My Top Ten for 2016, Part 1

Let's be brutally honest - 2016 stank. With the most controversial election in our nations history, blood and violence at home and abroad, and a string of celebrity deaths that began with the year and kept on picking, cruelly until the end,. 2016 was one of the worst years probably since man has begun chronicling time

. But whenever darkness is at our door, we often turn to artistic mediums for relief, and in that sense, 2016 provided  us with some truly riveting and brilliant entertainment. Having to choose between some series remains difficult so, just as I did last year, I will be listing several series and actors deserving of a jury prize. But for now, here is this critics humble picks for the best series of the year.

10. The Good Place (NBC)

For the last couple of years, NBC had pretty much abandoned the intelligent satires that had made it a fine network. The Good Place is the first series that shows might be getting their spark back. Taking place in an afterlife whose perfection is falling apart due to someone who really doesn't belong (Kirsten Bell), this series combines flashbacks, ethical dilemmas (when did any series name check Socrates?) and hysterical throwaway lines, this is one of the most enjoyable and original comedies, I've seen in quite some time. Given some of its others shows, NBC is on the road to brilliance again.

9. Transparent (Season 2 Amazon)

I know, most watchers have moved on to Season 3 by now, but the fact remains this show remains the flourishing centerpiece of a brilliant original studio. Maura Pfefferman (the incredible Jeffrey Tambor) paradoxically now finds himself, even as changes gender, the most centered of his confused, and often selfish family. Like the show's protagonist, this series defies easy categorization - heartbreak and comedy are often present in the space of the same minutes. But with one of the best casts assembled, and some of the more fascinating storylines, this is quickly becoming one of the best series ever put together on any service.

8. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW)

As a TV critic, one of the pure pleasures is coming upon a show that isn't like anything else in the medium. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fits that description. Rachel Bloom plays Rebecca, one of the most bizarre characters in all of TV, trying to pursue romance, while not acknowledging what a self-absorbed narcissist she is.  She would be as isolating a character as there is on TV, except her particular version makes everything into a musical. And all of the songs, written by her, would be delightful accomplishment for Broadway or a Mel Brooks movie. This delirious, Emmy-winning romp defines the term 'original series'. Now if we could just get more people than every TV critic to watch this charmer of a show.

7. black-ish (ABC)

This series has become brilliant at creating shows around families that are completely different from anything we see in traditional sitcoms from The Middle to Speechless. But what makes this series particularly engaging is how it manages to match timely subjects with incredible humor. "Hope", an episode that took the issue of race and crime in America and put a face on it in a way that a thousand rallies couldn't, was one of the signature achievements of this past year. Anthony Anderson has been without peer in demonstrating great talent in some of the best drama on TV. Now he goes back to his comedy roots, all the while demonstrating he hasn't forgotten anything he's learned.

6. Better Call Saul (AMC)

It's still not at the level of Breaking Bad, but with each new episode it becomes clear that it has that potential for greatness still in it. Bob Odenkirk continues to show how wise a decision it was to make a spinoff about Jimmy McGill (not quite Saul Goodman yet), but his supporting cast has gotten even better, particularly Michael McKean as his elder brother Chuck, still dealing with issues of health, but demonstrating (particularly in the finale) he is as crafty as his con-man brother. And just to remind us where we're going, the storylines with Mike bring us Easter egg after easter egg without seeming like they're superfluous. Here's hoping a certain fried chicken magnate makes his appearance in Season 3.