The Good Place (2016-20)

So after 2.5 years evading Covid-19, it finally came for me too. I took a few sick days off work and basically watched TV all day. The Good Place kept my spirits up. And it was very bingeable, breezily going through a season a day. It's bright, funny, and insightful. The characters are likable and redeemable and each have their own quirks. But there are a few things that really elevate The Good Place above other network comedies. 

 First is that it entrusts its audience with rather complex philosophical theory. The series deep dives into Kant and Aristotle and the like. It tackles the biggest philosophical questions and actually gives pretty good answers. Popularizing philosophy is something to be lauded. And it's not just a subplot, it's actually at the core of the show's themes. Second is the brilliant plot, with its unique premise setting up a conception of the afterlife with a points system. It has an excellent twist at the end of Season 1 (that I remember reading about at the time, but it was still a fantastic reveal), and turns the whole premise upside down. Even when it departs from the original conceit, it morphs into some other brilliant thing. Each season does something different, clever, on the same theme but from a different angle. 

Third, I love the diverse casting. William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil and Manny Jacinto with top billing on network TV. Harper plays the academic Chidi, a philosopher scholar. Jamil plays the beautiful philanthropic Tahani. And Jacinto, freed from the model minority stereotype, plays the dimwit Florirdian Jason. Kristen Bell, D'Arcy Carden and Ted Danson are all great too, as is Maya Rudolph in a recurring guest spot.

And finally, Michael Schur nails the landing with a poignant finale that provides satisfying closure. The scale of the finale spans hundreds of Jeremy Bearimys, Enough time for our protagonists to fulfill their life's and afterlife's dreams and to find the quietude to move on. It's a beautiful ending. 

The Wiz Live! (2015)

NBC stepped up its game, finally putting some real production into its live musical event this year.  There area few things that really made this production stand out.  The first is a set of fantastic performances from a star studded cast plus a newcomer who fully proved herself.  Stepping into Diana Ross's role of Dorothy was Shanice Williams, who belted out 'Home' with such power, nailing the big number.    David Alan Grier is just brilliant as the Cowardly Lion. His purr sounded so cat-like it was a little freaky.  Common has a very small part as an Emerald City gatekeeper, but he is hilarious. Queen Latifah plays the eponymous Wiz, and she plays it up with attitude.  Amber Riley graduated from Glee and put her singing chops to use as the Good Witch of the North.  Elijah Kelley stepped into Michael Jackson's shoes to play the Scarecrow. But I think this production was really defined by the Tin Man Ne-Yo, as much a dancer as he is a singer.  And this production shined thanks to excellent, energetic choreography by Fatima Robinson.  Unlike the previous NBC productions, there was some genuinely complex and entertaining dancing, which is what will really push it over the top when it makes the transition to the Broadway stage.

Finally, the set design and costumes had some really effort put into them.  The Wiz looked like a green Cruella de Vil.  The munchkins all had a distinctive look, as did the denizens of the Emerald City--they looked like something out of the Capital from The Hunger Games.  The Emerald City "club" had some great choreography too. The infamous maelstrom of a tornado that whisks Dorothy away was so incredibly well done that it seemed real with Dorothy flying through the air.  And I appreciated that the production came full circle, featuring the original Broadway Dorothy Stephanie Mills as Auntie Em.  Here's to hoping that NBC keeps up this high quality of live musical events.

Parks and Recreation (2009-15)

There may never be another show like it. Lovable, quirky, subtle, and downright high-quality comedy.  It never really caught on with mainstream America.  It's really a miracle that it lasted this long--we could thank NBC for not canceling the critical darling despite its low ratings.  With 30 Rock, Community and The Office gone, Parks and Rec was the last show of the former Thursday comedy bloc.

At first glance, the idea is mundane.  Pawnee, Indiana in the middle of nowhere.  The Parks and Recreation department in the local government.  A show about small-town bureaucrats; this is what government is really like.  What made it work was its diverse cast of characters led by the talented Amy Poehler playing a crazy, detail-oriented, ambitious, obsessive Leslie Knope.  This show has had an indelible impact on our culture: from the stoic, outdoorsy, anti-government Ron Swanson and his mustache to Donna and Tom's yearly "Treat Yo Self" and the immortal Lil Sebastian.  This show has created stars out of Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza, and recently Chris Pratt has exploded.  And it managed to get huge guest stars, including Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and Madeline Albright.  Whenever the show took a trip to Washington, you could be sure to see a slew of Congressmen make appearances.

The sixth season finale made a time jump into the future showing us how Leslie and co are doing.  It brings back everyone and ties up their stories.  You get a sense that the producers weren't sure if they were going to get renewed.  I would've been totally satisfied it it ended right there, but I am so glad it had one final hurrah.  The final season was very emotional and continues with the time jump.  It hilariously makes up technologies and history that no one could disprove because it's in the future.  I watched the last four episodes in a row and I teared twice.  The first time was when Leslie throws one last celebration, banners and all, for the newly appointed mayor of Pawnee (a familiar face).  The second time was at the end, when the gang has a reunion, and best friend Ann Perkins returns.  The series finale is fitting.  At every moment of physical contact, we get a time jump, seeing how each character fares in the future.  It's very creative, well edited, and a perfect close to a brilliant show.