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