Summary
The TV shows I always recommend, no matter who I am talking to, are also the TV shows I tend to rewatch the most. I have hopefully managed to gain a sense of numerous genres through sampling some of thebest TV shows of all time. Albeit,I believe everyone should watch my favorite shows out of pure dedication to the cast and crew because their creations reflect my personal tastes,which skew toward fantasy and adventure. However, I have recently binged some highly acclaimed and more realistic dramas that first aired long ago.
The shows I vouch for are still series that I believe deserve recognition for their place in pop culture,perhaps reflective or subversive of wider trends. While certainTV seasons killed their shows,series finales ruined the entire show, or the show was near perfect but was canceled due to external reasons, I am interested in how storytelling thrives despite corporate demands. Some of my favorite shows challenge genre conventions, redeem certain franchises and genres, are so wonderfully off-beat when compared to the typical mainstream, or can be enjoyed despite their flaws.
8 TV Shows I Almost Gave Up On But Am Glad I Didn’t
I (embarrassingly) almost gave up on landmark TV shows like Succession and Breaking Bad due to some initial misgivings about the tone or story.
Gravity Falls
Cast
When Dipper and Mabel Pines are dropped off to spend the summer with their uncle in Gravity Falls, they discover that all is not as it seems in this small town. When Dipper discovers a strange journal in the forest, the twins team up to solve the town’s mysteries.
In its time,Gravity Fallssaw audience engagement like few other shows; its entire brand was about weirdness and mystery, encouraging viewers to piece together hidden codes and clues every week. However, it is still immensely enjoyable to watch now that it is completed — in fact, some of the plot twists might actually be surprising when you don’t have as much time to ruminate and guess what is coming.Gravity Fallsspawned several similar shows on the Disney Channeland tells a profound story about family and growing up.
The show ended after two seasons in service of this; summer and childhood cannot last forever, andas Dipper and Mabel must brave their teen years and adulthood, we must accept the show coming to its natural conclusion.Gravity Fallssets up some effective parallels between two generations of Pines twins. Meanwhile, the subplot of Dipper’s unrequited crush on Wendy has an impactful conclusion where he doesn’t get what he thinks he wants, but they still"mean a lot"to each other. Additionally,Gravity Falls’comedy depends upon randomness and great timing, which is my favorite kind.
Our Flag Means Death
Created by David Jenkins and starring Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi, Our Flag Means Death blends romantic comedy with period drama on the high seas. Loosely based on real historical figures, the series chronicles the adventures of Stede Bonnet and the crew of the pirate ship Revenge, detailing their often hilarious exploits and encounters, including crossing paths with the infamous Blackbeard. The series received praise for its extensive and positive LGBTQ+ representation upon the first season’s release.
I will always be frustrated about theunfinished storylines afterOur Flag Means Death’s cancellation, which seems to have been due to budget and corporate reasons rather than the quality or popularity of the show. However, the first two seasons are incredible and definitely still worth watching, even coming to what sort of works as an ending. After all the gritty and grimdark pirate properties in the 21st century,Our Flag Means Deathis a refreshing take on the Golden Age of Piracy that manages to highlight a lot of accurate histories.
Namely,Our Flag Means Deathemphasizes pirate crews as historically being accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships— and the show’s queer representation is amazing. It is a comedy, and a good one at that, but some dramatic undertones and storylines hook you before you even realize it. I found myself strangely obsessed with thisshow’s perfect blend of comedy and drama, the various characters' theatrics and romances, and plenty of swashbuckling adventures in between. I will also always recommend this show because I want people to agree with me that its cancellation was an injustice.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
I came intoGame of Throneskind of late, just before the show’s fall from grace with its final season’s debut. Like most people, I was a bit apprehensive aboutHouse of the Dragonand wasn’t really sure what the point of making it was. However,this prequel show truly is a return to the glory days ofGame of Thrones,and I will tell everyone they need to watch it to renew their love for the franchise or as a better entry into the story if they want to avoid the disappointment provoked by its predecessor.
I am slowly becoming convinced that House of the Dragon is even better than Game of Thrones, and not just because there are more dragons.
As of season 2, I am slowly becoming convinced thatHouse of the Dragonis even better thanGame of Thrones, and not just because there are more dragons.House of the Dragonsshowcases all the facets of a woman’s experience of this world,through Alicent tragically losing the power she thought she had gained, Rhaenyra’s tense relationships with her family and advisors, and the aspirations of various supporting characters. Knowinghow the Dance of the Dragons ends, I am eager (and a little stressed) to see how it is adapted in accordance with these themes.
Spy x Family
Created by Tatsuya Endo, Spy X Family is an action-adventure comedy anime that follows the misadventures of a found family with unique quirks. The story follows spy Twilight (known as Loid Forger), who, while on assignment, builds a fake family to get closer to his target. Unbeknownst to him, his new family carries their quirks. His wife, Yor, is a kind but deadly assassin, while his daughter, Anya, has telepathic powers - and is the only one who knows their secrets.
Even if you do not consider yourself an anime fan, you should watchSpy X Family. The show is an absolute delight, depicting a found family story that is filled with warm fuzzies. I had only recently started watching a lot of anime at the time and was harboring a suspicion that I would only like very serious action anime likeFullmetal Alchemist: BrotherhoodandAttack on Titan. I was proven wrong bySpy X Family, which has high stakes and great action but also a pleasant aesthetic and hilarious dialogue.
The basic premise — a spy recruits a family for the purposes of an undercover mission, but is unaware that his wife is an assassin and his daughter is a telepath — derives comedy from Anya’s abilities, which means that she is the only one who knows what is going on.Anya is a great POV character with a scheming sense of humor,as well as being surprisingly clever. However, the show also implies a tense inevitability, keeping the audience invested in the ultimate question of what will happen whenLoid and Yorfigure out the truth.
Andor
Andor is a Star Wars prequel series set before the events of Rogue One, following Cassian Andor as he navigates a world of danger and deception. The series delves into his transformation into a pivotal figure in the struggle against the Galactic Empire.
Star Warshas been in decline for the past few years, sinceStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s anti-climatic reception and the Disney+ spinoff TV shows getting increasingly poorer ratings. Reviews forThe Acolytefollow the trajectory ofThe MandaloriantoObi-Wan KenobitoBoba Fettin terms of quality. However, in the middle of all this,the creators ofRogue One: A Star Wars Storycame back with an even better prequel that surpassed everyone’s expectations,with amazing lead actors both relatively unknown and hugely famous.
I would recommendAndorbecause it offers some redemption forStar Warsas of late,reminding fans that this franchise is one of the biggest cinematic milestones in history that deserves better tie-ins.Andor’s story is incredibly dark, both character-driven by highlighting individual experiences in the setting of the Empire being in power, as well as demonstrating bigger political and historical themes. I cannot wait forAndorseason 2, which faces the challenge of building upon season 1 and leading intoRogue One.
10 TV Shows That Became Way Bigger Than I Ever Thought They Would
It’s hard to pinpoint which TV shows will blow up and which will be regulated to obscurity, but the incredible success of these shows surprised me.
Phineas and Ferb
Phineas and Ferb follows the adventures of stepbrothers Phineas Flynn and Ferb Fletcher as they embark on various creative and often unreal projects during their summer vacation, while their sister Candace tries to reveal their escapades to their mother. Concurrently, the family’s pet platypus Perry leads a double life as a secret agent battling the evil scientist Dr. Doofenshmirtz.
Almost 10 years later and with the revival coming soon,Phineas and Ferbis still one of the funniest cartoons ever.The Disney Channel series has the feeling of an episodic, Saturday morning cartoon, although the term has long been defunct. Scattered throughoutPhineas and Ferbare subplots about blended families and single parents that land well. Furthermore, the boys' interactions with their sister perfectly capture the feeling of having an annoying sibling who you still love.
However,Phineas and Ferb’s greatest strength is doubtlessly the comedy,which is impressively intelligent. A lot of it is a kind of family-friendly version ofThe Simpsons’signature referential humor, featuring a lot of meta-jokes about pop culture and real-world events. I have recommendedPhineas and Ferbto people who are far outside its intended age demographic and loved it dearly because of how funny it is, amicably mocking other properties and even itself.
The Vampire Diaries
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, The Vampire Diaries is a story about the developing love triangle between Elena Gilbert and two vampiric brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Set in the town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the show follows the trio from high school through college as they battle for one another’s affection.
The Vampire Diariesdoes demonstrate some of the things that I abhor aboutTwilight; namely, I am not one for love triangles. However,The Vampire Diariessurprised me with its bigger world-building, more dynamic characters, and even some romances that I actively rooted for.My opinion is that Damon is a character who would not have been as easily forgiven in real lifeas he is in the show. However, because he is a fictional character in a convoluted fantasy story, most fans accept this.
Damon is otherwise hilarious, with a dry, sarcastic sense of humor that entertains all the way through.I love watching characters like Bonnie, Caroline, and Katherine destroy their enemiesand was pleasantly surprised by Stefan’s arc in the later seasons (after he gets out of the relationship with Elena that made him feel like a walking cliché). My recommendation forThe Vampire Diarieswould probably come with a comment about how I don’t consider it highbrow entertainment. However, it is fun to watch and showcases how the vampire genre does have real potential.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Percy Jackson and the Olympians follows the journey of Percy Jackson as he embarks on a perilous quest to return Zeus’s master bolt. Joined by friends Annabeth and Grover, Percy confronts mythical challenges, seeking to avert a divine war and discover his place in the world.
The confirmation ofPercy Jackson and the Olympiansseason 2is indicative of the show’s success so far. Really,this is thePercy Jacksonadaptation we should have got,but at least by waiting this long, the series has the benefit of an industry willing to make a TV show rather than a movie franchise. I will advocate for the Disney+ show even in the face of minor criticisms; I believe that it is only going to get better from here as the bigger story takes shape and the cast becomes more accustomed to their roles.
Percy Jacksonis supposed to be campy, something the previous movies did not understand.
Percy Jacksonsucceeds in adapting the protagonist’s and series' sense of humor,as well as the modernized versions of characters from Greek mythology.Percy Jacksonis supposed to be campy, something the previous movies did not understand. Given how amazing this veteran cast is as the various Greek gods and monsters, I am especially intrigued to see who theycast forPercy Jacksonseason 2in roles such as Athena and Circe. ThePercy Jacksonbooks revamped their genre, and the show will hopefully now do the same.
Hazbin Hotel
Hazbin Hotel is an adult animation series created and directed by Vivienne Medrano. Hazbin Hotel centers on Lucifer’s daughter, who opens a hotel for misfit demons she thinks can be redeemed to reduce Hell’s overpopulation. The first season of Hazbin Hotel premiered on Prime Video on June 02, 2025.
Hazbin Hotel’s jokes are razor-sharp and its music is brilliant, featuring the talents of various Broadway stars and other musical icons. However, what drives the story are themes of redemption and self-worth, which overshadow the characters’ alleged goal to physically get into Heaven.As soon as you start the show, you won’t be able to stop yourself from rooting for Charlie and her friends,who all have instantly iconic designs.
I probably go around recommending this show because it is so different from most mainstream media.Hell’s setting is vibrant and filled with interesting characters,but it also implies that everyone is on the same page because none of them are perfect. It demonstrates so much creativity with how it utilizes legendary characters and delves into the power imbalances of Hell and Heaven. At the core of the story is another found family who support each other no matter where they are.
10 Shows Like Hazbin Hotel To Watch While You Wait For Season 2
While fans are waiting for Hazbin Hotel season 2 to release, they can enjoy similar shows like Good Omens, Invader Zim, or Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
Arcane
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
Arcaneis one of the most vivid illustrations of how far animation has come,not just artistically or technologically, but in the types of stories it is used to tell. The world and character designs forArcaneare incredibly detailed and its use of recent music in the soundtrack results in some showstopping scenes. The story goes to shocking lengths to flesh out its biggest themes, mainly the strained relationships between family and friends and the stark wealth gap between Piltover and Zaun.
Many people were just shocked by how good the show is whenLeague of Legendsis not the most renowned video game. Regardless of its origins,everyone should watchArcaneto see how it handles popular tropes and be blown away by certain fight scenes.To top it off, the characters are all human and engaging, and I can’t wait to see how their stories end. I doubt I will ever stop recommendingArcaneor any of my other favorite shows.
