Ash's Favorite Shows (Top 10)
10. The Haunting of Hill House
When I decided to start watching The Haunting of Hill House I really just wanted to see a horror series. I'm a huge fan of horror and was very curious about this show from the internet as well as the very eye catching poster when looking it up. The first episode was ok but did peak my curiosity...I was however a little confused. By the second and third episode I adored the show and so many of the subtle horror moments is what got this show on the top 10 list. There are 2 scenes (which I won't spoil) where I physically remember screaming, jumping back and thinking "wow I'm glad no one was here to see me do that." The Haunting of Hill House cast was exceptional at making me believe this family was truly cursed which can be hard in a horror film when you've seen it all before. The Haunting of Hill House gave me The Conjuring feels which to me is one of the top horror films.
9. Penny Dreadful
Please don't ever ask me why most of the shows in my All time favorite list are dark, macabre and deeply disturbing. I don't have a logical answer for that question, except for the fact that maybe I myself am...strange and unusual (in my Lydia Deetz voice). Even to this very second I wish I could revive Penny Dreadful because I don't want Vanessa's story/fight to ever be over. I think I just have a love for witches and the misunderstood creatures of the night but I was delighted to discover that Miss Ives was a little bit of both and don't we all secretly love that? A woman of clear love and faith for God who is often torn apart from the inside out of her demons and the actual creatures who want her this show is a fight till the bitter end of excellence. If one were to ever need a perfect playbook (cough cough Universal) on how to make a monster-verse movie, this show would more than deliver. They gave me witches, wolves, Frankenstein's, vampires and Hyde's in the perfect package of a series. There are 2 episodes I refuse to promote because of what happens in those particular episodes but the series as a whole is a redemption of the evil those episodes inflict on the watcher. Beautifully written, flawlessly performed/executed and darkly but poetically mesmerizing is the best way to describe this one.
8. The Fall of the House of Usher
The Big Bang Theory still lives on in my heart and is a great show but this show messed with my brain and struck a love chord with my horror heart. I've made it very clear that Mike Flannagan is one of my favorite horror directors and I'm truly hoping the rumors of him taking over the newer Exorcist films are true. That aside this show had EVERYTHING (like LoveCraft Country) I could ever want in a show and exceeded my expectations of excellence (I know dramatic but hear me out). Not only were the deaths insanely good and creepy, not only did this man modernize Edgar Allan Poe (which in itself is slightly impossible for a newer audience) but he made this show even better than his others and they are already superb. Making a deal with the devil wasn't good enough for this man's vision and like I said before; it was going to take a woman to out-do the devil. Putting your entire bloodline on the line (as well as your own soul and your siblings) was something I had not yet seen before and the guilt and controversy that follows was beautifully told. The episode (without spoilers) that makes me cry every time is between The Raven and Lenore because that was the one person The Raven had to have a heart to heart with and it gets me every single time I see it.
7. LoveCraft Country
I had to watch this one again recently to truly make this decision. When it came out in 2020 I watched it twice and then realized after a 3rd viewing, it has every element of life that I love. The effects were fantastic for tv show standards outside of something that Disney+ would shell out the money for and the story was so well crafted. The actors were certainly on point and having Jordan Peele and JJ Abrams involved gives any movie or tv show instant appeal. More importantly teaching us about history and making this a more "National Treasure" with some powerful black actors landed this show in my list. They were able to fuse biblical references, science, magic, black history, space and time travel...all in a way that made sense and came out interesting. Meshing all those tones together is a very difficult thing to pull off and this show did a fantastic job.
6. Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad was recommended to me by an ex who shall remain nameless but boy did he get this one right! Another stellar series that had me watching every single second of every single season to try and guess or find out what would happen next. Walter White will forever be one of the top bad asses in t.v. history and El Pollo Loco will forever be everyone's favorite chicken spot (along with the owner haha). Jesse Pinkman will forever be every young girls bad boy crush and boy did he play that role to the T! The entire show was so masterfully crafted and methodically put in place that I can't think of a single flaw with the series and it was only fitting that the Netflix movie El Camino would follow after such a glorious ending.
So Ryan Murphy is the king of t.v. in my eyes as 3 of his series show up in my list and he also holds the #1 spot (scroll down to check it out). Just when I thought O.J. was one of the best shows on t.v....here comes the fabulous gays! Watching the compelling and transcendent show that is Versace was exhilarating on so many levels and I mean who didn't fall in love with Darren Criss in this role? How could you possibly be a psychopathic gay serial killer and have every straight woman in America swooning for you? Not only did I learn so much about Versace himself but I learned so many of the bells and whistles that made him and his family tick during his rise to super fame. Every character is as charming and masterful as the last and again I can't sing Darren Criss's praise in this role enough (he won the Emmy for this one).
5. American Crime Story: Versace
4. American Crime Story: O.J. Simpson
I told you Ryan and his genius writing would return! This was the second show that hooked me and solidified me as a Ryan Murphy fan. I wasn't old enough to really understand or follow the O.J. Simpson trial but as an older adult I can now see the depth and insane ride this trial took everyone on. Sarah Paulson as Marcia Clarke was among one of my top favorite characters but every single player in this show brought their A-game honestly. I think it's safe to say the Mark Fuhrman parts of this show was by far the most captivating as I'm sure they were in the real trial. This show is what t.v. is all about and if your into murder mystery this will also be one of your favorites.
Technically this show was worthy of being #1 until the final season came out. I, like every other red blooded American, was glued to my HBO faithfully every Sunday at 9pm and could not be disturbed for the hour. Between Arya and Tyrion I couldn't pick who I loved more the whole series (and also stayed consistent in their character). Sansa being another favorite and literally leaving the house in the rain and needing a walk during the epic John Snow episode (and red wedding) this series was everything. The white walkers battling was always a show stopper but the last season was something GOT fans never want anyone to see or judge the entire show off of. The only amazing part of the last season was an epic kill from Arya and that was about it. I plead with you not to judge this show based off the last season but outside of that this was the best show ever written.
3. Game of Thrones
2. Family Guy
I won't get into a long paragraph with this show, I will just explain that I watch this show everyday faithfully at 6pm and 11pm and that is re-run episodes! The Simpsons started it all but Family Guy ended up taking the baton and taking it pass the finish line for me. This is one of those guilty pleasure shows that I cannot fully explain my love for nor do I feel I need to explain anything beyond that. Family Guy will forever have a spot on my top list long after it goes off the air (which I pray is no time soon).
1. American Horror Story
American Horror Story is well deserving of the #1 spot for many reasons but let me just highlight seasons 1 & 8. These 2 seasons are directly linked and to me are 2 of the greatest pieces of work on T.V. out there. Dialogue yes, character definitely but story... undeniable. If you are a horror fan you get where I am coming from and the top seasons IMO are 1,3,5 and 8 (no particular order) and the bottom batch seasons are 4, 6, 7 and 9 with season 2 on honorable mention of a top spot. American Horror Story has a different theme each year and I adore that with typically the same cast members from previous seasons. The ultimate fan justice this series has done was have an attraction at Universal Studio's Halloween Horrors a few years back that brought all the characters and show to life. Start with the best seasons and go from there as you don't need to see past seasons like other shows to understand the next one.