Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
September, at least when it comes to TV, was a month of surprises. After Netflix pretty much dominated our list of Best TV shows for the past few months, not only did other streamers break out of the pack, but the often maligned Apple TV+ took our number one spot.
That’s right: Ted Lasso, the sports comedy starring Jason Sudeikis based on a series of promos, has no right being as good as it is. But like any great underdog story, it’s fought its way to the top to win our hearts, and make us laugh (that is, if you have an Apple TV+ subscription). Beyond Ted Lasso, though, HBO/HBO Max made a strong showing this month, with Raised by Wolves, Lovecraft Country, and The Vow. The PEN15 girls came back (awkwardly, of course) on Hulu. And The Boys returned for an explosive second season that didn’t miss a beat from the first.
A word about methodology on this list, before we continue. The staff at Decider all submitted a list of their top five shows that aired at least one episode during the month. Those were weighted, culled together, and used to form the list you see below. Which means, yes, some of your faves probably didn’t make it on there. But that’s fine, they still exist, and you can still enjoy them! That’s pretty cool!
If you’re looking for prior lists, check out the best of January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August and the best of 2020 so far. For September? Read on…
'The Boys'
Prime Video
The new season of The Boys is a rowdy, gory delight. There’s no sophomore slump in sight as fans of the show’s debut season are loving round two. Season 2 focuses on character development while still providing fans with the requisite humor and action that made Season 1 a bona fide hit for Amazon. The addition of Aya Cash has elevated the series to a whole new level as The Boys continues to be one of the most entertaining shows on television. — Josh Sorokach
'Lovecraft Country'
HBO
Lovecraft Country was exhilarating from the jump, but in September, the show reached new creative heights. A trio of episodes — “Strange Case,” “Meet Me in Daegu,” and “I Am” — pushed the show’s electric leads to the side to focus on secondary characters. Each episode is a gripping look at the horrors and regrets that haunt the hearts of women. More importantly, each episode reimagines these figures not as sidekicks to Tic (Jonathan Majors) and Leti (Jurnee Smollett), but heroes in their own right. — Meghan O’Keefe
'Challenger: The Final Flight'
Netflix
As you can tell from this list, there truly was too much great TV in September—so much great TV that a riveting Netflix docuseries like Challenger: The Final Flight can get lost in the crowd. The four episodes dig into the fascinating history of NASA’s space shuttle program, culminating with the horrific tragedy of the Challenger explosion. Extensive archival footage brings the seven heroes we lost to life once more, offering an intimate and ultimately heartbreaking portrait. But this binge isn’t all bleak, because the Challenger crew were a fun, uplifting bunch to be around. If you missed Challenger: The Final Flight in September, then make this series a must-watch in October. — Brett White
'The Duchess'
Netflix
Comedian Katherine Ryan molded her stand-up act, which is inspired by her real life, into six half-hour episodes that prove to be heartfelt, entertaining, and one of the best recent comedy series on Netflix. As the outspoken and always-honest single mom, Katherine flipped rom-com norms and created a world where it’s the man who desperately wants to get married, and it’s the woman who’s sure of what she does and doesn’t want (including the most gorgeous wardobe possible). The Duchess is the most fun I’ve had laughing and cheering with a show in a while and has something for (nearly) everyone to enjoy, even you, former boyband members. — Lea Palmieri
'Fargo'
FX
Noah Hawley’s crime drama is going back in time, and in the process it’s examining everything wrong with our present. Set in Kansas City in the 1950s this new season follows two rival gangs who follow a bizarre ritual. To secure power the heads of both gangs trade sons, agreeing to raise the child of their enemy. In the midst of these two entities on the verge of war lies a frank and chilling conversation about who is allowed to be American and who isn’t. Start watching to appreciate Chris Rock in a magnificent role he was born to play, but keep watching for Jessie Buckley’s unhinged Midwestern nurse. — Kayla Cobb
'AP Bio'
Peacock
A.P. Bio is a strange, wonderful gem of a sitcom. Now streaming on Peacock, the third season of Mike O’Brien’s absurd series about a disgraced Harvard philosophy scholar forced to return to his hometown of Toledo to work as a high school Advanced Placement biology teacher continues to operate on a different comedic frequency. A fun mix of weird comedy and stealthy heart, the Glenn Howerton-led sitcom has created a playful universe in which anything — like the brilliant season finale “Katie Holmes Day” — is possible. — Josh Sorokach
'The Vow'
HBO
Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim’s deep dive into the world of NXIVM isn’t quite like any docuseries you’ve seen before. Whereas other documentaries about cults and secret societies instantly dive into the most shocking, sordid details of these organizations, The Vow takes its time. The resulting series doesn’t merely expose DOS and its sex trafficking ring. It mirrors the emotional and thought process that would lead to a group of rational adults agreeing to be branded. — Kayla Cobb
'PEN15'
Hulu
PEN15 creators Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine dreamed up the ultimate cringe comedy with the first season of their Hulu series, but it’s the second installment that truly balances the joys with the anguishes of growing up. In only seven episodes, Season 2 packs in nearly every difficult topic of adolescence, from divorced parents and period shaming, to cruel nicknames and sexist double standards. And while Maya and Anna are the indisputable stars of the show, some of the most emotional and authentic scenes are the ones with Maya’s boyfriend Gabe (Dylan Gage), as he tries to grapple with his own sexuality alone. It’s a complicated, awkward and bittersweet look at the highs and lows of getting older, and it continues to be one of the most brilliant TV comedies with each season. — Greta Bjornson
'Raised by Wolves'
HBO Max
Raised By Wolves could be the most polarizing show of 2020, and that’s one of the many reasons why we love it so darn much. Created by Aaron Guzikowski and executive produced and directed by Sir Ridley Scott, the series is an exhilarating return to the cerebral sci-fi of yore. Raised By Wolves starts off as a tale of two androids struggling to raise a new generation of human children on an alien world and immediately becomes a strange meditation on faith, politics, parenthood, and gooey robots. Boasting some of the most bizarre plot twists in TV history, Raised By Wolves is a gem of a genre show. — Meghan O’Keefe
'Ted Lasso'
Apple TV+
Ted Lasso remains the only pleasant surprise of this garbage fire of a year. The Apple TV+ comedy started off slow, but in September, it aired one of the best television episodes of the year, “Make Rebecca Great Again,” which sees Coach Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) and the AFC Richmond squad head to Liverpool for a grudge match against Everton. “Make Rebecca Great Again” showcases Ted Lasso’s effervescent charm and feel-good sense of humor — Keeley’s “Visit Liverpool” promo is amazing — but it also draws viewers further into the story with its immensely personal plotlines. Get you a man who can switch deftly between comedy and drama and end a 60-year losing streak to a Premier League rival! — Claire Spellberg
