To me, the greatest thing about television these days is that there are so many good shows to choose from. However, a common complaint of the golden age of television is that there are so many good shows on TV right now that it's impossible to watch them all. The existence of DVR and on-demand streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon have not made things much easier. That's why I'm narrowing it down for you. I have made a list of the ten shows currently on the air that stand out the most in the tidal wave of viewing options, accompanied by descriptions of what I think makes them so great. As far as I'm concerned these are the shows that should be put on the top of your viewing list.
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
So many things about 2016 and 2017 were so outrageous they were easy to parody. As a result, SNL's ratings have skyrocketed, but the show is only doing what it has always done: putting the ridiculousness of mankind under a microscope.
Riverdale (CW)
Archie meets Twin Peaks. Seeing Archie, Veronica, Betty, Jughead and others in live action is one thing but this show is the deepest and most satisfying teen mystery series since Veronica Mars. Not surprising since it is executive produced by the mastermind behind all of The CW's comic-based sci-fi/dramas, Greg Berlanti (Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow).
The Carmichael Show (NBC)
Not the funniest sitcom on TV but it may be the most important one. This is the All in the Family of our time. Not afraid to touch upon subjects that sitcoms rarely acknowledge, let alone ones on major networks like NBC.
Veep (HBO)
This show remains clever and consistently hilarious despite existing in a time when the real government is crazier than the fictional government.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
The fast and funny comedy from the creator of 30 Rock, Tina Fey, shares that show's brisk pace and wacky atmosphere. Ellie Kemper, Titus Burgess and Carol Kane play the holy trinity of lovable outsiders.
Master of None (Netflix)
One of the most observant TV shows about relationships ever made.
Insecure (HBO)
Anyone who has seen Issa Rae's excellent web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl knows that her cable television follow-up, Insecure, is just as brilliant. There is no one else on television like Rae.
Dear White People (Netflix)
Just like the movie on which it's based, this show represents a voice that is seldom heard but needs to be heard.
American Gods (Starz)
Like The Avengers, but instead of superheroes it's gods, and like the Neil Gaiman book on which it's based, it tackles subject matter that is relevant to our time.
Rick and Morty (Adult Swim)
On the surface grotesque but underneath it is one of the most creative sci-fi comedies in TV history, as heartfelt as it is disturbing.
About the Creator
Eli Sanza
Eli Sanza is a media critic and film historian from California. He posts film and TV news on Twitter and discusses Hollywood history on his podcast and his blog. He is also a Disney geek and currently stuck in the '90s.
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