TQ's Year of TV (2021)

MY 2021 TV AWARDS

[Previous Years: 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

Not being confident if what I watched this last year (it might have been 2020 - the last two calendar years appear seamless), here are just a few shows I think are worth mentioning...

Best Shelter In Place Show:

The Other Two (HBO Max) 

The Other Two (HBO Max)

Runner-up: Squid Game (Netflix)

I loved that The Other Two was revived at HBO Max. It's a confidently funny show that has a unique voice and has new takes on the "fish out of water" plus "need to be famous" tropes that so many other shows get wrong. I have been a HUGE FAN of Drew Tarver thanks to his characters on Comedy Bang! Bang! - I love that more are getting to know his naturally comic talent.

Everyone who wanted to have seen Squid Game has seen it by now, but if you want a show that will make you smile and not in fear for all existence - check out The Other Two.

Best TV Show That Has Recently Completed / All Seasons Watch Recommend:

Superstore (NBC) 

Superstore (NBC)

Runner-up: Pen15 (Hulu) 

I wasn't a big fan of Superstore's penultimate season, but no other show leaned into the Pandemic better than their final season. The show was always a satire on retail jobs, but expanding the satire beyond retail jobs to "essential" jobs was astounding.

Confession: I haven't watched the last season of Pen15 yet - consider this a confident placeholder.

Best TV Show That Is Seriously Great:

For All Mankind (Apple +)

Runners-up: Ted Lasso / Succession (Apple + / HBO)

For All Mankind (Apple +)

Rolling Stone's tv critic Alan Sepinwall is my favorite writer on the subject, and based on his recommendation on it's stellar season two, I started marathoning 2020's s1 and caught up in this middle of its 2021 s2. It got to the point when I would watch new episodes in the early hours of Fridays because I had to watch the new episodes as soon as possible. Super thrilled that it ended up at #1 on Sepinwall's Best Of list because I need more eyes on this show because I want to talk about this show with everyone.

Meanwhile, we all know that Ted Lasso & Succession are good - nothing more to add there. Well played.

Best TV Show That Is Bonkers Entertaining:

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (Netflix)

I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (Netflix)

Runner-up: Loki (Disney +)

One word to describe how great s2 of ITYSL: Tables

Two words to describe how great s2 is of ITYSL: Dan Flashes

It's a tough call between slotting either Wanda Vision of Loki in this position, but Loki edges out for being a bit more action/upbeat than Wanda Vision's drama/weight.

Best TV Show That Needs To Get Resurrected ASAP:

Champaign ILL (YouTube/Hulu)

Champaign ILL (YouTube/Hulu)

Runner-up: Lovecraft Country (HBO)

I'm at fault for this show only lasting one season. I didn't see it until the YouTube Original made it to Hulu. But if Cobra Kai can find itself new seasons away from YouTube, why can't Champaign ILL? (it's a much longer shot because unlike CK, ChILL has a Sam Richardson: an emerging talent that frankly doesn't need this show to come back. It exists as a single serving treat for all that watch.

Someone still needs to explain to me why Lovecraft Country hasn't found a new home to capitalize on the mistake HBO is making by dropping it. 

Best Limited-Run Series:

Mare of Easttown (HBO)

The Mare of Easttown (HBO)

Runner-up: The White Lotus (HBO)

It's nice to have shows we all watch as it's happening. To have a mystery we all have guesses and theories. Both of these HBO series had this and they both stuck the landing in its finale.

The only reason why I'm ranking The White Lotus second is because it will be getting an unplanned second season which technically disqualifies it from this award.

Best TV Show That Had A Disappointing Recent Season:

Midnight Mass (Netflix)
Runner-up: Falcon & The Winter Soldier (Disney +)
Mike Flannigan's horror series trilogy of The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and now Midnight Mass have gotten worse with each new iteration. That stated - I will likely consume his next effort because they are still entertaining.

The same might not be true for the never ending expansion of the Marvel Universe's Falcon and the Winter Soldier's lameness has kept be away from Hawkeye (which I have heard is better). 

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Best of the Rest: Hacks (HBO Max)

- Best Talk Show: It remains Desus & Mero (Showtime)

- Best Catch Phrase: #JFTF from The Circle (Netflix)

- Best Surprise: Saved By The Bell (Peacock)

- Most underrated: Made For Love (HBO Max)

- Best use of an insanely high budget: Foundation (Apple +)

- Best candidate to make a future award: Mythic Quest (Apple +)

UNHONORABLE MENTIONS:

-I also watched Nine Pervect Strangers (Hulu), which I quit before it ended when I realized it wasn't a Balki & Cousin Larry reboot. 

What else is on,
TQ

The 2021 TQ Music Awards

This is a post about my favorite music, not my favorite television.

Welcome to my 11th annual Music Awards / year in review post.

[Previous Year End Reviews:2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011]

I hate to admit it, but the largest reason I'm writing this is because I don't want to break the streak. This is the 11th year in a row I've written [whatever this is] and I'm confident that there are five people who read it. To four of you, thank you. I'm the fifth - because this doubles as my diary entry to help me remember. It's also worth nothing that the most important person in my life (my wife*) has no interest in reading these posts.

*2021 is the year I got married

Song of the Year:

"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" by  M Y   W I I I F E
[Runner up: “VACCINATED ATTITUDE" by Marc Rebillet]

If you were there, you know.

Meanwhile, Marc Rebillet is an incredibly fun personality I discovered from his viral video last year and think this song captured a very significant moment from my first half of 2021.

Album of the Year:
star-crossed by Kacey Musgraves

[Runner up: Planet Her by Doja Cat]

Is it bad that, in my opinion, the best album released in the year of my wedding was about a divorce? It is worse that if a war were to break out between Swifties and Grave Diggers for who is the better singer/songwriter of the duo I will be picking up a shovel despite knowing my wife is Delicate?

On the other end of of the energy spectrum is Doja Cat's album. A collection of songs best described by Kendall Roy. It was very tough to pick just one song for my Best of 2021 playlist.

By the way, I think I've peaked as far as how much new music I listen to in a given year. I've found myself more on playlists I've made of my favorite bands. Speaking of those favorites - I don't think the albums by My Morning Jacket and Beach House were their best efforts.

Concert of the Year:

My Morning Jacket at Auditorium Theatre
[Runner up: n/a]

If I had to pick any of my favorite bands to see first since *gestures to the entire world* - it would've been My Morning Jacket. It's also wonderful I was able to do it as #TeamHardTicket. They didn't disappoint in the least! 2022 looks to be a good rebound year as I've already got tickets multiple shows. Worth noting that I would've seen Tame Impala this past year, but they rescheduled their concert to a date I was unable to attend.

Song of the Summer:
"A Second to Midnight" by Kylie Minogue
[Runner up: "Leave The Door Open" by Silk Sonic

Song Discovered Thanks to a TV Show / Movie of the Year:
"We Love Each Other So Much" by Sparks (performed by Marion Cotillard & Adam Driver
[Runner up: NO RUNNER UP]

There is a movie you can watch on Amazon Prime Video titled Annette. I cannot recommend based on its intended qualities. That said, the song created an inside joke strong enough between my wife and I that it had a small role in our wedding day.

Thanks for listening.