Best Moments on TV of 2019... So Far

The nominations for the 71st Primetime Emmys have been announced. HBO came away with the most nominations, a total of 137 to be exact. The premium cable channel was boosted with the success of Game of Thrones, which got 32 nominations, the most of any other TV series. It's up for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Kit Harrington and Outstanding Lead Actress for Emilia Clarke. Eight other actors from the cast also got nominated.

HBO's Game of Thrones aired its eighth and final season this spring. At $90 million, it was the most expensive season produced for the series and likely the most expensive TV budget all year, if ever. The ratings in terms of viewership were the highest of the year, making it the clear number-one show in the United States, despite the fact that it's on HBO, which is available in less homes than better reviewed shows on broadcast TV.

Unfortunately, the critics weren't as high on Game of Thrones as the viewership would indicate. Typically, there's a divide between what's popular and what's considered the best from a critical standpoint. Game of Thrones was thought to be the bridge that would finally close that gap. It was so in the past, but that's seemingly not the case this year. From a critical standpoint, there are two other shows that are ranked higher.

According to Rotten Tomatoes, the best TV show of the year is Fleabag, which got 11 nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress. The series created by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the British actress, writer and producer, also stars herself as the titular character. The comedy had its second season this year. In it, Waller-Bridge's character gets into things with a sexy clergyman referred to as "Hot Priest." It has been the talk of everybody online who has seen it. All the talk has been about the wit and humor. Many have even called the original series on Amazon Prime a work of genius.

According to Metacritic, the other show that's considered the best TV show of the year is Russian Doll, which got 13 nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress. The comedy is basically a take on Groundhog Day (1993), but instead puts the verve and force of nature that is Natasha Lyonne in the center. With a great supporting performance from Charlie Barnett, Lyonne explores issues of mental health, compassion and friendship with power and depth. I enjoyed the performances, but the show wasn't part of my personal favorites.

However, the success of Russian Doll was in part the reason why Netflix got so many nominations. The streaming network received a total of 117 nominations. Netflix came in second after HBO. One of the other big reasons for Netflix's numerous nods is Ava DuVernay's When They See Us, which got 16 nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Jharrel Jerome, Outstanding Lead Actress for Niecy Nash and Aunjanue Ellis, Outstanding Supporting Actor for Michael K. Williams, John Leguizamo and Asante Blackk, Outstanding Supporting Actress for Vera Farmiga and Marsha Stephanie Blake. DuVernay is also nominated for Outstanding Writing  and Outstanding Directing. It is by far my favorite program of the year and I hope it wins as much as it can.

Before I do list my personal favorites of the year, I do have to take note of some moments on television that were pretty memorable or just incredible. Here are those moments. Robin Roberts interviews Jussie Smollett about his alleged attack (Feb. 13). Michael Cohen testifies on Capitol Hill about his relationship to President Trump (Feb. 27). Gayle King interviews R. Kelly about the allegations against him (March 6). CNN Town Hall hosts Elizabeth Warren, the progressive candidate running for president (April 22). Those were great individual moments on television and here are what I think are the other greatest.

Best TV Shows of 2019... So Far

Best New Series

WHEN THEY SEE US (Netflix)
THE ACT (Hulu)
FOSSE/VERDON (FX)
TALES OF THE CITY (2019) (Netflix)
ALL AMERICAN (CW)
SHRILL (Hulu)
SPECIAL (Netflix)

Best Returning Series

CLAWS: SEASON 3 (TNT)
BIG LITTLE LIES: SEASON 2 (HBO)
HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER: SEASON 5 (ABC)
THE GOOD PLACE: SEASON 3 (NBC)
THE ORVILLE: SEASON 2 (FOX)
STRANGER THINGS: SEASON 3 (Netflix)
UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT: SEASON 4 (Netflix)
AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.: SEASON 6 (ABC)
FRIENDS FROM COLLEGE: SEASON 2 (Netflix)

Best Reality / TV Movie

LEAVING NEVERLAND (HBO)
FYRE: THE GREATEST PARTY THAT NEVER HAPPENED (Netflix)
SURVIVING R. KELLY (Lifetime)
TRANSMILITARY (Logo)
HOMECOMING: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ (Netflix)
STATE OF PRIDE (YouTube)

Best Individual Episode from Non-Listed Show

"Our Little Island Girl" - THIS IS US: SEASON 3 (NBC)
"Refugees" - RAMY (Hulu)
"Never Doubt I Love" - EMPIRE: SEASON 5 (FOX)
"The Gang Gets Gone" - BLINDSPOT: SEASON 4 (NBC)
"The Wunderkind" - THE TWILIGHT ZONE (CBS)
"I Must Tell You What We Have Inherited" - THE RED LINE (CBS)
"Goss vs. Joseph" - WIFE SWAP (Paramount Network)
LIVE IN FRONT OF A STUDIO AUDIENCE (ABC)
"Adam Sandler / Shawn Mendes" - SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: SEASON 44 (NBC)
"John Mulaney / Thomas Rhett" - SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: SEASON 44 (NBC