Chewies Top 5 TV Shows of 2016

Daylight saving started last weekend, which means we’re supposed to get out and do, I don’t know, outdoor things….

For TV nerds, it really just means shutting the curtains so the room is dark enough not to mess with the picture quality on your screen.

The other thing daylight savings represents is, we’re close to the end of the year and most of the major TV shows have wrapped. So we here at Chewie like to have a bit of a chat and hand out some awards.

Now, there are no stars at these awards, no paparazzi, no TV executives, no swanky parties where everyone is doing blow and trying to look cool. In fact, very few people will give a shit about these awards. Undeterred by this, we will go ahead and hand them out anyway.

Rents Top 5 for 2016

5. Silicon Valley/Making a Murderer

4. The Night Of

3. Game of Thrones

2. Mr. Robot

1. OJ Made in America (Documentary)

Firstly, let me premise my top 5 by saying Making a Murderer was released in December 2015, but seeing as we’d already handed out those awards I needed to get it in here. If there are any arguments, I suggest you take it up with the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department.

Kase Top 5 for 2016

5. The Carmichael Show

4. Roots

3. The Night Of

2. Game of Thrones

1. OJ Made in America (Documentary)

Kase

I really want to talk about the OJ series that ESPN did, seeing as we both had it as number 1. Nothing had me as caught up in front of the TV as this did (unless you count the Golden State Warriors). I binge watched it over a rainy weekend, & even after 20 years (& knowing the outcome) I was still blown away. It's a little bit like Shaq going out & murdering Shaunie isn't it?

Rents

Or maybe John Key killing Richie McCaw….

Yeah let’s just be clear here readers, we’re talking about the documentary series, not the drama series with Cuba Gooding Jnr etc.

Being that I’m old I distinctly remember this drama playing out. I’d been in LA a week before the riots and was living in Vancouver. What I had forgotten was how insane the whole fiasco was. I was completely hooked from beginning to end, but also dumb founded by the jury’s decision. Has there ever been a guiltier person? The jury were totally distracted by celebrity, fame, sideshows, and quite frankly bullshit. As the Wellington rugby union hit the headlines for all the wrong reason this week, not much seems to have changed when it comes to athletes….

I couldn’t make my mind up on number 5. These 2 shows couldn’t be more different, much like OJ, Making a Murderer had me transfixed. Who knows if he’s guilty or not, but again what a fantastic expose on how fucked up the human race are. As for Silicon Valley, well I watch a lot of drama and documentary so this show is a chance to chill and be silly. Also Erlich Bachman is fast becoming my hero…..

I haven’t seen The Carmichael Show, what’s up with that?

Kase

The Carmichael Show is the smartest sitcom on the box. They dealt with topics like the Bill Cosby rape accusations, #BlackLivesMatter, etc in the second season which aired this year. I'll say no more, since you haven't seen it. Silicon Valley was a show I’ve always enjoyed, & I’d have loved to include it in my top 5, but I was more caught up in the others on my list - the measuring stick being that they were shows I was "acquiring" as soon as they were available. Speaking of which; The Night Of totally had me on edge right up until the flat finale...I know you loved this show, too - what were your thoughts on how it ended?

Rents

I like the sound of Charmichael, I’ll check that out for sure.

The Night of hooked me from Ep1, I was all in from the get go. As for the ending, after The Sopranos these open ended finales are a bit passe really. Give me Walt lying on the floor of a meth lab with a bunch of bullets in him. So yeah I was disapointed. I guess it left it open for another season which is ok by me.

By the way would’ve loved to have seen Gandofini in Tuturro’s role.

I watched Roots and enjoyed it, but again I’m old enough to have watched the original series and I’ve read the book, so I guess there were no surprises in it for me.

But let’s get to Game of Thrones, because after last year, I was starting to think it may have lost a bit of its edge. But fuck me, did it came back with a vengeance in Season 6 or what?

Kase

I still don't get the point of the eczema storyline, or the cat in The Night Of - I don't think the show totally knew what it was. Still loved it, though. Riz Ahmed is going to be a star. Roots was a show I really enjoyed because they basically just remade the classic with better acting, cinematography, & everything else. Just a slicker version that doesn't have OJ Simpson in it. Game Of Thrones...well, they finally serviced the fans right? & basically every popular fan theory came to life - just need the reveal that Tyrion is the 3rd dragon with Khaleesi & Jon Snow. It was also more enjoyable this past season because they picked the pace up. A lot. I still haven't got around to watching season 2 of Mr Robot, I blame league season. Without giving too much away, how does it compare with season 1?

Rents

Totally agree with you about Riz Ahmed, the dude killed it.

Mr Robot, man get on that shit, it’s killer. After the disappointment of True Detective season 2, the cynic in me was fearing the worst. But dam if they didn’t make it, well can I say this? Better than season 1. I’m not going to give anything away, but some of the reveals, forget about it. I’m going to have to binge watch it again to pick up all the twists and turns. Can’t say I’m hating on the thought of that either. Its TV like this that’s kicking the movie world right in the nuts though.

I’ve got a couple of let downs, and some honorable mentions;

Honorable Mentions

High Maintenance – Only 2 eps released so far, but I’m taking hits from the bong.

Better Call Saul – Mike Ehrmantraut, that’s all I’m gunna say.

Narcos – For me S2 was way better than S1, this almost made my Top 5.

House of Cards – Clare is the ice queen.

Let downs

Vikings – I want Ragnor to live and conquer forever…

Ray Donovan- I might be all out of fucks to give about the Donovan family.

The Bastard Executioner – Lasted 1.5 eps.

Vinyl – I think my expectations were way to high. I always expect anything with Scorsese attached to be Goodfellas. I didn’t hate it, and the soundtrack was killer, I know you had some thoughts on this aye?

Kase

Yes. I really enjoyed Vinyl - mostly for New York in the 70's, the music industry at that time, the soundtrack (which I still listen to heaps), & the likenesses of some famous music legends who are mostly gone. Vinyl definitely had its flaws, & tried to run too many concurrent storylines, but the bones were there for a solid show. Funny you mentioned The Bastard Executioner, which was another one I enjoyed, though it wouldn't have made my top 20. Before I get into my honourable mentions, I should say that I haven't yet got to Ray Donovan (still jaded from the NFL/Al Swearengen storyline from last year), or Narcos season 2 (it's been a really good NRL season)...

Honorable Mentions

Black Sails - This might be the most underrated, under the radar show on TV right now. I keep telling people to get on it.

Southpark - 20 years in, & getting better every year & always poignant.

Silicon Valley - It's only fault is that it followed GoT every Monday. Consistently funny.

Hell On Wheels - Only because I've been so invested from the start. Ended it 2 seasons too late.

Let Downs

The Get Down - I'm an 80's hiphop kid who hated this show about 80's hiphop kids. Too cartoonish for me.

Suits - Used to love it, now it's just run out of ideas.

Vikings - Agree with you about this. Ragnar just went missing? What?

The Underground - A show about the underground railroad used to free slaves in the south which was too cheesy & poorly acted.

NBA season is coming up bro, so I have no idea when I'll get around to Mr Robot & Narcos, but after your endorsements, I can't wait to get into those ones. I think I'll be desperate when I finally pick up on Ray Donovan again haha. What's on your "to watch" list?

Rents

I’m all about NBA as well bro, topped up the TAB account, preparing to buy League Pass and selling the kids. My Celtics looking good for 2017, if your Knicks can stay on the court you’re in for pretty decent season as well.

That’s us I reckon, until 2017……