Kate’s Top 10 Best TV Shows of All Time

April showers bring May flowers and time to relax at home binge watching your favorite series. Some classics like I Love Lucy and Sex and the City are staples, a rewatch that is sure to make you laugh and quote famous lines. This list doesn’t include the obvious classic but a mix of current and nostalgic favorites that are must watch TV.

Paradise:

If you miss the days of actually putting down your phone to have to follow a show then Paradise is for you. Sterling K. Brown produces and stars in this political thriller available on Hulu. Given the current state of the world this one might hit a little too close to home. Set in a post apocalyptic bunker town, this is the new world post the largest natural disaster our world has ever seen. This thriller takes us through 2 seasons, with a 3 confirmed, of Xavier (Brown’s character) being framed for a murder he didn’t commit in a town that we come to understand is an underground bunker created by billionaire, Samantha. While the beginning might be a bit slow it’s only to ease you into the twists and turns that await you the rest of the season. Cinematic in its essence, once you’re finished, it makes you want to start from the beginning all over again. 

The Pitt:

As the daughter of a medical professional, watching a medical drama isn’t always for me (mostly because my mom is always critiquing in the background) but HBO Max’s The Pitt, hits differently. Taking place in Pittsburg, the series covers a 12 hour shift (from hell) in the ER. The Pitt feels like a love letter to medical professionals across the world because it truly dives into the life and death scenarios that doctors and nurses see, compartmentalize and help people through everyday. The stories on The Pitt will have you laughing, crying and truly understanding what it’s like to be in the medical profession and how much we take those professions for granted. And it helps illustrate how sick and twisted you kind of have to be to do it as a profession! 

The Burbs:

A series remake of the movie, this neighborhood mystery will have you guessing “who done it” up until the last moment. Starring Keke Palmer, and let’s be honest everything Keke touches is gold, this show is hilarious, heartfelt and thrilling. Keke and her young family move into her husband’s childhood home located across the street from a run down victorian that is rumoured to be the scene of a gruesome murder. As a former lawyer, Keke Palmer’s character is enthralled by the story and takes it upon herself to get answers. She enlisted the help of three of her very eccentric neighbours which leads to hilarity, hijinks and heart, plus the music is fire! The first season is streaming on NBC’s Peacock. 

You:

There may be a theme in my scripted television choices but when it’s good it’s good and Netflix’s You is one of the best. Although its final season has aired it is one that you can watch over and over, no held in suspense needed. The show follows, love struck and a psychopathic Joe across love stories that turn from cute crush to deadly obsession. Penn Badgley (and the writers) did such a good job making Joe a likeable serial killer that he consistently had to remind fans of the show that Joe was not in fact the endearing bookshop clerk but a manipulating murderer who stalked his prey.

Hacks:

If you are a child of the (late late) 80’s and a liberal mother, like me then you are probably familiar with the television show Designing Women about 4 strong and sassy southern women working at an interior design firm and you like me would be introduced to the comedic genius of the formidable Jean Smart. If not, HBO Max’s Hacks is another great place to start. Much lighter and way more fun than the first four shows on this list, Hacks follows an older comedian’s post QVC comeback and vie for the hosting gig on late night TV. Paired with a very politically correct Millennial writer Eva, Jean Smart’s ornery boomer gives the newcomer a run for her money. The two female leads create a show that is witty, timely and gives us a comedic duo for the ages. 

Unstable:

A too short lived laugh is Netflix’s Unstable. Written by John Owen Lowe about a famous eccentric tech billionaire father who is comedically vain and self absorbed, this comedy is full of ridiculousness that only his, comedically vain and (probably) self absorbed famous father, Rob Lowe could bring to life. Ellis Dragon’s estranged son comes back into his life after being bribed by his father’s assistant to get him back into the lab. The shenanigans are never ending but in a way that only a character like Rob Lowe could make feel real. Although it’s only 2 seasons, they are 2 seasons full of belly laughs and heart. 

Ponies:

Another thriller (can you sense a theme?) Ponies, starring Emilie Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, follows two young women who lost their CIA agent husbands in the field while working in Russia in the 70’s. The incredibly intelligent and resourceful duo convince their husband’s former boss to hire them to infiltrate the KGB. As PONIES (Persons of No Interest) they become integral to the  success of CIA operations in Moscow. Another series full of twists, turns and lots of murder, it keeps you on your toes and cheering these women on the entire way. Not to mention the 70’s fashion is incredible. Season 1 is currently streaming on NBC’s Peacock. 

Now let’s move into some more nostalgic territory. 

Designing Women:

As mentioned this was my first introduction to Jean Smart and her incredible essence and alongside her Charlene we met Julia, Suzanne and Mary Jo. While everyone else was watching Linda Bloodworth – Thomas’s Golden Girls I, as a young 8/9 year old much preferred the southern sass of Designing Women. These four women, all incredibly strong in their own unique way, taught a generation of us that standing up for what you believe in, is not only your right but your duty. Mary Jo, Julia, Suzanne and Charlene’s friendships were unmatched and taught us that with your girlfriends by your side life is a little more fun. Now streaming on Prime Video.

Gilmore Girls:

Gilmore Girls touched a place in my heart because essentially (minus the ultra wealthy grandparents and the teen mom) it was my story. It was the first time in television I had seen a family dynamic like mine on television. Growing up my family was three strong women with one incredible man at the helm. Gilmore girls is an endearing journey through the life and loves of Lorelei and Rory Gilmore growing up in the really quirky town of Stars Hollow. This special series made it cool to be friends with your mom, to be smart and to have a life outside the ordinary. It takes us on an adventure of girl and womanhood that we don’t often get to see but are all the better for having been on. Not to mention this is one of the best to binge because it’s from back in the good ole days where seasons were 26 episodes long and shows were on for 9 years so there is plenty to go around. All seasons are now streaming on Netflix. 

Living Single:

Having never been a fan of the few Friends episodes I’ve seen, I now understand it’s because I had a much cooler, much better version in Living Single. Back in 1993 there were none better than Queen Latifah, Kim Fields, Kim Coles, and Erika Alexander. I am sensing another theme! These four women were successful, funny and ambitious. Their women’s friendship was at the center, with all its fun, humor and raw honesty, Living Single was the precursor to shows like Sex and the City and Friends. The naive playfulness of Synclaire, the sharp wit of Maxine, the unbreakable self confidence of Regine and the protective nature of Khadijah made this foursome incredible to watch and gave a younger generation something to aspire to. Now streaming on Hulu. 

Honorable Mention:

Miranda:

This British sitcom is the hilarious tale of too tall, too awkward Miranda and her rag tag bunch of friends and family. This series broke the fourth wall and Miranda let us in on the joke which made this show an incredible watch and makes it an even better rewatch. The presence of Tom Ellis as Gary doesn’t hurt either. Miranda is relatable because we have all been in that place where we feel weird and out of place but she makes it relatable and hilarious. Currently streaming on Prime Video.