TV We’re Thankful For in 2019: Atypical, One Day at a Time, Schitt’s Creek, and More

Television isn’t just about entertainment. The stories TV shows tell have the ability to resonate in powerful ways, to connect people to one another, and to bring simple joy.

This year, the Tell-Tale TV team is once again considering what we’re most thankful for when it comes to television, whether it’s those powerful stories or bonds, good comfort TV, or simply the ways we’re able to watch what we love.

Here are 26 things we’re thankful for when it comes to TV this year:

1. The Ability to Stay Up to Date on Shows Thanks to Hulu

With the remarkable absence of time in my life lately, I am extremely thankful for Hulu. Being able to catch up on shows in my own time, and in my own way is truly a godsend. Without streaming, I wouldn’t only be behind, I would be lost in an endless void of reruns. The Pearson family drama would have a lot less impact without the connective pieces.

– Charles E. Henning

2. Killjoys

I’m very thankful for Killjoys. It’s always hard to say goodbye to a beloved show, but Killjoys went out on a high note. I’m grateful for the five seasons we got. It’ll always stay with me as one of my favorite shows. Tap my heart.

– Allison Nichols

3. Pose

I am so thankful for Pose. It has such a wonderful mix of beautiful, complex characters. There is so much life in their stories whether they be tragic or comical, containing the whole spectrum of the human experience.

This colorful and inspiring glimpse into New York’s underground ball culture of the 80s and 90s is not just entertaining, it’s essential for the times we live in now.

– Erin Allen

4. Pre-announced final seasons

I’m thankful for pre-announced final seasons giving the creatives and fans alike to deal with the fact that these shows are ending. The show gets to go out on its own terms and when you, as a fan, are given a season’s notice, you have time to work through all of the feelings that come with a final season, something that I’ve noticed with a show that has meant a great deal to me over the last six years, Arrow.

– Brianna Martinez

5. Star Trek

This year I am thankful for Star Trek. I started binge-watching Voyager at the end of 2018 and just recently finished The Next Generation and caught up on Discovery somewhere in the middle.

Star Trek came into my life at a time when it felt like all other sci-fi media I was consuming had taken a darker path, betraying the pillars of love, exploration, and transcendent human compassion and morality that draw so many, including myself, to the genre.

Star Trek may not always be perfect, but it knows its power lies in its characters and their emotions and interpersonal connections. I’m grateful that the show has brought me a new thing to share with my fiancé and all our friends. And I am so excited for Star Trek: Picard coming in January, and Season 3 of Discovery, so the exploration of this magical universe can continue.

– Samantha Coley

6. Shrill

I am thankful for Shrill. Shrill was the surprise of this year for me, and it manages to make a very personal, specific story feel universal. While it is about body positivity, it’s also about maneuvering your way through the thrills and pains of life and harnessing your inner strength.

It’s funny, but also unbelievably raw and uncomfortable at times, and treats all of its characters with extensive empathy, even when they’re making mistakes. Aidy Bryant’s Annie is a modern heroine for our times, her self acceptance a new kind of radicalism.

– Cristina Iskander

7. Dollface

I am thankful for Dollface. This comedy was a pleasant surprise for me this fall and I am glad to have a series that focus on a woman’s relationships with other women in a genuine way. Its ability to bend genres is really inspiring and I think it gives the audience a lot to think about in addition to some laughs.

– Lauren Busser

8. Mr. Robot

This year I find myself thankful for Mr. Robot. In a time of some rather incredible and uplifting television, I find myself falling back in love with the bleak Rami Malek led hacker drama.

This final season has proven that no matter how dark and seemingly hopeless the premise is, strong writing and acting can go a long way. Watching this season and all of its mind-bending twists live has been a real experience and that’s what TV should feel like — an experience.

– Alicia Gilstorf

9. Original programming and concepts

It may sound silly, but I’m truly grateful for all of the original programming on TV right now. I try to judge each reboot or revival individually, but there are so many good, new ideas out there that need to be celebrated more.

The Morning Show is a surprise delight and veteran shows with original concepts like 9-1-1, The Resident, New Amsterdam, and This Is Us are not disappointing this season.

– Esme Mazzeo

10. Good Omens

I’m so thankful for Good Omens. Not only is it a great adaptation of one of my favorite books, but it is also exactly the sort of story about the power of love and hope in the face of ridiculous odds that we need right now. If a demon and an angel can figure out a way to save the world together, surely there’s still a chance for us all.

– Lacy Baugher

11. Schitt’s Creek

This year, I am especially grateful for a little Canadian show called Schitt’s Creek. This was a really difficult year for me, dealing with my grief over losing my grandfather. Schitt’s Creek gave me solace and a place to call home whenever I really needed a positive pick-me-up or even just an escape.

Dan Levy’s creativity blows my mind every time I watch this wholesomely positive show. I owe this show and its cast my life. I am especially grateful that this show brought me the character of Patrick Brewer, a character that I got to see myself in for the first time in a really long time. I am sad that this coming year will be its final season, but I’ll always have Netflix to get my Schitty fix.

– Mary Misasi

12. New Girl

I’m thankful for New Girl (and for Netflix, for making all the episodes available for streaming). I’ve probably watched the entire series five times through—and certain episodes many more times than that.

It’s a silly comedy, but it’s got so much heart, and the characters—while over the top, sometimes—are believable and lovable, despite their flaws. It’s the one show my roommate and I can always agree on re-watching—anytime, anywhere.

– Kaitlin Willow

13. New network dramas

I’m thankful for new network dramas that are engaging and strong. Evil, Stumptown, and Emergence lead the strongest class of freshman network dramas in years. I’m grateful to have these compelling stories to delve into week after week and that they have interesting and fleshed-out characters, and (hopefully) some staying power.

– Nick Hogan

14. Atypical

This year, I’m thankful for Atypical. As a parent of a child who has Autism, it’s both helpful and encouraging to me to see characters like Sam on television. I also appreciate that representation because it’s a way to expose viewers to something they may not have otherwise been exposed to, and if more people understand what Autism is, even just a little, then that’s a great thing.

As a bonus, the show is telling so many other important stories as it focuses on Sam’s family. And it does all of this while being good comfort TV.

– Ashley Bissette Sumerel

15. TV Christmas Movies

I’m grateful for TV Christmas movies, which have helped me find more holiday spirit than I’ve ever had before. Happy endings are so underrated on most TV shows. We all deserve two months full of happy endings and baking scenes.

– Esme Mazzeo

16. Pen15 and Big Mouth

I’m thankful for Pen15 and Big Mouth. While exceedingly different in style, both get at the agony and ecstasy of adolescence. You couldn’t pay me to go back to middle school but damn, do those shows transport me right back to that part of my life, nostalgic for first dances and horrified all over again by all the change coming at me at once.

Adolescence can feel like such an isolating experience, but watching these shows reminds me of our collective shared horrors and triumphs.

– Cristina Iskander

17. Wynonna Earp

I’m grateful for the same thing I’ve been grateful for for the last three years: Wynonna Earp. I’m especially grateful this year because we fought so hard to get Season 4 back on track. This little show, and especially Waverly Earp, mean so much to me.

But beyond the show itself, I’m grateful for the community that has grown around it. It’s introduced me to some of the kindest, most creative people from around the world and given me some of my closest friends. The show’s cast, crew, and fans have given me many once in a lifetime opportunities that have changed my life. I wouldn’t even be a Tell-Tale TV writer without them or the show.

I’m far from the only person that Wynonna Earp has had this kind of impact on and I can’t wait to finally see them all back on my TV this summer. After such a long uncertain fight, it’s going to be that much sweeter.

– Sarah Fields

18. The Mandalorian

I’m extra thankful for The Mandalorian this year. It’s been a long wait to get a live-action Star Wars show, and so far it’s been delivered through the calm cool that The Mandalorian provides. Not only does it feel like Star Wars, it’s adding something new to the table.

Plus, the new fan-favorite character is all sorts of adorable. Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni and company have created something special, and it’s marked its worthiness and is well worth being thankful for.

– Kevin Lever

19. One Day at a Time’s Rescue by Pop TV

I’m so thankful that One Day at a Time will be coming back. There are few shows that can match its heart, warmth, and willingness to engage in politically timely topics with so much empathy and kindness.

Every episode is packed with hilarious performances and storylines that people of every generation can relate to, making it the perfect family sitcom. I was heartbroken when I heard about the show’s cancellation on Netflix — and then thrilled when it got a surprise renewal at Pop TV! I love the Alvarez family so much, and I’m glad we’ll be seeing more of them in 2020.

– Ariel Udel

20. Goodbyes That Don’t Suck

As a new decade starts, a number of memorable television shows will meet their end. I find myself thankful for all the final seasons this year that have carried beloved shows to new heights and haven’t shied away from big moves for the sake of a possible revival.

I’m looking at you iZombie, Mr. Robot, and The Good Place. These final seasons prove to longtime fans that goodbyes don’t have to suck.

– Alicia Gilstorf

21. DCTV on The CW

I’m thankful for all of the DCTV superhero shows on The CW. They are a perfect escape from the real world when it all gets to be a little too much. Those shows remind me that truth and justice are worth fighting for, especially when it feels like all hope is lost.

They are also the most fun and always put a smile on my face. The Super Friends, Team Flash, Team Arrow, the Legends, and Batwoman have become friends I look forward to checking in with every week. There is something special about inviting a TV show and its characters into your home every week. It’s personal and unique.

The CW’s superhero shows bring a bit more heart and magic into my home. Sometimes they do just that when I need it the most, and I will always be thankful for that.

– Shelby Elpers

22. All American

Currently, I’m thankful for All American on The CW. It has brought grounded character-driven teen dramas back to life, and it’s revolutionary with its diversity and fresh take on old tropes. But beyond its quality, All American is the first show I’ve written about that I am truly in love with.

It’s exhilarating to write about a series so close to my heart; one that I root for in every way. Honestly, this Thanksgiving, I’m just thankful for TV in general. It’s been there for me in ways nothing else has. It’s comforted me, inspired me, motivated me, and helped me find my way back to myself in more ways than one.

– Kat Pettibone

23. Riverdale’s FP and Alice

I am grateful for Alice and FP finally being together as a romantic couple on Riverdale. I know I’m asking for a lot of a parent ‘ship on a teen drama, but it’s so fun to see these two together after rooting for them for pretty much the entire series. It’s especially good to see at least one of my OTPs from The CW thriving after losing Kabby from The 100 earlier this year. So thank you for my rights, Riverdale.

– Samantha Coley

24. Responsible Storytelling from Unbelievable and Impulse

I am thankful for Unbelievable and Impulse because they expertly center the perspectives and experiences of survivors of sexual trauma. So many of us have been victimized by sexual violence. The #MeToo movement has raised awareness. These shows move beyond awareness and bring the power of story to the healing process.

Recovering from sexual assault is a journey that is as excruciating as it is lonely. Unbelievable and Impulse provide a hand to hold and tissues to dry our tears (after they make us shed buckets of them). Both shows have done their research. As a result, Unbelievable and Impulse are examples of how to responsibly tell stories of sexual trauma.

– Janelle McCammack

25. Arrow

In the midst of massive changes in life, sometimes TV can be a comfort. That’s why I’m thankful for Arrow. It’s been six years since I binged the first season a half and began watching live, and in that time I’ve reconnected with friends and met new ones, thanks to this show.

– Brianna Martinez

26. All Rise

I’m thankful for All Rise on CBS. It feels different from other legal procedurals. The stories are told with a level of compassion and relatability that meet the audience where they are. The characters are rich, and the writers are taking their time letting them unfold little by little.

They’re human; fallible, fighting for what they believe is right, even when it leaves them on the losing side. Most importantly, this show is exhibiting “girl power” in extraordinary ways. Simone Missick and Jessica Camacho are the strong leading ladies women watching television have been waiting decades for, while Ruthie Ann Miles and Lindsay Mendez are the scene-stealers that every show should be blessed to have on hand.

– Christine Laskodi

I signed up to review All Rise on a whim, but have since become more grateful for it that I’d ever expected then. We need shows that aren’t afraid to be direct and relevant.

On a lighter note, the importance we see placed on friendships, especially between Lola and Mark, is so refreshing for drama and presses back against the belief that platonic relationships are lesser than romantic ones. I’m also thankful for the many shows taking a final bow this year– and especially that many of them get to do that on their own terms.

– Caitlin Wyneken

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What makes you thankful when it comes to TV this year? Let us know in the comments below!

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