Hi. Long time no anything. Since we’re all stuck doing whatever for however long I have started writing a newsletter of things to watch/read/listen to. Mostly watch. Some listening.
A new edition will come out every few days. Or it won’t. You can sign up now.
I used to post lists of shows I watched or recommended on Facebook. People liked them (not in a facebook sense of liking things but in a real world way) and would ask for more. Now I don’t go on Facebook so there are no more lists but people still ask for recommendations since they know I stay up late and watch TV. So now we have this newsletter.
Remember to subscribe. Send it along to your media starved friends and tell them to subscribe. And if you don’t my feelings won’t be hurt. I’ll just write this for my mom and dad. They are always asking what to watch anyway.
Welcome to Transient Random Noisebursts. The title is from a Stereolabalbum. I was going to call this “The Things to Watch, Read, or Listen To Newsletter,” but it doesn’t really roll off the tongue. I’ll avoid spoilers. A new edition will come out every few days. Or it won’t. Since this is the first one a few of you are getting this without subscribing, (Hi Andrew!) so you can unsubscribe below if this isn’t your thing. I’m not going to send you things you don’t want.
In the olden days I used to post lists of shows I watched or recommended on Facebook. People liked them (not in a facebook sense of liking things but in a real world way) and would ask for more. Now I don’t go on Facebook so there are no more lists but people still ask for recommendations since they know I stay up late and watch TV. So now we have this newsletter.
Please send this along to your media starved friends and ask them to subscribe. And if you don’t my feelings won’t be hurt. I’ll just write this for my mom and dad. They are always asking what to watch anyway. Also, please email me if you have any suggestions or recommendations. I’d love to know what you are consuming.
Do keep in mind that I’m new to this whole email list management thing, so sorry in advance for all the mistakes I’ll make. Like this message likely ending up in your spam folder.
Okay, here goes nothing. I can only rewrite this so many times before I have to send it.
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La Casa De Papal (Money Heist) 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶
📺 Netflix. 4 seasons. Spain (Spanish with subtitles). Drama/Thriller
For the family?NO! (likely a pretty standard theme around here). Violence. Guns. More violence.
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Saturday night I spent the hours between 10:00pm and 2:00am watching the first six (of eight) episodes of Season 4 of this very captivating Spanish series. Sunday I watched the last two, even though Killing Eve‘s season premiere was on. That’s how hooked I am. Binge watching Money Heist is really the best way to watch the show as it flows from one episode to the next. Think of it as one long movie, like The Irishmanexcept with people speaking much faster and with different accents. I have grown a real appreciation for the Spanish language over the course of this series. Once you start you’ll find it a challenge to watch only one episode. Each one is between 40-45 minutes. Make some popcorn and get comfortable.
The show itself is very fast paced. The first two seasons cover the gathering of the gang and the initial heist. Seasons three and four cover a second heist and the evolution of the gang with lots of backstory included. Even with all the action (and there is a lot), my favourite part of the show is the interaction between the characters. Pay attention, not everyone is who they seem they are and the line between good and bad is crossed many times. Understanding the relationships between everyone is the key to understanding the show.
It’s a wild ride. It can be funny, violent, thrilling, and full of twists, all in the same scene.
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Battlestar Galactica 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶 on first watch; 🐶 🐶 on rewatch.
📺 Amazon Prime. Mini-series + 4 seasons. USA (English). Sci-fi
For the family? 12 and up, but kids may get bored. Some violence, mostly human vs alien but since most of the aliens look like us it’s pretty much just straight up violence. The world gets blown up. A super sexy Cylon is objectified throughout.
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I remember watching this when it first came out in 2003. It was like a grittier, better written Star Trek. (Blasphemy! But really, be honest, you enjoyed the various Star Trek iterations, but they were often super cornball.) Set 50 years after the BSG of the 70s, the Cylons have returned, and as the show tells you every episode, THEY LOOK LIKE US and THEY HAVE A PLAN. Kind of like an evil Elizabeth Warren.
The show doesn’t come across as dated, but there are a few annoyances. Let’s just say that you’ll wish Gaius had been killed in the initial Caprica attack. Perhaps Apollo could grown a backbone. But there are some great performances, especially by Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell.
It is a highly regarded show, claiming a spot on The New York Times 2019 list of “The 20 Best TV Dramas Since The Sopranos.” I was looking forward to rewatching it and thought i’d enjoy it again. I was wrong. We packed it in after the four hour mini series and seven episodes.
However, if you do like gritty, well-written sci-fi, and you have Amazon Prime, just watch The Expanse (🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶 1/2), especially if you have already seen BSG. Whatever you do, don’t waste your time on Picard (💩).
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The Daily 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶 🐶
🎙The New York Times. Available where you get your podcasts. Current events
For the family? Sure, why not. But kids probably won’t care about most episodes, although there are some that make for good family listening.
If you listen to podcasts (check) or read The New York Times (check), you probably know about The Daily. Produced every weekday, The Daily does a deep dive on the most pressing issues of the day. Earlier this year that was the Democratic primary and doofus’ impeachment. Now it is stories surrounding the coronavirus outbreak but not in an obvious way. Last week featured episodes on New Orleans (it’s bad), why the Wisconsin primary went forward despite the pandemic (Republican controlled Senate and Supreme Court just love disenfranchising voters), the unemployment crisis, and what just really did happen with the US Navy replacing the captain of that aircraft carrier and the subsequent resignation of the Trump official who removed the captain. There’s also a great episode where they answer questions that kids have about the coronavirus (March 27 if you go looking for it). Yes, it’s American-centric, but it is The New York Times.
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That’s it for your first edition. Maybe it will get better. Maybe we’ve peaked. There’s only one way to find out. Stick around and see what happens. You might even find a show/podcast/movie/book/song/album that you’ll like. If you made it this far thanks for reading. And yes, I know I need an editor but Tina’s busy and Max is shooting things on a screen.
If I were to rank Radiohead albums, which I wouldn’t (1. Kid A; 2. OK Computer; 3. In Rainbows), In Rainbows would be in my top 3. It was also the first album after Radiohead left EMI and the band went with a “pay what you want” model for the digital version of the album. You’d still pay if you wanted something physical, like the deluxe box set sitting on my shelf, but for the download you could pay anything. Pretty sure I paid $10, which was the going rate for album downloads back then, when people actually downloaded albums.
The Guardian just published an excerpt from Eamonn Forde’s just released book “The Final Days of EMI: Selling the Pig” about, well, the final days of EMI. The excerpt is specifically about Radiohead’s decision to leave EMI and the battle between the band and the corporate raiders that purchased the once proud label. Fair to say that this was a complete win for Radiohead and another nail in the coffin of EMI.
On Sunday 30 September 2007, just hours before the calendar flipped into Q4 and marked the start of the major labels’ busiest and most profitable retail period, Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood posted a message on the band’s Dead Air Space blog. “Hello everyone,” he wrote. “Well, the new album is finished, and it’s coming out in 10 days. We’ve called it In Rainbows. Love from us all.”
This seemingly blasé post to announce their seventh studio album was followed up by the details of the release. When it became clear what precisely they were doing, all hell broke loose – not just within EMI but across the entire record business.
The Guardian “Chasing rainbows: inside the battle between Radiohead and EMI’s Guy Hands” – February 18, 2019
In the end, Universal bought EMI’s record label business (later selling parts of it to Warner Music to appease anti-trust regulators) while Sony/ATV bought EMI Publishing (which was more valuable). Meanwhile, Radiohead has continued to release albums on their own and through XL Recordings.
I still watch a lot of TV, even though Red Dead Redemption 2 has sucked up a lot of my time lately. Plus dog. So, here are a few recommendations if you are looking for something to watch. I tried to stick with fairly recent series because digging into the past is a whole other thing. I have more, but you should be able to find something on this list. (Networks may vary depending on where you are.)
1. The Good Place (Season 3 NBC/iTunes, Seasons 1 and 2, Netflix)
2. Killing Eve (Season 1, BBC/Crave)
3. Ozark (Seasons 1 and 2, Netflix)
4. Sex Education (Season 1, Netflix)
5. Homecoming (Season 1, Amazon Prime)
6. Succession (Season 1, HBO)
The Good Place’s first two seasons are on Netflix. Season 3 was on NBC but just wrapped up, so you’ll have to go to a service like iTunes to get the episodes (legally). It’s one of the top five funniest shows on TV, and by far the best broadcast network comedy.
Killing Eve you know about. Season 2 is out April 7, so binge these now. It’s a near perfect show.
The two seasons of Ozark have helped to fill the hole in my heart where Breaking Bad and Justified once were. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney are the second best couple on TV (behind Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell from The Americans).
Where did Sex Education come from? Thank you, Netflix. Asa Butterfield and Gillian Anderson are wonderful. It’s funny and shocking and very entertaining. You know it is going to be good when the trailer for the series opens with Gillian Anderson’s sex therapist mother character saying to her 16 year old son “I’ve noticed that you are pretending to masturbate and was wondering if you’d like to talk about it?”
Watch it with your teenager and you’ll never need to have “the talk.”
Homecoming. Podcast turns hit TV show. Julia Roberts and a cast of heavy hitters do a great job bringing this to life. Just as much credit goes to Sam Esmail, the creator of Mr. Robot, who directed all 10 episodes and made them look like nothing else on television (except for maybe Mr. Robot).
Succession was on HBO last summer. It was referred to as a sleeper hit because no one saw it coming. It’s a story of greed and plotting over the succession of a the family empire. Way fun. And just just because you can see this happening to the Trumps one day.
Good luck. Let me know what you think. I have many more but no point in putting 20 shows up at once.
What, you are looking for something good to watch on television? Welcome to my occasionally updated list of the Best Shows on TV – Expanded Edition, which covers the best shows that I have watched this year; the ones that I want to watch but haven’t got to yet; imminent new releases; and the few major summer debuts that you should cancel your vacation for. (I fully expect Tina to correct my semicolon usage, but I really wanted to use them.)
Let’s get started.
Best of 2017 (as of May 9)
Legion – FX
The Handmaid’s Tale – Hulu
The Leftovers – HBO
The Americans – FX
The Young Pope – HBO
Taboo – FX
Billions – Showtime
Silicon Valley – HBO
Veep – HBO
Powerless – NBC
Better Call Saul – AMC
Victoria – PBS
Colony – Bravo
Humans – AMC
blackish – ABC
A number of these are still ongoing – The Handmaid’s Tale is only three episodes in, The Leftovers four, The Americans is getting close to season end, Silicon Valley and Veep just started, BCS is about halfway through but I have only watched a couple – so expect a shakeup as the year progresses. The top seven are all incredibly good dramas, although my love for Taboo is stronger than most peoples’. It helps to think Tom Hardy can do no wrong and have a strong stomach. Legion, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Leftovers, and The Americans are some of the best TV I have watched and could recommend. Picking any one as the top show is nearly impossible. Since Legion’s season is done, it gets the top spot, plus damn, it was incredible.
I’d also be willing to bet that none of you are watching Powerless, which is why it’s about to get canceled, but the cast is perfect, it’s funny and quite silly, and it’s the only show that we watch together as a family.
Shows I Haven’t Watched Yet But Will
Fargo – FX
American Gods – Amazon
Guerrilla – HBO
Broadchurch – BBC
Feud: Bette and Joan – FX
Big Little Lies – HBO
Brooklyn Nine-Nine – Fox
Good Behaviour – PBS
Catastrophe – Amazon
Dear White People – Netflix
Great News – NBC
Angie Tribeca – TBS/Comedy Channel
Planet Earth II – BBC America
Baskets – FX
The first four I am quite excited about. The entire list is very strong. Of the 13 shows on this list, I could see over half being on the year end list. Maybe even 10.
May 2017 Series Debuts
Master of None – May 12, Netflix
Anne with an E – May 12, Netflix
I Love Dick – May 12, Amazon
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – May 19, Netflix
Dark Angel – May 21, PBS
Twin Peaks – May 21, Showtime
House of Cards – May 30, Netflix
I expect at least one or two of these will end up on the Best of 2017 list. I’m not as much a Twin Peaks fan as some of my friends but I’m still curious and expect it will be better than the X-Files reboot. Also, I know, Anne of Green Gables, but it is written by one of the Breaking Bad writers. It could end up not being for me, but I’ll give it a chance.
Variety/News/Talk/Game Shows
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee – TBS/Comedy Channel
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – HBO
Saturday Night Live – NBC
@Midnight with Chris Hardwick – Comedy Channel
Late Show with Stephen Colbert – CBS
Match Game – ABC
We all need to get our news and pop culture from somewhere. Full Frontal and Last Week Tonight are both essential and head and shoulders above everything else in this category. SNL has been pretty good this season. Like all these shows, having Trump to kick around is great for the writers; bad for the world. Colbert is the best of the nightly late night hosts with Seth Myers behind him. And Alec Baldwin was made to host Match Game. No one else could pull it off.
The X Files Biggest Disappointments Award
The Walking Dead – This award may have to be renamed.
Bill Nye Saves the World – So much potential, so much failure. I’d like to see it continue but with new writers, almost all new correspondents, a new attitude, and more of a focus on science than punchlines. Also, is it for me or my thirteen year old?
It’s the annual holiday tradition! The Best of 2016 TV Shows post. Some years it is the only post. (Sorry.) Same rules as last year. I can’t watch everything that comes out. I don’t get every channel known to humanity. I have very low tolerance for things that are sappy or contain a laugh track.
1. The Americans (FX; Last season – 1)
Still the best show on TV. Things got more complicated for everybody’s favourite sleeper Soviet spies this past season and seem like they will get even more difficult for the Jennings in season 5. Start watching now so that you are ready when The Americans starts up again. It’s not a show you can just jump into. It’s worth it. Favourite character: Philip Jennings, although Elizabeth is the most badass Jennings of them all. Don’t get between her and her daughter in a dark alley.
2. Atlanta (FX; New)
Donald Glover? Sure, I’ll give it a try. Did not see this coming. All ten episodes were perfect. Black Justin Bieber. Juneteenth with culturally inappropriate white guy. BET-style talk show complete with fake commercials so note perfect that you’ll feel immense pangs of white guilt when the real commercials come on. Favourite character: Earn Marks.
3. Game of Thrones (HBO; Last season – 4)
It’s not television, it’s Game of Thrones. Like Atlanta, it’s in a category by itself. We’re past the books and are now seeing storylines that finally put readers and watchers on the same footing (more or less). Like The Americans, there are two seasons remaining to wrap things up. I’d say Game of Thrones has a much tougher challenge with their deadline but they do have dragons on their side. Good luck, King of the North. Favourite (living) character: So many (or few) to pick from, but I have always been a card carrying member of Team Arya.
4. Westworld (HBO; New)
As ambitious as Game of Thrones but without the raw material to work with, unless you count Yul Bremner as a robotic cowboy. Westworld kept everyone guessing all season, except on Reddit where a masterclass in TV show dissection was being taught. Still, if you didn’t overthink it and just enjoyed the show, the plot twists were fascinating and required you to pay attention. If you didn’t cheat the payoff was worth it. Favourite character: Maeve, of course.
5. Silicon Valley (HBO; Last season – 21)
Silicon Valley had its best season this year. Tina even jumped on board, which makes for two shows in the Top 10 that we can watch together (the other being Atlanta). While my Silicon Valley experience is limited, the show doesn’t seem too far off the start-up mark, especially the million dollar parties. Favourite character: Dinesh, although it’s hard to pick him without including Gilfoyle, I mean there aren’t that many satanists on television. Also if you like Dinesh, be sure to check out “The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail”, a great standup show on Comedy Central that has some of the best comedians in the business.
6. Veep (HBO; Last season – 12)
Still a powerhouse, still as funny as ever. Freaky how close to real life it is. Although what’s happening in real life is not funny at all. I’m a little scared at what they are going to have to do to surpass the new administration’s ineptitude. Favourite character: Selena, after all, it’s her show.
7. Rectify (Sundance; Last season – Not ranked)
I find it hard to imagine that this wasn’t ranked last season. Maybe I started watching it in January. Regardless, Rectify just finished its four season life span. I will miss it immensely. Daniel’s recovery (did he really ever recover?) from 17 years on Death Row made for a fascinating story. We witnessed the impact on his family, the victim’s family, the town, the police, and the new people Daniel met. It’s a slow burn and can get uncomfortable (dude was on Death Row for 17 years), but Daniel’s a complex character and Rectify is equally complex a show. Favourite character: Daniel, although in season 4 Chloe gave him a run for his money. (Note: Each season is just six episodes, so you can binge quickly, although you may need to take breaks and call some friends for emotional support.)
8. The Bridge (Sweden) (Nextflix in Canada and Hulu in the US; Last season – Not ranked)
A murder takes place on the Sweden/Norway border. Copenhagen and Malmö police forces work together led by a slightly odd Swedish detective, Saga Norén. Perhaps “slightly odd” is an understatement. Buckle in and enjoy the clothes she wears in the first episode because I don’t think she changes them in three seasons. Favourite character: Saga. She is my favourite TV character of 2016. The few others I have spoken with about this show are also in awe of Saga. Seriously, incredible performance. There are the murder mysteries in the show, but then there is the Saga mystery, which only grows. (NOTE: Another one I missed in 2015, so you get all three seasons ranked here as one. Do yourself a favour and DO NOT watch the France/England remake (The Tunnel) or the US remake (also called The Bridge). The Swedish/Danish version is the only way to go.)
9. Narcos (Netflix; Last season – Not ranked)
I only recently plowed through the two seasons of Narcos. Now I think every package I see is a kilo of cocaine, which made for an interesting Christmas. And speaking of incredible performances, Brazilian actor Wagner Moura is almost too good as Pablo Escobar. I’m sure he’s a super nice guy in real life, but I’d be terrified if I ever saw him. Favourite character: Seriously, there are none. I guess I’d go with Javier Pena if I had to pick one. Maybe not. Let’s not pick one. Did I mention how much I loved Saga in The Bridge?
10. Quarry (Showtime; New)
Great addition to the viewing list. Vietnam vet returns home to Memphis and is reluctantly turned into hired assassin. Also digs swimming pools. Favourite character: Those awesome early 70s cars they drive. And Buddy, the gay/ultra-violent/mama’s boy/assassin played by Damon Harriman who was also Dewey Crowe in Justified.
11. Penny Dreadful (Showtime; Last season – 6)
Goodbye Penny Dreadful. Thanks for the three seasons of creepy Victorian horror. You could have ended just a little better, but that’s a small quibble. Favourite character: There is only one Vanessa Ives on television and now she is gone. Eva Green is an incredible actress.
12. BoJack Horseman (Netflix; Last season – 15)
Still the most unique show on television. Wil Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Aaron Paul, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, Kristen Schall, Keith Olbermann, Angela Bassett, and many guest stars make this animated show an Easter egg hunt on top of being brilliantly written. Favourite character: Let’s say, for sake of argument, that BoJack is just too terrible of a person/horse to be a favourite. Do you go with Mr. Peanut Butter, Princess Caroline, Todd, or Diane? I’m taking Amy Sedaris’ Princess Caroline. Although Margo Martindale’s recurring role as “Character Actress Margo Martindale” makes me laugh harder than anything.
13. Mr. Robot (Showcase in Canada and USA Network in US; Last season – 2)
A down year for the Robot family, still, it had many great moments and I wouldn’t dream of missing it. Craig Anderson was fantastic in his “role” (you can’t really talk about Mr. Robot in any way without spoiling something). And the music supervision was top notch. The moment in Episode 2 when Angela is waiting for the phone to ring and Sonic Youth’s “Bull in the Heather” plays in her headphones was perfect. Expecting big things from Season 3 as growing pains get sorted out. Favourite character: Elliot Alderson.
14. Lady Dynamite (Netflix; New)
Maria Bamford’s somewhat autobiographical comedy show was as big a surprise as Atlanta, but weirder. Mental illness is a recurring theme throughout the series, just as it has been throughout Bamford’s life. Lady Dynamite perfectly blends the uncomfortable and the hilarious. There may be no odder character on television than Maria’s Maria. She has earned it. Favourite character: Obvs.
15. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO; Last season – 13)
John Oliver is now the king of the late night. Last Week Tonight packs more news and information into 30 minutes than the Daily Show does in a month (Sorry, Trevor). Oliver’s deep dives on topics that don’t get as much attention (prison reform, predatory lending, setting up fake charities, stadium funding, the NCAA) are always informative, entertaining, and have a twist you don’t see coming. Also, don’t get on his bad side, he’s relentless like a British Bulldog, as corrupt FIFA officials know.
16. Better Things (FX; New)
Surprise! Put this in the Lady Dynamite and Atlanta category; semi-autobiographical comedies that no one was prepared for. Being created and written by Louis CK and Pam Adlon (continuing the trend, partially based on Adlon’s life) doesn’t hurt. Lots of things made this show worth watching, especially Adlon’s performance, but in a rare case of casting excellence, it was Sam’s three girls (Max, Frankie, and Duke) who really stood out. I read somewhere that the character of Max was the most realistic teen on TV. I have to agree with that, Carrrrrrrrrrl. Favourite character: Toss up between Max and Frankie but with Frankie’s impending gender identity storyline, she wins by a nose.
17. Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (Comedy Central in Canada and TBS in the US; New)
If Sunday belongs to John Oliver, Monday is all about Samantha Bee. See above comment regarding the Daily Show. Sam or John should definitely be the one behind TDS desk. Bee’s outrage comes from both the head and the heart and she makes us all smarter for it. (For the math inclined 1FF = 20TDS)
18. Halt and Catch Fire (AMC; Last season – 7)
Relationships and businesses are in disarray. No one likes one another. The internet is coming and our protagonists are one step ahead of nearly everyone. The story drifted a little from its core this season. I still don’t care about Joe McMillan. So much so that I can’t even be bothered to look up to see if that’s how his name is spelled (it’s not, as it turns out, but I can’t be bothered to correct it). One season to go. Favourite character: Cameron Howe, brilliantly played by Mackenzie Davis who also starred in the best episode of Black Mirror.
19. Better Call Saul (AMC; Last season – 11)
The second season was even better than the first. More character development as we move closer to the Saul we all know and love. He certainly does have a habit of throwing away all the good things in his life. Favourite character: Mike Ehmantraut, Saul/Jimmy’s new partner in crime. The bad kind of crime.
20. Stranger Things (Netflix; New)
Everybody loved Stranger Things. From the soundtrack to the kids. It was one of the real breakout hits of 2016. Favourite character: You have to be kidding me, right? Same as everyone else, Eleven. Millie Bobby won 2016.
21. The Night Manager (FX; New)
A quick six episode mini-series based on a John le Carré novel. And with Tom Hiddleston and a creepy Hugh Laurie. Hard to mess this up. Favourite character: Jonathan Pine, the night manager/ex-British soldier played by Loki, I mean T-Swift’s ex-BF.
22. Luke Cage (Netflix; New)
Luke Cage made his first television appearance as a recurring character in Jessica Jones, one of my favourite shows from last year. Luke story isn’t quite as strong as Jessica’s, but it still makes for an exciting, if sometimes predictable, series. Some great acting by everyone involved, especially Mahershala Ali and Alfre Woodard. Favourite character: Either of the above would suffice but the performance that most blew me away was that of Jidenna, a Nigerian-American rapper who destroyed all other musical pretenders with a full length rendition of his song “Long Live the Chief” to kick off Episode 5. Watch it. Then we can be friends.
23. Ray Donovan (Showtime/HBO; Last season – 18)
The Donovans are one messed up family. This season did not really bring out the best in any of them. Avi also had a bit of a rough season. You’ll figure out when to look away. Still, it was good to know that Lisa Bonet is still alive. Favourite character: Paula Malcomson as Abby Donovan is a marvel to watch even if she finally does kill someone.
24. Occupied (Netflix; New)
Norway has gone green and stopped their oil production. This angers the Russians who, with the backing of the EU, “gently” invade Norway and force them into renouncing their green energy program and restarting their oil production. So is the premise for Occupied, a Norwegian show that, in the real world, also angered the Russian government. Because they would never do anything like that (cough, cough, Ukraine, cough). If you want something different, watch this before some of the more traditional shows on the list. Favourite character: Hans Martin Djupvik, the Norwegian Prime Minister’s bodyguard who has ended up working for the Russians.
25. The Night Of (HBO; New)
Let’s just get this out of the way, John Turturro’s feet are gross and possibly not necessary to the plot. But there they are. Perhaps for the Director’s Cut, HBO could make that one change. It would take a good 30 minutes off the series and allow more time to focus on the incredibly talented and diverse cast. Favourite character: It was incredibly cool to see Riz Ahmed before he became a star as an Imperial defector in Rogue One, but Michael K. Williams was in this and anytime the man who played Omar in The Wire makes an appearance, he wins.
26. Billions (Showtime; New)
If you think that most high stakes investors and hedge fund managers are either heartless bastards or just plain corrupt, then this is your show. And if you think that those trying to bring them to justice have their own agenda, then you found your show. And if you think both sides have kinky sex with one another… wait, what? Well, it’s still your show. Favourite character: Wendy Rhoades, the in-house therapist for the heartless, corrupt traders and the wife of the D.A. with the personal agenda trying to bring them down.
27. Colony (Bravo in Canada and USA in US; New)
Sometime in the near future aliens have come to earth and have set up an occupying force consisting of, um, humans. Pretty clever aliens. Somewhere in L.A. a resistance is forming, also made up of humans. Families are divided, children go missing, Josh Holloway takes his shirt off a lot. It’s not great but it’s mindlessly enjoyable. Co-created by one of the Lost showrunners (but not the one who created The Departed, which is far better than Colony). Favourite character: Come on, Carl Weathers is in it. No one overacts better than Carl.
28. Paranoid (Netflix; New)
British/German police series starring Indira Varma, who you’ll know as John Luther’s ex-wife from Luther. Do all British cops have some kind of mental instability? Favourite character: German police officer Linda Felber. Are all German police officers this cool?
29. Daredevil (Netflix; Last season – 9)
Season one of Daredevil was pure entertainment. This season was too brooding and I didn’t really buy the whole battle with The Punisher storyline. It seemed like they could have resolved their differences over a cup of coffee and moved on. Still, some great fight scenes will get you through the slow bits. Favourite character: Karen Page, but it needs to be Matt Murdoch for the show to regain it’s footing.
30. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (Netflix; New)
I had no intention of watching this, despite liking Douglas Adams and Elijah Wood. But then Tina and I were looking for something we could watch over the last few days of December, and there you have it. With a little more time to let it sink in, this would undoubtedly move up on the list, but we still have one episode left to go. If you watch, don’t try to figure anything out. Just let it happen. Favourite character: Elijah Wood’s Todd. Does not look like a Hobbit.
31. Black Mirror (Netflix; Last season – On hiatus)
Black Mirror returned for a six episode series with extremely high expectations. While it didn’t live up to them, it still put together a strong run with two exceptional episodes (San Junipero, Shut Up and Dance), three middling ones (Hated in the Nation, Playtest, Men Against Fire), and one that wasn’t of any consequence (Nosedive). Favourite character: Yorkie as played by Mackenzie Davis in the episode San Junipero. Davis was also my favourite character in Halt and Catch Fire.
32. The Crown (Netflix; New)
I believe you know the story. Favourite character: Graham Sutherland, who paints the portrait of Churchill. Sutherland is played by Stephen Dillane who also played the One True King until Brienne of Tarth (spoiler alert) took his head off. And then John Snow became the One True King. Let’s see how that works for John.
33. The Fall (Netflix; Last season – Not ranked)
The first two seasons of The Fall were outstanding. Gillian Anderson plays a London police supervisor sent to Belfast to solve a series of killings. The first two seasons cover the killings by the Belfast Strangler and his eventual capture. The third season deals with the aftermath of his capture and an accident that takes place involving the Strangler while in police custody. This is where things grind to a halt. While there isn’t much joy in the first two seasons, the third was a total downer. Not even a smile. On the plus side, the body count was lower. Recommendation: Watch the first two seasons and just pretend it ends there. You’ll be fine and a little happier. Favourite character: Gillian Anderson’s DSI Stella Gibson dominates this series. There are very few scenes she is not in.
34. Downton Abbey (PBS; Last season – Not ranked)
I’ll miss the Crawleys, but like a someone with an iPhone 4, it was time for an upgrade. Favourite character: Maggie Smith killed it as the Dowager Countess Violet Crawley. Lady Edith was my favourite character under 90.
35. House of Cards (Netflix; Last season – Not ranked)
Honestly, I can’t keep track of who is good and who is bad any longer. Is Frank on the way up or down? Who is Claire stabbing in the back this time? How many people has Doug killed since Tuesday? Which Mikkelsen brother, Lars or Mads, is more badass? What is Neve Campbell doing on this show? Still, good escapist fun that will seem more sane than what is coming in January. Favourite character: There are none.
Best Overall Female Performances
1. Sofia Helin – Saga Norén, The Bridge (Sweden)
2. Thandie Newton – Maeve Millay, Westworld
3. Eva Green – Vanessa Ives, Penny Dreadful
4. Keri Russell – Elizabeth Jennings, The Americans
5. Maria Bamford – Maria Bamford, Lady Dynamite
Best Overall Male Performances
1. Wagner Moura – Pablo Escobar, Narcos
2. Aden Young – Daniel Holden, Rectify
3. Matthew Rhys – Philip Jennings, The Americans
4. Donald Glover – Earn Marks, Atlanta
5. Riz Ahmed – Nasir Khan, The Night Of
Best Ensemble Performances
1. Game of Thrones
2. Veep
3. The Night Of
4. Westworld
5. BoJack Horseman
Notes
This year’s list is 15 shows longer than 2015’s. Maybe I should have cut it off at 25. Editing myself was never my strong suit.
Bob’s Burgers should have absolutely been in the Top 20 but we forgot to record it this season. We’ll watch it at some point.
A number of shows I watched, wanted to watch, or abandoned didn’t make the list:
Watched: The Affair; Call the Midwife; American Horror Story; Saturday Night Live; Divorce; You Me Her; The Walking Dead; The X-Files, Match Game.
Didn’t have a chance to watch but would have: Fleabag; Insecure; Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt; Transparent; Broad City; The Girlfriend Experience; You’re the Worst; Horace and Pete; Catastrophe; black-ish; Happy Valley; London Spy.
I watch a lot of television. Mostly late at night when everyone else is asleep. But I only watch good television. No one should waste time on bad television. People often ask me what to watch and I usually remember a couple of shows but I have trouble remembering all the great shows to choose from. So I made this list.
These are the top 20 shows that I watched in 2015. I didn’t watch everything that was released. I do have a life, an awesome family, and occasionally a job. Sometimes I listen to music, too.
I hope you enjoy the list. I’m happy to answer questions or tell you why your favourite show isn’t on the list (I didn’t see it; it has a laugh track; it was better three years ago; I don’t have Amazon Prime/Hulu/Whatever Streaming Service/Very Obscure Channel).
Oh, the links are likely full of spoilers, so visit at your own peril.
1. The Americans (FX) – Impeccable three season story arc centred on a husband/wife Soviet spy duo set in Washington DC in 1983. Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell (!) drive this show but the cast of secondary characters is top notch. Every episode is better than almost anything else on TV and there is never a wasted moment or scene. Season 4 is set up to be the best one yet as Ronald Reagan is ranting about Evil Empires and the family secret may be out. [http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/whats-it-going-to-take-to-get-you-people-to-watch-the-americans/]
2. Mr. Robot (USA) – This show seemingly came out of nowhere and quickly became the hottest show of the summer, if not the year. More twists than a plate of curly fries at your favourite food truck. Cinematography with unique shot framing keeps you glued to the screen. I would have given Rami Malek the Golden Globe for best acting. His playing of troubled computer nerd/avenger Elliott is brilliant. [http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/domo-arigato-mr-robot-a-great-finale-for-the-show-of-the-summer/]
3. The Knick (Cinemax) – The most beautifully shot show on TV. The Knick is a hospital located in the poorest neighbourhood of New York City in 1900. Watch it as much for the Steven Soderberg cinematography as for the acting and story. I would frequently rewatch scenes just to soak in all the details of the camera work and lighting. Originally it was conceived as a two season series, so there may or may not be a third season. It’s hard to pin Soderberg and Clive Owen down for long periods of time, you know, with them being so good and all. The story lines were mostly wrapped up but there is lots of story left to tell if they have the time. Read the story in the following link. It talks about how Soderberg shoots the show. [http://www.vulture.com/2015/10/on-set-steven-soderbergh-the-knick.html]
4. Game of Thrones (HBO) – Dragons. Epic Battles. Blue Icy Demons. Jon? Sansa? Arya? Hopefully Daenerys will get her act together this season, someone has to challenge those Lannisters. Although the Queen Mother has her own problems to deal with. CANNOT WAIT! [http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/game-of-thrones-season-5-episode-10-recap/]
5. Jessica Jones (Netflix) – Wow. This is what binge watching is for. Netflix and Marvel have done the almost impossible for Hollywood and created an incredibly strong female character who is dealing with past sexual abuse in a way that is empowering. Also, David Tennant (who isn’t back for Season 2). It’s like a ’50s private eye noir thriller with characters who have superpowers. Word is that Jessica and Luke (another character from this show who is getting his own show) will be teaming up with Daredevil (see #9) for a new series at some point. Count me in for all this. [http://www.vulture.com/2015/12/talking-jessica-jones-with-krysten-ritter.html]
6. Penny Dreadful (Showtime) – I love watching this show. Like The Knick, I get taken in by the beauty of the cinematography. Hands down, Eva Green is the best actress on TV. I didn’t even know she was nominated for a Globe until they showed her looking all embarrassed on the screen for half a second. Think of Penny Dreadful as a period piece set in late 1800s London with demons, Timothy Dalton, Josh Hartnett, Dr. Frankenstein and his monster, Lucifer, witches, werewolves, and other creepy things, with a touch of Deadwood tossed in. It was questionable whether it had enough of an audience for a third season, but it’s coming May 1. [https://youtu.be/s17fb7c6zwU]
7. Halt and Catch Fire (AMC) – The second season of this show really took off, with the focus on the gaming company that the two women were running. What could have easily been a dudefest is instead a carefully crafted show centred around four people who sometimes work together, sometimes hate one another, sometimes some other stuff. It’s so cool to see the beginnings of the internet and online services. You don’t have to be a techie to enjoy this show. Third season just confirmed. [http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/halt-and-catch-fire-renewed-season-3-lee-pace-amc-1201612957/]
8. The Leftovers (HBO) – One of the strangest shows on TV. The Leftovers is well worth the time investment required to watch and rewatch episodes and then go online to try to figure out what just happened. I found Season 2 to be much stronger than Season 1 with the new location and cast members. From one of the writers/creators of Lost, which explains a lot of the weirdness. [http://www.avclub.com/tv/the-leftovers/]
9. Daredevil (Netflix) – Another Netflix/Marvel superhero show. Great fight scenes to go with a captivating storyline and very strong core characters. Plus Rosario Dawson is outstanding in the few episodes she is in. [http://www.avclub.com/article/great-power-comes-themes-masculinity-daredevil-218704]
10. Master of None (Netflix) – Aziz Ansari co-writes and starts in one of the best shows about modern relationships. You’ll try to just watch one episode but then you’ll watch another and another and then the next thing you know the season is over. Have lots of Kleenex around to wipe away the tears from your laughter and the snot coming out of your nose. Also, prepare to be uncomfortable. There will be a second season. [http://time.com/4111777/master-of-none-aziz-ansari-review/]
11. BoJack Horseman (Netflix) – I have to admit to being late to BoJack, but it is the funniest/saddest show on TV. The voice acting is incredible and the special guests will blow your mind. You need to be paying attention to keep up with all the rapid fire visual and verbal jokes. Since I started writing this, as I watched more of Season 2, it moved up eight spots on the list. The current debate in the house is which is better, BoJack or Masters of None. Too close to call, but someone had to be #11. This isn’t for everyone but give it a couple of episodes to get used to the very unique characters. [http://www.metacritic.com/tv/bojack-horseman/season-2]
12. Better Call Saul (AMC) – Loved the first season but I expect the second season to be even better. Jimmy’s season long struggle to remain an honest lawyer is fascinating considering what we know about his upcoming transformation into Saul. [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/better-call-saul/s01/]
13. Veep (HBO) – Julia-Louis Dreyfus is one of the funniest women on TV, up there with Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler (I’m missing someone, right?), but I’d put Julia first. Veep also has one of the best and deepest ensemble casts in comedy. [http://talkingpointsmemo.com/theslice/veep-jonah-timothy-simons-interview]
14. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – This was a tough one to place because it’s more than just a television show. Could be #1 just as easily as it is #14. John Oliver is doing more essential work than many news organizations. Never to be missed. But if you did, you can always watch the highlights on YouTube. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/08/last-week-tonight-with-john-oliver-best-show-2014_n_6284074.html]
15. Justified (FX) – Over it’s six seasons Justified was one of my favourite shows. It was my substitute for Deadwood. If you haven’t watched it, it’s worth going back and starting at the beginning. Excellent, complicated storylines about the Dixie Mafia, drug running, things that explode, and how many lines you can cross before you have crossed too many. [http://ca.ign.com/articles/2015/04/23/justified-season-6-review]
16. Mad Men (AMC) – I know, maybe it should be higher but my enthusiasm waned with all the hype leading up to the LAST. SIX. EPISODES. It ended strongly and I enjoyed watching it, although it was often the last Sunday night thing I watched from my DVR. AMC did the show a disservice by withholding the last episodes for so long but I can’t blame them for wanting to maximize their last shot with the show. Maybe I can. [http://ca.ign.com/articles/2015/05/28/mad-men-season-7-review]
17. You’re the Worst (FX) – Completely inappropriate comedy with a unique look at modern relationships. Or lack of relationships. Only heard about it by accident and wasn’t sure if I liked it after the first episode. But by episode three I was hooked. Oh, if Master of None made you a little uncomfortable about relationships, this will push you over the cliff of uncomfortableness. [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bastard-machine/tim-goodman-why-i-was-821217]
18. Ray Donovan (HBO) – Speaking of inappropriate, Ray is not really a role model for anyone, but if you are famous and have a problem, he’ll fix it for you. Both Paula Malcomson (from Deadwood) and Liev Schreiber are magnificent. There aren’t too many characters on TV with more ex-Catholic guilt than Ray (except maybe Matt Murdock’s Daredevil in the #9 slot).
19. Deutschland 83 (Sundance) – Love this Cold War drama set in 1983 East and West Germany. It is in German with subtitles, so bring your reading glasses. Plus your dancing shoes, the soundtrack is awesome. A good companion piece for The Americans. [http://www.avclub.com/review/deutschland-83-takes-its-spycraft-straight-twist-220711]
20. The Affair (HBO) – Some pretty great acting (Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney, Joshua Jackson), although I found the Season 2 story to be a little slower than the first. Others disagree with me and think Season 2 was stronger. The set up for Season 3 looks pretty strong, though. [http://www.avclub.com/review/emotional-drama-affair-gets-even-more-intimate-sea-226085]
Just missed: Orphan Black (Space), Silicon Valley (HBO), Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central), Humans (AMC), Show Me a Hero (HBO)*, Luther (BBC)* The Walking Dead (AMC), The Good Wife (CBS), Homeland (Showtime), House of Cards (Netflix), Late Night with Trevor Noah (Comedy), @Midnight (Comedy)
* I decided that Show Me a Hero and Luther were too short to be included in the Top 20 but they are more than worth the three to six hours needed to watch them.
transient random noisebursts 