Happy Tuesday, all. This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic from the ladies at The Broke and the Bookish was a freebie, so I decided to switch it up a bit and talk about something else I like other than books…tv shows! While I was originally going to list my favorite shows, I decided to only share my favorites from last year as my all-time favorites would need a longer list…much longer. I am, after all, a tv junkie. Plus, 2014 was such a great year for tv. So great in fact that I had a pretty hard time narrowing it down to ten. Hope you enjoy my top picks and I’d love to see your picks as well in the comment section below!
Top Ten Favorite TV Show Debuts of 2014
hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
1. Chicago P.D. (NBC)
“Follows District 21 of the Chicago Police Department, which is made up of two distinctly different groups: the uniformed cops and the Intelligence Unit.” -IMDB
This was probably my most anticipated new show of the year, with good reason. I am a HUGE fan of Chicago Fire (Dawsey!!), Sophia Bush is one of my favorite actresses, and I love shows set in Chicago because it’s where I live. It only took the first episode for me to get hooked and I’ve been watching it weekly ever since!
2. The 100 (The CW)
“Set 97 years after a nuclear war has destroyed civilization, when a spaceship housing humanity’s lone survivors sends 100 juvenile delinquents back to Earth in hopes of possibly re-populating the planet.” -IMDB
I was pretty wary of this show, because I usually don’t love The CW–with the exception of Arrow. Too dramatic and teeny bopper-ish. While this is pretty dramatic (not gonna lie), I was totally surprised to find that this show was not only seriously entertaining but also different. Hands down one of my favorites. Plus, I kinda heart Bellamy.
3. Jane the Virgin (The CW)
“A young, devout woman discovers that she was accidentally artificially inseminated.” -IMDB
I know this show sounds a bit strange, but it’s actually hilarious, cute, and fresh. Gina Rodriguez is a talent and the rest of the cast is perfect as well. Set like a telenovela, this show will make you laugh, cry, and sometimes simply shake your head from all the craziness. It’s great.
4. The Flash (The CW)
“Barry Allen wakes up 9 months after he was struck by lightning and discovers that the bolt gave him the power of super speed. With his new team and powers, Barry becomes “The Flash” and fights crime in Central City.” -IMDb
Like I mentioned above, I’m an Arrow fan. So this spin-off series simply couldn’t be missed. Unlike the much darker Arrow, this series is light and just plain fun…something I really appreciate. I love that I can watch this show with my little sister. We ship Barry + Caitlin.
5. Madam Secretary (CBS)
“A look at the personal and professional life of a Secretary of State as she tries to balance her work and family life.” -IMDB
If you like shows like The Good Wife or Scandal with strong female leads and a dash of politics, you will love Madam Secretary. Téa Leoni is spectacular as the Secretary of State and her on-screen husband Tim Daly is also amazing. Fun fact–they’re dating in real life. Super cute, right?! But back to the show, every week it just keeps getting better and better. Hopefully they don’t prematurely cancel this show like all the others I love! *fingers crossed*
6. About a Boy (NBC)
“Based on the best-selling Nick Hornby novel comes the series About a Boy, a different kind of coming-of-age story.” -NBC
This show = adorable. I mean, it’s literally the cutest show on tv. It never fails to make me laugh, which is why I tune in every Tuesday. C’mon, just look at the cuteness happening in that picture.
7. When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel)
“Elizabeth Thatcher, a young school teacher from a wealthy Eastern family, migrates from the big city to teach school in a small coal mining town in the west.” -IMDB
I love Janette Oke. Her books, movies, and now tv shows as well! I had been waiting for this show to premiere for YEARS and when it finally did I was ecstatic…my sisters thought all my excited-ness was really weird. But what can I say? Erin, Daniel, and Lori are perfect. I’m officially a “heartie”…who’s with me?
8. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Hallmark Channel)
“A group of postal detectives work to solve the mysteries behind undeliverable letters and packages from the past, delivering them when they are needed most.” -IMDB
This show is perhaps the “best” show of the year (content-wise)–not only is it family friendly, but it’s also meaningful, fun, cute, and a really nice change of pace from the usual. I’m a fan.
9. Outlander (STARZ)
“Follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened.” -IMDB
Outlander is my guilty pleasure. There, I said it. It has a lot of “iffy” content, if you know what I mean. But it’s also hands down one of the best shows on tv with it’s visually stunning scenery, uber talented cast, and grab-hold storyline that leaves me begging for more. I think I just love book-to-screen things. And time travel. And Jamie.
10. The Last Ship (TNT)
“The crew of a naval destroyer is forced to confront the reality of a new existence when a pandemic kills off most of the earth’s population.” -IMDB
It took me a bit of time to really get into this show, but once I did there was no turning back. The Last Ship is probably the most memorable of the year for me. Eric Dane returns to television as CO Tom Chandler in this nail-biting action drama about a group of soldiers who discover they might be the only surviving ship in a pandemic. I can’t wait for season 2…the first left off on quite the cliffhanger!
So there you have it! The best tv shows that debuted in 2014, in my opinion. Some honorable mentions–Chasing Life, State of Affairs, Selfie, Crisis, Believe, and Stalker. Like I said, I watch too much tv. 😉
What about you? What are your top ten favorite tv shows debuted in 2014? Comment below!
Rissi says
FANTASTIC list, Bekah. I wasn’t going to take part in TTT, then was and all of the sudden it was 10:30 at night and well… I didn’t prep anything. Love your idea!
‘Jane the Virgin’ IS cute and I’ve been thinking about blogging about it. Maybe I will yet. Love ‘The Flash.’ Glad it’s back, but it also means I have to keep up with it because of writing recaps. As for ‘About a Boy,’ I’m curious about that one. It certainly does look like a fun time if nothing else. SSD always makes for a memorable hour. Eager for S2. ‘Outlander’ is one I’ll give a shot when the DVD’s arrive. The pretty costume drama allure may outweigh the content. 😀
Ps; watching some ‘State of Affairs’ too. It’s interesting so far. Also, I don’t feel bad, I’m a TV addict too. More so now than when I was growing up. Ooops! 😉
Bekah says
Thanks, Rissi! That always happens to me as well…sometimes it’ll be so late when I’ll write something up and then I’ll notice all these crazy errors I made in the morning. Not the best idea. Haha! 😉
Oo, please do! I would love to hear your thoughts on ‘Jane’. ‘About a Boy’ wasn’t very good at first, so if you DO try it, then you have to give it a few episodes. It’s one of those shows where the characters start off annoying but soon endear their way into your heart. As for ‘Outlander’, that’s probably exactly the way I feel about it! The whole show is just amazingly well done. It truly feels like a good book come to life. I’m enjoying ‘State of Affairs’ as well, especially since I love Katherine Heigl, but I still think no one can beat Annie Walker in the CIA department. We’ll see what happens, I guess.
We’re in the same boat then! I was never really allowed to watch a lot of tv growing up, so when I turned a certain age where I could decide for myself I went a little crazy catching up on everything. Haha. There’s just so many interesting shows out there, though. 😉 Thanks so much for visiting–it’s always a blast to chat with you! 🙂
Heather @ Mrs Southern Bride says
Fun list! I’m hoping to jump on the Outlander Bandwagon. I finally bough the first book, so I want to read those first. When Calls The Heart is on my list, as well 🙂
Bekah says
Thanks, Heather! I had a ton of fun putting it together. I got the first Outlander book as well, but just haven’t gotten to it yet. From what I’ve heard, the show follows the books pretty well though! WCTH is really cute…I’m super excited for S2. Thanks so much for reading!! 🙂
chelsea jacobs says
I love Chicago PD!!
Bekah says
*high five* Isn’t it just too good?! Thanks for reading, Chelsea! 🙂
Gidget Girls Reading says
The 2 books for 100 days were pretty good, so I need to remember to catch this show.
Bekah says
Oo, you’ve read the books?! I had wondered if they were any good. Maybe I’ll give it a try! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂