Monday, December 16, 2024

best of 2024: TV shows

 A few notes before I begin:

- This list is in random order, but I made note of my favorite.

- Not all of these were first released in 2024, but that's when I watched them.

-Some of these are ongoing series, but I only included shows where I've watched at least one full season.

- I made a parenthetical note of where I watched it, although some of these may be available other places as well.  

- Obviously the year isn't over yet, but if I watch something between now and the end of the month that belongs here, I'll update accordingly.

- I sure saw a lot of Walton Goggins this year; he's in three of these shows.

- And, as always, your mileage may vary.


1. Poker Face:  Charlie has the ability to tell when someone is lying.  Unfortunately, she can't help but insert herself into situations that put her in jeopardy.  It had one of the best pilots I've ever seen, and although none of the other episodes were quite as good, they were all very enjoyable, and Natasha Lyonne is, as always, a treat. (DVD)

2. After Life:  After his wife Lisa dies, Tony (Ricky Gervais) considers suicide, but he decides to stick around and make everyone else miserable, because if he can't be happy, why should anyone else?  Not as misanthropic as that synopsis makes it seem; it's got plenty of black humor to be sure, but it's also hopeful and moving. (Netflix)

3. Fallout:  After nuclear war, privileged survivors live in underground vaults while others, mutated by radiation, live in the outside world.  Lucy (Ella Purnell), a cheerful vault dweller, leaves safety in search of her father.  Based on the video game series, but you don't have to have played them to enjoy the show.  G has, but I haven't (stupid sim sickness), and I think we enjoyed it equally, although there were definitely easter eggs he got that I didn't. (Amazon Prime)

4. BoJack Horseman:  The title character is an anthropomorphized horse who got famous on a cheesy 90s sitcom.  Years after the show ended, he wants to make a comeback, but his addictions and debilitating self-loathing will make it difficult.  It can be hilarious, but just as often, it's devastating.  Shout out to the uniformly excellent voice cast, especially Will Arnett as BoJack and Alison Brie as his biographer Diane.  My favorite new (to me) show of the year. (Netflix)

5. Suicide Squad Isekai:  The Suicide Squad, a group of criminals forced to work on dangerous missions or get blown up by their no-nonsense boss Amanda Waller, is sent to another world (isekai in Japanese).  It's beautifully animated and very funny.  (Max)

6. American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez:  A biographical scripted series about Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez (played to perfection by Josh Andres Rivera), whose nasty temper (compounded by numerous severe concussions and drug use) led to a brutal downfall.  I couldn't give much less of a shit about football, aside from rooting for the Giants since G and my father-in-law are lifelong fans, but I was riveted by this show.  It doesn't downplay Aaron's crimes, but it's hard not to feel some sympathy for his terror of being outed and his repeated head injuries.  (FX)

7. The Great British Baking Show:  Sometimes I just want a warm, gentle baking competition show where the worst thing that can happen is a "claggy" cake or a "stodgy" bread loaf.  I find the accents, the lovely baked goods, and judges Paul and Prue so soothing.  (Netflix)

8. The Righteous Gemstones:  The Gemstones got extremely rich shilling religion to the masses.  They have plenty of enemies, but even though they're a pretty dysfunctional family, they always have each other's backs.  About as dark as humor gets.  (Max)

9. Vice Principals:  ...never mind, THIS is about as dark as humor gets, and it's by the same creators.  Two men serve as co-vice principals at a southern high school.  When the principal retires, they both battle for the position only to have an outsider swoop in and take it.  Even though they despise each other, they agree to team up and oust the interloper.  It's often a little TOO mean-spirited, but I still laughed loud and often.  (Max)

10. The Floor:  In this game show, a group of one hundred people, each with their own expert category, try to take control of as much territory as possible on a lit-up floor.  It seems deceptively easy, but it can get really tough.  I think they need to cut out some of the filler conversations, but it's pretty entertaining.  (Fox)