It's the Top 11 TV shows that came out this year
The end of the year approaches soon and time is an illusion I can’t escape from.
And as we close out 2020, and keep moving along this hollow life, I’m gonna throw up 11 TV shows I LOVED this year. Lord knows I really went for it with binge watching, and a lot of that happened outside of this Substack. So here are the top 11 TV shows I watched this year, and shows you should’ve watched! They are in no particular order… Because I don’t like ranking anything…
Save By The Bell
Coming in strong with Tracey Wigfield’s reboot of Save By The Bell. Oh my god… Oh my god… This show did not have to pop off this hard. The performances are amazing, especially from the teens. Josie Totah is a star, Dexter Darden was the sleeper hit, and Haskiri Velazquez CARRIED this all the way through. And whoever found Mitchell Hogg, bless you!
The reboot also never relied on being a Save By The Bell reboot, and could’ve been a wholly new show all on its own. Though I did appreciate Mario Lopez because… Well… Look at him! (This man only get better with age damn).
If you haven’t given this a watch, I highly recommend it! It’s fun, well structured, and probably one of the funniest things you’ll ever watch. Lastly, my future career goal is John Michael Higgins and John Michael Higgins only.
Ratched
Okay… Okay… Here me out… I loved this show, and that’s probably one of the hottest takes of 2020.
Ryan Murphy is probably one of my favourite TV creators because I feel like he makes TV shows just for me. From the diva warship, to the poppy aesthetics, to all the baroque performances, Ratched hits all the spots for ME. It probably didn’t for you, and that’s fine! This show is kind of a signal to the end of “original TV shows”, as the creator created it because he wasn’t getting any original stuff made.
That being said, if you need something to put on in the background, and love an American Horror Story, then give it a watch! I know I’m waiting for season 2 to roll around and for Murphy to give me more of that sweet sweet Paulson performance!
The Baby Sitters Club
I feel like this show had it’s moment, and then left? But I’m here to tell you it’s worth the watch!
I got through this in a day, and it gave me everything I needed and more. Sorry, but I never read the Babysitters Club books (I was COOL [hahaha jk, I didn’t know how to read]), but I’m a sucker for YA Netflix originals.
The show had a lot of heart, and it’s charming performances kept you hooked throughout. The characters had great arcs, and I just love fun best friends hanging out. Kristy Thomas kept it all on track, and Momona Tamada is a style icon for the century.
Search Party Season 3
People often ask me what my favourite TV show is, and I can never answer them (because it’s constantly changing and I hate consistency). But Search Party is always the answer I give because it’s the closest to being a perfect show. And I have been waiting, WAITING for this god damned third season to get released. And in the shit storm of 2020, it’s finally arrived!
The third season delivered in ways I didn’t even know I needed. It did an amazing job of pulling from the previous season and diving into newer, darker corners of this amazing cast. Alia Shawkat really grows Dory to an interesting place, and I STAN John Reynolds hard. What I love about this show is, no matter how grim and dark things seem to get, it always manages to pull it off without seeming to try and with hilarity that fits.
Honestly, if you haven’t seen this show yet, what are you doing? (I know what you’re doing, you live in Canada where it’s next to impossible to watch this show legally… Message me, I’ll hook you up.)
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
I have a big love of kids cartoons, especially when they’re executed well. Kipo and the Age of Wonerbeasts is probably my new barometer for original cartoons. This show’s completion happened in less than a year after it premiered, and that’s SUPER disappointing. This charming little show stole my heart suddenly and unexpectedly.
Set in a dystopian world where animals have mutated to be scarier or talk (?), the titular character Kipo tries to make her way on the surface through a bunch of adventures with her friends; Wolf, Benson, Dave, and Mondu. With an art style resembling the original Teen Titans show, and a soundtrack that SLAPS, the look and feel of this show is enough to keep you engaged. Paired with a quirky world and a core ensemble that jells… What more can I say to convince you?!
The third season takes a notable animation dip (probably from COVID), but if you can get past that, it’s a really enjoyable show. I really applaud original concepts, as they are so few and far between (cc: most of this list).
Lovecraft Country
I’m not one to just hop on the hype train with amazing TV shows, but this one got me. And I honestly can’t recommend it enough. Though if you’re not into spooky scary, maybeeeee stay away.
This show picked up the mantle that Watchmen put down when it comes to TV shows. Giving us history with compelling supernatural elements. The show was suspenseful, powerful, and executed to near perfection. Jonathan Majors was probably one of my favourites during it because… Well you know I love an attractive tormented lead character. Jurnee Smolett is also AMAZING in her lead roll, but I think the one that really stole the show for me is Wunmi Mosaku.
This show’s creepy, it’s wild, it’s well written, and it’s a bunch of hot people doing spooky things. WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?!
Awkwafina is Nora from Queens
Going into this show, I knew it was going to be good. But this good??? Yes.
This one snuck in at the beginning of this year and I don’t think has really had it’s cultural moment to shine yet. Nora from Queens is basically Comedy Central’s version of pornography, and Awkwafina is the Cock Destroyers (I guess? She’s very funny is what I’m trying to say). This is something I’ve rewatched a bunch over quarantine, because it’s just that re-watchable. The writing is solid, the episodes are fun, and the show takes big swings with even bigger payoffs. My personal favourite episode is episode 8, the K-Drama that depicts Young Grandma’s story coming to America.
Awkwafina is obviously solidifying herself as a comedy star, and this show is her vehicle to showcase her talents. Not to mention BD Wong, Bowen Yang, and Lori Tan Chinn… This show is so fun, go and watch it!
Legendary
As someone who loved to watch America’s Best Dance Crew (which is the reason for my Mario Lopez obsession), Legendary fills in that gap perfectly.
Though it isn’t a perfect representation of ballroom culture, and the judges sometimes are a little… Less than ideal (bar Leiomy, who’s always on point and a QUEEN [And I love Meg, and she keeps to herself and serves looks and we love to see it]). Legendary provides a real look into queer culture in a way most shows don’t (especially R*Paul’s Dr*g R*ce). Besides, I’ve been looking for better MikeQ vehicles, and this seems perfect.
The drama is entertaining, the battles are fierce, and you’ll fall in love with pretty much everyone on this show as they are ALL legendary! Though I do love Escada the most… Sorry!
Never Have I Ever
Mindy Kaling has done it again! She’s managed to bring us a coming of age comedy that hits it out of the park!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (if only to keep manifesting it); the one writers room I want to work in is anything with Mindy Kaling at the helm. Everything she does resonates with me so hard, and I just love the way she’s not afraid to be earnest or sincere. She’s the quickest joke writer, and her reference base is very in line with mine. Never Have I Ever brings the heart, and the laughs.
With performances that elevate the writing, and storylines and character arcs that will make you cry from laugher and sadness; if you didn’t watch this, now’s the perfect time! The end is neigh, and I’d go out to this show.
Julie and the Phantoms
I talked about this extensively on my podcast, Rude Dude Take Downs, but it still warrants a spot on this list because… I said so!
Scratching the itch that High School Musical has deeply embedded into my body, this show brings the fun 2020 sucked out of my soul! Madison Reyes is a STAR and Julie is the perfect avenue to show case all her talents and emo princess aesthetic. The songs in this are also so catchy, some of them were close to hitting my Spotify Wrap-Up and I wouldn’t have been embarrassed. We also got hot dads, hot ghosts, and gay ghosts!!
I feel like Disney+ made a mistake if they passed on this show, because it would’ve fit right into their style. It’s just a little fun musical show that doesn’t stray too far into cheesiness. Sure, the musical “logic” doesn’t make the most sense… BUT LEAVE IT ALONE!! WE STAN DIRTY CANDY IN THIS HOUSE!
I May Destroy You
I’ll never forgive Netflix for how they treated this woman, which means we won’t get a third season of Chewing Gum, but I’m glad HBO Max gave her what she deserves. This show is a masterpiece.
I mean, I don’t know what I can say that hasn’t already been said before. This show is so cathartic, raw, and flawless. It will probably go down in history as one of the greatest pieces of television of all time, and Michaela Coel deserves everything for this.
I’m not even going to write a lot about it, because you truly have to watch it if you haven’t. It’s just… I can’t give it enough praise, and it definitely lives up to its hype.
Things I haven’t watched that people are recommending
Ted Lasso — Don’t have Apple TV+, but it’s gonna happen soon
The Boys — Honestly, had no real interest in starting this, next year if I get too bored
The Crown — I’ll probably take a dive if I get too bored, but I missed to boat and I don’t want to watch all four seasons just to catch up…
Better Call Saul — I watched the first season and it was pretty… fine…
The Mandalorian — I LOVE to be contrarian!
Mrs. America — Mrs Who??
Unorthodox — After careful consideration, I will be watching this when I am in the “mood” for it…
Ramy — It’ll happen one day…
Honorable Mentions
Betty — frenetic and too cool for me to get, but I enjoyed it
Dead To Me — Still great, but a dark comedy that doesn’t strike the right balance at times TBH
Dash & Lily — Talked about it on my podcast, and the episode is coming out tomorrow! SO LISTEN TO IT!
The Flight Attendant — Talked about it extensively last time so… You know though!
Cheer — because I didn’t make it to Daytona…