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procrastinator’s picks – top tv of 2018

March 5, 2019 No Comments

Well tv is getting much harder to keep up with and the introduction of more and more streaming shows I feel like I can let those back up a bit. I paused to pretend I could catch up at the beginning of the year but while I tried a few things realized I just needed to draw the line and move on. I did add Hulu this year so I’m starting on original fare there but still not paying for premium cable so missing shows like those on HBO. And for a look at what critics were picking try Metacritic.

The Americans (Fx)- This season wrapped up what was an amazing run, you really go through ups and downs with the spy family and the series finale gave it the sendoff it deserved.
Killing Eve (BBCA) – Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer in this cat and mouse show just pull you in and while she’s doing terrible things as a killer Comer as Villanelle draws you in, oh and the fashion!
Bojack Horseman (Net) – The layering of tragic and the fun they have with the world they’ve created still make this show a top choice.
Atlanta (Fx) – Glover tries to manage his rapper cousin manages to make each episode unique and interesting while still creating a powerful overall season arc and the entire cast gets moments to shine.
The Good Place (NBC) – This show gets credit for creating a unique story and world but also for daring to leap forward with the concept with enough frequency to risk a fail but keeps it fresh, I can’t wait to see what awaits those dummies next season.
Casual (Hulu) – This was one of the first series I tore through after finally getting Hulu and the final season, while taking some odd turns surprisingly tied all our journeys together.
Sorry For Your Loss (FB Watch) – I sort of started this show in the hopes I would never have to track anything down on Facebook Watch again but was swept up in the story of Elizabeth Olsen as a young widow and those around her.
Rectify (AMC) – Ok this show technically ended in 2016 but I caught the rest of the run that I had missed this last year and was mesmerized by the tragedy of the post prison life of our protagonist as well as the damage to those around him and their attempts to move on.

I know the goal is always a top ten list but that’s where my super strong recommendations felt like they wanted to stop. Though I will toss out some other gems worth a watch pending your type of fare: The Bold Type (Free), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC), Dear White People (Net), Forever (Net), Kominsky Method (Net), Lodge 49 (AMC), Mom (CBS), One Day at a Time (Net), Queen Sugar (OWN), Santa Clarita Diet (Net), Speechless (ABC), Superstore (NBC), You (Life), Younger (TVL), You’re the Worst (Fxx).

I’m sure I’m forgetting something. What were your favorites?

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procrastinator’s picks – top tv of 2017

February 28, 2018 No Comments

I always have a love hate relationship with end of year lists. While I enjoy coming up with and sharing some of the real gems that I tune in for I always feel like I’m missing things, ranking inappropriately, and unable to truly convey what’s great for me about some of these shows. And each year with the increase in programming it becomes less and less possible to sample it all. Knowing that I’m still not on premium cable you won’t see any HBO or Showtime, you also won’t see Hulu, so a few common faves might be absent (e.g. The Handmaid’s Tale, Big Little Lies, The Leftovers). Check out Metacritic or Uproxx to see what others are thinking.

Without further ado here are some shows that I enjoyed this year:

One Mississippi (Am) – The placement on the top of my list might have been influenced by the recent notice that this show won’t be returning but Tig Notaro in her semi-autobiographical return home brings lovely moments of thoughtfulness from her radio show, navigating the world, as well as just lovely and yes a little quirky supporting characters.
The Good Place (NBC) – The thing I like most about this show is that it’s a relatively high concept that keeps just one step ahead of where I think it’s going and so far doing so successfully with the story but also the great cast led by Kristin Bell and Ted Danson.
Ozark (Net) – This was the funnest bingiest new addition for me, I always love Jason Bateman and this is one of those shows where you’re not sure how they’re going to keep this going for a whole season after each episode but the family forced to start over their mob related money laundering in the Ozarks was a fun ride.
Master of None (Net) – This season the show really came into its own as we follow Aziz Ansari taking a look at topical and personal stories which create a lovely seasonal arc as well as allowing for unique and topical standalone episodes.
Better Things (Fx) – I didn’t always love Pamela Adlon’s Sam as a character but this was another of those off concept shows where we follow a person through their life often focusing on small moments, in this case another semi-autobiographical look at working actress and single mother, each episode is unexpected and the result is something I looked forward to each week.
Legion (Fx) – I don’t think I can describe how odd this show was, leveraging the people with powers concept and taking it on a different path, and I went hook line and sinker and am only just worried that they won’t be able to support such big swings of experimentation moving forward.
Bojack Horseman (Net) – I just still dig this irregular look at this alt reality slice of Hollywood culture, attempts to connect, and depression with magical moments of animal jokes that keep this in the quick queue.
The Americans (Fx) – Thank goodness the Jennings only have one more season to make it through, as they bring their family in closer they continue to struggle with their love of country (and by that we’re talking Russia) and balancing their missions, identities, and connections.
Kevin Probably Saves the World (ABC) – This might not make most people’s best list because it strikes a lighter side of things but I really appreciate a show that conveys a positivity through a more comedic than schmaltzy approach as Jason Ritter does good deeds with the help of some hidden to others both impressing and irritating those around him.

In my tenth slot I’m going to note a few shows that would have been on previous top tv lists but I just got to them this year, and if you haven’t seen them you should.

Mad Men (AMC/Netflix) – I actually got this channel at the time but while working in advertising the idea of watching a show about stereotypical glory days of advertising felt like a pass but this show truly brought a unique touch to the characters and the perspective on the time.
The Wire (HBO/Amazon Prime) – I finally threw down for Amazon and dove in, and it is an investment but once you get a few episodes in you come to appreciate the series for each episode but even more so how each episode and season just keeps getting more layered with story and characters.
Bored to Death (HBO/Amazon Prime) – When I finally tapped into Amazon someone told me to check this out and I loved it, each half hour following Jason Schwartzman as a novelist trying his hand as a private detective with Ted Danson and Zach Galifinakis as his cohorts is ridiculous and entertaining at every turn, my favorite pick for distraction at the gym.

What were your favorites?

new and noteworthy tv: 3/6-3/12

March 3, 2017 No Comments

I feel like we’ve had a little bit of a break from new TV so I’m ready to dive back in to at least the Americans!

The Bachelor: The Women Tell All (ABC) Monday, 9pm – Clearly there is always more to say.
The Americans (FX) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – Yes please, as noted one of my fave shows.
The Partner (CNBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – The dude from The Profit is looking for a… partner and will select from a batch of ten.
People Icons (ABC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – Iconic celebrity love stories.
Underground (WGN) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – I ended up sticking with and digging this tale of the Macon 7 slave escapees and interested to see what a new season will bring.
Kicking & Screaming (Fox) Series Premiere, Thursday, 9pm – Pampered folks are paired with actual survivalists to give it a go.
The Catch (ABC) Season Premiere, Thursday, 10pm – This turn the tables con couple wasn’t great but somehow I stuck with it, surprised that it’s returning but I’ve heard they’re refining it a bit and we’ll see where things go.
Buddy Thunderstruck (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – A stop motion adventure of a truck driving dog named Buddy and his ferret mechanic (I don’t always list all the animated fare but a dog named Buddy!).
Hand of God (Am) Season Premiere, Friday – I’ve yet to dive into this one.
Love (Net) Season Premiere, Friday – I can’t say I recommend this misfit couple in the making but it’s one of those shows that I was somehow compelled to keep watching.
American Crime (ABC) Season Premiere, Sunday, 10pm – A return of much of the excellent cast in a new take that starts with a Mexican immigrant heading to farmland and getting caught up in more social issues, I dropped this S1 but have heard enough good buzz to check it out.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

new and noteworthy tv: 3/14-3/20

March 13, 2016 No Comments

The shows are starting to back up on me again but I’ll find room for a couple returns. Though I’ll take a look at the new ones as well.

Crowded (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – I am always willing to tune into Patrick Warburton in a new half hour comedy even if I’m not sure this adult kids return home version is supposed to be any good.
Happy Valley (Net) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 3am – I have yet to catch this series but hear good things about it, anyone in on this?
The Americans (Fx) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – As I’m sure folks are aware, this really is a great show, I’m tense already.
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders (CBS) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – I haven’t read anything about this new spin off but assuming it’ll be a comparable psycho of the week but outside of the USA
Daredevil (Net) Season Premiere, Friday, 3am – Let the Marvel universe continue its reign, I grew to enjoy this toward the end of the season and curious to see where they go from there.

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procrastinator picks – top tv of 2015

January 30, 2016 No Comments

I tend to internally mock critics who say they can’t narrow it down to 10, but seriously too much out there, it’s impossible. I kept it to ten but I did cop out this year and put them in alphabetical order. My caveats as usual, these probably aren’t the best shows out but ones that I personally enjoyed, and I can’t completely rate on just an individual season. Also my usual clarification that I don’t get high end cable so those shows might be on my to do list but they won’t be here, plus shows that I’m behind on like Mad Men and Rectify (which I love).

The 100 (CW) – The dynamics amongst all the factions in this post-apocalyptic world have increased in quantity and in stakes and it’s moved beyond the pretty young things CW slant, though certainly maintained the pretty people.
The Americans (Fx) – Spy mom and dad and great spy wigs sure keep getting in and mostly out of fixes, and the relationships with others keep getting more complicated, what are the chances that bringing in spy kids will go smoothly?
The Good Wife (CBS) – I didn’t love running for office Alicia but starting over yet again Alicia brought yet another new spin on this rich cast of characters that just keeps me entertained with the cases and the personal lives where there’s not always a real right.
Humans (AMC) – Lots of riffs out there on the androids taking over but this truly human look at a group of unanticipated aware and feeling synths and their interactions with each other, the humans around them, society as a whole and of course some ‘evil’ corporation kept me all in.
Jessica Jones (Net) – A new crop of great series on Netflix but this less Marvel-ish Marvel is the one that truly made me want to binge as I enjoyed the tough damaged lead and her fight against uber creepy villian with the help and hindrance of some good supports.
Justified (Fx) – The last season brought back much of what I loved about the series, Raylan was someone we all fell in love with as he fought the good fight in sometimes the wrong ways to hunt down folks as only a Marshall near his own Harlan, Kentucky hometown can do.
Mr. Robot (USA) – This is the show that put USA on the map this year and it was quite a big swing, the lead Rami Malek really should get much of the credit for carrying this peculiar character in a psychotic split between computer hacking, and well hacking, tempted to go back and watch again.
Orphan Black (BBCA) – This admittedly wasn’t my favorite season of this show but I love it so much even a dip in the distractions to the clone club from the boy clones couldn’t dampen my love for the performances of Tatiana Maslany and her band of supporters.
UnREAL (Life) – My fave new campy show this look behind the scenes of a Bacheloresque show had so many layers as we follow Producer Rachel trying to come back from her own personal drama while the manipulations on and off camera reach new highs, or should I say lows, and I’m not a Bachelor watcher.
You’re the Worst (Fxx) – The first season of this show won me over with a new twist on the rom com by playing into and out of the stereotypes as the characters were all a mess, and the second season delved into Gretchen’s mess/depression in a way that was able to include some truly funny moments in what was a dramatic and sensitive, amazing work by Aya Cash.

My honorable mentions were giving me too much stress so I’ve even eliminated those. What were some of your favorites from last year?

new and noteworthy tv: 1/26-2/1

January 24, 2015 No Comments

Tennis to keep us occupied, until the Super Bowl for those who do that. And of course excited for the intriguing Americans, sad for the end of Parenthood (though it’s time), and will continue to dabble in Rescue Me lite with Sirens.

Monday – Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials (CBS, 8pm), Black Ink Crew, Season Premiere (VH1, 9pm), Ellen’s Design Challenge, Series Premiere (HGTV, 9pm), Fat n’ Furious, Season Premiere (Disc, 10pm)
Tuesday – Sirens, Season Premiere (USA, 10pm)
Wednesday – The Americans, Season Premiere (FX, 10pm), Mississippi Men, Series Premiere (Hist, 10pm), Secrets of the Dead, Season Premiere (PBS, 10pm)
Thursday – Parenthood, Series Finale (NBC, 10pm)
Saturday – SNL Presents a Sports Spectacular/NFL Honors (NBC, 8/9pm)
Sunday – Australian Open (ESPN, Women’s Final Sat 12am/Men’s Final Sun 12am), Super Bowl (NBC, 3pm), Kitten Bowl (Hall, 12pm), Puppy Bowl (AnPl, 12pm)

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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critics’ picks – top tv of 2014

January 8, 2015 No Comments

We’ve said goodbye to 2014 and when I think of how we spent it, it mostly with some television. The critics have posted their top picks so take a look and see what they think. Stay tuned for more top picks including my top tv.

The Affair (Show) – MRo, GG
The Americans (Fx) – JP, MR, MRo, TG, AS, HS, MZS, DF, AFI
Broad City (Com) – JP
Cosmos (Fox) – MZS
Downton Abbey (PBS) – GG
Enlisted (Fox) – MR
Fargo (Fx) – JP, MRo, TG, AS, HS, EW, DF, AFI
Game of Thrones (HBO) – MRo, TG, HS, EW, DF, AFI, GG
Girls (HBO) – GG
The Good Wife (CBS) – JP, MRo, HS, EW, GG
Hannibal (NBC) – AS, EW, MZS, DF
Happy Valley (Net/BBC) – MR
High Maintenance (JP)
The Honorable Woman (Sund) – TG
House of Cards (Net) – GG
How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – AFI
Inside Amy Schumer (Com) – EW
Jane the Virgin (CW) – MR, MRo, AFI, GG
The Knick (Cin) – AFI
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – JP, MZS, DF
The Leftovers (HBO) – AS
Louie (FX) – JP, TG, EW
Mad Men (AMC) – TG, AS, EW, MZS, DF, AFI
The Missing (Starz) – MZS
The Normal Heart (HBO) – MRo
Olive Kitteridge (HBO) – MRo, HS, MZS
Orange Is the New Black (Net) – JP, MR, TG, AS, HS, DF, AFI, GG
Penny Dreadful (Show) – MR
Private Violence (HBO) – MZS
Please Like Me (Piv) – EW
Rectify (Sund) – MR, AS, EW, DF
Review (Com) – MR, AS, DF
The Roosevelts (PBS) – MRo, HS, MZS
Shameless (Show) – DF
Silicon Valley (HBO) – JP, HS, AFI, GG
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) – MRo
Transparent (Am) – JP, MR, MRo, TG, AS, HS, EW, AFI, GG
True Detective (HBO) – TG, AS, MZS
The Walking Dead (AMC) – TG, HS
You’re the Worst (Fx) – MR

AFI, AS – Alan Sepinwall for HitFix, MR – Maureen Ryan for Huffington Post, MRo – Matt Roush for TV Guide, TG – Tim Goodman for The Hollywood Reporter, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, HS – Hank Stuever for The Washington Post, EW – Entertainment Weekly, MZS – Matt Zoller Seitz for Vulture, DF – Daniel Fienberg for HitFix, GG – Golden Globe Awards

And for a roundup of more lists check out: News for TV Majors

returning fall favorites

September 9, 2014 No Comments

the-good-wife

Well we’re easing into it but I think we can officially categorize post Labor Day September as fall. And while I’m still waiting for a little more info on new shows to see what I’m most excited about there are some returning favorites already queued up with a season pass.

The League (Fxx, 10/3) – This is one of those off color Fx (now Fxx) series that has sort of grown on me, people who are so wrong it’s right, no football appreciation required (if you like It’s Always Sunny this is a nice pairing).
Sons of Anarchy (Fx, 9/9) – This show has had some uneven spots but watching the interpersonal drama, and admittedly the significant violence, and who’s lying, Jax, makes it a can’t miss to see where our favorite motorcycle gang ends up.
New Girl/The Mindy Project (Fox, 9/16) – Both of these shows have improved with time and with fleshing out the ensemble, they make me laugh enough.
The Good Wife (CBS, 9/21) – Last season this show really demonstrated how to shake up a longer term series, and still hold on to what makes it special; still has the best balance of weekly cases with the personal and political drama where I’m interested in what everyone is doing.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox, 9/22) – One of the critics I read dubbed this show ‘bonkers awesome’ and she’s right, it’s a ridiculous premise but the fast pace and main character dynamics keep it oh so interesting and did I mention headless horseman ridiculous?
The Blacklist (NBC, 9/22) – This one is really all about James Spader and fortunately that’s enough to keep this criminal with unclear motives catching bad guys on his list interesting.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/22) – They’ve done a pretty good job keeping what could be a one note show going, adding to the ensemble and growing the characters a bit, but keeping the mockery in top form.
Parenthood (NBC, 9/25) – As we enter the final season we can assume that the Braverman family will not be drama free and while I haven’t loved every story arc I’ve come to be invested, plus I would follow Lauren Graham and Peter Krause anywhere.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, 9/28) – The latest addition to funny, again finding the balance of the could be annoying main character Samberg has been key but it’s really the ensemble with the amazing Andre Braugher among others that makes it.
The Walking Dead (AMC, 10/12) – Each season has had a different feel based on where the cast is but I’m intrigued to see them back together and of course getting out of whatever fix they’re in since the live people are often more of a problem than the dead ones.
The 100 (CW, 10/22) – I keep giving these relatively cheesy CW shows a shot and this one, which is basically pretty people land on earth and so far run into pretty people who survived, but I’m often a sucker for that whole moralistic creating your own society and what’s really right, we’ll see if this season keeps me coming back.
Grimm (NBC, 10/24) – A procedural show of the not normal variety, in that there is a world of non humans among us, and while I wouldn’t say I love this show the characters and stories keep me coming back.
Elementary (CBS, 10/30) – I can’t watch this show at the same time as Sherlock because they’re so different in tone but I am down for seeing what our re-imagined Holmes and Watson get up to each week mostly because I like Miller and Liu.

Notable mention (those that are either a little uneven, a little passed their prime, or too fresh to see if I’m hooked): Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (ABC, 9/23), The Middle (ABC, 9/24), Bones (Fox, 9/25), Mom (CBS, 9/29)

And keep your love for a few of these shows on the back-burner until mid-season and beyond: The Americans, Cougar Town, Hannibal, Hart of Dixie, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Justified, Lost Girl, Louie, The Mentalist, Orphan Black, Parks and Recreation

What are you most excited to see return?

new and noteworthy tv: 2/24-3/2

February 24, 2014 No Comments

A little delayed, and what with some new television actually available…

Monday

The Voice (NBC, 8pm) Season Premiere – We’re on the Shakira/Usher version, and I think I just read CeeLo will be out out so not sure if Usher is fighting to stay?
Dallas/Private Lives of Nashville Wives (TNT, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – More of the Ewings and then some other stupid reality show.
RuPaul’s Drag Race (Logo, 9pm) Season Premiere – America’s next Next Superstar.
Cryptid (Hist, 10pm) Series Premiere – Alleged mythical swamp creatures.
The Tanning of America (VH1, 11pm) Series Premiere – A four part series on hip-hop pop-culture.
Late Night with Seth Meyers (NBC, 12:36) Series Premiere – Really.

Tuesday

Amish Mafia/Clash of the Ozarks (Disc, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – Some guy is back on top and then Arkansas family rivalry.
Game of Arms (AMC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Competitive arm wrestling!
Ink Master (Spike, 10pm) Season Premiere – Continuing my refinement of ink judgments.
Mind Games (ABC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Christian Slater is the kiss of death to a series these days but willing to check out he and Steve Zahn manipulating people.

Wednesday

Survivor (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – Cagayan anyone, this time its split into Brawn, Brains, and Beauty.
Mixology (ABC, 9:30pm) Series Premiere – Singles bar mingling, not supposed to be a winner but I’m always desperate for sitcoms.
The Americans (FX, 10pm) Season Premiere – Mission goes awry, I read two critics who say second season is even better than the first.
Legit/Ali G (FXX, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – Our protagonist is a sex addict and then some sketches a la Borat.

Thursday

Countdown to the Oscars (ABC, 8pm) – In case you can’t wait until Sunday.
Mary Mary (WE, 9pm) Season Premiere – Returning from hiatus.
The Red Road (Sund, 9pm) Series Premiere – A sheriff forms a native american alliance, but pretty sure this isn’t Longmire.
Scandal (ABC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Something shocking?
Vikings (Hist, 10pm) Season Premiere – Someone recently was saying good things about this show I could never quite get into, take that for what its worth.
Portlandia (IFC, 10pm) Season Premiere – More of the randomness.

Friday

Inside Job/Save Our Business (TNT, 9/10pm) Series Premieres – Peeps looking for great gigs and bad companies trying to get it together.
Bellator MMA Live (Spike, 9pm) Season Premiere – Duke it out.
Hannibal (NBC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Oh how I missed the creepy crazies, will Will finally get a helpful medical diagnosis.
Betty White’s Off Their Rockers (Life, 10pm) Season Premiere – I hate that I feel bad saying a mean thing about Betty White.
Beyond Scared Straight (A&E, 10pm) Season Premiere – Will the aggressive regress?
Game of Stones (Disc, 10pm) Series Premiere – A rare stone collector.

Saturday

Deion’s Family Playbook (OWN, 10pm) Series Premiere – For those folks who need to see what Sanders is up to.

Sunday

Red Carpet/Oscars (ABC, 2/5:30pm) – And the winner is… speaking of my Oscar pool of course.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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procrastinator picks – top tv of 2013

January 12, 2014 No Comments

I think we know by now that I watch a lot of television, and I really enjoy much of it. Critics have done it and so it’s my turn, though coming up with a top ten list is always challenging and with television it’s difficult to judge. There are more episodes, seasons aren’t really independent, and honestly I am watching and thinking of shows differently at different times, but this isn’t science right? And of course I should probably state that although I stand behind my choices I could probably make a lot of different versions of this list:

The Good Wife (CBS) – This has been on my list for years but this year it showed how to give new energy to a show that’s later in its arc, great characters and complexity, curious to see if they can sustain it and close out its nice long run with continued excellence (and no I don’t know when this show is ending but it’s s5 and not sure what ratings are up to).
Orange is the New Black/House of Cards (Net) – The original programming from this ‘channel’ was the talk of the town this year and for good reason; both based on existing material but both felt fresh compared to other things on television, Orange’s lead character might be a bit annoying but she’s merely the catalyst for the stories around her with an amazing cast and a good mix of fun and dramatic moments and Spacey does talk to the camera in Cards (which didn’t actually bug me) and I’m curious to see how his scheming will keep up.
Orphan Black (BBCA) – Not only is the primary actress, who we meet as she starts meeting her clones, fantastic in her various roles but the slightly fantastical premise managed to keep things engaging and if not believable an interesting take on ethical and personal issues.
Bunheads (ABCF) – The latest from the creator of Gilmore Girls, a bad name and a silly sounding premise on a network that’s coveting a cheesier side of teen life, didn’t quite land but as the characters in another quirky small town were fleshed out the dance numbers continued to bring the emotion I fell for it.
Hannibal (NBC) – I’m not all that familiar with the various source material other than the Anthony Hopkins iconic moments but this new take just feels fresh with both weird main guys, Dr Lecter and his friend/nemesis/victim Will and the peculiar visual style.
Parks and Recreation (NBC) – I like a good comedy, and even an average comedy, and of the current selections this one is my current fave, they keep a lot of heart with the dysfunction and find the sweet spot of each character’s peculiarity.
Southland (TNT) – They wrapped this series with another bounty of terrible story lines that made you never ever want to be a cop on the streets of Los Angeles but really want to watch these complicated characters needing to make complicated and urgent decisions.
The Americans (FX) – They got me to wish for Russian success and for those high waisted 80s jeans to come back, but only if I look like Kerri Russel, the couple’s relationship to each other and to their goals made this spy show a must see.
Justified (Fx)/Luther (BBCA) – Is it always that a damaged but noble protagonist is more appealing than a straight up antihero, these shows continue to make me anticipate the next chapter as these lawmen navigate their very different worlds.

Honorable Mention (some of these have may have great aspects or may not be as consistent): The Middle (ABC), Longmire (AE), Elementary / The Mentalist (CBS), Brooklyn 99 / The Mindy Project (Fox), The Bridge / Sons of Anarchy (Fx), Sleepy Hollow (Fox), The Blacklist (NBC), Lost Girl (Syfy), Top of the Lake (Sund).

What about you? What’s are your favorite shows, comment below. Happy watching!