1-Fargo (F/X)
I was hesitant to start this show, and after the first
episode was a mirror image of the events from the film, I stopped
watching. After hearing some buzz to the
contrary, I pushed forward as the show had come to an end, and boy was I
glad. Fargo was a fantastic twist on the
film, it explored new depths, new characters, and allowed you to enter a
complex world that could never be forgotten.
Noah Hawley was the genius behind this adaptation; he wrote every single
episode, an incredible accomplishment. With
strong performances from a great ensemble including Martin Freeman, Billy Bob
Thornton, Allison Tollman, Collin Hanks, and many more this show built up to an
incredible conclusion. Hawley’s mind
worked in great precision, and this tense, often funny show just snuck past
The Good Wife to be the best show of 2014.
2-The Good Wife (CBS)
Very few shows make a top ten list past their first couple of
seasons, and if they do they typically are not in the top five of any
list. The Good Wife breaks the mold, and
creators Michelle and Robert King provided some of the best television in
2014. In 2013 the show set off a chain
reaction where Cary and Alicia split from their law firm, this set the show on
a different path, and almost seemed like a rebirth. Yet rebirths are for show’s that lose their
mojo and this show only did that briefly at the beginning of season 4. Whether it was Florrick/Agos taking on LG,
the death of Will, Alicia running for States Attorney, the best guest stars in
television perfectly woven into each episode or any of the other flawless
qualities, this show fires on all cylinders.
It’s not just the best network show but also the best continuing show on
television.
3-Veep (HBO)
Some shows lose steam as the as they get older, but Veep only
gets funnier. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is
perfection, and this season was even more of a triumph because it was fun to
watch the good ole Veep try to ascend to the Presidency. While Louis-Dreyfus is great in her role as
VP Selena Meyer, she is also surrounded by one of the strongest comedic
ensembles on television: Tony Hale, Anna Chulmsky, Kevin Dunn, Gary Cole,
(three more people). Watching Selena try
and take a position on abortion, plan a “candid” photo, and take part in a
Presidential debate were only some of the highlights of this season. Veep is one HBO’s best comedic television
series of all time. Armando Ianucci, and
co. are genius at mocking the American political system. This is the highest ranked comedy series of
the year, and if you have missed it, catch up!
4-True Detective (HBO)
Its sad that the last episode of this mini-series prevented
this show from cracking my top three, but it did. With that said Detective was a smart potboiler
that left following the lives of two broken men on the hunt for a killer. This
show was about four men, Nic Pizzolatto, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Matthew
McConaughey, and Woody Harrelson.
Pizzolatto was the brainchild behind this show’s greatness; he was the
creator and wrote every single episode like Noah Hawly (Fargo). Pizzolatto gave the show the perfect tone,
and the juice to be one of the most talked about shows of 2014. Fukunaga gave
every word life; he directed every single episode of this mini-series. McConaughey and Harrelson’s performances were
studies in great acting, each brought the show to new levels you could never
imagine.
5-Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
In season two this show still captivated, made you cringe at
the prison system, made you cry, and of course provided some laughs. Jenji Kohan who created the show is an expert
at blending the dramatic and comedic aspects of life, namely because many of
those moments are so fluid. Kohan did
this with her other show Weeds. In the
second season Piper got even more depth, and we were able to see Red fall from
grace, while exploring other new women in each episode. This show continues to push boundaries, and
focuses on the complex lives of women, who happen to be convicts.
6-Hannibal (NBC)
Bryan Fuller creates some of the most visually sumptuous
television. In this case its more on the
disturbing level, Hannibal is probably the best thriller out there, it keeps
you on the edge of your seat. Will
Graham and Hannibal Lector take the “cat and mouse game” to a whole new level;
there is a psychology that exists, an admiration (a sick one of course), maybe
even love. Watching the season spiral
from Will being suspected of being a killer, to people finally seeing the
darker sides of Dr. Lector in the bloodiest season finale I have ever
seen. This show is what NBC meant years
ago when they said “must-see TV.”
7- Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine harkens back to the classic cop comedy Barney
Miller, but blends the quirk of Schur and Goor’s Parks and Recreation. Nine-Nine has a perfect ensemble, even if you
aren’t an Andy Samberg fan you have to root for Jake Peralta, although that’s
namely because of the way interacts with Andre Braugher’s brilliant portrayal
of Captain Holt. Throw in the vastly underrated Joe LoTruglio and Terry Crews,
the of the charts crazy hilarity of Chelsea Perretti, and the deadpan humor of
Stephanie Beatriz, and it makes this show even better. Every week I laugh harder and harder.
8-Louie (F/X)
Somewhere along the way Louie merged into an unnamed genre
of television. Standup comedian Louis
C.K. has created a television show that defies the norm, and if anyone can pull
that off it’s him. This season found
Louie punching a model in the face, in bed and finding love with a woman who
didn’t speak English. There is something
about this show, and the way it evolves with every season that makes this,
just, special.
9-The Normal Heart (HBO)
Ryan Murphy’s best work to date. I love the man because he puts out some off
the wall stuff, which sometimes gets too unfocused, but this breaks the
mold. The Normal Heart which was written
for the stage in 1985 by Larry Kramer, and then adapted for television by him
this past year is one of the most heartbreaking tales about the HIV/AIDs
epidemic, fighting for survival, and advocacy around a cure. Mark Ruffalo was brilliant; Matt Bomer
heartbreaking, Julia Roberts stronger than she has been in years, and Joe
Mantello was poignant. This ensemble
mixed with strong direction from Murphy, and a brilliant script from Kramer
provided non-stop tears.
10-Enlisted (FOX)
I am still not over this show’s cancellation. Networks just are not interested in
supporting as many well-written comedy shows these days. Chuck Lorre’s comedy
take over is sad. Enlisted was just
clever, and there was so much heart. You
had goofy Randy who was played by the often shirtless, gorgeous, and talented
Parker Young. The show also tackled PTSD
with Pete (Geoff Stults), and the reality of life after being in a combat
zone. Fantastic ensemble, this show will
be missed.
Just Missed the list (in order): Jane the Virgin, Game of Thrones, The Affair, The Comeback
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