In college, I studied Film and Digital Media (shoutout to UCSC Banana Slugs!) And since I have always loved TV, I started a now-extinct TV blog called "TV Lexicon" which has now inspired this blog, because I still love talking about TV!
My Favorite (Scripted) Shows I watched in 2023:
Succession
So long, Roy family! The 4th and final season aired this year and what a season it was! The whole series is amazing and I can't recommend it enough! It is a VERY dark comedy about a uber-rich New York media family and each member is worse than the next. But the writing and acting is amazing you can't help be captivated by them - for good or bad!
Cast: Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin, Sarah Snook, Matthew Macfayden, Alan Ruck
Network/Platform: HBO MAX
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Another series that ended in 2023 (and it won't be the last on this list). If you are a fan of Gilmore Girls or any of Amy Sherman-Palladino's other works, or if you just like a good "dramedy" I bet you'll like this show. Bonus points if you love shows set in the 50s! Mrs. Maisel is a recent divorcee navigating life on her own while also trying to become a female stand-up comedian in the 50s.
Cast: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Tony Shalhoub, Kevin Pollak
Network/Platform: Amazon Prime
Ted Lasso
The third show on my list that ended this year. Season 3 in 2023 was the final season of the hit show about an American Football coach that moves to England to coach a Soccer team (the other football) . The series wrapped up nicely but I was sad to see it go. I highly recommend whether you like the sport of football or not. The cast is so lovable, it really makes the show worth watching!
Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Juno Temple, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein
Network/Platform: Apple TV+
Shrinking
Harrison Ford and Jason Segel star in this new series (created by Brett Goldstein from Ted Lasso) about two therapists trying to help their patients - as well as themselves - navigate new life changes. It has humor as well as heart! I believe it got picked up for a Season 2 but we shall wait and see!
Cast: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams, Michael Urie, Christa Miller
Network/Platform: Apple TV+
Daisy Jones and the Six
Based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid, it follows a band from the 70s very similar to Fleetwood Mac as they explore the rise and fall of fame and relationships in and out of the band. The book is amazing and I loved seeing the book brought to life. I'd recommend reading the book first because, of course, there were things left out. They did a great job with casting and the soundtrack is incredible! I loved seeing the songs out of the book brought to life.
Cast: Riley Keough, Camila Marrone, Sam Claflin, Suki Waterhouse
Network/Platform: Amazon Prime
Severance
What if, when you left work for the day, you had no memory of what you did all day? And then when you get to your job, you have no memory of your family, friends or home life? Would you want that? This shows explores the most intense version of a "work-life" balance. It's so weird and trippy, but I still can't stop thinking about it months after finishing the first season. And the season ended on such a crazy cliffhanger, I really can't wait for Season 2!
Cast: Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry
Network/Platform: Apple TV+
The Bear
The second season of the family/workplace drama aired in 2023 about a fine-dining chef who returns to his family restaurant in Chicago after a tragedy. The cast on this show is phenomenal! And I love that everyone, especially in season 2, really gets developed as characters in their own episodes.
Cast: Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce
Network/Platform: Hulu
Jury Duty
Everyone hates having jury duty (besides me, but I'm weird). Imagine you are going about your normal day at jury duty and a "documentary" crew is in the courtroom to document what jury duty is really like. But the thing is, everyone besides you is an actor and it's all a set up to see how you react. This show was wild and I couldn't stop watching! The guy they got as the "regular" guy was so sweet and handled everything with grace. It's part hidden-camera reality show and part mockumentary.
Cast: Ronald Gladden, James Marsden, Alan Barinholtz
Network/Platform: Hulu
My favorite Reality TV Shows and Documentaries of 2023
I love the trashiest of reality shows and the most thought-provoking documentaries. Here is a selection of both.
Vanderpump Rules (Bravo/ Peacock)
In their 10th season, the SUR-vers created some of the most DRAMATIC television that captivated the nation for months! Or at least us reality TV fans! I bet you heard the term "Scandoval" at least once in 2023, and it was all because of this show. Now looking back at this photo of the cast, it all makes sense now! Stream all seasons on Peacock.
The Climb (HBO Max)
I love rock climbing and I got back into climbing this year, partly because of this show. This is a beautifully shot competition rock climbing show (partially) starring Jason Momoa! It takes place all over the world with some of the most intense outdoor rock climbing I've seen. If you are afraid of heights, this might not be for you! But if you watching people push themselves to their physical limits, it's a great watch!
Escaping Twin Flames (Netflix)
Was 2023 the year of the cult documentary? It might have been! There are actually two documentaries about the Twin Flame Universe, this one on Netflix and then one on Prime. But I think the Netflix one did a better job explaining everything and diving into the madness that is TFU. Basically, this cult believes that everyone has a "Twin Flame." Which is great and all, but they also tell you to do whatever it takes to be together with this person. Do they want nothing to do with you? You're not pursuing them hard enough! Have a restraining order against you? Only a minor inconvenience! And they (allegedly) forced people to change genders in order to make some "Twin Flames" matches. It's insane on all levels!
Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God (HBO Max)
I love a good cult doc! (See above). And this was probably the most insane one that I watched this year -- and I watched them all -- This cult documentary follows the "Love Has Won" cult about a woman, Amy Carlson, who believes she is "Mother God" and convinces a group of followers of the same. It's so bizarre to explain, you have to just go check it out.
I hope you enjoyed reading this recap as much as I loved writing it!
Let me know which shows you loved this year and if there are any I need to check out next year!
-Lex
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