TV Reviews 2024
Plus: The top Dear Nina episode of the year!
Hello TV lovers!
It’s the annual Dear Nina TV review list! I organize the shows I watch each year by “The Best,” “The Very Good,” “The Good,” and “The Just Okay.”
I’m a collaborative TV watcher, which you know if you’re in the Dear Nina Facebook group. We have TV and book chats in there every few weeks. And of course we discuss friendship goals and dilemmas first and foremost.
In the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the shows you loved, sort of liked, didn’t like that much, and so on.
In case you missed it: Last week I sent out my annual 2024 pithy book reviews.
Before the TV Reviews: The Top Episode of 2024
I recorded a new intro for the encore episode of the top-downloaded Dear Nina episode of 2024. The episode was, “Is it Time For a Friendship Cleanse?” brainchild of
. Anna’s book, Modern Friendship: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections, is a must read for anyone looking to improve their friendships.Don’t feel put off by the word, “cleanse.” This discussion is about reconsidering how you’re approaching friendships and how you’re treating your closest friends.
FIND EPISODE #126 on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, and anywhere you listen to podcasts!
The Best Shows I Watched in 2024
Julia: This was the first show I watched in 2024 and also one of the most delightful. I loved the acting, the storytelling, and pretty much everything about the show.
Hacks, season 3: The dynamic between Deborah and Ava was one of the more original I had the pleasure of watching. Excellent, dynamic writing on this show.
Shrinking, season 3: The most current season of Shrinking was a masterclass in forgiveness. I loved every character. Even Derek grew on me this season. The friendship between Gaby and Liz was the so much fun to watch.
The Very Good Shows
Suits, seasons 3 through part of 6: My husband and I have been watching Suits for a few years (he doesn’t watch that much television.) People keep telling me it gets bad, but I’m still enjoying it. (My husband will probably give up on it soon because I just know him.)
Bridgeton, season 3: Penelope got her storyline. I liked it a lot! I’ll watch any season of this show if they will keep making them.
Curb Your Enthusiasm, season 12: I’m sad it’s over even though it was definitely time. Larry is my favorite curmudgeon.
The Perfect Couple: Enjoyed the setting and the characters even though the plot felt rather tired.
Tell Me Lies, season 2: This show is so juicy and over the top. I love it!
The Good Shows
Abbott Elementary, season 3: I’m always a season behind on Abbott since I catch it on Hulu here and there. It’s consistently good, but for sure a bit of a background show for me.
One Day: I started the show then remembered how much I loved the book back in 2009. Here I am talking about it on Valentine’s Day. As I kept watching, I remembered how it ends and almost didn’t want to continue the show. I do understand why some people hated this one once they finished. The end is a sneaker.
Disclaimer: I liked this show as a whole, but it wasn’t so pleasant episode by episode and the first few episodes were very confusing with the time jumps. Cate Blanchett, however, was excellent from start to finish.
Emily in Paris, season 4: It’s never “great” but I appreciate this show for the eye candy, the music, and the familiarity. I will watch the next season for sure.
Nobody Wants This: No, it wasn’t “perfect” and yes it’s completely implausible that Kristen Bell’s character would not have heard the words Shalom or Shabbat in Los Angeles some time before the year 2024. It’s also implausible that Tova Feldshuh’s character would have the accent and characteristics of a mid-20th century Jewish grandma who was born in Eastern Europe. But what can I say? Adam Brody as a rabbi was heartwarming to watch. The Jewish camp scenes made up for some of the rest.
The Martha Stewart Documentary: I watched it right after listening to Ina Garten’s memoir. It was the perfect back-to-back experience. They could not be more different.
Loot, season 2: This show is zany and sweet. Great cast!
Just OK But Watched Anyway
Beef: I like Ali Wong and appreciated the premise of this show, AND, I watched the entire series. But I didn’t exactly enjoy it, per se.
The Bear, season 1 and part of season 2: I just don’t like this show. I gave up halfway through the second season.
The Diplomat, season 2: The plot felt jumpy and not that interesting, but I will always adore Keri Russell and watch anything she’s in. Felicity and The Americans won me over forever.
Please tell me the shows you loved, or did not love, in 2024!
Want to connect outside of this newsletter?
You can find me most often in the Facebook group, Dear Nina: The Group, where we discuss books, shows, recipes, and of course, friendship. All the social media links are below.
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I'm going on NPR to talk about books and TV shows on Tuesday! I'm excited to talk about St Denis Medical, English Teacher, What We Do in the Shadows and No Good Deed. My favorite show of the whole year is Somebody Somewhere; I'll just never get over those characters. And, as you know, I hate-watched Nobody Wants This 😂 and, yes, I agree about Adam Brody.