2019 is almost over.
Before we say goodbye to the year, we’re taking a look back at which shows were actually worth watching.
Yes, a lot of TV shows sucked this year. HARD. We’re looking at you, This Is Us!
But some cut through the clutter in a big way, and for that, we’re recognizing the 13 best TV programs of 2019.
Which was your favorite this year?
Schitt’s Creek – Pop TV
Many people only learned what Schitt’s Creek was in the last year, but it has actually been on the air since 2015. In its fifth season, it maintained the quality from the previous four seasons, while dialing up the laughs. The series wraps up for good in 2020, and it will go down as one of the best TV shows ever.
Stranger Things – Netflix
After a dip in quality in its second year, Stranger Things returned to form with a July 4th-set storyline that featured fantastic acting, as well as a nice dose of nostalgia from the 1980s.
Unbelievable – Netflix
Heartbreaking and powerful, Netflix’s miniseries was based on a true story. The series was timely, with first-rate acting, and shed light on subjects TV usually shies away from.
Fleabag – Amazon
Fleabag is the definition of perfection. The comedy series led by Phoebe Waller-Bridge essentially stuck the middle finger up to the sophomore slump, delivering another hilarious season of TV. The awards don’t lie!
Mr. Robot – USA Network
This USA Network drama is delivering a phenomenal final season, one that has been filled with moments that have brought things full circle. The acting from Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin, and Grace Gummer has been breathtaking.
The Walking Dead – AMC
After years of tedious storytelling and lame villains, The Walking Dead finally brought the horror back to the forefront. For the first time in a long time, the show is back to being one of the best on the small screen.
Orange is the New Black – Netflix
Orange is the New Black was more relevant than ever during its seventh and final season. Putting much of the original cast on the backburner to tell a story about ICE was a big risk, but it paid off by educating people about what it’s like to be undocumented.
Euphoria – HBO
A teen drama on HBO may sound like a foreign concept, but Euphoria managed to bring the younger viewers over to the network. It was thanks, in large part, to the acting from the leads, and the wild plots.
Chernobyl – HBO
Chernobyl dramatized the story of the 1986 nuclear plant disaster. It did so in a faithful way that respected the stories of the people who went through the ordeal. HBO did not skimp on the budget either, with the series resembling some big-budged disaster movies.
Looking for Alaska – Hulu
It’s rare for TV or movie adaptations of popular novels to improve on the source material, but that’s exactly what Looking for Alaska did. It was a powerful miniseries and one that will be remembered for years to come.
Jersey Shore: Family Vaction – MTV
Who would have thought the revival of Jersey Shore would deliver more drama than the original series? The cast sure knows how to bring the drama, and that’s why the series is on this list.
American Horror Story: 1984 – FX
American Horror Story staged a rare return to form with its 1980s set season. A killer was on the loose at a summer camp, and it allowed the campy series to regain some originality. Angelica Ross was the MVP in a season that featured a lot of newcomers to the franchise.
9-1-1 – Fox
9-1-1 brought a tsunami to broadcast TV for the first part of its third season. That’s not something to be taken lightly. The show is a bonafide hit.