The Kallys® 2024 – Best TV & Streaming Shows
As 2023 draws to a close, I wanted to try and capture some of my favourite TV and streaming shows that I watched during the year. So, to make things slightly more interesting, rather than creating a standard end of year “Best Of” list, I thought I’d once again wedge my personal end-of-year “best of” list into the form of some subjective awards. So, I hereby welcome you to the second annual Kally® awards (And I’ve also thrown in a new hall of fame entry to be included in my list of the greatest shows of all time).
There’s an awful lot of glossy “prestige” TV out there that’s lacking in substance, but if you sift through it (or I can do some of the sifting for you) you’ll find some truly remarkable art and entertainment. So without further ado (although that phrase is effectively some unnecessarily further ado) these are my personal choices for the best TV and streaming shows of the year.
See also The Kallys® for: Best Books of 2024 \\ Best Podcasts of 2024 \\ Best Films of 2024 \\ Best YouTube of 2024 \\
1 \ Somebody Somewhere
2024 TV Show of the Year: #1
Every so often, a show sneaks up on you and makes you fall in love with its charms, without you even realising. Somebody Somewhere is that kind of show. (If you haven’t seen any of the three seasons of the show yet, you are in for a beautiful treat.) This was the best show I watched all year. There’s a lilting, soft energy to it, with an almost documentary feel at times. Unsurprisingly, it’s a semi-autobiographical tale from Bridgett Everett, who plays the central role with a gorgeous understated ease. Opposite her is the hugely likeable Jeff Miller (as her best friend Joel) who brings her into the local group of loveable, middle-aged misfits. I particularly like that these people from all walks of life are presented without judgment or commentary. Most of all, I love the show because it reminds you that finding your tribe (and a true sense of belonging) is one of the only things that really matters. Highly recommended. [HBO/Now TV]
2 \ Slow Horses
2024 TV Show of the Year: #2
Imagine being so bad at your job that MI5 sends you to an office where your boss is a grumpy, farting Gary Oldman eating cold takeaway while insulting your intelligence. Welcome to Slow Horses, a crackling spy drama (now in its 4th season) that manages to creatively juggle tension and humour.
Oldman is doing career best work here (which is saying something) alongside a marvellous cast that includes living legends like Saskia Reeves and Jonathan Pryce. The central spy mysteries are as compelling as the characters who inhabit them, with plenty of surprises and sucker punches along the way. And theres real fun to be had watching the group of Slow Horses crew, as they bungle their way through high-stakes espionage. Clever, compelling, and well worth watching. [Apple TV+]
3 \ The Penguin
2024 TV Show of the Year: #3
I absolutely loved The Batman by Matt Reeves, with its grimy 70s noir crime drama feel. Going in to The Penguin, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. Spinoffs and IP franchises that dilute the original work are so ubiquitous and ridiculous these days (* cough * Star Wars) But I absolutely loved it. Colin Farrell’s transformation is so convincing that I forgot it was him under all that makeup, but the real star of the show is Cristin Milioti, who has a sinister, mesmerising presence in any scene she is in. If you were a fan of The Sopranos then you’ll almost certainly dig this. It feels like a mob drama set in a scuzzy DC universe and that is a spinoff I can get behind. [Max/Now TV]
Mr & Mrs. Smith
Let’s just start by saying Donald Glover is a genius and I will follow him in any art form he chooses to share that genius with us. Originally, Mr. & Mrs. Smith was to be a co-creation by Glover and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (yet another genius), but alas there were some creative differences apparently (whatever that means). Nevertheless, this is a really entertaining show, with an emphasis on entertainment. It is definitely not the Brangelina movie you may remember from back in the day. This is a modern, lavish, spy thriller with a proper comedy twist. [Amazon Prime]
Gravity Falls
Shrinking
Fleabag
Fleabag is a modern masterpiece and strangely enough, I missed it when it had it’s original run, but I’m so glad I finally watched it. I just can’t get over how truly inventive, funny and original it is. Brilliantly creative liberties taken and whipsmart in it’s execution. Oh how I wish I could have seen the original theatrical production this show evolved from. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a wildly talented writer and note perfect comedic performer, with that elusive mix of charm and vulnerability. And what a terrific cast across the board, with special effusive praise for Olivia Colman and Andrew Scott (I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of them put in a bad performance in anything). Probably preaching to the choir here, but if you were foolish enough to miss it like me, then don’t delay and watch it. I can’t say enough good things about it. It’s a proper work of genius and the less you know about it the better. A clear shoo in for the “greatest shows of all time” hall of fame.[Amazon Prime]
