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The Best TV Shows Of 2023, Plus Others To Watch Over The Holiday Weekend
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The cast from season 5 of FX's Fargo.
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Each week on AirTalk, LAist 89.3's daily news show, we're joined by television critics who help parse through the biggest releases and tell us what's worth a binge.
On this week's show, Vulture's Jen Chaney and Entertainment Weekly's Kristen Baldwin joined us to discuss their weekly picks and share their top shows of 2023.
Listen to the full conversation
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TV-Talk: Dr. Death, Big Brother: Reindeer Games And More, Plus Your Fave Show Of 2023
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Dr. Death [Season 2]
Another season, another deceptive doctor. Based on the true-crime podcast series of the same name, the new season of the anthology series follows the real-life story of Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, played by Edgar Ramirez.
"When the season focuses on the medical aspects and the doctor's obscene violation of his patient's trust, it's very captivating, but the other half just doesn't work." -Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly
Overall take: Eh. The show is interwoven with a confusing romantic plot, and Baldwin says the lead love interest, played by Mandy Moore, is miscast. That being said, Baldwin loved the first season.
When and where: All eight episodes are streaming on Peacock.
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Fargo [Season 5]
Yet another anthology series with notes of mystery and deception. Season 5 follows a housewife (Juno Temple) whose current life and hidden past begin to collide. The notable cast includes Jon Hamm, Joe Keery, Jennifer Jason Leigh, David Rysdahl and Lamorne Morris.
"I had not seen the whole thing when I wrote my list of Top 10 TV shows of the year. If I had, there's a really good chance it would have been on the list." - Jen Chaney, Vulture
Overall take: Perhaps the darkest role you've seen Jon Hamm play, Chaney said. And it's terrific. You will clutch your chest in the best possible way.
When and where: Episode 7 releases Dec. 26 on FX, and on Hulu the next day; there are 10 episodes total.
Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning
On Oct. 23, 1989, a white man called the police claiming he and his pregnant wife were shot by a Black man. A murder investigation, racial tensions and a media firestorm all ensue as told in this limited doc series.
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" [It] focuses on the people who were traumatized by the police's decision to raid neighborhoods first and ask questions later and includes a history of Boston's turbulent race relations." -Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly
Overall take: A difficult watch, but it sheds light on a fascinating case that still echoes in these communities decades later.
When and where: All three episodes are available on Max.
Big Brother: Reindeer Games
Nine Big Brother contestants compete in various holiday-themed games. Only one winner remains and walks away with $100,000.
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"The contestants are all veterans, so they know exactly what to do. We get to skip all the boring get to know you stuff from a typical Big Brother season. They just jump straight into strategizing, scheming, backstabbing." - Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly
Overall take: A Christmas miracle, according to Baldwin, who's a resident Big Brother fanatic. If you like the show, this is the perfect holiday watch for you.
When and where: Episodes are available on Paramount+.
The best shows of 2023 (according to Jen & Kristen)
- Succession
"I'm lying to myself if I say anything else. I was probably most obsessed with that show more than anything else I watched. I rewatched the episodes repeatedly." - Jen Chaney, Vulture
No surprise here. "Succession" topped both Kristen and Jen's list this year. There's just no fighting it. Stream it in all its glory on Max.
- Bargain
"It's incredibly funny, even though it's about people being trapped in an earthquake after being trapped in an organ harvesting ring." -Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly
- Looking for a banger show that flew under the radar? Baldwin calls this Korean survival thriller a gem and a laugh riot. You can find it on Paramount+.
- Reservation Dogs
"It's just so imaginative and clever and funny, but also really really moving." -Jen Chaney, Vulture
A lot of people are aware of this one but still haven't seen it. This show landed on Chaney's list at number three. Wait no more. Run, don't walk. Stream it on Hulu.
Read Jen Chaney's Top 10 list here.
Read Kristen Baldwin's Top 10 list here.
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