Nada Mucho

Best of 2015: 21 Shows we Enjoyed Very Much

Posted by ashmatty January 6th, 2016 1 Comment »

One of the problems of editing a pop culture website is that, despite that fact that I’m usually a year or more behind on the latest television programs because I pay more attention to music (and a guy only has so much free time) is that I have to trust in other people a whole bunch. I’m out of my comfort zone.

Luckily, there are a whole bunch of other smart/weird souls who contribute to NadaMucho.com, and, if their historic collective wisdom is any indication, you should go to your nearest streaming television device and watch any of these shows you haven’t already seen. That’s my plan.

Also, Black Mirror season 3 just started on Neflix and you should totally watch that after you get through these 21.

21. Empire 

20. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

19. The Walking Dead

18. Better Call Saul

17. Inside Amy Schumer

16. Broadchurch

15. Louie

14. W/Bob & David

13. Veep

12. Fargo

11. Orange is the New Black

The latest season of Orange is the New Black fully surpassed the expectations of a man who admittedly was just hoping to see some hot girl-on-girl prison action. While the occasional eye candy is provided, season 3 delves deeper into the character development and complicated interrelations of the cast. There’s a twisted, almost voyeuristic pleasure in watching these seriously fucked up lives unfold. – Ben Allen

10. Marvel’s Jessica Jones

Marvel’s Jessica Jones is a lightning rod for people who have suffered sexual and/or emotional abuse. If you’ve been strapped to the electric chair of addiction before – or are now – give this show a shot. On the brain candy side, it’s filled with complicated superhumans, dark cinematography, and black leather jackets. Plus, it passes the Bechdel test with flying colors, and that alone makes it worthy of a watch. – AJ Dent

9. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt 

Starring the adorable Ellie Kemper, the Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt follows a 29-year-old as she adjusts to life in New York City after being rescued from a doomsday cult. After spending 15 years living underground, convinced that civilization has ended by an evil Reverend, Schmidt relocates to New York with very little life experience and only her fun, optimistic attitude to guide her. It’s the classic fish out of water story, with an engaging, hilarious lead actress and strong supporting cast. There’s not much depth or conflict in the storytelling, but you’ll find an irresistible allure to Kimmy and her assortment of adventures. – Ben Allen

8. Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp  

You know how you and your college roommates drink beer and talk about the one movie you wish they’d do a sequel to but ultimately decide they won’t since the cast was stacked beyond all reason, making it nearly impossible to fund, let alone plan? Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp is the one time it’ll happen and that’s all we deserve. The weirdest part about the Netflix original prequel is how, despite the zaniness of these characters and their absurd quirks, it made you a little wistful about bygone summer camp experiences. – Cameron Deuel

7. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver is the best spin off to emerge from the Daily Show empire and John Oliver is one of the best comedians on TV right now. Smart and funny, he always finds the right way to spin the stories and fight the good fight. – Cee Cee Hill

6. Archer 

Following last year’s disastrous Archer Vice experiment, Archer roared back to life this year by returning to it’s roots – oddly paced, reference-heavy, and extremely macho zaniness. Archer is back to chasing Lana, Pam is fat again, and Mallory still rules with an iron fist. Nice to see the gang from ISIS bounce back, even if they can’t call themselves ISIS anymore due to, ah, branding issues. – Adam Lawrence

5. The Americans 

The Americans is a spy thriller about seeing the world from a different point of view, in this case the Soviet Union’s circa 1980. Of course, we also get to watch the FBI trying hard to be the good guys. The show’s third season concluded in April with what we all knew would eventually happen – little Paige blabs to her meddling priest that her parents are Russian intelligence agents undercover in the United States. It’s not just the action and cloak and dagger plots that makes the Americans one of the best shows out there today. You get the always fantastic Keri Russell trying to balance being a badass spy with being a parent, long-term plots that see characters forced into decisions of various shades of grey, a deeper understanding of the word “country” and a little bit of history as well. – Aino Vaino

4. Narcos 

The true story of Pablo Escobar and his violent, successful drug cartel as told through the eyes of U.S. D.E.A. agents. The level of violence, money and excess is shocking, but Narcos too intriguing to look away. – Ben Allen

3. Broad City 

Abbi and Ilana’s New York City misadventures are captivating because I know those two. Well, to be fair, not the literal Broad City actors or characters, but the people they represent. They’re cautiously optimistic, outraged and outrageous, and overwhelmingly familiar because they’re each a composite of people I know, some of which I even love, and I firmly believe that’s the biggest reason they resonate with my generation. They are the funniest duo on television, full stop. – Cameron Deuel

2. Game of Thrones 

After five seasons, Game Of Thrones keeps the thrill and intrigue at a high level, which is impressive since you know someone important is going to be killed every week. But you watch anyway because you want to see how the story unfolds. And because you know you’re going to see boobs and blood and violent fights! I can’t wait for the new season! – Cee Cee Hill

1. Master of None 

Master Of None, the semi-autobiographical series from Aziz and Ansari and Alan Yang (a screenwriter, producer and director who worked with Ansari on Parks and Recreation) that debuted on Netflix in 2015, appeared in the middle of almost every contributor ballot we received, meaning it wasn’t anyone’s favorite show of 2015 but almost everyone enjoyed it. That’s not surprising – it’s a fresh, authentic take on the situation comedy that’s equal parts “oh my God that same thing happened to me” and LOL funny. – Matt Ashworth

More Best of 2015 Coverage:

• Top Talent From Tacoma 
• 24 Albums We Really Liked
• Our 37 Most Favorite Seattle Bands
• 156 Songs We Liked
• 17 Movies We Enjoyed