TOP FAVOURITE TV SHOWS OF 2021...

 

This year was a low-key TV year for me but I still enjoyed quite a few shows and these were the most consistent and memorable:

TOP PICK:

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD (AMAZON): brought to life by Oscar winner Barry Jenkins and adapted from the Colson Whitehead novel, this Amazon miniseries has so much vivid and disturbing detail that it is a hard watch. Jenkins though has a flair for exploring the black experience in America that you can't stop watching the luridness unfold.

the rest, in no particular order:

IT’S A SIN (CHANNEL 4): the story of the rise of the HIV/AIDS pandemic among gay friends in London circa 1981, Russell T Davies shows us the living, breathing individuals and not just their fabulousness hiding real pain.

  

THE FALCON AND THE WINTER SOLDIER (DISNEY):  underrated this year among the Marvel juggernaut but what a culture reset it was to see so many different looks at what it takes to be a superhero.

 

 

 HACKS (HBOMAX): just give Jean Smart all her damn awards now please!

 

RUN THE WORLD (STARZ): yes, it's another 4 best girlfriends format but it was on point.

 

 

THE WHITE LOTUS (HBO): when white people on vacation go crazy and be having meltdowns...utterly compelling and vicious.

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SQUID GAME (NETFLIX): caught us all off guard but believe the hype and recognize the sad capitalist truth of us all doing desperate stuff in the name of chasing that paper.

SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS (HBOMAX): dropped late in the year but it is Mindy Kaling at her writing and situational best.

 THE OTHER TWO: Season 2 (HBOMAX):  Brooke and Cary return, crazier, gayer and more fame-hungry than before and it made for an even better season.

 

INSECURE: Season 5 (HBO): still currently on, but what a finale Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore have given us. Every fear, goal, success and friendship is culminating into something memorable. Oh, and that "little man fresh out the pum pum" line will remain in our minds forever! 

 

IMPEACHMENT: AMERICAN CRIME STORY (FX): still sharp in its 3rd expose and this time we delve deep into the Clinton sex scandal. Everyone delivers and, truth be told, Clive Owen was a revelation as the President.