I don’t know if I watched more television this year or just included more on my list. While I’ve been publishing year-end lists on my blog since 2017, last year was the first I included television. With ten more additions than my 2021 list, here’s a breakdown of what held my attention this calendar year, including the end of my favorite show, the cancelation of another, and many new and continued programs along the way. Let’s get to it.
Atlanta
[2016-2022]
There was nothing else like it on television, and now there’s nothing like it at all. Like David Lynch and Harmony Korine being inspired by early episodes of Chappelle’s Show, or Entourage being directed by Boots Riley and Terence Nance. After a lengthy delay, Atlanta ended with two seasons in 2022, season 3 in the spring and season 4 in the fall. I know the show (especially near the end) was met with mixed reviews, but it was perfect television in my eyes. Never did I know where an episode would take me, and I can’t say that about many shows. Standalone episodes, side stories, mockumentaries? It was all so thought-provoking, surreal, heartbreaking, and laugh out loud funny. I don’t own a DVD player but I’m already anticipating buying the box set.
Snabba Cash
[2021-ongoing]
Netflix might be lacking with their overall catalog, but they’ve done it right when it comes to international crime dramas. Top Boy, Narcos: Mexico, Somos, and perhaps my favorite of these: Snabba Cash. The Swedish series has two seasons, each only six episodes long. With a break-neck pace and an interesting mixture of drug dealing and start-up companies, your jaw will be on the floor a few times each episode.
Los Espookys
[2019-2022]
The first season of HBO’s surrealist deadpan soap opera comedy Los Espookys is perfect. Then Covid arrived. Then, as soon as the second season was over, they were canceled. I was waiting for the second season to finish (only six episodes) before watching it in one go, but now I don’t know when I’ll watch. It will be heartbreaking to press play. With only 12 episodes total, this should simply be treated as a mini series experiment. Hopefully opening doors for Ana Fabrega and Julio Torres, two of the funniest people on the planet.
Barry
[2018-ongoing]
The first season in three years and well worth the wait. Already a dark comedy, Barry is steadily getting darker and darker. At first, perhaps because I had forgotten the narrative, I wasn’t sure I was going to watch the whole season, but I was quickly hooked and ultimately blown away by the finale.
Smiling Friends
[2022-ongoing]
Laugh out loud insanity. Disturbingly delightful. Like Ren and Stimpy meets South Park. The Oblongs crossing over with The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. Awful comparisons. Just watch.
Severance
[2022-ongoing]
Loved the world-building and the originality with this one. A proper mind melter and one of the more inventive first seasons I’ve seen.
The Cuphead Show!
[2022-ongoing]
Vintage animation based on the most difficult video game I’ve ever played. A lovely cartoon. I follow showrunner Dave Wasson (who also helped with the Mickey Mouse shorts) and his page is a lovely timeline of animated clips and behind-the-scenes details.
Outer Range
[2022-ongoing]
This one reminded me (a bit too much?) of the German show Dark. I loved Noah Reid’s singing throughout this one. His character 100% steals the show. Not sure I’d watch another season of this show, as I often lose interest when the plot becomes overly complex / time travel-y, but Outer Range was really fun for eight episodes.
Chernobyl
[2019]
A miniseries that made my stomach turn. Bodies slowly melting is not my cup of tea, but I was engrossed in the storyline and found myself researching Chernobyl for weeks to follow. I’ve since become obsessed with showrunner Craig Mazin’s podcast Scriptnotes and can’t wait for his upcoming HBO show The Last of Us, which is out on January 15.
Abbott Elementary
[2021-ongoing]
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary (think Parks & Rec, think The Office) that makes you chuckle for 21 minutes and cry for 60 seconds. Touching and light and sharp as a tack. Other than past seasons of The Amazing Race, this is the only network television show I currently watch.
Station Eleven
[2021]
Strong mini-series. Director/novelist/showrunner Patrick Somerville is a genius. This one’s a nice addition to an already strong resume, including acclaimed series The Leftovers, masterpiece mini-series Maniac, and (recently canceled) Made for Love. I still find myself saying “I know damage” out loud for no reason at all.
Reservation Dogs
[2021-ongoing]
Reservation Dogs is a melting pot of genres and modes of storytelling. Full of empathy and character development you can’t really find elsewhere. You’ll undoubtedly laugh and cry in the same episode.
I Think You Should Leave
[2019-ongoing]
Absolutely hysterical and original and uncomfortable sketch comedy. Surreal and absurd. This one is currently averaging six episodes every two years, and I’m perfectly fine with that rollout, as it contains some of the funniest skits I’ve ever seen.
Top Boy
[2011-ongoing]
I wish more Americans watched this show. It’s gripping and brutal television, one of the best when it comes to crime drama. It was recently picked up for one final season, totaling five short seasons in 12 years. Depending on this final season (or perhaps regardless of the final season), I’d put it right up there with Gomorrah.
Snowfall
[2017-2023]
Five seasons in and one more to go. With the new (and final) season premiering in February, it’s safe to say Snowfall had a hell of a run, worthy of being in the same conversation as Narcos or Top Boy. Season four in particular was near-perfect television.
The Amazing Race
[2001-ongoing]
My partner and I gave this show a chance for the first time this year and * checks notes * ended up watching five seasons. Some are strong (like the season where they were paired up at random), some are above average, but always they are entertaining. Great if you’re stuck at home with the travel bug. Easy television through and through. We will watch all 30+ seasons, just give us time.
The Americans
[2013-2018]
Speaking of binge watching with my partner, we went through all six seasons of The Americans and finished it earlier this year. High-energy episodes full of engaging espionage. What more do you need? Season five was a bit dialogue-heavy, but it sets everything up so nicely for the finale, so it’s hard to criticize. Watching Homeland now, which is solid, but realizing how much better The Americans is by comparison.
Chefs vs. Wild
[2022]
Cool concept and compelling first couple episodes, but it becomes a bit repetitive by the end of the season. A little boring with the same terrain and possibilities of a meal. Also, instead of Chefs vs. Wild, it should have been called Forage Wars. If the creators switch up locations for season two, I might give it another spin.
ZeroZeroZero
[2020]
I included this one on the list last year, but it’s the only show I rewatched, so it’s worth mentioning again. Quite possibly the best mini-series / eight episode run I’ve ever seen.
Gangs of London
[2020-ongoing]
This show is so over the top and out of control. It has all of the elements I look for in a crime drama, but it takes it to the next level. Instead of one death, there’s 50 deaths. Instead of one gun, there’s a fleet. Every episode is a shootout. A soap opera soaked in blood.
Reno 911!
[2003-2022]
My favorite (?) comedy of all time was picked back up by Comedy Central (after brief stints on Quibi and Roku). The gang is aging and the jokes aren’t as sharp, but I grew up on this show, and damn am I glad they’re back.
