LUIS VEGA
TV TOP 10 (17 REALLY)
Madeline challenged Luis to name five TV shows he loved in 2021 that he did not see on Disney+
1. Hacks
This HBO Max comedy series was my favorite show of 2021. Jean Smart as aging comedienne Deborah Vance and her relationship with new writer Ava (Hannah Einbender) is both poignant and hilarious. The dark mentorship between the uber successful Deborah and the entitled millennial Ava was the most pitch perfect thing on television this year.
2. Ted Lasso
There was no way Ted Lasso could live up to the hype. Then I got a free year of Apple TV+ and realized I was completely wrong. The show was perfect for where we were as a society in the second year of a pandemic. The highly entertaining Season 2 brings in a therapist who questions Jason Sudeikis’ eternally optimistic Ted. All the characters grow—and so does the show.
6. Heels
This Cinemax series successfully weaves outside of the ring drama with inside the ropes escapades. Set in Georgia’s Duffy Wrestling League featuring Stephen Amell (of Arrow fame) and Alexander Ludwig as the Spade brothers, it is chock full of wrestling terminology and overly dramatic family dynamics.
7. Lupin
I was pleasantly surprised by this French espionage drama on Netflix. Omar Sy is captivating as Assane Diop the Lupinobsessed main character who attempts to clear his father’s name, putting him in the crosshairs of a wealthy, wellconnected family. Highly stylized and entertaining.
8. Shrill
You wouldn’t think an aging television actor, a failed Broadway producer, and a young woman with a dark past would work, but this show absolutely does. Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez as podcast-obsessed strangers looking to solve a murder in their own building is the best thing hulu produced all year.
The final season of this Aidy Bryant vehicle was my favorite of the three seasons. The show was unexpectedly cancelled after filming which left them needing to re-edit the season finale as it was now the series finale. The ending seemed rushed but also realistic. Plus there was something heart-warming to the ending being Annie and Fran together, because in reality, theirs was always the most important and best relationship on the show.
4. Curb Your Enthusiasm
9. Cobra Kai
3. Only Murders in the Building
After 11 seasons, this show has not missed a beat. In fact, one of the best episodes of the entire series was in 2021. “The Watermelon” entered the pantheon as one of the most daring and improbable episodes of television ever.
5. The Wonder Years
I was skeptical of ABC’s relaunch of The Wonder Years. I hold the original in such high regard. The remake focuses on an AfricanAmerican family in late ’60s Alabama is the best new network TV show. Narrated by Don Cheadle, it gives such a sweetly nostalgic view of civil rights, race dynamics, and the Vietnam war through the eyes of young Dean. A rare successful remake.
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Art Department Weekly • December 2021
Season 3 of the series was a fun nostalgic trip through the history of the Karate Kid movies. Daniel’s trip to Japan has him run into Komiko and Chozen (both from Karate Kid 2) while Johnny rekindles a relationship with Ali (Elizabeth Shue), his high school flame from Karate Kid. Johnny and Daniel ultimately realize they have to come together to defeat the real enemy, John Kreese.
10. Schmigadoon
Another Apple TV+ entry, this Lorne Michaels produced musical series features Cecily Strong and Keegan Michal Key. A wrong turn on a hiking trip leads this struggling couple to explore themselves and their relationship in the musical town of Schmigadoon. The musical moments are incredibly well produced and performed. If you’re a musical fan, this is the show for you.
