not the only reason admittedly)
#41 Terriers
Ladies and gentleman, this is the show I was referring to above. I probably haven't seen this show in 8 years - it was on Netflix whenever I watched it, but it wasn't long after it aired. And I did love the show. But I remember very little about why I loved it. So admittedly, this could be higher - or lower - and I wouldn't argue with you, but I feel like 41 is a pretty good hedge bet especially since this only had 13 episodes. I will one day rewatch this show.
#40 Master of None
The second season was unfortunately very hit or miss, which is why it isn't higher, even though the hits were among the best episodes on television. The first season was much more consistent, but again I'm just not working with very many episodes, so I can't place it much higher than this.
#39 Succession
The timing here is fantastic for Succession to make my list. The most recent episode I watched - and I haven't watched all of the second season yet - was my favorite of the series. I know people wanted this to be labeled a comedy, but it wasn't until my most recent episode that it completely clicked as a comedy for me. And I realize that's a little insane if you watch the show, but it wasn't really laugh out loud funny for me.
#38 Russian Doll
If End of the Fucking World is any indication, it's a blessing that the second season hasn't aired yet. End of the Fucking World, clearly a one season show if there ever was one, would have made this list if they didn't have season two. But they did. Russian Doll is also clearly a one season show that will be making a season two - and I'm part of the problem since I'm going to watch it - but boy did I like the first season. I hate to sound like a broken record here, but it's only eight episodes and that's why it's not higher.
#37 Bob's Burgers
Bob's Burgers does not have the lack of episodes problems - it has 181 episodes made in this decade. And I think maybe 10 of them are weak episodes. It probably doesn't reach the heights of most of the shows on this list, but it is startlingly consistent. Nearly every episode is at least good and definitely entertaining.
#36 Game of Thrones
Everyone talks about how bad the final season was, but it barely came as a shock to me because it wasn't all that good the season before. Nonetheless, it still has what I'd call the "book years." I'm not going to overreact to the last season and not include it on this list, but I'm also not going to pretend that I included this show on my top 10 every year before its last season. (Granted, no top ten lists before 2015, which is removing its first four seasons). This should probably be higher, but it's also a show that was pretty heavily reliant on nailing its ending and boy did it not do that.
#35 Louie
Oh boy did I not want to include this show! And apparently a lot of sites felt the same way. Including this show is a minefield I'm not interesting in stepping in, but I'm also interested in, you know, presenting an accurate list so I kind of had to include this. It would feel dishonest not to, which is why I'm not going to pretend this wasn't one of the most highly acclaimed shows of its time (including by me). Now that I've properly pissed off half the people reading this, I'll piss off the other half: it's fine if Louis CK goes away from pop culture and is never heard from again. (He has admittedly made this incredibly easy if his recent standup is any indication of where he plans to go from here)
#34 Mr. Robot
I hate that I'm writing this list before the conclusion of this show. This is at 36 with the assumption that it's going to nail its ending, because it has sure nailed the final season. This is a show that lost me with its second season and with a third that I thought was fine, but nothing special. But I was a Mr. Robot fanboy for its first and the show grabbed me back with a gripping final season. If Sam Esmail fucks up the ending, it's lower than this and maybe not even in the top 50.
#33 Documentary Now!
What a difficult line the writers (and directors) have to straddle to make this entertaining television. They have to craft 21 minute effective parodies of well-known documentaries and put enough of a twist on them to still make it entertaining on its own. And they manage it every time. And like Drunk History, bonus points for a comedy making me interested in classic documentaries which I think is cool as shit.
#32 Lodge 49
This is not a show I would oversell to someone who is interested in watching it personally. It is an extremely low key type of show that is pretty uninterested in plot. That's the type of show, that if oversold, can make people wonder what the big deal is. That would have happened to me had I not "discovered" it on my own. But I recommend this show and be prepared for how laid back it is. Unfortunately it was cancelled which on the bright side means a low investment in time to watch the whole thing.
#31 American Vandal
Remember above when I mentioned that Russian Doll is probably benefiting from not yet having its second season air? Well it could pull an American Vandal, which did have a weaker second season, but not by much. What a delightfully unusual show this one is. It's a show that makes you sound like a crazy person when you make the case for it in person: believe me I've tried.
#30 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
I'm very glad this show exists. While I don't exactly think this show had many weak points, the main character could be... tough to watch at times, which is why I can't place it higher than this. But still this is a show with many, many original numbers (most of them inspired by something else) that are endlessly re-listenable. Search for some Crazy Ex songs on Youtube, and if you enjoy them, this show might be for you. (Here are two of my favorites: 1 and 2)
#29 You're the Worst
This show was a little too committed to the awfulness of its characters to place higher than this (sometimes it became hard to watch), but it told its story in the time it wanted and had a good final season, which is better than you could say about a lot of shows honestly.
#28 Watchmen
To be perfectly honest, this show is better than some shows above it - but it is working with a very small sample of episodes, and if it continues its momentum, will be high on the 2020 lists. I've also only currently seen four of the episodes, but am pretty sure I'm not going to regret this ranking. Including shows that clearly are going to go for more seasons but literally just started is weird when making an end of the decade list.
#27 GLOW
This is mostly here on the strength of its second season, probably one of the best seasons of television of this decade. That's to take nothing away from its first - which needed to get to the wrestling part to find its groove - or its third - which is a little too scattershot, but still has its high points. Still a pretty great show.
#26 Party Down
All shows are unrealistic, but I now know how lawyers feel about the accuracy of lawyer shows and doctors feel about doctor shows. Cause wow. This show is about Hollywood caterers and while I obviously live in St. Louis, this show does not seem all that realistic. Nonetheless, this has one of the greatest comedy casts ever and takes advantage of that.
#25 Boardwalk Empire
The curse of being the show compared to The Sopranos. I didn't see this show on many end of decade lists, so I was very surprised to find out that the entire show did in fact air this decade. A highly underrated show, again this show had the misfortune of being directly compared to The Sopranos due to Terrance Winter, and while it is no Sopranos, it still is worth a place on this list.
#24 Broad City
This is one of those shows were initially, the perception of this show of people whose TV tastes I trust was at odds with my perception. Not to say I ever disliked this show, but they always seemed to grade it a little higher than I thought. But the show seemed to only get better with each season, an opinion I'm not sure is shared by many, and didn't overstay its welcome. In fact, I believe its last season will land on my top 10 this year, which again - aside from cancellations - doesn't happen that much.
#23 Jane the Virgin
Ah, a show with a title that is instantly off-putting - and to a certain extent the premise is too. This sounds like a show you can write off - but you can't. Sometimes, I warn that shows get off to slow starts and eventually find their way - that's the norm actually - but this show came out of the gate instantly great and in fact made my top 10 shows of the year every year since its inception.
#22 Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Talk about unlikely good shows - go back to the Roast of James Franco and lots of people make fun of Andy Samberg for this - which hadn't aired yet - becoming cancelled or bad soon. And I didn't really blame them for thinking it to be honest. Instead season seven is going to air in 2020 after a cancellation and subsequent pickup by NBC. This has the consistency of a Bob's Burgers with better high points.
#21 Stranger Things
Part of me wonders if this should be higher, but then I remember that the solo Eleven story exists, which is easily the worst thing this show ever did. A huge gamble and I admire the ambition, but man did that episode fall flat and halt that season's momentum. Anyway, aside from that, the rest of the show is great.
#20 Barry
A hitman turned actor is a great premise that I can also see failing spectacularly. But Bill Hader has long been a great actor in need of a vehicle for a starring role and Barry finally provides it. And ronny/lilly is one of my favorite episodes of anything for a long time and completely unlike anything I've ever seen.
#19 Hannibal
I'm a little worried about recency bias for most of my list, but not this one, which I haven't seen in four years since it last aired. But I remember loving this weird, well acted show that has been unlike anything I've ever seen.
#18 Review
It's here where I'll again knock a show for very few episodes, because this show is a masterpiece. It's only three seasons with the third being only 3 episodes, and it's not immediately clear it's a masterpiece when you first watch it. So I'm aware I'm probably raising expectations too high. But hilarious and dark show.
#17 Better Call Saul
The spinoff of Breaking Bad ultimately has a chance to pass that show in quality, depending on how it ends. But for now, it'll have to "settle" merely for being the 17th best show on my list. It is a way better than show than it has any right to be. Yes, the character of Saul Goodman always looked ripe for his own show, but it never seemed like it would be this good of one.
#16 Fleabag
It is a testament to how good this show is that I have it this high with just 12 episodes. I cannot stress enough that the amount of episodes and the success rate of that amount is heavily factored into where shows ranked. It just does not seem fair to rank a show with 50 good episodes below a show 20. But as I said, this only has 12!
#15 Gravity Falls
As a show that was on Disney XD, which I'm not convinced is a real channel, I did not watch this when it first aired, but well after, on Hulu. It's only two seasons and 40 episodes, but it has a central mystery behind the comedy that is compelling in its own right. This is a classic mystery show that constantly teases and foreshadows and actually delivers on that promise, unlike... just about every other mystery show there is.
#14 Nathan for You
This is one of those shows that, I'm sure if you watched the first episode - maybe even the first season - you'd be truly mystified at this ranking. And I don't necessarily blame you. It's best episode by far is its movie length last episode - another thing that would mystify based off just watching the first episode. But stick with the show and you'll find it more than just funny and entertaining.
#13 Justified
I truly do want this to be higher, but I can't really go any higher than this, since for most of its run, it never really vaulted into one of the best shows on television. The exception is the Margo Martindale season 2, and Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins constantly kept things entertaining, but what sealed its place on this list was its strong final season as well. Modern Western that I wholeheartedly recommend.
#12 Community
The sheer consistency of this show for its first three seasons is nearly unmatched by any other comedy on this list - and the first 9 or so episodes of the first season are not included in this list since they aired in 2009. But that barely harms the show since it didn't really hit its groove until the 2010s hit. Unfortunately, there's the dreadful season 4 and season 6, but I hardly feel compelled to hold that against them. Dan Harmon was fired, a lot of the behind the scenes people left with him and the show's momentum was killed. They did recover to make a good season 5 at least.
#11 Bojack Horseman
I have not completed the most recent season, but I don't have to - the show's first five seasons speak for themselves. I'm knocking it ever so slightly for keeping its characters in stasis - and they are far from the first show to do so - but it tends to tilt towards misery porn at times with watching its main character constantly screw his own life over. It's still 11 so obviously I don't have a huge issue with that, but it's a small complaint.
#10 Veep
Even in its down years, the cast and the colorful language kept this entertaining. And obviously, the show became nearly prescient with what's happened after it aired, making its parody of politics reality. I will say - it doesn't hurt the show much - but in its middle years, the show's commitment to not reveal Selena's party hurt it a bit - in my opinion anyway.
#9 Rick & Morty
If only I could put this on this list without the backdrop of its annoying fandom that surrounds it. I think I got into Rick & Morty before I let the fandom impact my opinion of the show, but I pretty much don't blame people who don't watch it at this point. Nonetheless, they are missing out as this is a very inventive, funny comedy.
#8 Rectify
I am struggling to write passages for every show - I'm not sure why I did that - but especially so for shows like Rectify. Rectify apparently last aired an episode in December of 2016, and while that was three years ago, it feels like five. So my memory of this show is of a quiet, very well-acted, very well-written drama that I need to rewatch as soon as I can.
#7 Parks and Recreation
With the 2009 episodes cut off, you lose.... virtually nothing. You lose Hunting Trip, which is a classic, but otherwise you get a very different show in the first six episodes and a show still finding its footing in the beginning of season 2. And I wholeheartedly recommend you start watching at season 2, but it's not quite at its peak yet. Rob Lowe and Adam Scott enter the picture in the back half of season 2 and then the show becomes a classic.
#6 Fargo
If only it weren't for season 3, which is definitely better than I remember it, but which was coming off the tails of one of the best seasons of television I've ever watched in season 2. The show is this high almost entirely on the back of season 2, even though season 1 is quite good in its own right. And like I said, season 3 isn't bad, it's just mostly unpleasant to watch, which I realize sounds like a different way of saying it was bad, but you'd understand if you watch the show.
#5 Atlanta
How good is this show? Well it's ratings appear to be shit, though I do not know the context for FX shows, and it got renewed for a third season after the second season and a fourth season in August of 2019 very randomly. It still hasn't aired the third season. Between Donald Glover's music and movie career and Laketh Stanfield being in every movie lately, I feel like we're going to get season 4 in 2025.
#4 The Pacific
This is technically a miniseries and I obviously have no other miniseries on this list, even though I'm sure I could have included more. Alias Grace comes to mind. I strangely haven't seen Show Me a Hero, but that's a David Simon show so I'm sure that has an argument. But I just had to include this show, which doesn't even seem like it aired this decade, but it did. It is a much more difficult watch than Band of Brothers, but no less remarkable. In fact, it's told in a more - ambitious? - way and with less audience hand-holding.
#3 Breaking Bad
I'm not the biggest fan of the final season, but seasons 3 and 4 are the most thrilling, fly by the seat of your pants television I have ever seen and probably will ever see. This is sort of a "watch it one time" type of show and if you watch it more than once, watch it with someone else with fresh eyes. I'm still afraid I'm putting it too high - not that many would argue - just because, as I said, not the biggest fan of season 5. But even then, season 5 has Ozymandias so you know what, it belongs.
#2 The Good Place
It is entirely possible that this show will fuck up the ending, but that actually doesn't matter at all on this list. I mean a show as geared up towards an ending as Good Place will retroactively make the rest of the show worse if they do it badly enough, but I don't think that's going to happen. Truly one of my favorite shows of all time.
#1 The Americans
I mean come on. If you guys ever ever read my TV stuff - literally ever - this is the least surprising #1 pick ever. It was my #1 show every single year I made a top 10 list. I'm going to have to make my first top ten list without The Americans in a couple weeks. And I don't know what's replacing it. So that'll be fun. So watch The Americans I say enthusiastically and demandingly.
Honorable Mentions
Legends of Tomorrow - A truly entertaining show I recommend to anyone. It probably should have made its way on my list.
Archer - Unfortunately, this show was great for about two years, and one of the better years was in 2009 so pretty easy omission here.
The Crown - It's a bit too boring, but it's very well made and has great acting.
The Knick - The Steven Soderbergh produced show benefits heavily from what I thought was a great ending in its two season run.
Black-ish - In terms of sitcoms with serious highs, this had a real shot, but there's a whole lot of episodes of this show that are skippable.
Wilfred - This show never had a real shot at this list, but I do want to give a shoutout to this weird ass show that I liked a lot!
This is Us - Yeah yeah this show is actually good and it's kind of annoying, but it does try to manipulate emotions too much.
Shameless - At this point, I think the not good seasons outweigh the good ones, and that's why it's not on here, but it had a good run for a while there.
Santa Clarita Diet - Dark comedy featuring Olyphant and Drew Barrymore that I can't recommend enough if you like dark comedy.
Orphan Black - Again, never a real shot, but watching Tatiana Maslany play 20 different characters is worth the price of admission.
Banshee - Very kickass show
Chernobyl - I forgot to mention this show when mentioning miniseries that probably could have made it.
On Becoming a God in Central Florida - I felt weird putting too many one season shows on this list unfortunately otherwise it did have a shot.
#16 Fleabag
It is a testament to how good this show is that I have it this high with just 12 episodes. I cannot stress enough that the amount of episodes and the success rate of that amount is heavily factored into where shows ranked. It just does not seem fair to rank a show with 50 good episodes below a show 20. But as I said, this only has 12!
#15 Gravity Falls
As a show that was on Disney XD, which I'm not convinced is a real channel, I did not watch this when it first aired, but well after, on Hulu. It's only two seasons and 40 episodes, but it has a central mystery behind the comedy that is compelling in its own right. This is a classic mystery show that constantly teases and foreshadows and actually delivers on that promise, unlike... just about every other mystery show there is.
#14 Nathan for You
This is one of those shows that, I'm sure if you watched the first episode - maybe even the first season - you'd be truly mystified at this ranking. And I don't necessarily blame you. It's best episode by far is its movie length last episode - another thing that would mystify based off just watching the first episode. But stick with the show and you'll find it more than just funny and entertaining.
#13 Justified
I truly do want this to be higher, but I can't really go any higher than this, since for most of its run, it never really vaulted into one of the best shows on television. The exception is the Margo Martindale season 2, and Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins constantly kept things entertaining, but what sealed its place on this list was its strong final season as well. Modern Western that I wholeheartedly recommend.
#12 Community
The sheer consistency of this show for its first three seasons is nearly unmatched by any other comedy on this list - and the first 9 or so episodes of the first season are not included in this list since they aired in 2009. But that barely harms the show since it didn't really hit its groove until the 2010s hit. Unfortunately, there's the dreadful season 4 and season 6, but I hardly feel compelled to hold that against them. Dan Harmon was fired, a lot of the behind the scenes people left with him and the show's momentum was killed. They did recover to make a good season 5 at least.
#11 Bojack Horseman
I have not completed the most recent season, but I don't have to - the show's first five seasons speak for themselves. I'm knocking it ever so slightly for keeping its characters in stasis - and they are far from the first show to do so - but it tends to tilt towards misery porn at times with watching its main character constantly screw his own life over. It's still 11 so obviously I don't have a huge issue with that, but it's a small complaint.
#10 Veep
Even in its down years, the cast and the colorful language kept this entertaining. And obviously, the show became nearly prescient with what's happened after it aired, making its parody of politics reality. I will say - it doesn't hurt the show much - but in its middle years, the show's commitment to not reveal Selena's party hurt it a bit - in my opinion anyway.
#9 Rick & Morty
If only I could put this on this list without the backdrop of its annoying fandom that surrounds it. I think I got into Rick & Morty before I let the fandom impact my opinion of the show, but I pretty much don't blame people who don't watch it at this point. Nonetheless, they are missing out as this is a very inventive, funny comedy.
#8 Rectify
I am struggling to write passages for every show - I'm not sure why I did that - but especially so for shows like Rectify. Rectify apparently last aired an episode in December of 2016, and while that was three years ago, it feels like five. So my memory of this show is of a quiet, very well-acted, very well-written drama that I need to rewatch as soon as I can.
#7 Parks and Recreation
With the 2009 episodes cut off, you lose.... virtually nothing. You lose Hunting Trip, which is a classic, but otherwise you get a very different show in the first six episodes and a show still finding its footing in the beginning of season 2. And I wholeheartedly recommend you start watching at season 2, but it's not quite at its peak yet. Rob Lowe and Adam Scott enter the picture in the back half of season 2 and then the show becomes a classic.
#6 Fargo
If only it weren't for season 3, which is definitely better than I remember it, but which was coming off the tails of one of the best seasons of television I've ever watched in season 2. The show is this high almost entirely on the back of season 2, even though season 1 is quite good in its own right. And like I said, season 3 isn't bad, it's just mostly unpleasant to watch, which I realize sounds like a different way of saying it was bad, but you'd understand if you watch the show.
#5 Atlanta
How good is this show? Well it's ratings appear to be shit, though I do not know the context for FX shows, and it got renewed for a third season after the second season and a fourth season in August of 2019 very randomly. It still hasn't aired the third season. Between Donald Glover's music and movie career and Laketh Stanfield being in every movie lately, I feel like we're going to get season 4 in 2025.
#4 The Pacific
This is technically a miniseries and I obviously have no other miniseries on this list, even though I'm sure I could have included more. Alias Grace comes to mind. I strangely haven't seen Show Me a Hero, but that's a David Simon show so I'm sure that has an argument. But I just had to include this show, which doesn't even seem like it aired this decade, but it did. It is a much more difficult watch than Band of Brothers, but no less remarkable. In fact, it's told in a more - ambitious? - way and with less audience hand-holding.
#3 Breaking Bad
I'm not the biggest fan of the final season, but seasons 3 and 4 are the most thrilling, fly by the seat of your pants television I have ever seen and probably will ever see. This is sort of a "watch it one time" type of show and if you watch it more than once, watch it with someone else with fresh eyes. I'm still afraid I'm putting it too high - not that many would argue - just because, as I said, not the biggest fan of season 5. But even then, season 5 has Ozymandias so you know what, it belongs.
#2 The Good Place
It is entirely possible that this show will fuck up the ending, but that actually doesn't matter at all on this list. I mean a show as geared up towards an ending as Good Place will retroactively make the rest of the show worse if they do it badly enough, but I don't think that's going to happen. Truly one of my favorite shows of all time.
#1 The Americans
I mean come on. If you guys ever ever read my TV stuff - literally ever - this is the least surprising #1 pick ever. It was my #1 show every single year I made a top 10 list. I'm going to have to make my first top ten list without The Americans in a couple weeks. And I don't know what's replacing it. So that'll be fun. So watch The Americans I say enthusiastically and demandingly.
Honorable Mentions
Legends of Tomorrow - A truly entertaining show I recommend to anyone. It probably should have made its way on my list.
Archer - Unfortunately, this show was great for about two years, and one of the better years was in 2009 so pretty easy omission here.
The Crown - It's a bit too boring, but it's very well made and has great acting.
The Knick - The Steven Soderbergh produced show benefits heavily from what I thought was a great ending in its two season run.
Black-ish - In terms of sitcoms with serious highs, this had a real shot, but there's a whole lot of episodes of this show that are skippable.
Wilfred - This show never had a real shot at this list, but I do want to give a shoutout to this weird ass show that I liked a lot!
This is Us - Yeah yeah this show is actually good and it's kind of annoying, but it does try to manipulate emotions too much.
Shameless - At this point, I think the not good seasons outweigh the good ones, and that's why it's not on here, but it had a good run for a while there.
Santa Clarita Diet - Dark comedy featuring Olyphant and Drew Barrymore that I can't recommend enough if you like dark comedy.
Orphan Black - Again, never a real shot, but watching Tatiana Maslany play 20 different characters is worth the price of admission.
Banshee - Very kickass show
Chernobyl - I forgot to mention this show when mentioning miniseries that probably could have made it.
On Becoming a God in Central Florida - I felt weird putting too many one season shows on this list unfortunately otherwise it did have a shot.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Top Ten Comedies in 2016
Last year, I experimented with trying a top ten list. I was pretty unprepared for it and scrambled towards the finish line to watch a bunch of shows to properly make a good list. You'd think a year of preparation would help me avoid that fate this year? But alas I suspect that as long as there's a million TV shows out there, I'm always going to hit December with a few "must-watch" shows that need to at least be watched in order to make a competent list. While I wasn't able to watch every comedy that could make this list - sorry Bob's Burgers and Veep fans, I'm just not caught up to your show - I am happy with how many shows I was able to watch for this list.
It's important to note that my opinion is meaningless. If I don't have your favorite show on there, it's possible I didn't get to it or that human beings just have different tastes in things! Also, I'm just going to guess that the amount of people reading this who have seen every show on my top ten is... zero. Unless my blog reaches a wider audience than expected, it seems like pretty good odds. The show on Amazon Prime alone probably removes quite a bit of you guys by itself.
With this top ten, I hope to give you a framework of what to watch that you've missed. Not that it would be easy. There are shows from FX, Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, Fox, NBC, and Comedy Central. Most of those, at this point in the year, aren't easily accessible. But if you really want to watch a show, most of you will find a way to do that. With that said, let's begin.
#10 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Season 3-4; Fox)
Model Episode: "Halloween IV"
As one of the more consistent comedies that needs to air 22 episodes - probably the most consistent of that somewhat specific group - there's not a real reason for Brooklyn Nine-Nine being on the list this year and not last year. There's also not a real reason it's above the honorable mentions. Any one of them could have been in the #10 slot. But I have a stronger affection for B99 than I do the other shows and the reason is Andre Braugher. His deadpan character is always funny and a highlight of the show.
Also, this year brought Adrian Pimento, played by Jason Mantzoukas. He only appears in six episodes, but he sure fits right into this show. He doesn't really do anything different than he normally does either. He's just as crazily maniacal as he is on The League. But it works. B99 is a show that is very funny and entertaining even on its weaker episodes. Hence, it's placement on this list.
#9 Fleabag (Season 1; Amazon Prime)
Model Episode: "Episode 4"
Picking the model episode was hard, because I liked the overall arc of the series and it was very funny, but I could pick nits with each episode. This episode is very weird. I'm not sure what retreat they went to, if it exists, but I found myself questioning the point of the retreat. I ended up brushing that aside because it's really about the central relationship between sisters, uh, Fleabag and Claire. I guess I didn't notice they never gave the main character a name. Now that I look at it, there are characters named Arsehole Guy and Godmother so I guess creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge just doesn't care.
Waller-Bridge's performance makes this series worth watching. She breaks the fourth wall and she plays those instances perfectly. The series wouldn't work with a lesser actress. Not only does she break the fourth wall, but the series has more emotional depth than the first couple episodes would suggest. The series is at #9 and not higher because it's only six episodes and the finale has a "twist" I saw coming when they first foreshadowed it. Like I really hope it wasn't meant to be a twist it was so obvious.
#8 Baskets (Season 1; FX)
Model Episode: "Uncle Dad"
Like all shows on this list, there were multiple options for the model episode, but I felt I had to go with a Christine episode, because of Louie Anderson's performance. I heard a lot about his performance beforehand and when I was watching the first few episodes, I wasn't necessarily as in love with his performance as everyone else seemed. But it hit me while watching at some point that I was looking him at in the show genuinely as Christine, which is no mean feat when Louie Anderson is dressed like an old woman. This is the episode where Christine Baskets reveals how much love she has for her son by doing something that she thinks is best for him.
Baskets is a weird show, but I found myself surprised at how easily I accepted everything within the show. Here's a clown who wishes to make high art, married to a French woman who doesn't love him, living with his mother, who is Louie Anderson. Thats sounds fucking ridiculous to me on paper. I did not put Baskets higher, because I did not find it as funny as the shows above it. It doesn't seem to put laughs first and tries to get laughs organically, and while that's actually a way to get laughs that I like a lot, I would still like it to be funnier. (That said, Chip breaking a stack of champagne glasses and then falling made me laugh for a good minute.)
#7 Insecure (Season 1; HBO)
Model Episode: "Broken as Fuck"
This was the most complicated show for me to rank. It only has eight episodes and I didn't like one of them at all. That's not true of any other show on this list. Ultimately, "Broken as Fuck," the finale, managed to convince me. While this is Issa Rae's show, Yvonne Orji steals it. She is incredible in this. It's only through her performance that she isn't incredibly unlikable. She really wants to find the right one and through the season, it becomes evident that she's a big reason why she can't. Insecure makes it on this list because it focuses on the friendship between the two leads (which is the key relationship on the show, not the relationships the two have with other men). It's hilarious and is unafraid to have its characters do things that frustrate you.
Another complicated thing that made me question whether it belonged in this list is the music. You'll read reviews that say it's a positive and maybe even the best thing about the show. I don't think it's a negative. That's the best I got. It works well enough in the episodes and it features a ton of female rappers in its soundtrack, so I can't really complain too much, but whenever I went to Spotify to listen to more, I didn't think the majority of songs were good. Then there's Issa Rae rapping and I honestly can't tell if the show thinks she's good, but she's not. Her lyrics aren't the problem, though I don't think they are near as good as we're supposed to think they are. It's her flow and cadence (I do honestly think she's aware of this at least) It doesn't really affect my enjoyment of the show while watching an episode because it fits in with the tone - but I was just surprised at my difference of opinion with reviewers considering rap is my favorite genre of music. (They sure nailed the monotone rapper in the scene with her in the studio though, an unquestionable criticism of modern rap)
#6 The Good Place (Season 1; NBC)
Model Episode: "The Eternal Shriek"
At this particular stage in my life, The Good Place is ideally suited for my tastes. Not to get too personal, but just about every day of my life for the past few months, I ponder the possibility that there is no afterlife. So a show that brings about those questions - even if the answer is different - fits my current mindset. I don't think this is a show that is particular to my current mindset though. I think I'll be thinking about these things for the rest of my life.
It probably doesn't take much to sell you on this show. Ted Danson and Kristen Bell. That's all it takes for me. I assume everyone is the same as me on this? There's also the perfectly cast William Jackson Harper as Eleanor's supposed soulmate and D'Arcy Carden as the helpful computer Janet. I'm curious where The Good Place goes from its midseason finale because they keep pushing its premise to the edge, but apparently Michael Schur has a plan in mind and I trust the creator of B99 and Parks and Rec.
#5 Bojack Horseman (Season 3; Netflix)
Model Episode: "Best Thing That Ever Happened"
WOW! Here's a show where my model episode was exceptionally tough. I decided to go with a character-based episode with a knockout ending. I loved "Fish out of Water," but it was somewhat of a gimmick and I loved "Brapp Brapp Pew Pew," but that mostly gets points for making an intelligent episode about abortion. "Best Thing That Never Happened" is an episode that isolates two of its characters and forces them to address their problems. The gold standard of this is "The Suitcase," one of the best Mad Men episodes ever. So that's ultimately why I went with that one.
Bojack Horseman is the first show to place on both the 2015 and 2016 list. It placed #9 last year. If you're wondering for the jump, it's not because of a jump in quality, but because my #1, #3, #4, #5, and #8 shows all disappeared in 2016. Seriously. The crazy part is that only one of those shows officially ended. That's television in 2016, folks. Anyway, if there's a problem I have with this show is it seems to dead set on misery for the sake of misery. It feels less like a logical place the character would go and more a dedication to putting Bojack Horseman through the ringer. Angela Bassett was a great addition to this season.
#4 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 11; FXX)
Model Episode: "Charlie Catches a Leprechaun"
At this point, it's pointless to explain my opinion on this show. I'd venture a guess that the people who still watch this show are fine with this pick and those who don't are looking at the 11th season and looking at #4 and then getting trapped in a constant loop. Don't let the 11th season part fool you. I don't think the 11th season is the best It's Always Sunny season, but it's probably your typical It's Always Sunny season. Now the people questioning this ranking are wondering how the fuck the typical season ranks this high and how I consider that many seasons to be of this quality (because clearly you've either watched it and don't get it or don't watch it because you are highly skeptical of that one friend who loves that show and keeps trying to get you to watch it)
It's Always Sunny is a show so entrenched in callbacks that the 11th season ranking is purely specific to people who've watched the show for 10 seasons. So I understand why I haven't seen it in any rankings of the top shows of 2016. But this is my personal rankings so I don't care. "The Gang Hits the Slopes" is THE perfect sendup of 80s sports movies, "Being Frank" is one of those inventive episodes that they do every year, and "Charlie Catches a Leprechaun" is as hilarious as its title. (Or maybe its just hilarious because in the episode, Charlie really thinks he caught a leprechaun because he thinks they are real)
#3 Broad City (Season 3; Comedy Central)
Model Episode: "Burning Bridges"
Broad City's third season is this high because it actually at one point threatened the very fabric of the show, the relationship between Abbi and Ilana. Broad City had what it hadn't had before and that is a serialized plot. That's not an obligation for a comedy, but it certainly makes the stakes higher. Abbi gets into a relationship with someone and lies to Ilana about it because she is ashamed of him. Meanwhile, llana breaks up with a longtime cast member of the show, Hannibal. His presence will be sorely missed, but that's a problem for the fourth season since I think he had roughly the same amount of screen time this season as the rest.
Anyway, that's my reasoning for why it is #3 this year, which is quite a jump from last year's #7 ranking. Again, part of it is that my entire top five basically disappeared on me and part of it is what I consider an improved season. Ilana also loses her job in this season so basically I'm pretty excited for what they have in store for season 4 since they are willing to tread new ground. Also, get ready for a whole bunch of famous guest stars in this season, most of them working really well.
#2 You're the Worst (Season 3; FX)
Model Episode: "Twenty-Two"
I was not planning on You're the Worst repeating its #2 placement. The second season was a slight decline from its second. "Twenty-Two" was possibly the best episode of television all year. Both of those things can be true. After a lot of hinting, the show finally gives Edgar his own spotlight episode where his PSTD is shown from his point of view and it's quite frightening. This season also gives a better look into Jimmy than the second season did with his dad dying. His dad basically is his entire inspiration for writing - to prove him wrong - so it sends him into a tailspin.
Gretchen gets into therapy eventually in this season, with the therapist being played by Orange is the New Black's Samara Wiley. She doesn't get a whole lot to do in this season, but she's good in the season. It really speaks to how good I at least consider You're the Worst that I definitely don't think it's as good as season two and yet here it is on this list. When push comes to shove, I tend to look at individual episodes and how many great ones each TV show has, and You're the Worst just has more than most of these shows. (It might even have more than the #1 show, but the #1 show is consistently better)
#1 Atlanta
Model Episode "Streets on Lock"
With the model episode, I aim for two things: to get a representative of the show and to get the best the show has. I went for "Streets on Lock" over "Value" because the latter was not exactly representative of the show. Granted, Atlanta is what you call an experimental comedy so a focus on a specific character isn't exactly outside the bounds of what Atlanta will do. But "Streets on Lock" - only its second episode - just seems like more of a representative of the appeal of Atlanta than the other. (There's also "B.A.N." but that's way different than the rest of these episodes to the point where I never considered it)
I wrote my review of Atlanta just two weeks ago so I don't have much to say about Atlanta that I didn't say there. It's kind of strange because I gave the season an A- and I don't disagree with that grade so I wonder if this was a weak year for flawless comedies. I had so much trouble with my top five. This was obviously a strong year for comedies as my honorable mentions feature at least three shows I desperately wanted on this list, but it does not seem like many shows quite venture into that top tier range. That A range. There's a ton of A- shows. The distinction isn't important, it just seemed like it made my job more difficult. (It's also possible last year was ridiculously stacked when I would have given a straight A to Review, You're the Worst, Nathan for You, and probably Rick & Morty.)
Honorable Mentions
The Last Man on Earth - Last year, The Last Man on Earth improved a significant amount. The problem was that its first season was still technically 2015 so there was no shot of it making this list. This year, it continued its success from last year. It did not make the cut because the heartfelt and tragic episodes tended to come once every three episodes or so. The other episodes were funny, but inconsequential. It was a tough cut for me.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Here's another show I wanted on this list pretty badly. I can't really say why it isn't on this list. I wasn't a huge fan of this show last year and this season made me into a fan. I couldn't pull the trigger on cutting any of the ones that made this list so unfortunately it didn't make.
Better Things - I liked Better Things and I liked the idea of it being on my list, but this is another show that just wasn't as funny as I would have liked. I do like that comedies don't feel the need to be funny all the time and would rather be real, and Better Things is that. But a lot of shows have figured out a way to do both at once.
Silicon Valley - I think this show suffers mightily from when it airs. I just can't remember it as well as the shows I just watched and it usually airs its last episode of the season way back in April. That said, I tried to access my feelings from when I watched it and I've just never truly loved this show. With the competition it's up against, I don't feel exceptionally guilty about this being off my list.
Blackish - Here's another show like Last Man on Earth. When it has amazing episodes, it's one of the best half hours on television. It just doesn't happen frequently enough! Too many episodes are forgettable. They also had an unforgivable Disney promo as their first episode of season three. I realize that was network mandated, but man it really puts a strain on a show.
I will be posting my top ten dramas, either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on how my schedule works out. I may or may not be watching a show that will end up on that list right now and need to finish it before finishing my post. Hope you guys aren't too mad at this list.
It's important to note that my opinion is meaningless. If I don't have your favorite show on there, it's possible I didn't get to it or that human beings just have different tastes in things! Also, I'm just going to guess that the amount of people reading this who have seen every show on my top ten is... zero. Unless my blog reaches a wider audience than expected, it seems like pretty good odds. The show on Amazon Prime alone probably removes quite a bit of you guys by itself.
With this top ten, I hope to give you a framework of what to watch that you've missed. Not that it would be easy. There are shows from FX, Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, Fox, NBC, and Comedy Central. Most of those, at this point in the year, aren't easily accessible. But if you really want to watch a show, most of you will find a way to do that. With that said, let's begin.
#10 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Season 3-4; Fox)
Model Episode: "Halloween IV"
As one of the more consistent comedies that needs to air 22 episodes - probably the most consistent of that somewhat specific group - there's not a real reason for Brooklyn Nine-Nine being on the list this year and not last year. There's also not a real reason it's above the honorable mentions. Any one of them could have been in the #10 slot. But I have a stronger affection for B99 than I do the other shows and the reason is Andre Braugher. His deadpan character is always funny and a highlight of the show.
Also, this year brought Adrian Pimento, played by Jason Mantzoukas. He only appears in six episodes, but he sure fits right into this show. He doesn't really do anything different than he normally does either. He's just as crazily maniacal as he is on The League. But it works. B99 is a show that is very funny and entertaining even on its weaker episodes. Hence, it's placement on this list.
#9 Fleabag (Season 1; Amazon Prime)
Model Episode: "Episode 4"
Picking the model episode was hard, because I liked the overall arc of the series and it was very funny, but I could pick nits with each episode. This episode is very weird. I'm not sure what retreat they went to, if it exists, but I found myself questioning the point of the retreat. I ended up brushing that aside because it's really about the central relationship between sisters, uh, Fleabag and Claire. I guess I didn't notice they never gave the main character a name. Now that I look at it, there are characters named Arsehole Guy and Godmother so I guess creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge just doesn't care.
Waller-Bridge's performance makes this series worth watching. She breaks the fourth wall and she plays those instances perfectly. The series wouldn't work with a lesser actress. Not only does she break the fourth wall, but the series has more emotional depth than the first couple episodes would suggest. The series is at #9 and not higher because it's only six episodes and the finale has a "twist" I saw coming when they first foreshadowed it. Like I really hope it wasn't meant to be a twist it was so obvious.
#8 Baskets (Season 1; FX)
Model Episode: "Uncle Dad"
Like all shows on this list, there were multiple options for the model episode, but I felt I had to go with a Christine episode, because of Louie Anderson's performance. I heard a lot about his performance beforehand and when I was watching the first few episodes, I wasn't necessarily as in love with his performance as everyone else seemed. But it hit me while watching at some point that I was looking him at in the show genuinely as Christine, which is no mean feat when Louie Anderson is dressed like an old woman. This is the episode where Christine Baskets reveals how much love she has for her son by doing something that she thinks is best for him.
Baskets is a weird show, but I found myself surprised at how easily I accepted everything within the show. Here's a clown who wishes to make high art, married to a French woman who doesn't love him, living with his mother, who is Louie Anderson. Thats sounds fucking ridiculous to me on paper. I did not put Baskets higher, because I did not find it as funny as the shows above it. It doesn't seem to put laughs first and tries to get laughs organically, and while that's actually a way to get laughs that I like a lot, I would still like it to be funnier. (That said, Chip breaking a stack of champagne glasses and then falling made me laugh for a good minute.)
#7 Insecure (Season 1; HBO)
Model Episode: "Broken as Fuck"
This was the most complicated show for me to rank. It only has eight episodes and I didn't like one of them at all. That's not true of any other show on this list. Ultimately, "Broken as Fuck," the finale, managed to convince me. While this is Issa Rae's show, Yvonne Orji steals it. She is incredible in this. It's only through her performance that she isn't incredibly unlikable. She really wants to find the right one and through the season, it becomes evident that she's a big reason why she can't. Insecure makes it on this list because it focuses on the friendship between the two leads (which is the key relationship on the show, not the relationships the two have with other men). It's hilarious and is unafraid to have its characters do things that frustrate you.
Another complicated thing that made me question whether it belonged in this list is the music. You'll read reviews that say it's a positive and maybe even the best thing about the show. I don't think it's a negative. That's the best I got. It works well enough in the episodes and it features a ton of female rappers in its soundtrack, so I can't really complain too much, but whenever I went to Spotify to listen to more, I didn't think the majority of songs were good. Then there's Issa Rae rapping and I honestly can't tell if the show thinks she's good, but she's not. Her lyrics aren't the problem, though I don't think they are near as good as we're supposed to think they are. It's her flow and cadence (I do honestly think she's aware of this at least) It doesn't really affect my enjoyment of the show while watching an episode because it fits in with the tone - but I was just surprised at my difference of opinion with reviewers considering rap is my favorite genre of music. (They sure nailed the monotone rapper in the scene with her in the studio though, an unquestionable criticism of modern rap)
#6 The Good Place (Season 1; NBC)
Model Episode: "The Eternal Shriek"
At this particular stage in my life, The Good Place is ideally suited for my tastes. Not to get too personal, but just about every day of my life for the past few months, I ponder the possibility that there is no afterlife. So a show that brings about those questions - even if the answer is different - fits my current mindset. I don't think this is a show that is particular to my current mindset though. I think I'll be thinking about these things for the rest of my life.
It probably doesn't take much to sell you on this show. Ted Danson and Kristen Bell. That's all it takes for me. I assume everyone is the same as me on this? There's also the perfectly cast William Jackson Harper as Eleanor's supposed soulmate and D'Arcy Carden as the helpful computer Janet. I'm curious where The Good Place goes from its midseason finale because they keep pushing its premise to the edge, but apparently Michael Schur has a plan in mind and I trust the creator of B99 and Parks and Rec.
#5 Bojack Horseman (Season 3; Netflix)
Model Episode: "Best Thing That Ever Happened"
WOW! Here's a show where my model episode was exceptionally tough. I decided to go with a character-based episode with a knockout ending. I loved "Fish out of Water," but it was somewhat of a gimmick and I loved "Brapp Brapp Pew Pew," but that mostly gets points for making an intelligent episode about abortion. "Best Thing That Never Happened" is an episode that isolates two of its characters and forces them to address their problems. The gold standard of this is "The Suitcase," one of the best Mad Men episodes ever. So that's ultimately why I went with that one.
Bojack Horseman is the first show to place on both the 2015 and 2016 list. It placed #9 last year. If you're wondering for the jump, it's not because of a jump in quality, but because my #1, #3, #4, #5, and #8 shows all disappeared in 2016. Seriously. The crazy part is that only one of those shows officially ended. That's television in 2016, folks. Anyway, if there's a problem I have with this show is it seems to dead set on misery for the sake of misery. It feels less like a logical place the character would go and more a dedication to putting Bojack Horseman through the ringer. Angela Bassett was a great addition to this season.
#4 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 11; FXX)
Model Episode: "Charlie Catches a Leprechaun"
At this point, it's pointless to explain my opinion on this show. I'd venture a guess that the people who still watch this show are fine with this pick and those who don't are looking at the 11th season and looking at #4 and then getting trapped in a constant loop. Don't let the 11th season part fool you. I don't think the 11th season is the best It's Always Sunny season, but it's probably your typical It's Always Sunny season. Now the people questioning this ranking are wondering how the fuck the typical season ranks this high and how I consider that many seasons to be of this quality (because clearly you've either watched it and don't get it or don't watch it because you are highly skeptical of that one friend who loves that show and keeps trying to get you to watch it)
It's Always Sunny is a show so entrenched in callbacks that the 11th season ranking is purely specific to people who've watched the show for 10 seasons. So I understand why I haven't seen it in any rankings of the top shows of 2016. But this is my personal rankings so I don't care. "The Gang Hits the Slopes" is THE perfect sendup of 80s sports movies, "Being Frank" is one of those inventive episodes that they do every year, and "Charlie Catches a Leprechaun" is as hilarious as its title. (Or maybe its just hilarious because in the episode, Charlie really thinks he caught a leprechaun because he thinks they are real)
#3 Broad City (Season 3; Comedy Central)
Model Episode: "Burning Bridges"
Broad City's third season is this high because it actually at one point threatened the very fabric of the show, the relationship between Abbi and Ilana. Broad City had what it hadn't had before and that is a serialized plot. That's not an obligation for a comedy, but it certainly makes the stakes higher. Abbi gets into a relationship with someone and lies to Ilana about it because she is ashamed of him. Meanwhile, llana breaks up with a longtime cast member of the show, Hannibal. His presence will be sorely missed, but that's a problem for the fourth season since I think he had roughly the same amount of screen time this season as the rest.
Anyway, that's my reasoning for why it is #3 this year, which is quite a jump from last year's #7 ranking. Again, part of it is that my entire top five basically disappeared on me and part of it is what I consider an improved season. Ilana also loses her job in this season so basically I'm pretty excited for what they have in store for season 4 since they are willing to tread new ground. Also, get ready for a whole bunch of famous guest stars in this season, most of them working really well.
#2 You're the Worst (Season 3; FX)
Model Episode: "Twenty-Two"
I was not planning on You're the Worst repeating its #2 placement. The second season was a slight decline from its second. "Twenty-Two" was possibly the best episode of television all year. Both of those things can be true. After a lot of hinting, the show finally gives Edgar his own spotlight episode where his PSTD is shown from his point of view and it's quite frightening. This season also gives a better look into Jimmy than the second season did with his dad dying. His dad basically is his entire inspiration for writing - to prove him wrong - so it sends him into a tailspin.
Gretchen gets into therapy eventually in this season, with the therapist being played by Orange is the New Black's Samara Wiley. She doesn't get a whole lot to do in this season, but she's good in the season. It really speaks to how good I at least consider You're the Worst that I definitely don't think it's as good as season two and yet here it is on this list. When push comes to shove, I tend to look at individual episodes and how many great ones each TV show has, and You're the Worst just has more than most of these shows. (It might even have more than the #1 show, but the #1 show is consistently better)
#1 Atlanta
Model Episode "Streets on Lock"
With the model episode, I aim for two things: to get a representative of the show and to get the best the show has. I went for "Streets on Lock" over "Value" because the latter was not exactly representative of the show. Granted, Atlanta is what you call an experimental comedy so a focus on a specific character isn't exactly outside the bounds of what Atlanta will do. But "Streets on Lock" - only its second episode - just seems like more of a representative of the appeal of Atlanta than the other. (There's also "B.A.N." but that's way different than the rest of these episodes to the point where I never considered it)
I wrote my review of Atlanta just two weeks ago so I don't have much to say about Atlanta that I didn't say there. It's kind of strange because I gave the season an A- and I don't disagree with that grade so I wonder if this was a weak year for flawless comedies. I had so much trouble with my top five. This was obviously a strong year for comedies as my honorable mentions feature at least three shows I desperately wanted on this list, but it does not seem like many shows quite venture into that top tier range. That A range. There's a ton of A- shows. The distinction isn't important, it just seemed like it made my job more difficult. (It's also possible last year was ridiculously stacked when I would have given a straight A to Review, You're the Worst, Nathan for You, and probably Rick & Morty.)
Honorable Mentions
The Last Man on Earth - Last year, The Last Man on Earth improved a significant amount. The problem was that its first season was still technically 2015 so there was no shot of it making this list. This year, it continued its success from last year. It did not make the cut because the heartfelt and tragic episodes tended to come once every three episodes or so. The other episodes were funny, but inconsequential. It was a tough cut for me.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - Here's another show I wanted on this list pretty badly. I can't really say why it isn't on this list. I wasn't a huge fan of this show last year and this season made me into a fan. I couldn't pull the trigger on cutting any of the ones that made this list so unfortunately it didn't make.
Better Things - I liked Better Things and I liked the idea of it being on my list, but this is another show that just wasn't as funny as I would have liked. I do like that comedies don't feel the need to be funny all the time and would rather be real, and Better Things is that. But a lot of shows have figured out a way to do both at once.
Silicon Valley - I think this show suffers mightily from when it airs. I just can't remember it as well as the shows I just watched and it usually airs its last episode of the season way back in April. That said, I tried to access my feelings from when I watched it and I've just never truly loved this show. With the competition it's up against, I don't feel exceptionally guilty about this being off my list.
Blackish - Here's another show like Last Man on Earth. When it has amazing episodes, it's one of the best half hours on television. It just doesn't happen frequently enough! Too many episodes are forgettable. They also had an unforgivable Disney promo as their first episode of season three. I realize that was network mandated, but man it really puts a strain on a show.
I will be posting my top ten dramas, either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on how my schedule works out. I may or may not be watching a show that will end up on that list right now and need to finish it before finishing my post. Hope you guys aren't too mad at this list.
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