2025 was a terrible year for the world. For television, it was surprisingly strong, thanks in part to a wealth of new programs. It was also the first full year of this blog, which I’ll assume is just a coincidence for the uptick in quality. The wheels of capitalism continue to turn, making the future uncertain in all aspects. But before we worry about the future, let’s look back at some of my favorites from the past year.
10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
While Marvel’s live action offerings are still trying to regain their footing, their animation department has been knocking it out of the park. First, with X-Men ’97 and now with this updated version of our favorite wallcrawler. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes the established beats of our hero and finds fun twists on them. Whether it’s Norman Osborn as his mentor or a new homemade suit, it’s still the same Peter Parker we know and love. The cel-shaded animation adds to the unique experience while also paying homage to co-creator Steve Ditko. It’s comic book fun while also telling an engaging story, something surprisingly rare these days.
9. The Studio
Hollywood satires are almost as old as Hollywood. What makes The Studio so special is the sheer joy it seems to have while mocking the business. Co-creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg direct every episode and continually find inventive ways to pay homage to film. Whether it’s a takedown on the one-shot trend that is also all one-shot or a riff on film noir, there’s always something in this show to keep you fixed to the screen. Rogen might also be the lead, but he’s surrounded by a game cast including Catherine O’Hara, Ike Barinholtz, and Kathryn Hahn. That’s before we get into the cavalcade of guest stars, all game to poke fun at the industry and themselves. That a show this funny and inventive is at 9 should be a testament to how great this year was for TV.
8. Common Side Effects
Adult Swim is no stranger to odd programming, but Common Side Effects is outside their usual wheelhouse. A dark comedy/conspiracy thriller with elements of science fiction and stoner comedy blended in. The series follows a myriad of characters, all vying for a mysterious blue mushroom that cures all illnesses. Part of the show’s charm is the array of personalities, from our hippie lead, Marshall, to FBI detectives and best friends Copano and Harrington. The depth of these characters in such a short runtime (usually 22 minutes) is impressive. Equally impressive is the animation, full of compelling action sequences and vibrant psychedelic scenes. It’s wholly unique and wonderfully subversive.
7. The Chair Company
Tim Robinson has made a name for himself by playing guys that can be charitably described as “at their limit.” The Chair Company continues that while taking us inside the conspiratorial mindset of that person. After having a chair collapse beneath him during a presentation, Ron Trosper goes on a quest to find the company behind the chairs and make them…apologize? That Ron isn’t really sure what he wants from this adventure is one of the series’ unspoken gags. Full of bizarre non sequiturs, strange characters, and countless twists, The Chair Company presents a world all its own. One where a stranger in a Jason mask could be the crux of the whole conspiracy or just another element that doesn’t fit.
6. The Lowdown
Sterlin Harjo’s Reservation Dogs was one of the most beautiful and underseen shows of the last decade. His followup, The Lowdown, continues in that vein while adding elements of noir and western into the mix. Ethan Hawke stars as “truth-storian” Lee Raybon as he looks into the probable suicide of wealthy Oklahoman Dale Washberg. In true crime story fashion, there’s more going on than you’d expect. With a terrific cast of supporting players that includes Keith David, Kyle MacLachlan, and Jeanne Tripplehorn, The Lowdown is a story that sits with you. Its focus on the community of Tulsa is well earned and timely, offering a glimmer of hope through our strength together.
5. Adolescence
Devastating and mesmerizing in equal measure, Adolescence takes your typical crime drama and turns it on its head. Each of the series’ 4 episodes focus on a different phase in the investigation into a young girl’s murder, with the added punch that they’re all shot in one take. What could easily become a gimmick creates a tension that builds as each installment unfolds. Add in terrific performances from Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and newcomer Owen Cooper, and you have one of the most thought-provoking series of the year. Adolescence never shies away from the themes it tackles, and it offers no straightforward solutions. It feels real in a way that few shows successfully pull off.
4. The Pitt
Speaking of real, it doesn’t get more realistic than The Pitt. Created by former ER writer R. Scott Gemmill and starring John Carter himself, Noah Wyle, the series’ first season follows a single shift at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, one hour at a time. The show’s real-time concept (mostly) takes out the melodrama in favor of dealing with patients as they come in. It’s a welcome change of pace for a genre that too often revolves around the doctors, nurses, and medical staff’s personal lives. The series also serves as a tribute to the real-life professionals who do this day in and day out by giving us a taste of their process. That it’s also packed with terrific acting and writing only sweetens the whole deal.
3. The Rehearsal
No one can or should do what Nathan Fielder does. On the latest season of his docu-comedy series, the comedian goes to new heights in blending reality and fiction together. In a shockingly relevant move, Fielder tackles airline safety, specifically the possibility that pilots and co-pilots are not having effective communication in the cockpit. His attempts to crack this problem involve creating a fake reality singing show, reliving the life of one famous pilot, and even presenting his findings to a congressional representative. That’s only the tip of this delightful iceberg. Part of the joy of Fielder’s brand of comedy is in his ability to weave disparate threads together in ways you’ll never expect. By the end, you’ll believe a man can fly.
2. Pluribus
What a joy it is to have a new Vince Gilligan show. After spending time in the grounded world of the Breaking Bad universe, Gilligan returns to science fiction with a fun take on the alien invasion concept. When all but a baker’s dozen of people on the planet become part of a hive mind, it’s up to one misanthrope to save the day. Or at least, that’s the initial plan. With an incredible lead performance from Rhea Seehorn and a plot that knows exactly when to subvert your expectations, Pluribus is another winner. What really sets the show apart is the malleability of its central concept. The hive mind can represent the current AI hysteria, far-right groupthink, or any number of concepts that cause havoc in our daily lives. As the disclaimer in its credits states, “this show was made by humans,” for that we’re grateful.
1. Andor
A Star Wars show focused on the spy character from Rogue One was a tough sell initially, but Andor quickly made the case for itself. Part spy show, part political thriller, the show proved that you can create a captivating series in this universe without constant fan pandering. Season two further elevated the series to the pinnacle of what Star Wars can be. The 12-episode season follows Cassian Andor and an assemblage of Rebellion members, Empire toadies, and the civilians caught between them in the years leading up to Andor’s fateful adventure in Rogue One. Thrilling and increasingly relevant, it’s a show that will probably never be duplicated. A story of resistance, hope, and the constant struggle for freedom. If the best science fiction reflects aspects of our current reality, you can’t get much better than this.