I had a massive list of shows I had at least checked out one episode from in 2025. By request, I assembled a list of shows, without forcing a specific number. On my YouTube, I listed the Non-Negotiables, a list of films I really liked last year, that I think will stay with me. Following in the same trend, here’s my list of 2025, and since I’m combining Comedy, Drama, Limited, and Reality, I went with them in order as I started them. So, here are my non-negotiable shows.

Severance: Season 2 (Apple Plus) with audio description- It perhaps got more praise than necessary as the Emmy Awards tend to overpraise a handful of shows, while failing to branch out much. It becomes imperative to get those Emmy nominations early, lest you end up like Yellowstone. Severance’s second season had some more mysteries to unlock, with Mark (Adam Scott) trying to figure out if maybe his wife never died, and all of this is an elaborate lie. Performances from John Tuturro, Christopher Walken, and John Noble were fantastic, and I remain excited to see what’s next.

High Potential: Season 1/2 (Disney Plus/Hulu) with audio description- I actually really have come to lean on Caitlin Olsen’s procedural as a constant, reliably interesting procedural. She joins some fellow like-minded shows that may or may not end up on the list, but Season 2 of High Potential has not sunk, which seems to be a problem with shows expected to run in perpetuity.

St Dennis Medical (Peacock) with audio description- Filmed like The Office and Parks and Rec, this medical comedy is bright, funny, and just as silly as the things it is inspired by. However, it isn’t incapable of throwing in a moment of brevity. Hopefully, NBC will stick with this longer than they did American Auto, which they cancelled after two seasons. Come for the ensemble, but stay for Josh Lawson as Bruce, a cocky, self absorbed know-it-all stealing all the best lines and moments.

The Traitors: Season 3 (Peacock)- with audio description- The final season with atrocious audio description. This is easily my favorite reality show, and it keeps getting better. Are you a faithful or traitor?

Vietnam: The War That Changed America (Apple) with audio description- Ethan Hawke narrated this docuseries that really dives into many of the complexities of the war, not just the horrors of it, but also the growing anti-war protests at home, and what it meant for the soldiers fighting. I won’t have too many docuseries on here, so take what you can. This one was fantastic.

Ghosts: seasons 4 and 5 (Paramount Plus) with audio description- I remain a loyal fan of this absurdity. It has one of the most consistent and balanced ensembles. Probably more so than any other sitcom on TV right now, it deserves an Emmy for Best Ensemble, since it is really hard to single out which ghost (or human) is your favorite. I wish it at least got a series nomination.

Reacher: Season 3 (Amazon) with audio description- I’m still hooked. Since each season has an already established book tied to it, it has a strong foundation from Lee Child, and therefore the writers just have to bring it home. Alan Ritchson is becoming a star thanks to this, and it is a long time coming from the guy who did a sexy dance for Paula Abdul on season 2 of American Idol.

Last Week tonight: Season 12 (HBO MAX) with audio description- I lack the patience to wait for audio description, but 12 years in, and I still have to, need to, watch this as soon as it happens. If I could stay awake, I’d watch it live. This has to make the cut. I can’t wait for its return. While I love some other like-minded shows, this is the only of its ilk making the list.

The Righteous Gemstones: Season 4 (HBO MAX) with audio description- A fantastic final season that should have earned some serious Emmy love. The fact it consistently got ignored broke my heart, but the final season had so many wonderful beats for John Goodman, Danny McBride, and the rest that I wish it had. Really good stuff.

Adolescence: Season 1 (Netflix) with audio description- For no other reason than the originality. Not only did it spark conversation, but it caught fire, helping to really launch the careers of a few of its main cast. We’ll certainly see more of Owen Cooper in the future.His episode and the first were my favorites.

Long Bright River: Season 1 (Peacock) with audio description- In my honest opinion, the best performance of Amanda Seyfried’s career. An interesting cop drama with an uncomfortable truth, and unsettling ending.

The Residence: Season 1 (Netflix) with audio description- Netflix cancelled this. I have no idea why. Shonda Rhimes was behind this, and uzo Aduba would have been amazing to follow in future seasons. I remember not loving every single second, but still being surprised by the twist at the end.

The Studio: Season 1 (Apple Plus) with audio description- First. RIP Catherine O’Hara. Second. Seth Rogen’s high concept series surprisingly landed, buoyed by a tremendous slate of guest stars. I believe O’Hara was filming this at the time, so i don’t know how they are addressing her inevitable exit.

Dying For Sex: Season 1 (Hulu) with audio description- Sublime. Nominated for excellence in audio description this emotionally devastating series gave us two of the finest performances in Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, both of whom got my votes in their categories at the Indie Spirits. Don’t miss this if you can stand to watch someone live freely through a terminal diagnosis.

Mid-Century Modern: Season 1 (Hulu) with audio description- Another series gone too soon. The trio in the leads were fantastic, but it was the late Linda Lavin who stole the show. Part of me believes, sadly, its early cancellation is for the best, so we can remember it as it was, and not for a show that limped along without Lavin.

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 6 (Hulu) with audio description- My God. Some truly perfect moments. the fucking plane, and how Commander Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) just looked back at June, knowing his fate. If that gut punch wasn’t enough for June, she had to watch Nick climb onto the same plane. While neither were saints, it highlighted the sacrifice needed to restore freedom. So many excellent performances over the season.

Hacks: Season 4 (HBO MAX) with audio description- It is ending next season, I suppose because Jean Smart is tired of winning Emmys. Of course Hacks makes the cut. it was another fantastic season that put our leads at odds, and nearly refused to let up.

Andor” Seaspm 2 )Disney Plus) with audio description- This one surprised me, because Andor Season 1 would not have made the list. But Andor, especially the back half of the season, really was some of the best, most rewarding television we had. The setup and payoffs came in spades, and the emotional weight of choices reverberated. A truly surprising entry on this list.

Etoile: Season 1 (Amazon) with audio description- Dear Amazon, I hate you. Sincerely, Me. Like, take a good hard turn at go fuck your self cliff. Not only was this show great, but they couldn’t even let the legendary Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls, Mrvelous Ms Maisel) try and make Season 2 even more engaging? The giant elephant in the room is that it actually WAS picked up and then got cancelled. That’s like being left at the altar. No one likes the person who ditches like that. It also was decidedly very different from anything on TV, which I keep hearing people want. Put your money where your mouth is.

Forever: Season 1 (Netflix) with audio description- remember this? An adaptation of a Judy Blume novel made for a modern audience, addressing frank topics, and featuring great lead performances from two young cast members? i do, and you should too.

Bet: Season 1 (Netflix) with audio description- It felt like a show destined to be cancelled, yet Netflix picked it up. A weird little show that feels like anime come to life. A school that couldn’t possibly exist, with a rule structure that makes no sense, yet I loved every minute of it.

MurderBot: Season 1 (Apple) with audio description- Delightful. A fun and cheeky performance from Alexander Skarsgard who tests his comedic chops here.A blast, and I’m glad Apple is sticking with it.

Sirens: Season 1 (Netflix) with audio description- I know a second season would be so hard to pull off, but I’m here for it. I was obsessed with this show, and its stellar cast. megan Fahy, Julianne Moore, and Bill Camp. Some wonderful moments. And, I actually remember the description being really good. Our intro to Fahy’s character in particular has stuck with me.

From: Season 1-3 (MGM Plus) with audio description- Kind of cheating, but since I found out From had audio description, I’ve been binge watching in preparation for Season 4. Not only do I think this is one of the best shows on television, it is rapidly rising my all time list. It is horrifying, sure, but it also is unafraid to continue to build a mystery with no rules, no easy answers, and seemingly no end in sight. That’s a bold risk, and it could really not pay off when they need to finally bring everything to a close. But for now, I’m optimistic.

Stick: Season 1 (Apple Plus) with audio description- I know we have so many excellent comedies right now, but it is time to forcibly remove The Bear, so actual comedies have a chance. Owen Wilson might be giving his best performance in at least twenty years here as a stubborn washed out golf pro with a tragic backstory who shepherds a rough around the edges phenom. The episode where it shows him and his son growing up, was devastating, but mostly the show is light, like Ted Lasso.

The Sandman: Season 2 (Netflix) with audio description- It is actually harder for a second or later season to appear on this list, as even though there are some shows I love, if it didn’t match or top the previous work, I excluded it. This is why shows like Abbott Elementary, Poker Face, Matlock, The Rookie, Harley Quinn, and others aren’t on the list, because I think they had better seasons. However, The Sandman landed itself with some truly terrific and memorable moments. I found the final season of this incredibly rewarding, and so many moments stuck with me. People lost along the way, and the realization that a show probably hopeful about getting more episodes had to find a way to wrap quickly due to issues with the author.

Dexter: Resurrection: Season 1 (Paramount Plus) with audio description- The inclusion of guest stars I never expected really gave Dexter a run for his money. I expected this to suck, since Dexter has had a hard time since… Trinity. But shockingly, it was way better than it had any right to be, fueled by performances from Peter Dinklage, and a returning David Zayas who gave us an emotionally crushing moment.

The Institute: Season 1 (MGM Plus) with audio description- I ahve no idea if this is a good adaptation based on the source material, but as a show, I had a lot of fun with this crazy horror-adjacent performance, and really look forward to a second season.

South Park: Seasons 27 and 28 (Paramount Plus) with audio description- Trey Parker and Matt Stone oddly always find ways to drive creative resurgence to this show. I truly despised how long they stuck with Tegrity Farms, and I’m hoping that disaster is behind us. Sometimes, I think they know people hate it, and comment on it within the show, and keep doing it anyway. I didn’t think I’d be having a list saying “and a welcome return from Satan.” But, that’s South PArk for you.

Peacemaker: Season 2 (HBO MAX) with audio description- There’s a twist in the second season I didn’t see coming. However, this continued to paint Chris as a wannabe superhero who just doesn’t know how. The scene where he stops the little terrorist group single handedly was super fun.

Task: Season 1 (HBO MAX) with audio description- Prestige TV drama at its finest. Some terrific action sequences, characters getting knocked off, and another wonderful Amelia JOnes performance. Sure, Ruffalo is good too, acting his own age, but Jones is the standout here.

Only Murders In the Building: Season 5 (Hulu) with audio description- I’m shocked this deserves to be here, but the show has such a rich tapestry to it, with the different residents, that this season brought it all to the forefront when their doorman gets bumped off. Terrific guest stars like Renee Zellweger, Christoph Waltz, and Dianne Wiest (All three who are double Oscar winners) helped make this a fun event.

Gen V: Season 2 (Amazon) with audio description- Cypher was a great villain, the new characters had predictably bizarre yet useful powers, and the show was a bloody great time.

Black Rabbit: Season 1 (Netflix) with audio description- Jason Bateman and Jude Law give tremendous performances in a show that feels like a Safdi brother made it, and will drive up your anxiety. Also, kudos to actually finding substantial work for Troy Kotsur, who I assumed I’d never see again. He has meaningful work here. This was tremendous.

English Teacher (Hulu) with audio description- FX unsurprisingly got cancelled, probably due to the allegations against star/creator Brian Jordan Alvarez. Doesn’t mean the show isn’t sport on, hilarious, and features a winning supporting cast beyond Alvarez. We often are afraid to praise things with a potentially toxic individual attached, but I’m not. I’m sure plenty of people still watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, despite Jeffrey Jones, Glee despite Mark Mark Salling, Rosemary’s Baby despite Roman Polanski, and will still watch The West Wing despite Timothy Busfield. So, yeah, this is great.

Chad Powers: Season 1 (Hulu) with audio description- I haven’t laughed this much in a long time. Not just a chuckle, ro a smile. I made the mistake of watching this during a workout, and I couldn’t breathe. I’m so glad we have this, despite the rising star power of Glen Powell, and I can’t wait to see more of our favorite quarterback “of the trees”. Overcompensating: Season 1 (Amazon) with audio description- This coming-of-gay series had a breath of freshness attached to it, and it navigated the closeted college frat boy experience quite well. Shockingly, Amazon is actually making a second season of this, though despite it being a hit out of the gate, it took them an uncomfortable amount of time.

Solar Opposites: Season 6 (Hulu) with audio description- My heart breaks that this is over after just six seasons. However, maybe we get six seasons and a movie? Fantastic audio description, some of my favorite ever.

Welcome To Dairy: Season 1 (HBO MAX) with audio description- Not perfect, but brutal, and utterly unforgettable. And unlike Alien Earth, its finale didn’t suck kicking it off the list. I still need to know more about Dairy, but hopefully we’ll get that in later seasons. Plus, the AD is haunting, and there was at least one set up of imagery I’ll never forget. The American Revolution: Season 1 (PBS) with audio description- the Ken Burns docuseries really is that good. Only two docuseries made the list, and this was the other.

The Beast In Me: Season 1 (Netflix) with audio description- Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys give two of the best performances of the year in this chilling story about a neighbor who is at best a narcissist and at worst a serial killer.

Pluribus: Season 1 (Apple) with audio description- A winning and bizarre concept reels me in. I’m hooked. I actually still need to finish, but it would need to do a lot to fall off this list.

Fallout: Season 2 (Amazon) with audio description- At least as good as season 1 if not better. Due to the weekly roll out, it is both 2025/2026, but based on its premiere date, I wouldn’t consider it next year.

And that’s it. I whittled my massive list down. It admittedly was easier for a first season or a limited series to crack the list. Second season and up needed to be at least as good, if not better. It couldn’t be a dip in quality, even if the season itself was still solid. Like, I loved shows like Poker Face and The Bear, but their most recent season wasn’t their best. Also, Harley Quinn, Abbott Elementary, Elzabeth, Matlock, The Rookie, and several other staples in my diet were hard to cut. I thought about The Pitt, but ultimately, while I ended up enjoying the show, my initial reaction was it had a slow start, and I first quit after the third episode. I didn’t rewatch and finish until it became a phenomenon. Admittedly, the back half of the season was great, but I couldn’t keep a show on my list I had to be convinced to take a second look at.