So drained from Christmas but here we are haha. Continuing the Top 180 TV Shows here are 70-61. This batch includes 7 comedies and 3 dramas.
The Top 180 TV Shows: 70-61
70) "Sullivan & Son" TBS
Last Year: 53
This year the TBS comedy Sullivan & Son finally put 2 of their leads together that needed to happen for a while now. The show about a bar and the regulars who frequent it and the owners family all getting into scenarios that are often hilarious. Owen and his mother having an inappropriate friendship is always a highlight too. The show was unfortunately cancelled this year after 3 great seasons.
69) "Modern Family" ABC
Last Year: 65
Modern Family managed to win the Emmy for a subpar season when other series really shined this year. The show is still a cute and well done show, but this year seemed a bit off. Though I will say the start of the current season has been off to a great job. Seeing the kids age is a cool way of watching the show because without them, the adults could be all living within the same few years, but seeing the kids grow give it a more realistic view. I don’t know. I’m tired from christmas and I’m trying haha
68) "The Last Ship" TNT
The Last Ship is about a Navy destroyer that was out on a mission, only to get back in contact with the government to find out a virus has wiped out 80% of the worlds population and they are in possession of a possible lead on a cure. They also haven’t been exposed so they are a top priority for this new world. The Russians get wind of their mission and they become a recurring presence in the ships attempts to survive. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this show and it was definitely a really fun, dramatic and tense summer show. I can’t wait for season 2.
67) "Playing House" USA
This USA comedy is about two friends who were separated for a while when one got a big job overseas, but then returns to help her friend through her pregnancy when her and her husband get separated. The show was really funny and had great stories. I really liked Keegan-Michael Key’s role in the show and the backstory between the friends and his wife lol Those scenes in her closet had me in fits. Oh Bird Bones! Season 2 should be interesting to see where they go from where they left things.
66) "Regular Show" Cartoon Network
Last Year: 55
I love this cartoon about a group of misfits working for the parks department, that don’t ever really do their jobs. Mordecai and Rigby are lazy, love to play video games, and get into the craziest scenarios ever that are hilarious for both kids and adults. I like Mordecai’s new love interest and how the show still makes me laugh.
65) "Grey’s Anatomy" ABC
Last Year: 57
This show keeps on going and I don’t mind one bit. Every year (minus a few earlier seasons) they keep finding ways to keep things the same, yet reinvent the wheel all over, having interesting storylines, great drama and lots of sexy time. This show could in theory live on for a long time like ER by continuing to pump new cast into the show before old ones leave to leave you still interested. We saw the departure of Christina but we gained a whole new story for Meredith to fill that gap. And bringing in Derek’s sister from the now concluded spinoff, Private Practice, worked too. And I don’t like Avery and April but that storyline is going to be heartbreaking once the show returns.
64) "Last Man Standing" ABC
Last Year: 74
This comedy starring Tim Allen is so perfect. It pushes limits, has great stories, and tackles lots of current events. In its fourth season, they keep managing to make me want more episodes. I get a lot of crap when I talk about how much I enjoy the show but it only makes me like it more honestly. I love hearing some of the things they say, that I don’t always agree with politically, but I still can laugh at them. Though often, the snide marks are true. I love the obsession with blaming Obama for everything haha
63) "Selfie" ABC
This comedy started off as “noooooo Suburgatory was canceled for this” to quickly “oh I’ll watch the pilot because I love and miss Karen Gillan once she departed Doctor Who”. After the pilot I stuck around for Karen. Thn the show managed to become so much more than the first few episodes presented themselves as, and then by that time, the show was canceled. Hulu picked up the remaining episode and from that moment, the show became quickly one of my favorites that I needed to watch immediately when it was released on Hulu. If I had a section dedicated to some my favorite scenes of the entire year,
this one has to be one of my favorite
especially the last 30 seconds. In the context of the show it has such an emotional and heartbreaking meaning, beyond just whats on the surface. The quick turnaround in the quality of this show is everything. Watch this show now. And I demand a second season.
62) "The Strain" FX
This drama based off a book by Guillermo del Toro was one I was excited about. I read the comics based on the books because I didn’t have the time to commit to 3 books when I have a ton others I read, but I enjoyed those and knew I’d like this show. This show is a vampire show to a degree, but the vampires are more like vampire/zombie/infectious disease creatures. Eph works for the CDC, an airplane arrives in New York, but no one onboard seems to be alive except a few survivors. From there, all hell breaks loose, though the people behind the outbreak are able to keep the public out of the loop until its too late for them and are turned.
61) "Over The Garden Wall" Cartoon Network
This 10 part cartoon mini series about two brothers, one of them voiced by Elijah Wood, lost in the woods was cute, strange and unique.The show started out innocent but as you got deeper into the show, deeper elements emerged. As a kid, the show is innocent and happy, but for an adult, the themes are deep, emotional and holy crap that ending has so many ways it could be interpreted. Was is all in their minds, were they both there, did they both survive, what’s the meaning of some of the characters we met early on and revelations about where those characters, thoughts and ideas may have come from? Its really a deep show and I want to go back and look for the little things I missed now.
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The Top 180 TV Shows: 60-51 will be up next!
Lee!!! Playing House is THE GREATEST! St.Clair/Parham are two of my comedy heroes. Happy that you saw it and are spreading the word about it! Bocephus approves of this list.
I love that you spotlighted Cristela, what a wonderful show! I am really rooting for it to succeed, as Cristela Alonzo is such a great person, in addition to being a good stand-up.
STAN for flawless Queen Cristela!
Last Man Standing is pretty cringe-worthy but I started watching it since it comes on before Cristela
Continuing the Top 180 TV Shows here are 60-51. This batch includes 6 drama, 3 comedy and 1 reality.
The Top 180 TV Shows: 60-51
60) "Helix" Syfy
Helix is a show about a group of CDC members who are sent to Antarctica to deal with a potential outbreak. What they stumble upon becomes so much more than a simple outbreak. Some unheard of disease is causing havoc on the polar base. Enemies are hidden within, allies are outside ready to help. The show has so many twists and turns. If you like a good outbreak story, you’ll like this one.
59) "Nurse Jackie" Showtime
Last Year: 45
This season on Nurse Jackie, Jackie seemed to get her life together being sober for once. Jackie is always so much more than she seems and constantly has to fight off demons. The season finale set up a big change in the story and the final season should be a good one. I can’t wait to see how Jackie’s story concludes.
58) "Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." ABC
Last Year: 76
This show which is situated in the Marvel Cinematic Universe took a turn for the better in the fallout of the Captain America: Winter Soldier movie. Hydra was exposed, and had huge repercussions for SHIELD. The show really found itself in the wake of this twist. Before that, the show was treading water, now it is an all out thrill ride that seems to be building to the eventual Inhumans movie coming out in a few years
57) "Friday Night at the Luncheonette" NBC.com
This NBC digital series is a crossover between Parenthood (which I’ve never watched) and Friday Night Lights (which is one of the best TV shows of all time). I watched because of my love for FNL and you didn’t need to know too much about Parenthood to get the gist of the show. Landry and Crucifictorious (and Billy Riggins for some reason that was welcomed but random) come to record music at a studio where a chick from Parenthood works. Its a great way to bring us back to FNL and I miss it so so so so so so so much. Long story short, this is a way to get you to watch Friday Night Lights. Now.
56) "Silicon Valley" HBO
This comedy is about a start up in Silicon Valley. The show chronicles a group of geeks who are trying to get their app started. Starting with getting an investment, the show goes from the group up, getting the app to be a big deal. The show is funny and well done. HBO has another gem on its hands.
55) "The Blacklist" NBC
Last Year: 38
This show about the most wanted criminal working with the FBI to help take down other criminals on the “blacklist” ended season 1 on a big high note. Season 2 was a little different for some reason I can’t pinpoint, and didn’t hit the high notes that it did in season 1. I still enjoy Red and his twisted morals. He essentially uses the FBI as a pawn to get what he wants in his world of crime. The show ended with a pretty big cliffhanger and will return after the Superbowl before moving to Thursdays up against Scandal. I’ looking forward to it,
54) "The Getaway" Esquire Network
Last Year: 59
The Getaway is a show where celebrities and public figures bring the viewers on a trip with them to locales all across the world. This season we saw trips to places like Tokyo, Dublin, Bangkok, Las Vegas and Barcelona. The show does a great job finding interesting people to show us the world essentially. The episode with Chrissy Teigen is one of the highlights of this season and I would follow her anywhere across the world. I mean what. Um. Yeah shes perfect. I mean. WATCH THE SHOW.
53) "24" FOX
This appeared on my list of shows I was looking forward to in 2014. 24 is one of my favorite shows and I welcomed the return with eager open arms. Jack returned to help thwart another crisis facing the US and the world. Some characters from the series returned, like Chloe and Audrey, and Jack went from outlaw to hero to another grey line where the lines are blurred, but all for the good of the people he was trying to save. The show left again on a cliffhanger so the option to continue the story exists. And I want it to happen. ASAP. Please. More Jack and Chloe would be the best thing ever.
52) "Suits" USA
Last Year: 22
Suits is a legal drama in the high stakes world of the law. This season saw Mike and Harvey on opposite teams. The show while still great, lost me a little, but once the two teamed up again and it was them against the world, the show shined again. We saw the Litt get Litt up to the extreme in the end and the cliffhanger should give the show a creative boost it could use. More Donna is always a plus, and she should shine next season. And Donna/Rachel scenes should always happen because I love them.
51) "Adventure Time" Cartoon Network
Last Year: 30
I feel like I had a lot more to fit into my top 50 this year, so this just missed the cut of my top 50. Adventure time is a cartoon about a post apocalyptic world where Finn is one of the only humans left (but there more to that) and his brother Jake the dog help other in the world of Ooo. From Princess Bubblegum to Marceline to Ice King to everyone else. The show is fun, deep but still fun for kids, and is very creative. I could follow this story forever because I love it so much.
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We’re about to crack the top 50! The Top 180 TV Shows: 50-41 will be up next!
I'm behind a season on Agents of SHIELD, and need to catch up. It was kind of boring me (as you talk about, with it treading water), but now I keep hearing how great it is. When it hits a Canadian streaming service, i'll be sure to catch up. Very excited for Agent Carter, though! Def will stick with that one until the end.
Great job in selecting the FNL/Parenthood web series! That was such a great highlight to my year. I love how the KatimsVerse is building haha, with it and Crosby appearing on About a Boy (and Will on Parenthood). #TexasForever #BravermanForever
And Silicon Valley! One of the great comedies of the year! Really good set, Lee!