Here’s a list of shows that I really enjoy or have enjoyed relatively recently (even if some of the shows are actually fairly old). Some are no-brainers that “everyone” watches. Some are quirky things I enjoy just because they’re different. And while it might not look like it, this list is in no way exhaustive of everything I watch or have watched recently (I generally watch a lot of TV). Other than the first group, they’re in no particular order, though I did try to put them into categories to make this easier to sort through.
The Best of the Bunch
- Parks and Rec – Maybe the funniest show in the history of television. The first season isn’t great but it’s only six episodes long so it’s pretty easy to power through them to get to the good stuff.
- Psych – As much as I love Parks and Rec, Psych might be my Desert Island show if I could only watch one show for the rest of my life.
- Game of Thrones – Fantasy epics can be hard to pull off but this show is amazing. I’m going to be sad when there aren’t any new episodes to look forward to.
- The Good Place – A relatively new show but I include it here because it’s one that I always seem to find myself thinking about.
- The Flash – It’s a little hokey at times but I enjoy it immensely. For me, it’s easily the best of the recent round of superhero shows on TV if partly because it doesn’t always take itself so seriously.
- Fargo – I don’t watch a lot of dramas but this show has been sensational.
Cable/Streaming Comedies
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – The main characters are completely unlikable, which makes this show great.
- Arrested Development – I’ve never understood why people don’t go crazy for this show. It’s genius-level comedy.
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Everyone in the main cast is good but Titus Burgess is absolutely brilliant.
- People of Earth – Another quirky comedy, this time about aliens and the people who believe in them.
- Man Seeking Woman – A man’s search for love with plenty of fantastical elements. I’m not sure there’s anything else like it on TV.
Animated Excellence
- Bob’s Burgers – This probably deserves to be in the Best of the Bunch category. It’s that good. I can never decide which character I like best.
- South Park – A modern classic. Still as acerbically funny as ever.
- Star Wars Rebels – Great series for fans of the Star Wars saga.
- Young Justice – Only two seasons, but if you like superhero shows and movies, chances are you’ll really like this take on the genre.
Period Dramas (and the occasional comedy)
- Downtown Abbey – Probably the best period drama in the last 30 years. Maybe longer.
- The Durrells of Corfu – Wasn’t initially enticed by this but it turned out to be excellent.
- The Crown – This show is so well done. Claire Foy and Matt Smith were both fantastic in seasons 1-2.
- Endeavour – A mystery series set in 1950s Oxford? Yes, please. It’s a prequel to Inspector Morse, but you don’t have to have seen that to appreciate this.
- Jeeves and Wooster – This show is old (came out in the early 90s) but never fails to make me laugh.
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Wasn’t sure about this one at first but it’s quickly become a favorite in our house.
Mysteries
- Sherlock – Absolutely brilliant show. The first three seasons are amazing.
- Lewis – This is a sequel to Inspector Morse set in 2000s Oxford, but as with Endeavour, you don’t have to have seen Inspector Morse to appreciate Lewis.
- Agatha Christie’s Poirot – David Suchet IS Poirot. Maybe the best mystery series out there.
- Agatha Christie’s Marple – Another great series featuring THE quintessential village detective. The ones with either Julia McKenzie or Geraldine McEwan are the best.
- Monk – This show has been off the air for a few years now but it was fantastic. I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves.
British Comedies
- Toast of London – Anything starring Matt Berry is bound to be good and this hasn’t disappointed.
- The IT Crowd – A little goofy at times but it’s a great show. Especially the episode when they go to the theatre. Also features Matt Berry quite heavily.
- The Mighty Boosh – This is surrealist comedy at its very best. Definitely in the “not for everyone” category but if you like offbeat and unusual, you’ll probably like this. Plus, Matt Berry is in season 1.
- Little Britain – Great sketch comedy that humorously skewers British stereotypes. Matt Lucas and David Walliams are comedy gold.
Dramas
- Stranger Things – You probably already watch this one but it deserves all the plaudits it gets.
- The Sopranos – A classic. And with good reason. Still don’t quite know what to make of the series’ ending.
Network Comedies
- Last Man on Earth – Like The Good Place, this is another show I think about a lot.
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine – A comedy set in the world of the NYPD. It’s surprisingly funny.
- Modern Family – When my wife and I catch up on recorded shows, this one is usually the first one we watch every week.
- New Girl – This is one of those shows that I can always watch, no matter what.
- Big Bang Theory – I don’t know why people bag on this show. I find it hilarious.
- Speechless – This show consistently makes me laugh. Minnie Driver is great!
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