Clockwise from Top Left: What We Do in the Shadows, Never Have I Ever, Better Call Saul, How To with John Wilson (CREDIT: YouTube Screenshots)
Last year, I decided to rank as many TV shows as I felt like recognizing in my year-end list, and that worked out so well that I decided to do it again for 2020. So welcome to my ranking of the 67 Best TV Shows of 2020! Not every show is accompanied by a blurb, just the ones that I felt like I really needed to say something about.
I worked with a self-imposed rule that I had to have watched at least 50% of a show’s 2020 output for it to be eligible, but there were some shows that I’ve only just begun to watch that I wanted to recognize as well, so they’ve got their own Honorable Mention section. And there were also some shows that aired relatively few episodes in 2020 to the point that I didn’t think they should be eligible either, so they’ve also got an Honorable Mention section. And then there’s one more show that’s managed to establish its very own Honorable Mention section, and that’s where we start.
Alex Trebek (CREDIT: Jeopardy!/YouTube Screenshot)
In honor of Alex Trebek’s last week of new episodes, the That’s Auntertainment team is re-releasing their Jeopardy! episode (original airdate: 12/7/19), in which 2019 Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions semifinalist Steven Grade joins Jeff and Aunt Beth to discuss all things Jeopardy!
The Chase; Celebrity Wheel of Fortune; The Hustler (CREDIT: Ron Batzdorff/ABC; Carol Kaelson/ABC; Christopher Willard/ABC)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies –Pieces of a Woman (January 7 on Netflix)
TV –Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks (January 1 on BBC America) –Earth to Ned Season 1 Part 2 (January 1 on Disney+) – A delightful talk show hosted by an alien. I wrote about it on my newsletter. –RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13 Premiere (January 1 on VH1) –Call Me Kat Series Premiere (January 3 on FOX) – Starring Mayim Bialik and cats. –The Great North Series Premiere (January 3 on FOX) – New animated show with the voices of Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Jenny Slate, Will Forte, and others. -Alex Trebek’s last week of new Jeopardy! episodes (January 4-8, check local listings) –The Hustler Series Premiere (January 4 on ABC) – Another game show on ABC! This one’s hosted by Craig Ferguson. –History of Swear Words (January 5 on Netflix) – Hosted by Nicolas Cage himself. –Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist Season 2 Premiere (January 5 on NBC) –Name That Tune Reboot Premiere (January 6 on FOX) – Hosted by the one and only Jane Krakowski. –Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Series Premiere (January 7 on ABC) –The Chase Reboot Premiere (January 7 on ABC) – Jeopardy! all-time greats Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter, and James Holzhauer square off against contestants. Sara Haines hosts. –Mr. Mayor Series Premiere (January 7 on NBC) – Ted Danson gets right back in the sitcom swing.
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (December 18 on Netflix) – Viola Davis plays the title role alongside Chadwick in his final role.
TV
–American Dad! Holiday Episode (December 21 on TBS)
–Jeopardy!: “Around the World with Alex” (December 21-January 1, check local listings) – 2 weeks of classic episodes of Alex presenting clues from across the globe.
Music
-Paul McCartney, McCartney III – Macca making more music.
-Taylor Swift, Evermore – This came out last week. Taylor keeps sneaking up on us with surprise releases.
Music Documentary
–Excuse Me, I Love You (December 21 on Netflix) – Ariana Grande in concert, hurray!
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
TV
–Moonbase 8 Series Premiere (November 8 on Showtime) – Fred Armisen, Tim Heidecker, and John C. Reilly go to the moon!
–The Unicorn Season 2 Premiere (November 12 on CBS)
Music
-Kylie Minogue, Disco
Music on TV
-2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (November 7 on HBO)
Books
–Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider’s Guide to Jeopardy! (November 10) – Written by The Ringer‘s Claire McNear!
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
TV
–Jeopardy! Season 37 Premiere (September 14, check local listings)
–American Dad! 300th Episode (September 14 on TBS)
–The Drew Barrymore Show Series Premiere – Everybody loves Drew!
–Archer Season 11 Premiere (September 16 on FXX) – Returning to the core premise after several seasons afield.
-Creative Arts Emmys Days 1-4 (Streaming September 14-17 on Emmys.com)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
TV
-From the Vault: 4 Weeks of Jeopardy! Milestones (July 20-August 14, Check local listings) – A collection of memorable episodes from the show’s history.
Music
-Ellie Goulding, Brightest Blue
Books
–The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek (Release Date: July 21) – The longtime Jeopardy! gives us a peek behind the podium
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
Movies
–The Lovebirds (Streaming on Netflix) – Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae finally team up!
–AKA Jane Roe (Premieres May 22 on FX) – A documentary portrait of the woman behind Roe v. Wade.
TV
–Homecoming Season 2 (May 22 on Amazon) – Now starring Janelle Monáe!
–Jeopardy! Teachers Tournament (May 25-June 5, check local listings)
–Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 7 Premiere (May 27 on ABC) – The final season!
Music
-The 1975, Notes on a Conditional Form
Comedy
-Hannah Gadsby: Douglas (May 26 on Netflix)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
TV
–Rick and Morty Season 4 Mid-Season Premiere (May 3 on Adult Swim)
–Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian Series Premiere (May 4 on Disney+) – Docuseries BTS look at our new favorite Star Wars show.
–Jeopardy! Ken Jennings Encore (May 4-15, Check local listings) – Encore presentations of the first and last games in Ken Jennings’ original run as well as the Greatest of All Time tournament.
Comedy
–Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill (May 5 on Netflix)
Every week, I list all the upcoming (or recently released) movies, TV shows, albums, podcasts, etc. that I believe are worth checking out.
TV
–Community on Netflix (Started streaming on April 1) – The greatest show of the 2010s is finally streaming on the biggest streamer around.
–Jeopardy! College Championship (April 6-17, Check local listings)
–The Last O.G. Season 3 Premiere (April 7 on TBS)
–Modern Family Series Finale (April 8 on ABC)
–Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Revival Premiere (April 8 on ABC) – Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel!
–The Good Fight Season 4 Premiere (April 9 on CBS All Access) – I’m still a few seasons behind, though.
