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#20: “Somebody Somewhere” (2022-)
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HBO’s penchant for dark, graphic shows has made it difficult for more positive material to shine through. That’s a shame because “Somebody Somewhere” is a perfect contrast to the network’s other offerings, giving viewers a taste of optimism. The show is about Sam, a woman struggling to come to terms with the passing of her sister. After befriending her co-worker Joel, Sam gradually starts to give happiness another chance. Of course, the road to self-recovery is paved with a few challenges, with viewers following Sam on this journey. “Somebody Somewhere” deliberately keeps things lowkey, as we watch the two friends empower themselves despite everything life throws at them.
#19: “The Resort” (2022-)
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The mystery genre has seen a resurgence in recent times with films like “Knives Out” and “Murder Mystery.” “The Resort” ups the ante by injecting comedy, tension, and drama all at once. Cristin Milioti and William Jackson Harper play a married couple whose anniversary getaway takes a dark turn. After becoming involved in a 15-year mystery, the protagonists realize there are sinister secrets hiding within the resort itself. It’s a highly binge-worthy series for the revelations uncovered in each episode, building toward the big reveal. “The Resort” tackles the characters’ personal arcs alongside the central plot, giving it great potential as an anthology series with a new mystery in each season.
#18: “Wellington Paranormal” (2018-)
Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s film “What We Do in the Shadows” didn’t reach mainstream success but still generated a spin-off TV series. “Wellington Paranormal” is similarly underrated as a comedy horror mockumentary, although it has a devoted fanbase. The spin-off continues the adventures of police officers Minogue and O'Leary as they investigate more supernatural cases. The humor comes from how underqualified the two are, as the protagonists usually find themselves way in over their heads. Fans of dry, deadpan comedy get great value from “Wellington Paranormal,” where characters behave nothing like you’d expect against paranormal creatures. With the series on an extended hiatus, viewers can check it out in one go before its potential return down the road.
#17: “Will Trent” (2023-)
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Competition from police procedurals like “Criminal Minds” and “Law & Order” makes it easy to overlook “Will Trent.” The ABC network series deserves credit for its engaging titular character, who solves cases with a devil-may-care attitude, masking the inner turmoil from his harsh upbringing. His main motive is to help prevent anyone else from suffering as he did, although Will hides that under a layer of aloofness and a sardonic attitude. Great chemistry between the rest of the cast makes their banter worth watching, which complements the case-of-the-week format. The lack of filler episodes helps keep the action at a brisk pace, so fans can anticipate more sharp storytelling all the way through.
#16: “Shining Girls” (2022-)
It can be difficult to keep up with the many twists in “Shining Girls,” but the series skillfully succeeds in holding the audience's interest all the way. Elizabeth Moss stars as an assault victim who seeks to capture her attacker. Moss carries the show on her back as she uncovers pieces of her own past to bring the villain to justice. Also invaluable is Jamie Bell, whose performance as the terrifying antagonist is greatly responsible for the show’s chilling atmosphere. The abundance of shows on streaming platforms means that “Shining Girls” has flown under the radar. But with the benefit of multiple episodes to tell its story, “Shining Girls” does full justice to the novel it’s based on.
#15: “Superman & Lois” (2021-)
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The comic book landscape became heavily saturated onscreen over the years, leading to significant downsizing - but this one is an underrated gem. While initially believed to be part of the Arrowverse, “Superman & Lois” turned out to have its own continuity. Being much more grounded than a standard superhero series, the focus is on Clark and Lois’ efforts in raising their family. We watch Superman both as the symbol he is and as a person striving to retain his humanity with Lois’ guidance. It might not have the biggest scale, but “Superman & Lois” has a lot of heart. Sure, there’s still plenty of action to enjoy, but this CW show succeeds at reaching for deeper themes.
#14: “Class of '07” (2023-)
No one wants to be stuck around former high school classmates they have issues with. “Class of ‘07” explores what this situation would be like…with the addition of an apocalyptic tidal wave. Cut off from the rest of the world on a small island, the characters have to survive while putting up with each other. All this sounds like the setup for a gritty post-apocalyptic story, but “Class of ‘07” goes completely the opposite way. The show takes a look at the absurdity of the situation, as clique mentality and petty vendettas make things hilariously worse for everyone involved. It can be hard to locate the series in Prime Video’s long lineup, but those who discover “Class of ‘07” are in for a treat.
#13: “Warrior” (2019-)
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It’s not every day we get a period drama filled with martial arts action, which makes “Warrior” instantly appealing. It didn’t get much notice while airing on Cinemax, but a move to HBO Max has expanded its visibility. The show follows protagonist Ah Sahm as he journeys from China to 1870s San Francisco. Ah Sahm braves the Tong Wars to become a force to be reckoned with, although his path is filled with enemies. The concept was first proposed by Bruce Lee back in 1971, and the late star’s imprint can be felt in “Warrior’s” style of play. Fans can get a kick out of watching the entertaining fight sequences while being absorbed into the dangerous backdrop of 19th-century San Francisco.
#12: “Minx” (2022-)
Sometimes, to beat the enemy, you have to act like the enemy. In “Minx,” 1970s feminist Joyce Prigger has no choice but to fight fire with fire. In her pursuit to stop female objectification, she starts an erotic magazine for women, partnering with adult entertainment publisher Doug Renetti. With Joyce now in charge, she has to resist the temptation of becoming part of the system she wants to challenge. Its unconventional premise might be a hard sell to a mainstream audience, but “Minx” definitely has its own unique identity. By embracing the bizarreness of its premise, each episode provides over-the-top material that fits the show’s brand of comedy.
#11: “Starstruck” (2021-)
In this story, New Zealander Jessie has a chance encounter with Tom Kapoor, only to realize that he’s an A-list actor. Difficulties in navigating their contrasting lifestyles make up the bulk of “Starstruck’s” plot – along with the many comedies of error that prevent them from being together. Think of it as “Notting Hill” with a modern twist and a whole lot more jokes. There’s a new surprise at every turn, as all the heartwarming moments are buried under the characters’ awkward attempts at making their relationship work. Romantic comedy shows have become relatively few and far between, so it’s refreshing to see “Starstruck” keep the genre alive.
#10: “The Righteous Gemstones” (2019-)
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John Goodman is identified with his iconic Dan Conner character, so viewers may be surprised if they see him on “The Righteous Gemstones.” The HBO series sees Goodman play Eli Gemstone, the patriarch of a televangelist family who live off donations to their church. As expected by a series created by and starring Danny McBride, the comedian takes “The Righteous Gemstones” to raunchy and over-the-top places. Each season focuses on a new way the family keeps themselves afloat without exposing their true nature. Still, it gives every character their own traits and flaws, and is an ensemble effort in every sense of the word. Free from typical network censorship, the series frequently goes off the rails in ways the audience won’t see coming.
#9: “Breeders” (2020-)
If a show about a couple raising their children doesn’t sound so outrageous, then get ready to be amazed. “Breeders” shows what happens after the whole “living happily ever after” thing, as the main characters realize that it’s not all that it's cracked up to be. Unlike other family-based shows, Mom and Dad’s frustrations threaten to spill out in the worst ways. Weirdly enough, all the temper tantrums and chaotic scenes are refreshing, providing a new lens for viewers to see familial issues play out. Even though there are laughs in store, don’t expect to see many wholesome moments in this creative dark comedy.
#8: “Bad Sisters” (2022-)
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It’s always nice to see strong sisterhood being represented on screen. Of course, with “Bad Sisters” there’s the small catch of the five sisters plotting to murder one of their husbands. It doesn’t sound like they’re the good guys based on that premise, but that’s not entirely true – the sisters go through this necessary evil to save their sibling from an abusive marriage. The use of two different framing narratives means that we don’t really know how the murder took place until the end of the season. It’s a heavy subject matter, sure, but the way the characters fumble toward their goal (and do a bad job hiding it) provides some tremendous offbeat comedy.
#7: “I'm a Virgo” (2023-)
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Is it a coming-of-age drama, a superhero show, or an absurdist comedy? After watching “I’m a Virgo,” you still might not know. What is clear is that the main character is a teenager…who happens to be 13 feet tall. This surreal story follows the giant known as Cootie after his existence is exposed to the world. Make no mistake, there are a lot of jokes about the fact that Cootie’s twice the size of a normal person. But “I’m a Virgo” humanizes the protagonist to be entirely relatable, making viewers sympathize with his naivete. In addition to shooting for greater political commentary, we see that the size of the character matters less than who he is as a person.
#6: “The Rehearsal” (2022-)
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It doesn’t get more original than this. Nathan Fielder jumps deep into the “What If?” aspect of life with “The Rehearsal,” where actors play out potential scenarios to help a person with a problem. Fielder imagines how a person’s future might be affected based on one important decision. Being in the form of a documentary, it also depicts the effect it has on Fielder himself. The lines between what’s scripted and what isn’t are incredibly blurred, so much so that it’ll make you question if it’s all real. Fielder’s form of deadpan comedy works well with the show’s theme, as the comedian ensures every scenario remains entertaining from start to finish.
#5: “Billions” (2016-)
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HBO’s “Succession” proved to be a big hit with stories built around power dynamics, but Showtime addressed this earlier with “Billions.” The series hasn’t gotten as much attention, but its smart writing is second to none. Here, Paul Giamatti’s U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades tries to bring down Damian Lewis’ Bobby Axelrod and his corrupt hedge fund. While Chuck might seem like the protagonist, his thirst for power and illicit dealings sometimes blurs the lines between his morals and Axelrod’s. The rest of the cast members get their own subplots that complement the overarching conflict between Chuck and Axelrod. With lots of style and snappy dialogue, “Billions” is as cool as it can get.
#4: “Pachinko” (2022-)
An epic tale of love, suffering, and tragedy is in store for those who check out “Pachinko.” Set across multiple generations, it follows members of a family affected by the Japanese empire’s reign over Korea. Bolstered by powerful performances, the series doesn’t hold back when it comes to the trials and tribulations experienced by the main characters. It’s not all doom and gloom, though, as “Pachinko” stresses the importance of perseverance. The characters dare to dream of a better future, which we see unravel over the next several decades. While this can be difficult to watch, the rawness of their emotions can be felt with the heaviest impact.
#3: “How To with John Wilson” (2020-)
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A show about asking people things they do in their daily lives sounds tame on paper, yet John Wilson manages to make it a captivating watch. The filmmaker explores New York in search of people to give advice to. These can range from simple topics like how to make small talk to deeper ones such as self-improvement. Interestingly, Wilson opts against appearing on camera himself, wanting to make the person on screen stand out for viewers. It’s a nice spin on the documentary format, as Wilson brings out an interesting side of a seemingly mundane premise.
#2: “Our Flag Means Death” (2022-)
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The pirate genre needed a bit of a reinvention for contemporary audiences, and “Our Flag Means Death” was up for the job. In a quirky take on pirate Stede Bonnet’s life, we follow him and his hapless crew during their journey. Their hopes of experiencing the merry life of a pirate don’t quite work out due to Bonnet’s incompetence. Rather than aiming for swashbuckling adventure, though, the series goes for the tone of a romantic comedy. This happens after Bonnet meets the one and only Blackbeard, with their ensuing relationship serving up plenty of fun moments. “Our Flag Means Death” isn’t even slightly historically accurate, but that’s easy to overlook thanks to its charming cast and playful atmosphere.
#1: “Shrinking” (2023-)
Jason Segel remains best known as Marshall Ericksen in “How I Met Your Mother,” but the actor mines new comic ground with this uplifting series. Starring alongside Harrison Ford – who takes a break from his action star status – Segel plays a widowed therapist with a hands-on approach toward his clients. His new methods end up getting him in hot water with his colleagues and friends. Still, “Shrinking” acknowledges the grief that comes with loss and provides viewers with good-hearted sentiments at the same time. The idea of healing from pain through trial and error is a bold step that the series tackles with grace. It also helps that the cast brings their A-game to balance both comedic and dramatic elements.
