With Shilo Adams listing his favorite TV of the year that is about to end, it’s now time for KSiteTV Webmaster Craig Byrne’s list. This list is a little bit shorter, narrowed down to a hopefully more manageable Top 10, and one should keep in mind when reading this that there is a lot of great TV that I (the writer of this article, Craig Byrne) just haven’t been able to see. I generally watch TV that makes me happy that I find fun; it doesn’t mean it is any “better” or “worse” than anything else that might be sweeping the awards shows.
So… let’s get started, shall we? Last year’s list can be found here.
10. Lucifer (FOX)
Every once in a while, there’s a show that is developed and even airs before the general public realizes how good it truly is, and the end result is ratings success. Lucifer was probably not high on FOX’s priority list when it started, but now, it is one of the network’s most reliable shows, both critically and in terms of ratings. Tom Ellis is devilishly charming as Lucifer Morningstar and his interactions with characters like Chloe Decker, “Detective Douche,” Maze, Dr. Linda, and Amanadiel have made the show a lot of fun, and the addition of Tom Welling’s new Lieutenant character has brought some new attention from those here at KSiteTV Central who have been around since the Smallville days. Additionally, with no offense to Vancouver – filming in L.A. again makes it all look so nice, since the show does take place in Los Angeles.
Finally, I love that even though there are continuing plots and mysteries, Lucifer is a series that you can randomly tune in to at any time and still be able to follow. More TV should do that.
9. Supergirl (The CW)
My #1 choice last year fell a bit, though it still has some Super moments up its sleeve. A flashback episode titled “Midvale” was one of my favorite things in all of TV last year, and there’s some super solid acting on the show from many cast members — I’m just going to keep quiet in naming names because I don’t want to leave anyone out, but Chyler Leigh and how she portrayed Alex’s ups and downs of the past year was a huge highlight.
At its best, Supergirl offers young women their own hero to look up to, as played by the delightful Melissa Benoist, and I love that… but even though I lean left, I think some of the political commentary can get heavy-handed and off-putting, though. (For example: Why would someone mention “they want to build a wall” in a world where Wonder Woman is President?) Fortunately, all of the cool DC stuff, with the Legion of Super-Heroes around the corner and an interesting new foe in Reign, counteracts that a bit. It still ranks higher for me than The Flash, which has been a lot better for Season 4 but we cannot forget the dour yuck that was much of the latter half of Season 3.
(Also? LENA LUTHOR! Katie McGrath is a gem. So I guess I did name names…)
