The Year in Television

By: Joe Cardoso

I don’t know about you but it feels like just yesterday I was packing away the Christmas tree and eating all the baked goods I could find. Well, the year 2022 is coming to an end and as we spend the holidays with family and friends there is no doubt watching television will be a part of the season. Nothing better than arguing with aunt Lisa about her theory on a show was wrong. With us having to choose from a million streaming services and play the “free preview” game or hit up friends for login info so we can watch the latest new hot series. You have 2 questions to tackle these days.
1. When will you have to watch all these shows?
2. How can you afford it or who can hook you up?

As a proud entertainment junkie, I try my best to watch it all, and although I may fail more times than not I catch my fair share of series and movies. This year we got a boatload of fantastic original shows, reboots, and more. Whatever genre you like 2022 had something for you and then some, this could go down as one of the best years in terms of content we’ve seen in a while. After going through it all here are my top shows for the year in no order.

1. The Bear: I work in the restaurant industry so, of course, this show had me off the jump. And it did not disappoint. The cast owned their roles and it touched on some great real-life subjects. We get to know Carmen Berzatto as he goes back home to Chicago to run his family sandwich shop following the death of his brother. The best part it is only 8 episodes so you can zip through it quickly. Can’t wait for season 2.

   

2. Stranger Things: Season 4 was worth the wait and backed a punch of awesome throwback 80’s vibes and a solid plot. The best season yet hands down. We all found ourselves singing “Running Up That Hill” at some point during our day. Plus when was the last time a show came out and we ALL felt like we were sitting around watching it together? That is the sign of great TV. The number of NEW Metallica fans needs to be documented.

   

3. Andor: The Star Wars universe is gigantic and we are still only seeing a small part of it come to life. Disney Plus has been great for fans of a galaxy far, far away. We learn about Cassian Andor and how he became a fighter in the rebellion each episode is full of twists and turns keeping you on your toes. Actor Diego Luna is made for the role and the supporting cast is nothing to laugh at as well. The worst part about this was having to wait each week for a new episode. Season 2 is expected in the fall of 2024 Ugh.

   

4. Abbott Elementary: At least 3 times an episode I have to pause to catch my breath from laughing my butt off. This show is hilarious! Just when some folks thought network TV was dead this show swung in and changed the game. The writers are top notch and the cast is grade A, Sheryl Lee Ralph is the truth! Not to go full fanboy but I haven’t seen a bad episode yet.

   

5. Cobra Kai: Season 5 and I am still all in on this one. Watching adults and their kids settle old beef with karate is just what the doctor ordered. This season’s theme was all about knowing when to fight and when to walk away. And the splashes of old movie clips and 80’s pop culture is still used just enough.

   

6. The White Lotus: This show was already good but in season 2 they leveled up. With the return of Jennifer Coolidge and adding Aubrey Plaza to an already jammed cast. This season they change the location to Sicily and it just adds to the vibes. If you haven’t watched the first season get on it and then follow up with this latest one.

   

7. Only Murders In The Building: I had low expectations for this show having doubts about Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez leading this one. It works! As half the country is obsessed with true crime podcasts it makes sense how many of us watched the whole season and still found ourselves lost on who the killer was until the final scene. Selena Gomez also has some real acting chops and fits this style of TV.

   

8. Ms. Marvel: Before it was “cool” I enjoyed learning about other cultures and how others lived. That also led to liking shows and movies with different people in the lead role or members of the cast. News flash everything we watch doesn’t have to lead by a middle-aged white guy or a blonde trying to “find herself” Ms. Marvel is anything BUT that Muslim Pakistani-American teenager from New Jersey who happens to have superpowers. Iman Vellani who plays Kamala Khan is a superstar in the making.

   

9. The Rings Of Power: When you have the title as the most expensive show ever made you have to come with it. This s set thousands of years before the Lord of the Rings movies. Each episode feels like its own movie with the special effects and the way it is shot to go with some of the best battle scenes I’ve ever seen. To all my fellow nerds this is THE ONE.

   

10. House of Dragons: This is NOT and it will NEVER be Game of Thrones. Once you accept that you can enjoy this for what it is and not be jaded as so many GOT fans are about this show. We all know how the story ends so you may ask why should I watch this? The answer is it is really good and a throwback to the OMG did they just show that moments of GOT. No one is safe and nothing is too risky for this new entry into the land of dragons and thrones.

    

11. Severance: After undergoing a procedure called “severance” it divides memories between work and personal life. The cast starts to look for answers and this is how the adventure begins. I had to think and not since LOST or the early seasons of 24 have I been this hooked on a show. Funky cinematography and new fresh ideas make it a hit. Be ready to need some time to recover once you blow through these 9 episodes.

    

12. Wednesday: Still wish it came out at Holloween but nonetheless the show is a hit. Tim Burton is a master at the goth/fantasy thing and Jenna Ortega has next in terms of big names we will see on our screens. If you want a deeper dive into this one you can find my review here.

    

So there you have it my top shows for the year and still, so many more I could have added. One thing you couldn’t say this year was I wish I had something to watch. Can’t forget my honorable mentions:
*The Rehearsal
*Russian Doll
*Moon Knight
*Peacemaker
*The Boys
* The Peripheral
* Reacher

So in between bits of fruit cake and sips of egg nog (GROSS) if you haven’t watched one of these give them a click. And don’t bother asking me for any passwords I am tapped out. Happy holidays! Follow me on social to talk more about TV. @JoeCardoso301