Philip Ashby
At the end of each year, just before presents start appearing under the tree, a critic must do the inevitable: a best-of list. While I love writing about my favorite television shows, it was agonizing to narrow my list to only 10. I saw a lot of great TV, but I wasn’t able to keep up with everything. After all, there were 409 original scripted programs this year on broadcast, cable and online services — a record high number that doesn’t even include late-night, daytime or reality programming.
In arriving at my favorite programs of 2015, I evaluated content based on the last half of the 2014-15 season and the first half of the current season. Sometimes I might love one and hate the other, or land somewhere in between.
T-10. Grace and Frankie (Netflix) and Difficult People (Hulu)
I couldn’t quite decide on the No. 10 spot because these two expert comedies were vying equally for my praise. They’re both tales of best friends with razor-sharp wits who interact with a variety of colorful characters. Grace and Frankie stars the dynamic duo of Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, and, boy, was it a treat to see them work together again. This show takes its unconventional premise and runs in the right direction. Difficult People also relies on the comedic strengths of the two leads, Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner, and their electric BFF chemistry. The snark is turned all the way up to 11 on this one, which can sometimes be a turn-off. But for Billy and Julie, it seems genuine to their conversations as real best friends. Both these shows will make you laugh until you cry, but consider your mood before watching: Grace and Frankie is a little heavier on the feels, while Difficult People is ruthless in its pursuit of speaking what everyone is thinking.
9. UnREAL (Lifetime)
At a glance, many viewers might discount this drama simply because it’s on Lifetime — they associate the network with movies of the week starring D-list actors. But UnREAL packs a genuine punch. It’s dark, funny and thought-provoking. It takes the genre of love-related reality TV like The Bachelor, flips it over and cuts it wide open. It’s fascinating to see the inner workings of a reality show, and the characters are twisted individuals with layers, different motivations and opinions. This was my show of the summer; every week I couldn’t wait to see the latest episode. What I love most about the program is its portrayal of mental illness, manipulation and the idea that there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the glossy façade of television. In summary: I ate it up.
8. Mad Men (AMC)
I wouldn’t say that season 7 part 2 was the strongest season of Mad Men, but it was pretty damn good. Creator Matt Weiner gave us what we wanted (a cathartic ending for Don) as well as what we didn’t even know we wanted (Peggy drunkenly roller-skating FTW). It was devastating to see Sterling Cooper and Partners stripped for parts, but Weiner wouldn’t dare let us get away without a little bit of sadness. He gave the actors — one of the strongest ensemble casts in the history of dramatic television — the opportunity to shine in their own final moments. I doubt we’ll ever see a show quite like Mad Men again.
7. The Goldbergs (ABC)
This is the first network show appearing on the list, and it is hands-down the best family comedy on television. It follows the format of a single-camera sitcom, but it has stellar jokes, and everything feels genuine. It perfectly embodies the ’80s in all their bedazzled jean jacket glory, but it has the soul of a critically acclaimed comedy. I’ve grown to look forward to Wednesday nights just to see what kind of shenanigans the Goldbergs are up to in 1980-something this week. Also, Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids) is a revelation as the overly protective matriarch of the family. ABC allows her to say one bleeped F-word per episode, and I basically live for it.
6. Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central)
2015 was (finally) the year of Amy Schumer. She crushed everything she wrote and performed in, from Trainwreck to her HBO special to Inside Amy Schumer. Perhaps the best example of this is the 12 Angry Men-inspired sketch she wrote for the latter, where she is on trial for not being “hot enough” to have her own TV show. It’s utter brilliance and should be required viewing for all. Another perfect sketch from this season was “Last F—kable Day” with Schumer and guest stars Tina Fey, Patricia Arquette and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. It tackles the intense pressure women in Hollywood face to stay gorgeous and young forever.
5. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
It’s been a hectic year, filled with tragic events and political conflict. John Oliver is fantastic at putting everything in perspective, educating viewers as well as entertaining them. Oliver has some serious street cred from his tenure on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, and he knows his way around a well-written joke. Recently he’s broken down events like the FIFA World Cup, entities like Big Tobacco and even monetary topics like the value of pennies. I read the news online in the morning and watch the evening news during dinner, but I learn the most from Oliver. His attention to detail and commitment to justice is unparalleled in the comedy world.
4. The Good Wife (CBS)
These are my ride-or-die characters. I truly love this drama, currently in its seventh season, because it is one of a tiny, elite group of shows that keeps making great TV year after year. Creators Robert and Michelle King raise the stakes each season and tackle interesting and unusual cases that trite law procedurals would never even think of. Plus, let’s not forget the amazing cast of characters — they keep the show great with their intellect, quirks and willpower.
3. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
I love, love, love this show. It makes me feel positive, hopeful and, well, unbreakable! 30 Rock’s Tina Fey and Robert Carlock really developed a great comedy here, and we see instantly why we should care about these characters. The writing is absolutely hilarious, smart and endearing. Ellie Kemper is a delight as the title character, and though she may be wide-eyed and a bit naive, it’s charming and not annoying. Also, Tituss Burgess is God’s gift as Titus Andromedon. I died a little inside when he didn’t win an Emmy. The only reason this show isn’t even higher on my list is because I feel like the first half of the season was really strong, while the last few episodes were simply very good.
2. Marvel’s Jessica Jones (Netflix)
This freshman noir-style series is dark and brilliant. It shows deeply flawed and scared female characters confronting their problems. The title character is on a mission to confront the man who abused her and prevent him from doing the same to others — and oh yeah, she has super strength and he has mind control. I can’t imagine anyone other than Breaking Bad’s Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones. She’s able to show that Jones is not perfect by any means, but her heart is true, and she does the best that she knows how to help others. Dr. Who’s David Tennant plays Kilgrave, the aforementioned villain. He is wickedly excellent in this role and made the perfect sparring partner. This was easily my favorite drama series of the year.
1. Master of None (Netflix)
There are so many elements of this series that I love, and as a whole, its impact on television is big. The writing is smart and fresh. The cast is diverse and talented (Aziz Ansari’s dad Shoukath gives a tour de force debut acting performance). The soundtrack is full of great music, and the 10 episodes are just enough to convey the narrative of Dev, an actor trying to figure out life. Most important, this show delves deep into topics like immigration, relationships and how men and women are treated differently in society. It’s tough to write about complex issues, but Ansari and co-creator Alan Yang do it in such a way that everything feels authentic. At times, episodes even feel like mini-movies or fantastic stand-alone narratives. There wasn’t one thing I didn’t like about Master of None. The series went above and beyond my already high expectations, and that’s why it’s my favorite show of 2015.
Honorable mention: The Affair, The Americans, Black-ish, Broad City, Fargo, Game of Thrones, Jane the Virgin, Key and Peele, The Last Man on Earth, The Mindy Project, Mr. Robot, Transparent, You’re the Worst.
