Listen, I’m not proud of the amount of television I’ve watched this year. So I’m writing this favorite shows of 2020 post not as a badge of honor the way I’ve been doing with my yearly reading lists since 2011. I’m a little embarrassed by this post, but what is the point of TV if not to discuss it with others?
I watch most of my TV on my iPhone with a bluetooth earbud in one ear while I’m cooking, walking on the treadmill (walking outside is for audiobooks and podcasts), organizing, or doing other tasks that don’t require my full concentration. The only shows I’ve sat down and watched like a regular person are Shtisel (subtitles make it impossible to multi-task) and Cobra Kai. Both of those shows are the only shows I watched with my husband, who watched NOTHING ELSE this year except those two shows with me and the Michael Jordan documentary with our kids.
I cooked A LOT this year, which means I watched a lot of extra TV on my iPhone. Also having four kids with different ratings levels I’d permit means watching for me is mostly a private thing and not something I’d have blasting across the whole house. I do often recommend shows to my 16-year-old and then we can chat about them. I tried to get him into Friday Night Lights, an old favorite of mine, but he didn’t love it. And he plays football! I’m still in shock.
So here is the list of my favorite shows in 2020 in no particular order!
Ted Lasso: I don’t enjoy watching sports AT ALL, but I loved this show so much. It’s smart, funny, and heartwarming. Brene Brown even did a full podcast episode about it. It’s something you can watch with teens (maybe age 13 and up? My 16-year-old loved it). Apple TV
Outlander: I watched the entire series this year and it’s what got me through the early lockdown days while doing my best to ignore the people in my house and ignore the reality of life. Outlander is NOT one to watch with kids around. It’s very sexy and very violent–so that’s your warning about that. I was totally swept up into the love story. You need to enjoy time travel. The first episode is dreadfully boring, but then it picks up. I was so excited to tell my mom about this show, then wasn’t surprised that she’d already watched it and read the books, too. Same thing happened with Game of Thrones. She’s always a step ahead of me! Netflix for the old seasons and Starz for the newest
Handmaid’s Tale: I watched season three this year. I love this show even though it’s totally anxiety producing. Season three goes beyond the scope of the book, and it’s probably my favorite season. Hulu
Normal People: I found the book very slow, and the show was also pretty slow, but the visual version spoke to me. I loved the casting and the music. Still found some elements of their relationship tedious, but no regrets in spending time with this one. Hulu
The Morning Show: I loved the cast (Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, Reese, Billy Crudup). A good “me too” drama. It was fun to see Reese in a different role than the type-A perfectionist she’s been playing for so long. Apple TV.
Succession: I loved this drama (and sometimes comedy) about a family business. HBO
Friends From College: This show was really fun. Fred Savage was the best part. I was sad there wasn’t more than two seasons. Netflix
Little Fires Everywhere: More Reese, this time a more typical Reese role. I didn’t love Kerry Washington’s acting in this one as much as I expected, but I liked the production as a whole. The teens were especially good! I liked the show better than the book, though the book is good too. Hulu
A Place to Call Home: This is a soapy Australian show set in the 50s and it’s so good. A few of the Jewish elements brought me to tears. Really, this show was unlike anything I’ve seen. I still think about it all the time. Acorn
Shtisel: This one is an Israeli/Haredi soap opera with subtitles. Bryan and I watched it all together and we both loved it and can’t wait for the next season. Netflix
The Crown: I watched all four seasons this year, and I really like this show. I had zero interest in the British royal family before and now I’m totally obsessed. Season four is the best. This show was a good one for me to watch after my sadness at finishing A Place to Call Home. Netflix
Schitt’s Creek: I think I started this one in 2019, but I finished this year. The first half of the first season isn’t great. You’re like, why would I care about these people!? By the end of season two, they’re like family. By the end of season six, you’re so sad it’s over. Netflix
Emily in Paris: A fun, soapy Darren Star show about an American in Paris. Watched in two days. Netflix
Bridgerton: A 19th Century Gossip Girl concept narrated by Julie Andrews and based on a series of romance books about the Bridgerton family. Another show that is a tad slow at first and then it gets so good. The first few episodes you could watch on a big TV with kids around, then you absolutely CANNOT. Netflix
Glad I watched, but not a “favorite”
The Undoing: Everyone was talking about this show so I’m glad I could follow along and form my own opinion. But it was disturbing and I sort of wish I could forget some of it. HBO
Unorthodox: I preferred the book. The show deviates a lot, and I’m not sure why. Netflix
Am still watching . . .
This is Us, whenever it’s on. But it’s barely been on this year, right? NBC
A Million Little Things, because it shows up on my DVR by the treadmill, but it’s not that good. ABC
Virgin River, which is good, not great. Netflix
Cobra Kai: Bryan and I are in the middle of this one. It’s entertaining, not fabulous. Glad to have a show he will watch! Netflix
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Photo by Compare Fibre.
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6 Responses
I loved Little Fires and The Crown, as well as The Morning Show. I feel the same as you about Virgin River. One missing from your list that I HIGHLY recommend is Mrs. America with Cate Blanchette (Hulu). Fascinating!
Good to know on that one! When I get Hulu again for the next season of Handmaid’s Tale I will watch Mrs. America, too.
Great for discussion with kids – Dash and Lily. And surprisingly (maybe, I have never read the books) The Babysitters Club. both Netflix (our only streaming).
My 6th grader loved Netflix’s Babysitters Club. I plan to watch Dash and Lily with a few of my kids this year. Glad to know you liked it!
Cannot believe you have not watched Love Life with Anna Kendrick. I think you would enjoy it! I was sad when it ended.
I love her! Will watch it next time I’m doing an HBO thing.