Greetings TV Fans! For today, I am going to be listing my top favorite television shows that aired in 2017 on cable networks. While some shows near the top of my list were no surprise for me, there were others that crept into the top 5 that I would not have predicted last year. There were also some shows that I used to enjoy a lot which fell short this past year and are in need of something earth-shattering to happen in 2018 to get them back to the top of the pack. While I haven’t gotten a chance to view all shows that aired new episodes in 2017, I did get to more than I initially anticipated. Please feel free to include some of your favorites below as well. I will be breaking the shows into 3 categories: the best of the best, honorable mentions, and shows that have lost some steam. Please note some spoilers are ahead.
The Best of the Best for television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 in no particular order are:
Game of Thrones
Fear the Walking Dead
American Horror Story: Cult
SMILF
Shameless
While Game of Thrones and Shameless are two of my all-time favorites, I was pleased with the seasons airing in 2017. Game of Thrones sped things up to the delight of fans, which I guess makes sense since they are running out of time. Either way, it was great to see Daenerys and Jon Snow finally meet face to face and discuss terms of an alliance on a war against the undead. Everything is falling into place and I am eager to see the remaining episodes in 2018. Shameless is another favorite of mine that has had me laughing out loud this season. Even though the show is on its eight season, it is proving to still have fresh material. American Horror Story: Cult bounced back from American Horror Story: Roanoke from 2016. Cult was terrifying and real at the same time, providing viewers with a dangerous view of society. Evan Peters played his best character yet in my opinion, diving into his terrifying role of Kai Anderson. Newcomer SMILF is the perfect mix of raw humor and sentimental moments, as Frankie Shaw has had a stand-out performance. The most surprising one of the bunch for me is Fear the Walking Dead. I will be honest and admit that I had been previously watching the show out of obligation. It’s the prequel to The Walking Dead and in some way I felt like I owed the show a chance, even though I wasn’t too hooked. However, this all changed for me this past season in 2017. Alicia played by the lovely and talented Alycia Debnam Carey stepped out from her shadow as Madison’s daughter and has grown into an independent and powerful survivor. Main characters with interesting story-lines were killed off to the shock of fans everywhere; including myself, proving that the show is ready to take on a life of its own. Rick and the gang should take some notes from the characters in Fear the Walking Dead who are making difficult decisions and moving on to each new obstacle without too much fluff in between.
Honorable mentions for television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 in no particular order:
Homeland
Bates Motel
Better Call Saul
Pretty Little Liars
The Strain
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
South Park
Some of these shows are favorites of mine and did enough in 2017 to earn a spot in my honorable mentions. South Park and It’s Always Sunny kept the laughs coming and Homeland and Better Call Saul did the same with the edge of your seat drama and big moments. While the shows had solid episodes, there wasn’t enough of a hook to move them into my top 5. That being said, I thoroughly enjoy watching these shows and I am looking forward to new seasons. Bates Motel, Pretty Little Liars, and The Strain ended in 2017 on a strong note. While none of the series finales were that epic in my opinion, they did a good job of bringing everything full circle and satisfying the questions fans had.
Television shows airing on cable networks for 2017 that are running out of steam in no particular order are:
The Walking Dead
Archer
I have watched all of the episodes from both shows and was somewhat disappointed overall in the seasons from 2017. While neither show was terrible enough for me to take them off my DVR line-up permanently, there was something missing. Whether it was too much fluff in between major moments or a missing connection to characters, both shows have the potential to win their fans back and provide some good content. Are they going to deliver on this, however? I am optimistic and will continue to watch both series, but am looking for something fresh and over-the-top to remind me why I loved watching in the first place. I know it’s a lot to ask for, but consistency in television entertainment is important. Let’s make it a great 2018 for shows everywhere and hope these two shows ignite a spark that will keep viewers coming back for more and more.
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post some of your favorite television shows from 2017 that aired on cable networks below. Happy viewing and the countdown to 2018 is here!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
