Monday, June 27, 2016

THE MASKED TEN - HALFWAY THROUGH

There's been a lot of really good television so far this year. As we approach the halfway mark I thought that i would share with you the MASKED TEN for 2016 so far. As always I never call these shows the best because that is a personal evaluation. Rather, these are the ten ( actually 14) shows that I especially enjoyed this year. 

The one criteria for being on the list is that the show has finished it's run or, in the case of streaming series, I have watched the entire cycle. There are some shows like PREACHER on AMC and UNREAL on Lifetime that are currently on and may well knock off current MASKED TEN shows.

There are 14 shows on the list because, in three situations, I gave a platform credit for something beyond simply one show. i guess that was my attempt t being cool and creative. I don't think that this is a radically offbeat list and I have a feeling many of you enjoy these shows as well. We may differ on the order but that's simply subjective. So here are the mid-year MASKED TEN listed in the order of my enjoyment. 


  • THE AMERICANS (FX)
  • THE PEOPLE vs. OJ SIMPSON (FX)
  • BETTER CALL SAUL (AMC)
  • SILICON VALLEY (HBO)
  • HAPPY VALLEY/RIVER - NETFLIX BRITISH PROCEDURALS
  • ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (NETFLIX)
  • GAME OF THRONES (HBO)
  • CW MONDAY - CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND/JANE THE VIRGIN
  • ABC FAMILY COMEDIES - FRESH OFF THE BOAT/THE GOLDBERGS/MODERN FAMILY
  • THE NIGHT MANAGER (AMC)

There are five honorable mentions that will miss the cut this year but still had excellent cycles:


  • BILLIONS (SHOWTIME)
  • THE OUTSIDERS (WGN AMERICA)
  • LONDON SPY (BBC AMERICA)
  • GIRLS (HBO)
  • CATASTROPHE (AMAZON)
Let me know your thoughts



5 comments:

  1. Great list -- and matches many of mine. I always check out things you recommend that I haven't seen.

    One thing that's on my midyear list that's missing from yours is MADE IN AMERICA. Is it disqualified because it's a doc or did you just not see it or like it as much as I did?

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  2. Did you see Louis CK's HORACE AND PETE? That's deserving of a spot, for sure.

    Otherwise great picks, especially the Fresh Off the Boat love.

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  3. Thank you for putting "The Americans" on top! Phenomenal writing & acting and critics faves but still no Emmy nod for Best Drama. Hopefully that will be corrected this year. And love that you included "Fresh Off The Boat." Such a funny & adorable show but doest garner half the attention that "Black'ish" does.

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  4. I've enjoyed reading these posts - great insights and commentary, thank you for putting them up! Any plans for more?

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  5. The Americans, Better Call Saul and Billions definitely is on my favorite list. Incredible shows. The others i need give a try and start watch it. I would include on my list, Casual. I'm in love for this show. What do you think?

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