How much television do you watch? It can consume you. The average American watches four hours a day (or over 1,000 hours a year). I don’t own a television, but this hasn’t stopped me from watching a heap of shows and mini-series and dramas and comedies and dramedies this calendar year.

It was a bittersweet year for television, with some of my favorite shows coming to a close:

Barry (2018-2023)

Jack Ryan (2018-2023)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023)

Snowfall (2017-2023)

Succession (2018-2023)

Top Boy (2011-2023)

Along with a handful of shows covered in past years [many of which continued with new seasons (Snabba Cash and Fargo being two stand-outs, I Think You Should Leave being another)], below are a dozen additional finds and new favorites I discovered throughout 2023. Any that I missed? Find me online or out in the street and let me know your recommendation(s). I’m always looking for a new show.

Joe Pera Talks With You

(2018 - 2021)

Joe Pera Talks With You is an [adult swim] show that has been recommended numerous times over the years. One that was forever in my queue, but it wasn’t until earlier this year that I gave it a chance. I’ve only watched the first season but I was quickly enamored. Nearly every episode has made me cry and certainly every episode has reminded me to not be as cold or rude with my daily interactions on this weird planet. I’m still waiting for the right time to view his 2023 stand-up special, as I know I’ll adore it, but the mood has to be just right.

Mindhunter

(2017 - 2019)

Other than enjoying Se7en and Saw in high school and college, I can’t say I’ve ever come close to approaching True Crime territory. I’ve never listened to the podcasts, I’ve never pressed play on a docuseries. All that’s to say, I wasn’t sure what I’d think of Fincher’s Mindhunter, but I watched both seasons in less than two weeks. I felt the subject material crawling and clawing through my bloodstream. I now know why people are addicted. We’re a sick bunch, aren’t we? While Fincher has stated it as an impossibility, I still wish for a third season of this show. Apparently it was very expensive to film. Alas. A near-perfect 19 episodes.

I'm a Virgo

(2023 - ?)

I’m a Virgo is an absurdist and surrealist new series by inventive visionary Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You). I’m not sure if it was meant as a seven episode mini-series, or if more episodes are in the works, but either way, the first season was a breath of fresh air in the world of repetitive television. This is a sharp twist on the superhero (and supervillain) narrative, with plenty of elements of political commentary and familial triumphs and coming-of-age missteps densely spread and layered throughout.

The Bad Guy

(2022 - ?)

A six episode season known as The Bad Guy popped up on my Prime homepage and I, being the kind of consumer who is constantly looking for another Italian crime drama, gave this pilot episode a chance. It’s full of violence and action as one would expect, but it also has a quirky angle where I wasn’t sure if I should be laughing or scared. I’ve felt similar vibes with shows like Russian Doll or Happy! or Fargo, but this is the only one that comes to mind in another language. Lupin, maybe, but The Bad Guy utilizes much more dark comedy. It was a fun six episode ride, one I’ll definitely check out if a second season is picked up.

BMF

(2021 - ongoing)

I’m guilty of, after Snowfall ended, Googling, “Shows like Snowfall.” Despite having seen many on the list (The Wire, Top Boy, Narcos), two near the top were Godfather of Harlem and BMF. While I’ve only seen the pilot of Godfather of Harlem, I quickly ran through all two seasons of BMF. It’s intense, it’s cool, and it’s packed with an old school hip-hop nostalgia that flows throughout. The third season starts back up in March and I’m already ready. Did I mention Snoop Dogg plays a pastor?

Shark Tank

(2009 - ongoing)

Good lord, this show ate up a lot of my time this year. While having lunch, while having dinner, while winding down. “Shark?” The oven pre-heating. “Shark?” Arriving home after being out all day. Sometimes it feels good to yell at a screen when $300k is way too high for 25% of a company. Rich people can be awful and inventors can be oddballs, so why does it feel so good to pretend to be both? When these teams bring their A games, it makes for great television.

Painting with John

(2021 - 2023)

A few days after watching Painting with John for the first time, it was announced the show would not be renewed after season three. While I’ve only seen the first season, it’s a show that feels like talking to an old friend. Quietly watching someone create something otherworldly while telling an old story about a former lover or Tom Waits or God. It’s intimate, personable, inspiring, and a perfect home for all the weirdos looking for a comfort zone on this cosmic blob.

The Great American Joke Off

(2023 - ?)

A new comedy game show? Sign me up. Dulcé Sloan hosts a fast-paced and fun stand-up game show, where well-known comedians are tasked with formulating quick punch lines and insults and jabs and riffs and puns. Some of the mini-games throughout the show are more enjoyable than the others, but I had a blast watching this first season. I wish more shows like this existed. They seem few and far between. Last Comic Standing and Whose Line is it Anyway? both come to mind. Are there others? Here’s hoping The CW is smart enough to keep this new one around for a second season.

Slow Horses

(2022 - ongoing)

I was slow to Slow Horses. The brief: a British espionage series (which began back in 2022 and has already somehow finished its third season) centering around a dysfunctional yet likable bunch of agents finding their way through MI6’s counterterrorism as it’s meshed with hierarchical headaches and internal corruption. While I still need to see the two most recent seasons, Slow Horses starts with a bang (you’ll see) and had my full attention during its first six hours. As expected, every Gary Oldman line is pure gold.

The White Lotus

(2021- ongoing)

Late to the party but I had to tune-in to The White Lotus to see what all of the fuss was about. Ah yes, a shit show soap opera where it’s impossible to look away. What a wondrously cluttered yet organized mess of a show. When people watching pays off. Apparently the third season is going to be filmed in Thailand. Also, after his role in The Last of Us, it’s confirmed that Murray Bartlett has legendary range.

The Night Manager

(2016)

The Night Manager is a one-off season I found while trying to fill the void of Jack Ryan ending earlier this year. Arms dealing often leads to compelling television, and this show was pretty enjoyable, but I expected a little more action and a little less chatter. Some of it was laughable, some of it was fun. Like when a billionaire’s love interest tells Tom Hiddleston’s character, “Everyone here’s attracted to you.” Classic.

Mickey Mouse Shorts

(2013 - 2019)

I started watching these shorts to fill the interim moments in my life. Ranging from 3-8 minutes in length, I’d watch them while I waited for my coffee, while eating my lunch, some nonsense before starting my workday. Short and sweet, these well-animated clips are both heart-warming and playful. Easy to digest, and will leave you feeling more lively than before. A little pick-me-up as we trek through the haze of a day.