procrastinator’s top tv of 2023

I was honestly thankful for the strike to give me a little breathing room (very sad for the strife of workers and glad they came to a resolution). Standard caveats apply, I haven’t seen everything and this list could look very different depending on the day. But here goes:

Shrinking (App+) – This might have been the right time right place but caught this as I was coming out of having Covid and catching up on some Apple TV and I found the characters and situation sweet and funny and Harrison Ford is Chef’s kiss.
The Bear (Fx/Hulu) – This could easily have done a repeat at one, I thought there was no way they could keep up the quality and pace but not only a great season but some amazing individual episodes (which I don’t normally pay as much attention to) now I’m nervous about doing it again in three.
The Last of Us (HBO) – I have honestly been over post-apocalyptic and zombie shows but I will follow Joel and Ellie wherever they go.
The Diplomat (Net) – I wasn’t sure I’d be as enthusiastic about Kerry Russell in anything after The Americans but was immediately pulled into this and the constant issues and relationships at stake.
Fargo (Fx/Hulu) – I had faded in enthusiasm for this show but they came back in fine form bringing midwestern nice back with lots of fun characters and of course bloodshed.
Poker Face (Pea) – I love a good procedural and Natasha Lyonne running away across the country and having individual murder-solving episodes in new towns each with its own vibe is great fun and I don’t even care about the can tell you’re lying gimmick, though you know too many murders for one person to run across.
Somebody Somewhere (HBO) – Bridget Everett and Jeff Hiller show a complicated friendship and their, and everyone else’s, sweet quirks get me.
Gen V (Am) – I was almost giving up on The Boys because of all the brutal violence but I had fun with this new entry into this universe, its supes, and much corruption.
Severance* (App+) – This was technically last year but I did a binge-month subscription, and I certainly don’t know where they’re going with this series but the first season was captivating.
Bad Sisters* (App+) – I don’t know that I want this show to go another season but this unbelievable series of events came to a nice closure.

Last year I added series that had ended in 2022 that may not necessarily have hit the top ten but some are definitely worthwhile so thought I’d do it again (not an exhaustive list) :

The Afterparty (App+) – Another binge and again not sure it worked as well from season to season but the multiple POVs and associated styles a fun format for a whodunnit.
Barry (HBO) – This show overall was really good, I didn’t love where they went with the final season but I get it.
Better Call Saul* (AMC) – Since I was behind on doing Breaking Bad I delayed this but they did a great job of creating a worthwhile prequel and engaging characters, again I didn’t love the final season.
The Flight Attendant* (HBO) – The first season of this was a hoot, the second season still intriguing but a little more of a stretch, Kaley Cuoco as a mess really makes it work but also fun supporting cast.
Girls* (HBO) – Ugh this show was nearly unwatchable, I don’t need my people to be likable but I kind of want them not to be complete idiots and assholes to everyone.
The Great (Hulu) – This was a very fun occasionally true story of Catherine the Great, Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult brought a new side to things, also a fun supporting cast.
Happy Valley (BBC) – I was pleasantly surprised to have a third season come back so many years later, I didn’t really remember all the details but a nice conclusion to a terrible story.
Lucifer* (Net) – This was a very late pickup for me but what a fun show, they did a surprisingly good job of the story of the devil on earth and various family and implications.
The Other Two (Max) – This was a fun sendup of the whole Hollywood thing, great ridiculousness with our two floundering siblings as they try to make it.
Reservation Dogs (Fx/Hulu) – This show made my top ten list a number of times, beautifully crafted series following indigenous teens in rural Oklahoma, and ran the spectrum from funny to heartbreaking with wonderful standalone tales.
Sex Education (Net) – I didn’t love the final season of this but won’t let that mar the great fun of the earlier seasons as our inept sexpert helps fellow teens with usually helpful advice.
Single Drunk Female (Free/Hulu) – A comeback story of a woman trying to rebuild her life after a public flameout, sweet and funny.
Succession (HBO) – Well done with great performances but another case of you seeming to be idiots and assholes doesn’t make for my favorite tv or I would think a successful business.
Ted Lasso (App+) – You can’t go wrong with Ted, it’s definitely a feel-good show worth watching, it’ll make a soccer/football fan out of most.