What do you get when you have a fabricated court case and trial where every person is an actor, except for one? Phenomenal television, that’s what.
I don’t watch too much reality TV. (Am I allowed to say that?) But I couldn’t get enough of Freevee’s Jury Duty. Solar contractor—and regular guy—Ronald Gladden stars as a juror in the reality hoax sitcom show with James Marsden, but Gladden has no idea he’s in a TV series.
In a real-life Truman Show that could easily have turned mean-hearted (and given me second-hand anxiety), I instead found myself rooting for an offbeat group of people who become something of a found family.
The scale of production and dedication from the actors is a true commitment to the bit, and one I hope Freevee chooses not to replicate, as lightning rarely strikes twice. — MC
4. Succession, HBO/Max
This is a most-watchable list, not a best-of list, but HBO’s Succession is both. Why do we love to watch terrible people do terrible things?
Succession brought back appointment viewing, with Sunday nights dedicated to the Roy family and the world of the ultra-rich in New York media.
Undoubtedly a show of the decade, it can be hard for a series to stick the landing in its final season, but creator Jesse Armstrong managed it. Who can forget the stunning plot twist only in Episode 3 that left us all wondering, “What’s next?” —MC
3. Poker Face, Peacock
I’ve loved Natasha Lyonne since the But I’m A Cheerleader days, so it was a no-brainer for me to check out Peacock’s Poker Face.
