The 20 Best Shows of 2016

"No Best of 2016 list is complete without mentioning Game of Thrones, period. HBO delivered yet another season of action-packed, heart-pounding episodes in season six, moving the plot along to its inevitable conclusion at a faster rate than ever before. There were so many twists, turns, and unfortunately, deaths that kept fans salivating for the next episode as soon as each one ended. Not to mention the fact that we finally confirmed Jon Snow was still alive after a long hiatus of holding our breaths." — Becky Kirsch, senior director, Editorial

"We didn't know quite what to expect from The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Ryan Murphy has given us everything from Glee to American Horror Story, but would he be cut out to give us a fresh take on the O.J. Simpson case? The answer was an astounding "yes," as the show won nine Emmys in 2016, including ones for three of its actors, and one for outstanding limited series. We're still thinking about Sarah Paulson's turn as hardened prosecutor Marcia Clark." — Maggie Pehanick, editor, Entertainment

"It's no secret that TV audiences are turning more and more away from networks for their must-see TV, but NBC's hit new drama discovered the formula for it this Fall. The biggest surprise might be that the secret sauce is not that crazy: just take a family and lay bare their problems and emotions. Of course, there are two more huge reason This Is Us is already one of the best shows on TV right now: the powerhouse acting from stars like Sterling K. Brown, and the kind of writing that knows exactly where to stab you in the heart each week. Oh, and Milo Ventimiglia's perfect form. We cannot leave that out." — Shannon Vestal Robson, director, Celebrity and Entertainment

"The Night Of had us from, well, the night of the premiere. Watching Naz (Riz Ahmed) make all the wrong decisions had us screaming at the TV — "Call the police, you dummy!" — and perpetually excited for the next episode. Kudos to John Turturro for raising awareness for disgusting foot diseases, and hats off to HBO for finally making this brilliant series. (Years ago, the late James Gandolfini was supposed to play John Stone.)" — MP

"I'll be the first to admit that season seven has been rather lackluster compared to previous chapters, but this is about 2016 as a whole, and you can't deny that the final episodes of 2016 are killer. Rick and his team can't even imagine what lies in store for them when they go up against Negan, and though we had to wait all Summer, we finally find out who falls victim to his cruelty. AMC boldly aired one of the most brutal scenes in cable history, and whether you agree with the blunt violence or not, there's no denying that it left a mark." — MP

"Man, this show really didn't get enough spotlight shine, in my opinion. It's incredibly smart, relevant, relatable, and effortlessly funny. I love that this show paints a portrait of LA that's not entrenched in Hollywood culture. And don't even get me started on Issa Rae, because I don't know where to begin. Between her gorgeous smile, her flawless skin, her mad rap skills, and her perfect portrait of an awkward 20-something trying to figure it all out, she was a thrill to watch." — Ryan Roschke, assistant editor, Entertainment

"I was not ready to be involved with Westworld, but as soon as I watched that first episode, I became engrossed. While I don't think it's the "next Game of Thrones," as some critics have claimed, I do think it's an incredibly unique series that seamlessly blends sci-fi with the genre of Westerns, while still managing to create characters that you want to root for. Who's the protagonist of Westworld? Who knows, but it's fun to watch all the moral depravity and plot twists unfold." — MP

"Love it or hate it, American Horror Story really did some groundbreaking work this season. The format shift was fresh and fun. I loved the season twist, which cracked open this whole new, big world of shock, blood and gore, memorable characters, and real, genuine scares. Roanoke is likely one of my favorite seasons of the series, and definitely is the first season I really felt attached to since Asylum. That's saying something." — RR

"We knew Community couldn't hold in all of Donald Glover's talent for long. The TV star and rapper combined his interests into this Georgia-set show that oozes with authenticity. The fact that Glover created the series in addition to starring as a Earn, a small-time music manager with one client, only makes us more impressed. Kudos to Glover on his well-deserved Golden Globe nomination." — MP

"While this little comedy might not have been the biggest sensation to come out of Netflix in 2016, it had a whole lot of heart. Lady Dynamite paints a striking portrait of a woman trying to deal with her own depression. It's quirky, delightfully self-aware, and once you get the hang of the unique humor it offers, completely addicting." — RR

"Whether you loved it, hated it, or fell somewhere in between, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life was a true gift from the Netflix gods that we didn't think we would ever get. For almost a decade, fans had been agonizing over how the show's original creators, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino, would have ended the series (they exited the show before the final season), and more importantly, what those infamous final four words were. It was pure joy to go back to Stars Hollow and reunite with all of the show's beloved characters, even if Rory's life didn't exactly take the trajectory we were all expecting." — BK

"Baz Luhrmann's Netflix series is the most entertaining show I've watched all year, hands down. The Get Down showcases the vibrant, and completely broken, Bronx community in the '70s, mainly the young pioneers of hip-hop. We watch as The Fantastic Four Plus One (their name, not mine) rise up in the scene, attempting to earn their stripes without compromising their morals or venturing into street crime. There's music, there's a love story, there's everything you could want, all in one exceptional package." — MP

"As a fan of the original Black Mirror episodes, I was excited to learn that Netflix would be financing a new season . . . then I was worried. Would the new stories measure up to "Be Right Back"? Would I feel as dead inside as I did after watching "Fifteen Million Merits"? Yes, yes I did. All the new episodes are good, but "Nosedive" and "Playtest" will forever haunt me, while "San Junipero" made me think in a way that no other show has. Yes, some episode are downers, but then again, maybe they'll inspire you to unchain yourself from social media for a few hours." — MP

"Orange Is the New Black went a little off the rails in the third season, but come season four, we were right back on track. Piper's panty empire is challenged, the relationships get more complex, and we suffered one of the most heartbreaking character deaths of 2016. It brought us closer to the characters we love, and advanced storylines in ways we couldn't have imagined." — MP

"I’m not sure if I ever properly understood the meaning of the word 'sumptuous' until I sat down to watch Netflix's The Crown. Each episode of the historical epic chronicling the early lives of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip is more lavish than the next (no wonder, given its rumored $130 million budget), and Claire Foy, Matt Smith, and John Lithgow's jaw-dropping performances are some of the best of the year. The show is a slow burn, and luckily the pay off is more than worth it." — Quinn Keaney, assistant editor, Celebrity and Entertainment

"I loved season one of Jane the Virgin, but season two felt . . . wonky. Call it the sophomore slump, but it's officially over! Jane and Michael are in a good place, which means we can finally put that love triangle to bed. See what I did there? Because Jane and Michael, you know, did it? We're getting back to the core elements that make the show so watchable: family dynamics and insane, soap-opera-level twists! While I'm still hoping Ro and Xo will find their way back to one another, I'm enjoying the ride." — MP

"Speaking of The CW, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is pure dynamite this season. Rebecca has been dumped by two different guys, she's going through friendship aches and pains with her office bestie Paula, and she's bonding with . . . Valencia?! I know, I never thought it would happen either. With songs about period sex and alcoholism, the show has never felt so (disturbingly) real. Plus, how can you resist a tune about a relationship titled 'It Was a Sh*t Show'? You can't, it's genius." — MP

"After a groundbreaking first season, Mr. Robot returned, and we were intent on figuring out the twist before it floored us. We did, which made the reveal slightly less exciting, but it was still fascinating to follow Elliot on the next chapter of his psychotic story. Even if you found the second season to be slightly confusing, I hope you stuck it out for the visually stunning finale. The best moment of the season comes with Darlene's big realization, flawlessly set to the tune of Les Deux Love Orchestra's 'The Moth & the Flame.'" — MP

"The ABC comedy is already in its third season, but it only recently started to get the widespread attention (at least, awards-wise) it deserves this year. Though it's a half-hour comedy about a family, a cheesy sitcom it is not. Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross are disarmingly perfect as imperfect parents, and all of the kids in the Johnson family manage to pull their own comedy weight too. If you still haven't started watching, it's easy to just slip right into the current season — but don't be surprised if you get addicted and need to see it all." — SV

"Stranger Things took the nation by storm in 2016. While I was kind of, sort of, looking forward to it, I really didn't anticipate the insane fandom that would spring up after the premiere. Now we're all obsessed with a group of dorky kids and their weird friend with superpowers and some kind of Upside Down world and a chick named Barb. I'm thinking of taking up Dungeons & Dragons until season two drops." — MP