By Joanna Orland
Last year’s writers’ strike meant that during the first half of this year, there was a bit of a lull in new content. Luckily, it resulted in time to try different things — it was a year for catching up on old classics, and a year for fresh discoveries. Here is our year in television, in order of our favourites, for 2024:
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Band of Brothers – I don’t know how I’ve waited so long to watch this. I’ve had it lined up in my collection for years, but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I was being silly. It’s amazing. And it holds up after all these years.
This is Going to Hurt – Ben Whishaw is a revelation in this.
Industry – Season 3 reached new heights.
Black Doves – The perfect British spy thriller that does not take itself seriously! I’m all about Ben Whishaw this year!
Shogun – Epic.
Ghosts (UK) – Finally watched all of the UK Ghosts series. An iconic British comedy with a beautifully sentimental finale.
One Hundred Years of Solitude – Problematic in some of its sexual ideas, but an authentic adaptation of the book… quite an achievement!
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK – Season 6 might be the best ever of the entire franchise! Comes very close to UK Season 2 for that title at least!
Say Nothing
A Man on the Inside
House of the Dragon
Baby Reindeer
Ripley – I was never a huge fan of the Matt Damon film adaptation, but this Andrew Scott television series was everything.
Girls5Eva – I am heartbroken there isn’t going to be more of this HILARIOUS show! I laughed so hard at the last season. The songs are epic.
The Traitors UK – Seasons 1 and 2 are some of the best reality television I’ve ever seen!
RuPaul’s Drag Race S16 – A great season, a great winner.
Bluey – Season 3 and the mini episodes blew my family’s mind. Everyone is way too obsessed with Bluey, but there are worse shows to be obsessed with. <3
What We Do in the Shadows – A great send off to this always funny show.
Nobody Wants This
Hacks – That was a great season!
Alex Edelman: Just For Us – Some of the best standup of the year! He’s great!
Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All
Agatha All Along
Emily in Paris – Iconically annoying and addictive.
Colin From Accounts – I’ve caught up with season 1, but have yet to see season 2.
Only Murders in the Building
Superstore – FINALLY caught up with this long-running comedy! Totally my thing! That last season with the Covid was a bit strange though.
Conan O’Brien Must Go – So stupid. In the best way possible.
Cobra Kai – Part one of the final season was slow. Part two was an adrenaline rush. Can’t wait to see part three.
Doctor Who – My first time watching it since I was a kid. Jinkx Monsoon was the reason, but everyone is great in it!
The Diplomat
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew – A bit bland, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The Perfect Couple – So cheesy.
The Boys
Bridgerton – Not as good this season, but still….
Rivals – Tonally a mess, but also so delightfully camp!
Dinosaur
Elsbeth – The format’s getting a bit tired already, but I still love Elsbeth.
James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome – Not my favourite of his specials, I found the edits jarring and breaking the flow of the joke. But he’s still one of my favourite comedians and this special is strong!
No Good Deed – A great show with even better performances, but they didn’t stick the landing!
3 Body Problem – Schlocky but addictive.
Sweet Tooth
The Bear – Didn’t love this latest season.
Bodkin
Life & Beth
Ted Lasso – Caught up with season 3, the ‘final’ not so final season.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off – A nice animated riff on the movie / comic book.
Criminal Record – I love a good British cop drama.
Queer Eye – Season 8 was Bobby’s last, and possibly my last time watching the show. I have been a big fan over the years, but I can’t bring myself to watch without the original cast in full.
Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Special
Doctor Who: Joy to the World – While I liked the latest series, this Christmas special wasn’t it.
The Franchise
Selling Sunset
Gary Gulman: Born on 3rd Base
Drag Race Allstars 9 – The format is getting a bit stale, but I do love the winner. They need to stop bringing back the old bullies, even if they’ve been previously redeemed.
The Umbrella Academy
Eric
Dream Productions – Who is this for? Kids don’t get it, adults aren’t into it….
My Next Guest With David Letterman and John Mulaney
Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go – Love her in Hacks. Didn’t love her standup.
John Mulaney Presents… Everybody is in L.A. – I didn’t get it.
Drag Race UK vs The World – Seasons 2. It was fine. Love the winner.
Drag Race Canada vs The World – Just not big on these VS the World formats, even with good cast members.
Drag Race Global All Stars – They also flubbed this one.
The Brothers Sun
The Sympathizer – I couldn’t get through this…
Fantasmas – Not for me.
The Traitors US – After loving the UK version so much, thought I’d give this a go. Found it unwatchable.