The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to affect TV production, although most productions are back in place – albeit with quite a bit of protocols and preventions in place – TV viewing has been changed – and not just because of the overall proliferation of streaming services and people cutting the cord.
While last year was very bleak, TV fans have been able to, once again, enjoy their favorite shows, good bad or otherwise. There were new shows for which we became obsessed with; outstanding performances, lots of streaming shows to get hooked on, unexpected departures and much, much more.
Please join me as I focus on the top highlights for 2021 (listed in no particular order):
Highest Rated New Network Drama: FBI: International (CBS)
There have been about 10 new dramas debuting this new TV season (2021-2022); and while ratings for all shows (comedy and drama alike on the major AND cable networks) are in rapid decline, the top new drama is FBI: International, which has earned approximately 5.9 million per week.
Favorite New Drama: The Big Leap (FOX)
The reality show within a drama series is struggling in the ratings (just like every other show on the air right now), but it’s clearly the front runner for being the favorite new drama. The ensemble cast is very diverse, the personalities are over the top fun, the dancing has been entertaining and the drama as well as the comedic moments have been a delight.
Best Actress: Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision (Disney+)
It’s hard to imagine any other actress this TV season making more of an impression than Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in the Disney+ series WandaVision. Starting with the pilot episode, filmed in black and white in a salute to shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, through all of the generational salutes to TV comedies, culminating in the showdown between Wanda and her nemesis [more on that below] and Wanda finally “dealing” with the death of her love, Vision, Olsen did a stellar job!
Best Actor: Billy Porter, Pose (FX)
The Emmy and Tony winner stood out this season in his portrayal of Pray Tell in the FX series, which came to an end in June. In what will become an iconic moment, viewers saw Pray go home where he sat in front of his vanity mirror, removing the glam from his face to reveal the man underneath before going down the hall to his bed where he was found lifeless the following morning.
Best Limited Series: Mare of Easttown (HBO)
This limited series starred Kate Winslet as a talented, but deeply flawed, police investigator in a small Pennsylvania town, dealing with a brutal murder case, a complicated family life and a difficult past. Each cast member was outstanding in their roles as well.
Why, Why, Why? (Most Disappointing Cancellation): Rebel (ABC)
This drama debuted in April, airing all of its 10 episodes and averaging 3 million viewers overall. But despite having a stellar cast that included Katey Sagal, Andy Garcia, John Corbett, Tamala Jones, James Lesure and Sam Palladio along with recurring cast members Mary McDonnell, Abigail Spencer, Adam Arkin and Sharon Lawrence – as well as a talented behind the scenes crew and captivating stories – the network pulled the plug on a show that was actually pretty good.
What a Great Way to End (Great Series Finale): Wynonna Earp (Syfy)
After 4 seasons the supernatural horror drama, based on the comic book series, came to an end with the much anticipated wedding of Waverly and Nicole (aka WayHaught) and Wynonna and Doc riding out of Purgatory heading toward Miracle, Montana to finally get their little girl Alice. Of course, the team had to deal with a haunted wedding dress and a vengeful witch, but such is life in the city of Purgatory in Ghost River County. The empty chairs at the wedding, which were dedicated to those characters that were lost, was especially touching.
Best Performance in an Episode (Part 1): Kenneth Choi in 9-1-1 (FOX)
While watching the episode entitled “Home and Away,” if your heart didn’t break for Howie “Chimney” Han as he repeatedly watched the video left by his love Maddie, and then even more so when he begged the doctor at the hospital to tell him what happened to their child. It was gut wrenching to say the least and powerfully moving.
What a Dramatic Season: Virgin River (Netflix)
Season 3 of the Netflix drama was filled with lots of twists and heart wrenching moments from Lilly’s death to Hope’s accident to the scary finale scenes of Preacher presumably being left for dead by one of Paige’s “so-called” friends; young Christopher and Connie in jeopardy when the boy’s uncle (his father’s identical twin) showing up inside the house and then Jack proposing to Mel only to have her telling him that she’s pregnant.
Best Performance in a Short Lived Series (Part 1): Abigail Spencer on Rebel (ABC)
Abigail Spencer portrayed the fast-talking Dr. Misha Nelson in the short-lived ABC drama, and she was a delight to watch in action, putting a spell on Dr. Nathaniel Flynn (series regular Kevin Zegers) while helping with the case against big pharma spearheaded by Annie “Rebel” Flynn Ray Bello (series lead Katey Sagal) and veteran attorney Julian Cruz (series regular Andy Garcia).
It Was Bound to Happen: LeRoy Jethro Gibbs left his position at NCIS (CBS)
He has been the staple of the franchise since the long-running series debuted way back in September of 2003. It was only a matter of time before Gibbs would either be (heaven forbid) killed in the line of duty or, if lucky enough, retire in a cold climate far removed from DC. Gibbs got the latter, and while die-hard fans may not like the fact that he is gone, it was bound to happen.
Best Performance in a Short Lived Series (Part 2): Luke Mitchell on The Republic of Sarah (The CW)
Luke Mitchell has been playing complex characters since he first appeared on US screens back in 2013 [although he spent five years building his resume on Australian TV prior to that]; but it was his role as Danny Copper on the short-lived CW drama The Republic of Sarah that really moved viewers especially his character dealing with his abusive past.
Can You Believe Those Numbers?: Bridgerton (Netflix)
The Regency era drama, based on the Julia Quinn novels, took the streaming world by storm last Christmas, eventually being watched by 83 million viewers and making its lead – Rege-Jean Page, who played the delectable Duke of Hastings – a household name. And, making the second season of the series one of the most anticipated upcoming events.
Best Debut Episode: Superman & Lois (The CW)
TV viewers (and film fans) have seen many variations of the story Kal-El from Krypton; be it from the perspective of a teen-aged Clark Kent in Smallville to the young man figuring out who he really is in Man of Steel. The CW jumped on the bandwagon bringing a new version of Clark Kent to the small screen; that of not only superhero but also husband and father. The pilot episode of Superman & Lois was glorious to watch, giving viewers a glimpse of a different Clark Kent – if only the rest of the season had lived up to that.
Best Rescues of the Year: Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (by Roku Channel) and Manifest (by Netflix)
After two seasons on NBC, the delightfully entertaining Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist was cancelled, leaving a void in the hearts of its devoted fans; and the network also pulled the plug on the mysteries surrounding Manifest after three seasons. But, thankfully the folks over at the Roku Channel have given Zoey’s a second chance with the upcoming holiday movie (and a potential for future episodes should that movie perform well) while Netflix has given Manifest a 4th and final season, allowing the show to, hopefully, clear up a great many cliffhangers.
Best Villain: Kathryn Hahn, WandaVision (Disney+)
Kathryn was at her fiendish best playing Agatha, the mysterious and nosy neighbor on the Disney+ streaming series WandaVision; a character who was later revealed to actually be Agatha Harkness, a very powerful witch, who wanted Wanda’s powers for herself only to be tricked by the Scarlet Witch, eventually being trapped as Agatha the nosy neighbor within her own mind forever. It should be noted that Disney+ has officially announced that a spin-off, starring Kathryn, entitled Agatha: House of Harkness, will be “coming soon.”
Thanks for the Entertainment (Best Franchise of Dramas): All of the Disney+ Marvel dramas
Shifting (but not away) from all of the box office movies to the small screen, the streaming service Disney+ has been showering fans of the Marvel universe with plenty of dramas, starting with the debut of the much-buzzed about and now critically acclaimed series WandaVision to the action and adventure of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier to the trippy and unexpected Loki to the unpredictable stories of What If…? Next up we’ll have Hawkeye and later She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight and so much more. Thank you Disney+!
We’re Gonna Miss You (Most Upsetting Deaths): The most upsetting deaths this year have come from very different shows.
They include: Dr. Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) on Grey’s Anatomy; Jackson West (Titus Makin Jr.) on The Rookie; Nicolette Nevin (Emily VanCamp) on The Resident; Colin Zabel (Evan Peters) on Mare of Easttown and Gordo and Tracy Stevens (Michael Dorman and Sarah Jones) on For All Mankind.
Best Performance in an Episode (Part 2): Gina Torres in 9-1-1: Lone Star (FOX)
In the episode entitled “One Day,” new character Tommy Vega had to deal with the extremely unexpected death of her beloved husband Charles as shown to us in the final moments of the previous week’s episode. Watching as she made the 9-1-1 call with clinical brusqueness, not to mention her putting on a brave face for their twin daughters, was gut-wrenching, to say the least. She spent nearly all of the episode in denial only to break down in the end. It was a magnificently nuanced performance.
Hitting Major Milestones: Law & Order: Special Victims and Chicago Fire (NBC)
It’s a milestone for any TV show to hit its 100th episode – many shows don’t even make it to two or even three seasons. But for the NBC dramas Law & Order: Special Victims and Chicago Fire, their milestones during the 2021-2022 TV season are much bigger than that. Law & Order: Special Victims celebrated its 500th episode while Chicago Fire celebrated its 200th episode; and, ironic or not, their episodes aired back-to-back on consecutive nights in late October.
Worst TV Show: Chad (TBS)
I rarely, if ever, talk about TV comedies, as they simply are one of my least favorite genres. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good laugh, but most TV comedies just rub me the wrong way. None more so than the TBS comedy Chad, which debuted on the cable network in April. The series stars Saturday Night Live alum Nasim Pedrad, an Iranian-born actress who plays a 14-year-old Persian boy desperately trying to fit in and figuring out his cultural identity. Just seeing the trailer and clips of upcoming episodes was a turn-off. Nasim is a talented comedienne and while I understand she worked YEARS to get this comedy off the ground and onto TV, I just found it crass and quite a bit pathetic.
Prettiest Newcomer: Abigail Cowen in Fate: The Winx Saga (Netflix)
This Netflix series may be a teen drama based on a Nickelodeon animated series, but it has all the makings of shows like Shadowhunters (from Freeform), Legacies (The CW) or The Magicians (Syfy). The series is set at a magical boarding school in the Otherworld called Alfea College. There, fairies (yes, fairies) learn how to control their powers – be it light, water, earth, mind, fire (and more) – and they discover that creatures called the Burned Ones have returned to their world and threaten everyone at the college and beyond into our world.
The lead in the series is Abigail Cowen, who plays a powerful fairy named Bloom Peters, who was raised in our world, but soon learns she is a changeling, a human-like creature believed to be a fairy left in place of a human that was stolen by the fairies. This Florida native is best known for her recurring role in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but she has also appeared in Stranger Things, The Fosters and the short-lived Jeremy Piven drama Wisdom of the Crowd. She also appeared in the faith-based box office film I Still Believe and will be the lead in the January 2022 box office movie Redeeming Love based on the novel by Francine Rivers.
What a Disappointing Outcome: Jupiter’s Legacy (Netflix) and Debris (NBC)
I had such high hopes for the Netflix superhero series Jupiter’s Legacy; mainly because of its cast, which included Josh Duhamel, Leslie Bibb, Ben Daniels and Matt Lanter; and the intensity of each episode, leading to the reveal of how the first generation of superheroes attained their abilities; but behind the scenes problems (aka creative differences) and budgetary issues played key roles in the show’s demise. The one “bright spot” in the show’s cancellation is that Netflix announced a new live-action series based on the unrelated comic – but Jupiter universe related – comic titled Supercrooks will be moving forward at the streaming service.
As for the new NBC sci-fi series Debris, the show aired all of its 13 episodes from its debut season from March to May; but the ratings were lackluster to say the least despite each week’s story being “way-out there” crazy and hard to not get captivated by. Unfortunately, perhaps those were the reasons for viewers not sticking around, and worse yet, the show ended with multiple cliffhangers.
Stand Out Dialogue: “But what is grief, if not love persevering?” from WandaVision (Disney+)
These words were uttered by Vision (Paul Bettany) in the WandaVision episode entitled “Previously On,” and those words truly struck a chord with viewers all over. Vision was attempting to comfort Wanda after being forced by her nemesis Agatha to relive the pain of losing her parents, being unable to bury her lover AND losing her brother. The folks over at Junkee stated that this line of dialogue is “likely the most beautiful line ever uttered in the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” but the best comment about this dialogue came from actor, writer and director Madison Hatfield (@madhat31) on Twitter: “Do you hear that sound? It’s every screenwriter in the world whispering a reverent “F*CK” under their breath.” Masterfully done Laura Donney, masterfully done! [By the way Laura was the writer of the “Previously On” episode.]
Favorite Streaming Thriller: Squid Game (Netflix)
For whatever reason, one I am still unclear of, people all over the planet have been flocking to the Netflix Korean thriller Squid Game, watching the show in droves. The disturbing series – which hit Number 1 on the streaming service – has become a breakout hit. The tagline for the show is “Hundreds of cash-strapped contestants accept an invitation to compete in children’s games for a tempting prize, but the stakes are deadly.” I have seen social media posts stating that people have binged the series; that they couldn’t get enough of the series and were just in plain awe of the thriller. Viewing Squid Game for me is a HARD pass, but I can’t deny the attention that it has garnered.
Most Talked About Comedy: Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Again, as I mentioned before, I rarely talk about comedies, but the Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso has garnered a LOT of attention – and its fair share of awards – including 7 Emmy Awards – and accolades. I won’t ever be watching the series – just not my kind of show – but I have to give credit where credit is due.
Hunky Newcomer: Liam Hall in Wicked (Passionflix)
Passionflix may not be a household name in the world of streaming services, but it certainly provides movies to a niche market: woman who want fantasy, romance and lots and lots of love and sex. Co-founded by Tosca Musk – yes, the sister of billionaire Elon Musk and daughter of 70-year old supermodel Maye Musk – this streaming service debuted the small screen adaptation of the Jennifer L. Armentrout sci-fi book Wicked in May of this year.
The movie featured Liam Hall in the lead role of Ren Owens, a hunter of the Fae (think of them like Buffy, the Vampire Slayer except its Fae they seek). This handsome Australian has appeared in episodes of Lucifer, Once Upon a Time, Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and the box office movie Before I Fall. TV viewers may also recognize him as Joseph Wilson (aka Kane Wolfman) in episodes of The CW’s Arrow.
NOTE: The books in the trilogy by Armentrout have been optioned by Passionflix and the folks at the streaming service are actively looking at schedules to film the remaining two books.
So Glad You’ll Be Back: Sanditon (PBS)
Sanditon was a hit with U.S. viewers back in 2020 (while it aired in the U.K. in 2019); and when the realization that only 8 episodes were created and filmed with no plans for a season two, viewers were up-in-arms (to say the least). There were petitions created and a social media movement began. Thankfully the powers that be eventually came to their senses and are giving the fans what they want: more Sanditon. In fact, there will be seasons 2 AND 3; although hunky Theo James will not be returning to the series in the role of Sidney Parker. Sigh!! Mark your calendars for March 20, 2022.
Most Anticipated New, Upcoming Drama: The Sandman (Netflix)
Netflix will be releasing a live-action adaptation of the popular Neil Gaiman comic book series The Sandman, which originally ran for 75 issues way back in January 1989 through March 1996, sometime in 2022. The story is a rich blend of modern myth and dark fantasy, following the people and places affected by Morpheus, the Dream King (Tom Sturridge), as he mends the cosmic and human mistakes he’s made during his vast existence. The ensemble cast will include Game of Thrones alums Gwendoline Christie and Charles Dance; Doctor Who alum Jenna Coleman; Harry Potter alum David Thewlis and the one and only Stephen Fry (along with an array of other talent).
Best Looking Cast on a New Drama: Our Kind of People (FOX)
The FOX drama set in the real-life town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts is a sprawling story of a strong-willed, single mother who sets out to reclaim her family’s name while making an impact with her revolutionary hair care line and learning the truth about who she really is. While the show may not be breaking ratings records – it’s averaging about 1.5 million viewers each week, and is currently on a short hiatus due to the World Series – this new series probably has the best looking cast (and don’t get me started on those incredible hairstyles and the clothes and the shoes – and that’s coming from someone whose idea of dressing up is wearing jeans, a comfy t-shirt and sneakers). Check out the picture to judge for yourself.
A Moving TV Moment: “Birth Mother” episode of This Is Us (NBC)
After several seasons of build-up, and many years of wondering on the part of Randall Pearson, the truth behind the life of his biological mother Laurel DuBois was revealed to him in this episode that aired in January. Shown mostly in flashbacks through stories told to Randall and his wife Beth by Hai, a Vietnamese refugee, who became Laurel’s secret lover during her young adult life, Randall finally got the answers he sought. But it wasn’t until he waded out into the water located on the edge of the lakefront property that he was gifted by Hai, who had been acting as caretaker for many years, screaming out his pain and anger – much like what his own mother did many times herself – that he came to terms with his past.
Just a Little Too Much in Common: Queens (ABC) and Girls5Eva (Peacock)
While these two shows have nearly identical storylines – members of former 90’s girl groups reunite after a hit song of each group is sampled by a current music star and each girl group is given the chance to perform at a big music event – they couldn’t be more different. Girls5Eva is a farcical comedy while Queens is a hip-hop drama. There is no question that both groups – Girls5Eva and Nasty Bitches (aka Queens) – include extremely talented performers [hello, Eve, Brandy, Sara Bareilles and Hamilton’s own Renee Elise Goldsberry!], but Queens is much more showy and theatrical while Girls5Eva has laugh your pants off scenes and, undeniably, horrible song lyrics.
It Was Worth the Wait: Leverage: Redemption (IMDbTV)
The last episode of the 5-seasons long series Leverage aired on Christmas Day back in 2012; and viewers of the series thought that would be it. Jump to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020) when it was announced that a revival of the show had been ordered. Leverage: Redemption debuted the first 8 episodes of its new season during the summer of this year with the back half airing in October. The series brought back the original team Sophie (Gina Bellman), Elliot (Christian Kane), Parker (Beth Riesgraf) and Hardison (Aldis Hodge) and introduced Aleyse Shannon as Breanne, Hardison’s “little sister” and adding Noah Wyle as Harry Wilson; and gifted the fandom with 16 delightfully different and entertaining episodes. There is no word yet if there will be a second season, but it sure would be great to hear some good news soon.
Great Girl Power: Gunpowder Milkshake (Netflix)
This Netflix original had all the earmarks of a Quentin Tarentino film: blood, guts, and even sword fighting; but, thankfully, it was filled with powerful, kick-ass women: Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Angela Bassett, Carla Gugino and Michelle Yeoh. Gillan played a dangerous assassin named Sam, who set out to protect an 8-year old girl (whose father Sam was contracted to kill); and in the course of providing this protection, Sam was reunited with her assassin mother Scarlet (Headey) and a team of lethal associates Madeline (Gugino), Florence (Yeoh) and Anna May (Bassett) in order to take down a ruthless crime syndicate and its army of henchmen. It was a bloody battle that found all but one of the team of ladies making it out, setting out on the road trip of a lifetime. Here’s to hoping they make a sequel.
What have been the stand-out moments on the small screen (networks or streaming) for you? Who was your favorite actor for the year? What series, special or TV event disappointed you the most? Please share your thoughts on TV from this year below.
TOMORROW: Music
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