Television 2022
by Joanna Orland
This annual post also happens to be my first post this year – 2022 has been quite a year for television, less of one for Loose Lips. Anyway, let’s not waste precious words on why that is, and let’s get right to the year-in-review for TV.
This is the year that really felt like peak prestige TV. There were a ridiculous amount of series or miniseries that I was sure were going to be in my top 3 this year, and then another just as good or better came along. Here is my annual list of TV that made me happy – from most joyous to least:
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Severance – I haven’t been this excited for and into a show (and conspiracy theories about it) since my obsession with LOST during its original run!
The Rehearsal – I loved Nathan For You and couldn’t figure out how Nathan Fielder could ever top it. But he did. Above and beyond. It also seemed to be the most talked about show week to week.
The White Lotus – Somehow season 2 was SO much better than season 1! And the memes… and the weekly theorizing… and Jennifer Coolidge!
Stranger Things – This felt like EVENT television!
House of the Dragon – I like this much much better than I liked Game of Thrones!
The Bear – Intense. Masterpiece.
The Patient – Highly underrated with 2 central performances that are so complex and brilliant.
Yellowjackets – Also a bit of the Lost vibe here. Very much into it and the theories!!!
Andor – A slow burn, but really rewards your patience.
Industry – I almost never know what they’re talking about in this show, but it somehow does not matter.
Ru Paul’s Drag Race All Stars 7 – Jinkx Monsoon is EVERYTHING!
The Dropout
Search Party – The final season of this hilarious absurdist show was its finest. John Early and Meredith Hagner are particularly laugh-out-loud funny, I’m sad to see these characters put to rest.
Barry
The Crown
Stath Lets Flats – While it aired its latest season in the UK last year, it only made it to CBC here in Canada in 2022! Waiting months was worth it. So stupidly funny.
Hacks
Our Flag Means Death
The Righteous Gemstones – Danny McBride really stepped his game up with this season!
Only Murders in the Building
Fleishman is in Trouble
Bridgerton
The Afterparty
The Gilded Age
Emily in Paris – Season 3 is so obviously the worst yet, but I cannot stop watching. Neither can my friends. What is wrong with us!?
Ru Paul’s Drag Race (S14) – So nice to have an excellent season of Drag Race after quite a few duds.
Drag Race UK (S4) – And nice to have the UK version back with a good season.
His Dark Materials – The final season took awhile to get going, but I was totally into it by the end!
The Inside Outtakes (Bo Burnham) – Even this guy’s B-sides are better than most A-sides!
Abbott Elementary (S1)
The Boys
Dead to Me
The Staircase – The documentary is way better, but Colin Firth gives a surprisingly good performance of such a specific character.
Zootopia+
Obi-Wan Kenobi – Really wanted this to be better, but it’ll do.
Cobra Kai
Uncoupled
Russian Doll
Pam & Tommy
A Very British Scandal
The Flight Attendant
Station Eleven
What We Do in the Shadows
This is Us
Drag Race: Canada VS the World – #TeamVictoria
Grace & Frankie – Sad to say goodbye… even though the show lost much of its original charm, its stars certainly never did.
The Watcher – So stupid with no payoff. But Jennifer Coolidge!!
Last Week Tonight
Reboot
Selling Sunset
Starstruck
The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window
Workin’ Moms
Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiousities
The Umbrella Academy
She-Hulk
The Sandman – I admittedly couldn’t get into it and stopped watching.
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction
Moon Knight
Somebody Somewhere
Queer Eye
Drag Race UK VS The World
Under the Banner of Heaven – I cannot deal with any more ambient moody crime dramas inspired by True Detective.
The First Lady – I’ve never before struggled with anything starring Viola Davis, but this was, er, a first.
