Thoughts on the Emmy Nominations ('24-'25)

In lieu of a "what I watched so far / planning to watch" post, here's my initial reactions to the newly announced Emmy Nominations (so there might be some overlap with last year's post)

Best Drama Series

Best of what I've watched: Andor (Disney)
Best of what I guess I'll have to watch: The Pitt (HBO)

Best I'll probably never see: The Diplomat (Netflix)

Best for people who liked Lost: Paradise (Hulu)

Best "not quite at its peak yet" hopefully: Severance (Apple)

Best dadcore: Slow Horses (Apple)

Nom that's getting worse and prob should not be nominated: The White Lotus (HBO GO)

Best Comedy Series

Best of what I've watched: The Studio (Apple)

Best of what I guess I'll have to watch: Shrinking (Apple)

Best underrated / sad it'll never get/got to win: What We Do In The Shadows (Hulu)

Best overcooked: The Bear (Hulu)

Best I'm too far behind to catch up: Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)

Best I never started and am too far behind: Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Best of the rest: Hacks (HBO GO NOW)

Nope, not every gonna watch: Nobody Wants This (Netflix)

Best Limited or Anthology Series

Best of what I've watched: Adolescence (Netflix)

Best of what I guess I'll have to watch: Dying for Sex (Hulu)

Best of the Rest: Black Mirror (Netflix)

Best overrated: The Penguin (HBO GO NOW MAX)

Saw it, should not be nominated, full stop: Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)

Best Television Movie:

Best of what I've had on my list since it came out and now I need to prioritize: Mountainhead (HBO GO NOW MAX PLUS)

Best of what I learned of its existence today and want to watch (tie): Nonnas (Netflix)

Best of what I learned of its existence today and want to watch (tie): Rebel Ridge (Netflix)

Best I'm too far behind to catch up: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Peacock)

Nope, even though I watch and tend to love any movie involving a sniper and/or assassin, is bad and should not have been nominated: The Gorge (Apple)

Other Snap Judgements

• My wife loves The Traitors (Peacock) 
• Rooting for Jimmy Kimmel (ABC)
• John Mulaney (Netflix) should have been nominated for Best Scripted Variety Series
• It'll be fun to see Adam Scott win for Severance (Apple)
• I keep hearing how great Sharon Horgan is, I need to watch Bad Sisters (Apple) 
• Don't like how three separate Severance (Apple) actors will split votes for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
• Stephen Graham is a lock to win Best Actor in a Limited Series for Adolescence (Netflix)
• I think this show may also produce both winners in the supporting categories with Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty (their ep may be the best hour of all TV this year)
• Could see a sweep of all Emmys including writing and directing
• The White Lotus (HBO GO NOW MAX PLUS MORE) does not deserve four nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
• A great opportunity to right a past wrong is to give The Boys' (Amazon) Giancarlo Esposito the Emmy for Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series
• She won't win for Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series, but I'm cheering for Merritt Wever in Severance (Apple)
• Best Actress in a Comedy Series should not go to anybody from the unfunny The Bear (Hulu)
• Best Actor in a Comedy Series should not go to anybody from the unfunny The Bear (Hulu)
• I'm happy that Colman Domingo was nominated for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series because it proves voters saw The Four Seasons (Netflix) and agree that the rest of it was trash
• I might yell in celebration the loudest if Kathryn Hahn wins Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for The Studio (Apple)
• Five of the six nominations for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series are from The Studio (Apple) - with the only other nomination going to a show that is unfunny - should be Bryan Cranston, but will find it as a way to give an Emmy to Ron Howard or Martin Scorsese
• My wife might yell in disgust if Robby Hoffman wins Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks (HBO GO NOW MAX PLUS MORE AND)
• Rashida Jones was the highpoint of the recent Black Mirror (Netflix) season and hope she wins for Best Actress in a Limited Series
• I HAD TO SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO BEST WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES TO LEARN THAT NATHAN FIELDER FINALLY GETS A NOMINATION FOR THE REHEARSAL (HBO GO NOW MAX PLUS MORE AND READY FOR TAKEOFF)
• I think the speech I most want to see is either Janus Metz winning Best Directing a Drama Series or Dan Gilroy winning Best Writing for a Drama Series with Andor (Disney)
• BEST DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES NEEDS TO GO TO NATHAN FIELDER FOR THE REHEARSAL (HBO GO NOW MAX PLUS MORE AND READY FOR TAKEOFF FOR THE MOHAVE MIRACLE)

Until Sunday September 14,
TQ

TQ's (2nd thirdly checkin for 2023's) Year of TV

Trying something new this year.

If people are like me, they use year-end TV Show lists to build their watchlist, but by the times these lists are posted - there's no time left to watch. It's also a lot easier to rembember the shows I watched if I write a couple checkin posts before December. (the 1st thrirdly checkin)

PAST YEARS AWARDS

[2022 / 2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

THIS YEAR's EARLY RETURNS

I Think You Should Leave (Netflix) - Best two sketches were "Egg Game" & "Pay It Forward"

Succession (HBO) - It's awesome when great shows have a great final season

The Bear (Hulu) - The second season is worth it's hype

Justified: City Primeval (Hulu) - A much welcome return all fans of the 1st series should watch

The Other Two (HBO) - Saw most of it before the reality of how truly lifelike it was for the creators

Barry (HBO) - A show that started fun weird and ended scary fun

Ted Lasso (Apple) - Whatever this "final" season tried to accomplish, IMO, failed

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) - The true Cal Ripkin Jr of comedy

Class of '09 (Hulu) - A single season mini-series that nobody else saw, but should consider

Beef (Netflix)  - A "single?" season mini-series that everybody saw, for great reasons

Yellowjackets (Sho) - A sophomore slump

Silo (Apple) - Give me any Future Sci-Fi World Builder and I'll watch it 

Black Mirror (Netflix) - Only one episode qualified as a "Black Mirror Ep"

Full Swing (Netflix) - I'm not sure I'll watch the second season

Extrapolations (Apple) - Worst show I completed

Lucky Hank (AMC) - Couldn't even finish the first season (sorry, Bob)

Winning Time (HBO)  - watching now

Billions (Sho)  - watching now

2022 Corrections, Omissions, and shows from older years got might have been award snubs

Atlanta (Hulu)

I agree that s3 & s4 should've been flipped, but all seasons were great

The Offer (Paramount)

Who knows how much of that was true, but still very enjoyable if you like The Godfather

Drive to Survive (Netflix)

I watched all the seasons of this show and got caught up in these past few months

STILL IN THE QUEUE: (order of wife-approved wife priority)

Reservation Dogs (Hulu)

This Fool (Hulu)

Foundation (Apple)

The Diplomat (Netflix)

Poker Face (Peacock)

Mrs. Davis (Peacock)

Under the Banner of Heaven (Hulu)

The Old Man (Hulu)

Rami (Hulu)

and there might be another season of Jack Ryan out there somehow?

See it soon,
TQ

TQ's (thirdly checkin for 2023's) Year of TV

Trying something new this year.

If people are like me, they use year-end TV Show lists to build their watchlist, but by the times these lists are posted - there's no time left to watch. It's also a lot easier to rembember the shows I watched if I write a couple checkin posts before December.

PAST YEARS AWARDS

[2022 / 2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

THIS YEAR's EARLY RETURNS

Jury Duty (Prime) - Ronald is an early front runner for hero of the year

Paul T. Goldman (Peacock) - Paul is an early front runner for villain of the year

Cunk on Earth (Netflix) - Philomena is the early front runner for Nathan Fielder of the year

Mythic Quest (Apple) - Brad is the only nominee of character I've seen in person this year

Swarm (Yellowjackets) - Dre needs to set her sights on Taylor Swift for a second season

The Last of Us (HBO) - Joel & Ellie reunited on HBO's Sunday night

Jack Ryan (Prime) - Jack is the reason why others created the dadcore genre

The Mandalorian (Disney) - Din's new season was a dim season

The Consultant (Prime) - Regus may be the most overrated character all season (I do not recommend this show)

Succession (HBO)  - watching now

Barry (HBO)  - watching now

Beef (Netflix)  - watching now

Ted Lasso (Apple)  - watching now

Yellowjackets (Showtime) - watching now

2022 Corrections, Omissions, and shows from older years got might have been award snubs

Yellowjackets (Showtime -watched in 2022) 

Can't believe I forgot that I watched s1 as it was released in early 2022, especially because I really liked the whole "Lost: Soccer Season" of it all.

Reacher (Prime- watched in 2022) 

I liked the Tom Cruise movie based on this character and really liked this prime dadcore show.

Welcome to Chippendales (Hulu) 

Kumail Nanjiani is one of my favorite people in entertainment and was perfect in his role. A great true-history-is-stranger-than-fiction tale.

Physical (Apple) 

Speaking of WtoC, Murray Bartlett was in that too. Barlett was also in in Physical. A show I also watch because I like supporting my fave stand up comics (Rory Scovel plays Rose Byrne's husband).

Reservation Dogs (Hulu) 

Got completely caught up this year. It was very much worth the wait. Get to it everybody else.

The Dropout (Hulu) 

Amanda Seyfried deserves the awards she won for this - and it's another good true story on Hulu.

Shaq (HBO) 

How did I miss this fun dunk?

STILL IN THE QUEUE: (order of wife-approved wife priority)

The Other Two (HBO) NEW SEASON SOON

I Think You Should Leave (Netflix) NEW SEASON SOON

Atlanta (Hulu) FINAL SEASON DELAY

Lucky Hank (AMC)

Extrapolations (Apple)

Silo (Apple)

The Diplomat (Netflix)

Poker Face (Peacock)

Mrs. Davis (Peacock)

Under the Banner of Heaven (Hulu)

The Old Man (Hulu)

Rami (Hulu)

See it soon,
TQ

POST SCRIPT 

SORRY, IT'S NOT GONNA WORK OUT (barring another worldwide lockdown, I won't get to these)

Tulsa King

The English

Trainwreck (Woodstock '99)

Reboot

The Sandman

She-Hulk

The Resort

The Man Who Fell To Earth

Interview with the Vampire

Dark Winds

Angeylne

Human Resources

Paper Girls

TQ's Year of TV (2022)

MY 2022 TV AWARDS

[Previous Years: 2021 / 2020 / 2019 / 2018 / 2017 / 2016 / 2015 / 2014 LT / 2014 NLT / 2013 / 2012 / 2011]

I'm fairly confident I watched 40+ shows this year. and if time and life wasn't a factor - I would've watched 20+ more...

In years past I've tried really hard to write about television content that was released in the recent year - but as queues pile up (and life's priorities change), I'm just gonna share thoughts on what I felt was worth my time in 2022. Here's a bunch of fake awards I created:

Best Shelter In Place Show:

Station Eleven (HBO Max) 
Runner-up: Welcome to Wrexham (FX/Hulu)

I started watching Station Eleven very soon after last year's version of this post was published and saw it many lists. It's likely the best show most of you haven't seen yet. Don't worry, it's only one season.

WtW is a great fun watch - marathon watch a show that won't make you wonder if a character will die every week. Get in now before a new season drops.

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

Better Call Saul (AMC) 

Runner-up: Ozark (Netflix) 

It's wild that BCS hasn't gotten the Emmy Hardware it deserves. Make it a trilogy with the final installment set entirely in Chile and call it Young Gus.

Ozark is done. I think the ending wasn't stuck as well as others in this post. Will people rewatch this show the way they will watch shows from the Heisenberg universe?

Best TV Show That Is Seriously Great:

The Patient (Hulu)

Runner-up: Severance (Apple)

The Patient is not better than Better Call Saul, but the best self-contained single season of television this year was this absolute panic rollercoaster of a show. I hope it finally gets Steve Carrell the Emmy he should've gotten a decade ago.

Severance is worth the weird. Have yourself a Music Dance Experience.

Best TV Show That Is Bonkers:

The Rehearsal (HBO)

Runner-up: How To With John Wilson (HBO)

If you like The Rehearsal, go back and watch all of Nathan For You on Hulu.

HTwJW is on the "Nathan Fielder Coaching Tree." Wilson is as ultra-sincere as Fielder is ultra-ironic.

Best TV Show That Needs To Get Resurrected ASAP:

Girls5eva (Peacock)

Runner-up: Westworld (HBO)

GREAT NEWS - G5E is getting a better shot at Netflix for its next season!

Westworld was kinda bad - I admit it... But I do wish it was given at least a two-hour movie to wrap that mess up into an ugly ball.

Best Limited-Run Anthology Series:

The White Lotus (HBO)

Runner-up: Murderville (Netflix)

The second season of TWL wasn't as funny as the first, but it was more suspenseful. It also had a much better opening theme song.

I think Kumail's episode of Murderville was the best.

Best TV Show That Had a Disappointing Recent Season:

For All Mankind (Apple)
Runner-up: Cobra Kai (Netflix)
FAM is still a very good show, but I'm afraid the show may be losing... altitude?

CK is straight-up laughable at this moment... but as long as I'm laughing, I'm watching.

Best shows I'll likely never watch: Euphoria, Yellowstone, Pachinko

Please don't waste your time trying to convince me, because I know they are all amazing and that I know I would love them. My apologies to all offended.

Best shows that I'm not current: Mythic Quest (Apple), Only Murders in the Building (Hulu), Atlanta (FX), 

The first seasons of MQ and OMitB were very entertaining. The 3rd season of Atlanta was amazing.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Best show I'll try to quit: Stranger Things (Netflix)

- Best stress watch (non The Patient): The Bear (Hulu)

- Best successful attempt at what Westworld should've been: The Peripheral (Amazon)

- Best show with two seasons in one year: Slow Horses (Apple+)

- Best 90s nostalgia: Pam & Tommy (Hulu)

- Best 80s nostalgia: Winning Time (HBO)

- Best extended universe show: Andor (Disney)

- Best Heat (the Michael Mann Masterpiece) show: Tokyo Vice (HBO)

- Best use of Sam Richardson: The Afterparty (Apple)

- Best use of masculinity: Reacher (Amazon)

- Best use of satire: The Boys (Amazon)

- Best dragon show: House of the Dragon (HBO)

- Best vampire show: What We Do In The Shadows (FX)

- Best comic show: Hacks (HBO)

- Best actor show: Barry (HBO)

- Best boat show: Below Deck(s) (Bravo)

- Best show I quit: Moon Knight (Disney)

UNHONORABLE MENTIONS:

- Worst extended universe show: Obi-Wan (Disney)

- Worst show I know I won't quit: Industry (HBO)

- Worst show I did quit before it ended: The Baby (HBO)

IN THE ETHER: Real Housewives of Wherever, Sister Wives, The Masked Singer, 90 Day Fs

IN THE QUEUE: (order of likelihood I'll see in 2023)

Welcome to Chippendales

Reservation Dogs

The English

Fleishman is in Trouble

Tulsa King

The English

Trainwreck (Woodstock '99)

The Dropout

Under the Banner of Heaven

Reboot

The Sandman

She-Hulk

The Resort

The Old Man

The Man Who Fell To Earth

Interview with the Vampire

Dark Winds

Angeylne

Human Resources

Paper Girls

Until next year,
TQ

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

TQ's Year of TV (2020)

MY 2020 TV AWARDS

What We Do In The Shadows (FX)

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

It is impossible to catalog everything watched on TV in a year such as this. Very few shows had a cadence to watch on a schedule and it felt like a majority of what was watched was in a "catch up" mode depending on what was being discussed in a particular week. Here are just some of my thoughts and opinions on a selection of 'tent that was telecasted, streamed, or dumped.

Best Shelter In Place Show:

What We Do In The Shadows (FX & Hulu) 
Runner-up: How To With John Wilson (HBO)

What We Do In The Shadows (FX)

I started to watch WWDITS in 2019, but quit after two or three eps. It was great to start again when Sheltering In Place began (its 2nd season is better). A strong recommendation to all. I can't tell everyone to watch HTWJW unless I know your comic sensibility can handle it (e.g. Nathan For You, Joe Perra Talks To You).

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

The Good Place (NBC) 

Runner-up: Brockmire (IFC & Hulu) 

The Good Place (NBC)

Note that Schitt's Creek is ineligible for this slot because I started late and have not finished it. The Good Place ended in January, which makes it feel like it shouldn't qualify for this year either for how long ago that feels. Brockmire was a welcome marathon during the return of baseball this summer.

Best TV Show That Is Seriously Great:

Better Call Saul (AMC & Netflix)

Runner-up: The Last Dance (ESPN & Netflix)

Better Call Saul (AMC)

The Lebron James versus Michael Jordan argument is flawed because one's greatness is built upon the shoulders of the other. I feel equally about Breaking Bad versus Better Call Saul. The Last Dance was a perfect fit for my nostalgia hole.

Best TV Show That Is Bonkers Entertaining:

The Mandalorian (Disney +)

Runner-up: Love Is Blind (Netflix)

The Mandalorian (Disney +)

Billions would have snuck into these top two had it been able to complete its season this year, so instead I'm going different directions of "bonkers." The Mandalorian made me feel child-like joy while watching whereas Love Is Blind made me feel adult-level shock. Bonkers, in other words, are about feelings.

Best TV Show That Needs To Get Resurrected ASAP:

Corporate (Comedy Central)
Runner-up: The Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj (Netflix)

Corporate (Comedy Central)

Corporate knew its recent season would be its last, but that was before Corporate America went totally remote. REBOOT NOW! It's for similar reasons for why Hasan Minhaj should be back on the air every week.

Best TV Show That Needs Your Help Now Before It Dies:

Sherman's Showcase (IFC & Hulu)

Runner-up: Robbie (Comedy Central)

Sherman's Showcase (IFC)

Sherman's Showcase is a show-within-a-show that is a parody of Soul Train. The entire season is dumb fun, but its Black History Month Spectacular Episode (which aired in June) is the most timely entertainment I saw all year. Robbie is also dumb fun as the "Eastbound and Down of middle school basketball."

Best Limited-Run Series:

I Know This Much Is True (HBO)

Runner-up: Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)

Best Documentary Series:
I'll Be Gone In The Dark (HBO)

Runner-up: McMillions (HBO) 

Best TV Show That Had A Disappointing Recent Season:

Fargo (FX & Hulu)
Runner-up: Superstore (NBC)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

-Best Talk Show: Desus & Mero (Showtime)

-Best Show To Use History for Horror: Lovecraft Country (HBO)

-Best Show To Mirror Quarantine: The Circle (Netflix)

-Worst Show I Hate Watched All Year: Too Hot To Handle (Netflix)

-Best Show I Hope Gets Cancelled: Industry (HBO)

-Best Show To Watch While Phone Scrolling: Selling Sunset (Netflix)

-Best Show To Allow A Future Wife To Make You Hate Watch: Welcome to Plathville (TLC)

-Best Show From Fancy Elements Such As Costume Design And History: The Crown (Netflix)

-Best Show That Other People Seemed To Like More: The Queen's Gambit (Netflix)

-Worst Show That Other People Seemed To Like More: Normal People (Hulu)

-Best Show for Very Specific People That I Can't Recommend Elsewhere: Devs (Hulu)

-Best Show To Spam A Podcast's Content Engine: Tiger King (Netflix)

-Worst Doc To Make A Can't Miss Topic Miss: The Vow (HBO)

-Best Dec To Make a Can't Miss Topic (to me personally) Miss: The Comedy Store (Showtime)

-Most Improved Doc, but somehow still fell short: Hard Knocks (HBO)

-Most Entertaining, but not well made, Doc: Love Fraud (Showtime)

-Best Show That More People Thankfully Know About: Pen15 (Hulu)

-Best Show That Nobody More Will Likely Know About: Better Things (FX)

-Best Fun Bad Show: The Flight Attendant (HBO)

-I also watched Perry Mason (HBO), which I quit before it ended & A Teacher (Hulu) which I was unable to quit before it ended. 

What else is on,
TQ

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