By now, you've hopefully seen my TV Top 10 for 2018, a list that culminates with the remarkable Starz documentary series America to Me, an achievement people are still frequently telling me they’ve never heard of. It's the holidays, folks! Get on that!
But in an era of 495 scripted shows, a Top 10 just isn't enough, so every year I expand my superlatives list out to a Top 20. This year, being able to salute an additional 10 shows lets me finally add a broadcast network entry, as well as two more contributions apiece from Netflix and FX.
Of the shows listed here, at least six were in a version of my Top 10 at some point before getting dropped down, so they're all shows I loved this year.
One bonus listing that I couldn't categorize was Hannah Gadsby: Nanette. This one was tough. I didn't know what to do with this Netflix special, which blended stand-up, autobiography, confession and art criticism in a way that was shocking and cut through the sameness of Netflix's astounding output of comedy showcases.
Nanette was one of the most important and significant things I watched this year. It realigned my expectations and my perspectives in a nearly unprecedented way. But how to rank a 69-minute special with no notable visual component? I still don't know. It could have been anywhere from Top 5 to "Best Episodes" to "Best Performances." Nanette is special. Of that much I'm certain.
Honorable Mentions — or rather, My Third 10 of 2018, in alphabetical order: Barry, Counterpart, The Good Fight, Insecure, Kidding, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, The Little Drummer Girl, Sharp Objects, Superstore, The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling
Now let's get to My Second 10 of 2018.
