The 11 Best TV Shows Of January 2020

Welcome to the first and last episode of Josh Sorokach Talks To You About Joe Pera Talks To You. The gentle comedian’s refreshingly sincere Adult Swim series is not only uniquely funny, but it’s also genuinely uplifting. Throughout Season 2, Pera has explored seemingly mundane topics like beans, hiking, piano lessons, and grocery shopping with an earnest originality. Each episode is worth watching, but the ninth episode of the season, “Joe Pera Has a Surprise For You,” is the most riveting ten minutes of television I’ve seen all year. — Josh Sorokach

Where to watch Joe Pera Talks With You

Once you start watching Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez, you won’t be able to stop. Netflix’s three-part docuseries takes an in-depth look at the life and career of Aaron Hernandez, a former New England Patriots star who was convicted of murder in 2015. Two years later, Hernandez committed suicide in prison, leaving sports fans with lingering questions about the NFL player. Through interviews with family members, friends, coaches, and journalists, the utterly engrossing Killer Inside attempts to answer those questions while raising new ones of its own. — Claire Spellberg

Stream Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez on Netflix

Jane Austen has never been as bold, sexy, or progressive as she is in PBS’s juicy new series, Sanditon. Based on the author’s final unfinished manuscript and co-starring Austen’s first black heroine, the Masterpiece on PBS presentation follows Charlotte Heywood (Rose Williams) as she gets swept up in the seedy underbelly of a seaside resort. Downton Abbey alum Theo James plays Sidney Parker, a brooding gentleman who has a habit of getting under Charlotte’s skin. Though Sanditon features a lot of the hallmarks of classic Austen, writer Andrew Davies pushes the drama further than ever before. That means we get frank conversations about sex, brutal depictions of racism, and a meditation on classism. It’s Austen unplugged, and it’s addictive, frothy, and a whole lot of fun. — Meghan O’Keefe

Where to watch Sanditon

I genuinely cannot wait to watch the next new episode of Freeform’s ebullient new comedy Everything’s Gonna Be Okay. Created by and starring Josh Thomas, the series follows Thomas’ character Nicholas, a neurotic twenty-something who gains custody of his two half-sisters after their father’s untimely death.The poignant sitcom zigs when lesser shows would zag, brandishing a self-assured charisma and truly unique sense of humor. The crisp jokes and tremendous acting combine to make this delightful coming-of-age comedy a true must-see series. — Josh Sorokach

Where to watch Everything's Gonna Be Okay

It’s rare that a series takes the time to show every messy step from helplessness, to empowerment. Yet that’s exactly what Lindy West’s Hulu comedy has done. In its second season, Shrill’s Annie (Aidy Bryant) is still a bit of a trainwreck. She’s still a bit too selfish, too whiny, too impulsive, and far too misguided. But that’s always been the point. Truly becoming a better person is hard, difficult work. It remains deeply rewarding to watch Annie putting in her time to get there. — Kayla Cobb

Stream Shrill on Hulu

Inasmuch as the first two parts of Netflix’s Archie Comics adaptation Chilling Adventures of Sabrina can be considered to be “showing restraint,” most of that went out the window for the deliciously insane eight episode long Part 3 that dropped this month. Multiple musical numbers, gross out monsters, an apocalyptic ending, a bureaucratic Hell, a sexy clay man, a visit to Riverdale, and so much more packed each hour. Yet unlike many Netflix dramas that feel padded out for time, Sabrina is so delightful from moment to moment, it never feels over or understuffed. And given the teases for what’s coming in the yet unscheduled Part 4, we’re in for another treat when the show returns. Bring it on. — Alex Zalben

Stream Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix

It’s official; the horse is dead. But it’s been a fun ride. Over the past six seasons Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s animated Netflix comedy has emerged as one of the most earnest, introspective, and fearless shows on television. Whether it was breaking its very format to demonstrate depression and Alzheimer’s or employing another running joke from the same terrible sign company, BoJack was never afraid to push the limits of what animation and comedy could be. Years from now we will look back on this series as a game changer. But for now, let’s settle in and enjoy its honest, vulnerable conclusion. — Kayla Cobb

Stream BoJack Horseman on Netflix

Leave it to The New Pope to return with a new season that is as gorgeous and bonkers and provocative as ever. Sadly, The Young Pope aka The Hot Pope, played by Jude Law, remains in a coma for most of the season. But have no fear because John Malkovich is here! The actor was the perfect choice to step up to the pope plate, pulling off meta jokes and eyeliner while keeping the HBO series as brilliant and as weird as we like it to be. — Lea Palmieri

Watch The New Pope on HBO Go and HBO Now

The world is simply a better place when new episodes of Schitt’s Creek exist. And in its sixth and final season, the Pop TV series has already given us David (Dan Levy) as a bridezilla — with a whole lot more of that to come as we approach his wedding to Patrick (Noah Reid). The show is as funny and charming and delightful as ever and giving viewers a whole lot to savor before it’s gone. — Lea Palmieri

Where to watch Schitt's Creek

Were you even alive in January 2020 if you didn’t watch The Circle on Netflix? This reality TV import from the UK captured our attention right when we needed to escape. Who knew that watching a bunch of randos shout at TV screens could be so hilarious (“Rebecca” talking about “her” cramps), so sweet (Joey and Shubham’s bromance), so shocking (Alex’s pants!), and so empowering (Sean picture reveal). The Circle did exactly what we all wish reality would do; it went from a dystopian nightmare and turned into a heartwarming depiction of genuine friendship. The show catfished us, and we’re fine with that. — Brett White

Stream The Circle on Netflix

At first glance, Cheer is nothing more than a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s best cheerleading squads. We hear jokes about pom-poms, see hair get teased, and bear witness to a whole lot of pep. However, Cheer goes deeper than that. Produced by the same team who brought us Netflix’s Last Chance U, Cheer gets up close and personal with five special cheerleaders on the Navarro College Cheer squad. Over the course of the season, we begin to learn more about how trauma, grief, and ambition have shaped these kids into the fighters they are today. Cheer is a sobering look at an underappreciated sport, as well as searing portrait of five youths in a time of tumultuous transition. — Meghan O’Keefe

Stream Cheer on Netflix