Television
Year in Review - 2025
The List
(new to me in 2025)
There’s no better feeling than being surprised
I watched so many great shows in 2025 - it was a strong rebound from what I felt what was an underwhelming 2024. Amidst the notable prestige dramas that had me hooked this year - Severance S2 and Andor S2 at the top of the list, I ended the year reflecting that it was the novelty of the shows I didn’t expect that stuck with me the most.
In the spotlight for me are two comedies - The Studio and The Chair Company, both of which featured a frenetic cast of characters with a bewildered lead trying to make sense of his new situation. Both were incredibly funny. And both were entirely unexpected for very different reasons.
The Studio was a highly effective satire of Hollywood from the mind of Seth Rogen. The Chair Company was a social commentary absurdist mystery from the mind of Tim Robinson. That I came to love both of these shows was a complete surprise to me as I didn’t really have any investment in their creators. I’d of course seen Seth Rogen in previous films, but he’s not someone I’ve tracked closely. Tim Robinson I was openly skeptical of, having not been really grabbed by clips I’d seen from his sketch show I Think You Should Leave. Needless to say neither were on my radar.
I don’t want to take away from my enjoyment of Severance and Andor’s Season 2 follow-ups that totally delivered on their promise. Yet 2025 for me is going to be defined by these two comedies and by the glorious feeling of giving something new a try and being absolutely delighted. On that note…
Fleabag - Yes it’s really that good
If you’re like me and still have yet to watch 2016’s Fleabag, stop what you are doing and immediately start watching. Seriously, read no further, spend no more time reflecting with me on my year in television; do yourself a favor and experience what is one of the best tv shows I’ve ever seen!
Ok you can keep reading for now, but it’s seriously all the more amazing to me given how long this series was hyped for me. I’ve had friends vouching for Fleabag since the beginning, but one reason or another always came up that delayed by foray into the series. At some point you’d figure either the hype was recency bias at the time or maybe some aspects of the show would have faded a decade later.
Absolutely not the case. A light spoiler if you’re not already familiar, but the show is notable for how it breaks the “fourth wall” with the audience. I won’t say anything specific here, but needless to say I was captivated with how creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote this character and show. It’s a short series as well - 2 seasons, 6 episodes each, with an average runtime of 30 minutes or less. But in relatively little screen time it tells such a personal and emotionally impactful story!
Better late than never I suppose; I’m very glad to have finally experienced it and will definitely be doing a re-watch in the near future.
And my 2025 Show of the Year is…
The Studio started the year off on such a great footing that I have to give it my nod for favorite show of 2025, though The Chair Company is a close second (perhaps recency bias is holding me back from rating it higher). Both shows are getting a second season, so the ultimate favorite has yet to be crowned.
But let’s let the Studio enjoy it’s moment, and let’s give it up for Sal Sapperstein. The conversation around the The Studio has to start with the cameos - Steve Buscemi, Martin Scorcese, Charlize Theron, Paul Dano, and that’s just in the first episode! It runs the risk of being gimmicky, but it’s also apparent that Rogen recognized the risk and instead put the onus of the show’s movement on himself and his band of followers. For the uninitiated, Rogen plays film studio executive Matt Remmick as he takes charge after a promotion. Once film snob under the boot of his superiors, Matt is quickly thrust into the making the big decisions, and being a total hypocrite once money is on the line.
My enjoyment from the The Studio has to do with its frenetic pacing, which became apparent from the first episode. It’s rare that a series first episode so excellently sets the tone for the series but The Studio Episode 1 absolutely nails it in its hilarity, pacing, perfectly placed cameos, and entry into the wild ride that has become Matt Remmick’s life. Across the 10 episodes, I just never got tired of the hijinks - all the hilarious situations Seth Rogen wrote for himself and his cast are so memorable and definitely left me wanting more.
Now everyone knows the drill, though, and season 2 might need to inject a few new surprises to stand out again. Good luck Seth, you’re a tough act to follow.
What I’m Most Excited For in 2026…
…is everything I didn’t get to in 2025! Seriously, though, so many great shows came out in 2025 that I didn’t even have the chance to watch yet. While I know there will be plenty of great TV to surprise me in 2026, here are the shows I know are worth my time:
The Pitt: S1 & 2
HBO Max
I felt like one of the few consensus takes I saw on the internet last year was that The Pitt was one of the best shows on tv. I grew up on House, not ER, but I do miss the medical tv genre and I get the sense that The Pitt is a very frenetic experience, which is apparently what I like these days. Don’t know much about this one, but I’ll trust the critics and the people and check this one out.
Pluribus
Apple TV
I’m a massive Better Call Saul fan (better than Breaking Bad, come at me) which means I’m a massive Rhea Seehorn fan. When I heard that Vince Gilligan wrote this show specifically for her, and that it was going to be sci-fi, I was totally in. The only reason I haven’t gotten to it yet is that I know there is going to be a Season 2, and I’ve heard that the second season is still a ways away, an unfortunate trend in modern television… No matter, I will watch this and can’t wait to see Rhea shine in something new.
The American Revolution (Ken Burns)
PBS
Ken Burns is one of the greatest public servants that America has living today. Having seen The Vietnam War, Country Music, and Muhammad Ali, I am so impressed and moved by Burns ability to describe the American experience and be inclusive of all stories that need to be told to know the full story. I’m excited at the many voice actors they’ve assembled for this as well, having already heard bits and pieces in advance.
Adolescence
Netflix
I expect this to be a tough watch, but oftentimes the most meaningful shows can be the hardest to stomach. This is Metacritic’s consensus critic #1 show of 2025, so I hope and expect that it treats the subject matter with the seriousness and nuance that it needs rather than being overly sensational.
Mad Men
HBO Max
With Mad Men finally coming back to streaming services via HBO Max, I think it’s finally time I give it a go after years of recommendations. This will be my slow burn show of the year, as I ambitiously try to work through 7 seasons and 80+ episodes, but I expect it won’t feel too difficult once it gets going.