Favorite New TV Shows of 2016

There is so much TV to keep track of nowadays, what with the influx of not only cable channels joining the fray, but also Netflix, Amazon, and so forth and ad nauseum. So, being one person with limited amounts of time, I haven’t been able to keep up on everything, and how could anyone unless that was their job? So, the below is just a list of the shows that I did manage to keep up with and enjoy enough to either watch them all at once, or managed to not build up a bunch on the DVR.

On to the shows!

Stranger Things

I mean, obviously this show tops the list. I don’t know how anyone who grew up in the ‘80s or at least has an appreciation of the ‘80s wouldn’t enjoy this series. It’s mysterious and fun and full of nostalgia at the same time. Not to mention the kids in it are great. We can only hope that season two can live up to the hype, because boy does this one have a lot to live up to now!

This Is Us

Yes, it’s sappy. Yes, it deliberately pulls on your heartstrings and can be very melodramatic. But there’s still something that draws you in, wanting to know what’s going to happen next to this family across the generations. Hopefully they give Kate more to do than just have it all be about her weight. Still, how the series weaves in and out of the different time periods is done very well, and makes us all wonder – what happened to Jack?

The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story

I remember the OJ Simpson trial happening back in junior high, and talking about it in one of my classes. But I’ll be honest, I don’t really remember many of the details. This series dove down into the nitty gritty of everything that led to OJ being found not guilty, and it was some riveting stuff despite knowing the outcome, thanks to some great pacing and acting from the ensemble cast.

The Good Place

 The Good Place is goofy and strange, and features a lead character that, played by anyone other than Kristen Bell, would likely come off as so unlikable as to be impossible to watch and care about on a weekly basis. But somehow it all comes together to work really well! Ted Danson makes me laugh out loud at least once an episode, as well as the helper computer character Janet. Though it is odd and silly at times, it also has a good message at its core, and makes me want to come back each week. I just hope it makes it to season two! Start watching, people! 

Westworld

You know, I’m a little ambivalent about Westworld. I want to like it more than I actually do. Something about it leaves me feeling a bit cold, and I think it has to do with there being zero redeemable human characters. I know that’s sort of the point of the thing, that the hosts are more human than the humans themselves, but I don’t know. That said, it’s a very well-done show, and all of the acting was great as well, with a particular shout out to Thandie Newton who had to do so much of the show bare naked. The biggest question is – where does it go from here? Guess we’ll have quite a bit of time to think about that as it doesn’t come back until probably 2018!

Honorable Mention: The Shannara Chronicles (super goofy at times, but still engaging)

Still Unsure About: Timeless, Designated Survivor, Frequency

I Want to Like You, But…: Shadowhunters

Any new shows you loved that I should check out? Let me know in the comments!

My Favorite New Shows of 2015
My Favorite New Shows of 2014
My Favorite New Shows of 2013
My Favorite New Shows of 2012
My Favorite New Shows of 2011