Nick's Top 20 TV Shows of 2022 (Plus 5 Honorable Mentions!)

Hello!

It's been awhile since I've posted here - but I think this might be the best home for some of my thoughts on things going forward. I do plan on relaunching the podcast in 2023 - starting with some episodes I previously recorded in 2021. 

Until then  - I wanted to share my Top 20 (plus 5 honorable mentions) TV Shows of 2022. I watched roughly 70 programs this year - so this is just the best of the best. I've seen some good ones that didn't make the list, and some truly awful ones as well. If this one gets enough traction - I might publish a few more specific lists (for instance, I've seen 5x my normal amount of documentary series this year for some reason). 

Also - friends and family reading this - please do your own research on the content of these shows before watching them. No blaming me if your mom catches you watching something "inappropriate."

Anyway - without further ado, here is my Top 20 (plus 5) TV Shows of 2022: (in reverse order)

Honorable Mention: Rutherford Falls

Rutherford Falls is an underrated gem of a show. Despite the recent cancellation after 2 seasons, it's a wonderful comedy that explores Native American heritage, revisionist American history, and the place of the white man who wants to be better. Ed Helms and company are fantastic, hilarious, and sweet. Definitely worth a watch -- it really found its stride in Season 2. 

Rutherford Falls is currently streaming on Peacock.

Honorable Mention: Players

I'm ashamed to have only recently discovered Players during the holidays, as it premiered over the summer. From the creators of American Vandal, Players is another hilarious mockumentary series. This time, instead of gross high school pranks, the mockumentarians cover the E-sports team known as "Fugitive Gaming." It's both a hilarious sports docu-series parody, and a heartfelt look at a lesser-known subset of American culture. It explores sports culture from a different vantage point - which is something worth exploring. I hope viewers get to spend more time with Fugitive Gaming in the future. 

Players is currently streaming on Paramount+.

Honorable Mention: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

This one may have ranked higher if I had watched it week-to-week when it came out, but I did not. Instead, I binge watched it after all the episodes had come out. This was difficult, because they're all 70+ minutes long. But the story is compelling, as are all of the characters. Elrond and Galadriel's younger years are worth exploring - and the sprawling storytelling works. It's a worthy adaptation. 

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Honorable Mention: Home Economics

Sometimes it feels like other ABC sitcoms get all the love (I'm looking at you, Abbott Elementary) but what Abbott is to workplace comedies, Home Economics is to family comedies. The cast is top-tier, and exploring differences in class, race, and sexuality among family members really speaks to the modern era in a way that other family comedies do not. Don't sleep on this one!

Home Economics is currently streaming on Hulu, and airs Wednesdays on ABC.

Honorable Mention: Evil

This is another high-quality show that could easily be higher on the list. This season was the first that was made for a streaming service - so it's more bananas than ever. The cast remains top-notch, and the further it slips into the absurd, evil madness, the more fun it becomes. It's like The X-Files, but more focused on demons and angels. Season 3 in 2022 was delightful and absurd, but I hope that the future leans back into the creepy and terrifying. 

Evil is currently streaming on Paramount+.

20. Loot

AppleTV+ rarely misses - and the found family comedy series Loot is no exception. Maya Rudolph leads a stellar cast, including Michaela Jae Rodriguez, Ron Funches, Nat Faxon and Joel Kim Booster, all of whom get tremendous chances to be funny. The ensemble cast is really what makes the show- but the real-life comparisons to Mackenzie Bezos are also pretty interesting. It's laugh-out-loud funny and deserves your attention.

Loot is currently streaming on AppleTV+

19. The Boys

The Boys is not for the faint of heart, but the modern-day metaphors are too powerful to ignore. There's an incredible cast of characters, and some of TV's best performances (and best episodes)  take place on this series. Homelander (masterfully played by Anthony Starr) can be a little too on-the-nose Trumpian at times, but that's really a minor nitpick. It's easily one of the best modern superhero shows. 

The Boys is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

18. For All Mankind

For All Mankind imagines a world in which the Russians beat Americans on the first leg of the space race, so the space race never ends. In 2022, Season 3 imagines competing firms headed for Mars. It's exciting - they've mastered the tense scenes set in space. This season spent a little too much time on some of its least interesting characters - but the Mars race and all of the political intrigue are particularly well-executed. Again, AppleTV+ rarely misses, and this is no exception.

For All Mankind is now streaming on AppleTV+

17. Mythic Quest

Now in its third season, Mythic Quest is still providing laughs, found family feels, and the occasional gut punch. Once per season, they go out of their way to devastate viewers in the best way, but by-and-large it's still laugh-out-loud funny, but real enough to be relatable. The world of video games isn't portrayed often on television, but the folks at MQ are still putting on a clinic with each passing episode. 

Mythic Quest is now streaming on AppleTV+

16. Welcome to Wrexham

Something that I learned in 2022 is that Ryan Reynolds (yes, that one) and Rob McElhenny (from Mythic Quest) bought a football (soccer) team in Wrexham, Wales. They also made a documentary series about it. I'm not usually one for a docuseries, and anyone who knows me knows I hate soccer, but Welcome to Wrexham is such a wonderfully told story. It really gets to the heart of men, small towns, and their connections to sports. You'll be entertained and your heart warmed by this series, but also, you'll understand sports fans better and I think the world needs that. There's even an episode dedicated to male friendships!

Welcome to Wrexham airs on FX and is currently streaming on Hulu

15. Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary is one of the best network sitcoms in the last decade. It's real - it deals with inner city schools and the funding and problems they face. It's also extremely funny. Creator/Star Quinta Brunson leads an all-star, likable cast through the day to day operations of the school - and Season 2 has only gotten funnier. 

Abbott Elementary airs on ABC on Wednesdays, and is currently streaming on Hulu.

14. The Orville 

I reviewed The Orville for TellTaleTV this year (you can find those here) and it was a great time to do so, because it was the best output the show has had. Shows like this are tough sometimes because they can come off preachy and condescending, but The Orville does a great job balancing the message with the tone, and it's exciting and adventurous. The production value went way up when it moved from Fox to Hulu - and the cast is criminally underrated. Season 3 (subtitled "New Horizons") is the best one yet. Don't sleep on this one - and maybe we can get more!

The Orville is currently streaming on Hulu

13. Reboot

"Let's do a reboot" is a common phrase uttered in Hollywood nowadays. Reboot imagines and depicts that very scenario - a more grown up version of a twenty-year-old sitcom is produced for a streamer, so it follows the actors, writers and producers of that series. It has a phenomenal cast, and there is no shortage of laughs, either. More people should be watching!

Reboot is currently streaming on Hulu.

12. House of the Dragon

Honestly, after the finale of Game of Thrones, my expectations were very low for House of the Dragon. That may be what makes it so truly impressive - but it could also be just the commitment to the character-driven story, and the benefit of the previous show's mistakes to learn from. HOTD is not as gratuitous as its predecessor, though it still has its share of nudity and violence. But the level of political intrigue and more focused cast of characters makes this one in some ways better than its predecessor. 

House of the Dragon is now streaming on HBO Max.

11. Atlanta

Atlanta has the benefit of having two seasons air during 2022 - but either way it ended on an exciting note. Donald Glover's quirky series has always had something to say, and what it said at the end was "was this a dream?" At the very least, Atlanta can be seen as something of a launching off point for some of its main cast, like Lakeith Stanfield, Bryan Tyree Henry, and Zazie Beetz, all of whom are phenomenal actors and have moved on to larger projects. This is the last opportunity to include it on my list - but I'm glad this show existed.

Atlanta is currently streaming on Hulu.

10. Wednesday

 

I wasn't sure what to expect when I pulled up Wednesday on Netflix. I was a fan of the Addams family as a kid, but didn't know much more than that. But Wednesday is engaging, fun, and dark in the best ways. Jenna Ortega is fabulous in the titular role, but every member of the Addams family is well cast, and Wednesday's friends make for a compelling motley crew. This may be the biggest surprise of the year, but in the best way. 

Wednesday is currently streaming on Netflix.

9. Barry

Barry truly has it all. Dark comedy, comic relief from dark moments, The Fonz...

But seriously - Bill Hader is playing the role of a lifetime in a show that's tense, exciting, and dark, but in a way that deftly maneuvers through gray areas. It asks the question "how far can a human being go before they're unable to be redeemed?" Henry Winkler deserves all the awards, but please no one forget about NoHo Hank, either. 

Barry is currently streaming on HBO Max.

8. Andor

Andor is another show I covered for TellTaleTV this year (check those out here) and did not disappoint. This show is a masterclass in building tension and exploring the darker side of a rebellion. There is political intrigue, tense heist-like missions, and a hard lesson in why government overreach is a bad thing. There are highs, like victories against the empire, and tremendous, emotional lows ("I can't swim..."). The cast is incredible, the show is exciting - what more could you want for a Star Wars series?

Andor is currently streaming on Disney+

7. Only Murders in the Building

Last year, Only Murders in the Building took the world by storm. This year it returned, and did not disappoint. Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez make an odd-couple-esque trio that seem to be having an absolute blast. The audience should be, too, as the podcast-centered story both follows an intriguing murder mystery story and parodies one simultaneously. It's more fun than someone should be allowed to have watching television.

Only Murders in the Building is currently streaming on Hulu.

6. Cobra Kai

Is this a perfect show? No. But is it a blast? Yes! 

Cobra Kai is exactly how television should be. There is lots of nostalgia for old school fans of the property they've adapted, but a new story involving both new and old characters. Daniel and Johnny's adult lives are made to be extremely compelling, and each of the teen characters is inherently likable. Honestly, William Zabka deserves award consideration. He's that good. 

Perhaps the best addition to Season 5, though, was Chozen. Daniel has now teamed up with multiple former enemies in the name of stopping a greater evil. Just remember, it's not supposed to be believable -- it's supposed to be fun!

Cobra Kai is currently streaming on Netflix

5. Severance

As the conversation in the world around work-life balance shifts, Severance could not be more timely. It's exciting, twisty, and a fresh, innovative concept. There's also something to say about the ways that companies can take advantage of and control their workers, and how it's expected that their work become their life. If you work for a large company, they probably don't want me to recommend this show to you, but I'm going to do it anyway. Also - Adam Scott and John Turturro. Phenomenal. 

Severance is now streaming on AppleTV+

4. The Afterparty

Before there was Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, there was The Afterparty. This absolute blast of a series attempts to solve a murder at a high-school reunion after party. The star studded cast each has to prove their innocence by revealing their motivations for being at the party - and each episode is done in a different style. There's even a musical episode! It's objectively a blast - and funny to boot.

Also - there's a love story hidden in there!

The Afterparty is currently streaming on AppleTV+.

3. Stranger Things

Everyone knows, loves, and gets excited about Stranger Things, but what I was not ready for was just how good the newest season would be. They're always introducing new characters that fans love (Bob, Alexei, etc.) but Eddie Munson was on the next level. 2022's Season 4 is easily the best since Season 1. Even though it's long, it's just taking great care to make sure fans get to spend enough time with each of the characters. Otherwise, the blows they deal our rag-tag group of heroes from Hawkins just don't have the same impact. And Sadie Sink? Give her all the awards.

Stranger Things is currently streaming on Netflix.

2. Peacemaker

I'm a sucker for a good show that can make me laugh and also explore life's gray areas. Peacemaker easily fits in both of those categories. John Cena is truly a revelation - he clearly has dramatic chops to deal with Peacemaker's upbringing and existing relationships, but can also deliver one deadpan punchline after another. Cena is the star, but each cast member really gets an opportunity to flex their dramatic and comedic chops, which means this show has absolutely everything. Five out of five stars. 

(This is yet another that I reviewed for TellTaleTV - you can find those reviews here)

Also - Peacemaker is in the upper echelon for television theme songs and opening sequences. Maybe the best in the modern era.

Peacemaker is currently streaming on HBO Max

1. Better Call Saul

Finally, the last slot goes to one of my favorite shows of all time. Better Call Saul, spin-off of Breaking Bad, has arguably exceeded its predecessor in terms of the powerful scenes and tense moments. The final season is filled with brutal death and heartbreaking performances all around. Bob Odenkirk is a revelation as always, but mention should also be made of Michael Mando, Carol Burnett(!) and of course, Rhea Seehorn, who delivered truly devastating performances to round a truly dark, powerful, tragic series.

Better Call Saul's final season is currently streaming on AMC+. The previous seasons are on Netflix.

So what did you think? Did you make it to the end? Any quips or quibbles about my list? Share yours with me!