Favorite TV shows and movies of 2020

When I need an escape, I usually turn to my TV for comfort, and 2020 was no better time to do so. There have been quite a few interesting finds, but because of COVID, there were also a lot of delayed releases and several highly anticipated shows and movies could not be finished properly, or saw their production halted. Hopefully, we’ll get to enjoy them in 2021! I’m especially really looking forward to finding out what happens in the third season of Succession.

I must admit, although I tried to look for new things to watch, this year has been more about making myself feel good and get a laugh. There’s been a lot of Golden Girls, Friends, Community, Archer playing on repeat. There were also a lot of highly talked about shows I chose not to watch, like Tiger King, because they did not resonate with me or intrigued me as much as they did everyone else.

But I digress. Here’s a list of my favorite shows and movies of 2020, in no particular order.

Television

Better Call Saul (season 5)

The fourth season was a disappointment and I even went as far a wondering if I’ll watch season 5. I’m thankful I did because they got right on track with what turned out to be the best season since season 2. The tense story line between Nacho and Lalo, who, by the way, turned out to be a formidable villain, kept me on the edge of my seat, and I’m glad something is finally happening with Kim.

Best episode of the season : Bagman (episode 8)

Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet (season 1)

Mythic Quest was one of those shows that looked so silly in their trailer that I held off for a while. As huge a fan as I am of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, I was pretty much disappointed in all the creators’ and actors’ side projects (The Cool Kids, A.P. Bio, The Mick, etc), which made me a bit reluctant to give Mythic Quest a chance. Silicon Valley had just ended and I felt like Rob McElhenney’s new project was a bit too similar a show. How wrong was I! Mythic Quest ended up being one of the highlights of the year.

Best episode : Quarantine (special episode filmed during, you guessed it, quarantine)

What We Do In The Shadows (season 2)

That show was a revelation. Season 1 aired in 2019 but I didn’t start watching it until this year, mid season 2. From that episode on, I was hooked. I saw the movie the series is based on a few years ago and it was OK. There were some very funny bits but as a whole, the film was just alright. So when they announced a TV adaptation, I was nonplussed. Turning movies into TV series usually dilutes the story, but I have to say, in this case, it’s false. The series was created and written by the same people as the movie, Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, and it appears that they saved their best ideas for TV. Following a different set of vampires, the TV version is more diverse, wittier and way funnier! The idea of Colin Robinson, an energy vampire is pure genius!

Best episode : Colin’s Promotion (episode 5)

Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun (season 1)

This American-Australian sketch comedy show is silly, weird, chaotic, absurd and it’s exactly what we all need right now. Their comedy reminds me of Monty Python, and I dare you to watch their show without cracking a smile!

Best sketch : The Mr Gentlemen's Barber

Truth Seekers (season 1)

Every time Simon Pegg and Nick Frost team up, they hit comedy gold. This time they co-created a paranormal comedy TV series for Amazon about two engineers working for an Internet provider who, in their spare time (and during work hours) also investigate paranormal activities. The series is at times funny, spooky and endearing, and is, as a whole, pretty entertaining.

Best episode : The Haunting of Connelly’s Nook (episode 1)

Also noteworthy:

• The Queen’s Gambit : Loved the outfits, liked the story as a whole but hated the finale.

• C’est comme ça que je t’aime : there were some inconsistencies along the line but as a whole, I pretty much enjoyed this show about 2 bored couples getting into organized crimes and killing sprees.

• Schitt’s Creek and The Good Place : the final season was nowhere near as good as the first ones, but it’s the last season of one of the best and funniest feel good series we’ve had in a while, so they deserve a mention.

Stand up specials

Only four specials stood out, in my opinion, and were memorable enough to be mentioned below.

Jim Jefferies : Intolerant

I haven’t seen a Jim Jefferies special I haven’t enjoyed and his latest is no exception. This time, he tackles his newly diagnosed lactose intolerance and as someone who suffers from the same ailment and who chooses to ignore it, I feel seen! His own special spin to a very straight forward story is what makes him stand among the elite.

Jerry Seinfeld : 23 hours to kill

Speaking of elite, Jerry Seinfeld dropped his first special in 22 years, called 23 Hours to Kill. Was it predictable? Yes. Did he take any risks in his content? No. But the risk comes from his reemergence after such a long time and doing a special when the expectations are so high. What 23 Hours to Kill provided was classic Jerry Seinfeld wit, self-assurance and timeless humor. He doesn’t need to take any risks and we don’t expect him to. As Brian Tallerico, from rogerebert.com so well puts it, “If anything, “23 Hours to Kill” is like catching up with an old friend, something all of us wish we could do in person in 2020 more than we can.”

Bert Kreischer : Hey Big Boy

Bert Kreischer’s jolliness is infectious. His specials are usually about his life as a dad and husband, and so far, I’m not tired of hearing about it, because he’s one hell of a good storyteller.

Dave Chappelle : 8:46

This is not so much of a comedy show but an important one nonetheless, where he addresses all the violence and police brutality taking place in the US.

movies

Horse Girl

Co-written by and starring Alison Brie, Horse Girl is by far one of the weirdest films of the year. This psychological drama about a shy young woman slowly dripping into madness (or is she?) is superbly well acted.

Invisible Man

This is another remake of the story we all know too well, but with a surprisingly interesting twist, making the film worth a watch. Elizabeth Moss plays the traumatized and abused girlfriend of a deceased tech giant, who is convinced her boyfriend is not only still alive, but that he’s harassing her by being able to become invisible.

Save yourselves!

We were looking for new movies to watch on Halloween and stumbled on a few comedic horror, including Save Yourselves! This film about a couple deciding to reconnect with themselves by retreating to a cabin and unplugging their phones and computers, only to find out they’re in the midst of an alien invasion is original and pretty funny. They have no survival skills whatsoever and must fend for themselves against an army of murderous, furry pouf-like aliens.

Extra Ordinary

Save Yourselves! was good, but Extra Ordinary was better. This is a movie about a shy driving instructor who reluctantly uses her supernatural talents to help a widow save his daughter’s soul from a has-been rock star who practices black magic to regain fame. A bit of over acting from Will Forte, but the highlight of the film is Maeve Higgins as Rose Dooley, the psychic driving instructor, and the chemistry she has with Barry Ward, who plays the distraught father.

The King of Staten Island

Even though his movies are all about 30 minutes too long, I am a huge fan of Judd Apatow and his body of work. Starring Pete Davidson and loosely based on his life, The King of Staten Island is nowhere near Judd Apatow’s best film but an average Judd Apatow movie is still a pretty good one. The highlight of the film, though, are all the supporting cast, which includes Bill Burr and Marisa Tormei, as well as all the amazing actors portraying Scott Carlin’s (Pete Davidson) friends.

Palm Springs

Yes, it’s Groundhog Day but with 2 (actually 3) people instead of one, but we can forgive this little detail since the film is actually very well written and acted, as well as being very funny. I was actually reluctant to watch this film, the reason being what I mentioned in the previous sentence, and I never really liked any of Andy Samberg’s work (Digital Shorts being the exception). But I must say, he and Cristin Milioti are fabulous as the the two main characters stuck in a time loop, and though his role is small, J.K. Simmons is amazing, as usual. All things considered, Palm Springs may be the best comedy I’ve seen this year.

documentaries and docuseries

The Go-Go’s

I knew the songs but I knew nothing of the band behind them. This documentary revisits the meteoric rise (and eventual break up) of one of the most successful all female bands of all time. The testimonies from the band members are candid, heartfelt and at times, humorous, while the film makes us remember how good the Go-Go’s songs are.

Beastie Boys Story

Instead of a straight forward documentary with an off-camera narrator, the Beastie Boys Story, which was written, directed and produced by Spike Jonze, takes the form of a live stage performance by the surviving members of the band who, in front of an audience, tell the intimate story of their careers and friendship.

The Comedy Store

This is the series to watch for any fan of stand-up comedy. This docuseries recounts, through the testimony of countless comedians, the history of one of the most legendary comedy clubs in the US, The Comedy Store.

The Bee Gees : How to Mend a Broken Heart

I was never a fan of the Bee Gees but this documentary made me one. I had no idea they had such an incredible career and how talented they were!

David Foster : Off the Record

This is another documentary that made me discover the depths of an artist’s career. I vaguely knew who David Foster is and was superficially aware of his body of work, but this film allows its viewers to witness his work process and his evolution through time. Quite an interesting watch.

American Utopia

Not a documentary, but I’ll put it here nonetheless. This has got to be one of the best shows ever. Directed and produced by Spike Lee, from a screenplay by David Byrne, the film is a live recording of a Broadway performance of a modified version of the album American Utopia. An absolute must.

Also noteworthy

• I’ll be gone in the dark : the fascinating story behind writer Michelle McNamara’s obsession with figuring out who the Golden State Killer is. Her book was published a few years after her sudden death, but her indispensable work has allowed the police to finally catch the criminal. The docuseries’ topic is captivating, but it’s a few episodes too long, dwelling a bit too much on unnecessary details.

• Spaceship Earth : the topic alone makes the film worth a watch. The story is so unbelievable that it’s hard to believe such an experiment actually took place!

Alright, I think that’s it for 2020! Give these series and movies a try if you haven’t seen them already, and here’s to hoping for more new amazing things to watch in 2021!

Enjoy and have fun!

Bingeable TV shows

There is nothing I love more than turning my brain off and lie on the couch, in front of my TV, for hours of binge watching. I’ve been doing that since I was a kid and it still remains my favorite activity to this day. A few weeks ago, I made a list of reading recommendations but if TV shows are more your cup of tea, you’re not alone! I’m currently out of new stuff to watch so I decided to revisit some personal favorites and binge watch them. If you’re also looking for something to watch, here is a list. Hopefully there’s something you haven’t seen yet, or something you forgot about and would like to watch again. At the moment, I am way more into comedies than drama, so my list is a bit lopsided!

Sitcoms

Community

By far one of the most brilliant, creative and unique sitcoms ever, Community recently made a return to Netflix (all 6 seasons!). I don’t know how many times I’ve binge-watched this show but I never get tired of it. It has gained a cult following but remains pretty much unknown to the mainstream, which is unfortunate. Their paintball episodes are my personal favorites. They were so good that season 2’s paintball episodes directly led to its directors, the Russo brothers, being hired to take the helm of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Season 1’s paintball episode was directed by Justin Lin, known for the Fast&Furious movies as well as Star Trek Beyond. I’ve lately started researching about the show (its cast and creators) and I sincerely hope that a documentary or a book be made about Community’s behind-the-scene action. The show itself is smart, hilarious and perfect for all pop-culture fans, but what happened behind the curtain also deserves to be documented. Except for season 4 (when Dan Harmon, the show’s creator was fired) and the final season (when half the main cast had left) seasons 1 to 3 and 5 are nearly perfect. I truly hope the movie gets made, with all of the original cast!

The Golden Girls

A classic! On the air between 1985 and 1992, The Golden Girls is a pioneering show on so many levels! This sitcom dealt with deep, edgy and oftentimes serious concepts like sexuality, dating, death, and so much more, while managing to be extremely funny. It’s Sex and the City before it was even a thing! The humor, the banter between the characters and the quality of the writing make the Golden Girls a must for everyone. We watched it again not so long ago, and though the clothes and decor are outdated, the humor wasn’t. It made me laugh out loud then and it still does. Not that many sitcoms have managed to be timeless!

Silicon Valley

After 6 seasons, Silicon Valley’s series finale aired on December 8, 2019. This is one of the best, funniest and most accurate TV shows about tech culture and it has managed to be great from beginning to end. Watching the characters and their pet project, Pied Piper, progress while at the same time slowly implode was a true pleasure!

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

With 14 seasons, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is now tied with The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet as television's longest-running live-action comedy. It’s just been renewed for a 15th season, which will officially make it the longest running sitcom on the air! This show is not for everyone. It’s irreverent, its characters are horrible human beings with no moral compass who have done despicable things to each other and to other people, but it is also one of the funniest and smartest shows on the air right now. Definitely worth a watch. It’s very hard to find a clip that best represents the show so I included here a scene from one of my favorite episodes.

Life in pieces

I loved that show I cannot understand why CBS would cancel it when its programming was so lacking. That’s a real shame because Life in Pieces, which is way better than Modern Family by the way, had a stellar cast and was really funny. All four seasons are now available on Netflix.

Archer

I’m not a fan of animated series but Archer is one (out of 2) exception. With 10 seasons available, Archer is an incredible series rife with great humor, pop-culture references and Easter eggs. It’s The Office meets James Bond. Yes, we sometimes see Duchess (Archer’s code name, named after his mother’s dog) out on a mission, but most of the action takes place in their headquarters where the spies have to file expense reports and deal with HR. The last few seasons are a bit weirder because they take place in comatose Archer’s mind, but they remain nonetheless very entertaining. The series was supposed to return for an 11th season on May 10th but the release date was pushed back because of the pandemic.

People of Earth

Another great show, funny and original, that was cancelled too soon. After only 2 seasons, TBS decided to pull the plug for some reason. Half The X-Files and half The Office, People of Earth takes place at 2 different places : on Earth, in Beacon, New York, where a group of abductees (they prefer to be called Experiencers) meet up in a church basement to discuss their alien abductions, and in a spaceship, where 3 aliens of different species work together, abducting humans. Smart, different and insightful, it’s a shame that this show was not given more rope.

Fleabag

This show has been a revelation! It’s brilliant, emotionally charged and hilarious. There are only 2 seasons, the second being the best one, but what awesome seasons they are! No more can be said about this show.

Dead like me

Another cancelled too soon show. Dead like me was a truly original and different dramedy about a young girl, George, who was killed by space debris and became a grim reaper, collecting people’s souls before they die. Since grim reapers don’t get paid, she must also hold down a job in order to pay for rent, food and anything else. And, as it turns out, there is as much bureaucracy and paperwork in death as in life. In a Vulture article, Margaret Lyons perfectly explained why Dead Like Me resonated as much to its audience : “Dead Like Me isn’t about George finding herself through the gentleness and thrill of romance – it’s about her finding herself through the cruelty and randomness of grief.” Shit happens but we must find a way to power through anyways. Or else, what’s the point? Funny, witty, real, Dead like me deserved much better. Only 2 seasons aired before the show was cancelled. There was also a movie but it’s so horrible, no one should watch it.

Drama

The Americans

I still can’t believe a show as amazing as The Americans did not get the recognition it deserved. A lot of people still haven’t seen this series yet, and they are missing out on what I consider among the top 10 best TV shows ever. The series ended in 2018, after 6 seasons, with a series finale that will probably go down history as one of the best. Based on actual events, where KGB agents infiltrated the US government while pretending to be American citizens, The Americans follows two such agents, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, during the cold war. The show is not entirely about espionage. It’s also about one’s sense of identity, morality and loyalty.

Star Trek - The original series

Don’t mind the over acting and pay attention to the themes. Then, you’ll realize that this series from the 1960’s is far superior and more forward-thinking than most current sci-fi shows and that without it, most programs would not have existed in the first place.

Hannibal

This TV show based on the characters from Thomas Harris’s books, Hannibal mainly focuses on the relationship between the iconic cannibal psychiatrist and Will Graham, a gifted profiler with some dark issues of his own. Hannibal is mainly a police procedural where some very disturbing murders are being investigated. It is visually captivating and unsettling at the same time. The discomfort stems from the brutality of the murders but also from the fact that cannibalism kind of makes us hungry. We are aware that human flesh is the main ingredient in Hannibal Lecter’s meals but they are all so beautifully plated and look so exquisitely appetizing that a part of you sort of want to taste…

Succession

I watched the first season with a detached interest but was captivated during the second season. There is something about watching the filthy rich make terrible decisions and self-destruct that is incredible mesmerizing. This saga about siblings and their father fighting over the control of the family’s media conglomerate, willing to do the worst to each other and to other people, becomes an addictive watch. It is over the top and it is soapy, but it’s also extremely well written and acted.

Dark

This German mind-bending show about time-travel is fascinating. Watch as many episodes as you can in one sitting so you don’t get too lost in the story line. It is confusing at times, but it’s also definitely worth it. A bit slow at the beginning, but once the pace picks up, it doesn’t stop! A third season was recently released, where they’ll tackle time-travel as well as inter-dimension travel!

one day binge

If you don’t want to spend more than a day watching TV shows, there are a bunch of great 1 season series that you could watch.

• Lodge 49 : there are technically 2 seasons of Lodge 49 before it was cancelled by AMC, but you could only watch season 1. That first season was magical; they expertly managed to walk the fine line between tragedy, comedy and the fantastic but for some reason, they failed to recreate that particular mood, the quirkiness and eccentricities, for the second season, and for that reason, it fell flat and felt a tad over the top. That being said, even though season 2 was a bit disappointing, I still believe that Lodge 49 was cancelled too soon.

• Good Omens : this adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s classic has a lot of flaws but we’re willing to see past them because there is also a lot of positive, starting with the incredible chemistry between the two main actors, Micheal Sheen and David Tennant.

• Russian doll : this special take on the Groundhog Day concept is a lot of fun to watch. I thought I’d quickly get tired of the repetitiveness (every time she dies, she wakes up again, in her friend’s apartment, during her birthday party) but they’ve managed to make it interesting.

• Mythic Quest : Raven’s Banquet : Despite the fact that it was created by Rob McElhenney, co-creator of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, one of my favorite shows, I still was so reluctant to give this show a chance because it looked so ridiculously over the top. It turned out to be a whole lot better than expected! I’ll even go as far as saying that it’s very good! Their quarantine episode was pure genius.

• You, me and the Apocalypse : This is a British/ American mini series about a group of people who struggle with the inevitable apocalypse after it is discovered that a comet is on a collision course with Earth. The series as a whole is a bit uneven but there are some pretty funny moments that make it worth while!

• Police squad : before there was the Naked Gun franchise, there was a TV show called Police Squad, also starring Leslie Nielsen. Unfortunately, no one understood the Zucker brothers’ sense of humor then and the project was quickly thrown away. It’s hard to believe what made the Naked Gun so legendary is also the reason why Police squad was cancelled.

That’s about it for the moment. There are, of course, a ton of other watch-worthy TV shows, but these are the ones I liked best.

Have fun!