The Top 20 Best TV Shows I Watched in '23
Honorable Mentions
- Painkiller (Season 1) - Netflix - Your Honor (Season 2) - DVD - 1923 (A Yellowstone Story) (Season 1) - DVD - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Season 5) - Prime - The Last of Us (Season 1) - DVD - The White Lotus (Season 2) - DVD - Physical (Season 4) - Apple TV - Yellowjackets (Season 2) - DVD - All Creatures Great and Small (Season 3) - DVD - Alive (Season 9) - Netflix
Top 20
20. The Crowded Room (Season 1) - Apple + - This is Tom Holland trying to break out of his Spiderman thing. And you know what? He actually does quite well. This thriller is a little over-the-top at times, but for the most part, it will keep you guessing and your palms sweating. 19. Platonic (Season 1) - Apple + - Who would have guessed that Rose Byrne and Seth Rogan would make a nice, funny, "platonic" couple. This small comedy series was way funnier than it deserved to be. Rogan is at his funniest and Byrne makes a great accomplice. And the ongoing gag with the electric scooters kept me laughing. 18. Poker Face (Season 1) - DVD - Watched this on a lark, only because it sounded interesting and it was created by Rian Johnson. Without Natasha Lyonne, this is an average mystery show. With her, it's very funny, creative and enjoyable. It's a little like Matlock in that it's a "case-of-the-week" stories and not a running storyline. This makes each episode different and a whole lot of fun. 17. Jury Duty (Season 1) - Amazon Prime - Probably the best new show on Amazon Prime this year turned out to be a "reality/drama" hybrid that works so well that I wouldn't stop laughing for an entire episode. The entire series only works because of its "star" that the rest of the cast is tricking into making him think the entire thing is real. He's just so darned lovable that you can't help but cheer for him. And he always seems to make moral decisions. Add in some James Mardsen acting the fool (as himself!) and you have an instant classic. It will be interesting to see if they can trick someone else for a season 2. 16. Baskets (Season 1-4) - DVD - I fell in love with this older Zach Galifanakis show this year when someone recommended it to me. And thank goodness they did. I love Galifanakis super dry, but also super sweet role in this super odd show. While it did run out of steam a little towards the end, the show runners still let some continuous jokes ride all the way to its conclusion. Oh, and Louie Anderson, he's just the best (RIP!) 15. Succession (Season 4) - DVD -
This series came to a satisfying conclusion this year and I was along for the ride. While it never has been a favorite of mine, I still give it enormous credit for its ambition and acting. (My wife likes this show much more than me.) While the sheer amount of swear words thrown around can be overwhelming to the senses (it's not for everyone), it still manages to connect on a personal level. 14. Sex Education (Season 4) - Netflix - Another series that will definitely NOT be for everyone. That said, what this series became is so much more than teens talking about sex. It is much more about connection, friendships, love and growing up. This last season was likely the best and as you watch these kids transition to adulthood, you realize, you are going to miss their crazy personalities. This is how a series should end! 13. Flieshman is in Trouble - (Season 1) - Hulu - How much can you deal with Jesse Eisenberg's oddities and annoying personality traits, you can enjoy this show. It took me a while to connect, but after a few episodes, I was all in. What really draws you in is a unforgettable and perhaps life changing performance by Claire Danes. Eisenberg eventually won me over too. It's a roller coaster ride as well. It's worth watching. 12. A Handmaid’s Tale (Season 5) - DVD I've been a huge fan of this show since the beginning. For a couple of years, this show was even in my top three by year's end. While it has certainly lost steam in recent seasons and I am annoyed by so much in almost every episode, I can't help but continue loving this show. I can't help but stay the course until I find out what happens to this family! I think there is one more season?? I hope they go out with a bang. 11. The Morning Show (Season 3) - Apple TV Another show that's lost some steam, even though it remains super steamy. This has turned into a soap opera series. There are so many eye rolling moments, my eyes have rolled into each other. That said, it is still a must watch. Sometimes you need a good soap opera to distract you from the world, especially when the soap opera has some of Hollywood's biggest stars. 10. The Crown - (Season 6) - Netflix I've actually become more interested in this series as it has approached modern day. Now that it has ended and we have reached current times, I appreciate the earlier episodes even more. The creators and directors of this show do a remarkable job of taking something I have zero care or interest in - the royal family - and MAKE me interested in them. This season, the ending season, is the best one for me. Reliving Princess Di's death was fascinating. 9. Only Murders in the Building (Season 3) - Hulu Steve Martin is my favorite. Martin Short is my favorite. This series is one of my favorites. While this season was not as funny as the first two, I still laughed often. The interplay between Short and Martin is genius (as it always is) and Selena Gomez has proven she is not a third wheel. I look forward to (hopefully) many more seasons. 8. Ted Lasso (Season 3) - Apple + I cried in the last episode. I was touched by the full circle-ness of the story. While this was likely the least funny season of Ted Lasso, it certainly was still funny. In fact, the training montage with the string was my favorite TV moment of the year. I'll mss this show. 7. Justified: City Primeval (Season 1) - Hulu I had forgotten how much I missed Justified until its return this year. Raylan Givens is one of the great TV characters of the 2010's. Timothy Olyphant has not lost a single step in his return. In fact, I'd rank this new season ahead of several of the old seasons, even if his daughter in this season is just the absolute worst actress I've ever seen. 6. A Small Light (Season 1) - Disney + Likely the most sad and also the most heartwarming TV show this year. I was hesitant when I saw it released on Disney +. I thought it might be corny and stupid. It was far from it. I was genuinely moved many times. Nominated for several Golden Globes, this is deserving. Proof that Disney can make a moving show without also making it cheesy.
20. The Crowded Room (Season 1) - Apple + - This is Tom Holland trying to break out of his Spiderman thing. And you know what? He actually does quite well. This thriller is a little over-the-top at times, but for the most part, it will keep you guessing and your palms sweating. 19. Platonic (Season 1) - Apple + - Who would have guessed that Rose Byrne and Seth Rogan would make a nice, funny, "platonic" couple. This small comedy series was way funnier than it deserved to be. Rogan is at his funniest and Byrne makes a great accomplice. And the ongoing gag with the electric scooters kept me laughing. 18. Poker Face (Season 1) - DVD - Watched this on a lark, only because it sounded interesting and it was created by Rian Johnson. Without Natasha Lyonne, this is an average mystery show. With her, it's very funny, creative and enjoyable. It's a little like Matlock in that it's a "case-of-the-week" stories and not a running storyline. This makes each episode different and a whole lot of fun. 17. Jury Duty (Season 1) - Amazon Prime - Probably the best new show on Amazon Prime this year turned out to be a "reality/drama" hybrid that works so well that I wouldn't stop laughing for an entire episode. The entire series only works because of its "star" that the rest of the cast is tricking into making him think the entire thing is real. He's just so darned lovable that you can't help but cheer for him. And he always seems to make moral decisions. Add in some James Mardsen acting the fool (as himself!) and you have an instant classic. It will be interesting to see if they can trick someone else for a season 2. 16. Baskets (Season 1-4) - DVD - I fell in love with this older Zach Galifanakis show this year when someone recommended it to me. And thank goodness they did. I love Galifanakis super dry, but also super sweet role in this super odd show. While it did run out of steam a little towards the end, the show runners still let some continuous jokes ride all the way to its conclusion. Oh, and Louie Anderson, he's just the best (RIP!) 15. Succession (Season 4) - DVD -
This series came to a satisfying conclusion this year and I was along for the ride. While it never has been a favorite of mine, I still give it enormous credit for its ambition and acting. (My wife likes this show much more than me.) While the sheer amount of swear words thrown around can be overwhelming to the senses (it's not for everyone), it still manages to connect on a personal level. 14. Sex Education (Season 4) - Netflix - Another series that will definitely NOT be for everyone. That said, what this series became is so much more than teens talking about sex. It is much more about connection, friendships, love and growing up. This last season was likely the best and as you watch these kids transition to adulthood, you realize, you are going to miss their crazy personalities. This is how a series should end! 13. Flieshman is in Trouble - (Season 1) - Hulu - How much can you deal with Jesse Eisenberg's oddities and annoying personality traits, you can enjoy this show. It took me a while to connect, but after a few episodes, I was all in. What really draws you in is a unforgettable and perhaps life changing performance by Claire Danes. Eisenberg eventually won me over too. It's a roller coaster ride as well. It's worth watching. 12. A Handmaid’s Tale (Season 5) - DVD I've been a huge fan of this show since the beginning. For a couple of years, this show was even in my top three by year's end. While it has certainly lost steam in recent seasons and I am annoyed by so much in almost every episode, I can't help but continue loving this show. I can't help but stay the course until I find out what happens to this family! I think there is one more season?? I hope they go out with a bang. 11. The Morning Show (Season 3) - Apple TV Another show that's lost some steam, even though it remains super steamy. This has turned into a soap opera series. There are so many eye rolling moments, my eyes have rolled into each other. That said, it is still a must watch. Sometimes you need a good soap opera to distract you from the world, especially when the soap opera has some of Hollywood's biggest stars. 10. The Crown - (Season 6) - Netflix I've actually become more interested in this series as it has approached modern day. Now that it has ended and we have reached current times, I appreciate the earlier episodes even more. The creators and directors of this show do a remarkable job of taking something I have zero care or interest in - the royal family - and MAKE me interested in them. This season, the ending season, is the best one for me. Reliving Princess Di's death was fascinating. 9. Only Murders in the Building (Season 3) - Hulu Steve Martin is my favorite. Martin Short is my favorite. This series is one of my favorites. While this season was not as funny as the first two, I still laughed often. The interplay between Short and Martin is genius (as it always is) and Selena Gomez has proven she is not a third wheel. I look forward to (hopefully) many more seasons. 8. Ted Lasso (Season 3) - Apple + I cried in the last episode. I was touched by the full circle-ness of the story. While this was likely the least funny season of Ted Lasso, it certainly was still funny. In fact, the training montage with the string was my favorite TV moment of the year. I'll mss this show. 7. Justified: City Primeval (Season 1) - Hulu I had forgotten how much I missed Justified until its return this year. Raylan Givens is one of the great TV characters of the 2010's. Timothy Olyphant has not lost a single step in his return. In fact, I'd rank this new season ahead of several of the old seasons, even if his daughter in this season is just the absolute worst actress I've ever seen. 6. A Small Light (Season 1) - Disney + Likely the most sad and also the most heartwarming TV show this year. I was hesitant when I saw it released on Disney +. I thought it might be corny and stupid. It was far from it. I was genuinely moved many times. Nominated for several Golden Globes, this is deserving. Proof that Disney can make a moving show without also making it cheesy.
5. Black Mirror (Season 6) - Netflix -
Black Mirror was back this year and it was an extremely divisive season. There were a lot of fans that found this season to be stupid. I adored the season and it blew my mind in several different episodes. So much so, in fact, that I would rank this season second overall.
4. Cunk on Earth (Season 1) - Netflix
This British mockumentary was by far the funniest show on TV this year. As a matter of fact, it is the only season of TV on this list that I have watched several times. Diane Morgan is a comedy genius, and I don't say that lightly. I sincerely think she is the funniest woman on the face of the planet. I love her and her wit so much that I have spent several hours watching and rewatching this season. I pray there is a second.
3. Lessons in Chemistry (Season 1) - Apple TV
The best show on Apple this year (and there are so many great ones) is Lessons in Chemistry. This is a role right up Brie Larson's alley and she knocks it out of the park! I enjoyed so much about this series: the drama, the relationships, the comedy. The directors seemed to perfectly capture the place and time. It's beautiful to look at. I almost put this show #1, but there were just a couple of amazing shows ahead of it.
2. The Bear (Season 1 & 2) - Hulu
I discovered The Bear this year. The Bear is not for everyone. If you can't handle a few swears, this show is definitely NOT for you, for it is full of many, many curses. That said, if you can handle the swearing, this show is incredible. Who would have guessed that a drama/comedy about chefs running a sandwich shop would pack the most emotional punch of any show on television. Credit to Jeremy Allen White who just might becoming the next huge movie star. But also, Ayo Edibiri. She as solid as a rock in her role. Can't wait for season 3!
1. Fargo (Season 4 & 5) - Hulu
Fargo is my favorite show of all time. It remains my favorite show of all time. While Season 4 was maybe the weakest season of the show (I think the weakest season is season 3), Season 5 comes back with an enormous eruption. It is probably the BEST season of the show so far, and I haven't even seen the last two episodes yet. I thought The Bear was going to take the title this year, but Season 5 of Fargo has blown me away into Fargo translucence. Thank you, FARGO!
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