Sam’s Favorite TV Shows
Found below are the TV shows I’ve highlighted on my “Favorites” page since launching my site.
Better Call Saul (Season 5)
added may 18, 2020
With every season of “Better Call Saul,” I grow closer and closer to saying it’s a better show than “Breaking Bad.” (I know. Even I think that’s crazy. “Breaking Bad” is the best show I’ve ever watched.) The prequel series’ exploration of morality is gripping, and its set pieces and showdowns rival the most exciting moments of “Breaking Bad.” With an amazing cast and stellar writing, “BCS” is still the most Emmy-snubbed show on the air. Rhea Seehorn’s Kim and Michael Mando’s Nacho were particular standouts this season. The wait for the sixth and final season is going to be a long one.
BoJack Horseman (Season 6)
added february 8, 2020
It’s pretty fitting that the first show to appear twice on my Favorites page is my all-time favorite show, “BoJack Horseman.” It’s a bittersweet feeling because this will also be the show’s last time on the page. The show’s two-part sixth season is its last, and as sad as I am to see it go, it was a perfect ending. For six seasons, “BoJack Horseman” was a hilarious, gag-filled show that had as many laughs as it did poignant moments of humanity. It was a moving 77-episode tale about finding happiness and becoming a better person. Just like those tasks, saying goodbye to “BoJack Horseman” and its wonderful cast of colorful characters isn’t easy, but my life is forever changed because of them.
Watchmen
added january 30, 2020
Coming off “The Leftovers,” Damon Lindelof continues his HBO hot streak with the astounding “Watchmen.” It’s a contained, respectful sequel to the original comic, and one month after finishing it, I’m still in awe. The show’s political themes, incredible cast and jaw-dropping twists make for one of my favorite shows I’ve ever watched week-to-week. It excellently seeds mysteries and pays them off, while also delivering powerful themes of trauma and the abuse of power. Give Regina King an Emmy!
Primal
added november 20, 2019
“Primal” follows a simple plot structure: man befriends beast. But within that well-worn space, creator and director Genndy Tartakovsky (“Samurai Jack”) makes it his own. The dialogue-free show follows a prehistoric man bonding with a T-Rex after a personal tragedy. The show’s violent, action-packed episodes consistently put the characters in situations where I wasn’t sure if they could survive. But what makes the show truly special is its focus on compassion, companionship and holding onto one’s humanity. The show is a perfect example of “show, don’t tell,” and the animation team makes it a beautiful masterpiece.
Succession (Season 2)
added october 22, 2019
“Corporate drama” has to be one of the least appealing ways to describe a TV show, but HBO’s “Succession” makes corporate drama thrilling, sexy and hilarious. One of this year’s best shows, “Succession” is bursting with lovably despicable characters, unexpected twists and barbed, laugh-out-loud dialogue. The amazing cast elevates these already great elements, and the dramatic, theatrical score by Nicholas Britell (“Moonlight,” “If Beale Street Could Talk”) makes the show’s billion-dollar stakes seem even greater.
The Righteous Gemstones (Season 1)
added october 15, 2019
I missed Danny McBride’s first two cult hits on HBO (“Eastbound & Down,” “Vice Principals”), but after seeing the incredible cast for “The Righteous Gemstones,” I knew I had to give it a shot. Having finished the first season, I can say I’m a convert to McBride’s darkly funny world. McBride, Edi Patterson, John Goodman, Adam DeVine and Walton Goggins are incredible, and I was pleasantly surprised by how thrilling and fast-paced the plot is. I’m a full-on Gemstone believer, and I cannot wait to see where the dysfunctional family goes next.
GLOW (Season 3)
added august 20, 2019
I love Netflix’s “GLOW,” but I’ve always felt like it’s struggled to find its voice. Is it a comedy? Is it a drama? Is it a show about wrestling or women who wrestle? The third season doesn’t exactly solve this problem, but it’s the closest the show has ever been to sticking its tone, and the result is pretty amazing. The new season makes excellent use of the talented ensemble cast and strikes a nice mix of drama with moments of levity. I loved the Vegas setting, the choice to focus on character over plot and the creative episode ideas (see “Freaky Tuesday”). While there were a few too many storylines and a lack of wrestling, this was still my favorite season to date.
When They See Us
added july 20, 2019
“When They See Us,” a four-episode Netflix miniseries, is a tough but necessary watch. Ava DuVernay’s powerful depiction of the 1989 Central Park rape and assault case and its aftermath is a stunning piece of television. Its cast delivers all-around award-worthy performances, and its cinematography and editing match the haunting and anger-inducing nature of the story. It follows other shows like “The Night Of” in showing the major failures of the justice system (but this time being a true story), and this one must be seen.
Fleabag
added june 23, 2019
Under marketed and wielding a bad title, “Fleabag” is a show that came and went without much time spent in the public eye. But if you look closely, you’ll see loads of acclaim from TV critics, and saying it’s well-deserved is an understatement. Fleabag is a hysterical comedy created, written and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge (of “Killing Eve” fame). She plays a whip-smart London resident learning to love herself, and her constant breaking of the fourth wall leads to constant hilarity. This show is full of heart and well-rounded characters (God bless Olivia Colman), and I absolutely love it. It’s only 12 episodes long and has a beautiful ending, so please watch it on Amazon Prime.
Tuca & Bertie (Season 1)
added june 13, 2019
“Tuca & Bertie” is the new show from Lisa Hanawalt, the animation designer of “BoJack Horseman.” “BoJack” is my favorite TV show, so I felt like I owed it to “T&B” to give it a shot. I am so glad I did. The ten-episode first season is a visual delight, full of the animated gags we’ve come to expect from Hanawalt. The show also has a ton of heart. It’s decidedly more optimistic than “BoJack,” but it still seriously takes on subjects like sexual harassment and adult relationships. Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong are the great voices behind the main characters, and I hope you fall in love with these birds as much as I did.
Barry (Season 2)
added may 27, 2019
“Game of Thrones” is over, so you may be wondering if you should cancel your HBO subscription. Well, have you watched “Barry” yet? If your answer is no, then wait to cancel HBO. “Barry” is an incredible dramedy starring (and co-created) by SNL alum Bill Hader. He plays a former hitman turned aspiring actor who can’t seem to escape his past. Its second season is even darker, funnier and more surprising than its first season, and the cast (including Henry Winkler, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg and Anthony Carrigan) all deliver award-worthy performances. At eight 30-minute episodes per season, it’s an easy recommendation.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
added may 17, 2019
I could just write this recommendation for the delightful sixth season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” but the show as a whole deserves a recommendation. When Fox cancelled “B99” after its amazing fifth season (which is still its best), the internet mourned the premature death of TV’s best cop comedy. Thankfully, NBC saved it, and the show is still the hilarious, zany comedy fans fell in love with six years ago. The talented ensemble cast is a constant joy to watch, and Andre Braugher deserves an award for the best deadpan comedy I’ve ever seen.
Catastrophe
added may 5, 2019
One of the best TV comedies this decade, Amazon Prime’s “Catastrophe” came to an end this year with its fourth season. With only six half-hour episodes per season, it’s my go-to TV recommendation because it’s such a quick, easy binge. Written and starring comedians Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, “Catastrophe” is a honest, whip-smart look at marriage, parenting and many other serious topics. Delaney and Horgan are hilarious, and their chemistry is unmatched in the realm of on-screen couples. I will miss this show dearly, but at least I can say it had a near-flawless run.
You’re the Worst
added April 8, 2019
FXX’s “You’re the Worst” might have just ended its five-season run, but now’s a better time than ever to binge this darkly hilarious comedy (which you can do on Hulu). It’s a romantic comedy that goes firmly against the grain with its dysfunctional characters and exploration of depression, anxiety and narcissism. The show isn’t flawless, but its cast is amazing and I will greatly miss seeing them on screen together. Best of all, I can confirm the show has a satisfying ending.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Season 2)
added january 25, 2019
One of the best shows of 2017 was also one of the best shows of 2018. Yes, the second season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” is just as charming, witty and smart as its first season, if not more so. Rachel Brosnahan is still electric as the lead character. Watching Mrs. Maisel rise through the ranks of the stand-up comedy scene in 1950s New York is a constant delight, and the great side characters only make it better.
BoJack Horseman (Season 5)
added november 26, 2018
“BoJack Horseman” is my favorite TV show of all time, but its fifth season somehow elevated the show even higher in my mind. It explores grief, self-care and Hollywood’s toxic fascination with antiheroes. Will Arnett (the titular character) and Alison Brie (Diane) deliver some of the best voice work I’ve ever heard, and creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg breaks traditional TV episode structure to unforgettable results in “Free Churro” and “The Showstopper.” The show can be watched on Netflix. Please catch up on it.