TQ's Year of TV (2019)

MY 2019 TV AWARDS

[Previous Years: 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

Bryan Cranston and Breaking Bad spoiled my annual viewing of the Primetime Emmy Awards. Every year they got nominated and every year they won. My only gripe is that Aaron Paul was possibly splitting votes that I wish would've gone to Giancarlo Esposito or Jonathan Banks (who I still dream can win Emmys for their work on Better Call Saul).

Was anybody happy with Game of Thrones stealing the hardware for its collapsing end? Kerri Russell never won for Elizabeth Jennings and Steve Carell never won for Michael Scott. Well, at least they got it right* with Fleabag.

you: glamour is over
me: think again pic.twitter.com/JUQu1aM15Y

— rachel syme (@rachsyme) September 23, 2019

(the above photo of Phoebe Waller-Bridge in post Emmy victory is from a Rachel Syme tweet)
*I agreed with who/what won
I haven't seen Killing Eve - I'm sure it's great. Whatever. Here are my awards - thanks for reading.


Best TV Show That Has Recently Completed / All Seasons Watch Recommend:
Fleabag (Amazon) 
Runner-up: Veep (HBO) 

photo from Amazon

One of the strongest "watch its entirety now" recommendations of my memory. Not only because of its clear arc from start to conclusion, but its refreshingly short length (12 half hour episodes). Many recent shows have used the "break the fourth wall" technique to myriad results from complete crutch to true documentary format. Fleabag took the convention to a completely new, and best employed yet, level.

The concept of Veep took a hit as its satire paled in contrast to reality. It was a perfect time for the series to end, and it chose a wonderful path to both highlight how its mirror became less of a funhouse.

Best TV Show That Is Seriously Great:
Watchmen (HBO)
Runner-up: Better Call Saul (AMC)

photo from HBO

A perfect follow up series for us who loved The Leftovers. A must watch for anybody potentially disillusioned by their experience watching Lost. For someone like me, with zero "Watchmen Literacy" (e.g. the book, the Zack Snyder movie), it was a great and mysterious ride. From all accounts I've seen online - it was also a hit with anybody fluent in Alan Moore canon.

Here is my annual reminder that Better Call Saul is a show that airs in the first months of the year and is not to be underrated or forgotten. However, now sure there is anything that can get people who don't watch it to start.


Best TV Show That Is Bonkers Entertaining:
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX)
Runner-up: Billions (Showtime)
Both this year's winner and runner-up are the same from 2018. Truth remains true.

With that in mind -- and as an excuse to devote a section to it -- my thoughts on Succession:

photo from HBO

It's not for everyone. It's a show that will make you hate its main characters. The world that it exists in is sadly equally real as it is shitty. And the story won't grab you from the first episode.

Late this summer I marathoned the first season and a half of it and was able to watch the last few episodes as they aired. If you're on the fence about watching it, please start now and get current by its 3rd season premiere because the jokes and discussion that occur alongside the show are amazing.


Best TV Show That Had A Disappointing Recent Season:
Black Mirror (Netflix)
Runner-up: Legion (FX)

photo from Netflix

I dunno about these ones, folks. Maybe my expectations are too high or nothing can feel as original as a first season of something new? FYI - I only saw Legion's season two this past year, I haven't seen it's third and final season yet.


Best TV Show That Needs To Get Resurrected ASAP:
Jon Glaser Loves Gear (TruTV)
Runner-up: Garbage Time with Katie Nolan (FS1)

photo from TruTV

Full disclosure: I'm a huge fan of these people and want to support all their efforts. JGLG is the best work he's ever done and I want to see more. There's currently a show on ESPN called Always Late with Katie Nolan that I hope returns to the high quality of its predecessor.


Best TV Show That Needs Your Help Now Before It Dies:
Pen15 & Shrill (Hulu)

photo from Hulu

photo from Hulu

Runner-up: The Other Two (Comedy Central)
Those that loved Broad City should fill that void with these three shows. All feature main characters that have been systemically marginalized in past television narratives with needed nostalgia, empathy, and esteem.


Best Documentary Series:
Fyre Fraud (Hulu) & Fyre (Netflix)
Runner-up: Always Amazing (You Tube) & The Amazing Jonathan Documentary (Netflix)

photo from Hulu

The Hulu doc is much better than the much spun version on Netflix (but both are must watches to see the difference). If you are also an addict of all "inside comedy" documentaries, please watch the Steve Byrne effort on YouTube first (as he is the true underdog of the two pieces).


HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Instant Hotel (Netflix)
Runner-ups: Below Deck (Bravo), 90 Day Fiancé (TLC), Masked Singer (Fox), Temptation Island (USA)

photo from Netflix

People who know my life will understand the meaning of these shows. While it may not be the "best" - Instant Hotel is an interesting concept of Airbnb hosts and their judgmental and competitive guests. The others are modern day soap operas. A more immature version of myself used to make fun of those shows, but not anymore.

I Think You Should Leave (Netflix)
Runner-up:  The Righteous Gemstones (HBO)

photo from Netflix

The 2018 TV recap's first image was from Detroiters. I still mourn that show's death. However, I know we'll get more Sam Richardson in the future and we didn't have to wait long to see what Tim Robinson did next as I Think You Should Leave gave us all who watched it such fun.

Even though I mentioned it in this year's music post, let me repeat that "Misbehavin'" remains the true gem of the 2019.



What else is on,
TQ

LIVE COMEDY WITNESSED IN 2019

I like to laugh. Here's who made me laugh in person this year. [Previous years: 2018, 2017. 2016, 2015]

• Laurie Kilmartin at Zanies (Sat Jan 5)
• One of the best joke writers on Conan's team.
• Mortified at Lincoln Hall (Sun Feb 10)
• A Valentines Day edition of a great storytelling show.
• Middleditch & Schwartz at Chicago Theatre (Sat Apr 8)
• Sadly, this show included an example of when "Yes and" goes in the wrong direction that the two pros were unable to save.
• Patton Oswalt at Whiskey Business (Thu Aug 15)
• Perhaps a first "rooftop to rooftop" crowd work highlighted a night that included an opening set by Alex Kumin.
• How Did This Get Made at Chicago Theatre (Sat Sep 7 / The Adventures of Pinocchio)
• All who were there will never forget the image of Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Pinocchio.
• How Did This Get Made at Chicago Theatre (Sat Sep 7 / Space Jam)
• Paul Sheer's freshman dorm room featured Tasmanian Devil themed bedding.
• Comedy Bang! Bang! at Chicago Theatre (Sun Sep 8)
• Jason Mantzoukas was a special guest on the live show that made it into CBB's Best of 2019.
• Never Not Funny at Zanies (Sun Nov 17)
• Anybody carving a Mount Rushmore of podcasts that doesn't include Pardo is misguided.
• Nick Kroll at The Vic Theatre (Thu Nov 21)
• I don't know where the special will air, but check out his Middle-Aged Boy hour when it eventually gets released.
• Kyle Kinane at Thalia Hall (Wed Nov 25)
• Equally as good as the headliner was Shane Torres' special guest appearance.

I already have tickets to my first comedy event of 2020, hoping to once again meet my goal of ten comedy shows every year. If you know a show off the beaten path and want company? I’ll join you. Writing or directing a show yourself? Let me know and I’ll support it.

The 2019 TQ Music Awards

“I never thought 500 people would go to see a band called ‘Mannequin Pussy.’ I love being wrong!” - Marisa Dabice of @mannequinpussy

Also, she reminds me of her (same energy): pic.twitter.com/h2Bup0Id9f

— TQ (@TomQuestion) September 12, 2019

Welcome to my 9th annual Music Awards / year in review post. I’ve also embedded my Spotify playlist of my favorite tracks at the top of this post.
[Previous Year End Reviews: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011]


Song of the Year:
"Drunk II" by Mannequin Pussy
[Runner up: “Got To Keep On” by The Chemical Brothers]
The process of a song getting to this title usually starts with a question of, "I like this song - how will it sound live?" Thankfully, this song got a chance to prove itself in front of a sold out Lincoln Hall show (a setting that has resulted in many past tracks to earn this acclaim). It's written from a great perspective and performed with equal emotion.


Album of the Year:
Horizons by Bag Raiders
[Runner up: Outer Peace by Toro Y Moi]
I didn't put much thought into this award. Spotify told me that Bag Raiders was my most listened to artist of the year, and it made me realize how often I went to this album to just flat out feel better about whatever state I currently mired. Especially handy on morning commutes.


Concert of the Year:
Foals at The Riviera Theatre
[Runner up: Mannequin Pussy at Lincoln Hall]
Just another in a long line of shows (from many different artists) in which my top ranking of them was once again confirmed by their stage presence. They played the hits, they played my new faves, they left me already looking forward to their next show.

Song of the Summer:
"Juice" by Lizzo
[Runner up: "Sucker'" by Jonas Brothers]
I saved listening to Lizzo's new album in order to listen to it while on vacation over Memorial Day weekend. It was an instant favorite and of course - everyone had it featured on whatever summer party they were hosting.

Song Discovered Thanks to a TV Show / Movie of the Year:
"Misbehavin" by Jennifer Nettles and Walton Goggins
If you watched this show and *didn't* have this song instantly earworm into your daily life - check your pulse. We are all running around the house with a pickle in our mouth.

Regret of the Year:
Not attending the 312 Block Party to see Priests
[Runner up: losing my concert credibility by bringing my future wife to see Bon Iver at Allstate Arena]
I was Kevin McAllistering it, marathon watching something on Netflix, when I saw through someone else's post that a band I've been trying to see for a couple of years was performing down the road. It was a huge miss (both in the fact that I didn't know it was occurring until too late and not going). Later that year I went to another street fest solo in order to avoid missing another favorite only to have that band's set canceled last minute. Overall, my summer street fest planning was a huge miss this year.

Best Decision I made in 2018:
Buying a WONDERBOOM to upgrade playlist mobility
[Runner up: not fighting my future wife's insistence on hiring a live band for our wedding reception]
This is a quality product that I fully endorse.

Thank you very much for reading. To close, here are the concert collages / showlog from 2019: