Even the most avid couch potato may not have seen all of the great shows that debuted in the first half of the year, and these 10 shows, ordered by awesomeness, should definitely be at the top of your must-watch list.
“Shogun” (Hulu): This excellent miniseries is as faithful to James Clavell’s novel as the 1980 TV version. But the decision to push British navigator John Blackthorne to the background and focus on the Japanese characters makes it much more compelling. Yes, that means you’ll have to read a lot of subtitles. Bear with me.
“The Contest” (Hulu): Hamazu Tomoaki (Nasubi) recounts how he was tricked into starring in a gory version of “The Truman Show,” a smash hit in Japan. This documentary becomes an indictment of reality TV puppeteers and all of us who willingly let them control our puppets.
“The Greatest Night in Pop” (Netflix): “We Are the World” isn’t a great song, but this documentary about the star-studded recording sessions is great, especially as it shares its share of tense moments, like Bob Dylan freezing up, a drunk Al Jarreau struggling with a solo, and Waylon Jennings walking out after Stevie Wonder pleads for a Swahili chorus.
“The Great Lillian Hall” (Max): Jessica Lange’s talents are on full display in this three-part drama about a fictional Broadway star whose reign is threatened by the onset of dementia. Hall has plenty of flaws, but Minnesota’s greatest actor of all time adds enough to have you praying she’ll be there until opening day.
“Hucks” (Max): The third season was a great showcase for its female guest stars, particularly Helen Hunt as a ruthless executive and Christina Hendricks as a perverse power broker, but nothing was more entertaining than leads Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart squaring off in solitude.
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” (Netflix): The latest instalment in the saga of Cold Blooded Tom Ripley may be his scariest yet. Director and writer Steven Zaillian ups the ante with his black-and-white cinematography and matter-of-fact approach to brutal crimes. Andrew Scott, best known for his role as the Hot Priest in “Fleabag,” becomes progressively more terrifying and fascinating.
“The Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” (Max): Carmichael continues to live up to his title as comedy’s boldest performer in this independently produced reality series, where he’s not afraid to make a bad impression. He treats the screen like a confession booth, as if he’s only able to be honest with himself when the cameras are rolling. It may not be the healthiest form of therapy, but it makes for an unusual viewing experience.
“The Three Body Problem” (Netflix): Game of Thrones team David Benioff and D.B. Weiss know how to turn a complex novel into a heart-racing thriller. This film adaptation of Liu Cixin’s “Memory of Geography” trilogy deals with some heavy topics, like human extinction, but the top-notch cast and jaw-dropping special effects make it worth burning a few extra brain cells.
“Girls5eva” (Netflix): This clever parody of the music world is moving from Peacock to Netflix for its third season, giving it a better chance of getting the attention it deserves. The songs are purposefully silly, and the script has executive producer Tina Fey’s fingerprints all over it, but it’s not silly.
“Elsbeth” (CBS): Though technically a spinoff of “The Good Wife,” this show is really a reboot of “Columbo.” Longtime character actor Carrie Preston makes the most of her opportunity to finally play the lead, bringing vibrancy and warmth to the quirky crime fighter.
