Best TV Shows of 2021
By Zac Fallon, John Flannagan, Matt Miller & Rusty Odom
10) Wu Tang : An American Saga
Has any group of musicians created more content than Wu Tang Clan? It’s hard to think of another collective that even comes close when you consider all of the group albums and solo projects that have been born from the Staten Island empire. There was an excellent documentary series that featured the members of the group a few years ago but this version is a proper drama series. And it’s a good one. The series really hits its creative stride towards the middle of its 2021 campaign with some incredibly artful directing and plot-lines that keep viewers engaged throughout. The highlights of the season usually coincide with Mario Van Peebles directing. If you’re a fan of either hip hop in general or the group itself, this is a must binge. – RO
9) Dave
While its sophomore season was not as enjoyable as its debut, “Dave” is still relevant and hilarious television. The show pushes boundaries each week and does it with a slick presence that keeps you wondering how smart its characters really are. As was the case in season one, the story line that follows Gata is the show’s best, and the season finale offers one of the most rewarding payoffs of the year. – RO
8) Joe Pera Talks with You
There is a small selection of TV out there right now that features optimism prominently. “Joe Pera Talks With You,” after its 3rd season on Adult Swim, is the king of optimistic TV. It watches sort of like one of those old infotainment shows, but the narrator/protagonist keeps getting distracted by his real life. There are no high stakes and no thrill rides to be had, which makes the show a refreshing change of pace to most content out there. Joe tackles real world problems like listless friends and depressed significant others with a specific energetic optimism that almost always leaves you happier. This isn’t a show you’ll have your friends over for, but its the perfect way to relax and find some calm at the end of a long day. There are plenty of laugh out loud moments through the season, but its the show’s unique spirit and energy that have set it firmly as must-see TV. Each episode is 15 minutes long (or less) and you always leave at least a little happier. That’s more than enough for me. –Zac Fallon
7) Maid
This Netflix miniseries, inspired by Stephanie Land’s memoir, doesn’t shy away from the difficult topics of poverty, abuse, mental health and more that it seeks to address. This type of story too often prides itself on misery, or falls into self-righteous cliches. Maid is more complex, intelligent and simply better than that, largely due to the exceptional, career-defining performance from Margaret Qualley. She is raw and authentic, the driving force behind the series’ emotional grip and delicate balance that makes you laugh and cry (and often both together). Qualley deserves every nomination for best actress this awards season and makes Maid one of Netflix’s best miniseries to date. – MM
6) The Wonder Years
I’m guilty of being skeptical when it comes to reboots of television shows and movies – especially when it’s of one of your favorites of all time, which is how I feel about the original series of this show that ran from 1988 to 1993. However, I feel as if all reboots should be as smart as ABC’s treatment here.
This new rendition features an African American family living in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1968. Developed by Disney+, much care and obviously was put into making this one of the most thoughtful shows on television, as it’s not easy dealing with sensitive coming-of-age issues such as race, sex and the difficulty inherent in finding your way in a complex world as a 12-year-old adolescent. Don Cheadle narrates the life of young Dean Williams as he navigates all these issues in a charming yet funny way.
“The Wonder Years” reboot is the type of show that you want to beg your kids to get off YouTube for just half an hour to watch with you. The most fascinating part of the show to me is how even though it is set in 1968, many of the issues are ones we are still dealing with today, and it doesn’t feel as if they are happening in a different time or era. This is feel-good television at its best that, quite frankly, I didn’t think existed anymore. – JF
5) How To with John Wilson
At first glance, “How To with John Wilson” seems like a clumsy edit of B-roll footage with even clumsier narration. With a little time, the nuance and genius start to overshadow that first impression. John Wilson narrates almost exclusively from behind the camera; each episode giving you a barely researched, seemingly improvised how-to guide on the most mundane activities imaginable. Season 2 offered “how to find a parking spot” and “how to recycle batteries” among others. Along the way it becomes clear that there’s a lot beauty in the candid shots captured around New York, and that the content contained is anything but random. It’s a new sort of narrative documentary that manages to keep a sense of humor at the forefront. The charm and unpredictability make this show easy to get excited about. With better timing and less foreskin than the unprecedented original Season 1, its easy to see how “How To with John Wilson” makes it inside the top 5 for 2021. -ZF
4) Your Honor
Brian Cranston has been the best male lead on television before. So it should come as no surprise that he led the way in this somewhat forgotten, one-off story about a judge and his family and the big mess that follows them around throughout the season. It’s a dark and sobering look at the judicial system but more than anything it’s a story about family and what lengths people will go to protect their own. -RO
3) Philly D.A.
The best docuseries of 2021 is the story of Larry Krasner, a civil rights defense lawyer who wins a landslide victory in 2017 to become the first truly progressive district attorney for the city of Philadelphia. The series chronicles Krasner’s first days and week in office as he sets an ambitious agenda, that ignores the fear of reelection, to drive true reform with cash bail, marijuana, the death penalty and more. This improbable story is brought to life with captivating, behind the scenes footage of the team’s endeavor and real interviews with those affected by these policies (from both sides). Dan Deacon is a master of music composition; his creations and arrangements drive the emotion and intrigue of this story with perfection. “Philly DA” is an artistic, intelligent and inspirational documentation of the bold, challenging and determined pursuit of real change to how we see and treat each other as people. Krasner’s success (and ambitions) are highly debatable, but “Philly D.A.” serves as an informative and entertaining historical record of challenging the status quo to institute governmental change. – MM
2) Station Eleven
My favorite show of 2021 was HBOMAX’s “Station Eleven” and it wasn’t even close. It’s fitting that it was released almost simultaneously to Hulu’s “Yellowjackets,” in that each of these shows masterfully transition between dual time lines. “Yellowjackets” didn’t conclude in time to be eligible for this list, but rest assured it will make the list for 2022.
“Station Eleven” tackles a somewhat post-apaocolyptic world where, you guessed it, a flu kills off most of the human population. There are few who are able to escape the flu’s wave and it’s up to them to give the world new life.
It’s not a simple story, though. The relationships that are created are unlikely ones. Most of them are based in survival and as a result become extremely intricate and valuable. There are very few passing interests in the series and everyone seems to be connected by just a few degrees of separation. The payoffs are incredible and meaningful and give the viewer hope. It’s an ornately crafted show and I can’t wait to see what happens next. – RO
1) Succession
There’s a simple reason why HBO’s “Succession” lands at the top of our list each year. It’s one of the greatest television shows of all time. See…simple. The writing, acting, directing, visual production and musical compositions are terrific. The attention to detail, use of metaphors, literary and historical references and more are all delivered with a delicate intensity that no other show has. The best ensemble cast on television is a list of talented, dedicated and deserving award nominees, including the captivating Brian Cox, often-intense Jeremy Strong, hilarious Kiernan Culkin, Sarah Snook, Matthew Mcfadyen and Nicholas Braun. Despite the show’s own high standards, “Succession” hit a new gear in season 3, producing what some consider one of the best season finales of all time. This intricate, artistic, Shakespearean-like story of power, family and influence is addictive, thrilling and hilarious. It’s the near perfect drama that won’t be matched anytime soon. – MM
Others receiving votes: Squid Game, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Girls 5 Eva, South Park: Post Covid, Mare of Easttown, The White Lotus, Ted Lasso, Lady and the Dale, Cowboy Bebop, I Think I Should Leave, Get Back, Yellowstone, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bad Sport, Only Murders in the Building, Hacks
