If 2021 taught us anything, it was that today’s television landscape is different than it used to be. Many years ago, if you wanted to watch TV, you’d have to physically sit in front of a large box in your living room. The box had a little button (or switch) you’d press in order to turn it on and off. And then you’d have a choice of no more than three or four channels to observe (or watch). And this was all considered totally normal. If you don’t believe me, you can simply ask your grandparents if this is true! Their answer may surprise you! (And this, friends, is how we know that our grandparents are wise.)

Fortunately, these days are not the days that your grandparents remember from their youth. These days, television has grown up. From prestige cable dramas to locally produced news shows, from laugh-out-loud comedies to somber murder mysteries, in 2021 television pulled out at all the stops and took no prisoners. We were blessed to have more TV options at our fingertips than perhaps ever before, and sup we did upon the abundant feast laid out before us!

Here are the TOP TEN TV SHOWS OF 2021:

10. Dark mystery TV shows: “Don’t go in the woods … a murder happened there …”

9. Enjoyable TV shows

8. Controversial TV shows that provoked discussion across all social-media platforms for the benefit of all

7. TV shows about cars and trucks

6. Cooking contest TV shows

5. “Hennnry!” “Yes, dear?” “It’s time to watch our favorite show!” “I shall fetch the popcorn thus, m’lady” “Yum”

4. (TIE): When we watched superhero TV shows in 2021 / Popular and funny shows on TV

3. Quite energetic TV shows, frankly

2. Tremendous TV shows that can only be described as excellent

1. Pretty good TV shows of the highest possible quality