Glambergirlblog’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2023

It’s that time of year when we reflect on how we’ve spent the last 12 months, but if you’re into pop culture like me then you look back on all the awesome content you consumed. This year was a bit different due to the writer’s and actor’s strikes. From July 14 to November 9, 2023 Hollywood’s actors went on strike and from May 2 to September 27, 2023 Hollywood’s writers went on strike halting any productions from continuing, starting, and some stopped mid-season. Actors could also not promote any projects that were being released and some even got pushed because of it. It was an unnerving time in Hollywood that was fought through with resilience.

Last year I posted my first TV series round-up with Glambergirlblog’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2022. I want to keep this tradition alive so I’m breaking down my top shows of 2023. Looking back I’ve consumed a lot of TV watching hours and it was hard to narrow down a list of 10 shows that I enjoyed the most, but here it is. Later this week, on Sunday, December 24, be sure to come back to Glambergirlblog.com to check out my Top 10 Films of 2023.

Glambergirlblog’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2023

10. Beef (Netflix)
Steven Yeun and Ali Wong were the leads in the Netflix dark comedy that premiered in April. In Beef, a road rage incident between failing contractor Danny Cho (Yeun) and unfulfilled entrepreneur Amy Lau (Wong) “sparks a feud that brings out their darkest impulses” and spirals into resentment and revenge in the 10-episode series. The show earned 13 Emmy nominations and 3 Golden Globes nominations including Best Performance by a Male Actor and Female Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television for Yeun and Wong. I found the performances in this show captivating, especially for Yeun. It was also an interesting insight into the daily challenges that lead to road rage incidents because I always feel there’s something deeper going on when stuff like that happens.

9. Hijack (Apple TV+)
In Hijack Idris Elba stars as accomplished negotiator Sam Nelson in the 7-episode thriller. While on a flight from Dubai to London the plane gets hijacked by assailants with an agenda that is revealed throughout the show. Hijack started off slow to the point that I didn’t know if I would finish, but by the second episode, I was compelled enough to see how this plot would end. No standout performances but this show made my list simply for how on edge I was. Each episode left on a cliffhanger that made me want to keep watching. Once it had my attention it kept my attention.

8. Bupkis (Peacock)
Pete Davidson‘s Peacock series Bupkis was a show I had no idea I would end up liking so much despite the show being met with harsh reviews. In the show, which closely resembles Davidson’s real life, the former SNL cast member stars as a version of himself navigating fame with an almost crippling drug addiction. Much of Pete’s fame has been tied to his very public romantic relationships and the show uses all those tabloid headlines to the plot’s advantage. I thought the show had very endearing subplots and I had some good laughs throughout.

7. The Crowded Room (Apple TV+)
Tom Holland attempted to shed his Marvel Spider-Man persona in the drama The Crowded Room. The show centered on a troubled young man on trial following a shooting incident in Manhattan during the summer of 1979. I love Tom Holland. I think he’s one of the most charismatic talents in Hollywood right now and I’m rooting for him to have a long and dynamic career in the industry. Although the plot in The Crowded Room was lackluster at times I think Tom did an adequate job tackling a character who struggled with dissociative identity disorder and I like seeing him in a more mature role. Time to do something else outside of Marvel.

6. Only Murders in the Building season 3 (Hulu)
Hulu’s Emmy-winning series Only Murders in the Building remains a fresh and fun series three seasons in despite murders keep happening in that damn building. The third season took viewers inside Oliver Putnam’s (Martin Short) Broadway musical Death Razzle Dazzle. The show’s lead Ben Glenroy (played by season 3 guest star Paul Rudd) ends up dead and everyone is a suspect including the cast and crew. The dynamics between Short, Selena Gomez, and Steve Martin remain the heart of the show. Meryl Streep guest starring elevated the show in the best way and I’ve had her performance of “Look for the Light” with Ashley Park stuck in my head since I heard it. It’s truly a beautiful song that made me want Oliver’s Broadway musical for real.

5. Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix)
This may seem like a questionable choice but I realized something about myself when watching Squid Game: The Challenge. I don’t watch reality TV, but I’ll get into a competition series if there’s strategy, backstabbing, and twists involved. The reality competition followed the idea of Netflix’s scripted drama Squid Game but didn’t actually eliminate people by killing them. The first season, a second was announced, featuring some of the most entertaining people to watch on TV whether the moments were orchestrated or not. I was SO invested the moment the games started going. Although the finale episode didn’t compare to the journey we were on as viewers watching the previous episodes this show still made my list for how engaging it was to watch with my close circle and social media.

4. Schmigadoon! season 2 (Apple TV+)
The gem of Apple TV+ has to be Schmigadoon!. Keegan-Michael Key and Cecily Strong star as Josh and Melissa in the Cinco Paul co-created series, who also does the stunning music for the show. In Scmigadoon! the couple stumbles upon a town where life is a musical every day. Both seasons follow different styles of musicals and I think I like the music of season 2 better. Season 2 followed a sexier plot line, featured more Dove Cameron, and the addition of Tituss Burgess was a perfect choice.

3. Poker Face (Peacock)
Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in the Peacock series Poker Face is a performance must-see matched with a stellar ensemble cast. Lyonne’s character has the skill of knowing when someone is lying and uses it to unintentionally solve bizarre cases while traveling cross country to escape some dangerous men. What I really enjoyed about this show was the different cases that we got to see unfold. The killer and victim were no secret. We knew it at the start of each episode, but watching the details unfold and how Charlie was involved is what made this show work so well.

2. From season 2 (MGM+)
Readers of my site know I love horror and From is the best horror series in recent years. The show follows people trapped in a town with terrifying creatures roaming the area at night. The second season brought a bus loaded with new people who became trapped in the town. The monsters were scarier. The tension was higher. And the cliffhanger left me gagging. This is how you do not only good TV but horror TV.

1. Jury Duty (Freevee)
Earning the top spot of my top 10 TV show list of 2023 is Jury Duty. While scrolling through Prime Video one day I noticed Jury Duty being promoted at the top of the home page. I’m a simple girl. I see James Marsden and I click. The majority of us have had jury duty before so watching this show play out was hilarious. I had some of the biggest laughs of the year watching James playing an exaggerated version of himself and I can’t think of a show I genuinely enjoyed watching more this year.

Which TV shows stood out to you the most in 2023? Did any of my choices make your list? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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