Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Towards the end of May last year, HBO Max debuted to mixed results. Due to a confusing nomenclature, and a lack of content beyond their control (you know: COVID), and other factors, the fledging streaming service stumbled when it should have come out swinging, to mix a metaphor.
Cut to a year later, and the top two shows on our list of best TV shows of May, 2021 come from HBO and/or HBO Max. In fact, one could argue that thanks to the streaming platform, the usually pristine HBO rep for pumping out buzzy, talked about mysteries has only gotten bigger. Yes, we’re talking about Mare of Easttown, the engrossing thriller that has kept viewers guessing for weeks.
But Mare is out number two show on the list, and the number one show — from HBO Max proper — may point to the secret ingredient: both series star Jean Smart. Our top show is entirely different from Mare, and showcases an entirely different Jean Smart, as an aging comedian who may need to challenge herself again, thanks to a young comic played by Hannah Einbinder. That show is Hacks, and it easily took the top spot on the list.
Don’t worry, there are plenty of other great shows on there that have nothing to do with HBO, in case you aren’t a subscriber. From a Peacock comedy to a Netflix fashion biopic, it’s all there. But first, a bit on methodology. The staff of Decider all sent in their top five shows of the month. From there, they were weighted, culled together, whittled down and formed into the list you see below.
Looking to catch up on 2020? The best of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November are here, as well as our Best of the Year. You can also start fresh with January, 2021, February, 2021, March, 2021 or April, 2021. That all said, let’s get to May! Though I guess we already ruined what’s at numbers one and two.
'Shrill'
Hulu
Shrill has been getting sharper and wittier with every season, so it’s no surprise the third and final batch of episodes was its very best. Aidy Bryant’s comedy came to a bittersweet end on Hulu this month, somehow pulling off the feat of a satisfying finale despite Annie (Bryant) and Fran’s (Lolly Adefope) undetermined futures. Since Season 1, Shrill has been a refreshing and important comedy that tackled everything from consumer feminism to sex tapes, but it wasn’t until Season 3 that we got a true, deeper look at the characters at the heart of the show. While it’s sad to say goodbye, Shrill couldn’t have cooked up a better finale. — Greta Bjornson
'Fear the Walking Dead'
AMC
Fear the Walking Dead was already on a roll with what is arguably the best season of the series, ever, but the episodes broadcast in May amped things up to another level entirely. Chalk that up at least in part to the introduction of a long-teased nihilistic cult, run by John Glover’s maniacal, serial killing Teddy, as Glover brings a crackling energy to every role he portrays. But May also saw a heartbreaking, dreamlike episode focusing on Grace (Karen David), the introduction of Western legend Keith Carradine as John Dorie, Sr., and after far too long, an episode focusing on Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey). With two episodes left next month, fingers crossed Fear sticks the landing on Season 6. But with what we’ve seen so far? There’s no need to be afraid. — Alex Zalben
'Halston'
Netflix
Halston’s arrival on Netflix continued Ryan Murphy’s winning streak and put the fashion designer’s iconic name on everyone’s lips, one more time. This stylish mini-series let Ewan McGregor cut loose as the most indulgent style provocateur of the decade, with all the necessary sex, drugs, and disco. But Halston was more introspective than excessive and, over the course of five episodes, humanized the designer, deconstructing the walls he erected, examining every brick along the way. This series introduced audiences to the man who made the myth. It also gave us Vera Farmiga taking a big ol’ whiff off a jockstrap. Ryan Murphy gives us range. — Brett White
'Top Chef'
Bravo
Top Chef has long been one of the most beloved food competition shows on TV, but the latest season might be the most charming one yet. Filmed in a production bubble during the 2020 pandemic, Top Chef: Portland is stacked with talented (out-of-work) chefs who all just seem so happy to be out of the house and cooking. That overwhelmingly vibe of goodwill has given the cooking competition the same kind of feel-good energy of another popular series that managed to film last year: The Great British Baking Show. Bravo’s flagship food series proved that going nice doesn’t kill the drama. In fact, every elimination on the show has just been all the more devastating this time around. Top Chef: Portland is freaking great comfort food viewing. — Meghan O’Keefe
'RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under'
Another month, another new Drag Race series. This is the third season premiere of 2021 (and two more are on the way!)—this should feel repetitive by now. It doesn’t, because RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under continued to prove that nothing is repetitive when it comes to drag. This spinoff highlights the high camp and avant-garde drag of Australia and New Zealand, embodied by bogan beauty Art Simone, the eerie effervescence of Antia Wigl’it, and the ’80s 9 to 5 clownery of Karen from Finance. The format remains the same, but the queens always keep you guessing. — Brett White
'Girls5eva'
Peacock
Try to watch one episode of Meredith Scardino and Tina Fey’s comedy without singing along. You can’t; it’s an impossible task. Girls5eva revolves around a girl group that was big in the ’90s but has since faded into obscurity. Now that its members are in their forties, these women-not-girls want to give stardom another chance. Set against Fey’s cartoonish world, this story of sisterhood and chasing your dreams is the perfect balance of sincerely sweet and brutally honest. Start watching to see Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Phillips, and Paula Pell belt their hearts out, but stay for “New York Lonely Boy.” — Kayla Cobb
'Cruel Summer'
Secure your scrunchie, queue up some Nirvana, and find that flannel, because the early ’90s is the nascent star of this creepy, time hopping, mystery on Freeform. The concept drama follows two teen girls over a series of days—but each episode jumps from 1993, 1994 and 1995. Though it may seem complicated, the construct holds up well as we watch as shy dork Jeanette uses the disappearance of queen Bee Kate to transform into the popular Heather figure she secretly always wanted to be. When Kate reappears a year later and accuses Jeanette, who has stolen her throne, of playing a part in her horrible ordeal, things get ugly. A mesmerizing story which twists and turns through characters and time, Cruel Summer is a dark, flat out fun watch—and you’re not going to want it to end. — Tobey Grumet
'Mythic Quest'
Apple TV+
Most workplace comedies forget about the workplace. Never this one. Rob McElhenney, Megan Ganz, and Charlie Day’s Apple TV+ original is sharper, funnier, and more ridiculous in its second season. But between its liberal use of #YumYum and purses full of candy, what makes this comedy stand apart is its authenticity. Once again, Mythic Quest has captured some of the most difficult and convoluted questions about the office that society often ignores. How do you actually step into power once you have it? How do you give it up? And once you finally have a seat at the table, how do you reckon with the truth that you may not have anything to say? If Ted Lasso is a light-hearted guide on leadership, Apple’s other powerhouse is a searing examination of the career insecurities that keep us up at night. — Kayla Cobb
'Mare of Easttown'
HBO
Mare of Easttown is hands down one of the most crackling murder mysteries on TV in years. The series follows Kate Winslet’s Mare Sheehan, a Delco detective juggling murder investigations, grief, and a hell of a lot of family drama. What HBO’s Mare did so well was nail the specificity of a little-seen pocket of American life. The characters felt real and so the twists and turns of the murder mystery hit audiences so much harder. (We’ll never be over the end of Episode 5, HBO!) Mare of Easttown was pulpy, addictive, shocking fun, complete with a brilliant scene-stealing turn from none other than the great Jean Smart. (Spring 2021 was Jean Smart Season, y’all.) — Meghan O’Keefe
'Hacks'
HBO Max
Hacks is the rare series that actually exceeds the hype. Created by Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky, the HBO Max comedy explores the unique mentorship between a legendary Las Vegas comedian (Jean Smart) and a recently-canceled 25-year-old writer (Hannah Einbinder). The series is just so much damn fun. The comedy is a unique mix of brilliant observational humor and relatable, everyday hilarity, Smart and Einbinder share a sparkling comedic chemistry, and the supporting characters add limitless laughs. We love it, and we guarantee that you’ll love it too. — Josh Sorokach
