The Best of 2015: David's Top 10 TV Shows of 2015

Every year I try and name my top television shows of the past year. As every year goes by the list gets longer and longer (top 12 shows of 2012, top 13 shows of 2013, etc.) In hopes of not having to write a novel for 2068 I’m capping my list at ten, even though 2015 was the year of #PeakTV. 

The list will be in alphabetical order because with such a variety of shows and genres I find it near impossible to say one is “better” than another. “Better” at what exactly? Every show has a different agenda and it is not my place to put Broad City under the same level of scrutiny that I do a show like Mad Men. I also do my best to keep spoilers to a minimum but there are some details I could not ignore, so you have been warned.

Unfortunately there will be noticeable absences from my list. I’m doing my best to catch up on The Leftovers and The Americans, which I have heard are both amazing. Plus many shows released their entire season in the last few weeks of 2015 (Transparent and Making a Murderer). Since this is not my real job and no advance screeners were available I was unable to see everything. However, these ten shows I did have a chance to see and love:

Better Call Saul (Season 1)

This shouldn’t have worked. Let’s give the comedic side-character his own spin-off! What could go wrong? Well it turns out nothing can when you have Bob Odenkirk, Vince Gilligan and the Breaking Bad team! While some may say season one was slow, it’s probably because we are used to the speed Jesse was traveling in the last episode we saw. We knew Odenkirk was funny but his dramatic work especially alongside his brother Chuck (Michael McKean) was a great surprise.

Podcast Appearances: Premiere & Finale 

Fargo (Season 2)

I hate comparing shows but this year we saw the sophomore seasons of two critically loved miniseries largely from the mind of one individual. One of which (Fargo) could earn the number one spot if I was doing an order, the other can’t even be mentioned in the same sentence. (Since this is a new sentence the other show was True Detective). Everything we loved about season one of this FX series was back and multiplied by ten. Editing, directing, writing and an ensemble so good that if I listed them all we would have a run on paragraph! Creator Noah Hawley could catch lighting in a bottle twice but will the third time be a charm too?

Podcast Appearances: Premiere & Finale

Hannibal (Season 3)

Before 2015 I did not see a second of Hannibal and three seasons later I still can’t believe a second of this show aired on a broadcast network. A kaleidoscope lesbian sex scene, scene transitions using melted butter and oh yeah, a cannibal cutting into his ex-patients’ head with a buzzsaw. While the pacing of the season was a little choppy (the creator was forced to speed up his timetable) I am glad we got a beautiful and fitting end to the Will and Hannibal relationship. But if we got another season I would be the first one sitting at that table!

Podcast Appearances: Premiere & Finale

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (Miniseries)

HBO had the most outlandish character in all of television this year and he was completely real.Throughout February I heard rumblings online about how great this show really was but it was not until the eve of the finale when Robert Durst was arrested that I caved in to see what the fuss was all about. Two days later when I made it to the finale and heard Durst’s open mic, my jaw had to be lifted off of the ground. While the production timeline is a little fuzzy and perhaps blurs journalism ethics, it is hard to deny it was such an addicting television show.

Podcast Appearances: Series

The Last Man on Earth (Seasons 1 & 2)

Nothing may be ever able to top “Alive in Tucson” (the show’s pilot) but this is one of the few shows that I feel compelled to watch live every week. It is unlike anything on television and the most creative broadcast network sitcom. From solo episodes like the pilot to vignettes of Phil’s brother in space, you never know what, or who, will surprise us next. There are still some kinks to work out but when this show swings for the fences it always connects.

Podcast Appearances: Season 1 Premiere & Season 1 Finale

Mad Men (Season 7 Part 2)

While the AMC mandated break up of the final season did hurt the overall strength of season seven, the final four episodes of this half season were some of the show’s best. Everyone had their moment in the sun including Peggy Olsen’s badass arrival to McCann and January Jones’ awards worthy portrayal of Betty Draper and her sudden illness. Don’s finale could have been the brilliant “The Milk and Honey Route” but thankfully we got “Person to Person” where he had the chance to say goodbye to the three most important woman in his life before he has a groundbreaking idea. It was a perfect ending to a great show. Plus as for series finales go at least nobody became a lumberjack.

Podcast Appearances: Midseason Premiere & Series Finale

Man Seeking Woman (Season 1)

Alright you caught me. My bias is seeping into this list but anything I can do to support this show I’m willing to do. Whether it is dating a literal troll or going to a wedding in hell, anything is on the table. For those unfamiliar with the show Jay Baruchel plays Josh who finds himself in awkward and very surreal circumstances in the search for love. There’s time travel, a war room designed to create text messages and an Adolf Hitler appearance from Bill Hader. This show is near impossible to explain but if this sparked your interest season two drops on January 6th…

Podcast Appearances: Premiere

Mr. Robot (Season 1)

Much like The Jinx it was not until the week of the finale that I caved in and fell in love with Mr. Robot. Maybe I was thrown off with the title or maybe I just unfairly judged the show’s network, either way minutes into the pilot I was fully on board! Elliot’s dark and suspenseful attempt to take down E Corp with the mysterious anarchist Mr. Robot was one rollercoaster (or Coney Island ferris wheel) that I was not ready to get off. I have no idea how they can top the turns and surprises of season one but with a show that can eerily predict the future I’m sure Sam Esmail has it all figured out. 

Podcast Appearances: Season (Spoiler Free)

Nathan For You (Season 3)

Much like Man Seeking Woman I need everybody to stop what they are doing and watch this docu-reality series starring this Andy Kaufman-like performer who graduated from one of Canada's top business schools with really good grades. If you checked my dopamine levels at any point during one of these episodes it would be sky high! What started as a spoof of business makeover shows, season three became something else entirely. With an original fitness routine, a slice of life theater piece, and a heroic stunt so big it required seven months of training I can’t even imagine where Nathan will take season four. 

Podcast Appearances: Season

Silicon Valley (Season 2)

There were so many amazing comedy series that could be in this spot (Broad City, Louie, Veep, etc.) but I’m going with the sophomore season of this HBO series (which also won the Critics’ Choice Award for comedy series). While I enjoyed season one, season two fixed any faulty wires and thus a solidly consistent comedy was manufactured. Somehow despite more episodes and losing an hilarious supporting actor, the show only become more awkward and hilarious. An exciting arbitration arc (when have those two words ever been used together?) and guest work from Chris Diamantopolous and Matt McCoy ended the season on a cliffhanger that has me more and more excited for season three.

Podcast Appearances: Premiere

Five Honorable Mentions (to make 15 in honor of 2015): 

Broad City (Season 2), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Season 1), Survivor: Second Chance, Veep (Season 4), and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

Do you agree with my list or did I forget to include one of your favorites? Send me your thoughts or lists either in the comments below or @eastwoodmcfly. For even more television coverage from 2015, listen to all of our podcasts on either iTunes or on YouTube.

Podcast Episode 107: Fear the Walking Dead Premiere, Hannibal Series Finale, Big Brother 17 and The Unauthorized Full House Story

In this week's episode we discuss America’s Most Disliked Celebrity (2:20) and the most loved/hated TV series finales of all time (7:50). We also catch up with Big Brother 17 up to the second double eviction (13:25). Next we review the series premiere of Fear the Walking Dead (22:30) and Lifetime’s Unauthorized Full House Story (34:10). Finally, we say goodbye to Hannibal by looking at the finale “The Wrath of Lamb” (45:45).



You can also listen to past episodes of the podcast on iTunes or on our YouTube channel.

Podcast Episode 101: The Premieres of UnREAL and Hannibal and the Community Finale

In this week's episode with guest host John Berwick we react to the Television Critics Association nominations (2:12) and to the winners of the 5th Annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards (9:04). We also discuss the possibility of Arrested Development season five (12:40). Finally, we review the series premiere of UnREAL entitled “Return” (16:43) the possible series finale of Community entitled “Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television” (28:00) and the season three premiere of Hannibal entitled “Antipasto” (40:54).



You can also listen to past episodes of the podcast on iTunes or on our YouTube channel.

Dual Redundancy's Best of 2014: The 25 Best TV Shows of 2014

by Mike Ladue

Another year of great TV comes to a close. Now it's time to look back on the best shows 2014 had to offer. Many of them were newcomers, freshmen series that made strong first impressions or sophomore series that hit their groove. Some are veterans, old stalwarts reaching the end of their runs. Some never even aired on television -- Netflix and Amazon made strong cases for cutting the cords and switching to streaming services in the new year. But which show was the best of the best? Read on to find out, and be sure to check out the links to our podcasts covering episodes, or in some cases full seasons, of these shows. Enjoy!

25. Masters of Sex, Showtime (Covered here)

Masters of Sex lives up to its title. It’s very, very good at presenting sex as overt text, with all the associated dysfunctions – fear, pride, love – as simmering subtext. But in the expansions of scope that come with second seasons, ushered in by unfortunate cast shake-ups (trading Allison Janney, Beau Bridges and Julianne Nicholson for Betsy Brandt, Sarah Silverman and Artemis of It’s Always Sunny fame is no fair deal) and the universal “Now what?” that befalls the successful writer, plots that strayed from that carnal thesis fell flat. Libby’s dalliance in civil rights, Masters’ familial feuds and all things Cal-O-Metric were filler for the beautiful moments shared between Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan in that hotel. Despite trademark slump that strikes nearly all Showtime shows, Masters of Sex still pulled a few punches – quite literally in “The Fight”, perhaps the series’ best showing to date.  

24. Jane the Virgin, The CW (Covered here)

The CW used to (and may still) market first-run episodes as “fresh”, which is the perfect word to describe Jane the Virgin. Despite being an adaptation of an existing telenovela, Jane’s Latino-energized cast, tongue-in-cheek voiceover and soaptastic twists feel new and very “of this moment” in the evolution of TV. It’s got all the ridiculous machinations of once-great Revenge, without taking itself half as seriously.  (For the record, Revenge started off care-free, too, then ran into the same second season obstacles mentioned earlier.) Jane may suffer the same fate, as the answer to “big mysteries” like the identity of Sin Rostro,  (my guess – Petra’s not-so-wheelchair-bound mother!), the outcome of the insemination trial and Jane’s budding will-they/won’t they with Raphael and Michael, could wrap disappointingly.

23. Looking, HBO (Covered here)

No twenty-something really knows what he’s looking for. Patrick, a San Francisco-dweller who’s still coming to terms with what it means to be an out-and-proud gay man in 2014 America, thinks he’s looking for love. But by the end of this short, sexy, smart season, as Patrick (Jonathan Groff, who breathes much complexity into a thankless role) admires his nude body in the mirror, with two suitors waiting on his call, his true motivations are open to interpretation. The men of Looking are sensitive, a rare trait in TV today, and it provides for moments of real drama (Agustin’s artistic meltdown) and real beauty (“Looking to the Future”, Patrick and Richie’s own Before Sunrise).

22. Boardwalk Empire, HBO (Covered here)

The tagline for Boardwalk’s final season was “No One Goes Quietly”, but it’d have been more apt to pull one from another 5-season HBO masterpiece, Six Feet Under: “Everything Ends”. For whether they went loudly into that good night, like Michael Shannon’s nefarious Nelson Van Alden, or quietly, like Chalky, Gillian, Al or Nucky Thompson himself, every character got what was coming to them. And as fates changed from riches to rags, the production value of every last shot upheld the sublime standard set in the pilot by Scorsese. Often boring but never outright bad, the show deserved more viewers than it had, though ended with much more dignity than that of its characters.

21. Orphan Black, BBC America

Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany.

Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany.

Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany.

Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany. Tatiana Maslany.

But seriously, Tatiana Maslany. There’s nothing else to say. Season 2 struggled a bit creatively, but never failed in its service to Ms. Maslany, just as she has yet to fail the show or its characters. (OK, perhaps the transgender clone was an all-around fail).

 20. The Affair, Showtime (Covered here)

The pilot of Showtime’s he said/she said relationship drama set Gone Girlish expectations, and while the subsequent season featured flashes of emotionally intelligent penmanship, the plot never quite fell in step. Plot aside – a fairer filter than ever before in today’s eclectic, autueristic television landscape – the series featured several commendable, elevating devices; from its clever plays on perspective in the direction, to the narrative teases that dared to stay open by finale night, to Fiona Apple’s haunting title sequence. The Showtime slump could very well sink all involved into an ocean of melodramatic twists, but the cast – especially late-season bloomer Maura Tierney – may keep this one afloat.

19. The Good Wife, CBS (Covered here and here)

Now in its fifth stellar season, The Good Wife sets the gold standard for television across the board. It’s soapy, it’s regal, it’s heart-pounding – all when the story calls for it. The arsenal of memorable characters and series-long arcs conveys how expansive the show’s world has become. The writers take bigger risks over the course of longer seasons than any other team on TV, and those risks pay off about 88% of the time, like in the dramatic handling of star Josh Charles’ exit.  The show proved its adaptability this year, as standing sets, love triangles and the titular Alica Florrick’s career path shifted to interesting new places, while preserving the essence of what made the first four years fun. It’s the procedural, aged to perfection.

18. Archer, F/X (Covered here)

F/X has become the boldest network in the industry, producing content every bit as “quality” as HBO, with half as many boobs. Archer is the first of many entries on the list this year, after perhaps its boldest year yet. The show abandoned its central conceit and tested the talent of the actors and patience of the audience with a season-long drug-running re-boot. The cast (especially Amber Nash as coke-fueled Pam) rose to the occasion, selling every swerve into uncharted, serialized territory. The audience, in general, seemed less enthused, thus prompting next season’s “de-boot” back to ISIS – not the one you’re thinking of – basics.

17. Bob’s Burgers, FOX (Covered here and here)

No show works harder to get as many smiles as Bob’s Burgers. The writing is quick without being obnoxious. The characters are outrageous without being annoying. There’s a warmth to the semi-crude animation, the half-baked musical numbers, the running gags in the credits and Burger-of-the-Day board. The Belchers are a more loving, lovable bunch of meatheads than the cynical, satirical Simpsons and Griffins (of The Simpsons and Family Guy fame, respectively) ever were. And when the laughs come, they come hard – see Bob’s latest Thanksgiving travesty, Gene’s ‘80s movie mash-up musical, or Tina’s trip to the Equestrenaut convention.

16. Community, NBC (Covered here and here)

The only explanation for this show’s continued existence is that it’s been parodying MacGuyver all along, escaping certain death with nothing more than obscure fan chants, Subway sandwiches and the world’s second-most popular search engine. Creator Dan Harmon staged a season-long disappearing act, rearing his unshaven head to rescue the show and its remaining actors from death/mediocrity, in the process producing some of the series’ most poignant, heartfelt episodes yet. The transition from NBC to Yahoo, sans Shirley, hardly seems like a hurdle given the gauntlet Community cast, crew and superfans have been through. If there is a God, he’s a Greendale alum.

15. Girls, HBO (Covered here and here)

What changes does one make after three years of failing to live a satisfying life? That’s the direction Lena Dunham and the Girls team went this year, and the results were, well, satisfying. The raised stakes and heightened tension caused comedic chafing amongst the ensemble, coming to a head in the perfect “Beach House.” In a year full of backstage casting coups and troll vitriol, it’s no surprise death and loss pervaded the episodes. But the worse things get for the characters, the better they get for the audience, as Dunham and co. have mastered the art of schadenfreude. Whatever Iowa brings for Hanah Horvath (or Star Wars brings for Adam Driver), this weekly wallowing in self-deprecation is still must-see TV.

14. Mad Men, AMC (Covered here and here)

Splitting season 7 in half was a universally panned decision, a hindrance on the inertia required for TV’s now-veteran antihero portraiture to flourish.  It surely affected the year-end placement, as the spectacular final two episodes were offset by earlier, flimsier ones. But despite the exponential decay of awards recognition, Mad Men remains a winning program, brimming with careful thought and craftsmanship and thematic integrity. If an episode misses the mark, it still does so with the ever-assured vehemence of Matt Weiner and the incomparable writing staff. Points are always awarded for trying. The cast is aces, still, with Elisabeth Moss perfectly carrying Peggy’s dissatisfaction amidst successes. The end will be brilliant, for sure, with the real question now on whether Weiner will emulate his Sopranos mentor David Chase with an ambiguous ending, or follow fellow AMC mastermind Vince Gilligan’s suit and fully punctuate Don’s tale.

13. True Detective, HBO (Covered here and here)

Time is a flat circle. All of this has happened before, and will happen again. True Detective roared into 2014 with an A-list starring duo, acting out a whodunit of cynical existentialism that, to many’s chagrin, transformed into something more spiritual. It wasn’t about answering questions; rather, about changing the questions and how or why they’re asked. The expectation was for Rust and Marty’s journey to close the gap between what is wondered and what is known, but real, un-Hollywood learning defies that. Author Nic Pizzolatto and director Cary Fukanaga made a splash that’ll resonate in the industry for years to come. Yet already, with the hype for season 2 billowing higher, the backlash and pitfalls of the sophomore slump are inevitable. Time is a flat circle. All of this has happened before, and will happen again.

12. Broad City, Comedy Central

New York has perhaps never been as funny as it is in Broad City. Seinfeld and Girls and HIMYM and literally hundreds of other comedies call NYC home, but Broad City takes the cake for making the city an award-worthy character. Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer are the next Fey and Poehler, outrageously funny comediennes soon to skyrocket from Comedy Central into whatever network TV, Ghostbusters sequel, or awards show hosting gig awaits them. The comedy may not be subtle (it’s broad, get it?!) but it’s in full force, as the ladies pass the Bechdel and all other tests of quality fiction by wide margins. This successful web-series turned series-series should be an inspiration to all low-budget storytellers, especially the women.

11. Louie, F/X (Covered here and here)

Another NYComedy, Louie’s 4^th season came about after the creator’s year-long haitus, its extended gestation resulting in a more serious, serialized product. The humor was there, for sure, but weighted heavier in one-shots like “Back” and “Model.”  Louie became more conventional in this sense, with arcs and recurring characters and a sense of progress for the titular character, most evident in the widely-publicized “So Did the Fat Lady”, an Emmy-winning episode that, personally, fell a bit flat but at least succeeded in fixing the spotlight on another, the fantastic Sarah Baker. It was a year of nuanced and somber storytelling, reveling in smaller moments and fleshed-out memories to shade in the sides of Louie yet uncolored, relying less on CK as an actor and more on CK as a writer/director.

10. Fargo, F/X (Covered here and here)

If imitation’s the sincerest form of flattery, Fargo was an exercise in idolation. The mini/series fits within the canonical universe established in 1996’s film of the same name, with the Coen brothers’ life-force and dialect effortlessly applied to new characters by slew of talented actors. Martin Freeman, Billy Bob Thornton, Colin Hanks, and especially newcomer Allison Tolman all make inspired choices in one of the most unconvential dramedy projects ever undertook. It’s dark and twisted while being uproariously funny, just as everyone hoped it’d be.

9. The Leftovers, HBO (Covered here)

Damon Lindelof had a lot to live up to in his first series premiering since the end of Lost, a show known for its multi-dimensional characters, addictive plot twists and flair for seemingly unanswerable mythological magic tricks. The Leftovers boasts all of these, and a thematic through-line examining grief and loss more poignant than anything that happened on that damn island. Its religious influences are unabashedly recognized in the unfortunate opening title sequence, hopefully quelling the rage that Lindelof saw erupt in Lost’s spiritual finale. Here, Lindelof must play God, taking control of the story with the events of the first season now caught up to the source material. Can he learn from the pitfalls of Lost season 2 and provide answers (or at least answerable questions) before the audience phases out?

8. The Americans, F/X (Covered here)

Serious and stylized, The Americans is denser than any other show on this list. Yet it commands your attention, with out-of-this-world acting by leads Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, tight writing, brutal directing, brash editing… It’s a production tour-de-force with story to boot. The Jacob arc of season two was perfectly paced and executed, as was everything with Nina and Martha and Paige. The density is what drops it down a few pegs, slightly limiting enjoyment. But when it’s firing full-throttle, it’s a thrill-ride unlike anything else on TV. 

7. You’re the Worst, F/X

Relationships aren’t always as romantic as the movies and sitcoms portray. Sometimes they’re messy, and weird, and vulgar and jealous and funny and sexy and awesome. You’re the Worst is all of those, as is its central relationship between Jimmy (Chris Geere) and Gretchen (Aya Cash). Unconventional without being alienating, Jimmy and Gretchen’s love affair is painfully relatable to just about anyone who thought to themselves, “Is this really what love is supposed to feel like?” Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t, but that search, that uncovering of all the bizarre idiosyncrasies of a new flame that either draw you close or push you away, makes for fantastic comedy and great television. Add in Lindsay (Kether Donahue), arguably the best new character of the year, and Edgar (Desmin Borges), the show’s moral center, and you’ve got an ensemble cast for the record books. You’re the Worst is one of the year’s best.

6. Veep, HBO (Covered here and here)

Now formulaic in its cynical hilarity, Veep is coasting along, season after season, with a sureness that’s rarely found in a show so funny.  As the stakes get higher for Selena and her band of idiots, the laughs get rightfully louder. Julia-Louis Dreyfus is the best living comedy actress, surrounded by the best comedic ensemble working today. The writing is carefully layered, broad with speckles of brilliant nuance, economically packed with jokes and barbs with no room for things like emotion. Without Larry David’s wit gracing HBO’s airwaves anymore, its fitting the “no hugging, no learning” heir goes to Louis-Drefyus’ comedic triumph.

5. Game of Thrones, HBO (Covered here, here and here)

This felt like a monumental year for Game of Thrones. Coming off of the “Red Wedding” season, with many of the plotlines from the books apparently nearing their ends, the show still managed to reach stellar heights. Full of unpredictable moments and shocking twists, the stories coalesced into the series’ best finale yet, “The Children”, which sets up even more exciting Westeros action to come. From here on out, the focus intensifies on author George R. R. Martin and his ability to churn out story fast enough for the showrunners to adapt. If the show is about to “jump the shark”, at least it ended season 4 satisfactorily.

4. Orange is the New Black, Netflix (Entire season covered here)

The return to Litchfield was a welcome one, with no signs of sophomore slumping among cast or crew. A few episodes focused on members of the ensemble with stories that never needed telling – in particular, Black Cindy and Mendoza. But everything else was marvelous, the drama amplified by Lorraine Toussaint’s exquisite antagonist Vee, the comedy by Samira Wiley and Yael Stone and Uzo Aduba and Taylor Schilling… ad infinitum. Stagnation has yet to take effect, a sign that the prison setting is a rich one for compelling storytelling. May it be a source of creator Jenji Kohan’s unique brand of dramedy for years to come.

3. Hannibal, NBC (Covered here and here)

The best drama series on television is Hannibal. Season 2 took on many forms, like its title character, mashing the procedural and the ethereal and the diabolical. It did everything right, from the in media res opening battle to the heart-stopping finale, “Mizumono”, the best episode of television in 2014. It wasn’t afraid to sacrifice characters, and showed how the loss of a character can be just as impactful on the story as his or her presence. In a way it took all the best aspects of the other great drama series on the list – The Good Wife’s procedure and The Affair’s games of perspective and Masters of Sex’s psychosexual subtext and Game of Throne’s bloodiness and The Americans’ dark density and The Leftovers’ examinations of grief – and created a prestige pastiche. It exemplifies all that was great about television in 2014, with some of the best, if not the best, acting, writing, directing, editing, scoring, coloring, costuming and SFX in existence. Please, begin consuming this show.

2. The Comeback, HBO (Covered here)

After nine years out of the spotlight, Valerie Cherish got her Comeback. The show once considered “ahead of its time” due to its prescient portrayal of the reality docu-series trend now associated with Kardashians, The Comeback was given the increasingly regular opportunity to fit in with today’s audience. Again, audiences struggled to find it. But again, greatness abounded. Lisa Kudrow as Valerie Cherish is the most perfect actor-character combination ever devised. She deserves multiple Emmys for her work this year, showcasing a range of emotions rarely witnessed among entire ensembles of lesser series. Speaking of ensembles, all the original cast returned and gave pitch-perfect pickups of their characters after 9 years away from Val’s cameras. Everything was well plotted. It was funnier than before, sadder than before, more cringe-worthy than before. If this is truly the end of Valerie Cherish, she, and this show, go out as television legends.

1. Transparent, Amazon (Covered here)

On paper, there’s nothing extraordinary about this show. Yes, there’s the “hook” of the patriarch coming out as transgender to his three spoiled adult children, an achievement in diversity in television for sure. But the plot descriptions for individual episodes sound mundane and uneventful. Watching them, however, is blissful. There’s an atmosphere associated with this show that makes it the most enjoyable of 2014, a huge factor in its ascension to the top of the list. Much like Six Feet Under, a show from which series creator Jill Solloway hails, there’s magic to be found in the day-to-day life of these entitled, neurotic, perfectly imperfect characters. Tambor is a revelation as Maura, and the work he does balancing the character’s “him” and “her” should be remembered not just by Emmys, but by all consumers of media. Reliance on flashbacks totally works here, especially due to the unbelievably strong casting of the younger actors. The Pfefferman family is unlike any other on TV, yet somehow like every family in America. The show is everything good television should aspire to be.

Emmys 2014: Filling Out the Emmy Ballot - Who & What Should Be Nominated?

via Emmys.com

The deadline to submit ballots for the 2014 Emmy Awards is Friday, June 20th. For any Academy members still on the fence over what names to write down, here's a run-down of TV's best and brightest talent from the last season of TV, complete with some liner notes on why some picks were made and who/what just missed the cut.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES:
1. Breaking Bad, AMC
2. Hannibal, NBC
3. The Americans, F/X
4. The Good Wife, CBS
5. True Detective, HBO
6. Game of Thrones, HBO
7. Masters of Sex, Showtime
8. Mad Men, AMC
9. Boardwalk Empire, HBO
10. Orphan Black, BBC America

All of these shows wowed with their writing, directing and acting this year. But the Top 6 all had a sense of urgency about them, a boldness that demands their place in the sun. Masters and Mad Men  and Boardwalk were all subtly stellar, but with so many quality contenders in play, that's not enough for a nomination.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
1. Veep, HBO
2. Orange is the New Black, Netflix
3. Girls, HBO
4. Community, NBC
5. Louie, F/X
6. Enlisted, FOX
7. Looking, HBO
8. Parks and Recreation, NBC
9. Brooklyn Nine-Nine, FOX
10. Getting On, HBO

Please, please, please, let this be the year Modern Family is usurped. Everything in slots 1-5 broke new comedic ground. Enlisted gets the last spot because it was genuinely fun and funny and maybe some Emmy love could bring it back somewhere.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Bryan Cranston as Walter White, Breaking Bad
Jon Hamm as Don Draper, Mad Men
Matthew McConaughey as Rust Cohle, True Detective
Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, Hannibal
Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings, The Americans
Michael Sheen as Bill Masters, Masters of Sex

This was a pretty easy category to narrow down, as these gentlemen are leagues and bounds ahead of anybody else on TV (or, realistically, film) today. The toughest omission was Hannibal's Hugh Dancy, whose character's half-season stint in jail limited his screen time.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Lizzy Caplan as Virginia Johnson, Masters of Sex
Julianna Marguiles as Alicia Florrick, The Good Wife
Tatiana Maslany as Sarah, Beth, Cosima, Rachel (and More), Orphan Black
Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson, Mad Men
Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings, The Americans
Robin Wright as Claire Underwood, House of Cards

Kerry Washington's baby bump really hampered her performance this season and allowed Robin Wright to sneak in, as the latter's monologue about a terminated pregnancy was the season's most gripping sequence. Caplan balanced vulnerability and strength with grace. Russell played nearly as many characters as Maslany this season and will probably get half the credit. Moss still managed to charm while Peggy got nastier, up until her cathartic, triumphant Burger Chef pitch. And Marguiles is just plain outstanding.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Louis C.K. as Louie, Louie
Jonathan Groff as Patrick, Looking
Jake Johnson as Nick Miller, New Girl
Joel McHale as Jeff Winger, Community
Chris O'Dowd as Tom Chadwick, Family Tree
Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt, Parks and Recreation

This category needs a drastic upheaval from last year. Keep C.K., because he's essentially the second-coming, and add these other hysterical, lovable, charming guys.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Malin Akerman as Kate, Trophy Wife
Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath, Girls
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, Veep
Laurie Metcalf as Jenna James, Getting On
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation
Taylor Schilling as Piper Chapman, Orange is the New Black

Akerman balanced being quirky and straight in this role perfectly, perhaps alienating viewers who were accustomed to one extreme or the other. Dunham is finally fully comfortable making the rest of us uncomfortable. JLD is an MVP and will probably walk away with her third straight trophy. Metcalf channeled Steve Carell's Michael Scott in a thankless role on an outlier program, but damn if she wasn't great. Poehler is coasting on goodwill but still finds ways to draw humor from the Pawnee stone. Schilling's hilarity is understated but potent, if that makes any sense, and she belongs here waayyy more than she does in Drama Actress.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Josh Charles as Will Graham, The Good Wife
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones
Dean Norris as Hank Schrader, Breaking Bad
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad
Jeff Perry as Cyrus Beene, Scandal
Jeffrey Wright as Valentin Narcisse, Boardwalk Empire

Charles Dance (Game of Thrones' Tywin Lannister) was painfully omitted from the lineup because he just didn't have enough to do. Everything he did do, however, was marvelous. He nearly bumped Jeff Perry, whose show is far from perfect but holds things together with his signature brand of arrogance. Jeffrey Wright was also on the fence (along with his co-star Michael K. Williams) but left a huge impact after all these months that his exclusion would be unforgivable. Josh Charles may have left The Good Wife, but don't forget the vehemence he closed the role out with in episodes like "Hitting the Fan." The Breaking boys did fine work and should be lauded eternally. And Peter Dinklage roared back into the awards conversation with his monologue at Tyrion's trial. Should his character really be offed Sunday night, this could be his last chance to win in this role.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Christine Baranski as Diane Lockhart, The Good Wife
Anna Gunn as Skyler White, Breaking Bad
Monica Potter as Cristina Braverman, Parenthood
Gretchen Mol as Gillian Darmody, Boardwalk Empire
Maisie Williams as Arya Stark, Game of Thrones
Bellamy Young as Mellie Grant, Scandal

Sophie Turner had the GoT slot locked up until Williams' literal death glare in the season 4 finale really showed off her chops. Bellamy Young's drunk monologues are the highlight of Scandal. Gretchen Mol made incestuous, murderous, drug-addled Gillian Darmody a likable character by the end of season 4. Christine Baranski handled her show's change of tone admirably. Monica Potter kept the tears flowing. And Anna Gunn just destroyed her competition.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Fred Armisen as Various Characters, Portlandia
Raul Castillo as Richie, Looking
Adam Driver as Adam Sackler, Girls
Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer, Parks and Recreation
Timothy C. Simons as Jonah, Veep
Parker Young as Randy Hill, Enlisted

Pratt has been so great for so long, his absence in the first half of this Parks season left the show worse off. Simons is a lightning rod of nasty jokes, taking a beating so the show can rise above. Young's show may be dead but his performance was so alive and fun that it must be remembered. Driver normalized Adam this year and turned out even stronger performances. Armisen was just uproariously funny in every sketch. On the other hand, Castillo wasn't even the slightest bit funny, but he brought an honesty to his role that made Richie lovable.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Danielle Brooks as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson, Orange is the New Black
Carrie Brownstein as Various Characters, Portlandia
Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer, Veep
Kate McKinnon as Various Characters, Saturday Night Live
Kate Mulgrew as Galina "Red" Reznikov, Orange is the New Black
Michaela Watkins as Jackie, Trophy Wife

The two OITNB ladies act their butts off in both comedic and dramatic moments. The two sketch comedy ladies constantly reveal new layers of humor behind their beautiful exteriors. Watkins, an SNL alum, brought the goofy to network comedy, and Chlumsky brought the venom. All these women are equal parts talented and hilarious.

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Jeremy Davies as Peter Bernardone, Hannibal
Harry Hamlin as Jim Culter, Mad Men
Robert Morse as Bert Cooper, Mad Men
Joe Morton as Eli Pope, Scandal
Michael Pitt as Mason Verger, Hannibal
Ray Romano as Hank Rizzoli, Parenthood

Davies won for Justified two years ago and, frankly, could have won again for his reappearance this year, but why not spread the love to an under-appreciated Emmy newcomer? Same goes for Pitt's diabolical Mason Verger. Hamlin played diabolical in a much smarmier way, shedding all stigmas associated with his early roles. Morse is the favorite here, a splendid performer on a chaotic Mad Men season. Romano has quickly ascended the ranks of beloved Parenthood characters, and if Jason Ritter could get a nomination for playing one of Sarah (Lauren Graham)'s beaus, why not Ray? And Joe Morton's role is a Shakespearean POWER. HOUSE. of epic proportions.

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Gillian Anderson as Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier, Hannibal
Allison Janney as Margaret Scully, Masters of Sex
Margo Martindale as Claudia, The Americans
Hettienne Park as Beverly Katz, Hannibal
Carrie Preston as Elsbeth Tascioni, The Good Wife
Gina Torres as Bella Crawford, Hannibal

For as macabre and "bromantic" as Hannibal inherently is, Bryan Fuller casted some fabulous actresses in several meaty roles. Preston's character won last year and is strong enough to be spun-off into a companion series. Martindale is consistently great, though those who only know her from The Millers may be surprised. And Allison Janney's portrayal of an unsatisfied woman's journey to self-acceptance was a marvel to witness.

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jonathan Banks as Professor Buzz Hickey, Community
Steve Buscemi as Marty, Portlandia
Gary Cole as Kent Davison, Veep
Mitch Hurwitz as Koogler, Community
Stephen Merchant as Leslie Higgins, Modern Family
Pablo Schreiber as George "Pornstache" Mendez, Orange is the New Black

Hurwitz isn't even an actor and he out-shone every other guy here. Banks did more subtle work but fine work nonetheless. Buscemi's celery salesman was classic wonky Buscemi that just fit together nicely. Merchant's memorable turn as an over-eager hotel employee helped make "Las Vegas" Modern Family's best episode in years. Cole and Schreiber were arguably supporting actors in their respective seasons, but since they're eligible here, they absolute need inclusion.

OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Uzo Aduba as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren, Orange is the New Black
Sarah Baker as Vanessa, Louie
Laverne Cox as Sofia Burset, Orange is the New Black
Gaby Hoffman as Caroline Sackler, Girls
Patti LuPone as Herself, Girls
Taryn Manning as Tiffany "Pennsatucky" Doggett, Orange is the New Black

More OITNB love, as its ensemble is TV's current best. LuPone parodied herself perfectly. Hoffman let everything go on screen. And Sarah Baker's "So Did The Fat Lady" monologue was such a watercooler moment of this TV season, an Emmy snub would be an egregious slight.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
Breaking Bad, "Felina" (Vince Gilligan)
Breaking Bad, "Ozymandias" (Rian Johnson)
Homeland, "The Star" (Lesli Linka Glatter)
Mad Men, "Waterloo" (Matthew Weiner)
True Detective, "Who Goes There" (Cary Fukunaga)

Skyler choosing between phone and knife. Walt's last stand. Brody's devastating end. Bert's fantastical goodbye. Rust's 6-minute descent into madness. Wow.

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Community, "Geothermal Escapism" (Joe Russo)
Girls, "Two Plane Rides" (Lena Dunham)
Modern Family, "Las Vegas" (Gail Mancuso)
Orange is the New Black, "Can't Fix Crazy" (Michael Trim)
Veep, "Crate" (Chris Addison)

Troy falling back into the lava. Hannah with her acceptance letter. The farcical comings and goings in the Las Vegas hotel. The Christmas pageant (and the battle in the prison yard). Everyone's reactions to Selina's change of status. Double wow.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
The Americans, "Echo" (Joel Fields & Joe Weisberg)
Breaking Bad, "Felina" (Vince Gilligan)
Breaking Bad, "Ozymandias" (Moira Walley-Beckett)
The Good Wife, "The Last Call" (Robert King & Michelle King)
Mad Men, "The Strategy" (Semi Chellas)

Where's "Hitting the Fan" for The Good Wife? That's a much stronger episode of TV than "The Last Call", which is an extremely strong episode of TV. Everything here is great, but that was a home-run, even against Breaking Bad. Perhaps Jared's reveal and Don and Peggy's dance are enough to knock down the meth kingpins.

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Community, "Cooperative Pollygraphy"(Alex Rubens)
Girls, "Beach House" (Jenni Konner & Lena Dunham & Judd Apatow)
Looking, "Looking for the Future"(Andrew Haigh)
New Girl, "Mars Landing" (Josh Malmuth & Nina Pedrad)
Orange is the New Black, "I Wasn't Ready (Pilot)" (Liz Friedman & Jenji Kohan)

Most of these deal with relationships. The study group's relationship to their dead friend and to each other in his absence. Old friends realizing their lives are changing. New relationships budding. Old relationships dying. And isolation from all relationships and the effect that has on someone. All these shows handle character consistently well, these are just the best exampled.

Who are you hoping gets nominated this year? Sound off in the comments or give me a ring on Twitter, @miketvladue. And be sure to check back at Dual Redundancy for all your Emmy awards coverage!