The 17 best TV shows of 2017 that you need to be watching
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Your support makes all the difference.2017 is already halfway gone. Have you had enough time to watch the literal hundreds of television shows that exist now? Probably not. But some of them are well-worth your time.
If the first half of the year is any indication, we have a lot of great stuff to look forward to, including the seventh season of "Game of Thrones."
With excellent writing, direction, style, and performances that stand out among the overwhelming amount of TV shows around today, this is the best of 2017 so far — from mid-seasons to new seasons to entirely new series.
Here are the best TV shows of 2017 (so far), ranked:
17. Riverdale
"Riverdale" stars Camila Mendes as Veronica, Lili Reinhart as Betty, Ashleigh Murray as Josie, Cole Sprouse as Jughead, Madelaine Petsch as Cheryl, and KJ Apa as ArchieThe CW
If you're into glossy, cheesy teen drama that doesn't require much thinking, where the teens are played by adults well into their 20s, The CW's "Riverdale" is one of the best since The CW's "Gossip Girl." The characters are based on the Archie comics (Archie, Betty, Veronica, and many more) but in a modern setting. The show explores the darkness and weirdness of this small town that is so much more than it seems.
Where to watch: Netflix
Best episodes: "Chapter 1: The River's Edge," "Chapter 7: In a Lonely Place," "Chapter 12: Anatomy of a Murder"
16. Pretty Little Liars
Ashley Benson, Shay Mitchell, Troian Bellisario, Sasha Pieterse and Lucy Hale on Freeform's "Pretty Little Liars"Freeform
"Pretty Little Liars" was never great TV, but it's addicting TV. In June, the cell phone-friendly teen drama-mystery ended its seven season run on Freeform (formerly ABC Family). The final season and the final episodes threw in a lot of twists including an evil British twin, surprise weddings, and surprise pregnancies.
Where to watch: Hulu
Best episodes: "Playtime," "Choose or Lose," "Till Death Do Us Part"
15. The Americans
Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys in FX's "The Americans"FX
As the show nears its end, "The Americans" focuses more on the the Jennings family in season five. Season six, due next year, will be the final season of the FX drama. With incredible performances (as always) from Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich, Holly Taylor, Frank Langella, and Margo Martindale, the Cold War drama stays fresh. Even though we know how the Cold War ends, we have no idea what that will mean for the Jennings family and those around them, and season five, though a little slow at times, did an excellent job setting up our what could happen with these characters.
Where to watch: iTunes, Amazon Video
Best episodes: "Amber Waves," "Darkroom," "The Soviet Division"
14. Superstore
"Superstore" stars Ben Feldman as Jonah and America Ferrera as Amy.Evans Vestal Ward/NBC
NBC's workplace comedy "Superstore" starring America Ferrara and Ben Feldman has a lovable cast of characters who in any other setting and with any other writers would be annoying and insufferable. In season two, the show proved that its quirkiness makes it one of the best comedies on TV right now. The show is also one of the best representations of blue collar workers, a large demographic that is rarely presented well (or at all).
Where to watch: Hulu, NBC.com
Best episodes: "Election Day," "Tornado"
13. Catastrophe
Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney on "Catastrophe"Channel 4
In its first two seasons, "Catastrophe" took big risks, but never to the level that it did in season three. The heartbreaking third season combines fresh, laugh-out-loud comedy with an honest look at a strained marriage, and ends with a shocking revelation that could completely change the direction of the show. Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney work with the material and prove that comedy is not the only thing they're good at.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Best episodes: "Episode 1," "Episode 6"
12. Feud: Bette and Joan
"Feud: Bette and Joan" stars Susan Sarandon, left, and Jessica Lange.Suzanne Tenner/FX
Ryan Murphy's new anthology series made an impactful debut with a colorful palette in costume and set design and colorful performances. Like most Murphy shows, it goes a bit campy, but in the context of the Old Hollywood actress feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, it totally works.
Where to watch: iTunes, Amazon Video
Best episodes: "And the Winner Is...(the Oscars of 1983)," "You Mean All This Time We Could Have Been Friends?"
11. Review
Andy Daly on Comedy Central's "Review"Comedy Central
The Comedy Central show starring Andy Daly ended its run in a three-episode third (and final) season back in March. On the show, Daly's character Forrest MacNeil is a professional critic of life itself. From eating pancakes to divorce to committing murder, MacNeil will literally do whatever possible to get a realistic review for his audience. The humor, although sometimes uncomfortable, gets genuine laughs. And though it ended as well as it started, it's sad to see it go.
Where to watch: CC.com (Comedy Central)
Best episodes: "Co-Host; Ass-Slap, Helen Keller; Forgiveness," "Cryogenics; Lightning, Last Review"
10. Jane the Virgin
Gina Rodriguez on The CW's Jane the Virgin"The CW
In season three of The CW telenovela spoof, one of the main characters suddenly dies. It was a bold move by the writers, especially because it happened mid-season, and just when things were looking really good for Jane Villanueva (Gina Rodriguez). After the shocking death, the show did a three-year time jump, after consulting grief counselors on the best time to jump back into Jane's life. Rodriguez can go from one second crying to then making you laugh the next.
Where to watch: Netflix
Best episodes: "Chapter Fifty-Four," "Chapter Sixty-One," "Chapter Sixty-Four"
9. Legion
Dan Stevens on FX's "Legion"FX
The visually-stunning, X-Men-inspired FX drama from Noah Hawley ("Fargo") premiered earlier this year and received high praise for its non-linear storytelling, its performances — particularly from star Dan Stevens and Aubrey Plaza — and its views of mental illness as Stevens' character David struggles with what is real and what is in his head.
Where to watch: iTunes, Amazon Video
Best episodes: "Chapter 4," "Chapter 7"
8. Better Call Saul
Giancarlo Esposito, Bob Odenkirk and Jonathan Banks from AMC's "Better Call Saul"AMC
After three seasons, the "Breaking Bad" spin-off proves that it's just as good as the groundbreaking show that inspired it. In its third season, "Better Call Saul" gets closer and closer to the events of "Breaking Bad," as big bad Gus Fring (Giancarlo Espositp) is brought into the mix. All the performances on "Better Call Saul" are Emmy-worthy, particularly Bob Odenkirk, who continues to impress with his ability to be funny and dramatic as Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman.
Where to watch: AMC.com, Amazon Video
Best episodes: "Chicanery," "Fall," "Lantern"
7. The Leftovers
Justin Theroux on HBO's "The Leftovers"HBO
In its extraordinary final season, "The Leftovers" proved it's one of the best TV dramas of the past few years, possibly ever, which is mostly attributed to performances from Justin Theroux and Carrie Coon. The series finale was a satisfying ending for the experimental show which vastly improved with every season. Theroux and Coon's performances made the show less about the mysterious sci-fi element, and more about the uncertainty of life itself.
Where to watch: HBOGo, HBO Now
Best episodes: "It's a Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt World," "The Book of Nora"
6. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Rachel Bloom on "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"The CW
Season two of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" went even crazier and bigger than season one, with songs about the math of love triangles, a spoof of Beyonce's "Lemonade," and a spoof of R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" (on "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," it was called "Stuck in the Bathroom"). After losing a main character from the cast, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" managed by creating bigger roles for old characters and bringing in new ones, including Scott Michael Foster. Like "The Good Place," the season finale had a twist that the "Westworld" writers could learn a thing or two from.
Where to watch: Netflix
Best episodes: "All Signs Point to Josh... Or Is It Josh’s Friend?," "Can Josh Take a Leap of Faith?"
5. The Good Place
"The Good Place" stars Kristen Bell and Ted Danson.Ron Batzdorff/NBC
The quirky NBC comedy starring Kristen Bell and Ted Danson is one of the most ambitious shows of the TV season, and probably one of the most ambitious network shows ever. The delightful comedy set in the after life premiered in 2016, but ended its 13-episode order in 2017 with a shocking twist. It will be back for season two this fall.
Where to watch: Hulu, NBC.com
Best episodes: "The Eternal Shriek, "Michael's Gambit," "Mindy St. Clair"
4. The Handmaid’s Tale
Elisabeth Moss and Yvonne Strahovski on Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale"Hulu
"The Handmaid's Tale" is horrifying and strangely beautiful in the thoughtful way it's written, executed, and acted by some of the best people in the business. The set combined with the use of color and light make the world look appealing, when the reality of Gilead is anything but. "The Handmaid's Tale" had a lot to live up to, but deviating from the book — and casting one of the best ensembles in years — made it one of the best new series out, with some of the best performances since "Mad Men." Seriously, everyone is great, and deserves a name drop: Elisabeth Moss, Alexis Bledel, Samira Wiley, Yvonne Strahovski , Joseph Fiennes, Max Minghella, and Ann Dowd.
Where to watch: Hulu
Best episodes: "Birth Day," "Late," "The Bridge"
3. Master of None
Aziz Ansari and Eric Wareheim in Italy on the second season of "Master of None."Netflix
In season two of comedian Aziz Ansar’s critically acclaimed Netflix original, the writing got more natural, along with the performances. This show isn’t afraid to make a statement, but it’s also not trying hard to do so. The love story in season two is one of the most captivating on TV in years — possibly ever.
Where to watch: Netflix
Best episodes: "The Thief," "First Date," "New York, I Love You"
2. Glow
Alison Brie and Gayle Rankin on Netflix's "Glow"Netflix
A quirky cast of diverse women, thoughtful writing, and a fun setting in 1980s LA make "Glow" one of the best shows of 2017 so far, and one of the best Netflix originals to date. The performances are great, it's hilarious, but there's also some drama worth investing in. With 30-minute episodes, "Glow" is an ideal (and relatively quick) weekend watch.
Where to watch: Netflix
Best episodes: "The Wrath of Kuntar," "Live Studio Audience," "Money's in the Chase"
1. Big Little Lies
Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, and Reese Witherspoon on HBO's "Big Little Lies"HBO
HBO's limited series was such a massive hit with audiences and critics alike that it's in talks to get a second season. The female-driven story proved that stories centered around women work. Nicole Kidman gave one of her best performances ever, as well as co-stars Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Alexander Skarsgard.
Where to watch: HBOGo, HBO Now
Best episodes: "Living the Dream," "You Get What You Need"
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Read the original article on Business Insider UK. © 2016. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter.
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