TV We’re Thankful for in 2022: House of the Dragon, Abbott Elementary, A League of Their Own, Ghosts, and More

The Tell-Tale TV team is once again considering all the things we’re thankful for when it comes to great television this year, from refreshing comedy series to long-running series that feel like a comfort.

Here are the TV shows the Tell-Tale TV Team is thankful for when it comes to television in 2022.

House of the Dragon

I’m thankful for House of the Dragon and how much fun it was to be back in Westeros every Sunday night. This was not only because of the riveting drama on screen but because of all the fandom happening off screen. House of the Dragon is one of the few shows that’s managed to feel like a “water-cooler show” this year, and I loved having that back as a TV fan.

– Breeze Riley

This year I’m thankful that the Game of Thrones universe has expanded on the screen. As a prequel series, House of the Dragon was truly the highlight of my week, it felt like everyone was watching together. It’s not often that Sci-Fi/Fantasy series emphasize female stories, so seeing the conflict bloom between Rhaenyra and Alicent has set up a really engaging story arc that I’m excited to see continue for many seasons.

– Marissa Crenwelge

The Wilds

What can I say about The Wilds that hasn’t already been eulogized? The Wilds Season 2 wasn’t perfect by any means, but those girls’ stories deserved a conclusion. I’m still thankful for the diversity in their stories and how badass a group of teenage girls was portrayed on screen. I’ll miss going crazy over theories of what crazy Gretchen was up to and mostly #shelbald.

– Marissa Crenwelge

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

I’m thankful for Strange New Worlds because it so perfectly does what Star Trek has always done best — remind us of the best possibilities of humanity and the great things we’re capable of when we embrace our better angels.

An optimistic series that leads from the heart and emphasizes kindness, mercy, and hope above everything, it’s a balm to the spirit in a year that’s been full of real-life horrors and grimdark fictional worlds.

– Lacy Baugher

Law & Order: SVU

Even though the show has been around for a while, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Season 24 brought me hope that it can be the show it once was. It seems like survivors are being heard again and they’re giving us a safe space to heal and see other stories that resonate with us. Olivia Benson keeps getting better with time, and I’m so thankful for her existence.

– Lara Rosales

Abbott Elementary

I first started watching Abbott Elementary when I was going through a rough patch. I had waited for the whole show to air because I knew I would binge-watch it — and I’m so thankful I did. On the days when I felt at my lowest, it was that group of teachers that made me laugh and enjoy life a bit more. It also helps that I was able to connect with great people in the fandom.

– Lara Rosales

I’m thankful that we’ve become more open to uplifting and bright shows and that Quinta Brunson has blessed us with this show that is both deeply meaningful and absolutely hilarious. The cast is full of actors who love what they’re doing and aren’t afraid to let us know. I can only hope Abbott Elementary goes on for years to come.

– Laura Wanberg

All Rise

I’m grateful to see All Rise back, and I’m grateful to OWN for saving it from cancellation. There have been some changes for better and worse with the transition from CBS, but the timely and relevant stories are, if anything, even more powerful than before. We’ve also gotten to carry over the friendships and relationships that give the drama its true heart.

– Caitlin Wyneken

So Help Me Todd

I’m thankful for what So Help Me Todd has managed to do with its title character in a relatively short span of episodes. Let’s face it, Todd is more than a bit hard to sympathize with the first couple of times we see him, but the more real effort and heart we see, the more we can root for him and love his scenes with his mom.

He’s still sometimes exasperating but helps demonstrate that we can love a character who has a lot of work to do– so long as they put in that work.

– Caitlin Wyneken

Business Proposal

I cannot properly put into words how much I love this show. It’s a super fun romance filled with all the best tropes and brought so much joy into my life. While I do love K-Dramas that rip your heart out in the best way, it is nice to watch one that will have you smiling from ear to ear as you watch a girl and an archaeopteryx fall in love.

– Allison Nichols

Stranger Things

I’m so grateful that Steve Harrington survived. Between the fan speculation that our favorite babysitter was doomed and Vecna’s tendency to snap people like twigs, Stranger Things Season 4 was a stressful viewing experience. Thankfully, Steve survived. Now, we just have to hope that Max pulls through…

– Allison Nichols

Better Call Saul

A final season for the ages: Better Call Saul redefined “sticking the landing.” Heartbreak and devastation abounded, but I’m truly grateful for a show that knows its characters well enough to craft perfect endings for each of its characters. Not every character made it to the end, but all the endings were fitting. Plus, I am grateful for a few more scenes with Walter White and Jesse Pinkman!

– Nick Hogan

The Summer I Turned Pretty

I’m thankful for The Summer I Turned Pretty and every single video it inspired on TikTok. It’s like Jenny Han heard fans screaming for a slice-of-life teen drama with a small-town setting and a soundtrack that rivals the best of the early 2000s shows like One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl.

The Summer I Turned Pretty took over social media for a reason; it has it all — dynamic characters, juicy drama, complex friendships, and sweeping romance. No wonder Cousins Beach became a comforting location for fans of the show and Han’s beloved books.

– Shelby Elpers

Vampire Academy

Vampire Academy, from Julie Plec and Marguerite MacIntyre, introduces an expansive world — rich with epic romances, complicated politics, and supernatural lore. It’s like Bridgerton and Gossip Girl meets Legacies, but even that doesn’t adequately express the appeal of Vampire Academy.

The show hits the Dominion’s ground running as Rose Hathaway and Lissa Dragomir band together with their friends to stir up a revolution to create lasting change. It’s impossible to become fatigued by vampire media when sinking your teeth into something as delicious as Vampire Academy’s debut season.

– Shelby Elpers

Atlanta

Anything surreal and darkly comedic is my jam, and Atlanta fits that bill and then some. It’s mind-boggling how a simple plot — say, for example, a trip to the barbershop — can spiral into absolute chaos. Atlanta toys with our perception of reality, with mesmerizing performances across the board. I’d follow Donald Glover to the ends of the earth.

– Melody McCune

Peacemaker

I’m of the mind that James Gunn can save DC from descending further into uneven, inconsistent franchise hell. Look no further than Peacemaker, a spin-off series that shouldn’t work, but it does.

John Cena delivers a nuanced performance, knocking the dramatic beats out of the park while effortlessly executing those comedic moments. Peacemaker is zany, crude, sardonic, heartwarming, and boasts one killer soundtrack. What’s not to love?

– Melody McCune

Ghosts

Sitcoms have always been my escape, and supernatural dramas my nostalgia. So Ghosts, with its gut-clutching, gothic premise and harmless paranormal shenanigans, brings so much joy into my life.

I cannot stress how much I adore this silly sitcom for its ensemble of standout personalities, niche pop-culture references, and chaotic gazebo-burning energy. With good intentions and even better execution, I can rest easy knowing my weekly stay at Woodstone Mansion will never disappoint.

– Alicia Gilstorf

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy

Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy is the epitome of comfort food TV. For my family on Sunday evenings, Stanley Tucci’s trusted charisma and undeniable fashion offer a wholesome escape to Italy’s colorful countryside and vibrant kitchens. The stunning cinematography, paired with its relaxed pacing and humble host, is something I will gladly continue to consume.

– Alicia Gilstorf

The Owl House

My love for The Owl House and its characters grows with each new season and episode. This show reignited my passion for animation and reminded me of its rich storytelling potential. More than anything, I’m grateful for how unapologetically queer it is.

As a tween, I didn’t even know what a bisexual person was, much less that it was something I could be proud to be. So, while I’m sad Disney decided to cut this brilliant show’s run short, I am grateful it exists and that queer kids today will get to grow up seeing themselves in Luz and all the other queer characters on the Boiling Isles.

– Sarah Fields

Legends of Tomorrow

Putting aside the heartbreak and frustration of the unceremonious cancellation of Legends of Tomorrow earlier this year, I have to say how thankful I am for this show. Legends of Tomorrow’s joyful absurdity and big heart never failed to make me smile, swoon, or cheer when I needed it most.

As silly as this show was, it always took its characters and their relationships seriously, embracing diversity and telling some of the most emotionally compelling stories in the Arrowverse.

Sara Lance is also an important part of my own coming-out story, forever giving Legends a special place in my heart (one only equaled by Wynonna Earp). Although I will miss this found family of outsiders dearly, I am grateful for every moment they graced my screen.

– Sarah Fields

Fire Country

I have always loved shows centered around first responders and the medical profession. The sense of safety and comfort they create is unmatched. Enter Fire Country, which was recommended by a dear friend who knows my TV tastes. I needed this comfort more than ever this Fall when my life was in a uniquely chaotic place.

This show is a beautiful meditation on family, friendship, and the importance of second chances. All of these characters are deeply flawed, and yet there’s never a question that they can do and be better. It is so validating to see my grief, loss, and resilience reflected in this story. This show is the perfect way to end the week, and I always look forward to what’s become Friday night appointment viewing.

– Justine Kraemer

Mythic Quest

While I discovered Mythic Quest in the middle of the pandemic, there’s actually a lot of nostalgia attached to this hilarious and poignant workplace comedy from a very happy time. These characters embody the best and worst of a modern office.

What really elevates this series is how obvious its heart is. Even when these characters show their flaws, they’re still worth cheering for. The fact that I as a non-gamer can appreciate everything about this gloriously chaotic ensemble cast and the stories they tell is a credit to the strength of this series. I can never get enough of these grown adults and their increasingly chaotic shenanigans.

– Justine Kraemer

Home Economics

I’m thankful for Home Economics because, at its core, it’s light-hearted family fun. It’s always my go-to for a good laugh and is an easy way to de-stress. Karla Souza and Sasheer Zamata are exceptional in their roles and always leave me wanting more.

– Cade Taylor

Our Flag Means Death

I am thankful for Our Flag Means Death this year because it really hit all the notes necessary for a diverse, queer comedy about pirates. As someone who recently came out as non-binary, it was so great seeing myself represented by a non-binary actor in a non-binary role with non-binary writers to back it up.

It’s even better that almost all the characters are some version of queer and middle-aged; that’s not something we get very often.

– Mads Misasi

A League of Their Own

I grew up watching the film with my mom once a year. It had a hold on me so deep that I was over the moon excited to see it expanded into TV format. What I didn’t expect but greatly appreciated was the diversity added to the stories this show about females taking up baseball.

The way the writers seamlessly added in stories around race and sexuality gave me so much joy. I’m grateful that we’ve reached a time where stories like this can be widely accepted and celebrated.

– Mads Misasi

The 1992 film on which A League of Their Own is based had a far-reaching and profound impact on 11-year-old me. It wasn’t just the tomboys and sports-minded women shown on screen that I could relate to and look up to, it was that it was directed by a woman (the great Penny Marshall) and starred Geena Davis, who became a life-long personal hero with her portrayal of Dottie Hinson. To say I was skeptical and nervous about an adaptation was an understatement.

I am beyond thankful that the series has honored that cherished movie, but also that it can stand on its own, bringing much-needed representation that can inspire the next generations. Again, there are women behind the scenes, in the writer’s room, and on-screen portraying a diverse cast of characters.

It goes further than that, though. The focus on race and queerness is a departure from the film that is hugely welcome and necessary. I will forever be grateful to Abbi Jacobson and Will Graham for adapting such a meaningful movie into an equally meaningful series.

– Erin Allen

Reservation Dogs

The representation of Indigenous people on screen is criminally limited, but mercifully we are seeing more and more of their stories told. Reservation Dogs is a standout among these. With the cast and crew almost entirely consisting of Indigenous Americans, Reservation Dogs is full of authenticity and heart.

It is an absolute pleasure to spend time with this charming gang of teenagers played so thoughtfully by incredible talent. The writing is funny and poignant, and it offers stunning perspective no matter where one comes from. The irony is not lost on me, but this Thanksgiving I am very thankful for this show and all of the people that bring it to life.

– Erin Allen

Sanditon

When my favorite shows get canceled, I usually hold no illusion I’ll be seeing a new season ever again. So, to see Sanditon not only be revived (for two seasons!), but thrive despite losing one of the romantic leads is one of the things I am grateful for. That loss got the writers to expand the world around Charlotte, offering space for some dynamic and engaging stories and characters.

– Brianna Martinez

The Rehearsal

The Rehearsal is my first Nathan Fielder show and now I’ve been binge-watching Nathan for You. I’m always drawn to comedy shows that are able to be hilarious while offering insightful commentary about society. It’s also a show not afraid to be weird. More TV shows need to embrace their weirdness.

– Jerrica Tisdale

Julia

I didn’t know much about Julia Child before this show, but now I’m obsessed with her. The performances overall are great, and the Julia’s fable-like quality with telling Julia’s story gives it a sense of whimsy like no other TV show currently on the air. Julia is an icon and the show knows it and celebrates it.

– Jerrica Tisdale

The Sandman

I’ve been really thankful to see a show that is so faithful to the source material when it comes to the overall plot. The Sandman really provides an escape and it’s very clear that so many people enjoyed working on this project and bringing this idea to life. I am a new fan to this series myself and I am enjoying getting deeper and deeper into the lore and knowing there’s a second season coming now just makes me more excited to keep engaging with the comics.

– Lauren Busser

Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy managed to feel fresh and new again in its nineteenth season, which is quite the feat all its own. I’m thankful that the long-running drama has found ways to re-invent itself while staying true to the story of the early seasons, especially as Ellen Pompeo prepares the leave the series.

On top of that, Grey’s Anatomy remains topical, and this season, it tackled Roe v. Wade in an incredibly powerful and important way that included an award-worthy performance by Kate Walsh. 

– Ashley Bissette Sumerel

Interview with the Vampire

AMC’s adaptation of Interview with the Vampire made several changes to the source text while remaining true to the heart of the entire Anne Rice book series. I’m thankful that the adaptation has been done with such care while telling a rich story that feels relevant to the current time period. The performances are impeccable, and the world that’s being created sets up even more possibilities for future seasons. 

– Ashley Bissette Sumerel

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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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