The 2016-17 season has come to a close. The season saw many memorable shows come and go over its course. We said "hello" to such newbie success stories as This Is Us and American Housewife and "farewell" to long-running series like 2 Broke Girls and Bones. But the season wasn't just limited to a few success stories and a few sad farewells. The season brought a lot of shows across broadcast, streaming, and cable. Some were huge successes. Others have already been forgotten. I watched and enjoyed many of the shows from the season (some may say too many), but some really stood out. These are the twenty best shows of the 16-17 season, plus a few honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions- A Series of Unfortunate Events, Man With a Plan, Riverdale
I really enjoyed all three of these shows, but for one reason or another, they all fell short of this list. All three had something special about them, and I do truly enjoy them, but they didn't do quite enough to make it. That's not to say that they aren't good shows, though. A Series of Unfortunate Events saw numerous wonderful performances, Man With a Plan consistently made me laugh, and Riverdale constantly kept me hooked to the TV screen. All three could have easily made it on this list.
20- Velshi & Ruhle
The only unscripted program to make this list, this daily MSNBC series pairs business experts Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle, who work absolutely perfectly together. The laid back personality of Velshi balances the fiery Ruhle, making them a match made in heaven. Another great thing when you have two news anchors working together daily is that they have chemistry, and these two certainly do. You can just tell that they're actually friends in real life, which makes for an enjoyable watch. They do wonderful interviews, with their interview with Brad Thomas going down as one of my favorite interviews of all time.
For a Good Episode, Try: N/A (Just watch it daily, guys!)
19- Imaginary Mary
Imaginary Mary is one of two new ABC sitcoms to star an adorable-yet-mischievous creature, and that adorable creature, Rachel Dratch's Mary, makes this show. Without Mary, this is just a run-of-the-mill family comedy (to quote Seinfeld, "Not that there's anything wrong with that). But with the addition of Mary, it flourishes into a wonderful fantasy sitcom that had enormous potential. The show only lasted for 9 episodes, but it did make an impact on me.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 8, "Last Dance With Mary"
18- Santa Clarita Diet
I'm a big fan of Drew Barrymore, so I was planning on trying this out no matter what. When I found out what the titular "Santa Clarita diet" actually was, I did get a bit turned off, as zombie movies and shows aren't really my thing. But this is so much more than the premise and so much more than its stars. The show itself, from its wonderfully wacky plots to the off-the-walls amazing writing, is what really shines here. It's ten episodes of pure joy (with some gross stuff thrown in there, as well) that I just couldn't stop watching. I don't think there's been a Netflix show that I binged so quickly.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 9, "The Book!"
17- Lethal Weapon
I seriously had my doubts about this show, as movie adaptations are traditionally terrible. But this one was not. Clayne Crawford delivered one of my favorite performances of the year, and he also had great chemistry with his onscreen partner Damon Wayans, the Murtaugh to his Riggs. It has a great blend of comedy and drama, and it has really interesting stories each week. I'm a procedural fan, but this show is much more than your average procedural. It has heart, laughs, and action, which makes for a darn good show.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 17, "A Problem Like Maria"
16- I'm Sorry
This gem is little-known, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. Quite the opposite actually. This was one of the shows that helped me survive the Summer 2017 broadcast hiatus, bringing the much-needed laughs weekly. I only decided to watch it the day it premiered, and I'd never even seen a promo, so I had no clue what to expect from it. Luckily, I watched it, and was surprised by how hilarious it actually was. It definitely brings the shock value, pulling that off better than just about any other new show this year. Star Andrea Savage is truly hilarious, and this is probably her best role yet.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 8, "Weekend Alone"
15- The Guest Book
I hadn't even heard of the Guest Book until a few days before it premiered, but with Raising Hope's Greg Garcia behind it, I just had to try it out. The semi-anthological concept of The Guest Book is truly a great one, executed perfectly. It's something that pretty much anyone who's ever stayed in a hotel has thought about, and while this show definitely takes hotel life to an extreme, it definitely makes you think. It's also welcomed many great guests throughout its fist season, with appearances by Office star Jenna Fisher, Mom's Jaime Pressly, Esteemed Character Actress Margo Martindale, and Trophy Wife's Michaela Watkins all standing out.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 8, "Story Eight"
14- Claws
I will admit that at first, Claws wasn't really my cup of tea. The Pilot wasn't really all too great, but starting with episode two, it just got better and better. It's one of those rare dramedies that has a real balance between the two. It's not just a drama with some jokes, and it's not just an hourlong comedy. It combines dramatic and comedic aspects with nearly perfect results, resulting in a wonderfully over-the-top show that left me wanting more each and every week. While the entire cast is spectacular, Niecy Nash (coming off a career-best role as Denise on Scream Queens) and Carrie Preston shine the absolute brightest here, with both delivering amazing performances week after week.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 9, "Ambrosia"
13- Andi Mack
I don't usually watch Disney Channel, and I actually didn't even watch this little gem until just before its second season debuted. I'd heard many good things about it, and luckily those things convinced me to give it a try. I was expecting a traditional cheesy Disney show, but what I got was a smart, sophisticated show that got me hooked immediately. I quickly consumed all twelve episodes of season one, and wanted more immediately. Lizzie McGuire creator Terri Minsky created this one as well, and I'd even say that this show is the superior of the two.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 7, "Dad Influence"
12- The Mick
Not even slightly family friendly, The Mick is one of TV's raunchiest and crudest shows, but with It's Always Sunny star Kaitlin Olson leading the cast, that's hardly a surprise. But what it lacks in family friendliness, it makes up for in the laughs it delivers. The entire Pemberton family is just as crazy as the titular character, providing for plenty of opportunities for the laughs. The show fits like a glove in the Fox comedy roster, which is most certainly a compliment.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 16, "The Implant"
11- This Is Us
One of America's newest obsessions, This Is Us is also one of my obsessions. The family dramedy is one of those tug-at-your-heartstrings shows that I just adore, and it's probably one of my favorite of the genre. The two timelines helps set it apart from the rest, sure, but it also helps add depth and background to the lives of these characters. It helps us connect with them on a deeper level, which is absolutely necessary in a show of this type. It's also had many episodes that just knock it out of the park, with the "Memphis" episode being one of the greatest episodes of TV I've seen in a very long time.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 16, "Memphis"
10- Speechless
I've always been a big fan of the ABC family comedy, so I was predisposed to liking this one from the start. I'm also a big fan of Minnie Driver and I enjoyed her previous effort at a family sitcom, NBC's About a Boy. But this show is different. As much as I enjoyed About a Boy, Speechless is certainly better. It's a family comedy with a nice twist, with the inclusion of a disabled character that was actually played by a disabled actor being much different than the norm. It's a twist that sets the show apart, and makes it a different and wonderful addition to the vast family comedy landscape.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 8, "R-a-y-c-Ray-Cation"
9- Downward Dog
Downward Dog has a premise that appeals to both animal lovers and comedy lovers alike. It's a sweet little show that had heart, humor, and, best of all, an adorable star. No, not Allison Tolman. I'm talking about Ned, the dog portraying the lovable and super emotional Martin. The premise of a girl (or woman, rather) andher relationship with her dog is a simple one, but it's one that works. So, so well.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 5, "Trashed"
I'm not traditionally a big fan of reboots, especially ones that reboot properties that are super iconic. One Day at a Time certainly qualifies as "super iconic," so I was skeptical that they'd be able to pull it off. Luckily, original series producer Norman Lear returned for this one, so that can't have hurt it. Rita Moreno delivers the performance of her lifetime here, and the rest of the cast is also great. It's also a very sweet, heartwarming show that's great for the entire family. It really has something for everyone.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 13, "Quinces"
7- When We Rise
I was always kinda iffy on this show, as it seemed like something that could be a huge snoozefest if not done correctly. Even after the release of promos, I wasn't even sure if I'd enjoy it. So I was in for a pleasant surprise when the show turned out to be excellent. The miniseries aspect of it worked so well, allowing the show to have a natural beginning, middle, and endpoint. The series featured two primary time periods, and I can honestly say that both were really strong. The show is also an important one, detailing the gay rights movement, a cause near and dear to many people's hearts (including my own)
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 6, "Part VI"
6- The Good Place
One of 2016-17's smartest and most innovative new shows is The Good Place, created by modern comedy god Mike Schur. The show truly is unlike anything else on television, and that's definitely a good thing. The cast, led by Kristen Bell and Ted Danson, truly is incredible, helping to bring these characters to life and make them more than just a bunch of weirdos. A show like this could have been a huge mess, but it's not. It's incredible.
For a Good Episode, Try: Literally all of them
Better Things is one of two FX series that made its way onto this list, and if you've watched it, it's not hard to see why. Starring creator and writer and director and producer Pamela Adlon, the series is probably one of the most honest and real shows on television, in addition to being one of the best. The entire cast here is great, with the young actresses playing the daughters of lead character Sam all delivering stellar performances.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 10, "Only Women Bleed"
4- American Housewife
The trailer for this show really did it no justice, and so I went into it with pretty low expectations. The show surprised me though, with a strong pilot and a wonderful second episode. The main character was equal parts sassy and hysterical. Mixon brought her great comedic talents that we saw on Mike & Molly to her role as Katie Otto to great success. She was the perfect choice to play Katie. Her family is also hilarious, with her daughter Anna-Kat providing the most funny moments. The show just works really well, and the recurring guest appearances from Kate Flannery's Crossing Guard Sandy certainly add a lot to the show.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 14, "Time for Love"
3- Trial & Error
John Lithgow (who I've loved for most of my life due to my grandfather's 3rd Rock obsession) was the only reason that I was really excited for this show, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect from it. From the first episode, I knew NBC really had something special going on with the show. It wasn't just Lithgow that impressed me. It was the whole show. From the entire cast (with its wonderful chemistry and great comedic timing) to the writing to the sets, this show showed it was one of broadcast's best. I love that serialized comedies are becoming more common, and this show had a great season-long story arc that wrapped up lovely (and very funnily) with that beyond-perfect season finale.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 13, "The Verdict"
2- Great News
The highest-ranking comedy on this list, Great News was by far my most anticipated midseason broadcast show. With Tina Fey involved and vibes of my all time fave 30 Rock, this was a show I needed. Throw in comedy legend Andrea Martin and some other funny faces like John Michael Higgins and Horatio Sanz, and you've got comic perfection (well, as close to it as it can possibly come). It was one of two incredible post-Voice Tuesday comedies, and it just won out the top comedy spot. It was very funny from Pilot to Finale, with some funny episodes that I enjoyed revisiting in the seemingly never-ending Summer break that thankfully came to an end a few weeks ago. Martin is the standout here, but the entire cast is immensely talented.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 7, "The Red Door"
1- Feud
While I loved every other show on this list, my choice for #1 was an easy one. It had to be Feud. From the fantastic, Emmy-worthy, performances to the wondrous storylines, nearly everything about Feud was perfect. I really can't think of anything about Feud that I can criticize, something I can do with every other show on this list. Jessica Lange was fantastic as always, but Judy Davis (who I'd honestly never heard of before this series), Jackie Hoffman and Susan Sarandon were fantastic as well. Add to that some fantastic writing and directing, and you've got one great show. The Oscar and finale episodes were truly standouts, but the whole show was perfect and needs to but watched. If you haven't yet watched it and you're still reading this, well, I have a friend for you. And that friend is named Amazon.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 5, "And the Winner Is... (The Oscars of 1963)"
What do you think of my list? What are your favorite 2016-17 newbies? Let me know in the comments and don't forget to vote in the poll below!
Well, friends. This is the end. Tonight's episode was the finale of Feud: Bette and Joan, something that upsets me greatly as this truly has been a lovely ride. I have a lot of thoughts on the episode and the season in general, so instead of my usual recap with some commentary, I'm just going to touch on some major portions of the episode, and provide my analysis of it.
Wow, that was brilliant. I didn't think any episode could top the Oscars episode, which was my favorite, but this one did. It was beautifully crafted and acted. It was touching. It was sad. I can't think of anything bad to say about it. It was just perfect from start to finish. The final scene, showing Bette and Joan on the first day on the set of Baby Jane, was the perfect way to bring the show full circle. If only they could have been friends...
For all of the horrible things Bette and Joan have done throughout the series, you couldn't help but feel bad for them, especially Joan. This episode did a wonderful job of depicting the final years of Joan's life, showing her work in Trog (which looks like a real masterpiece). Lange does a terrific job showing Crawford's struggles with her health near the end, and I truly think this is some of her finest work in the series to date. That's not to say that Sarandon wasn't fantastic as always, because she was. Near the end of the episode, when Bette and Olivia and other Joan are all at the Oscars, there was something that really got me. And that was the In Memoriam section, where Joan received just a few seconds devoted to her. Bette's line here was perfect. It showed that she really did care about Joan, and that, unlike her earlier line of "Joan Crawford's dead. Good" would indicate, she wasn't happy she was dead (or at least this version of Bette wasn't).
Thank God we got Judy Davis to make one last appearance as Hedda Hopper, a role for which she truly deserves an Emmy (Please Academy, give this woman the Emmy!). Hedda Hopper was incredibly dead in the late 1970s, but that doesn't stop her from making an appearance to Joan, along with Stanley Tucci's Jack Warner and Sarandon's Bette. This might have been my favorite scene of the finale, because for just one last time, everything got to be perfect again. Hedda was alive, Bette and Joan got along, and they were all having a fun time. It was truly spectacular. It broke my heart when Joan called Mamacita in, and she revealed to Joan that Hedda, Jack, and Bette were never there. I wish they were though. I wish Joan would have been able to have a happy ending, because her true fate was really upsetting.
The secret MVP of this whole season has been Jackie Hoffman as Mamacita, a character that is so easy to fall in love with. Even though Joan frequently treats her like crap, Mamacita is still there for her in her final moments, a time in which, as Mamacita said, nobody else was there for her. Everyone in Hollywood may have showed up for her funeral, but nobody was really there for her. They didn't really care. But Mamacita did, and that's amazing.
While I had high expectations for Feud, I never expected it to be this great. It was truly a masterpiece from start to finish. While I adore previous Murphy series like The People v. OJ, the first season of Scream Queens, and the majority of American Horror Story, Feud is truly my favorite work of his. The incredible cast and the wonderful writing made this a true gem, my favorite show of the entire 2016-17 season. The fact that my least favorite episode is still a solid "A" just shows how much I loved this show. In fact, I'd even say that this show is one of my favorites ever, at least in its first season. I truly hope that the cast of this season will return, since it was filled with fantastic actors who truly did spectacular jobs of portraying these characters. At the very least, I'm hoping Lange, Sarandon, Davis, and Hoffman can all return in some capacity, since they all impressed me so much with their performances this season. Farewell Bette and Joan, I'm going to miss the hell out of you.
Episode Score: 11/10
Episode Grade: A+
Last week's episode of Feud ended with Joan finding out that Bette was nominated for an Oscar and she was not. Things are about to get (even more) interesting.
In "And the Winner is...", we see Joan and Hedda Hopper conspiring against Bette, trying to ruin her chances of winning the Oscar. Because they're horrible and childish, Joan and Hedda call up members of the Academy and get them to not vote for Bette. Hedda explains to them how awful Bette is, and Joan talks about how wonderful the others in the category are. Joan still isn't happy (is she ever happy?) though, and Hedda thinks up a wonderful, awful idea. You see, Bette won't get the Oscar, Joan will. It's a perfect plan, except for the fact that Joan is not nominated. So they have to do some extra work.
So Joan calls up Geraldine Page (Sarah Paulson, who has finally graced us with her presence), and with some convincing, Page allows Joan to accept the award on her behalf, should she win. Next up is Anne Bancroft, who is busy acting in a play and won't be able to attend the Awards. Bancroft accepts Joan's offer to accept the award, and Joan is pretty happy about it.
In the green room, Bette and Joan meet again. You can tell that they really want to kill each other, and it's just really uncomfortable for everyone else in the room. It's now time for Joan to present the award for Best Director, which happens very quickly. That leads to the next scene, in which Joan shows the Best Director to where he needs to go. It's now time for Best Actress, a moment Bette and Joan have waited for for a long time. If Bette gets her way, she'll win. If Joan get her way, she'll win (well, kinda). The name on the envelope is called, and it's Anne Bancroft. So off goes Joan, accepting the award for Bancroft. Bette is, understandably, shocked and upset. It's bad enough to lose the Oscar. She had to witness her enemy accepting the award, rubbing it in her face. Joan poses with the "other" winners (AKS the people that have actually won), and she acts like this is her Oscar. But did anyone expect anything different?
This episode was my favorite of the season, and I really loved seeing Bette's reaction to Joan acting as if she won the Oscar. I'm excited to see where else the show will go from here. This cast is really incredible, though. Sarandon, Lange, and Hoffman continue to be the standouts, but everyone in this cast is a delight to watch.
Episode Grade: A+
Episode Score: 10/10
Throughout its first two episodes, Feud has left me thoroughly entertained. In addition to being incredibly entertaining and fun to watch, it's also of incredibly high quality and it features some of the best performances of the current TV season. Since I didn't post a review last week, I'll be posting abbreviated reviews of both episodes this week. Mommie Dearest
In Mommie Dearest, we get to see more of B.D., which is a great thing since we also get to see more of her relationship with her mother, Bette. It was really interesting to see Bette and B.D., who isn't a very good actress, grow a bit closer, especially with some of those jabs at Joan, with Bette insisting that if Joan didn't ruin the film, nobody (including B.D) could.
Filming of Baby Jane also comes to an end in this episode. I'm both upset by and excited by this. I've loved the scenes that have taken place during filming, but I'm excited to see what else will happen with this legendary feud, especially since they won't even have to be around each other much anymore.
I loved this episode. There were some great scenes with Bette and Joan, and for a few minutes, it seemed like they didn't hate each other. The filming scenes were also really great, with both Bette and Joan trying to antagonize the other during the filming (but really, what else is new). I also loved the scene with Bette talking on the phone to her daughter, a scene that was pretty tough to watch but also done remarkably well.
Episode Score: 10/10
Episode Grade: A+
More, or Less
This is the first episode after filming has wrapped, and we get to see how Bette and Joan's lives are after the film. Neither are getting many film offers, and Joan takes it really hard. Bette has a grand old time promoting the film, but Joan stays home and is just freaking miserable. The difference between the two is pretty crazy to see, and both actresses doing remarkable jobs in this episode.
We also get to see what Bob is up to after Baby Jane. He's working on a western with Frank Sinatra, and at this point I don't care much about the Sinatra film plot, but I hope it's going to lead to something more interesting. Warner says he'll release the film, but only if Bob will make a film similar to Baby Jane and try to get Bette to appear in it.
The final scene, with Joan walking downstairs to find the phones off the hook, was perfect. That scream at the end (when she finds out that Bette was nominated and not her) was the perfect way to end the episode, and I can't wait to see the fallout of the Oscar nominations next week.
I liked this episode less than previous episodes, but that's not to say that I disliked it. It was still an awesome episode, but less so than previous ones. While Bette and Joan again had great storylines, I wasn't too invested in Bob's, though it didn't get much screen time and it didn't bother me much.
Feud delivered one the finest pilots of the season, with great performances all around. I'm hoping that the second episode can live up to the first.
The episode begins with a young actress that will be in Baby Jane approaching Joan for an autograph. She says it's for her grandmother, who's loved Joan since childhood. Of course, Joan, being the horrible person that she is, demands that Bob Aldrich fires her. At first he won't do it, but after Bette requests the same, we see the actress carrying her things out, meaning that the divas have gotten their wishes.
We now get a flashback to the 1940s, where we get to see Joan and Bette in some of their finest roles, including Joan as Mildred Pierce, a role that won her an Oscar (and also a role Bette turned down).
Back in 1962, we see Jack Warner and Bob discussing the film. Jack tells Bob to keep the women fighting, and to make them both feel as if he likes the other one more. It goes without saying that Jack Warner is a horrible person. At a meeting with the wonderfully awful Hedda Hopper, Bob tells her about something that Bette said about Joan. And when Joan reads it in Hedda's column the next day, she is livid. So Joan calls up a rival of Hedda's and says that Bette "looks old enough to be [her] mother". Bette sees this and is furious, and tells Sylvia, a reporter, to "F*** off".
Bette and Bob rehearse over the weekend, and they actually seem to have some chemistry. Joan, of course, knows about Bette and Bob growing closer and wants attention. She calls Bob and asks him to come over. When he arrives, she tries to seduce him, and he won't go for it. The next day, Hedda comes barging into Joan's home, and she's really angry that Joan spoke to one of her rivals. But Joan calms her down, and Hedda seems fine.
On set, Bette gets angry at her daughter because she's flirting, and she drags her home. They fight, some words are said, and it ends with Bette calling Bob. Bob comes to Bette's and confronts her, and they end up kissing. Eww. The episode concludes with Bob returning home to bed, and his wife is laying there awake. Something tells me that this marriage isn't making it out of this series alive.
This was another great episode, and the acting was superb again. This week, Susan Sarandon really impressed me, and she was so good. She was able to deliver some funny lines ("F*** off, Sylvia!" was my favorite line of the whole episode) and also make you somehow feel bad for Bette, even though she and Joan are both being divas. Feud is quickly shaping up as one of my favorite shows on television.
