BEST TV SHOWS OF 2024
Hello folks, friends and folksy friends,
It's that time of year again. Time to list the top 20 TV shows I watched this year. I know so many of you are waiting on pins and needles to find out what you should be watching. Perhaps you should try sitting in a normal seat and not one made of pins and needles. That's your first mistake. At any rate, here's your Honorable Mentions first:
- Nobody Wants This (Season 1) - Netflix
- Death and Other Details (Season 1) - Hulu
- True Detective: Night Country (Season 4) - DVD
- Abbott Elementary (Season 3) - Hulu
- No Good Deed (Season 1) - Netflix
- The Madness (Season 1) - Netflix
- The Perfect Couple (Season 1) - Netflix
- One Day (Season 1) - Netflix
- Candy (Season 1) - Hulu
- Boy Swallows Universe (Season 1) - Netflix
TOP 20
20. Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office (Season 1) - DVD
Looking for a light, low stakes, wholesome little show that will make you smile? Mr. Bates has all that you need and more. This was a nice diversion and a true story to boot! (Wholesome. Nothing offensive.)
19. Call the Midwife (Season 13) - Netflix
I've been watching this show for ten plus years now. It's a little out of the ordinary for me and kinda a "chick show." Nevertheless, it continues to put out hit after hit and season after season of gripping content. I hope it goes forever. It's also one of the more wholesome shows you'll ever watch. (Wholesome. Nothing offensive.)
Looking for a light, low stakes, wholesome little show that will make you smile? Mr. Bates has all that you need and more. This was a nice diversion and a true story to boot! (Wholesome. Nothing offensive.)
19. Call the Midwife (Season 13) - Netflix
I've been watching this show for ten plus years now. It's a little out of the ordinary for me and kinda a "chick show." Nevertheless, it continues to put out hit after hit and season after season of gripping content. I hope it goes forever. It's also one of the more wholesome shows you'll ever watch. (Wholesome. Nothing offensive.)
18. Sunny (Season 1) - Apple TV
Apple puts out and produces the most consistent best quality TV shows out there. This will just be the first in many that are produced by Apple. I love Rashida Jones and she is on her A game in this one. There are a lot of laughs, but it is more of a drama than comedy. (It's got some bad language and violence.)
17. All Creatures Great and Small (Season 4) - DVD
Apple puts out and produces the most consistent best quality TV shows out there. This will just be the first in many that are produced by Apple. I love Rashida Jones and she is on her A game in this one. There are a lot of laughs, but it is more of a drama than comedy. (It's got some bad language and violence.)
17. All Creatures Great and Small (Season 4) - DVD
So far, this list is dominated by PBS produced wholesome hits. This is the best of them. There's some undeniable chemistry in this cast and it's hard not to love the scenery. I loved the books and watching the old TV show with my dad as a kid, but this is better than both. (100% wholesome. Nothing offensive).
16. Eric (Season 1) - Netflix
16. Eric (Season 1) - Netflix
Initially, I had mixed feelings on Eric. It's got Cumberbatch with a NY accent. He's actually decent, but the rest of the cast are even better. It's got a lot of palm sweaty moments. (Chalk full of bad language and I think some sex, but I can't remember?)
15. Penelope (Season 1) - Netflix
Sure, it's pretty much watching a girl camp by herself for 8 episodes. But it's much more. There's Mark Duplass directing and providing some depth and comedy. There's also an endearing and adorable performance by future superstar, Megan Scott. (A little swearing is all.)
14. Silo (Season 1) - Apple TV
Another Apple original that just bops so much. However, I have issues with this show. It's got "LOST-itis." It's very much like LOST. Every episode asks more questions than it answers. It's frustratingly cruel to the audience. It also is entirely underground and the dark motif gets old quick. It's also drama filled, character driven and one of the best well written show on TV. Season 2 is available now and likely will be on my year end list next year. (Some swearing. A little violence, but not much)
13. Man on the Inside (Season 1) - Netflix
Ted Danson is an American treasure. He's great in everything he does. This show is no different. He might play his most lovable character ever. It's also mildly funny and always entertaining. (Some swearing.)
12. Presumed Innocent (Season 1) - Netflix
12. Presumed Innocent (Season 1) - Netflix
Another imperfect show. I was entirely disappointed and unsatisfied after the ending. However, during the ride of the season, no show had me more hooked and captivated. (A lot of swearing, violence, sex.)
11. A.P. Bio (Season 1-3) - Netflix
11. A.P. Bio (Season 1-3) - Netflix
Definitely in the running for the most I laughed at any one show all year. The most laughs per minute of any show by far. Glenn Howerton and Patton Oswalt are hilarious. But it's the kids that carry the show and bring comedy power. (Some mild swearing, no F bombs)
10. Dark Matter (Season 1) - Apple TV
Another well written, creative and experimental Apple show. My wife actually didn't love this one. It's 100% multi-verse. It can be confusing and frustrating to keep pace with what's going on. It's also quite a ride if you can hang on mentally. (A lot of swearing, sex, a little violence)
9. Bad Sisters (Season 2) - Apple TV
Let me be clear up front: this season is nowhere near as good as season 1. Season 1 was off the charts good and one of the best seasons of any shows if this decade. Season 2 is still very good, but takes a couple steps backward. It ended perfectly, so I hope there's not a third season. (Swearing, violence)
8. Only Murderers in the Building (Season 3) - Hulu
By far, the funniest season of Only Murderers. The inclusion of so many funny people, especially Zach Galifianakis, was perfectly placed. The writing was crisp and hilarious. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez have a bright chemistry that is hard not to love. (Some swearing. A little violence.)
Let me be clear up front: this season is nowhere near as good as season 1. Season 1 was off the charts good and one of the best seasons of any shows if this decade. Season 2 is still very good, but takes a couple steps backward. It ended perfectly, so I hope there's not a third season. (Swearing, violence)
8. Only Murderers in the Building (Season 3) - Hulu
By far, the funniest season of Only Murderers. The inclusion of so many funny people, especially Zach Galifianakis, was perfectly placed. The writing was crisp and hilarious. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez have a bright chemistry that is hard not to love. (Some swearing. A little violence.)
7. Reservation Dogs (Seasons 1-3) - Hulu
It took about a season to really get into this show, but once we did, both my wife and I absolutely fell in love with these kids! They're funny and real and just so darned lovable. This show captures what it's like to grow up on a reservation. It's funny, heartfelt and sweet. I just loved it. (A lot of swearing.)
It took about a season to really get into this show, but once we did, both my wife and I absolutely fell in love with these kids! They're funny and real and just so darned lovable. This show captures what it's like to grow up on a reservation. It's funny, heartfelt and sweet. I just loved it. (A lot of swearing.)
6. The Artful Dodger (Season 1) - Hulu
This underrated show is funny. It's clever, fast paced and bright. It's just a fun show that you can watch with your whole family, well anyone over 12. I hope it gets a second season. It's one of the best shows on TV. (Some mild violence)
This underrated show is funny. It's clever, fast paced and bright. It's just a fun show that you can watch with your whole family, well anyone over 12. I hope it gets a second season. It's one of the best shows on TV. (Some mild violence)
5. Bad Monkey (Season 1) - Apple TV
This show is made "good" by one person: Vince Vaughn, and I'm not a huge Vince Vaughn guy. For me, this is funny as he's ever been. He's got that Chevy Chase "Fletch" sarcasm that is a blast. (A lot of swearing, violence, sex.)
This show is made "good" by one person: Vince Vaughn, and I'm not a huge Vince Vaughn guy. For me, this is funny as he's ever been. He's got that Chevy Chase "Fletch" sarcasm that is a blast. (A lot of swearing, violence, sex.)
4. Time Bandits (Season 1) - Apple TV
The best family TV show of the year is also the funniest show of the year. It may not have the laughs per minute as A.P. Bio, but the laughs are bigger! The show is so well written around Lisa Kudrow's personality and she really shines. The kid in the show keeps his own too, played by Kal-El Tuck. My son and I love laughing together and no show brought us more shared joy than Time Bandits. (Nothing offensive except some tame violence.)
3. The Patient (Season 1) - Hulu
This is essentially a two person play. Steve Carrell and Domhnall Gleeson show off their acting chops in a slow thriller that gave me chills on multiple occasions. (Swearing and violence)
2. Under the Bridge (Season 1) - Hulu
I was submerged in this murder mystery from the first minute. There's a lot of people that love murder mysteries and I'm not really one of them. But this one got me and was one of the best I've ever seen. Based on a true-ish story. (Swearing, sex, violence.)
1. The Bear (Season 3) - Hulu
A transitionary season. A reflective season. A season to prepare you for the next season. The weakest season of the show is still the best show on TV today. (So much swearing.)
The best family TV show of the year is also the funniest show of the year. It may not have the laughs per minute as A.P. Bio, but the laughs are bigger! The show is so well written around Lisa Kudrow's personality and she really shines. The kid in the show keeps his own too, played by Kal-El Tuck. My son and I love laughing together and no show brought us more shared joy than Time Bandits. (Nothing offensive except some tame violence.)
3. The Patient (Season 1) - Hulu
This is essentially a two person play. Steve Carrell and Domhnall Gleeson show off their acting chops in a slow thriller that gave me chills on multiple occasions. (Swearing and violence)
2. Under the Bridge (Season 1) - Hulu
I was submerged in this murder mystery from the first minute. There's a lot of people that love murder mysteries and I'm not really one of them. But this one got me and was one of the best I've ever seen. Based on a true-ish story. (Swearing, sex, violence.)
1. The Bear (Season 3) - Hulu
A transitionary season. A reflective season. A season to prepare you for the next season. The weakest season of the show is still the best show on TV today. (So much swearing.)
