Summer is generally known to be a television wasteland. Network channels slot all of their clunky shows for this time to burn them off with no regard to quality. However, this year, that has changed. With cable channels and streaming outlets unafraid of the term “summer television,” some of the best programs of 2015 were released this past summer. Although some juggernaut shows returned this summer to much lesser effect — looking at you “True Detective” — the summer of 2015 has been full of brilliant returning seasons and fresh new programming.
1. “BoJack Horseman” (Netflix)
This year can only be described as the year of Netflix, and the successful second season of “BoJack Horseman” shows the streaming site’s real media prowess. After a mediocre first season, “BoJack” returned with a much more serialized and intelligent second season. While the show is animated, it strays away from the more silly and playful animation tropes, and taps into a real sadness. “BoJack” is unafraid to explore its characters in ways other shows wouldn’t dare tackle. With Will Arnett and Alison Brie putting in some of the best work of their careers’, the show pays close attention to details and immensely cares for its characters. “BoJack Horseman” is ultimately a show with a huge heart.
2. “UnREAL” (Lifetime)
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the summer is that Lifetime now puts out original content worth watching. “UnREAL,” created and written by former “The Bachelor” producer, follows the manipulative production behind a bachelor-esque show called “Everlasting.” Shiri Appleby plays Rachel, a producer on “Everlasting,” and is the closest female antihero seen on television since Walter White from “Breaking Bad.”
3. “Mr. Robot” (USA)
After years of putting out procedural crime shows, USA Network has finally found something different. “Mr. Robot” follows Elliot (Rami Malek) as a depressed security engineer thrust into the world of corporate corruption and a group of resistance known as the “fsociety.” “Mr. Robot” is beautiful, while maintaining an intense psychological thread throughout. The show embraces the horrors of modern technology and is ultimately a show with clear intelligence and an insanely well-plotted story.
4. “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
“Orange is the New Black” continues its acclaimed streak with the drop of its third season. The show continues to branch out and away from the original character Piper, giving more flashbacks to different characters which creates a richer prison world. The third season takes on a lighter tone compared to last season and continues to be one of the best ensemble dramedies out there.
5. “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp” (Netflix)
In 2001, “Wet Hot American Summer” was released to poor reviews, despite starring Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd and many more playing camp counselors. Fourteen years later, Netflix has revived the cult-favorite film with an eight-part prequel series, reassembling the entire original cast to play the same characters they portrayed back in 2001. Like the film, “First Day of Camp” is very silly and extremely weird, but it provides more laughs than anything else on television.
6. “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
“The Daily Show” isn’t exactly a summer show, but on the Aug. 6 episode, the unthinkable happened: Jon Stewart stepped down as host. During his sixteen year tenure as host and executive producer, Stewart turned what was a mediocre late night show into a beloved politically-focused satire news program. With “Daily Show” contributor Trevor Noah announced as the replacement, this South African stand-up comedian has a lot of live up to.
7. “Show Me a Hero” (HBO)
Based on real events in Yonkers, New York during the late 80s, this HBO six-part miniseries follows Mayor Nick Wasicsko after a court ordered his town to be further racially integrated. Oscar Isaac continues his breakout year playing Mayor Wasicsko, bringing a quiet pain to the role. Created by the same team behind “The Wire,” the show tackles the relevant issue of race and the fear that follows.
9. “Sense8" (Netflix)
Filmed in nine cities across the world spanning from Nairobi, Kenya to Seoul, South Korea, the scale of Sense8 is immense. The show centers on eight distinct characters who become connected and begin to experience each other’s lives after being reborn as “sensates.” The mythology of the show unravels at an often annoyingly-slow pace, but by the end of the first season “Sense8” becomes the epic drama it promised to be.
9. “Difficult People” (Hulu)
Hulu has been trying for years to tap into the success of Netflix’s original programming but they haven’t had the best of luck — until now. Created by Julie Klausner and starring herself and Billy Eichner, the show follows two struggling comedians in NYC. It doesn’t always hit every beat, but by bashing celebrities and focusing on, as the title suggests, terrible awful characters, the show shines.
10. “Humans” (AMC)
“Humans,” produced by both AMC and Britain’s Channel 4, depicts London in a parallel universe where human-like robots known as “synths” are prevalent in society and owned by families and companies for everyday tasks. “Humans” doesn’t exactly break new ground, but with the help of breakout star Gemma Chan and the emotional core of a family, “Humans” is a fun watch.
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