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When your job is watching TV shows (and movies), you have to watcha lotof TV shows.
And at this point in the year …
I’ve arguably watched too many.
Now, a few months later, I’ve watched over 40 seasons of new TV.
Yes, that’s right.I’ve watched 44 seasons of new television this year.
For those keeping score at home, that is currently a rate of one season of TV per week.
Thankfully, most of it was at least decent, if not good.
And some of it was even great.
However, with that much TV to watch, a few shows are inevitably quite bad.
So without further ado, here are my nine best and seven worst TV shows of 2024 so far.
I even included links so you might stream the bad ones in case you’re a glutton for punishment.
My 9 favorite shows of 2024 (so far)
9.
But even if I could talk about those shows, I’d still rate this show very highly.
Her performance is one of the best I’ve seen this year.
Stream now onMax
8.
It was a good adaptation and never had a down episode.
But it never quite blew me away until episode 8.
And honestly, it lived up to the hype.
It still might be, though that honor now might go to the next movie on this list.
The mission of the week structure works and has broad appeal.
It’s as much “Suits” as it is James Bond.
It isn’t preachy though.
Stream now onHulu
5.
‘Ripley’ (Netflix)
“Ripley” is a complicated viewing experience.
This adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” startsslow.
It was beautifully made, but it struggled to keep my attention.
But thenthathappens in episode 3 (no spoilers!)
and for the remaining five-and-a-half episodes it is quite possibly the best TV show of the year.
It’d certainly be in the conversation.
Stream now onNetflix
4.
But this season was a bit of a down season for “Slow Horses.”
It often struggled a bit with pacing in a way it hadn’t in seasons past.
Still, a down season of this show is still an incredible show.
Stream now onApple TV Plus
2.
‘Industry’ season 3
“Industry” is incredible.
In any other year, it’d be the clear top show.
This show is addicting, and once you start watching you won’t be able to stop.
This show was incredible.
That said, the combat is great.
Watch it now, then get ready forseason 2in 2026 (hopefully).
Or at least, there haven’t been any that I’ve seen.
That’s not to say everything has been amazing.
There have been some shows I’ve seen that were “meh,” like “Bad Monkey.”
Some shows have been funny but left me unconvinced that they were actually good.
like “Tires.”
Just know that I still very much think these shows are not worth your time to watch.
“Masters of the Air,” unfortunately, never quite figured out that balance.
‘The Sympathizer’ (Max)
This show had my attention when I saw the trailer.
A TV show based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning book?
Starring Robert Downey Jr. in multiple roles?
Unfortunately, the show just never found its footing.
Some episodes were good, particularly episodes 4-5.
But for the most part, the show was discordant, confusing and worst of all boring.
By the end, I wasn’t entirely sure what I had even watched.
If you don’t want to know, skip on to the next show in the list.
Here’s alinkto the show in case you still want to watch it.
Final spoiler warning for “Sugar”
Okay, ready?
Oh, and he’s an alien.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Now here’s the thing: either of these premises could work.
This show wasn’t nearly as clever as it thought it was.
And yet, inexplicably, it has beenrenewed for a second season.
To be fair, it is still a gorgeous period piece.
At one point the show literally jumps the shark (okay, it’s a CGI whale).
To sum up my thoughts on this show, I’ll just leave you with myreviewof episode 8.
“This show has completely lost its mind.”
This show has to be the most boring show I’ve ever seen.
I would not recommend it to anyone, for any reason.
Well, if you watch “The Regime,” you’ll no longer need to ask that question.
Winslet is one of many talented actors on this show, none of whose performances I enjoyed.
Instead, it just portrayed the sad reality of life in an authoritarian state with an unqualified leader.
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