The Fastest Man Alive, the Funniest Cops in New York, and a Virgin: The Ten Best Shows of 2015

One of the reasons I'm drawn to television over a lot of other storytelling formats is that it's constantly progressing. A decade ago some people were saying that reality television was going eliminate scripted television, and now there are over 400 scripted shows across the various network, cable, and online viewing formats. We are in a so called time of "Peak TV," where there are so many viewing options that it is impossible to watch everything out there. More viewing options means more diverse shows than ever before. Sorting through all of the great shows to come up with just ten is difficult, and my list reflects ten shows that I don't think would have been possible a decade ago. Admittedly, as a viewer I tend to lean toward comedy more than drama. What drama shows I do watch tend to be niche shows more than the white male anti-hero shows that win most of the critical praise. These are ten shows that have made the most of television's ever diversifying landscape to tell some of the most fun and compelling stories in the medium. Warning: Some spoilers may follow, but I'll try to keep them to a minimum.

Honorable Mentions:
Community
Broad City
Casual
Catastrophe
Hindsight
Veep
Agent Carter
Arrow
Supergirl
The Good Wife
Scandal
Grey's Anatomy
The Simpsons

Runners-Up:
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC): One of ABC's diverse family comedies that proves that family comedy can still be very funny and socially relevant. Constance Wu is an all-star.

Halt and Catch Fire (AMC): This show improved significantly from its freshman season, by shifting focus to its two much more compelling female leads, while still giving its male leads interesting material to work with. This was one of the most interesting dramas on TV in 2015.

Review (Comedy Central): While the show is at times a little crass for my taste, no other show can induce both laughter and cringing at the same time, like this one. It's the most hilarious of dark comedies.

Daredevil (Netflix): The first glimpse that Marvel and Netflix could do great things together, this show had better action sequences than any other superhero show, and a compelling dedication to tone. It also features one of the best supporting casts of any show, including an amazing villain.

Mr. Robot (USA): One of a handful of shows on, that is being shot more like a movie than a traditional show. This show featured spectacular cinematography, a mastery of suspenseful storytelling, and an amazing starring performance by Rami Malek.


10.) Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox):

About a decade ago, network TV experienced what I would call a modern golden age of comedy with shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and 30 Rock. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is very much a descendant of those shows, with a sharp sense of humor and a deep (and talented!) cast. Comedy is hard, and few shows are as consistently funny as this one. Every cast member gives it their all, and the writers have done a great job of figuring out which jokes work best with each character. Sometimes the show has too many moving parts for its own good, but with a cast this deep, that's bound to happen.

9.) Parks and Recreation (NBC):

Parks and Recreation is one of TV's all time great shows, and its final season was one of the show's best seasons in years. Leslie Knope's Tammy 2 impression in "Ron & Jammy" would be enough to get it on this list, but it also gave us all time great episodes like "Leslie and Ron" which was a funny and touching look at one of TV's oddest friendships. The two part finale "One Last Ride" was a very satisfying end to a show that was often the optimistic and hopeful antidote to so many of the dark and brooding shows that occupy space on TV. There never was or will be another show quite like Parks and Recreation. 

8.) The Flash (The CW):

Greg Berlanti has become the leading influence behind the rise of the comic book adaptation on the small screen. As of 2015, he has produced three DC Comics adapted shows (Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl), and has a fourth (Legends of Tomorrow) set to premiere in early 2016. Berlanti's work changed The CW from the network that markets to teenage girl, to the network that markets to niche audiences. Easily the best of Berlanti's shows is The Flash, which melds the whimsy of its comic book origins with polished special effects, and a perfect balance of dark and humorous themes. The Flash had a near perfect first season, which culminated in one of the most powerful dramatic moments on TV, when Barry was forced to hold his dying mother in his arms, knowing after all his work to save her, he couldn't. Grant Gustin is a spot on casting choice as Barry Allen/The Flash, and the rest of the supporting cast adds a lot of heart and humor to the show. This show works because it is completely sincere, even when it is dealing with some of the more ridiculous aspects of its genre. The Flash is self aware and fun to watch. 

7.) Mom (CBS):

With the increasing diversity of programming on television, it can be difficult to find a way to define shows that blur the lines between comedy and drama. Mom is one of those shows that defies easy categorization. In format, it is very much a traditional Chuck Lorre CBS sitcom, albeit one that's actually good (Yes, that's a burn on you The Big Bang Theory). With adept comedic performers like Allison Janney and Anna Faris, the jokes are quicker, smarter, and funnier than most other shows. Going into its third season, the show has done a good job of building up a supporting cast of comedy savvy actors for the two leads to work with. In spirit, Mom isn't really a sitcom at all, rather it's one of television's most heartfelt dramas about suffering, and what it looks like to stay afloat in a world that seems determined to take you down. What makes Mom excellent, is how nimbly it walks the line between humor and heartache. The jokes never take away from the serious struggles Christy and Bonnie face (such as fighting to remain sober, trying to keep a roof over their heads, and dealing with the death of a loved one), but they do keep the tone of the show from becoming too dark. It's a balance unlike any other show on TV. 

6.) Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix):

In a lot of ways, Tina Fey's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a spiritual successor to her first show 30 Rock. The characters and the plot lines of the show, often become absurd to the point of distraction, but the number of killer jokes per episode is awe inspiring. This show represents a very welcome return to TV by Tina Fey. Kimmy isn't just a rehash of 30 Rock. The titular character is optimistic and endearing in a way that few characters are these days (R.I.P. Leslie Knope). Ellie Kemper has been doing great, but underrated, work for a few years now and seeing her fit with the perfect star vehicle, is nice. The supporting cast is perfect at delivering Fey's fast paced jokes, with ease. Not to mention, the show is flat out hilarious (The running gag that mathematically the Olsen twins must actually be four people, is great), and features the most catchy theme song of any show on TV. 

5.) Jessica Jones (Netflix):

Marvel's Jessica Jones has rightfully earned the title of best superhero show, even if it technically isn't much of a traditional superhero show. With the tone and sensibility of a much darker Veronica Mars (a show of which Krysten Ritter, who is perfectly cast here, is an alum), Jessica Jones is more noir thriller than traditional superhero versus villain tale. That's what makes it stand out in a TV landscape that isn't lacking for good superhero shows. Jessica is a rape survivor. Not only was she physically violated by her attacker, but she was mentally violated by his ability to control the minds of those around him. Kilgrave, Jessica's attacker, is the most horrifying villain from any comic book show, and honestly he's more substantial than any of Marvel's movie villains too. The ensuing fight between Jessica and Kilgrave is a pointed metaphor for the act of rape, those who inflict it, and those who survive it. Jessica has been changed by her experiences, but she's no cowering victim. She's a complicated character who often acts out of fear, but always acts out of a strong determination that Kilgrave must be stopped from hurting more people. The show isn't without its flaws, but Jessica Jones is a sharp portrayal of a fascinating character, and one of the best shows on in any genre. 

4.) iZombie (The CW):

Zombies have risen in cultural status in the last half decade. Television shows and movies have just about exhausted all avenues when it comes to the idea of these brain hungry hoards, which is what makes a smart show like iZombie so much fun. iZombie flips the genre on its head, by making the protagonist, Liv Moore (get the pun?), a zombie who satisfies her need to eat brains by eating the brains of murder victims and then using the insights/personality traits of the victims to help solve their murders. Each week brings a new case and a new brain, which allows the writers to have a lot of fun with the different personalities that they throw at Rose McIver to play. The supporting cast is a lot of fun, and Rahul Kohli in particular often delivers the funniest moment in any given episode. Underneath all of the murder and zombie lore, iZombie is really the story of a woman whose life was altered forever by a disease, and her struggle to maintain her closest relationships, while trying not to become a danger to those she loves. There's nothing prestigious about iZombie, but the story is unique, the writing is sharp, and the cast is incredibly fun to watch. 

3.) Master of None (Netflix):

Aziz Ansari's first attempt at producing his own show was a hit that came out of nowhere. Yes, Ansari quickly became one of the most memorable characters on Parks and Recreation, but what he would bring to the table as a show creator was largely unknown. The result was a charming romantic comedy, and easily the most razor sharp social commentary of any show on TV. The strength of the show lies in Ansari's ability to craft each episode as a complete story. Half of the show's episodes focus on main character, Dev, his struggles dating, and eventually his growing relationship with Rachel (played excellently by the relatively unknown Noel Wells). The other episodes tackle relevant social issues such as lack of diversity in Hollywood ("Indians on TV"), discrimination against women ("Ladies and Gentlemen"), and how our society is quick to ignore the elderly ("Old People"). Most of all, Master of None is incredibly funny and features a cinematography style that many movies would envy, let alone television shows. 

2.) The Mindy Project (Hulu):

The Mindy Project's move from Fox to Hulu hasn't changed the show in any major ways, but well into its fourth season, the show and its creator seem more focused than ever on what they want the show to be. If seasons one and two were Mindy Kaling's version of a long form romantic comedy, then seasons three and four have been the aftermath that is never shown in the movies. Mindy and Danny's relationship is complicated because opposites may attract, but they are also bound to argue. Starting with season three's excellent finale ("Best Man"), the show has been giving Mindy and Danny (played by the always great Chris Messina) a lot of strong dramatic material to work with. These characters have grown more as individuals, partners, and parents in the last half season, than in the entire rest of the show. With all of the new dramatic material, what's impressive is that The Mindy Project is still a hilarious sitcom with a sense of humor unlike any other show. This may not be the most consistently hilarious sitcom, and its social commentary (this season has dealt with the struggles and expectations of first time moms) may not be as strong as a show like Master of None, but The Mindy Project plays the long game better almost any other show. Mindy Kaling is a storyteller who can keep a complex story going for more than twenty episodes, while many show have trouble doing the same with only ten to fifteen episodes. 

1.) Jane the Virgin (The CW): 

Jane the Virgin tops my list of the best shows of 2015, because it is the best balancing act on television. It would be hard for any show to be a telenovela, a satire of telenovelas, an absurd comedy, a heartfelt story about family, a drama about a broke single mother, a romance, and a coming of age story about an aspiring writer all at once. Jane the Virgin doesn't just manage to be all of these things and more, it manages to be them all exceptionally well and with a spot on sense of tone. The success of the show is due in large part to the excellent writing, led by series creator Jennie Snyder Urman, and the deep and talented cast. Jane the Virgin works as a show because its absurd plots (the pilot episode starts with the titular virgin being accidentally artificially inseminated and becoming pregnant with her boss's child) are always grounded by relatable characters who keep their humanity in the face of all of the absurdity surrounding them. Gina Rodriguez's work as Jane would be enough to land this show in the top spot. There is no other actress on TV doing the level of work that Rodriguez is, and it's a testament to the show's writing that it gives her enough great material to shine. The rest of the cast does excellent work as well, with even the most stereotypical of characters being developed into someone complex. In its second season, the show has only gotten stronger. Jane's struggle to be both a mother and a master's student has given the show some of its best material so far, and plot lines like Alba's application for a green card or Rogelio's continuing struggle with having missed more that twenty years of his daughter's life, ground the show in the fears and regrets that we all have. Jane the Virgin probably isn't for everyone, but no show on TV has a bigger heart, and that's what makes it stand out in the most crowded TV landscape ever.