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dollycas · 1 year

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2022 Reading Challenges - Wrap Up Post

2022 was a crazy year. I completed most and exceeded many allowing me to jump up levels but I was unable to complete the U.S. portion of my Literary Escapes Challenge. I realized too late with all my other commitments I was unable to add books to cover every state. I need to add those harder states to my reading calendar earlier in the year if I am going to complete the challenge in 2023. Here's my complete list. 2022 Reading Challenge

LORI has read 180 books toward her goal of 175 books. hide 180 of 175 (103%) view books

A. Absence of Mallets by Kate Carlisle B. Bake, Borrow and Steal by Ellie Alexander C. Cold Brew Corpse by Tara Lush D. A Dash of Death by Michelle Hillen Klump E. Evil Under the Tuscan Sun by Stephanie Cole F. A Fatal Family Feast by Lynn Cahoon G. The Guest is a Goner by Carly Winter H. Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas by Nancy Coco I. Ice Cold Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek J. Jellies, Jams, and Bodies by Donna Walo Clancy K. A Killer Sundae by Abby Collette L. Laughing Can Kill You by Maggie King M. Murder Faux Paws by T.C. Lo Tempio N. Night Shift by Annelise Ryan O. On Borrowed Crime by Kate Young P. Pup Fiction by Laurien Berenson Q. Casino Queen by Cara Bertoia R. Remembering Rosie by Nadine A. Block S. Show Me The Bunny by Laurien Berenson T. The Twist and Shout Murder by Teresa Trent U. Up to No Gouda by Linda Reilly V. The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams W. Wolf Hollow by Victoria Houston X. X Marks the Spot: We’re All Going to Die! So… What’s for Lunch? by David Boyne Y. Yoga Pant Nation - Laurie Gelman Z. Miss Zukas and the Stroke of Death Mini Challenges January - And-If-But - Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert February - Olympics - Stiff Competition by Annelise Ryan March - 2 Word Title - The Match by Harlan Coben April - Birthstones - Ruby Red Herring by Tracy Gardner May - Natural Elements - Dead in the Water by Annelise Ryan June - Alliterative Title - The Rocky Road to Ruin by Meri Allen July - Party - Celebration - Death Crashes the Party by Vickie Fee August - Book - Handbook for Homicide by Lorna Barrett September - Name - Peg and Rose Solve a Murder by Laurien Berenson October - Ghost/Witch - The Ghost and the Stolen Tears by Cleo Coyle November - Fruit, Veggie, Nuts - The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen December - Calendar - Once Upon A December by Amy E. Reichert

A. Alexander, Ellie - Bake, Borrow and Steal B. Berenson, Laurien - Pup Fiction C. Cleo Coyle - Honey Roasted D. Day, Maddie - Batter Off Dead E. Ernst, Kathleen - Lies of Omission F. Flower, Amanda - Put Out To Pasture G. Gelman, Laurie - Yoga Pant Nation H. Heather Day Gilbert - Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass I. Innes, Louise K. - Death at Holly Lodge J. Joyce St. Anthony - Front Page Murder K. Kate Carlisle - Absence of Mallets L. Lynn Cahoo - A Fatal Family Feast M. Maggie King - Laughter Can Kill You N. Nancy Coco - Have Yourself A Fudgy Little Christmas O. Osler, Rob - Devil's Chew Toy P. Parker, Ann - The Secret in the Wall Q. Jesse Q. Sutanto - Four Aunties and a Wedding R. Reilly, Linda - Up to No Gouda S. Salem, Cassidy - Fit For Murder T. Tara Lush - Cold Brew Corpse U. Unger, Lisa - The Sleep Tight Motel V. Victoria Houston - Wolf Hollow W. Wacek, Michele Pariza - Ice Cold Murder X. Xarissa, Diana - Boats and Bad Guys Y. Young, Kate - On Borrowed Crime Z. Zunker, Chad - Family Money Complete 9/9/2022

Alabama - Five Belles Too Many by Debra H. Goldstein Alaska - Bear Witness by Lark O. Jensen Arizona - The Tuesday Night Survivor's Club by Lynn Cahoon Arkansas - Hook, Line, and Sinker by Marc Jedel California - Absence of Mallets by Kate Carlisle Colorado - A Hill to Dye On by Rebecca McKinnon Connecticut - Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert Delaware - Read the full article

#ReadingChallenges

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taschamonnii · 3 years

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I want to start writing for fun on here little short one shots mostly like (Female Reader X Character)

Currently im fixated on ALL of Elizabeth Olsen Characters specifically;

Wanda Maximoff

Leigh Shaw

Jane Banner

Martha

Thérèse

Sarah

Open to Suggestions and requests. I write on Ao3 as well: https://archiveofourown.org/users/DeschaVato/works

Ships I have written for are: Clexa, Damie (DanixJamie) Clayton THOBM, Hollstien (Carmilla)

Actresses I love and would write for their characters:

Elizabeth Olsen, Florence Pugh, Victoria Pedretti, Kathryn Hahn, Kate Siegel, Carla Gugino, Elizabeth Reaser, T’Nia Miller, Amelia Eve, Tahirah Sharif, Scarlett Johanson, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Zendaya, Salma Hayek, Rachel Weisz, Goldie Hawn, Jennifer Lawrence, Diane Keaton, Cate Blanchett, Vera Farmiga, Winona Ryder, Sigourney Weaver, Audrey Plaza, Gina Rodrigez, Toni Collette, Saoirse Ronan, Sarah Paulson, Dichen Lachman, Lindsey Morgan, Nadia Hiker, Tati Gabrielle...

There is definitely more these are just some of my top Favs like top 30 lol

Can you tell I love WOMEN!?!

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tabloidtoc · 4 years

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Entertainment Weekly, December

Cover: Star Wars

Page 3: Contents

Page 4: Sound Bites

Page 6: Editor’s Note, other Star Wars covers

Page 8; Best of the Decade

Page 10: The Must List Best of the Decade edition -- The Snap -- how heroes rescued Hollywood

Page 12: Battle of the Bastards -- the TV that changed TV

Page 13: Beyonce -- the decade of the diva, Serial -- the cases that captivated

Page 14: Bridesmaids -- the ladies who made us laugh, Minecraft -- how videogames leveled up

Page 15: Hamilton -- the musicals of the millennium

Page 16: Gone Girl -- the books that broke barriers, The Dress -- the memes that drove us mad

Page 17: Netflix -- how streaming smashed the rules

Page 18: My Must List -- Catherine O’Hara

Page 21: First Take -- Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe on Outlander

Page 24: Al Pacino and Logan Lerman in Hunters

Page 27: Penn Badgley and Victoria Pedretti in You

Page 32: The War to end all Wars -- behind the scenes of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Page 40: Saga Genesis -- the most important scenes from each Star Wars movie in the journey

Page 48: Frozen II

Page 52: Breaking Big -- Andrew Scott, Hunter Schafer

Page 54: Kate Elizabeth Russell, Natasha Rothwell

Page 55: Kelvin Harrison Jr., King Princess

Page 56: Megan Thee Stallion

Page 57: Asante Blackk, David Corenswet, Maya Hawke

Page 58: Hollywood True Crime -- Peter Ivers ended up bludgeoned to death

Page 64: Season 3 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel hits the road

Page 69: Holiday Gift Guide

Page 77: Reviews -- House of X and Powers of X

Page 78: Charles Xavier and Magneto

Page 80: Movies -- The Awardist Interview -- Tom Hanks

Page 81: The Two Popes

Page 82: Making the Scene -- Marriage Story with Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson

Page 84: Uncut Gems

Page 85: The cast of the original Black Christmas explain how the box office dud became a cult classic

Page 86: Role Call -- Toni Collette

Page 87: Knives Out, The Aeronauts, Waves

Page 88: The Shot -- Avatar

Page 90: TV -- Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser are back together for Mad About You

Page 92: Holiday TV-Movie Survival Guide

Page 93: Servant

Page 94: An inside look at the familiar faces headed to the CW’s most ambitious Arrowverse crossover yet Crisis on Infinite Earths

Page 96: What to Watch

Page 100: Music -- Under the Cover -- Pete Townsend and Sir Peter Blake on the design of WHO

Page 102: Q+A -- Mariah Carey

Page 104: Mary J. Blige -- HERstory Vol. 1, Rage Against the Machine

Page 105: Coldplay -- Everyday Life

Page 106: Books

Page 108: Isa Massei in the memoir Camgirl

Page 110: Q+A -- Jimmy Kimmel

Page 111: Annihilation author Jeff Vandermeer returns to the postapocalyptic borne universe with a wonderful and deeply weird new novel Dead Astronauts

Page 112: The Bullseye

#tabloid #star wars #george lucas #mark hamill #x-men #charles xavier #magneto #professor x #erik lehnsherr #cherik

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jeremystrele · 4 years

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‘Innovative + Considered’: Announcing The 2020 Dulux Colour Awards Winners!

Interiors

Amelia Barnes

The Casurina House by Vokes & Peters, winner of the Single Residential Exterior category. Exterior Colours – Dulux Capsicum Red and Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

The Casurina House by Vokes & Peters, winner of the Single Residential Exterior category, uses Dulux Capsicum Red and Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

The Casurina House by Vokes & Peters, winner of the Single Residential Exterior category. Exterior Colours – Dulux Capsicum Red and Dulux Whisper White. Photo – Christopher Frederick Jones.

Perfect Storm by Green Anvil Co. + Killing Matt Woods + Set For Art, winner of the Residential Interior category. All surfaces painted with Dulux Mount Buller, and finished with a top coat of Porters French Wash. Photo – Kat Lu.

The Ruckers Hill House by Studio Bright received a commendation in the Residential Interior category. Photo – Rory Gardiner.

The Ruckers Hill House by Studio Bright received a commendation in the Residential Interior category. Ensuite window frames – Dulux Rosetta. Photo – Rory Gardiner.

The Ruckers Hill House by Studio Bright received a commendation in the Residential Interior category. Main bedroom wall – Dulux Raspberry Kahlua with Dulux Rosetta architraves and trims. Photo – Rory Gardiner.

The Ruckers Hill House by Studio Bright received a commendation in the Residential Interior category. Photo – Rory Gardiner.

The Split House by Pac Studio received a commendation in the Single Residential Exterior category. Colours used – Dulux Kakanui, Dulux Narrow Neck Double, Dulux Narrow Neck, Dulux Kaitaia and Dulux Cloak Quarter. Photo – Simon Devitt.

Winner of the Commercial & Multi Residential Exterior category, End of Trip at 207-UOM Southbank by Searle Waldron Architecture – using no less than 14 Dulux colours! Photo – John Gollings.

Winner of the Commercial & Multi Residential Exterior category, End of Trip at 207-UOM Southbank by Searle Waldron Architecture. Photo – John Gollings.

Armitage Jones by Bergman &Co., winner of the Commercial Interior (Workplace & Retail) category. Colours – Dulux Clear Brook, Dulux Precious Gold Pearl. Photo – Nicole England.

Armitage Jones by Bergman &Co., winner of the Commercial Interior (Workplace & Retail) category. Featuring – Dulux Clear Brook, Dulux Precious Gold Pearl. Photo – Nicole England.

Armitage Jones by Bergman &Co., winner of the Commercial Interior (Workplace & Retail) category. Photo – Nicole England.

The winners of 34th Dulux Colour Awards were announced this morning, revealing an innovative and considered use of colour across Australian and New Zealand architecture and design.

Taking out the Single Residential Exterior Category was the impressive Casuarina House in northern NSW by Vokes & Peters. This breezy, relaxed coastal house is defined by its distinctive use of red painted timber battens, and light coloured bricks. Dulux Capsicum Red was selected for the exterior of the building to offset the light coloured brickwork, and to contrast with surrounding native foliage.

Meanwhile, the Residential Interior award went to Perfect Storm, a unique apartment interior in Sydney, created in collaboration between Green Anvil Co, Killing Matt Woods, and Set For Art.

In awarding Perfect Storm, the judges noted, ‘The use of a single colour and finish, with the appearance of concrete, on all painted surfaces has a surprisingly warm cocooning effect, which is amplified by the soft curve where walls meet ceilings. It is utilitarian chic at its best – intimate, moody, balanced – and awarded for its simplicity and singularity.’

Ruckers Hill House By Studio Bright received a commendation in the Residential Interior category for its distinction between old and new in a period home refurbishment. Palettes were devised to reflect the personal nuances of each room’s main occupant: the yellow of a beloved football team, a powder blue for subtle femininity, greens as backdrops for teen paraphernalia, and contrasting pinks and greens in the main bedroom reflecting the owner’s eclecticism.

The most awarded project of the program was ‘UOM Southbank – End Of Trip’ by Searle x Waldron Architecture, which won both the Grand Prix Australia award (best of the show selected from the individual category winners) and Commercial & Multi-Residential Exterior. This ‘end of trip’ facility with bike storage and change rooms was approached as an opportunity for broader engagement with the surrounding elements, comprising no less than 14 Dulux hues!

Congratulations to all the winners!

2020 Dulux Colour Awards winners:

Grand Prix Australia Winner

UOM Southbank – End Of Trip (VIC) by Searle X Waldron Architecture

Grand Prix New Zealand Winner

Social Housing Development Rangiora (NZ) by Rohan Collett Architects

Commercial Interior: Workplace & Retail

Winner: Armitage Jones (VIC) by Bergman & Co Commendation: Adam Kane Architects Office (VIC) by Adam Kane Architects

Commercial Interior: Public & Hospitality

Winner: Arts Epicentre (VIC) by Branch Studio Architects Commendation: Darebin Arts Centre (VIC) by Sibling Architecture

Commercial & Multi-Residential Exterior

Winner: UOM Southbank – End Of Trip (VIC) by Searle x Waldron Architecture Commendation: Social Housing Development Rangiora (NZ) by Rohan Collett Architect

Residential Interior

Winner: Perfect Storm (NSW) by Green Anvil Co, Killing Matt Woods, and Set For Art Commendation: Ruckers Hill House (VIC) by Studio Bright

Single Residential Exterior

Winner: Casuarina House (NSW) by Vokes & Peters Commendation: Split House (NZ) by Pac Studio

Student

Winner: Ascend by Louise Mackay, Sydney Design School Commendation: Hump House by Ying Ho Shiu (Hiro), RMIT Commendation: Queen Victoria Pavilion by Michael Ren, The University Of Melbourne

See more from the Dulux Colour Awards here!

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culturizando · 7 years

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#UnDíaComoHoy: 1 de noviembre en la historia

¡Bienvenido noviembre! Noviembre es el undécimo y penúltimo mes del año en el calendario gregoriano y tiene 30 días. Su nombre deriva de novem (‘nueve’ en latín), por haber sido el noveno mes del calendario romano. Retuvo su nombre «noveno» aun cuando al año se le agregaron otros meses después. En Japón y algunos países de Oriente se le llama el Mes de la Calidad. De acuerdo con una tradición, la piedra de noviembre es el citrino y el topacio, y su flor, el crisantemo El 1 de noviembre es el 305.º (tricentésimo quinto) día del año en el calendario gregoriano y el 306.º en los años bisiestos. Quedan 60 días para finalizar el año. Te presentamos algunos hechos destacados que se conmemoran un día como hoy 1 de noviembre.

-Hoy la iglesia católica conmemora el Día de todos los Santos. Esta tradición fue instituida en honor a todos los santos, conocidos y desconocidos, según el papa Urbano IV, para compensar cualquier falta a las fiestas de los santos durante el año por parte de los fieles. En diversos lugares del mundo se celebra la tradición de honrar y traer a la memoria a las personas que han muerto.

-1512: por primera vez es exhibida en público la bóveda de la Capilla Sixtina, pintada por Miguel Ángel.

-1520: Fernando Magallanes navega por primera vez el estrecho que hoy lleva su nombre. El navegante portugués descubrió el paso que conecta a los océanos Atlántico y Pacifico en el extremo sur de América. Por encargo de la corona española, partió de Sevilla al mando de una expedición de cuatro buques el 10 de agosto de 1519. Luego de tres meses de navegación avistó un tormentoso canal al que denominó “De todos los santos”. Estaba ante lo que luego sería llamado Estrecho de Magallanes, un peligroso paso interoceánico buscado desde el descubrimiento de América en 1492. Las mareas y marejadas hicieron que el cruce fuera una odisea. Ya en el Pacifico, la expedición sufrió de graves pérdidas a causa del hambre y las enfermedades. Magallanes murió semanas después y tres naves naufragaron. En julio de 1522 llegó a Sevilla la nave Victoria, la única que logró sobrevivir de la flota original. A bordo viajaban 18 tripulantes al mando de Juan Sebastián Elcano; fueron los sobrevivientes de una expedición que había comenzado con 234 hombres. Aquellos marineros harapientos fueron los primeros que lograron circunvalar el mundo.

-1604: primera representación de ‘Otelo’, de Shakespeare.

-1755: en Portugal, un terremoto de magnitud 8,7 destruye por completo la ciudad de Lisboa.

-1896: en EE.UU se muestran por primera vez los pechos desnudos de una mujer en una revista (National Geographic). La fotografía de esta novia y novio zulúes en Witwatersrand (Sudáfrica) fue publicada en la revista National Geographic en su número de noviembre de 1896 y fue la primera que mostraba en esta revista los pechos desnudos de una mujer. La decisión de publicarla marcó un precedente a la hora de mostrar a los pueblos indígenas tal y como son.

-1897: se funda el club Juventus Football Club, de Turín, Italia.

-1911: durante un combate en la guerra ítalo-turca, se deja caer por primera vez una bomba desde un aeroplano.

-1939: nace el primer conejo gestado por inseminación artificial.

-1952: a las 7:15 (hora local), en el atolón de Enewetak (Islas Marshall), EstadosUnidos detonó la primera bomba de hidrógeno del mundo en un atolón remoto del Océano Pacífico. La bomba termonuclear con una potencia de 10,4 megatones (unas 750 veces superior a la que estalló en Hiroshima) conviertió en polvo a una isla entera. En 1955, la Unión Soviética explosionó su primera bomba de hidrógeno, con lo que el mundo comenzó a vivir bajo el terror permanente de la amenaza de una guerra atómica.

-1960: durante la campaña electoral, el presidente estadounidense John F. Kennedy anuncia la idea de los Cuerpos de Paz.

-1968: en Estados Unidos, The Motion Picture Association of America inaugura su sistema de calificación de películas (G, M, R y X).

-1968: se presenta el ‘Wonderwall Music’ de George Harrison, primer álbum en solitario de un Beatle, publicado por Apple Records. La mayoría de los temas son instrumentales, a excepción de algunas voces indias y un tema que incluye una conversación hablada, y fueron en parte grabadas en diciembre de 1967 en Inglaterra, y en parte en Bombay, India, en enero de 1968. Wonderwall Music es notable por ser el primer trabajo en solitario de un Beatle, si bien en junio de 1967 la banda sonora de la película The Family Way fue compuesta por Paul McCartney y contiene música de fondo que no es considerada como un álbum oficial propiamente dicho.

-1969: en Estados Unidos, Elvis Presley publica Suspicious Minds, después de siete años lejos de los escenarios.

-1972: nace Jenny McCarthy, actriz estadounidense. Apareció por primera vez en la revista Playboy en octubre de 1993 y fue nombrada Playmate de Año en la edición de junio de 1994. Posteriormente, inició su carrera en la televisión y en el cine.

-1972: nace Toni Collette, actriz australiana. Saltó a la fama al protagonizar Muriel’s Wedding (1994) por esta película consiguió ser nominada al Globo de Oro como mejor actriz de comedia. Más adelante sería nominada nuevamente, esta vez a los premios Óscar como mejor actriz de reparto por su papel en The Sixth Sense (1999). Actualmente es protagonista de la serie Hostages, la cual es emitida por la cadena Warner. Esta trata sobre una familia que es rehén en su propia casa a causa de la operación que Ellen Sanders Toni Collette debe realizarle al presidente, en donde los secuestradores la obligan a matarlo.

-1982: Honda es la primera empresa de automóviles asiáticos en producir automóviles en los Estados Unidos. El Accord es el primero.

-1998: se instituye el Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos.

La entrada #UnDíaComoHoy: 1 de noviembre en la historia aparece primero en culturizando.com | Alimenta tu Mente.

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biofunmy · 4 years

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25 best TV shows of the year, from ‘Fleabag’ to ‘Pose’

After 2019, TV will never be the same.

This year, TV got bigger than we ever could have imagined back when there were only three channels. Over 500 scripted series premiered new episodes, two major new streaming services (Apple TV+ and Disney+) debuted, “Star Wars” and Meryl Streep came to TV and “Game of Thrones” ended with massive ratings but disappointed fans. And yet we still are mostly talking about where we’ll be able to easily access reruns of “Friends.”

But there were some really fantastic TV series we hope some of you managed to watch between all the Twitter reactions and marathons of Disney animated movies. And spoiler alert: “Thrones” and its terrible ending didn’t make the cut.

You still have plenty of time before New Year’s Day to catch up on USA TODAY’s top 25 series of 2019.

Joe (Penn Badgley) stalks a new woman (Victoria Pedretti) in “You” Season 2. (Photo: Tyler Golden/Netflix)

25. ‘You’ (Netflix)

The soapy thriller starring Penn Badgley was a pleasant surprise in its original home on Lifetime, and became a sensation once it moved to Netflix, which will stream its second season Dec. 26. The second outing with self-aggrandizing stalker (and murderer) Joe is just as addictive as the first, if a little repetitive. But of all the current series that traffic in bad men doing bad things, “You” remains one of the few that asks interesting questions about its bad guy.

24. ‘Evil’ (CBS)

Akin to “The X-Files” for religion – in which a psychologist, a priest-in-training and a tech expert investigate claims of miracles and demonic possessions – “Evil” is a hard sell on paper, but a surprisingly coherent and gripping series. Created by Robert and Michelle King (“The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight”), it is thought-provoking as an investigation of organized, institutional religion and as a source of thrilling horror stories about exorcisms and evildoers.

23. ‘Living With Yourself’ (Netflix)

Paul Rudd is one of Hollywood’s most charming (and ageless) actors, and he does welcome double duty in this dark comedy about a man who ends up with a clone that is significantly better at living his life. Full of existential angst and pratfalls, the series neatly balances comedy and drama. It’s also a great showcase for Irish actress Aisling Bea, who turns in a breakout performance that isn’t overshadowed by Rudd’s star power.

22. ‘Country Music’ (PBS)

Ken Burns rarely disappoints. The legendary filmmaker turned his lens on the history of a uniquely American music genre for this 18-part documentary that traced its roots and rise. It may have also changed some minds about what country music really is and who it is for.

Sadie Sink, Noah Schnapp, Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and Caleb McLaughlin in Stranger Things 3 . (Photo: Netflix.)

21. ‘Stranger Things’ (Netflix)

After a disappointing and derivative second season, the ’80s-set supernatural series – Netflix’s most popular – returned with new episodes that took more risks and repeated fewer plot points. With the Soviets as new villains, new horror inspirations for the monsters and new relationships to explore – particularly the friendship between Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Max (Sadie Sink) – the series crafted a third season that was almost as captivating as its breakout first.

20. ‘Veronica Mars’ (Hulu)

In our current nostalgia-obsessed TV era, there are plenty of truly terrible reboots, remakes and revivals (“Fuller House”), but sometimes bringing back the original cast and creators years or even decades later results in good TV. The most successful attempt in recent years is “Veronica Mars,” the cult neo-noir series canceled by CW in 2003, revived in 2014 for a movie and brought back yet again for eight episodes by Hulu. Kristen Bell and creator Rob Thomas found a mystery worth Veronica’s talents, and room for the beloved-but-damaged detective to grow. Its shocker ending divided fans, but nothing about the new “Mars” felt cheap, forced or dated, and that’s a true achievement.

19. ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ (HBO)

If you missed this small but mighty new sketch comedy series in August, it’s worth catching up on all six episodes of the hilarious first season. Created by Robin Thede and produced by Issa Rae (“Insecure”), the series’ talented black women comedians excel in sketches that are unique to their experiences and universal in their humor.

Mj Rodriguez as Blanca, Billy Porter as Pray Tell on “Pose.” (Photo: Michael Parmelee/FX)

18. ‘Pose’ (FX)

FX’s groundbreaking LGBTQ drama became bigger and more intimate in its excellent second season, homing in on its best characters while making its stories more ambitious, tragic and complex. The season was more focused and compelling than its promising first year, with especially strong performances from Emmy-winning Billy Porter as Pray Tell, Mj Rodriguez as Blanca and Indya Moore as Angel.

17. ‘Stumptown’ (ABC)

There is nothing particularly revolutionary about this procedural drama starring Cobie Smulders, but it stands out among the new network offerings this year because of the thoughtful and fresh way the writers make age-old detective stories. Smulders shines as Dex Parios, a deeply caring if not always smooth private investigator, and her performance elevates “Stumptown” beyond just-another-network-cop-show.

16. ‘The Good Fight’ (CBS All Access)

Despite getting a little more fantastical every year, CBS All Access’ “Good Wife” spinoff is still the drama that best captures the current sociopolitical era. Its third season, with the addition of Michael Sheen as a Roy Cohn-inspired lawyer, was a little wacky without getting too weird, with smart scripts and great performances, most notably from Christine Baranski and Audra MacDonald.

15. ‘The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance’ (Netflix)

This prequel to Jim Henson’s 1982 film manages to go above and beyond the beloved original. On aesthetics alone, the series is a huge achievement, but it also tells a fantasy story as lofty and politically complex as “Game of Thrones.” That “Crystal” manages to make fully-realized characters and plots through mesmerizing puppetry rounds out a superb epic.

Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II on “The Crown.” (Photo: Sophie Mutevelian/Netflix)

14. ‘The Crown’ (Netflix)

God save the Queen, whoever happens to be playing her. Netflix’s British royals drama proved it can go deep into the reign of Queen Elizabeth II by successfully swapping its original cast for an older set of actors, including Oscar winner Olivia Colman in the lead role (previously played by Emmy winner Claire Foy). The third season has a few bumps, and struggles to make Elizabeth the center of her own story, but the addition of a young Prince Charles (Josh O’Connor) and his romantic escapades makes up for Colman’s brief screen time.

13. ‘Superstore’ (NBC)

Like a cheap bottle of wine at Target, “Superstore” just gets better with age. NBC’s workplace comedy is smarter and funnier every season, and 2019 episodes represent the show at its peak. “Superstore” kept its stories and character dynamics fresh this year by promoting Amy (America Ferrera) to manager of the Cloud 9 big box store, changing her socioeconomic status in an instant and drastically altering her relationship with her co-workers, including boyfriend Jonah (Ben Feldman).

Kayvan Novak as Nandor and Harvey Guillen as Guillermo on “What We Do in the Shadows.” (Photo: John P Johnson/FX)

12. ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (FX)

Based on the cult 2014 film from Jemaine Clement (“Flight of the Conchords”) and Taika Waititi (who directed “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Jojo Rabbit”), “Shadows” is the funniest show this year, an outright bacchanalia of vampiric failures, energy draining and nerdy virgins. The comedy moves its focus from hapless vampires in New Zealand to an even more inept clan in Staten Island, New York, with lofty goals such as taking over the world via city council meetings.

11. ‘The Good Place’ (NBC)

The philosophical afterlife comedy hasn’t been quite as brilliant in its fourth and final season, but even at 85% strength, “Good Place” is still smarter and funnier than most shows on TV. Nailing an ending to a series that asks questions as big as this one does (what does it take to be a good person?) is always tricky, and most crucially the series is staying true to its delightful characters.

10. ‘Shrill’ (Hulu)

At last, “Saturday Night Live” standout Aidy Bryant has a starring role worthy of her talents in Hulu’s “Shrill.” The actress finds a quieter side of her comedy in this Portland, Oregon-set series based on writer and fat-acceptance activist Lindy West’s memoir. It marks the best portrayal of life as a plus-size woman on TV, neither patronizing nor unrealistic, and tells stories beyond its protagonist’s weight on a scale. With just six hilarious episodes, it’s one of the few TV series that would have excelled if it had expanded.

Merritt Weaver, left, and Toni Collette play detectives who initially butt heads but learn to work together in Netflix miniseries “Unbelievable.” (Photo: Beth Dubber/Netflix)

9. ‘Unbelievable’ (Netflix)

True-crime stories can be many things: seedy, enthralling, vindicating, angering or satisfying. Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning ProPublica article, “Unbelievable” is both infuriating and triumphant, highlighting the deep flaws in our criminal justice system while also celebrating the work of two genuinely heroic policewomen. With a stellar cast, “Unbelievable” tells the story of a rape victim (Kaitlyn Dever) who isn’t believed by police, and the two detectives (Toni Collette and Merritt Wever) who bring her attacker to justice years later – after he raped several more women.

8. ‘Undone’ (Amazon)

As deeply emotional and affecting as it is unsettling, Amazon’s animated series gets under your skin, in a good way. The series’ rotoscoping technique, in which animation is drawn over live footage, provides an eerie edge as it tells a magic-realist story of a stagnant 20-something woman (Rosa Salazar) who can travel in time and communicate with her dead father. But for every psychedelic trip Alma takes, she also takes a more grounded one as she tries to repair damaged relationships and plot her next course.

7. ‘Dead to Me’ (Netflix)

Christina Applegate gives her best performance in Netflix’s black comedy about a widow who unknowingly befriends the woman (the great Linda Cardellini) who killed her husband. Twisty but not gimmicky, “Dead” is addictive. The series has an abundance of acting talent, including James Marsden, who finally gets a role that takes the sheen off his perfect smile.

6. ‘Watchmen’ (HBO)

Although it started off a bit unsurely, HBO’s very loose adaptation of the graphic novel has blossomed into one of creator Damon Lindelof’s best series, and from the man behind “Lost” and “The Leftovers,” that’s some achievement. The series has a superb cast – including Regina King, Jean Smart, Jeremy Irons and Tim Blake Nelson – that elevates smart scripts that get better as the season progresses. Lindelof and his writers find surprising ways to bring the superhero story from the 1980s into today’s culture, helping “Watchmen” upend the comic book formula once again.

Asante Blackk in “When They See Us,” Ava DuVernay’s retelling of the Central Park Five. (Photo: NETFLIX)

5. ‘When They See Us’ (Netflix)

Ava DuVernay’s striking miniseries gives voice to the so-called Central Park Five, a group of five black and Latino youths wrongly convicted of assault in one of the biggest trials of the 1980s. With an extremely talented group of young actors as the falsely accused adolescents – Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Emmy-winner Jharrel Jerome and Marquis Rodriguez – the series brings the story to the screen as a brutal, unrelenting tragedy.

4. ‘Back to Life’ (Showtime)

This British tragicomedy, starring and created by Daisy Haggard (“Episodes”), focuses on Miri, a woman who returns to her small seaside village after spending 18 years in prison for a crime that’s explained as the series progresses. Although Miri has left iron bars and jumpsuits behind, her small town is a prison of its own, where she is hated by all but her parents, her new boss and her kindly neighbor. Touching on themes of forgiveness and deception, the series is breathtaking in its emotional scope, despite the small story it tells over just six episodes.

3. ‘Chernobyl’ (HBO)

The brilliance of this historical miniseries, which chronicles the 1986 nuclear disaster at a power plant in Soviet Ukraine, creeps up on you as you watch its five episodes. Despite portraying so much death and despair, “Chernobyl” is never crass or exploitative, but rather it simply, anger-inducingly explains the failures and hubris that led to the disaster, and the people who tried to mitigate its consequences.

2. ‘Leaving Neverland’ (HBO)

Among 2019’s many true crime documentaries that made viewers question established media narratives and powerful people, this one – about two men who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse when they were children – stood out. Wade Robson and James Safechuck were given a platform to tell their harrowing stories, and director Dan Reed is unflinching as he captures the pain and suffering of the men and their families. Tough to watch, it’s also an eye-opening look at the lasting effects of abuse, and the way the media handles allegations against powerful men.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Fleabag in Amazon’s “Fleabag.” (Photo: Amazon)

1. ‘Fleabag’ (Amazon)

Could there be any other choice for No. 1? Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s dark comedy ran away with the 2019 Emmy Awards for good reason. Few series have ever been as emotionally affecting and brilliantly written as “Fleabag” in its second season. The story of a self-hating and self-destructive woman (Waller-Bridge) falling in love with a Catholic priest (Andrew Scott) was both a shocking sequel to the first and an exquisitely perfect ending to Fleabag’s tale. We’ll miss her dearly.

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