WGF Staff's Favorite TV Series of 2018
There was so much good TV this year that it’s truly difficult to pick one favorite show. But the Writers Guild Foundation staff managed and here are their faves.
Libbie Anderson - Director of Programs and Community Outreach
Killing Eve (BBC America)
In Libbie’s words: “Phoebe Waller-Bridge is, well, killing it (thanks for bearing with me). I was a huge fan of her previous show, Fleabag, and here she continues to deliver progressive female narratives and iconic dialogue.”
Javier Barrios - Librarian
The Terror (AMC)
In Jav’s words: “It’s an amazing example of what you can do with historical fiction”
Dustin Fleischmann - Events Coordinator
Bojack Horseman (Netflix)
In Dustin’s words: “Only this show could get away with a season that contains an emotional and uninterrupted eulogy for the show’s most complex character with a sub-plot revolving around a sex-robot-turned-media-company-CEO named Henry Fondle. Fans may have always known that Bojack would have to eventually confront himself to overcome his self-destructive behavior, but what season 5 delivers proves that we may have underestimated just how disturbing and powerful that moment would be. Bonus: this is also on Netflix, so you still don’t have an excuse not to watch my recommendations.”
Lauren O’Connor - Librarian
One Day at a Time (Netflix)
In Lauren’s words: “Each episode of this series is a life-affirming one-act play that teaches us how we can be there for each other in unexpected and unconventional ways. It's my favorite simply because, in this detached, empathy-fatigued moment in time, it makes me feel things. It makes me belly laugh through ugly tears. For that, it's the best and I can't recommend it more highly. “
Enid Portuguez - Director of Events and Communications
Kidding (Showtime)
Honorable mention: Terrace House: Opening New Doors (Netflix)
In Enid’s words: “I heard much about Kidding since it marked Jim Carrey’s return to Hollywood, but when it premiered in September, it got lost in my endless queue of shows to watch. When I finally binged all 10 episodes in December, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was beautiful, heartbreaking, absurd, and insightful in every way, from the writing and the characters to the direction and cinematography. I also had to give a shout-out to Terrace House, even though it’s not a scripted series. The Japanese reality show was my solace from the real-life horror shows playing out in the media, and it really did keep me sane in 2018.”
Hilary Swett - Archivist
Atlanta (FX)
In Hilary’s words: “The second season is always tricky and they made it even better than season one. The show went to some complicated psychological and emotional places and explored the supporting characters in ways that I’ve never seen before. And the choice to have Donald Glover’s character not appear or appear only briefly in some episodes was bold as well.”