The Pop Culture Pusher

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Golden Globes Recap 2026

Here’s my recap of the Golden Globes.

· Nikki Glaser did well again. Lots of good ribbing in her monologue. I really enjoyed her research on Leo and that as a teen he liked pasta, pasta and more pasta. The Paper beating The Rock joke took a little long for people to catch on. Funny how the organizers put Kevin Hart and The Rock so close together.

· Again, what was with the locator pin for where the nominees were sitting? I don’t need a Google Map to their seat. Rather have clips than just some small photo. This is an opportunity to advertise their movie/television show and some great acting. Luckily, the podcasters got clips (I said in a sarcastic tone).

· Was wrong on the first award. I didn’t like Teyana Taylor’s character in One Battle After Another. I guess that was the point and she did a good job making me dislike her.

· Thank you Stellan Skarsgard for talking up watching cinema at the cinema.

· The inane commentary as people get their awards has got to stop; especially those that have to walk a long way from the back (and keep having to gush around Julia Roberts).

· Some interesting music choices for entrances and people walking to the stage. Wish they would use the show’s theme music or movie’s score. I did love Macaulay Culkin entering to “Return of the Mack”.

· Nikki’s podcast thing was okay. Her K-Pop started weird but got funnier.

· Loved the Smartless banter as they presented. Jason Bateman’s not for everyone.

· Good for Kamloops with Hudson Williams getting some time on stage because of the Heated Rivalry popularity. I enjoyed the ‘your trainer, mom and daughters’ line.

· Liked Stephen Graham thanking family and friends and then Queen Latifah.

· So great to see Rhea Seehorn finally getting an award. Liked her speech.

· C’mon Seth Rogen, why didn’t you thank Sal Saperstein? It was served to you on a platter and you didn’t take it. You had two opportunities!

· So the only award they didn’t show was Score? Why include the award on your list if you are going to be disrespectful and keep it off the broadcast? Poor Sinners composer Ludwig Goransson, you deserved better.

· Apparently every movie and television show “takes a village”.

· I enjoyed Judd Apatow’s entrance song and his annoyance that the ‘comedy’ The Martian beat his film, Trainwreck all those years ago. Still makes no sense.

· I loved Paul Thomas Anderson thanking his assistant directors. Way to go!

· You should probably put Scott Gemmill’s name on the screen when he is talking as many home viewers probably don’t know he’s a producer of The Pitt.

· Also, mentioning Steven Spielberg is a producer of Hamnet would be helpful. Although I did love the way he talked up Chloe Zhao.

· Was at first annoyed that Sinners won Best Cinematic and Box Achievement as I assumed they would get Best Picture. Now happy as Hamnet’s win surprised me.

· Only got four wrong this year. Not bad. Nailed all the TV categories.

Here were the winners:

Best Motion Picture – Drama
Hamnet

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) (predicted & wanted)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama
Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) (predicted)

Best Motion Picture – Comedy
One Battle After Another (predicted & wanted)

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy
Rose Byrne (If I had Legs I’d Kick You) (predicted)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy
Timothee Chalamet (Marty Supreme) (predicted)

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another)

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Stellan Skarsgard (Sentimental Value) (predicted)

Best Animated Feature Film
K-Pop Demon Hunters (predicted & wanted)

Best Non-English Language Film
The Secret Agent (Brazil)

Cinematic and Box Office Achievement
Sinners

Best Director – Motion Picture
PT Anderson (One Battle After Another) (predicted & wanted)

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
PT Anderson (One Battle After Another) (predicted & wanted)

Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Ludwig Goransson (Sinners) (predicted & wanted)

Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“Golden” (K-Pop Demon Hunters) (predicted)

Best Television Series – Drama
The Pitt (predicted & wanted)

Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama
Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus) (predicted & wanted)

Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama
Noah Wyle (The Pitt) (predicted & wanted)

Best Television Series – Comedy
The Studio (predicted & wanted)

Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy
Jean Smart (Hacks) (predicted)

Best Actor in a Television Series – Comedy
Seth Rogen (The Studio) (predicted)

Best Supporting Actress TV
Erin Doherty (Adolescence) (predicted & wanted)

Best Supporting Actor TV
Owen Cooper (Adolescence) (predicted & wanted)

Best Limited Series or TV Movie
Adolescence (predicted & wanted)

Best Actress in a Limited Series
Michelle Williams (Dying for Sex) (predicted)

Best Actor in a Limited Series
Stephen Graham (Adolescence) (predicted & wanted)

Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television
Ricky Gervais (Mortality) (predicted)

Best Podcast
Good Hang with Amy Poehler (predicted & wanted)

Thursday, January 08, 2026

Golden Globes Predictions 2026

The Golden Globes are this Sunday. Nikki Glaser is hosting again and she was actually pretty good last year. While I may not have seen much international fare or a bunch of the indie films, I have seen a lot of the nominees this year. This is also one of the few years that there is a lot alignment between who I think will win and who I want to win. If there is an Adolescence sweep, I’ll be happy. Anyway, here’s are my predictions:

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Frankenstein | Hamnet | It Was Just an Accident | Sentimental Value | Sinners | The Secret Agent
Will Win: Sinners
Want to Win: Sinners

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA
Dwayne Johnson [The Smashing Machine] | Jeremy Allen White [Springsteen] | Joel Edgerton [Train Dreams] | Michael B Jordan [Sinners] | Oscar Isaac [Frankenstein] | Wagner Moura [The Secret Agent]
Will Win: Wagner Moura [The Secret Agent]
Want to Win: Michael B Jordan [Sinners]

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA
Eva Victor [Sorry, Baby] | Jennifer Lawrence [Die My Love] | Jessie Buckley [Hamnet] | Julia Roberts [After the Hunt] | Renate Reinsve [Sentimental Value] | Tessa Thompson [Hedda]
Will Win: Jessie Buckley [Hamnet]
Want to Win: Jessie Buckley [Hamnet]

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY
Ethan Hawke [Blue Moon] | George Clooney [Jay Kelly] | Jesse Plemons [Bugonia] | Lee Byung-Hun [No Other Choice] | Leonardo DiCaprio [One Battle After Another] | Timothee Chalamet [Marty Supreme]
Will Win: Timothee Chalamet [Marty Supreme]
Want to Win: Leonardo DiCaprio [One Battle After Another]

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY
Amanda Seyfried [The Testament of Ann Lee] | Chase Infiniti [One Battle After Another] | Cynthia Erivo [Wicked: For Good] | Emma Stone [Bugonia] | Kate Hudson [Song Sung Blue] | Rose Byrne [If I Had Legs I’d Kick You]
Will Win: Rose Byrne [If I Had Legs I’d Kick You]
Want to Win: Emma Stone [Bugonia]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - FILM
Adam Sandler [Jay Kelly] | Benicio del Toro [One Battle After Another] | Jacob Elordi [Frankenstein] | Paul Mescal [Hamnet] | Sean Penn [One Battle After Another] | Stellan Skarsgard [Sentimental Value]
Will Win: Stellan Skarsgard [Sentimental Value]
Want to Win: Benicio del Toro [One Battle After Another]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - FILM
Amy Madigan [Weapons] | Ariana Grande [Wicked: For Good] | Elle Fanning [Sentimental Value] | Emily Blunt [The Smashing Machine] | Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas [Sentimental Value] | Teyana Taylor [One Battle After Another]
Will Win: Amy Madigan [Weapons]
Want to Win: Ariana Grande [Wicked]

BEST DIRECTOR
Chloe Zhao [Hamnet] | Guillermo del Toro [Frankenstein] | Jafar Panahi [It Was Just an Accident] | Joachim Trier [Sentimental Value] | Paul Thomas Anderson [One Battle After Another] | Ryan Coogler [Sinners]
Will Win: Paul Thomas Anderson [One Battle After Another]
Want to Win: Paul Thomas Anderson [One Battle After Another]

BEST NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM
It Was Just an Accident [France] | No Other Choice [South Korea] | Sentimental Value [Norway] | Sirat [Spain] | The Secret Agent [Brazil] | The Voice of Hind Rajab [Tunisia]
Will Win: It Was Just an Accident
Want to Win: Sentimental Value

BEST SCREENPLAY
Chloe Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell [Hamnet] | Jafar Panahi [It Was Just an Accident] | Joachim Trier, Eskil Vogt [Sentimental Value] | Paul Thomas Anderson [One Battle After Another] | Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie [Marty Supreme] | Ryan Coogler [Sinners]\
Will Win: Paul Thomas Anderson [One Battle After Another]
Want to Win: Paul Thomas Anderson [One Battle After Another]

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Alexandre Desplat [Frankenstein] | Hans Zimmer [F1] | Jonny Greenwood [One Battle After Another] | Kangding Ray [Sirat] | Ludwig Goransson [Sinners] | Max Richter [Hamnet]
Will Win: Ludwig Goransson [Sinners]
Want to Win: Ludwig Goransson [Sinners]

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
“Dream As One” [Avatar: Fire and Ash] | “Golden” [K-Pop Demon Hunters] | “I Lied to You” [Sinners] | “No Place Like Home” [Wicker: For Good] | “The Girl in the Bubble” [Wicked: For Good] | “Train Dreams” [Train Dreams]
Will Win: “Golden” [K-Pop Demon Hunters]
Want to Win: “I Lied to You” [Sinners]

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA
Adam Scott [Severance] | Diego Luna [Andor] | Gary Oldman [Slow Horses] | Mark Ruffalo [Task] | Noah Wyle [The Pitt] | Sterling K Brown [Paradise]
Will Win: Noah Wyle [The Pitt]
Want to Win: Noah Wyle [The Pitt]

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA
Bella Ramsey [The Last of Us] | Britt Lower [Severance] | Helen Mirren [MobLand] | Kathy Bates [Matlock] | Keri Russell [The Diplomat] | Rhea Seehorn [Pluribus]
Will Win: Rhea Seehorn [Pluribus]
Want to Win: Rhea Seehorn [Pluribus]

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY
Adam Brody [Nobody Wants This] | Glen Powell [Chad Powers] | Jeremy Allen White [The Bear] | Martin Short [Only Murders in the Building] | Seth Rogen [The Studio] | Steve Martin [Only Murders in the Building]
Will Win: Seth Rogen [The Studio]
Want to Win: Martin Short [Only Murders in the Building]

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY
Ayo Edebiri [The Bear] | Jean Smart [Hacks] | Jenna Orteda [Wednesday] | Kristen Bell [Nobody Wants This] | Natasha Lyonne [Poker Face] | Selena Gomez [Only Murders in the Building]
Will Win: Jean Smart [Hacks]
Want to Win: Kristen Bell [Nobody Wants This]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ashley Walters [Adolescence] | Billy Crudup [The Morning Show] | Jason Isaacs [The White Lotus] | Owen Cooper [Adolescence] | Tramell Tillman [Severance] | Walton Goggins [The White Lotus]
Will Win: Owen Cooper [Adolescence]
Want to Win: Owen Cooper [Adolescence]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Aimee Lou Wood [The White Lotus] | Carrie Coon [The White Lotus] | Catherine O’Hara [RThe Studio] | Erin Doherty [Adolescence] | Hannah Einbinder [Hacks] | Parker Posey [The White Lotus]
Will Win: Erin Doherty [Adolescence]
Want to Win: Erin Doherty [Adolescence]

BEST ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Charlie Hunnam [Monster: The Ed Gein Story] | Jacob Elordi [The Narrow Road to the Deep North] | Jude Law [Black Rabbit] | Matthew Rhys [The Beast in Me] | Paul Giamatti [Black Mirror] | Stephen Graham [Adolescence]
Will Win: Stephen Graham [Adolescence]
Want to Win: Stephen Graham [Adolescence]

BEST ACTRESS – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
Amanda Seyfried [Long Bright River] | Claire Danes [The Beast in Me] | Michelle Williams [Dying for Sex] | Rashida Jones [Black Mirror] | Robin Wright [The Girlfriend] | Sarah Snook [All Her Fault]
Will Win: Michelle Williams [Dying for Sex]
Want to Win: Claire Danes [The Beast in Me]

BEST PERFORMANCE IN STAND-UP COMEDY ON TV
Bill Maher [Is Anyone Else Seeing This?] | Brett Goldstein [The Second Best Night of Your Life] | Kevin Hart [Acting My Age] | Kumail Nanjiani [Night Thoughts] | Ricky Gervais [Mortality] | Sarah Silverman [Postmortem]
Will Win: Ricky Gervais [Mortality]
Want to Win: Brett Goldstein [The Second Best Night of Your Life]

Let’s see how I do this year.

Thursday, January 01, 2026

2026 Television Preview

Wondering when your shows are returning? Not many shows for me that are continuing from the fall. Some fun shows are returning with a new season. There are also a bunch of new series I may try. Here’s the list:
(Green = New Series, Grey=New Season, Blue=Continuing Season from Fall)

The Simpsons (Sun.Jan.4)
St. Denis Medical (Mon.Jan.5)
Abbott Elementary (Wed.Jan.7)
His & Hers premieres Thu.Jan.8 on Netflix [Trailer]
Six-episode deep south psychological thriller with Tessa Thompson.
The Pitt Season 2 begins Thu.Jan.8 on HBO Max
The Night Manager Season 2 begins Sun.Jan.11 on Prime
Continuing from the miniseries ten years ago with Tom Hiddleston
Hijack Season 2 begins Wed.Jan.14 on AppleTV
Seven Dials premieres Thu.Jan.15 on Netlfix [Trailer]
Three-part Agatha Christie mystery by the creator of Broadchurch.
SNL (Sat.Jan.17)
A Knight of Seven Kingdoms premieres Sun.Jan.18 on HBO [Trailer]
Conspiracy thriller about a math guy who is a target and needs protection
Shrinking Season 3 begins Wed.Jan.28 on AppleTV
The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 begins Thu.Feb.5 on Netflix
Paradise Season 2 begins Mon.Feb.23 on Disney+
Scrubs premieres Wed.Feb.25 on ABC
JD, Turk and the rest of the gang are back in this continuation
Young Sherlock premieres Wed.Mar.4 on Prime [Trailer]
Guy Ritchie’s prequel to his Sherlock films in 8-ep series
Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 begins Wed.Mar.4 on Disney+
Imperfect Women premieres Wed.Mar.18 on AppleTV
Elisabeth Moss & Kerry Washington lead a crime thriller
Your Friends and Neighbors Season 2 begins Fri.Apr.3 on AppleTV

Monday, December 29, 2025

Top 20 TV Shows of 2025

It’s now the norm: no network shows in my Top 20. The streamers have tighter seasons, stronger casting and better writing. This year I had to do 20 because it would be sad to leave some of my other favourites off the list. As usual, most of my choices are based on how eager I was to watch the next episode whether is be a binge on Netflix or week by week on Apple TV. These are the shows that kept me wanting more this year:

TOP 20 TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2025

1. ADOLESCENCE (NETFLIX)
Why: I was riveted right from the start. The oner camerawork was incredible, the acting was heartbreaking and the plot is so relevant to today. This should be required viewing for every parent or adult who deals with young teenagers.
MVP: Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper) – amazing child actor
Best Episode of 2025: Episode #1.1 (S01E01)
It is hard not get pulled in right away. The camera moving throughout the house as they arrest Jamie and then going through the booking process is mesmerizing. I spent the whole time going back and forth on whether he was guilty or not and then had to watch the rest of the series immediately.

2. SEVERANCE (APPLE TV)
Why: While there were some side plots that didn’t grab me (Cobel’s journey), the main storyline of Mark trying to find his wife got me glued to the series. The snowy field trip and the Gemma & Mark’s backstory were also some fine TV.
MVP: Mark Scout (Adam Scott) – plays both personalities well
Best Episode of 2025: Cold Harbor (S02E10)
Mark talking to himself with a camcorder was brilliantly shot. The rescue and running down the hallways of Lumon also standout.

3. THE PITT (HBO MAX)
Why: There’s medical procedurals and then there’s this. Every moment is jam-packed with intensity especially when the ER gets bombarded with patients after a shooting. Glad that they were given 15 episodes to prolong this awesome series
MVP: Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) – the ticking time bomb leader
Best Episode of 2025: 7:00 PM (S01E13)
While there are some ‘fun’ moments with Whitaker treating a clown and great scenes with Dr. King, it’s Dr. Robby trying everything to save an important patient and heartbreakingly dealing with the aftermath that gets me all welled up.

4. PLUR1BUS (APPLE TV)
Why: Vince Gilligan does it again. Thought the alien aspect may throw me off despite his work on X-Files, but I am so impressed with the storytelling and the use of minimal cast and dialogue. Beautifully shot and acted like all his series.
MVP: Carol (Rhea Seehorn) – a survivor who can command a screen
Best Episode of 2025: The Gap (S01E07)
This was hard to pick as all the episodes had amazing moments from the pilot to the grocery store to the HDP explanation. This episode is mostly silent as Carol takes advantage of her isolated life until she realizes her need for companionship. This is shared with Manousos taking a dangerous trip north and painfully falling into a tree that made me gasp out loud.

5. SLOW HORSES (APPLE TV)
Why: I think what I liked most about this season was that the gang was pretty much all together instead of River going solo. Lamb’s storytelling and insults continue to shine but this season was all about Roddy Ho.
MVP: Roddy Ho (Christopher Chung) – delusional IT guy
Best Episode of 2025: Tall Tales (S05E03)
Watching Ho get interrogated made me laugh out loud too many times to mention. His perception of reality is truly outrageous. The rest of Slough House in lockdown was also fun with Lamb giving a compelling story and trying to escape. His reaction in the loo is priceless - I think it’s the first time I saw him outplayed.

6. TASK (HBO)
Why: This is one of those shows where you are rooting for the good guys but also want certain bad guys to get away with their crime. Theories abounded as week by week, I tried to predict how this would all play out. Who was the mole? Who gets the money? What’s with the bird watching?
MVP: Robbie Prendergrast (Tom Pelphrey) – bad choice maker
Best Episode of 2025: Vagrants (S01E05)
Edge of your seat moments as Perry visits Maeve who is hiding Sam. The mole is revealed to the audience. Tom goes too far when he approaches Robbie without back up. Great writing.

7. DEPT. Q (NETFLIX)
Why: I like a good thriller with detectives trying to catch the criminal but have to go through a lot of cold case file stuff to get there. The British angle is also a plus. Throw in the awesome performance of Matthew Goode and his terrible parking and you got me watching this 9-episode series hook, line and sinker.
MVP: Akram (Alexej Manvelov) – the Syrian sidekick steals show
Best Episode of 2025: Episode #1.8 (S01E08)
In this penultimate episode, everything starts to come together as identities are finally revealed and the department gets closer to solving the puzzle. Don’t wanna spoil anything more.

8. THE LAST OF US (HBO)
Why: While some did not like this season as much as the first, I thought that they didn’t really miss a beat. The quality is still top notch, as is the writing. I also loved the addition of Dina. I will say that I don’t root for Ellie as much though; she too bratty at times.
MVP: Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) – the emotional center of this show
Best Episode of 2025: Through the Valley (S02E02)
Having not played the game, I had no idea where this series was going. This episode is not only action packed in the snow but also the most heartbreaking with the loss of a major character.

9. THE DIPLOMAT (NETFLIX)
Why: I love all the twists and turns of political intrigue. This seems more House of Cards than West Wing at this point despite the casting of CJ and Josh. I like the zags the show keeps taking just when I think I got it figured out.
MVP: Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford) – emasculated first gentleman
Best Episode of 2025: Amagansett (S03E06)
Even though it is an important strategy summit, the couples retreat moments are the standout. Having Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford as the first family is genius casting. Playing them off of the equally enticing Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell is masterful. Gotta love a few double-crosses as well.

10. ANDOR (DISNEY+)
Why: While the first season set up the major players, this second and final season brought them closer and closer to the rebellion and Rogue One. The fascism and revolution is expertly displayed as you can’t help relating it to today’s world.
MVP: K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) – an awesome droid sidekick
Best Episode of 2025: Who Are You? (S02E08)
The Ghorman revolution is on and it is tragic and well shot. All of Syril’s work to finally get to Cassian Andor is the perfect conclusion in this epic episode. The next ep rocks as well.

11. STRANGER THINGS (NETFLIX)
Why: The nostalgia, the sci-fi, the world-building. It has been quite a ride watching these kids grow up and save the Hawkins (and the world). Lots of storylines to follow but always great combinations. This list was made before the final episode.
MVP: Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) – better than Dustin this time
Best Episodes of 2025: The Turnbow Trap (S05E03)
Though it is very Home Alone-ish, I enjoyed the trapping of the Demogorgon and the interactions with Derek. Holly’s bigger role has been a highlight and the reveal at the end seals the deal.

12. DEXTER: RESURRECTION (PARAMOUNT+)
Why: Who would have thought that a poor series finale and retconned limited series would lead to yet another stab for Dexter? Say what you will, Michael C Hall still loves playing this serial killer and the creators still are able to pump out episodes that keep you fully entertained.
MVP: Dexter Morgan (Michael C Hall) – the aging killer still kills
Best Episode of 2025: Call Me Red (S01E04)
An interesting concept this year, moving the series to New York and having Dexter find himself among a cohort of fellow killers. Throw in Batista tracking him down while Harrison hides his own sins and you’ve got another great episode.

13. THE REHEARSAL (HBO MAX)
Why: I loved Nathan Fielder’s first series, Nathan for You, this follows a similar strand but with a crap load of HBO money and a slight movement toward seriousness. His recreations are incredible. His dedication to the ‘bit’ is outstanding and could actually save lives. This season is impressive in its scope.
MVP: Nathan Fielder – his deadpan delivery is pitch perfect
Best Episode of 2025: Pilot’s Code (S02E03)
While the final episode is ballsy as Nathan actually flies a plane full of passengers, this ep is bizarre and typical Fielder. After working with a cloned dog, Nathan decides to live the life of Sully Sullenberger. It is outrageous and makes you listen to “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence in a whole new way.

14. PEACEMAKER (HBO MAX)
Why: While Chris was depressed this season, there were a lot of fun characters joining the mix and playing with alternate universes. Still surprised James Gunn brought Superman’s Lex to the table and was able to seamlessly adjust from the Snyderverse of the first season.
MVP: Eagly– yes, Peacemaker’s eagle is the star of this show
Best Episode of 2025: Ignorance Is Chris (S02E06)
While the gang goes to rescue Peacemaker, Flagg Sr. gets Lex involved. Vigilante meeting his doppelganger was fun stuff but the real treat is at the end when this new universe is not quite what everyone, including Chris, thought it was.

15. ENGLISH TEACHER (FX/DISNEY+))
Why: While not as funny as the first season, this one is still full of laughs. There’s a great episode with a talking disposal unit making judgements of the students, just as an example of the absurdity. The best episodes are when everyone is at the school and dealing with regular situations in an outlandish way.
MVP: Jeff (Ben Bondurant) – my favourite student despite age
Best Episode of 2025: Recruiter (S02E06)
The recruitment stuff is quite well done with a funny twist at the end but the highlight is how the teachers deal with cell phones and try to create a policy. So relevant in our schools right now.

16. THE STUDIO (APPLE TV)
Why: This probably hits Hollywood and LA people a lot more than regular folk, but I also enjoy seeing behind the scenes stuff of movie studios. Seth Rogen gets a little tired with his constant beleaguerment but I appreciate the challenges he has to face.
MVP: Sal Saperstein (Ike Barinholtz) – the perfect sidekick exec
Best Episode of 2025: The Oner (S01E02)
Nothing like a oner episode that deals with Matt interrupting an attempted final oner of a movie. Though not as seamless as Adolescence, the shooting is very well done. This does get a bit cringe as Matt keeps unintentionally causing problems.

17. THE BEAR (FX/DISNEY+)
Why: This series is still coming out with fantastic episodes but it just didn’t resonate with me as much as previous seasons. I like that there is more character growth going on in this season and the final confrontation hits all the right notes.
MVP: Neil Fak (Matty Matheson) – lots of good intentions and fun
Best Episode of 2025: Bears (S04E07)
Ritchie sucks it up and goes to his ex-wife’s wedding only to find himself under a table, along with the rest of cast, trying to ease the mind of Ritchie’s daughter. Great speeches abound in this longest episode of all four seasons.

18. DEXTER: ORIGINAL SIN (PARAMOUNT+)
Why: Yes, another Dexter spin-off on this list. I would have never thought that I would care about the early years of Dexter Morgan but here we are. I think most of it has to do the amazing casting of Patrick Gibson as young Dexter. His similarity to Michael C Hall’s performance in uncanny. The storylines are also well told, like the originals. I do like an origin story at times.
MVP: Dexter Morgan (Patrick Gibson) – a treat to watch
Best Episode of 2025: The Big Bad Body Problem (S01E07)
Dexter has to find a new hiding place once the police find something he accidentally left behind. Deb goes to far with her teammates and gets in trouble. Dexter figures out an elusive kidnapper’s identity.

19. HACKS (HBO MAX)
Why: The petty fighting between Deb and Ava gets stale pretty quickly but I enjoyed the late night talk show angle this season. Didn’t think the ending stuck the landing though.
MVP: Kayla (Megan Stalter) – an agent with the best lines
Best Episode of 2025: A Slippery Slope (S04E09)
Execs want to censor Deb on her show which leads to a possible firing of Ava. Stands are taken.

20. A MAN ON THE INSIDE (NETFLIX)
Why: It is fun to see Ted Danson take on this role of a private investigator who goes all in. You can tell people liked the first season with all the fun cast additions this year. Everyone just want to play with Ted, especially his wife, Mary Steenburgen
MVP: Jack (Jason Mantzoukas) – every line reading is golden
Best Episode of 2025: Family Weekend (S02E03)
Charles needs some backup to investigate Mona’s whereabouts on the night in question. His daughter tries but its his grandson who is able to pull it off.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: 2026 Preview

So what’s in your Top 20 for 2025?