Top 3 Underrated Television Series

Probably not unlike most of the other participants competing in this article competition, I became immediately overwhelmed with joy, and excitement, upon initially hearing about it. After all, I thoroughly enjoy film and television on an almost chronic level. This is kind of my dream. So why wouldn’t I?

However, after I awoke from my whimsical, proverbial, dream state — feeling somewhat refreshed and content with my standing in reality — I only soon, thereafter, realized that I actually might in fact just be in a double-dream, wake-up-twice, nightmare. My once feelings of euphoria, and elation, immediately soured to that of panic, stress, and anxiety.

Top ONLY 3 shows?! How the hell am I supposed to comprise, and jam, a young 31yo’s lifetime’s worth of Netflix and Chill sessions, procrastination-watching throughout college and work, solo dolo sick day watching, and veg-out weekend marathons with my younger brother (childhood-adulthood), all into a single well-written, cohesively-formed, [some might call] master work, of a top 3-show format summary? And that’s not even mentioning the Covid 15 I gained during the last month alone....yes, if you were thinking the aforementioned number 15 was in reference to new television series gained, less lbs, you thought correctly.

And although I may just, more importantly, need to schedule a serious talk with my therapist about my next round of anti-depressants, and/or OCD medication, one clearcut conclusion throughout all of the panic-induced confusion rang universally true...there are TOO. MANY. SHOWS...I mean, what exactly does the term ‘overrated’ even constitute under the subjective context and guise of this competition?

Overrated as in of only the upper echelon (quality-wise) of shows overall? Overrated as in maybe less quality content that just, period — and from an objective standpoint — is MOST underrated?

As I digress, and having since read further into the contest criteria description than I admittedly did, upon starting this essay, along with the guidance of that one, final-freakout-led, statement, somehow I believe I was able to find my [not in any particular order] top 3 most underrated television series.

1. Comedy Bang Bang

It would probably come to no surprise to me if you’ve never heard of Comedy Bang Bang before. It’s a relatively small comedy sketch/variety series, on the relatively overlooked cable television network, IFC.

But if you have, you would likely understand when I say that OMG it is a gem. Along with creator, producer, and host, Scott Aukerman (writer of numerous comedy movies, tv shows, and award shows; and, frankly, one of the most unsung heroes in all of comedy), fellow producer, and musical legend, Reggie Watts head this hilarious ‘late night talk show’.

If you’re a fan of series like “Between Two Ferns” and “Brooklyn Nine Nine” (both also co-written by Aukerman), you are in for a sincere treat. In terms of humor it’s definitely of the more quirky/irreverent variety. But with A-list celebrity guests, and cameos, every episode, along with some of the funniest improv scenes you’ll find anywhere, this is one of my all time favorites hands down.

Maybe never in the history of any series, that joked about themselves deserving to win an Emmy, has deserved to win an Emmy more than CBB.

You can stream all 5 epic seasons on Netflix now.

2. House Of Lies

Initially, I was hesitant to add TWO comedies on my top 3. I thought that it might diminish some of the integrity of the list, based on the VAST spectrum from which I had to select from (at least as far as available shows out there go), but in the end there was only one answer for me: I absolutely had to.

On principle alone, I felt comfortable adding House Of Lies. If not for the fact that, bar none, Don Cheadle IMO is the most underrated actor in all of Hollywood, the show itself is GENUINELY good. Not even only does it offer some of the most CLASSIC comedic lines, and scenes, throughout the seasons, but it touches on extremely important issues of race, sexuality/gender, and relationships.

It IS a comedy, but it’s also so much more. Kind of funny reading that out loud considering it follows a group, or “Pod”, of cut-throat management consultants that attempt to climb their way up the ladder to riches, and beyond, using any means necessary in some cases. But it’s, nonetheless, very much still true to say.

Featuring the likes of greats such as Kristen Bell, and Ben Schwartz, in their absolute primes doesn’t hurt the show one bit either. It’s just a well-done series. Like many other SHOWTIME series, this one I felt never received it’s due credit. A few Emmy noms throughout the years in respective categories, but never achieved the win, nor notoriety, deserved. Irreverent, and WILD, as it can be, to me this is a must-watch.

Stream all 5 seasons through SHOWTIME!

3. The Knick

And finally — last but certainly not least — The Knick. Before it was said and done, I wanted to be sure to include, in some capacity, a somewhat highly acclaimed drama series on this list.

I thought to myself, “Maybe the absolute masterpiece, Mr. Robot? Maybe one of true epics of my generation that was season 1 of the HBO series True Detective? Heck, maybe even throw in a Boardwalk Empire.” But then I realized all of those shows — although all appropriately amazing — were actually pretty widespread popular, if not amongst their respective cult fan following groups.

Then I thought about the pretty much long-forgotten, to me, series on Cinemax, The Knick. I was almost mad at myself for almost forgetting, because after re-jogging my memory a bit, I remembered how outstanding and exceptional it was.

I’ll put it like this. When asked to pick a favorite out of your 3 kids, do you pick one? No...well maybe, but usually it’s in secret, and only told to the one kid. Well, I’ll tell you now. If I had to whisper in the ear of one of my 3 babies, here, I’ve got to say, it’d likely be in the Knick’s.

Hearing that it was directed and produced by Steven Soderbergh alone may be enough to sell someone on it, but between the historical context derived, the action, the iconic Soderbergh camera angles implemented, and references to race relations and theology depicted, this show was absolutely amazing.

Following the stories of the medical staff at the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York at the turn of the 20th century, Dr. Thack, portrayed by Clive Owen, along with an ALL-STAR cast including André Holland and Jeremy Bobb, showcases some of the truly groundbreaking innovations that would lead to medical breakthroughs in years to come.

It’s almost hard to even call this an underrated show, just based on the overall acclaim I believe at the time (2014-2015) it received. I think I’m mainly choosing to include this because a lot of people have either forgotten about it, or never knew about it to begin with. As well as for the fact that it sadly ended before it was meant to.

Unfortunately, Soderbergh and the studio were believed to have creative differences that led to the cancellation of the series after 2 short seasons. I held out a LOT of hope for the next couple years thinking that they may get it together and come out with a third season, but ultimately it was understood that the likely cause was due to Soderbergh wanting to shoot the 3rd season from an anamorphic black and white perspective.

Regardless, do yourself a favor and stream seasons 1 & 2 on Cinemax ASAP (last episode is a doozy).

Notable Underrated Mentions (because, let’s be real, 3 is still too tough):

Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Comedy Central)

Attack On Titan (Adult Swim, Crunchyroll)

Top Boy (Netflix)

Better Call Saul (AMC)

Atlanta (FX)

Love (Netflix)

Crashing (HBO)

Documentary Now (IFC)

Bloodline (Netflix)

Travelers (Netflix)

Mindhunter (Netflix)

Desus & Mero (SHOWTIME)

In closing, I’ll just say that even though every series mentioned here in this article is a winner in my book, I think that we can all acknowledge that there’s one undeniable drama that none of these listed series even comes CLOSE to in anticipation of its finale/conclusion...and that is to say, the series that has been the year 2020...

To all reading, thank you and when you get a chance please go check out all of these grossly underrated series above. But above all else, please stay safe. With the help of entertainment like these shows, and with the help that coming together as a collective group of PEOPLE will yield, we will get through this pandemic, and we will get these times of division in our country. Cheers. ‘Til next time.

Article by Mike Batson