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Lee's Best of 2016
ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 11/16/2004
Posts: 28,450
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Continuing on with my Top 250 TV shows, this batch has 4 dramas, 4 comedies and 2 reality shows:
The Top 250 TV Shows: 230-221
230) "Four in the Morning" CBC
This Canadian comedy was not what I expected it to be at all. It looks like a typical comedy about a group of friends and the situations they get themselves into. Instead, Four in the Morning was an out of bounds, over the top, surreal comedy about ridiculous exaggerated situations. You had a story about kids who age their entire life in the course of one day on the day of their birth. You have an episode dedicated to blowing up the moon. So you see, it’s a bit different than most. I’d compare it to Man Seeking Woman to a degree. I had to be in the right mood to watch and still have the final 3 episodes to finish. Tatiana Maslany’s brother is one of the main cast members, so that’s how I found out about it in the first place!
229) "Party Over Here" FOX
This show was FOX’s attempt at a new late night sketch show with Nicole Byer and two other ladies. I checked it out because I do find Nicole funny and I think she could shine with the right vehicle. This one fell a bit flat. Sketches were sometimes funny, sometimes really really rough. I didn’t find myself hoping for them to revisit any specific sketches though I did laugh at a few. It seemed a bit too forced and tryhard. I do applaud them for trying to go up against SNL again since MADtv went off the air. I doubt they’ll bring this one back but I enjoyed it for what it was!
228) "Guilt" Freeform
Guilt is a show about an American abroad who gets accused of murdering her roommate and the fallout of those around her, and the hunt for who really killed Molly. You can see the obvious similarities to the Amanda Knox case, but it had a life of its own and only borrowed the general theme of that case. It wasn’t the best acted, nor was it the most original show I’ve watched, but it did a good job bringing the twists and shocks. I legitimately was surprised many times while watching not expecting the next twits at all. It was a good summer show, nothing too deep or groundbreaking, but it kept me entertained. It did end on a cliffhanger with a bunch of loose strings for a potential second season to explore, but it was canceled after just one season. Yet again, not a good sign for the future of Freeform creatively.
227) "Wabbit" Cartoon Network
Last Year: 192
Wabbit is an updated take on the Looney Toons characters focusing on Bugs Bunny and the situations he gets caught up in. I only saw a few episodes again this year and I did come around to it a bit more getting used to the new flow and animation style. It just didn’t leave me all too impressed. I found myself thinking back to old episodes I would watch growing up and wanting them to be those episodes. It’s not a home run, but it’s not bad. If I happen on it again next year, I won’t be too upset!
226) "Star Plates" Food Network
Star Plates is a show where celebrities learn from a professional chef how to make a meal in an actual restaurant and learn all the tricks and techniques needed to cut it in a professional kitchen. The show was essentially burned off from the beginning and never really stood a chance to make it on its own. I wouldn’t be surprised if they saw the final product and like me, didn’t find it all too charming or exciting. They did a good job with the celebrities they got to do the show. I was a fan of most if not all of them. You had Minka Kelly, Mindy Kaling and more. They did a pretty good job making the meals, but some of the episodes seemed scripted and pretty set up. I doubt this one will be back next year.
225) "Scream: The TV Series" MTV
Last Year: 196
I don’t know if Scream just isn’t able to translate to a TV series or if this versions being on MTV just isn’t ever going to cut it. Yet again, we were faced with trying to figure out who the newest killer was that was terrifying the same group of friends that survived the deadly ordeal of last season. I saw the killer from a mile away, and I don’t think they really tried to hide it after a while. Most of the drama was over the top and the acting still wasn’t anything to be desired. They also did a Halloween special which I still haven’t been able to check out. Was it any good? I’m still going to try to watch it to see if it sets up any hope for a better third season, which it was renewed for, albeit a shorter one. That may actually help the show having a smaller order and get to the mystery quicker and with less pointless filler.
224) "Clash of the Grandmas" Food Network
This show is essentially a Chopped competition show for Grandmas, competing for a grand cash prize by cooking their butts off and delivering better food than their competitors. Each round they are assigned a competition theme like having to make mac and cheese they can eat with one hand, making ice cream with liquid nitrogen, or serve pie on a stick. The grandmas are all charming and do show off their skills. The judges are okay, they change through a few alternates, but they are awfully picky on the dumbest things from time to time. For the pie on a stick challenge, one of the judges held the stick upside down for a prolonged period of time intentionally trying to make it fall off, then acts all surprised it didn’t stay on the stick. Times liek that it’s a bit much, but overall it is cute.
223) "Zoo" CBS
Last Year: 208
Zoo was back this summer for a second season of over the top drama about a world where all animals on earth can communicate and attack humans causing a worldwide catastrophe where many people have died. This season the team had to try and cure the animals using a vaccine they developed, but before it could cure the world population of animals, the gene mutated and didn’t stop the attack. The team also had to try and fix the problem before the government deployed a gas that would kill all animals, and in the process cause many human casualties. They brought in a few new characters and killed off some of the characters we got to know last season. It was a bit odd. They left it on a big cliffhanger and the show will be back for a third season of bad acting and bad CGI next summer.
222) "Man With a Plan" CBS
Here’s the second new CBS sitcom where a straight white older male has to come to terms with his new place in life today. GASP Matt LeBlanc is now a stay at home dad while his wife goes back to work. How can he do it?! Can he keep his manhood while raising the kids?! Yeah its a pretty basic formulaic sitcom. Nothing too exciting here. It’s vanilla, plain, and a bit boring. I don’t know why CBS thought this one would be a hit. Does Matt LeBlanc really have that much star power left these days? No one aside from me really watches his previous show Episodes lol. It’s not the best, but then again, it's not the worst. If you're looking for some basic chuckles, check this one out. If not, spend your time on better things.
221) "Channel Zero: Candle Cove" Syfy
Channel Zero is an anthology show with each season focusing on a new spooky story. They pretty much take creepypasta and turn it into a small series. In the first season, we followed a man who returns home after a long time, and suddenly the twisted events from his youth begin happening again. When he was a kid, a puppet creepy TV show subliminally got kids to kill adults and in a freak “accident”, a bunch of the kids ended up dead. Now that he’s back in town, strange things happen again and the show starts showing up on TV screens, but only the kids can see it. We got to witness kids kill adults, a creepy puppet show that actually creeped me out when it was shown, and a creature than was made up entirely of children's teeth. You can see the tooth monster in the image above. It was a bit brooding and dark, and tried to go for that depressing tone. It was a bit much, and the story was pretty slow. Now that this season ended, a new one will start with a completely different story and cast. Hopefully the next one will keep my attention better.
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Getting closer to the best stuff! The Top 250 TV Shows: 220-211 will be up next!
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Member Since: 1/26/2006
Posts: 17,384
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In Latin America, Zoo was before Mr. Robot so I sometimes watched the last minutes of some episodes and it looked cheap and awful.
Haven't seen any of the other shows.
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Member Since: 5/27/2016
Posts: 1,553
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Zoo is a mess, watched the pilot last year and it wasn't convincing
Channel Zero though I didn't feel bored when i was watching. At least you acknowledged it.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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HBO Animals
I like the Duplass brothers and love Togetherness but Animals, I quit after the Pigeons episode
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Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 15,103
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Scream is enjoyable
but yeah I can agree with its position
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/31/2013
Posts: 13,827
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Quote:
225) "Scream: The TV Series" MTV
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I keep meaning to watch this.
Obsessed with Zoo. It's a bit messy but I'm hooked.
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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I didn't know "Wabbit" and "Scream" exist
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ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 11/16/2004
Posts: 28,450
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Continuing on with my Top 250 TV shows, this batch has 4 comedies, 3 dramas and 3 reality shows:
The Top 250 TV Shows: 220-211
220) "Clarence" Cartoon Network
Last Year: 182
Clarence is an animated show about a lovable kid named Clarence and the situations he finds himself in with himself and his friends. Sometimes, it’s his imagination going wild, other times he ends up places and funny things happen. While it’s not as deep as some of its fellow Cartoon Network shows which I have grown to love, its cute and I am endeared by the show on occasion. I didn’t get to watch as many episodes as I did last year, but the ones I did I enjoyed!
219) "Food Network Star Kids" Food Network
In a way this kind of placed last year with Rachel Ray’s Kids Cook Off at number 164, but on the other hand was a whole new show again focused on kid cooks. This show is pretty much the same formula as the main long running show Food Network Star. A bunch of contestants, this time kids, compete in a bunch of cooking challenges and on camera challenges. The group of kids they got were pretty impressive. Where the show went completely wrong was the horrible miscasting of the judges. Donal Skehan and Tia Mowry have absolutely no business judging anyone let alone on food. They were terrible judges, terrible hosts, and offered no mentoring to any of the kids. Any critique they gave was inconsistent week to week. They were terrible and took away from enjoying the kids and made me hate watching the series. At least they picked the right kid to win, even though the critique they gave her was terrible. They should never host this show or any show ever again.
218) "MADtv" The CW
MADtv was revived this time on the CW and brought in a whole new cast. The twist? They brought back multiple former cast members to host each week and take part in the sketches. Some old characters returned, and a bunch of new ones were created. Unfortunately, none of the sketches really landed for me. I found myself laughing more often watching the old sketches they would air periodically throughout the episode. The cast is actually pretty talented, but the sketches didn’t give them anything to help them shine. Ratings were pretty rough, even for the summer, where it aired. I don’t expect it to be back, but stranger things have happened!
217) "Beat Bobby Flay" Food Network
Beat Bobby Flay is a competition series where two friends of Bobby Flay try to take him down by bringing in great chefs to compete. In the first round, two chefs go head to head with a mystery ingredient. Bobby’s friends then pick which one did a better job. That winner then goes on to battle Bobby Flay with their own signature dish. I pretty much go into every episode assuming Bobby will win since most episodes I’ve seen, he wins. So it is a nice surprise when a chef beats him! It’s fun, easy to jump in whenever and the food always looks amazing.
216) "Colony" USA
This appeared on my list of shows I was looking forward to in 2016 at number 6. I was disappointed with this one. I have a hard time getting into shows when I feel like I’ve been dropped off in the middle of the second act without really setting up the plot. You get the plot and backstory as the show goes on, but I still felt like I was missing something. Aliens invaded and there are some small pockets of society where life is rough. There's an underground resistance movie, but since I felt like I joined already in progress, I couldn’t connect to their struggle other than the fact that it was humans taking back from aliens. We never see the aliens and there’s a lot we don’t know that should be explored in season 2. Hopefully it’s better than the first.
215) "Those Who Can’t" truTV
This show is about a group of educators who probably shouldn't be teachers at all. It's the second comedy about a group of teachers on my list. But like Teachers on TV Land, this one didn’t land well either. This show aired two seasons this year. The show’s title is a take off on the phrase “those who can’t, teach”. I’d like to follow it up with “those who can’t make me laugh, shouldn’t be on TV”. Well maybe that’s a bit harsh, but I didn’t love the show. There were some funny bits here and there, but otherwise it was over the top. You have to pretend that the dumb stuff they get away with exists in some alternate reality because they’re all pretty terrible at their jobs.
214) "Mary + Jane" MTV
Mary + Jane is a comedy about two friends who run a weed delivery service. They find themselves in a lot of strange situations. Both girls are pretty terrible people with few redeeming qualities though they are played off as the “heroes” of the story. It feels like they tried to come up with their own Broad City type of show, and just made the leads pot dealers. It was pretty boring but I watched the whole season. Shem they moved on from the better comedies of Faking It and Awkward for this one. The ratings were pretty meh so who knows if it will come back.
213) "Containment" The CW
This appeared on my list of shows I was looking forward to in 2016 at number 10. Containment follows a group of people living in Atlanta at the onset of a catastrophic outbreak where people start dying. The city is cordoned off from the rest of the country in order to try and contain the virus or cure it. Riots and panic start breaking out inside and outside as they try to figure out how to make sure as many people live as possible. It wasn’t the best show, and it wasn’t the worst. I tried to keep up with it, but once it was summer and they took a week off, I kind of forgot to ever come back to it. Though I hear the finale wasn’t as final as they made it seem it would be when they called it a “limited series”. Either way, it was cancelled and I probably will let the unwatched episodes I have go.
212) "Falling Water" USA
I really didn’t know much about this show until it aired its pilot episode after the season finale of Mr. Robot. The show follows a group of people who are all somehow connected by their dreams. They see visions, can travel and control their dreams, and there’s some bigger conspiracy going on that they even know. I only got to watch a few episodes so far, it's not the best. It's a bit confusing, it has this feeling of being an “epic” show though I can’t really grasp what is so special about these people or why they are important yet. I may try to finish this one up, but it may come down to whether it is renewed or not. I read something about a streaming deal that may help get it a second season but who knows. It feels like it would have been a better fit for corporate sibling channel Syfy than USA but in today's landscape you can watch pretty much everything no matter what the network.
211) "Fixer Upper" HGTV
This show is about a couple who help other couples find a house they might not see potential in, and make it everything they want and more. They try to make personal connections with the couples to get to know them and make the house feel even more like home based on their likes and personalities. I often don’t see the potential in some of the houses, but they are able to pull off some great renovations. The couple recently have gotten in some hot water for their religious views, but they likely will be fine as they seem to have a very committed audience. I don’t often seek the show out, but when I stumble upon it or watch it with friends, it’s enjoyable.
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Hopefully some of that made sense. I'm coming down with something. Either way we're getting closer to the best stuff! The Top 250 TV Shows: 210-201 will be up next!
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Member Since: 10/13/2003
Posts: 48,022
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Beat Bobby Flay
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Member Since: 2/2/2014
Posts: 1,865
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I don't know if I've even watched 250 TV shows in the last 2-5 years.
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Member Since: 3/22/2011
Posts: 26,525
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I feel like Chanel Zero would be right up my alley. Gotta catch that.
Man Fixer Upper...love that show, but it got too repetitive with the houses. Joanna always wants a damn open concept. Well dammit sometimes a closed concept is needed.
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Member Since: 8/1/2008
Posts: 52,761
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This year I failed to keep track of many of my favorite tv shows. I literally only watched 3 full seasons.
From your lists I recognize Scream and AHS so far both of which I had to drop
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Member Since: 5/27/2016
Posts: 1,553
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Clarence is cute from time to time, not as good as the other CN shows.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 61,634
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Contagion had potential but the characters weren't likable but it only got worse as it went on (except for one episode halfway through which I really liked)
Scream was a tragedy
I tried the first episode of Channel Zero and it didn't seem that interesting.
AHS so low I mean Hotel was tragic, it's the only season I haven't watched fully but Roanoke kinda slayed and it my second favorite season
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Member Since: 3/14/2013
Posts: 37,294
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d; poor AHS
I also wish u did a music list
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Member Since: 1/26/2006
Posts: 17,384
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One episode of Colony was enough for me to stop watching.
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Member Since: 5/23/2007
Posts: 65,087
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I used to love MADtv! didn't know it's back
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Member Since: 1/1/2013
Posts: 13,978
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Aw Baskets was one of my favorites this year! But I can see why it would turn some people off.
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ATRL Moderator
Member Since: 11/16/2004
Posts: 28,450
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Continuing on with my Top 250 TV shows, this batch has 5 comedies, 3 dramas and 2 reality shows:
The Top 250 TV Shows: 210-201
210) "The Loud House" Nickelodeon
The Loud House is a kids animated show about a boy who grows up in a house with his 10 sisters and the things that happen to him and the rest of the family. I heard about the show when it did well in the ratings and eventually got to see some episodes while babysitting. While it’s not groundbreaking, the show was fun, easy to watch and had a lot of heart. Nothing was ever too deep but there were life lessons about family and growing up. I enjoyed the episodes I watched.
209) "Quantico" ABC
Last Year: 127
This show is a mess. I dropped it originally because of how over the top, inconsistent and ridiculous it was. Over the summer it went up on Netflix and I had the time so I figured I might as well see who the traitor was. It was not worth the time spent. I actually called the traitor after the pilot, but it was a bit twisty. Then I figured with the way it ended and them killing off/getting rid of characters, they may be able to start fresh and fix all of the issues I had with it. Boy was I wrong. Season 2 started off just as weak, relying on flashbacks to further the plot, and bringing in more dumb and annoying characters, essentially recycling the same pace and flow of the first season. The plot hardly advanced yet again and we were forced to watch more sexy agents being sexy and learning how to be better sexy agents and sexy. It's not a good show. I dropped it after a few episodes again after I could no longer roll my eyes any further, but who knows, maybe I’ll revisit it again if I want to be let down again.
208) "Cooper Barrett’s Guide to Surviving Life" FOX
This comedy was about a group of friends/roommates who find themselves in pickles every week and it is the lead actors job to teach the viewer how to avoid ending up in those same situations. The season was aired out of order so it was confusing week to week. It was funny at times, but predictable and tried to aim for The Hangover type humor which didn’t translate well out of the first movie in that series either. I wanted to root for this one since Meaghan Rath was in it and I want her to find success after enjoying her run on the US version of Being Human. Ratings didn’t go so well and it was eventually pulled from the schedule and the final 3 episodes burned off. I watched it all, but won’t miss this one too much.
207) "Be Cool, Scooby Doo" Cartoon Network
Last Year: 193
While lower on my list this year, I actually grew to enjoy this reboot more this year after getting to watch more episodes. The humor grew on me, and the updated current jokes eventually sounded normal to me. Last year, they threw me since I watched a lot of Scooby Doo series and episodes growing up. There were a lot of good twists and I wasn’t always able to find out who the masked man/woman was and was pleasantly surprised a bunch of times. Unfortunately, Cartoon Network doesn’t really treat this show well and it’s been off the air (at least original episodes) for quite a while now with still no new airdates in sight. There are a bunch of episodes left in the order so hopefully they’ll air eventually!
206) "Eyewitness" USA
This drama is an adaptation of a Norwegian series with the same premise. Eyewitness is about two high school boys having a secret fling in a secluded cabin when they witness and become involved in a murder scene. One of the boys foster mother is the lead sheriff in town and has to investigate the murders, all along not knowing someone that close to her is involved. They think they are able to hide from the truth, but fate wouldn't let them off so easily and they get pulled further into the bigger picture. I’ve only managed to watch a few episodes so far, but it’s not the best. It’s a bit boring in spots and the visuals are pretty dark and depressing to set the mood, but it makes it hard to get through episodes sometimes.
205) "Beachfront Bargain Hunt" HGTV
This HGTV series follows couples, individuals and families as they hunt for their ideal property that happens to be located near or on the beach all around the country. It’s pretty much House Hunters on the beach haha. I enjoy seeing the houses they look at, laughing at their judgments towards certain properties and locations, and getting to see new places (and some places I’ve been to and recognize!). The properties all range in size and vicinity to the beach. It’s easy to jump in, fun to guess which property they choose, and repeats pretty often so it's easy to find episodes when you’re in that mood.
204) "Holiday Baking Championship" Food Network
This annual competition features bakers from around the country compete in holiday inspired challenges. Challenges range from ugly holiday clothing inspired cookies, to thanksgiving inspired cupcakes, to confections made highlighting marshmallows. While I didn’t watch this version last year, it featured the same judging panel as Spring Baking Competition, so it was easy to enjoy the same critiquers. I enjoy how Duff Goldman, Lorraine Pascale and Nancy Fuller bounce off each other and sometimes disagree. It makes it fun to not always know which way they will go when it comes to eliminating someone. The contestants are fun, the food looks great and I can’t wait to see who wins this season!
203) "The Odd Couple" CBS
Last Year: 211
I actually grew to enjoy this show about two unlikely friends and roommates more now in its third season. I never expected it to survive its first season, let alone the second. Though chances are it’s luck is going to run out after this season. It yet again only got a 13 episode order and will be off the air early in 2017. I think I got used to the characters and the type of humor and storytelling and settled in that generic okay state. It makes me laugh occasionally, though most of the time I’m just rolling my eyes. It's a typical generic multicam, nothing too deep. At this point I just want YNB to be free and attach herself to a better show!
202) "The Real O’Neals" ABC
This comedy is about a Catholic family in Chicago when the youngest son comes out as gay and the rest of the family open up and also become more comfortable in their own skin. The parents realized they’re dialing it in and decide to make a change, and the other kids also try to explore who they are in this world as they grow up. It’s very heavy on the son being gay in the way it tells stories from the outset and throughout, but I do hope in the future to see the occasional storyline that doesn’t necessarily have to involve the fact that the kid is gay. Gay characters and people run into situations that effect them that don’t always come back to the fact that they may be gay. But the premise of the show does rely on that fact, so they’re going to focus on it. I do think in the current second season the show has explored more and gotten stronger, but it’s sometimes a bit dull. The strongest character is definitely the mom. She always makes me laugh and Martha Plimpton does a great job reacting to everything that was once stable in her life and has now changed therefore she learns to grow too. Ratings haven’t been too strong, but stranger things have been renewed with less.
201) "The Originals" The CW
Last Year: 139
The Originals continued following the original vampires and their friends and lovers who reside in New Orleans who also happen to be supernatural creatures or are aware of this world right under our noses. Season 3 continued to focus on a storyline I wasn’t too fond of bringing new characters into the fray and dramatically and directly affecting all those involved. I grew tired of this storyline and fell behind with a good amount of episodes to catch up on. Hopefully the storyline is resolved and the upcoming fourth season gets back to the main core characters I have grown to enjoy. Though I do fear for some of them based on where I left off. This show isn’t afraid to kill off leads so anything could happen. With The Vampire Diaries departing in early 2017, and ratings for The Originals were already lower than the mothership, chances are the show isn’t long for this world either.
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Getting closer to the best stuff! The Top 250 TV Shows: 200-191 will be up next!
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Member Since: 4/7/2009
Posts: 34,961
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I'm a cartoon head, so The Loud House seems different, reminds me of those reality tv shows with the 16 siblings.
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