I’ve Watched 40 TV Shows In 2024, And I’m Shocked That Three Of My Top Five Are Amazon Prime Originals

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As a dedicated streaming enthusiast and self-proclaimed TV aficionado who has spent countless hours binge-watching shows from every corner of the globe, I must say that 2023 has been an extraordinary year for television, especially on Amazon Prime. The platform has truly outdone itself with its diverse and captivating offerings, and it’s high time I share my top picks from this remarkable year.

I’m genuinely astounded as I delve into this topic, but let’s dive in – a surprising number of my favorite five TV shows this year hail from Amazon Prime Video. To be precise, out of 40 series from the 2024 TV lineup that I sampled, more than half of my top picks were available through an Amazon Prime subscription.

To start off, I’d like to share a bit of information: My favorite show is accessible through an Apple TV+ subscription, while the last spot goes to a classic from ABC. This means I enjoy content from various streaming platforms and traditional channels. Interestingly enough, most of my top five shows are actually hosted on Amazon Prime!

Nonetheless, it’s hard to dispute the strength of their program lineup for 2024. Now, let me share with you my top five favorites from that year, and three of these gems are among Prime Video’s most outstanding series.

No. 5: Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Ever since Abbott Elementary debuted on my TV screen in 2021, it’s been a constant favorite. From day one, I’ve found myself rooting for the dynamic duo of Janine and Gregory. What makes this show truly special is the palpable camaraderie among the cast members. To top it off, the humor strikes a perfect balance between paying homage to classic sitcoms and mockumentaries while maintaining its own distinct flavor.

Since its debut, I believe that the show “Abbott” truly discovered its rhythm in Season 3 (broadcasted during the early part of the year) and has continued to do so in Season 4 (currently being aired).

In Season 3, Janine encountered fresh obstacles and relationships while working in the district. Now, in Season 4, we find ourselves returning to a more familiar pattern with her back at Abbott. The progression of her storyline, as well as those of other characters, mirrors the development of the show, which I find truly exciting.

Beyond this, the cast – Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, Chris Perfetti, Janelle James, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Lisa Ann Walter, and William Stanford Davis – have become intimately familiar with their roles, blend effortlessly, and collaborate in a remarkable fashion that generates the intelligent, side-splitting disorder characteristic of Abbott Elementary.

No. 4: My Lady Jane (Amazon Prime)

Let me get this out of the way first: the fact that My Lady Jane got axed after one season and landed on the 2024 list of canceled TV shows is an abomination. It’s single-handedly one of the most creative and funny shows of the year, and the girlies like me desperately wanted more.

In simpler terms, the movie you’re referring to presented an imaginative, historically unfaithful take on Lady Jane Grey’s tale, complete with a witty commentator, magic elements, and some of the most entertaining dialogue of the entire year.

Personally speaking, it was the captivating performances by Emily Bader as Jane and Edward Bluemel as Guildford Dudley that truly won me over in the series. The electric chemistry between them was palpable, leaving me spellbound and smitten throughout.

Moreover, let me tell you, this series was exceptionally witty. Although its initial concept may appear preposterous, the script was sharp-witted, allowing them to craft a narrative that was both self-referential and outlandishly humorous, yet sincere and emotionally resonant. To put it simply, it was an exquisite fusion of all my preferred elements in a production, and it stood out remarkably from other television shows this year.

So, Amazon Prime, I plead to you, please bring back My Lady Jane!

No. 3: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Amazon Prime)

In plain terms: I truly mean what I’m saying when I express my amazement over Season 2 of “The Rings of Power”. As someone who had been hesitant in the past, this season has completely won me over as a fan, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.

In the second season of this “Lord of the Rings” prequel, following a first season filled with extensive explanations, we delved deeper into Sauron’s intricate plot to forge the rings, a pivotal part of the tale. One particularly captivating aspect was Charlie Vickers portraying Sauron undercover as Annatar opposite Charles Edwards’ elven blacksmith Celebrimbor. Vickers breathed a sense of both threatening and enticing qualities into this iconic “Lord of the Rings” character, enriching this legendary story even more.

This season also featured an incredibly intense, prolonged fight sequence spanning across three episodes, highlighting the might and prowess of numerous characters and their respective performers such as Robert Aramayo’s Elrond and Sam Hazeldine’s Adar.

Indeed, the current season of “The Rings of Power” clearly justifies Amazon’s significant investment in this production, leaving me eagerly anticipating the arrival of Season 3 in the Lord of the Rings series.

No. 2: Fallout (Amazon Prime)

Among all the surprises this year, “Fallout” stood out as unique because I had no prior knowledge of its origins. Yet, once I started Episode 1, it felt as if I had stepped right into a post-apocalyptic realm without any delay.

With Ella Purnell’s character Lucy, who is an idealistic and innocent young woman but becomes hardened by the harsh realities of the world, Aaron Moten’s Maximus, and his adventures with the knights, and Walton Goggins portraying Ghoul, a gunslinging outlaw and mourning father, we have a captivating trio of complex heroes that beautifully depict the world in Fallout.

The program offers an exceptionally vivid and engaging experience, transporting viewers into a realm that at times is both hauntingly frightening and run-down, yet equally stunning and enchanting. Remarkably, it demonstrates the undeniable might of superior craftsmanship in practical effects and computer-generated imagery.

By the conclusion of Season 1, I had become so captivated by Fallout, I couldn’t wait for Season 2. The level of dedication, enthusiasm, and enjoyment evident in this Amazon production was truly contagious.

No. 1: Shrinking (Apple TV+)

Shrinking isn’t just one of Apple TV+’s best shows, it’s my favorite show of the year.

In the year 2023, Season 1 stood out as a particular favorite of mine. It sparked my affection for Harrison Ford and his witty, dry style of humor. It served as a refresher on why I hold Jason Segel in such high regard. Moreover, it solidified my belief that Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein are masters at crafting heartfelt comedies. Consequently, I found myself excitedly looking forward to Season 2.

It’s great news that the sophomore season not only matched the first one, but surpassed it by delving further into themes like grief and forgiveness. The series continued to be both profoundly moving and hilariously amusing this year.

Thanks to the exceptional ensemble cast of “Shrinking”, the show’s themes extended beyond Jimmy’s (Segel) narrative. Actress Jessica Williams portrayed Gaby’s relationship dilemmas, Michael Urie grappled with Brian’s doubts about becoming a father, Christa Miller searched for Liz’s purpose in life – each story resonated deeply and was infused with heart and significance.

In summary, it was an exceptional, amusing, and heartwarming television season that I will forever appreciate.

Currently, although the beginning and end of this list encompass non-Amazon productions, the core content is exclusive to Amazon, which seems noteworthy. Each narrative was distinct, thrilling, and engrossing, demonstrating the richness and variety of programming released this year. Remarkably, these three shows have no resemblance to each other, underscoring the extensive range of content produced by Amazon in 20XX. (It’s worth noting that there were also outstanding Prime shows like “The Boys” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” which I didn’t even get to mention.)

In the end, it seems like I should express my gratitude towards Amazon Prime for providing exceptional television content throughout this year.

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2024-12-14 03:37