The Top 20 TV Shows of 2017

"If there was any show to add a BUTTLOAD of camp to in 2017, it would have been Feud. And boy, did Ryan Murphy add some camp to this salacious, dramatic Hollywood spat. Perhaps the greatest strength of the season is that it doesn't fully relinquish itself to this dramatic theatricality. The ridiculous tone is balanced by incredible performances, a magnificent eye for detailed sets and costumes, and razor-sharp writing. All of these aspects tumble together so fluidly, it's as though they were expertly shaken and served straight up, in a martini glass, with a generous handful of olives." — Ryan Roschke, staff writer and reporter, News and Culture

"The CW's underrated gem continues to be one of the best shows you're not watching. The third season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend showcases dramedy done right, exploring the depths of Rebecca (Rachel Bloom)'s mental illness with the right blend of honesty and realism, without compromising the show's signature charm. The addition of Scott Michael Foster (Nathaniel) to the cast has also played a key role in keeping the humor and storylines fresh." — Becky Kirsch, senior director, Content Strategy

"While I've never been a fan of medical dramas, The Good Doctor has absolutely stolen my heart this season. Not only are the storylines beautifully written, but it's also bringing awareness to autism by proving to audiences that you can do anything you set your mind to. And who can forget the show's talented star? I seriously can't say enough good things about Freddie Highmore. Not only does he portray Shaun Murphy with such great attention to detail, but he brings such a warmth to the character. If he doesn't get nominated for an Emmy, I will be shocked." — Kelsie Gibson, assistant editor, Celebrity and Entertainment

"Netflix’s teen series had its share of controversies, as would any show that portrays teen suicide, but it’s clear the showrunners weren’t going for exploitation of a tragically common event. The series is actually the closest to reality, albeit a very sad one, that a high school show has come to in recent years. It’s also deservedly launched its young stars, namely Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford, into the pop culture conversation. I still don’t feel that the show needs to have a second season, but that’s more a reflection of the delicate capsule that is the first season than the overall quality of the show." – Shannon Vestal Robson, director, Celebrity and Entertainment

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"After an incredible second season, The Leftovers finished its run this year with a final batch of episodes that were wacky, weird, and wonderful. The final chapter brought the series full circle with an ending that managed to be satisfying and tidy, while also open-ended. Though we'll never really know what happened to Nora (Carrie Coon), we're grateful that HBO invited us along on this crazy roller coaster ride for the past few years." — BK

"What made me fall in love with Netflix's GLOW so quickly this year is the way the female wrestling series takes characters who would be caricatures on any other show and turns them into complex, flawed, and realistic human beings. Since the runtime for each episode is shorter than most, there isn't as much opportunity to dive into the interior lives of each and every one of the women. Still, by the end of season one, no member from the diverse cast feels like a walking stereotype (despite their wrestling personas). Heartbreaking scenes about cultural identity and racism, as well as familial strife and cheating husbands, are all in the mix, giving us a more well-rounded idea of who these women truly are. Oh, and it's really f*cking funny." — Quinn Keaney, assistant editor, Celebrity and Entertainment

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"Chewing Gum is one of the most awkward shows to ever exist, and I have never binge-watched anything faster. The entire cast is magic onscreen. They have the kind of chemistry that makes you root for each and every character, even though they're all a hot mess. Or rather, because they're such hot messes and you want nothing but the best for them. It's a lovingly atypical, but still authentic, depiction of life on an estate and what it's like being so awkward (note: true awkwardness, not the cutesy, quirky kind of awkward that's a Manic Pixie Girl in disguise). It makes me incredibly sad that there won't be a third series anytime soon, but the two that are up are more than enough for anyone to understand why Chewing Gum is such a treasure." — Mekishana Pierre, associate social media editor

"This is easily one of the most underrated shows on television right now, which is a crime considering what a force of nature it is. The amazing minds and talent behind Queen Sugar continue to deliver each and every episode. They use storylines that could quickly become histrionic and soap opera-like with one wrong move, but play them with such raw emotion and intensity that it takes my breath away. Queen Sugar is the perfect example of why we need stories from people of color. It's a series that is so unapologetically black, that dives into various issues that stem from our history as a nation and still affects us today, while at its core, just being about a family trying to keep it together." — MP

"I did not expect all of my life's energy to be sucked into the saga of who vandalized 27 cars in the faculty parking lot at Hanover High School with dick drawings, but American Vandal is an exercise in the unexpected. Over the course of eight surprisingly engrossing episodes, Netflix's true-crime documentary parody weaves a riveting, complex (and f*cking hilarious) narrative. By the time the series concludes, we're not only left considering how the unfair stereotypes teenagers are labeled with in high school can seriously affect their lives, but also who drew the damn d*cks." — QK

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"Once again, Fargo has delivered a brilliant, complex, and totally insane narrative that only squeezes you tighter as it soldiers on. The dual performances of Ewan McGregor as embattled brothers Emmit and Raymond "Ray" Stussy, Carrie Coon as the incorrigible and irresistibly smart Gloria Burgle, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the resilient Nikki Swango are unmatched. And then there's David Thewlis's V.M. Varga, who plays one of the most grotesque, quietly insidious, and somehow polite villains I've ever seen.

This time, Fargo really leans into its surrealistic subtext in fantastic ways. The bowling alley purgatory is eerily gripping, and Gloria's unshakable sense that she's invisible resonates on a deep level. As always, the show builds slowly and surely, layering its complex story with a quiet confidence that makes it hard to stop watching. I actually put my phone away for this one. And, of course, everything builds to a fantastic conclusion that leaves you stunned." — RR

"I had big expectations when This Is Us returned for its second season, and it hasn't disappointed me yet. In a time where the world can seem chaotic, we can all benefit from sitting in front of our TVs and letting out a good cry (or two). It's a given that the masterful writing has made it one of this year's most beloved shows, but it is truly the stellar cast and their incredible performances that blow me away week after week. In some ways, we can all see a bit of ourselves in Randall, Kate, Kevin, Rebecca, and Jack." — KG

"American Gods is SO good and SO damn strange in the very best way. I was both excited and terrified of how this series would turn out, but it surprised me at every single turn. Everything contributes to this otherworldly atmosphere in the most ordinary of settings like a random city street, or the inside of a car going down a long strip of road. The insanely talented cast wonderfully portrays the gods who readers came to love in the novel. That being said, you don't have to be a fan of Neil Gaiman's original story to be thrilled by the mesh of sensational and whimsy that the series accomplishes. Also, it's one of the few series that is genuinely equal-opportunity when it comes to nudity, so you're welcome." — MP

"Please, allow me to proselytize the holy-sh*t goodness that was HBO's The Young Pope. In it, we witness the nude pope (Jude Law) getting dressed to LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It." We see a CGI kangaroo running amok on Vatican grounds. In one scene, a nun barges into the pope's office and informs him loudly that it is the Holy Father's snack time. And Diane Keaton is in it. At this point, you've probably already closed this tab to go fire up your HBO Go. If not, might I add that it's also a beautifully shot, thought-provoking, and thoroughly original contribution to the art of television?" — Lindsay Miller, news and culture director

"The only thing that matched my anticipations for Stranger Things season two was my dread for it. What if it fell far short of the incredible first season? Lost some of its magic? Of course, when it finally came out, I realized immediately that it held up. The Duffer brothers created a story that’s not only just as good as season one, but a continuation of the story that makes sense and made me really excited for season three (it’s also much scarier than season one). Perhaps most satisfying was the character development we were not expecting. Steve's transformation from vain high school party boy to good-hearted, monster-killing badass and capable nanny is reason alone to have it on this list. Who knew?" — SVR

"One Day at a Time is one of the best reboots of a classic show that I've ever watched. It's so warm and heartfelt, as well as being consistently funny. The cast truly feels like a family that's inviting you into their home, and everyone plays their role to perfection. I love that the show expertly manages the balance between hamming it up with old-fashioned tropes and handling modern conversations with earnestness. The Alvarez family feels so authentically Cuban-American, which is incredible because 1. #representationmatters, and 2. it goes to show that just because you might not be from a similar background, you can still relate to them as a family." — MP

"Aziz Ansari’s Netflix baby only grew more relevant — and romantic — in season two. Dev’s world fascinated us in its second go, which got even more experimental (ex: an episode in near silence, an episode in black and white). It wasn’t those elements that were the most impressive this season, though — that honor goes to the touching, Emmy-winning episode about Denise’s coming out. The only problem with Master of None? There are far too few episodes." — SVR

"Season seven of Game of Thrones definitely has its faults — the wacked out timeline, the bizarre wight-kidnapping plot, Arya and Sansa's quarreling, etc. — but that only further proves how unstoppable the HBO fantasy epic truly is. The season's shortened episode order played in its favor, ratcheting up the tension and shedding bloat in a move that other shows can learn from. From Jon Snow and Daenerys's new relationship to the Night King's icy control of Viserion, I've never been so excited to see where a series goes next." — QK

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"Insecure season one was fun — we're introduced to Issa, Molly, and Lawrence, and get to know them a little. But season two, well . . . season two is lit. Now we know these characters so well that our investment is almost crippling (I can’t think of the Issa/Lawrence fantasy without my heart shattering all over again), and it just so happens that everyone is single, sexy, and open for anything. Who's insecure now?!" — SVR

"Season one of Hulu's tense, terrifying adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale is a pitch-perfect ode to Margaret Atwood's 1985 feminist novel of the same name and a horrifyingly relevant companion piece to 2017. Not only is the writing and pacing on point, but the performances left me absolutely stunned. Elisabeth Moss's Emmy award-winning take on Offred completely blew me away, for obvious reasons, but it's Alexis Bledel's chilling Ofglen that has stuck with me long after the explosive finale." — QK

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"I'm not crazy about the idea of Big Little Lies coming back for season two, but that's only because the first season is so flawless. Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, and Zoë Kravitz act the hell out of Jean-Marc Vallée's slick-yet-moody adaptation of Liane Moriarty's novel, which weaves a tense mystery over the season's collection of seven well-executed episodes. The finale's big reveal, which is done in near silence, is shocking in all the right ways, and I'm crazy about the hazy, hopeful ambiguity that the final scene leaves off on. And while we're here, let's pour one out again for the soundtrack." — QK