Top 10 TV Shows of 2022
Before we dive into some of what 2023 has to offer and reviews for upcoming movies, I think we should take a sec to look back at some of the absolute best shows 2022 had to offer. I laughed, I cried, I was stressed, and I love any show that can make me feel as if I'm in the middle of it. I love to argue, so please don't hesitate to tell me I'm wrong or who I left off the list and I'll happily tell you why you're the one that's wrong and I'm right. I'm always right.
10. The Dropout
via Hulu
The Dropout is a limited series that takes viewers through the rise and very white-privileged fall of real-life Theranos CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, played by Amanda Seyfried. We watch Holmes rally consumers and investors to believe in a healthcare product that never actually worked over the span of 14 years. Insane right? And in this 14-year time span, Holmes acquired over half a billion dollars in funding, numerous feature stories, including one in Forbes & even an in-store Walgreens partnership where her inoperative medical machines gave inaccurate medical results to actual patients (like you literally cannot make this shit up. White people crazy bro.) Amanda Seyfried delivered an absolutely groundbreaking performance in which she earned her first Emmy for Oustanding Actress in a Limited Series & the show is full of suspense and disbelief, especially when you remember that most of this isn't made up for tv... it happened! The Dropout is streaming on Hulu.
9. Abbott Elementary (Season 2)
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style sitcom created by former Buzzfeed employee and meme queen, Quinta Brunson (a larrrrrrgeeee? He got f*ckin moneyyyy) that follows the lives of grade-school teachers in South Philly. This is by far the closest show we've gotten to be as good as The Office + it's black af which is always an added bonus in anything. The show has been met with critical success being one of ABC's most successful original series in a while and earned three Emmys! Sheryl Lee Ralph for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Quinta Brunson for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series & Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series. Abbott Elementary airs on ABC every Wednesday and both seasons now streaming on Hulu.
8. House of the Dragon (Season 1)
THRONES IS BYKE and there's no way I could make a list of the best tv shows of the year without including one of HBO's most successful properties thus far, House of the Dragon The show is based on George R. R. Martin's book Fire and Blood and is a prequel to the Game of Thrones series that brought viewers in back in 2011. In HOTD we're taken through the events that lead to the beginning of the end of House Targaryen brought by a deadly war of succession. In the words of Jay-Z, "nobody wins when the family feuds", and that is quite the theme of the show. The show has a 10-year time jump and features an ensemble cast with especially great performances by Emma D’Arcy (Truth Seekers), Matt Smith (The Crown, Morbius [lmfao]) Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One, Sound of Metal), Paddy Considine (Dead Man's Shoes, In America), and Rhys Ifans (The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Notting Hill). I'd argue that this debut season was much more engaging and fun to watch than Game of Thrones's first season. House of the Dragons will begin filming season 2 this March and season 1 is now streaming on HBO Max.
7. Stranger Things (Season 4)
via Netflix
Can we start off by acknowledging that Kate Bush did her BIG ONE with Running Up That Hill? A song, a scene, and a sequence all came together in Stranger Things season 4. We're back in Hawkins (where even if you move the hell away like a logical person would have after the first season, you’re still not safe?) when THE threat from the Upside Down world, Vecna, reveals himself and wreaked absolute havoc on Eleven and her friends. Stranger Things does a very good job of being eerie and sometimes terrifying yet still delivering some of the best acting performances and writing I've seen on television to date. While the show earned a whopping 13 Emmy nominations and re-solidified itself as one of Netflix's heavy hitters, none of those nominations are for the acting performances which is a huge snub. Caleb McLaughlin (The New Edition Story), Noah Schnapp (Abe), and Sadie Sink (Fear Street: Part Two) all delivered on the highest level in the show and carried this season on their backs with their portrayals. This is the show's best season thus far, and I'm excited to see how they wrap things up with their 5th and final season. Stranger Things seasons 1-4 are all streaming on Netflix.
6. Bel-Air (Season 1)
When the word got out about a dramatic reimagining of the iconic sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, developed by Will Smith & Morgan Cooper the first question I asked myself was: who is even asking for this? I'm not usually wrong, but I'm happy that I was when I saw the pilot episode of Bel-Air. We get good writing, a rich and enticing plot, and some knockout performances from the entire cast. We follow Will's story of coming from West Philly to California, and his struggle with settling into a new environment with the looming threat of someone back home looking for him. The show also unpacks the political and familial drama of the Banks family and gives some dope callbacks to the original sitcom. Jabari Banks gives a great performance as Will, with the help of his castmates Olly Sholotan (Run Hide Fight), Coco Jones (Let It Shine), Adrian Holmes (Elysium, Skyscraper), and more. Fun fact, this show caught the attention of Will Smith & co. by Cooper's trailer for his short film of the same name that went viral showing the dramatic reimaging of The Fresh Prince. Bel-Air season 2 premieres on February 23rd and season 1 is now streaming on Peacock.
5. Ozark (Season 4)
Ozark is one of the best crime dramas in the last few years and if I'm being honest, rivals Breaking Bad. Season 4 follows the Byrde family as they seduce and scheme their way through a political career, the Mexican Cartel, and the FBI all the while raising two kids and managing several thriving businesses that they launder money through. My boy Marty wants out and Wendy crazy tail self won't let up. Julia Garner (Inventing Anna) who plays Ruth yet again gives an incredible performance this season leading to her 3rd consecutive Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Laura Linney (The Truman Show, The Big C) and writer/director/actor/legend Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Game Night) gave exceptional performances as the lead actors. Season 4 was a great send-off to an incredible series. All 4 seasons of Ozark are now streaming on Netflix.
4. Ramy (Season 3)
One of the most slept on shows in the last few years comes from comedian and writer Ramy Youssef. Ramy follows the son of Egyptian-Muslim immigrants, Ramy, living in New Jersey while navigating his spirituality, friendships, relationships, and career. The show is equal parts funny, raw, emotional, and expertly written and directed. Ramy is by far one of the most frustrating main characters I've ever seen and yet, I still found myself rooting for his dumb ass. I won't dive into what season 4 is about, but I desperately urge you to tune into this show. Great acting all around, from the likes of Ramy, his parents played by Hiam Abbass and Amr Waked, and a great guest actor performance in season 3 by Mahershala Ali. If you leave this list with anything, it's to watch Ramy immediately. The fourth and final season of Ramy has not been confirmed yet, but seasons 1-3 of Ramy are all streaming on Hulu.
3. The Boys (Season 3)
vis Prime Video
The Boys is the best comic-book tv series that we've seen thus far. Yes better than Daredevil, WandaVision, and Watchmen. The Boys is set in a universe in which superpowered people are recognized as heroes by the general public and owned by a powerful corporation, Vought International, who heavily markets and monetizes them...but almost all of them are corrupt assholes. The show is action-packed, gritty, and laced with critiques of how America functions poorly. The plot is ever-engaging, the writing is smart, and believe it or not, we get some excellent acting performances from the entire ensemble cast. Season 2 may be Anthony Starr’s best work as the main antagonist, Homelander. Filming for The Boys season 4 has already begun and a spin-off for the show titled Gen V is set to release sometime this year. All 3 seasons of The Boys are now streaming on Prime Video.
2. The Bear
"Yes, chef!" is all I heard in my head as I was at home cooking up a basic meal imagining I was working in a high-pressure kitchen under the likes of talented chef, Carmy Berzatto, played by Jeremy Allen White (Shameless). The Bear follows a young chef from the world of fine dining who comes home to Chicago to run his family's Italian beef sandwich shop after the suicide of his older brother, who left behind debts, a rundown kitchen, and an unruly staff. Incredible writing, pacing, direction & cinematography. Not to mention some excellent acting from Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Dropout, Girls), Ayo Edebiri (Big Mouth), and a few of the other castmates. The show was snubbed by the Primetime Emmys with a whopping zero nominations, but nevertheless, this is a must-watch. Season 1 of The Bear is now streaming on Hulu.
1. Severance
via Apple+
An absolute banger of a show and what I think is still pretty slept on, Severance's premise is captivating enough to support the slow burn that the series brings. Severance follows newly-widowed Mark, played by Adam Scott (Parks & Recreation, Big Little Lies), who works at Lumon Industries. This mysterious company uses a mindwipe medical procedure called "severance" to separate the consciousness of their employees between their lives at work and outside of it. When Mark runs into his work bestie in real life and doesn't recognize him, he gradually uncovers a web of conspiracy. This show is laced with intense thrills a secretive overarching plot and keeps you on your toes the entire time. Every episode ends with you feigning for the next. Directed mostly by Ben Stiller (Zoolander, Tropic Thunder), the camerawork and writing for this show are second to none. We also got some amazing acting from Patricia Arquette (Medium, The Act), Britt Lower (Man Seeking Woman), Christopher Walken (Catch Me If You Can, Sarah, Plain and Tall), and most of all John Turturro who also had an amazing performance as one of the main antagonists in 2022's The Batman. If you're looking for a thrill that will have you questioning whether or not your own life is real, tune in. Season 2 of Severance is currently in development and season 1 is now streaming on Apple+.
Honorable Mentions
Here are a few bangers that didn’t make the top 10, but are still some must watches from 2022
The Dirty D (Tubi) - Yall this show is a ghetto piece of shit which you’d guess if you know anything about Tubi. The budget was $300, free weed & a bottle. But when I tell you I was TUNED IN? One of Tubi’s best. Go watch this black masterpiece.
Wednesday (Netflix) - Outperformed Netflix’s most popular show, Stranger Things in views not too long ago and is highly acclaimed by fans and critics alike. The only reason it didn’t make the list is because I haven’t watched it yet (don’t drag me).
P-Valley season 2 (Starz) - Another ghetto banger that took its writing and plot up quite a few notches since the newfound success of its last season. I was pleasantly surprised by how well this show was written and can’t wait to slide back down to the PYNK.
Fleishman is in Trouble (Hulu) - Hulu stepped they cookies up this year with the original series yall, no lie. A white banger if you ask me and late addition to the list as I finished it literally on New Year’s Day. But this was a fun and enticing watch.
Atlanta (FX/Hulu) - I won’t lie, I’ve always been such a big fan of this series, but the last season lost me a little bit with the added obscurity. I would’ve much rather followed the plot of the four main characters with a few traces of weirdness down the line. But, still a banger and a good end to Donald Glover’s hit show.
Did I miss anything? Or was there a placement you disagreed with? Or do you just wanna show The Boy some love? Sound off in the comments and let me know what you think and be sure to subscribe to stay in touch!