Note: This list is based off my own personal opinion of what I thought were the best shows of 2015 and is ordered in descending numerical order (not including the runner-ups which are listed before the top 10 in alphabetical order). To qualify for this list, a show must have aired some time in 2015; I would like to mention I have not been able to watch every show that aired in 2015.
Runner-Up: The Americans
There are a lot of shows that are currently airing that are criminally underrated. Shows like "The Knick," "Gravity Falls," and "Mozart in the Jungle" are all amazing, but are viewed by very few people. But of all the underrated shows on TV, "The Americans" probably tops that list. "The Americans" is and FX series about two Russian spies posing as Americans in the 1980s. They were smuggled into the country, set up a proper life, and even had kids. While they are often conflicted about how their jobs put their friends and family in jeopardy, they almost always put the mother land first. "The Americans" is just another example of why FX is one of the best channels on cable; they take chances on shows that often become some of the best on the air. Dark, intense, and dramatic, the show never fails to entertain, and is a must watch for any self proclaimed TV lover.
Runner-Up: Ash vs. Evil Dead
"Ash Vs. Evil Dead" is one of those shows that had no right to ever be made, but surprisingly it is better than any fan ever could have hoped for. Based off the film franchise from the early 1980s to early 90s, the show follows the main protagonist of the series Ash Williams. A deadbeat working at a small retail store, Ash is content with living out his days without a care in the world. But one day while baked out of his mind, he accidentally reads from an ancient, evil book called the Necronomicon which he acquired many years ago. By reading it, he unleashed an ancient evil that will kill him and maybe even destroy the world. So now it's up to ash and two of his coworkers to send the evil packing. What is so impressive about this show is that it finds a great balance between comedy, horror, and action. Really this show is just a joy to watch. Even those who are unfamiliar with the show's source material can watch this show and have a great time. And just a few days before the show's premier, it was renewed for a second season. So hopefully "Ash vs. Evil Dead" will have a long and successful run.
Runner-Up: Jessica Jones
When I first heard that Netflix was planning on making another Marvel show, I was rather unsure. Despite their great track record and how good "Daredevil" turned out, I was unsure how far they could take such an unknown hero like Jessica Jones. Ok, I'll be the first to admit it, Netflix proved me wrong. "Jessica Jones" goes above and beyond anything I expected from it. "Jessica Jones" is about the character of the same name, a young woman who obtained super powers in an accident when she was a child. Unfulfilled in her adult life, she ultimately decides she wants to become a super hero; but is disappointing by the results. One day she is met by a mysterious man who can control her just by talking to her, and keeps her as his companion for months before she is free. Depressed and broken, Jones starts drinking heavily and decides to become a PI. But once again her life is turned upside down when she learns that her captor is still at large. "Jessica Jones" is dark, expertly done, and has layers that I never expected from it. From start to finish I loved this show and marathoned it in a little over a day. I can't wait for season two, and I will no longer doubt the other Marvel shows Netflix is working on.
Runner-Up: One-Punch Man
There are a lot of shows that are currently airing that are criminally underrated. Shows like "The Knick," "Gravity Falls," and "Mozart in the Jungle" are all amazing, but are viewed by very few people. But of all the underrated shows on TV, "The Americans" probably tops that list. "The Americans" is and FX series about two Russian spies posing as Americans in the 1980s. They were smuggled into the country, set up a proper life, and even had kids. While they are often conflicted about how their jobs put their friends and family in jeopardy, they almost always put the mother land first. "The Americans" is just another example of why FX is one of the best channels on cable; they take chances on shows that often become some of the best on the air. Dark, intense, and dramatic, the show never fails to entertain, and is a must watch for any self proclaimed TV lover.
"Ash Vs. Evil Dead" is one of those shows that had no right to ever be made, but surprisingly it is better than any fan ever could have hoped for. Based off the film franchise from the early 1980s to early 90s, the show follows the main protagonist of the series Ash Williams. A deadbeat working at a small retail store, Ash is content with living out his days without a care in the world. But one day while baked out of his mind, he accidentally reads from an ancient, evil book called the Necronomicon which he acquired many years ago. By reading it, he unleashed an ancient evil that will kill him and maybe even destroy the world. So now it's up to ash and two of his coworkers to send the evil packing. What is so impressive about this show is that it finds a great balance between comedy, horror, and action. Really this show is just a joy to watch. Even those who are unfamiliar with the show's source material can watch this show and have a great time. And just a few days before the show's premier, it was renewed for a second season. So hopefully "Ash vs. Evil Dead" will have a long and successful run.
When I first heard that Netflix was planning on making another Marvel show, I was rather unsure. Despite their great track record and how good "Daredevil" turned out, I was unsure how far they could take such an unknown hero like Jessica Jones. Ok, I'll be the first to admit it, Netflix proved me wrong. "Jessica Jones" goes above and beyond anything I expected from it. "Jessica Jones" is about the character of the same name, a young woman who obtained super powers in an accident when she was a child. Unfulfilled in her adult life, she ultimately decides she wants to become a super hero; but is disappointing by the results. One day she is met by a mysterious man who can control her just by talking to her, and keeps her as his companion for months before she is free. Depressed and broken, Jones starts drinking heavily and decides to become a PI. But once again her life is turned upside down when she learns that her captor is still at large. "Jessica Jones" is dark, expertly done, and has layers that I never expected from it. From start to finish I loved this show and marathoned it in a little over a day. I can't wait for season two, and I will no longer doubt the other Marvel shows Netflix is working on.
In all seriousness, this is a show that I was not expecting to make it onto this list. "One-Punch Man" is an Anime Series out of Japan; it was a web-comic that was later made into a fully fledged manga. The series revolves a young man named Saitama, who was a regular guy that one day decided to become a super hero. After a few years of training, he became incredibly strong, stronger than he was hoping for. He's actually so strong, that he defeats all of his enemies with one punch. Having no one to challenge him, he becomes bored and a bit depressed. As ridiculous as the plot sounds, this show is fantastic. The action, characters, humor, and animation are all top notch; and have bolstered this show to a level rarely seen by Anime. There might be one anime series a year that makes it big outside of Japan. 2013 had "Attack on Titan," 2014 had "Kill La Kill," and "one-Punch Man" is this year’s big show. I'm not exactly sure how long this series plans to run, whether it is one season or a few more. The web comic and manga are still ongoing, so for all we know the anime might have a long life expectancy as well. All I know is that this show is a hit, and one of my personal favorites of the year.
Runner-Up: Silicon Valley
Maybe one of the lesser known shows on this list, "Silicon Valley" follows a group of programs as they create a revolutionary software and try to insure the lasting success of their company. Here's how I always describe this show to people, imagine if "The Big Bang Theory" was actually a good series. This is one of the funniest shows on TV right now, and is probably HBO's best comedy in years. Filled with hilarious characters, outrageous moments, and some of the best writing in any comedy out right now, "Silicon Valley" has surpassed just about everyone's expectations. With a third season set to premier in 2016, "Silicon Valley" has all the potential in the world. As long as it stays faithful to what got it to this point, and doesn't do what "The Big Bang Theory" did and devolve into nothing but sex jokes and nerd bashing, I'm sure it will continue to be great.
10. Mad Men
From 2007 to 2015, AMC brought TV viewers one of the best shows to ever air on cable TV. "Mad Men" is a drama primarily following Don Draper, the creative director at an advertising agency in the 1960s. On paper he lives the perfect life; white collar job, beautiful wife, three kids, and more money than he knows what to do with. But always just ahead of his happiness are his personal daemons, which lead him down the wrong path at every turn. When I first started watching "Mad Men" I was not a fan. The show is a slow burn and the first few episodes are the most interesting. But after giving it a fair shot, I fell in love. The complex characters, the phenomenal writing, and beautiful art direction are just a few of the shows high points. I loved this show so much, that when I decided to change my college major I wanted to go into advertising. Unfortunately, I am sad to say that the show's seventh season was its last. While it might not have had a happy ending for all of its characters, it was the ending that was most fitting for each of them. "Mad Men" will be missed, and I'm not sure that any show can ever replace. Even though, I'm glad I was there to watch it unfold.
9. Hannibal
Maybe one of the lesser known shows on this list, "Silicon Valley" follows a group of programs as they create a revolutionary software and try to insure the lasting success of their company. Here's how I always describe this show to people, imagine if "The Big Bang Theory" was actually a good series. This is one of the funniest shows on TV right now, and is probably HBO's best comedy in years. Filled with hilarious characters, outrageous moments, and some of the best writing in any comedy out right now, "Silicon Valley" has surpassed just about everyone's expectations. With a third season set to premier in 2016, "Silicon Valley" has all the potential in the world. As long as it stays faithful to what got it to this point, and doesn't do what "The Big Bang Theory" did and devolve into nothing but sex jokes and nerd bashing, I'm sure it will continue to be great.
From 2007 to 2015, AMC brought TV viewers one of the best shows to ever air on cable TV. "Mad Men" is a drama primarily following Don Draper, the creative director at an advertising agency in the 1960s. On paper he lives the perfect life; white collar job, beautiful wife, three kids, and more money than he knows what to do with. But always just ahead of his happiness are his personal daemons, which lead him down the wrong path at every turn. When I first started watching "Mad Men" I was not a fan. The show is a slow burn and the first few episodes are the most interesting. But after giving it a fair shot, I fell in love. The complex characters, the phenomenal writing, and beautiful art direction are just a few of the shows high points. I loved this show so much, that when I decided to change my college major I wanted to go into advertising. Unfortunately, I am sad to say that the show's seventh season was its last. While it might not have had a happy ending for all of its characters, it was the ending that was most fitting for each of them. "Mad Men" will be missed, and I'm not sure that any show can ever replace. Even though, I'm glad I was there to watch it unfold.
When it comes to fictional serial killers, some of the more infamous ones include Freddy Kruger, Jason Voorhees, Chucky, and Jigsaw. But no horror killer could ever hope to outshine Hannibal Lecter. The "Hannibal" franchise is one of the most famous in all of horror, with the highlight being 1991's "Silence of the Lambs" which actually won the Academy Award for best film. Beloved and respected, many fans were unsure of NBC's plans to have a TV based on this source material; with even wearier about the show changing the series timeline. But during its only three year run, "Hannibal" quickly became one of the most acclaimed shows on TV. Highlighted by Mads Mikkelsens's portrayal of the title character, intelligent writing, and gratuitous violence like nothing we had ever seen on network TV before, the show quickly became a fan favorite; but due to low ratings, the show was abruptly canceled. While the show did have a proper conclusion, it's unfortunate that we'll never get to see how the series was supposed to end; even so, it managed to do its name sake proud. So while "Hannibal" only lasted three years, it accomplished more in that time than most shows could ever hope for.
8. Mr. Robot
When I first saw the trailer for "Mr. Robot," I was generally unimpressed. I thought it looked like one of those shows that was just trying to go out of its way to be "edgy;" boy was I wrong. "Mr. Robot" follows Elliot, a computer genius who works at a cyber security firm and suffers from social anxiety disorder and severe depression, and can only connect with people by hacking them. By day he's just an average computer program, but in his spare time he uses his skills to go after those who don't follow his moral compass. One day he is approached by a man known only as Mr. Robot, who asks him if he wants to join the hacker group F society whose primary goal is to go after mega conglomeration E Corp (appropriately nicknamed Evil Corp). While unsure at first, he ultimately agrees and sets out for new world order. "Mr. Robot" is 2015's surprise hit; I don't think anyone was expecting it to be as good as it is. "Mr. Robot" is essentially "Fight Club" the show; it even makes a couple direct references to it during its first season. The series airs on USA, which is a channel I've given some criticism over the years. It's only good show in about half a decade would be "Suits," and is most known for being that channel you can watch re-runs of "Law and Order: SVU" on. But they really took a chance on "Mr. Robot," which is really pushing the limits of Cable TV with the writing and dialog (being that the actually said f*ck on more than a few occasions). The show's second season is set to premier in 2016, and I'm very excited to see where it’s going to pick up.
7. Rick and Morty
When it came to the big break out shows of 2014, you had "True Detective," "Fargo," and surprisingly "Rick and Morty." An Adult Swim program, the pilot episode first aired in late 2013; but the show made a name for itself when the creators started to put the episodes on YouTube, which quickly made the show an overnight sensation. The show follows a teenage boy named Morty, who goes on crazy adventures with his genius, psychotic, and alcoholic scientist Uncle Rick. Despite being a comedic, animated program during Adult Swim's late night block, "Rick and Morty" has really separated itself from other shows like it. Not only is it the funniest show on TV, it is filled with series, deep, and emotional moments that may make you question your own existence. A third season has been confirmed, but due to the show's long development cycle, we might not get new episodes until 2017. Even so, I and many fans can't wait to see what happens to Rick and Morty next.
6. Orange is the New Black
"Orange is the New Black" was a show that I had little interest in watching when I first heard about it; and after I saw the first trailer, I didn't feel a strong need to watch it. But after its premiere I heard nothing but great things, with a lot of people calling it one of the best new shows of the year. So I decided to finally give it a try, and instantly fell in love. "Orange is the New Black" is about a group of inmates at a prison just trying to get through their sentences with what remains of their sanity. I think what I love most about this show would be the characters, there's such a wide array of complex characters that aren't what they appear on first glance. And it's watching these characters evolve over time that I love. Filled with comedy, drama, and crazy situations, this is a show that has been great since it first aired. Netflix renewed the show for a fourth season shortly before the third season premiered, and as always fans are excited. "Orange is the New Black" has become Netflix's most watched, acclaimed, and respected show, and I doubt it plans on changing any of that in the future.
5. Fargo
A few years back when it was first announced that a TV series would be made based off of the Coen Brothers amazing film "Fargo," I was nervous to say the least. Easily one of the best movies of the 90s, it was hard to imagine the show doing justice to its source material. Surprisingly, the show's first season in 2014 was one of the best shows of the year. And for the second year in a row, that trend has continued. The second season takes place in Minnesota and North Dakota in the 1980s, and primarily follows the Gerhardt crime family in Fargo and the Minnesota cop who is out to take them down. "Fargo" is one of the best acted, best written, most dramatic, and funniest shows on TV right now. The second season was just as good as the first, and even better in some ways. A third season has already been confirmed and is scheduled to air sometime in 2016, and if the show runners keep up this level of quality "Fargo" might just go down as one of the best shows ever.
4. The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
HBO has garnered an impressive reputation over the years for their hard hitting documentary series, but this one stands in a league of its own. "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" tells the story of Robert Durst. Durst is the son a successful real estate mogul, and he himself is incredibly wealthy; it's also important to note that he's likely murdered at least 3 people. "The Jinx" tells the story of Durst, from his younger years to modern day. It tells about his ex-wife who vanished one day, an old friend of his who was found murdered in her home, and an elderly man Durst knew while he was on the run from the police whom he shot and dismembered. It's also worth mentioning that he actually went to trial for that one, plead self defense, and won. Not sure how decapitation counts as self defense, but whatever. "The Jinx" is nothing less than fascinating, and some of the most compelling TV you'll ever watch. Not only that, but it might actually help convict Durst of some of his murders. After evidence was presented in the final episode, Durst was actually arrested shortly afterwards and is facing murder charges. "The Jinx" is something special, a truly unique viewing experience that will rock you to your very foundation. While it might not be for the faint of heart, it is certainly one of the best shows of the year.
3. Daredevil
In 2003, the world was met with the film making atrocity known as "Daredevil" based off the celebrated comic series of the same name. Often listed among some of the worst movies of all time, it is a true piece of garbage. So when Netflix announced that they were making a "Daredevil" series, most people expected the worst. What audiences got was an intense, action packed, and gritty series filled with drama and intrigue while paying respect to its source material. "Daredevil" follows Matt Murdock, a layer in Hell's Kitchen who was blinded in an accident as a child. Over the years his other senses were heightened to super human levels, and he was trained by a warrior with the same abilities as him. While working on one of his first cases he starts to learn about a criminal underworld that is poisoning his city. So by night he sets out to find those responsible for the city's crime, and he isn't afraid to break a few bones doing so. What "Daredevil" did best was surpass our expectations. People were expecting a ridiculous superhero show in the same style as the movie, what people got was a dark and intense action/crime thriller. Arguably the biggest break out hit of the year and already renewed for a second season, it looks like "Daredevil" is just getting started.
2. Better Call Saul
When it came to the big break out shows of 2014, you had "True Detective," "Fargo," and surprisingly "Rick and Morty." An Adult Swim program, the pilot episode first aired in late 2013; but the show made a name for itself when the creators started to put the episodes on YouTube, which quickly made the show an overnight sensation. The show follows a teenage boy named Morty, who goes on crazy adventures with his genius, psychotic, and alcoholic scientist Uncle Rick. Despite being a comedic, animated program during Adult Swim's late night block, "Rick and Morty" has really separated itself from other shows like it. Not only is it the funniest show on TV, it is filled with series, deep, and emotional moments that may make you question your own existence. A third season has been confirmed, but due to the show's long development cycle, we might not get new episodes until 2017. Even so, I and many fans can't wait to see what happens to Rick and Morty next.
"Orange is the New Black" was a show that I had little interest in watching when I first heard about it; and after I saw the first trailer, I didn't feel a strong need to watch it. But after its premiere I heard nothing but great things, with a lot of people calling it one of the best new shows of the year. So I decided to finally give it a try, and instantly fell in love. "Orange is the New Black" is about a group of inmates at a prison just trying to get through their sentences with what remains of their sanity. I think what I love most about this show would be the characters, there's such a wide array of complex characters that aren't what they appear on first glance. And it's watching these characters evolve over time that I love. Filled with comedy, drama, and crazy situations, this is a show that has been great since it first aired. Netflix renewed the show for a fourth season shortly before the third season premiered, and as always fans are excited. "Orange is the New Black" has become Netflix's most watched, acclaimed, and respected show, and I doubt it plans on changing any of that in the future.
A few years back when it was first announced that a TV series would be made based off of the Coen Brothers amazing film "Fargo," I was nervous to say the least. Easily one of the best movies of the 90s, it was hard to imagine the show doing justice to its source material. Surprisingly, the show's first season in 2014 was one of the best shows of the year. And for the second year in a row, that trend has continued. The second season takes place in Minnesota and North Dakota in the 1980s, and primarily follows the Gerhardt crime family in Fargo and the Minnesota cop who is out to take them down. "Fargo" is one of the best acted, best written, most dramatic, and funniest shows on TV right now. The second season was just as good as the first, and even better in some ways. A third season has already been confirmed and is scheduled to air sometime in 2016, and if the show runners keep up this level of quality "Fargo" might just go down as one of the best shows ever.
HBO has garnered an impressive reputation over the years for their hard hitting documentary series, but this one stands in a league of its own. "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" tells the story of Robert Durst. Durst is the son a successful real estate mogul, and he himself is incredibly wealthy; it's also important to note that he's likely murdered at least 3 people. "The Jinx" tells the story of Durst, from his younger years to modern day. It tells about his ex-wife who vanished one day, an old friend of his who was found murdered in her home, and an elderly man Durst knew while he was on the run from the police whom he shot and dismembered. It's also worth mentioning that he actually went to trial for that one, plead self defense, and won. Not sure how decapitation counts as self defense, but whatever. "The Jinx" is nothing less than fascinating, and some of the most compelling TV you'll ever watch. Not only that, but it might actually help convict Durst of some of his murders. After evidence was presented in the final episode, Durst was actually arrested shortly afterwards and is facing murder charges. "The Jinx" is something special, a truly unique viewing experience that will rock you to your very foundation. While it might not be for the faint of heart, it is certainly one of the best shows of the year.
In 2003, the world was met with the film making atrocity known as "Daredevil" based off the celebrated comic series of the same name. Often listed among some of the worst movies of all time, it is a true piece of garbage. So when Netflix announced that they were making a "Daredevil" series, most people expected the worst. What audiences got was an intense, action packed, and gritty series filled with drama and intrigue while paying respect to its source material. "Daredevil" follows Matt Murdock, a layer in Hell's Kitchen who was blinded in an accident as a child. Over the years his other senses were heightened to super human levels, and he was trained by a warrior with the same abilities as him. While working on one of his first cases he starts to learn about a criminal underworld that is poisoning his city. So by night he sets out to find those responsible for the city's crime, and he isn't afraid to break a few bones doing so. What "Daredevil" did best was surpass our expectations. People were expecting a ridiculous superhero show in the same style as the movie, what people got was a dark and intense action/crime thriller. Arguably the biggest break out hit of the year and already renewed for a second season, it looks like "Daredevil" is just getting started.
In 2008, the American crime drama "Breaking Bad" premiered on AMC. Since the first episode the series was met with widespread critical acclaim, and has since been regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time. So when a follow up series called "Better Call Saul" was announced, many were nervous that it would tarnish the legacy of "Breaking Bad." Fortunately, people's fears were put to rest when the show premiered. "Better Call Saul" is a prequel to "Breaking Bad," revolving around Jimmy McGill (known as Saul Goodman in "Breaking Bad"). Jimmy is a former conman who recently received a license to practice law by exploiting a loophole regarding off-shore colleges, and follows him as he represents his brother who is in a legal battle with his former law firm. "Better Call Saul" had a lot to live up to, but manages to do justice to its predecessor. It's not just the best new show of the year, but one of the best in general.
1. Game of Thrones
Since its premiere in 2010, "Game of Thrones" has been nothing less than sensational. Based off the acclaimed "A Song of Ice and Fire" books by George R.R. Martin, the show has consistently been one of the best programs on TV. Taking place in the fictional, medieval world of Westeros, the show follows several characters that as the try and survive the many dangers of the lands while attempting to assert their own dominance in the political system. I'll cut to the chase, this is simply put one of the greatest and most ambitious shows ever made. The characters, writing, action, set pieces, scope, and story are basically unmatched by any other show on the air right now; and the fifth season was no different. While some criticized this past season as being one of the show's weakest, I saw a great season that featured a few of the best episodes in the entire series. With a sixth season coming in April of 2016, fans cannot wait to see what happens after the massive cliffhanger that ended on the last episode. No one knows when this series will come to an end, especially considering that the show has caught up with the books and the next season will likely come out before the next novel. All we know is that HBO is planning on having a few more seasons, and I think it's safe to assume that "Game of Thrones" will continue to be phenomenal.
No comments:
Post a Comment