Yeah, that’s right. 20 was no longer cutting it. I’m doing them all now. Why? Well, the main reason was that it felt like there were far more than 20 shows I wanted to rave about this year. Trying to cut them out of the top 20 was becoming a painful venture. But on top of that, there were also things I had to say about shows further down the list that my previous format wasn’t allowing me. So this year, I am ranking ALL shows that I watch ALL episodes of this year, and optionally giving some reasons why.

Note that even shows toward the bottom (well, top if you’re looking at the page) were shows I considered to be pretty good. I did a good job this year and stopping shows I was not enjoying much, so even these 63 are for the most part the cream of the crop.

63  Childhood’s End

Not really the cream of the crop. It was kind of interesting, but probably the only show on the list that I wouldn’t say was worth the time put in.

 

62  Girls 4

61  Episodes 4

60  Another Period

A very funny, if at times tonally inconsistent show. Christina Hendricks was probably the most delightful surprise with her scheming comic turn here.

 

59  True Detective 2

I worry how much the sheer disappointment from a dramatically superior season 1 is influencing my ranking here, given that the second half was somewhat enjoyable. But the grueling mess that got us there, and some painful performances/characters really didn’t do the sophomore season any favors.

58  Big Bang Theory 9

One of the great points of confusion in my life over the last couple of years is why I continue to cause myself pain by watching the inane misadventures of 4 stereotypical nerds who don’t actually seem to like each other at all. And yet, while this whole addiction process began with a few sick days and fevered desperation to have something mindless to occupy my optic face holes, that rationale fell short in the months ahead. Was it some sort of variation on Stockholm Syndrome, where I just couldn’t quit my cartoonish, offensive, and racist captors? Was it that I was hanging on to this glimmer of hope, because time after time these people had come really close to seeming like actual relatable human beings, and it seemed improbable they wouldn’t find some way to push past that barrier after hundreds of painful half-hours? Was I suffering under the illusion that the approximately 2% laugh/joke rate they were sustaining was actually increasing very slightly over time, and that at some point it would hit some exponential growth curve despite no corroborating evidence to expect that to be the case? To this date, I am not entirely sure, but for whatever reason, I continued to plug along, with a strangely excited curiosity when a new episode would pop up, and then a considerable amount of disappointment, both at the show, and really at myself, once those end credits cut short any possible catharsis or satisfying character growth that I was positive would happen to resolve another painfully cliché storyline. And then 2015 happened, and against all odds, this bumbling oaf of a show, maybe through monkey-at-a-keyboard-itis, started clicking in a way it never had before. There were maybe 6 or 7 genuinely moving character moments that didn’t rely on cheap tricks or canned audience reactions. While the joke success rate probably didn’t move the needle hugely, the effectiveness of those that landed was occasionally very high, largely due to the expanded roles and comedic chops of Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik. Even Jim Parsons, who had very much dipped into one-note territory very early on in this series, got to see his character soften a bit this season, which in my mind only made the contrast with his cluelessly rude self even better. I don’t care enough to figure out which, but there were one or two episodes this season I felt were masterfully constructed, and made me wonder if they’d hired new writers, until the following week was the same old childish dreck. So, to be clear, this is all to explain why for the first time since I started watching this “nerd comedy”, I didn’t feel it was the worst choice I had made that year. It is not a good show. For the most part, it is not innovative or clever or funny. The writing is lazy and hacky. Simon Helberg is a terrible actor, and his character is almost as bad. The central romance, which occasionally suckered me into caring about, is at its worst points offensive, and at its high points lacking in any kind of chemistry or believability. But this year, the program showed a glimmer of actual life, of characters having some self-awareness and growth. If you’re not watching it, don’t start.

57  Childens’ Hospital 6

56  Sense8

This is a show that was excellent at parts, but really thought it was excellent overall. While I appreciate the ambition, I wonder if being reined in by an executive would have actually helped this show find a consistent voice. There were some really compelling storylines, and some that just completely fell flat. In addition, it felt like it was trying to make some sort of commentary, but where it stood was really never clear. Violence was mocked and admonished, while then seemingly glorified in gross gratuity in the next scene. But perhaps most peculiar was why in a show created by a transgender woman the gender roles were troublingly archaic. The female characters were victims, and the male characters were heroes responsible for their rescue. There was a transgender female character, but she spends the first half of the series captured or running, and has to be rescued by the muscular dude cop. You could argue that the Sun, the Korean woman, has martial arts skills and does help bail out some male characters, but her storyline never progresses from being trapped. She has no agency over her own circumstances, and gets no hero story arc like literally every male character does. Male character encounters obstacle, gets temporarily knocked back, then overcomes it, usually with quite intense violence. That these gender lines were so stark seemed very out of place for an otherwise really modern and boundary-pushing series. There were things I liked about it. The idea of these very different people from different cultures all coming together and learning from one another was compelling and strong. There were a number of very moving scenes between these characters. The locations were gorgeous, and the cinematography involved in filming the same scene in two places at once must have been herculean. I’d certainly say on the whole I enjoyed myself while watching it, and that it only breaks down if you think about it too much.

55  The Mindy Project 3/4

A solid end of third season, a laborious (no pun intended) 4th season on Hulu. Rehashing of old storylines, endless dragging on of this one storyline involving balancing career and motherhood, and what I can only assume was a lack of money leading to Chris Messina’s prolonged disappearance. But I can still count on Ike Barinholtz and Beverly for consistent laughs, and the addition of Garret Dillahunt (Deadwood, Sarah Connor Chronicles, Raising Hope, Justified) was a solid move.

54  Parks and Recreation 7

I was initially skeptical about the 2 year jump, but the last season was actually quite good, and the finale made me– well, not cry, but whatever Ron Swanson does when his face scrunches up. Ah right, eat steak.

53  The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Well, I technically may have missed an episode or two, but I saw most of them, and guess what, he’s still funny without the conservative windbag persona. In fact, it was fascinating, especially at the start, to see his interviewing style, which is so genuine and thoughtful, which was clearly throwing people off at the beginning. Expecting to be on the defensive the whole time because “Stephen Colbert” would trounce on weakness, there was noticeable hesitation and confusion on the part of many of his first guests. But Stephen not only throws that style out the window, but kind of subverts the fluff-piece style of late night interviews altogether, digging for the real human moments, like in his amazing Joe Biden interview. He is also a bit more political than his counterparts, as you might guess. But I think was struck me most was the absolute joy he exudes every night up there, casting off the jaded irony of his previous persona, and embracing a lighter, more sincere and optimistic brand of comedy. I dig it.

52  Agents of SHIELD 2/3

While certainly not without its stumbling points, Agents of SHIELD is certainly finding a bit more of a solid rhythm in the past year. While Season 1 felt small and claustrophobic, especially with its limited cast, the show is perhaps overcompensating, with a sprawling universe and a cast that is now too big. I’m uncertain why they haven’t been using the less successful characters to die off and raise the stakes, but now would be a good time for that. But aside from them, some of the better characters are feeling more fleshed out and compelling. And one of the best hours on TV this year was a tightly scoped episode that just focused on Simmons’ space adventures, and Elizabeth Henstridge really ran with the opportunity and did a fantastic job. Plus, Coulson becoming a kick-ass action star, the still surprisingly watchable Ward, and Fitz as Indiana Jones, all highlights. Oh sorry, almost forgot Kyle MacLachlan’s awesome work. Hope he comes back.

51  Portlandia 4

50  Helix 2

Some really weird shit. Some of it worked.

49  Doctor Who 9

Well, this season was a far cry from the stink-fest that was Season 8. It had a number of solid episodes and legitimately thrilling moments. But for my money, it still just hasn’t managed to bring back the wild fun from the Smith years, or give a satisfying resolution to a convoluted Moffat plotline. But I really liked Capaldi this season, and his chemistry really cemented with Clara. Maisie Williams’ turn was kinda fun, but I never really got her character. Any season without Danny Pink is a step up in my book though.

48  Togetherness

Along with Casual, one of the two quirky spawn of Six Feet Under this year that didn’t really know what it was trying to say. Still amusing at times.

47  Casual

Along with Togetherness, one of the two quirky spawn of Six Feet Under this year that didn’t really know what it was trying to say. Still amusing at times.

46  Bob’s Burgers

Still funny.

45  House of Cards 3

Solid: Doug’s whole arc. Less solid: The rest of it.

44  New Girl 4

Getting funny again.

43  Transparent 2

I was kinda struggling through this season. Those Pfefferman kids are just the worst, and really didn’t slow down heading into this season. In fact, the one character that gave some relief last season, Maura, started showing her narcissistic side as well, and I was ready to sign out completely. But the last few episodes kinda redeemed it for me. I really liked how the flashbacks to thirties Germany connected with the present day, and gave a really interesting context for their family. I also liked the Womyn festival storyline, and how there was a bit of a persecution competition that I wouldn’t have expected. (And as much as I love Kathryn Hahn, I really hope she gets as far away from those people as possible. RUN!)

42  Wet Hot American Summer

More ridiculous Wainy goodness. But this time, with more amazing Jon Hamm comedy.

41  Community 6

In some ways, Harmon has gone off the deep end, but mostly in a good way. It felt like he was leaning less on past gimmicks (somehow despite yes, another paintball episode), and was back to playing around with format in the way he does. They weren’t all winners, but all in all a pretty funny season of Community (probably the last).