Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Ah, April! The beginning of Spring! A time to go outside, hang in the sun and… Just kidding, we were all inside, watching TV, all month long. And luckily, there was plenty of TV to enjoy, from a romance on HBO to a skeezy lawyer show that once again took things to the next level.
As usual with these sorts of things, the decisions weren’t easy. Luckily, the crack experts at Decider watched a ton of TV, so you didn’t have to. Each member of the staff ranked their top five picks of the month, they were weighted, combined, thrown into a pit, fought to the death, and one emerged victorious and was granted its freedom. Eventually, after an epic journey across the wastelands, that show discovered its true heritage, and the royal blood that flowed through its veins. Returning across the fetid plain with an army of its own, that show caused a revolution that overturned the corrupt monarchy and was crowned king itself, vowing to be better and do better than the crumbling aristocracy that had ruled for millennia. That king was called RUN, and it aired on HBO.
Anyway, now that I’ve fleshed out my word count a bit, check out the list below that also includes a vampire comedy, a thrilling sports docuseries, and much, much more. And if you’re looking for our past picks, here is Decider’s best of the month for January, February, and March. Long may RUN reign.
'We're Here'
HBO
There was a whole lot of drag content to choose from in May, from mama series RuPaul’s Drag Race to TLC’s fun and bubbly series Dragnificent! But it’s HBO’s We’re Here that took an unexpected route for reality TV, pushing the makeover sub-genre out of it’s cable TV comfort zone and into docuseries territory. The show highlights queer communities in small towns across America, presenting true tales of struggle and triumph on HBO’s prestigious platform. And with Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara, and Shangela on board, you best believe the show’s just as entertaining as it is emotional. — Brett White
'The Real Housewives of New York City'
Bravo
Now in its 12th season, Real Housewives of New York has always been the most consistent of the beloved Bravo franchise, and thank god for that. There is nothing more comforting than watching Luann complain about her room assignment (and sending the now-iconic text message “Goodnight from the lower level!”) or reveling in the way these ladies wreak drunken havoc on their surroundings, including that $39.9 million Hamptons estate. With the addition of fashion designer/all-around hell raiser Leah McSweeney to its already stellar cast, the Real Housewives of New York is a messy, glorious delight for reality TV fans everywhere. — Karen Kemmerle
'Never Have I Ever'
Netflix
If you want to see what a perfect high school comedy looks like, look no further than Netflix’s Never Have I Ever. The new series from Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher takes all those cringey and cozy teen tropes (BFFs, overbearing parents, hot jocks, slimy nemeses) and filters them through the experience of a 15-year-old first-generation Indian-American vibrantly played by newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. The show is fearless and funny and welcoming and weird, and it highlights how being a teenager is universally complicated. — Brett White
'Outer Banks'
Netflix
Perhaps Netflix’s teen treasure soap Outer Banks would have hit differently if it has dropped at another time. But right now, it is perfection. The story of a kid named John B (Chase Stokes) who lives in the bad part of North Carolina’s dreamily filmed Outer Banks with his fellow “Pogues,” and clashes with the uber-rich “Kooks” would have been enough. But the plot throws in, of all things, a hunt for sunken treasure that amps up the danger immeasurably, and makes the season a Goonies-esque blast to watch. The cast are all future stars, the cinematography is so much better than it needed to be, and episode 4’s romantic storyline involving John B and right-side-of-the-tracks Sarah Cameron is a romantic classic, complete with an absolute perfect rainkiss. Bring on Season 2. — Alex Zalben
'The Plot Against America'
HBO
The Plot Against America is a searing look at the devastation that fear and hatred can wreck on the world. Set in an alternate history with anti-Semite Charles Lindbergh became president during World War II, the series follows one Jewish family as they see their world fall apart. At first, the series is just a dark drama about the insidious nature of hatred, but by its conclusion, it’s a haunting horror story. — Meghan O’Keefe
'Dave'
FX
Dave, the new FXX comedy from comedian and rapper Dave Burd, didn’t quite sell me when it first launched in March. But the latter half of the season has proved this show has so much more to offer than (admittedly very funny) dick jokes. It also has empathetic representation of mental health, agency for the “girlfriend” character (played by the hilarious Taylor Misiak), and an engaging plot. If you haven’t yet watched the season finale, which aired yesterday, strap in. Dave‘s going metaphorical, baby. — Anna Menta
'Middleditch & Schwartz'
Netflix
Ben Schwartz and Thomas Middleditch’s Netflix comedy special is the flat out funniest series of 2020. Simply titled Middleditch & Schwartz, the duo’s three-episode improv special is guaranteed to make you laugh. The comedy on display is equal parts brilliant and silly as two of the very improvisers in the world accomplish the herculean task of bringing the magic of live comedy to the small screen. If you’re looking for a feel-good series that will brighten your day, Middleditch & Schwartz is for you. — Josh Sorokach
'Normal People'
Hulu
Normal People was released on the second to last day of the month but was #1 in my heart the last 30 days. Maybe that’s because I felt this show in every cell in my body. Sally Rooney’s bestselling book about the relationship between two young adults in Ireland was expertly adapted into 12 gorgeous, half-hour episodes for Hulu that is sure to have a lot of people talking. From the actors’ electric chemistry to the intimate sex scenes to the ups and downs of their relationship that will punch you square in the heart, this exquisite series proves that sometimes the show can be just as wonderful (if not better!) as the book. — Lea Palmieri
'Mrs. America'
FX on Hulu
The passage, or lack thereof, of the Equal Rights Amendment isn’t exactly a forgotten era of American history. But FX on Hulu’s original series brought the fight for equal rights to dramatic new heights, thanks to a cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba and many more. Blanchett may be playing who is arguably the real life villain in Phyllis Schlafly, but as you watch you may come to understand her viewpoint; even though she’s on the wrong side of history. — Alex Zalben
'The Last Dance'
ESPN
The Last Dance can’t replicate the thrill of watching live basketball, but it’s still appointment viewing for sports fans. ESPN’s 10-part docuseries explores the untold story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, focusing on the final season (1997-98) in which the Bulls topped off a historic run by achieving their second three-peat in eight years. Featuring never-before-seen footage and hundreds of interviews, the immersive documentary chronicles all the off-court drama that led to the end of a historic era of basketball excellence. — Josh Sorokach
'What We Do In The Shadows'
FX
The only complaint I have about What We Do In The Shadows is that the episodes aren’t longer. Now in its second season, the supernatural mockumentary continues to be an absolute delight and unlike anything else currently on TV. Watching vampires be so bad at being vampires in every episode never ceases to entertain, but the comedy is even more of a fitting choice to turn to now, at a time when we’re all stuck inside — just like the kooky supernatural roommates of the show have been for years. — Greta Bjornson
'Better Call Saul'
AMC
Only a special kind of show can make viewers reevaluate everything they believe in just a single episode. For the past five seasons, Better Call Saul has suggested that Jimmy McGill’s (Bob Odenkirk) slow descent into Saul Goodman is a problem of his own making, but the season finale turns that assumption on its head with the introduction of Slippin’ Kimmy Wexler (Rhea Seehorn). As always, Odenkirk is phenomenal in the lead role, but in Season 5, it’s Seehorn who steals the show as she navigates the nuanced emotional beats of Kim’s transformation. If Seehorn doesn’t get awards love for her sensational performance in Better Call Saul Season 5 — potentially the show’s best — I will riot. — Claire Spellberg
'Run'
HBO
Sexy, funny, and absolutely exhilarating, HBO’s Run is a delight. Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson star as college exes who reunite when one texts the other a single word out of the blue: “RUN.” What happens next is a daring escapade full of erotic tension, profound soul-searching, and hilarious banter. Technically superb and creatively wild, Run is by far and way the best thing you can watch this month. — Meghan O’Keefe
