TV We’re Thankful For in 2024: 9-1-1, Shrinking, Interview with the Vampire, Dead Boy Detectives, and More

As we look back on the past year in television, the Tell-Tale TV team is once again celebrating the incredible shows that have lit up our screens.

From laugh-out-loud comedies to beloved long-running series, we’re excited to share the standout TV shows that brought us comfort, escape, and excellent entertainment in 2024.

The Acolyte

It’s been ages since I was this hyped for a Star Wars show, desperately waiting each week for a new episode. Osha and Mae go on very different journeys as they process their grief and seek revenge, and there’s something about someone getting seduced to the dark side that is so thrilling to watch.

And then, of course, there’s the Stranger/Qimir… Manny Jacinto is so good, it’s criminal and that reveal inspired some top-notch fancams. The Stranger and Osha are one of my favorite ships we’ve gotten on TV this year. And now, once again, I’m upset with Disney+ for canceling this wonderful show.

– Allison Nichols

Interview with the Vampire

How can I not be thankful for Interview with the Vampire this year? This supernatural spectacle is some of the best TV I have had the pleasure of watching, and the series only promises to get better with age. This sexy, insufferable soap opera ensnares us like prey in its clutches with jaw-dropping performances and intoxicating love-sick antics.

At the core of a drama fueled by petty romance and heart-pounding conviction is a cast of selfish trailblazers desperate to find love and doomed to be each other’s downfall. The incredible ensemble and poetically devious writing have cursed me to an eternity of searching for a show that can produce even half the thrills the Théâtre des Vampires did this season.

– Alicia Gilstorf

I’m thankful for Interview with the Vampire and how it’s a tremendous adaptation that continues to delight in its gothic horror glory and be unapologetically queer. It’s also very soothing on a personal level to see Black queer characters fully be themselves. Season 2 was great, and I can’t wait for Season 3.

– Vanessa Maki

9-1-1

In 2024, I am thankful for 9-1-1. This show has such a strong found family element that I’ve found myself coming back to again and again during what has been a really tough year. 9-1-1 never shies away from creating elements that will help a variety of people feel seen, and with Buck coming out last season, which aired earlier this year, that has only increased. There is just something so fun about not knowing what to expect from the 118 family from week to week.

– Mads Misasi

Superman & Lois

This year, I’m thankful for Superman & Lois. As unfortunate as it is that the show is airing its final season, this year is also when it feels most confident. Superman & Lois Season 4’s light and shades feel reflective and, ultimately, comforting and uplifting. After three seasons of getting to know Clark, Lois, their sons Jonathan and Jordan, and everyone who makes Smallville the memorable town it is, this fourth and final season feels like a love letter to the series.

It’s also been a cathartic watch to bid farewell to The CW’s slate of superhero shows, which began with Clark Kent on Smallville. It’s all come full-circle in a really wonderful way, and I’m thankful that I’ve been able to write about Superman & Lois through all of its seasons.

– Shelby Elpers

Wynonna Earp: Vengeance

Wynonna Earp: Vengence has impeccable timing. In 2016, at the height of the anger over the “Bury your gays” trope, Nicole Haught showed up in her bulletproof vest and cemented what would go on to be one of the longest-running queer ships on TV. Then, in 2020, the series was one of the first back during COVID, giving fans a desperately needed dose of joy, optimism, and heart. This year, Wynonna Earp returned with Wynonna Earp: Vengence, a new 90-minute special on Tubi, and a series of short audio stories on Audible called Tales from Purgatory.

At a time when queer representation continues to backslide and so many in the queer community feel under threat, fans need both the inspiration of these heroes on screen and the support of the tight-knit Earper community off-screen more than ever. To paraphrase, the show’s creator, Emily Andras, Wynonna Earp, is a show you can’t kill with fire, and I have never been more grateful for that.

– Sarah Fields

Big Brother

Big Brother 26 proves that the series still has some fight in it. A new twist, a very likable cast, the addition of equitable competitions, and plenty of shocking moments make this one of the best seasons in modern history. For those who needed it, Big Brother 26 offered an entertaining and thrilling summer distraction. It made some glad that they stuck with the series this long in the hope of something great, and this season delivered.

– Jerrica Tisdale

Rivals

It’s true, Hulu’s Rivals is not exactly what you might call serious television. The soapy, frequently raunchy story of a bunch of rich people having rich people problems while they fight over the future of a television empire isn’t terribly interested in exploring the problematic nature of its characters or life in 1980s England.

No, Rivals is here for a good time, and it delivers on that promise in spades. With a cast that features David Tennant, Aidan Turner, Alex Hassell, Bella Maclean, Nafessa Williams, Katherine Parkinson, Danny Dyer, and more, it’s the most fun you’ll have watching anything this year.

– Lacy Baugher

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Life has been…a lot lately, and with an absolute deluge of information being hurled at us, it’s been rough trying to find a way to take it all in. That’s why I’m thankful for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

The intelligent mix of comedy, current events, and earnestness the writers work to weave into their stories shows how dedicated they are to getting this information out, no matter how dicey the topic.

– Brianna Martinez

The Marlow Murder Club

I am thankful for shows focused on woman, particularly The Marlow Murder Club, which is based on a novel by Robert Thorogood and features an entirely female main cast. We see both amateurs and professionals working in the name of justice and supporting each other while they do.

It’s telling that this feels so innovative decades into the world on ensemble dramas, but it’s both exciting and heartwarming all the same.

– Caitlin Wyneken

Doctor Who

I’m grateful for Doctor Who Series 14 (or Season 1, as Disney Plus calls it). Russell T Davies’ return as showrunner, combined with the dynamic on-screen duo of Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson was just what the “doctor” ordered to reinvigorate the franchise.

The Doctor’s adventures are what we need right now as a reminder there is still good to be found and to be brave in the face of evil. I’m also so excited to have a Christmas special to look forward to later this year.

– Breeze Riley

The Franchise

Is there anything more soul-cleansing than laughing at a good comedy? While there has been no shortage of comedies in 2024, HBO’s The Franchise stands out as a potential 30 Rock successor with its whip-smart humor and sharp satirization of comic book movie franchises.

Sure, the characters aren’t very likable. Despite this, you can’t help but root for this beleaguered film crew as they make it through each shoot day by the skin of their teeth.

– Melody McCune

Chicago P.D.

This year, I’m thankful for Chicago P.D. Against popular opinion, Hank Voight is my favorite character, and it has been quite interesting to see his character development after a near-death experience. It’ll be even more interesting to see what happens after Chapman told him she has feelings for him.

Beyond Voight, the team has had an incredible season so far. Burgess getting promoted is one of the highlights of this year’s TV schedule. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings!

– Lara Rosales

Hacks

This season of Hacks showcases the strength of its writing with its comments regarding the state of the industry and the world. The performances keep getting better and better, even when we think that we’ve seen everything.

There is truly nothing like this TV show right now; it’s magnetic and captivating, and life feels empty at the conclusion of each season. All the Emmys it has won feel like they were enough but also not enough, so Season 4 can’t come any faster!

– Gabriela Burgos

X-Men ’97

A sequel that surpasses the original, X-Men ’97 rises like a Phoenix from the Marvel Universe’s current rut and soars as high as Storm. The best gifts can be unexpected ones — I had been extremely skeptical that a nostalgia revival of a Saturday morning cartoon could be anything great. But X-Men ’97 won me over with its two-part premiere, showing great understanding of the characters and a willingness to touch on the real world. With Season 2 on the way, it stands a fighting chance of being the definitive X-Men cartoon.

– Devin Meenan

I’m so thankful for the awesome X-Men ’97 show! It’s brought back all those strong feelings that got me hooked on the X-Men and comic books through the original series. This new version is everything I wanted, capturing the heart, action, and storytelling that made the original such a classic.

The cherry on top was getting invited to the X-Mansion Airbnb in New Castle, New York, where I actually got to join and train with the X-Men. It really made my love for the franchise come full circle. I’m grateful for this unforgettable experience and for a series that keeps inspiring fans like me. Mutant and proud!

– Sean Tajipour

Dead Boy Detectives

A show I’m thankful for is Dead Boy Detectives. I’ve been a long-time fan of the comics, and the show went above and beyond with its live-action interpretation. The perfect mix of comedy, mystery, and heartfelt found family makes it a fun and enticing watch.

It also has great queer representation with Edwin’s storyline of coming to terms with his sexuality. It’s sad that the show got canceled after one season, but I’m so grateful that the first season exists to rewatch again and again.

– Sam Huang

Arcane

Even though it came at the tail end of 2024, I am extremely grateful for the second season of Arcane. The first season was a revelation for me in 2021, and the second season came out in the aftermath of a tumultuous time in the United States. While the show has an unflinching look at social divides and the burden of familial bonds, it’s also undeniably high-quality art. While bleak, the series is also surreal and beautiful.

Only in Arcane can you find sympathy for a woman as destructive as Jinx, which is the best thing about the series thus far. Hopefully, it is a sign of things to come for the greater League of Legends multiverse that Riot Games is planning.

– Misael Duran

Fallout

I’m really thankful for Fallout, not just because it kept true to the video games (which I love), but because it was generally an amazing adaptation. Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, and Walton Goggins gave some really compelling performances from different perspectives while retaining the games’ sadistic sense of comedy.

Each episode felt like its own little slice of life in the Wasteland, but they all intricately connected to this intriguing overarching narrative of conspiracies. Plus, just hearing the evolution of Purnell’s “okey-dokey” is absolutely cute and crushing all at once!

– Christopher Gallardo

Agatha All Along

This year, I’m thankful for Agatha All Along. As a huge fan of both Marvel and WandaVision, I had been eagerly awaiting this show, and it did not disappoint.

Not only were the characters captivating and easy to love, but it was also fascinating how each episode focused on a different character while still contributing to the overarching storyline of Agatha and her journey. Additionally, despite not being the lead character, Patti LuPone delivered a performance that has stayed with me long after the season ended.

Beyond the acting, the costumes and sets were visually stunning and truly immersed audiences in this world. Only time will tell what’s in store for this series, but no matter what, I will always be thankful for it.

– Gracie Lowes

Shōgun

Shōgun gave us a proper introduction to Japanese culture that felt respectful to the country and authentic. The series transported us to Feudal Japan, where viewers watched the history unfold as foreign powers attempted to take over. The characters each stood out on their own and reflected on the times that were faced during that time in history.

With powerful performances from the cast led by Hiroyuki Sanada, Shōgun has emerged as a great series that is important to not just Japan but also the Asian representation that is needed in this industry. It far surpasses the original series and respects the source material as well.

– Mufsin Mahbub

The Legend of Vox Machina

This year, I am grateful for The Legend of Vox Machina. Not only has the show expanded its horizons time and again each season to new, exciting parts of its canon, but its characters have grown to become a found family that is unlike many others on screen.

Vox Machina shows up for each other. The show has expanded its universe and truly taken advantage of the medium of animation, and has also made characters that we cannot help but root for, flaws and all.”

– Maryam Ahmad

Yellowstone

I’m grateful for Yellowstone‘s powerful comeback in Season 5. The writers’ commitment to authenticity and the cast’s sincere, acclaimed performances expertly depict the excruciating toll of political ambition and psychological warfare.

While watching Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 10, “The Apocalypse of Change,” I connected with its central theme of balancing time-honored traditions and progress. The discussion between Beth and Rip regarding the ranch’s prospects resonates deeply, evoking a sense of mourning for a dying way of life.

Yellowstone offers a profound reflection on American power structures and the devastation of eroded heritage, boldly depicting recent cultural clashes and our fears that our struggles may ultimately be inconsequential.

– Char Gibb

Shrinking

This is the second year in a row that I’m choosing Shrinking as the show I’m most thankful for. The Apple TV comedy seriesbrought such tremendous joy to our television screens this year.

Its characters are some of the most detailed, unique, and relatable characters on TV right now, as they all deal with different levels of life lessons, love, and heartbreak.

This year, the show took on themes of forgiveness as well as grief, and it included several fun cameos for fans of shows connected to Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein, and Jason Segel. It’s a show that makes you laugh as hard as it makes you cry, and it’s perfectly written with spot-on performances from everyone involved.

 – Ashley Bissette Sumerel

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What TV are you thankful for this year? Let us know in the comments below!

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