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Post by Jeremy on Dec 12, 2021 20:03:55 GMT -8
It's that (other) time again! Something of a down year for TV, both in quality and quantity, but I did find some new and returning shows worth discussing. And perhaps other people did too (which is why I'm making a thread about it). Metacritic is again compiling the critics' end of year lists, and Succession is a heavy favorite - not too surprising, given how buzzy it is. (It earned the #3 spot in 2019, the last year it was eligible.) Kind of impressive to have such a consensus pick, given how TV is so sprawled across so many different networks and streaming services. Speaking of which, my Top 10 this year will include six streaming shows... and each one is on a different streaming service! That was not intentional, I swear. It just happens that most of the best TV is spread out in a lot of different places. |
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Post by otherscott on Dec 13, 2021 8:02:26 GMT -8
I'm too far behind this year to compile my own top 10 list (maybe I can publish one in June), but as always I'm following with interest!
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Post by Jeremy on Dec 15, 2021 9:19:39 GMT -8
It might make more sense to wait until January or so to post this list (especially since some of the shows I'm watching haven't finished their seasons yet). But I'm locked into the December tradition and I ain't gonna stop now. Anyway, here are my Top 10 TV Shows of 2021. |
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Post by otherscott on Dec 15, 2021 10:08:30 GMT -8
I think you misspelled Ted Lasso M-Y-T-H-I-C Q-U-E-S-T
In all honestly I think I feel the same way about Mythic Quest that you do about Ted Lasso, it just didn't click with me much this season. There was a good episode here or there but for the most part the show as a whole left me pretty cold this season.
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Post by Jeremy on Dec 15, 2021 11:48:45 GMT -8
I would say there's a direct contrast to my feelings towards Mythic Quest and Ted Lasso this season, in that the former understood the strengths of its first season and maximized those in S2, while the latter actively undermined its first-season strengths in S2.
It is a little interesting that these two shows have become so closely intertwined in TV discussion since their debut. Is is just because they're both on Apple TV+? Seems like they don't have very much in common beyond that.
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Post by Jeremy on Dec 17, 2021 12:40:37 GMT -8
Some three-quarters of all critics have Succession somewhere on their "Best of the Year" lists, so it's probably prudent for me to point out that after a few attempts, I decided the show wasn't clicking with me at all and that my TV time was better spent elsewhere. These are controversial decisions, but sometimes I gotta make them.
Anyway, after combing through the archives, I've also settled on my 10 favorite episode of 2021. Here they are, listed alphabetically by show:
Hacks - "New Eyes"
Hit-Monkey - "Home Sweet Home"
Impeachment: ACS - "Man Handled"
Invincible - "That Actually Hurt"
Mythic Quest - "Please Sign Here"
Only Murders in the Building - "The Boy from 6B" (my #1 favorite of the year)
The Simpsons - "A Serious Flanders"
Squid Game - "Gganbu"
WandaVision - ""On a Very Special Episode..."
What We Do in the Shadows - "The Escape"
In out ultra-serialized age, I tend to gravitate toward distinct episodes that stand out in plot or style. Conversely, it's really tough to pick a single favorite episode of Maid or White Lotus, since those shows rely heavily on continuity from one episode to the next.
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Post by ThirdMan on Dec 17, 2021 13:32:49 GMT -8
"The Escape" would probably also be my pick for best WWDITS ep of Season 3. In terms of jokes-per-minute, it's likely unmatched, and the payoff on the Hellhound bit (subverting the original subversion) slayed me. It's interesting how many episodes of the show, overall, have taken place in department and/or hardware stores.
I'd considered watching the first two episodes of Hacks when I had Crave TV -- which streams all ongoing and catalogue HBO content in Canada -- back in the summer, but knew I wouldn't be able to follow through on the rest of the episodes (because I was cancelling the service), so I didn't bother. I'm sure it's something that I'd like.
I think I watched the first three WandaVision episodes when I had Disney +, which I watched Soul and two seasons of The Mandalorian on, but I don't have that service right now either. I might be rather confused with Wanda's role in the upcoming Doctor Strange movie (previewed at the end of Spider-Man: NWH), should I choose to see that film.
I'd also probably expect to enjoy Succession more than you, though probably less than some critics do.
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Post by otherscott on Dec 21, 2021 9:18:35 GMT -8
I would say there's a direct contrast to my feelings towards Mythic Quest and Ted Lasso this season, in that the former understood the strengths of its first season and maximized those in S2, while the latter actively undermined its first-season strengths in S2. It is a little interesting that these two shows have become so closely intertwined in TV discussion since their debut. Is is just because they're both on Apple TV+? Seems like they don't have very much in common beyond that. I think part of it is the timing, and part of it is the contrast in styles. There's very much a Parks and Rec vs The Office battle going on, where Ted Lasso is very in touch with it's feel good comedy side (at least in Season 1) and Mythic Quest is more generally going for laughs per minute and not really interested in making you feel good. Plus they did come on the same service very early on in its life at around the same time, and are generally considered to be similar quality, though Ted Lasso definitely has deeper roots in pop culture. I think I actually will post a list this year, it will just be missing the majority of the HBO/ HBO Max/ Showtime shows as I dropped that subscription in September or so - I'll add it back early next year. Mostly I think I know what my number one show will be once I'm finished it, it's gotten very little attention in the TV critic space and I very much would like Jeremy to watch it. |
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Post by Incandescence 112 on Dec 25, 2021 12:41:34 GMT -8
Some three-quarters of all critics have Succession somewhere on their "Best of the Year" lists, so it's probably prudent for me to point out that after a few attempts, I decided the show wasn't clicking with me at all and that my TV time was better spent elsewhere. These are controversial decisions, but sometimes I gotta make them. Anyway, after combing through the archives, I've also settled on my 10 favorite episode of 2021. Here they are, listed alphabetically by show: Hacks - "New Eyes" Hit-Monkey - "Home Sweet Home" Impeachment: ACS - "Man Handled" Invincible - "That Actually Hurt" Mythic Quest - "Please Sign Here" Only Murders in the Building - "The Boy from 6B" (my #1 favorite of the year) The Simpsons - "A Serious Flanders" Squid Game - "Gganbu" WandaVision - ""On a Very Special Episode..." What We Do in the Shadows - "The Escape" In out ultra-serialized age, I tend to gravitate toward distinct episodes that stand out in plot or style. Conversely, it's really tough to pick a single favorite episode of Maid or White Lotus, since those shows rely heavily on continuity from one episode to the next. Yep. I've never been a contrarian for the sake of it, but I just...don't get the Succession hype. It seems like an awful rich person comedy that's sort of a drama as well? |
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Post by Jeremy on Dec 31, 2021 11:07:19 GMT -8
Glancing at the Metacritic "Best TV of 2021" list in aggregate, there's quite a disconnect between their aggregate and individual #1 picks of the year.
The top 5 shows per their ranking are Succession, The Underground Railroad, The White Lotus, Mare of Easttown, and Hacks, in that order.
The top 5 picks for "Best Show of the Year" by individual critics:
1. Succession (19 votes)
2. The Underground Railroad (13 votes)
3. It's a Sin (9 votes)
4. WandaVision (6 votes)
5. The White Lotus/Reservation Dogs (5 votes each)
Certainly did not expect It's a Sin to make the #1 spot of so many lists. Especially since it aired way back at the beginning of the year.
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Post by otherscott on Jan 4, 2022 6:07:29 GMT -8
It's a Sin is a competent show about a topic that means a lot to people, and a show that can really bring out strong emotions about a real historical event. I think it's similar in that matter to The Underground Railroad, though The Underground Railroad certainly has more of an artistic flair to it.
Personally I thought It's A Sin wasn't manipulative exactly, or at least not unnecessarily so, but the degree of difficulty for what it was trying to do was not high. Making people emotionally invested in the people affected by the AIDS crisis in a show isn't a masterwork of television. There's some really good moments in the last episode or two though.
In terms of the Succession hype, while I haven't watched the most recent season yet - I assume it's more of the same, I think most of the hype is the way the show can make you feel empathy and disdain for the rich idiots involved, sometimes all at the same time. It also can be bitingly funny occasionally, but I think the idea of it being a comedy is probably overblown (at least in Season 2).
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Post by otherscott on Jan 31, 2022 11:57:34 GMT -8
I think the last season I really need to watch before posting my list is Succession, so I'll get on that. But what I have to say is that Jeremy and I are way, way off this year.
But I want to note that Apple TV+ is really a service I was extremely skeptical of going in, just because it felt like there was going to be a lot of manipulation from Apple to make sure "feel-good" stories were prioritized. And yet here is Apple TV+ who is going to have two of my top 3 shows for the year (Succession pending), plus it also had Jeremy's number 1 show which isn't going to even be on my list at all.
I think part of it is that maybe people wanted more feel good stuff during this never ending pandemic, but also I just think Apple hit on the direction TV has been trending for the past 5 years, which is empathy. By and large the service understands the important of creating empathy for flawed characters who are still trying their best, which is different from the old anti-hero model of trying to hold self-interested characters up in a mirror to show the viewer the darkest parts of themselves. I don't really think one model is necessary better than the other, though when a show like Never Have I Ever really does go full anti-hero with Devi, it does feel a little off-putting compared to what the current TV climate is like and what your expectations are in watching a show.
So as always, Apple may be onto something with their streaming service. By and large, the quality of shows they offer is a lot better than what I expected going in.
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Post by Jeremy on Jan 31, 2022 21:07:08 GMT -8
But what I have to say is that Jeremy and I are way, way off this year. Scott, I know your list is going to be wrong, but it can't be that wrong...? Anyhow, I think you raise some interesting points, but I do balk at the idea that Apple TV Plus is aiming for a specific brand. I don't think any of the major streamers (with the possible exception of Disney Plus, given how tethered it is to the family-friendly Disney/Marvel/Star Wars tentpoles) is trying to build a specific brand with their original programming so much as they're trying to court as many viewers in as many demographics as possible. Apple TV+ is no different; it's just a younger and smaller service than most of the other giants, and doesn't have much in the way of acquired programming (except for Fraggle Rock, inexplicably). I don't think it's coincidence that Apple's best shows are hopeful, optimistic series that prioritize empathy. But I also don't believe that was a brand choice. It just happened that Apple launched the streamer shortly before the pandemic hit, and since 2020 people have naturally gravitated to more optimistic shows. Apple also offers its share of moody crime dramas ( Home Before Dark, Defending Jacob, Truth Be Told), plus a frothy star vehicle ( The Morning Show) and the obligatory Game of Thrones knockoff ( See), but by and large, viewers preferred the peppier stuff. |
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Quiara
Grade School
Posts: 775
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Post by Quiara on Jan 31, 2022 21:15:44 GMT -8
In terms of the Succession hype, while I haven't watched the most recent season yet - I assume it's more of the same, I think most of the hype is the way the show can make you feel empathy and disdain for the rich idiots involved, sometimes all at the same time. It also can be bitingly funny occasionally, but I think the idea of it being a comedy is probably overblown (at least in Season 2). I admit to being highly, highly annoyed - possibly irrationally so - by this sort of line you hear all the time, that Succession or The Sopranos or Breaking Bad or whatever is funnier, akshually, than any of those so-called "comedies" on television - it always strikes me as the TV critic equivalent of supersessionism, that the best comedy on TV is by definition a drama rather than a comedy. (Same reason why I'm completely over the "comedy in theory.") |
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Post by Jeremy on Feb 1, 2022 9:54:15 GMT -8
I think there's a case to be made that the first three seasons of The Sopranos qualify as a very dark hourlong comedy. (Ditto the first season or so of Breaking Bad.) They get darker and more serious as they go along, but they do present a somewhat tongue-in-cheek look at bleak society in line with the Coen Brothers or Bong Joon-ho.
I don't know of many people who would call them among the funniest shows on TV, though, especially since fans tend to take them pretty seriously.
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