My Year in Television (2024)

Garrett Bugay
Jan 17
7 min read

Welcome to my TENTH annual television-shows-of-the-year list! It's crazy to think I've been doing this for an entire decade now.

I didn't watch as much television this year as I have in the past. With the continued streaming wars going on with the likes of Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Apple, and others, the television landscape continues to be spread thin. Fewer shows are reaching a wide audience which means fewer shows are eliciting buzz. This makes it even more challenging as a viewer to decide what new show is worth checking out. As you're probably aware by reading this, I watch a lot (even in a down year). So when I talk to friends and family about television and there's hardly ever any crossover, there's an isolating feeling to it all. I don't work in an office to have the "water cooler chats," but I have a hard time imagining people talk about television in those environments today. As I brought up in my most recent music post, I hope these lists give you a way to weed through the endless morass of shows and find something that is up your alley.

Below you will find the 25 best seasons I watched this past year, an honorable mention, and a watch-list of enticing series that I have yet to see. And away we go...

Honorable Mention:

Conan O'Brien Must Go Season 1 (MAX) - I've missed Conan ever since his late night run ended in 2021. While his podcast is a real treat, there's nothing quite like Conan in front of a camera. This new travel series is not as good as "Conan Without Borders," but it still provides plenty of laughs and hijinks.

25) The Tourist Season 2 (Netflix) - After season 1 took place in Australia, season 2 finds these characters continuing their journey in the lovely landscape of Ireland. There isn't nearly as good of a villain, and while the mystery was a big part of the appeal in the first season, the continuing lack of answers does get a bit tiring. While oftentimes subplots are useless filler, the main one in this season is surprising and captivating.

24) Gordon Ramsey's Uncharted Season 4 (National Geographic) - This travel/cooking program had a couple year hiatus but I'm glad it's back. The format is predictable but Ramsey's charm and personality make it fun and educational.

23) Cobra Kai Season 6 Parts 1 & 2 (Netflix) - The release strategy of the final season of this spin-off series, which involved five episode batches published in July and November, with a final set scheduled to drop in February, is frankly obnoxious. Not only does it make me have to try and review/rank a season that hasn't yet concluded, but it prevents the viewer from binge-ing or enjoying the show via the more traditional week-to-week format. The show itself is still fun, even if it's frustrating to see the lead characters still at odds despite fighting about the same methodology for the entire show's lifespan.

22) Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 11 (MAX) - While the political landscape is as dark as ever, John Oliver continues to be the preeminent news source for me. He and his staff do a wonderful job researching a variety of subjects as well as reporting on both current events and more long-form, future focused topics.

21) Queer Eye Season 9 (Netflix) - While it was a shock at first that long time Fab Five member Bobby Berk was no longer a part of the cast, Jeremiah Brent filled the designer role flawlessly and brought his own unique energy to the show. The newest season takes place in Las Vegas and the group manages to uplift a variety of interesting clientele including a former showgirl as well as a magician.

20) Great British Bake-off Series 15 (Netflix) - Much like Queer Eye, Bake-Off is pure joy in television form. Britain's best amateur bakers show that you can compete and take things seriously without treating your fellow competitors as an enemy that must be defeated at all costs.

19) The Circle Season 7 (Netflix) - There were two seasons of The Circle that aired in 2024. While both are worth watching, the seventh season is the more engaging of the two. The deceit is ramped up to an 11. While some of the contestants behaviors might make you hate-watch it, hate-watch it you will.

18) True Detective: Night Country (MAX) - Jodie Foster stars in the latest addition of the ongoing existential mystery series. Some viewers might be frustrated by the show not providing a lot of answers, but the Alaskan setting provides a chilly and dark atmosphere that lingers well after the credits roll.

17) Black Doves (Netflix) - This political action thriller is a great showcase for stars Ben Whishaw and Keira Knightley. The interplay between the various characters is always fun and engaging and the plot continuously manages to surprise.

16) X-Men 97' (Disney+) - Marvel has largely lost me as a consumer. I haven't seen a Marvel film in theaters in over a year, and I haven't watched the majority of the television products in recent vintage either. But this gem of a show is an exception to the recent dredge of MCU releases.

15) The Boys Season 4 (Amazon) - While many of the complaints about the newest season involve it becoming too political, I vehemently disagree. Not only has this superhero drama always had a political bent, but it's also the most engaging part of the script. I can't think of many shows that better articulate how conspiracy theories as well as nationalist views spread in our communities.

14) Quiet on Set (MAX) - This documentary series details the sexual and emotional abuse that transpired on various 90s/00s Nickelodeon programs. It's a very difficult watch and hearing victims discuss their trauma and how it's impacted them some 20 year later is both distressing and heartbreaking.

13) The Old Man Season 2 (FX/HULU) - Another show that took a slight quality dip compared to its immaculate debut. One particular character is responsible for most of the drama and it loses a little of its heart in the process. The performances and cinematography remain sublime. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled so two seasons (one great, one good) is all we're ultimately going to get.

12) We Are Lady Parts Season 2 (Peacock) - While the second season does not live up to the phenomenal first, it's still remains funny with clever music and ample heart. It ventures into the many challenges of gaining traction in an extremely competitive industry.

11) Sunderland Till I Die Season 3 (Netflix) - Perhaps THE BEST sports documentary series that I've seen. The latest season is extremely short (3 episodes) so it doesn't have as much time to breathe or introduce us to some of the interesting personalities within the club. But the drama on the pitch is still quite thrilling and the documentation of the action is as exhilarating as ever.

10) Welcome to Wrexham Season 3 (FX/HULU) - That's right - - I have included back to back soccer documentaries on this list. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney continue to strike gold with their purchase of a diminished yet historic club. The series charts their rise up the English Football League tiers as well as the backstory of the Welsh town.

9) Only Murders in the Building Season 4 (HULU) - In an age of television where series like Stranger Things will have over THREE years elapse between seasons, it's refreshing to get a show like this that manages to put out quality seasons on a yearly basis. There's a bunch of fun guest stars including Richard Kind, Eugene Levy, Molly Shannon, Kumail Nanjiani, Eva Longoria, and Zach Galifianakis.

8) Nobody Wants This (Netflix) - A quite delightful rom-com that features terrific performances from Kristen Bell (Joanne) and Adam Brody (Noah). Noah is a rabbi who becomes romantically involved with the gentile Joanne.

7) Chimp Crazy (MAX) - From the director of Tiger King comes a new exotic animal extravaganza. This documentary series explores the eccentric folks that choose to own chimps and the disastrous consequences that often follow.

6) Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12 (MAX) - It seems like this long running legendary sitcom has finally come to an end. I will miss this show but we were blessed with another outstanding season. Larry David is a comedy icon and even at 77 years of age, he's still pushing boundaries and creating laughs out of subjects like COVID, the Georgia election water bottle law, and lawn jockeys.

5) The Bear Season 3 (FX/HULU) - While the pacing of the newest season might be too slow for some viewers, the character work remains exceptional. Episode 7 (Napkins), directed by Ayo Edebiri, focuses on Tina and is a wonderful examination into America's work culture and how inhumane a lot of hiring practices have become.

4) Squid Games Season 2 (Netflix) - The Korean mega hit returns and we pick up right where we left off. Plenty of fun and intriguing characters join the fray. The six-legged pentathlon game in episode 4 is mesmerizing to watch.

3) Baby Reindeer (Netflix) - A miniseries created and starring Richard Gadd. It's based on his one man show. The events that transpire are based on his life as an aspiring comedian who deals with sexual abuse and harassment. There are difficult moments in the show but it's remarkably well done and the performance from Gadd is astonishing.

2) The Penguin (MAX) - Colin Farrell dons a body suit and makeup to portray the titular character. The performances from Farrell and co-star Cristin Milioti are incredible. If you have avoided this because of it being superhero adjacent, the show goes for much more of a gritty, realistic look at Gotham, and focuses on the humanity, or lack thereof, of it's characters and how the mob operates.

1) Shogun (FX/HULU) - Around 1600, an English sailor (John Blackthorne) and his crew, after many months at sea and with no other recourse, end up disembarking in Japan. The culture clash and language barrier prove a dangerous obstacle for the men. Blackthorne must use his wit and guile to ingratiate himself with the locals. The script, based on the James Clavell novel, is fantastic, with dialogue exchanges that have the electricity of an action scene. The show immerses you in it's world with lush Japanese backdrop and a commitment to using the native language with mostly Japanese actors.

Watch-list:

Slow Horses (Apple TV+)

Pachinko (Apple TV+)

Somebody Somewhere (MAX)

Hacks (MAX)

Silo (Apple TV+)

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Amazon)

Ripley (Netflix)

The Jinx: Part Two (MAX)

Agatha All Along (Disney+)

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon)

House of the Dragon (MAX)