My Year in Television (2022)

Welcome to my eighth annual television shows of the year list. This might be the most stacked list I've ever had the pleasure of assembling and ranking. Below you will get my top 25 seasons of the calendar year, honorable mentions, a fail-of-the-year, and my watch-list.

25) Mo (Netflix) - Mohammed Amer, who plays the same character (Mo) in a supporting role in the HULU series Ramy (which will feature later on this list), stars in the titular role in this series about a Palestinian Refugee living in Houston, Texas. The show doesn't shy away from showing the challenges that come with the quest for citizenship. There's also a rare and thoughtful depiction of Asperger's Syndrome portrayed by Omar Elba.

24) This is Going to Hurt (AMC) - While this limited series doesn't break the mold of medical dramas, the fact that its source material is auto-biographical gives it a level of specificity and authenticity rarely seen in the genre. Ben Whishaw shines in the lead role, embodying a person who loves what they do but suffers from the weight and trauma of the work.

23) The Flight Attendant Season 2 (HBOMAX) - Watching this show is the equivalent of being on cocaine for 45 minutes. The pacing is mindbogglingly rapid. From the writing, to the directing, to the editing, to the acting, it's all incredibly chaotic and a nonstop thrill ride. Kaley Cuoco gives an incredibly committed performance, taking the manic energy and running with it. I'm pretty sure the creator of this show listens to their podcasts on 2X speed.

22) Made for Love Season 2 (HBOMAX) - I'm a big fan of Cristin Milioti, and she does great work as the lead in this Sci-Fi dark comedy. The second season finds her character, Hazel, still trying to escape the clutches of her husband, but having to stick around and endure the emotional abuse for a bit longer for the sake of her father's (Ray Romano) well being.

21) Cobra Kai Season 5 (Netflix) - While the formula may be getting a little tired at this point (after all, we know it's all going to culminate in an epic karate dual), the series has managed to bring in new characters from the movies to keep things lively and fun. Thomas Ian Griffith, who plays Terry Silver, is a breath of fresh air for the show. He's one of the most campy and devious villains I've seen on television.

20) Smiling Friends (Adult Swim) - Labeling this show as dark wouldn't be an adequate description. What would be darker than dark? Pitch Black? It features the type of humor where, when you laugh, you feel bad about yourself having done so. Having said that, the creator's have a vision that is executed to a tee. From the animation, to the voice work, to the script, it's all cohesive and creates a tone that is hard to describe, yet is undeniably unique.

19) Pam And Tommy (FX/HULU) - This series chronicling the release of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's sex tape could've been done in an extremely distasteful manner, but thankfully that's not the case here (although I fully realize that some would suggest the mere telling of the story at all is in poor taste). It depicts how the release of a private, racy video puts much more of a "stain" on a woman than it does a man. Another thing I found fascinating was seeing how the internet, which was brand new at the time, played such an unexpected but major role in the distribution and commodification of such a thing.

18) Search Party Season 5 (HBOMAX) - It's weird to be at the end of the line discussing Search Party on these lists. It's been a consistent presence and I will miss the characters and the crazy genre diversions between seasons. While I don't think I liked any season as much as the first (which was more of a mystery), I wholeheartedly recommend checking out the entire series. There's court room drama, abduction, cults, murder, people going missing, elaborate lies, and so much more.

17) The Boys Season 3 (Amazon Prime) - While I talked about Terry Silver being a great villain on Cobra Kai, nothing tops Antony Starr as Homelander. The Youtube channel "The Closer Look" does a far better job than I ever could explaining what makes him so menacing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WC0DRhx6ThI

16) Only Murders in the Building Season 2 (HULU) - While the mystery of this most recent season didn't quite live up to the original, the dialogue and banter remain delightful. I didn't have a full appreciation for Martin Short's comedic and acting talents until this show. His character, Oliver Putnam, provides a lot of the humor but also has surprising depth.

15) The Tourist (HBOMAX) - Jamie Dornan plays a man with amnesia, but his past seeks to catch up with him. The show does a great job of slowly unraveling the mystery, while keeping the present thrilling to watch. The Australian setting is stunning to look at but also establishes a bleakness to the proceedings.

14) Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal Season 2 (Adult Swim) - Episodes 11 through 20 proved that this show has a lot more going for it than just its main characters, caveman (Spear) and dinosaur (Fang). Certain episodes focused more on the character introduced at the end of season 1 (Mira), and other episodes didn't feature Spear or Fang at all (Episode 5: The Primal Theory).

13) The Crown Season 5 (Netflix) - The newest season ushered in a new and final re-casting of the actors in this show about the Royal family. Taking place in the 90's, a lot of the drama centers around Princess Diana, who is portrayed magnificently by Elizabeth Debicki. Episode 8, titled "Gunpowder," is an absorbing glimpse into her attempts to tell the world her side of the story.

12) Ramy Season 3 (HULU) - Much like the Crown, Ramy has been one of the most consistent shows on television. This season has Ramy going even deeper into a state of despair and existential angst. The supporting cast of characters continue to be a highlight. Episode 7, titled "Second Opinion Doctor," is the funniest episode of television I saw all year.

11) Stranger Things Season 4 (Netflix) - With each episode being over an hour long, and the absurd budget spent on the cast and visual effects, it felt in the moment like event television. It lived up to the hype, with a truly terrifying villain and nailing the tonal mix that can now only be described as "Stranger Things" vibes.

10) Atlanta Seasons 3 & 4 (FX/HULU) - With season 2 airing in 2018, there was a four year gap where at times I wasn't sure we'd ever get any more of this surrealist gem. While the show has now come to an end, we were fortunate to get not only one, but two seasons in 2022. Episode 8 of season 4, titled "The Goof Who Sat By the Door," is a remarkably ambitious and special half hour of television.

9) Undone Season 2 (Amazon Prime) - There is no shortage of visionary creators in the television landscape right now, and this show is a perfect indicator of that. I've never quite seen a series like this where the audience is put in the position of getting all of its information from an unreliable narrator. What is real? What is imagined? Have we been on a journey at all, or was it all a delusion?

8) Barry Season 3 (HBOMAX) - Similar to Atlanta and its creator Donald Glover, venturing into the surreal seems to be where Bill Hader is at his best as a creator. Episode 6, titled "710N," is one of the best episodes in the series. I'm extremely excited for season 4, which is rumored to air in 2023.

7) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Netflix) - This is already pretty high up on the list of my favorite anime series of all time. In a dystopian metropolis, main character David suffers a tragedy that puts him on a perilous path of vengeance, sustainability, and self-discovery.

6) The Old Man (FX/HULU) - This series has it all, thrilling action, espionage, and humanist drama. Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow are the elderly dynamic duo I didn't know I needed. The pilot is an action spectacle that takes your breath away, while the follow-up episode restores your faith in the power of simply caring for one another.

5) Better Call Saul Season 6 (AMC) - What a show. When this prequel series was originally announced, I had my doubts that this would ever live up to the standard Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould set with Breaking Bad. Now that it's concluded, I can say without hesitancy that it not only lived up to its predecessor - - but it surpassed it.

4) The Rehearsal (HBOMAX) - Nathan Fielder is a one of a kind artistic voice. Nathan For You, his previous project prior to The Rehearsal, is incredibly funny but also took some very weird yet captivating detours from the traditional reality show mold. The Rehearsal is basically if those detours became an entire show, and his eccentricities were put on full display. I could never in a million years envision the crazy twists and turns that would occur over the six episodes. Was what I watched a hilarious bit with nothing substantial to say, or was it actually profound? I'm still trying to process it all some 6 months later.

3) Fleishman is in Trouble (FX/HULU) - This was the last show I finished before completing this list. I'm so glad I got to it in time because it's truly fantastic. Lizzy Caplan acts as a key supporting character and narrator, where she expounds upon mid life crises, parenting, divorce, and friendship. The first six episodes show all the events from Jesse Eisenberg's (Toby Fleishman's) perspective, before flipping the script in episode 7 and showing you the "other" side of the story, his wife Claire Danes' (Rachel's) point of view. That episode, titled "Me Time," legitimately floored me and Danes' performance is astonishing.

2) The Bear (FX/HULU) - This would be at the top of my list most years. This 30 minute drama focuses on a chef that tries to fix a failing restaurant that was bestowed to him via his brother's passing. The "action" scenes take place inside the kitchen, where the stresses of what to cook, how to organize the work space, and how best to manage the debt on the establishment take center stage. The side characters' desires and ambitions are given plenty of room to breathe in the slower, more intimate moments outside of the chaos in the restaurant. Episode 7, titled "Review," is executed in one take (or at least it's the illusion of being one take) and it's simply exhilarating.

1) Severance (Apple TV+) - This series, created by Dan Erickson and directed largely by Ben Stiller, is my top show of 2022. It's also in my top five shows ever. It slowly unravels it's world and characters one episode at a time, while offering plenty of Easter eggs for future viewings. It poses some very intriguing philosophical and ethical questions that form the building blocks for an absolutely thrilling finale. While all of the performances are top notch, I want to give a special shout out to Britt Lower and Zach Cherry, who both deserve far more plaudits as well as opportunities.

Honorable Mentions:

Painting With John Season 2 (HBOMAX) - The most recent season didn't quite live up to season 1, in part because the ingenuity of it all somewhat faded. But despite that, it's still fun to see John do his thing, whether that's telling elaborate (real or fake) stories, concocting intentionally bad sketches with his housemates, or simply painting with the Lounge Lizards as the musical accompaniment.

State of the Union Season 2 (Sundance TV) - Brendan Gleeson and Patricia Clarkson, both terrific actors, handle the dramatic stakes here perfectly. The only issue is the script doesn't quite have the same sharp wit that made the first season (with Rosamund Pike and Chris O'Dowd) so effective.

The Great British Bake Off Series 13 (BBC/Netflix) - Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas do a terrific job as narrators and hosts. They provide fun banter with the contestants as well as incredibly cheesy gags that inevitably put a smile on your face.

The Righteous Gemstones Season 2 (HBOMAX) - If you're looking for a good time and to not have to take something too seriously, this show fits that bill. The ensemble cast is extremely funny.

Russian Doll Season 2 (Netflix) - After season 1 had a Groundhog's Day story line, the 2nd and possibly last season shifts more to a Time Machine type premise.

The Circle Season 4 (Netflix) - My favorite reality series continues to knock it out of the park. Each season has one or two really fun people to follow, and this season it was undoubtedly Josh "Bru" Brubaker.

Jack Ryan Season 3 (Amazon Prime) - Much like the previous two seasons, this isn't breaking the mold in regards to espionage thrillers. But with a big budget and solid work from its star John Krasinski, the series has managed to persuade me to come along for the ride.

This is Us Season 6 (NBC) - It's melodramatic, it's hopefully optimistic, and it's cheesy. If you liked the first five seasons, you'll probably enjoy the last. I watched it all so at least some of those qualities resonated at times.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 9 (HBOMAX) - As long as I'm doing these lists and as long as John Oliver makes this show, it will get a shout-out. The research, the writing, the season long gags, it all works.

Fail-of-the-Year:

Moon Knight (Disney+) - This show was so bad it made me apathetic about watching future Marvel television projects.

Watch-List:

1899 (Netflix)

The Midnight Club (Netflix)

The Drop-Out (HULU)

Dark Winds (AMC+)

The Staircase (HBOMAX)

Wednesday (Netflix)

Heartstopper (Netflix)

All of Us Are Dead (Netflix)

Archive81 (Netflix)

Reservation Dogs (HULU)

The Patient (HULU)

The House (Netflix)

Pantheon (AMC+)

Los Espookys (HBOMAX)

The Afterparty (Apple TV+)

The Last Kingdom (Netflix)

Minx (HBOMAX)

My Brilliant Friend (HBOMAX)

Slow Horses (Apple TV+)

Pachinko (Apple TV+)

Prehistoric Planet (Apple TV+)

Hacks (HBOMAX)

Under the Banner of Heaven (HULU)

We Own This City (HBOMAX)

Ms. Marvel (Disney+)

Roar (Apple TV+)

From Scratch (Netflix)

She Hulk (Disney+)