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It’s been written about to death, but the sheer amount of TV that’s happening right now is, to use a technical term, biznonkers. At the end of May alone, we saw the release of not only the long-delayed Stranger Things Season 4, but also the long-delayed Obi-Wan Kenobi series — on the same exact day. So how does one sift through all of this content? Where, oh where, can I find recommendations of the best TV shows that aired in May, 2022? I have some incredible news for you: that’s what this list is about.
From the aforementioned Stranger Things, to several highly anticipated dramatic comedies returning, to the kick-off of the final season of Better Call Saul, we watched it all.
But how did we get here? In order to arrive at the best shows of the month, the staff of Decider did their jobs, for once, and watched a ludicrous amount of television. Based on that proprietary technique of “television watching” each member of the staff sent in a list of their top five shows that aired at least one episode over the course of the month. Those lists were were then massaged with a proprietary dry rub of spices, sat for about eight hours, then covered in a spicy barbecue sauce, smoked for another eight hours, then slathered in another rich sauce, and you know what, I’ve been doing this bit about recipes in the middle of this paragraph since January and nobody has mentioned it once, proving my theory that nobody reads this intro, they just want to get to the list. So let’s get to that list!
Looking for our best shows of January, February, March, and April? We got those. For May? Read on.
'Under The Banner of Heaven'
Hulu
FX’s Under the Banner of Heaven is a damning look at the way faith can lead men down a path of intense evil. Based on the book by Jon Krakauer, this adaptation takes that harrowing non-fiction read and dramatizes the core murder mystery as an intense investigation. Series lead Andrew Garfield gives yet another one of his gorgeously raw performances as Jeb Pyre, a good mainstream Mormon grappling with his own faith after learning dark truths about his own Church. Under the Banner of Heaven will haunt you and hopefully spur you to cherish truth and love over blind faith. — Meghan O’Keefe
'The Offer'
Paramount+
It’s hard to believe we only have three more episodes of The Offer to go! This month, we saw the production move from sunny Los Angeles to the unforgiving streets of New York City as super producer Al Ruddy (Miles Teller) does his best to get The Godfather made—even if that means getting Paramount Pictures in bed with gangster Joe Colombo (Giovanni Ribisi). Though Matthew Goode’s vivid portrayal of Hollywood legend Robert Evans is awe-inspiring to watch, it’s nice to see Grey’s Anatomy alum Justin Chambers disappear into his role of Marlon Brando tackling his most-iconic character, Don Vito Corleone. Also featuring standout performances from Juno Temple, Colin Hanks, Burn Gorman and Anthony Ippolito as Al Pacino, The Offer is an eccentric and often exhilarating tale of the New Hollywood of the 1970s. — Karen Kemmerle
'Made For Love'
HBO Max
Sometimes a show will kick down the door with a spectacular first season, and it’s only in Season 2 you realize that success was a fluke. Not Made for Love. The second season of Alissa Nutting’s sci-fi black comedy is gleefully darker and better than the series has ever been. Both Billy Magnussen and Ray Romano have stepped up their games, delivering weirder yet more heartfelt versions of their characters. But once again it’s Cristin Milioti who steals the show in the first role to truly capitalize on her versatility. With one flick of her Disney princess eyes, Milioti can communicate more pain, anger, comedy, and pathos than most actors can produce throughout their entire careers. Between its stellar performances and grisly plot twists, Made for Love remains one of the most refreshing, imaginative, and bizarrely honest shows on TV. – Kayla Cobb
'Girls5eva'
Peacock
The first season of Peacock’s comedy series took a few episodes to find its stride. But with the women of Girls5eva in Album Mode in Season 2, the show hit the gate running from the very first episode. Alternating laugh out loud moments, insanely catchy songs (will “B.P.E.” ever leave the running loop it occupies in my head?) and pristine performances from Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Phillips and Sara Bareilles, Girls5eva Season 2 is funnier, sweeter, and all around better than the first time around, and the first time was pretty damn good to begin with. Now that’s some B.P.E. — Alex Zalben
'Better Call Saul'
AMC
Better Call Saul aired four of its final hours in May, and they stand as some of the best hours of TV, maybe of all time. It’s hard to say more positive things about the series’ when so much has been written already, but while there seems to have been a minor backlash against the pacing of this final season, it’s pretty clear that the Breaking Bad prequel is going to go out exactly as it came it: slowly, methodically building up Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk) to his destined place as a criminal lawyer; while simultaneously breaking down everyone around him. There are only a few hours to go when the show returns later this year, but the episodes that aired this month tightened the vice exponentially. — Alex Zalben
'The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans'
Paramount+
Paramount+’s The Real World Homecoming: New Orleans is the best of both worlds. It is a careful and considered look at how survivors of reality TV can find reconciliation through empathy and forgiveness, and it’s also a hot mess. The hot mess part typically falls on the shoulders of one Julie Stoffer. Famous for being the first Mormon on the Real World: New Orleans, she is now a grown woman who has abandoned the church and all reason. Anchoring Julie’s drama are the fabulous Melissa Beck, the serene Kelley Wolf, and the saintly Danny Roberts. This show has it all: intense conversations about the harm of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, tarot card readings, and grown ass adults reliving the ‘00s. — Meghan O’Keefe
'Barry'
HBO
Barry (Bill Hader) is doing horribly in the third season of his eponymous HBO show, which, incidentally, makes for one of its best installments yet. The assassin-for-hire black comedy takes an even darker turn in its latest batch of episodes, with Barry reverting to his violent old ways, sabotaging his relationship with Sally (Sarah Goldberg) and taking Gene (Henry Winkler) as his hostage. Yet, Barry still manages to slip in plenty of humor to brighten the mood, thanks in large part to Noho Hank’s (Anthony Carrigan) absurd one-liners. While we’re already far into Season 3, there’s thankfully even more in store — Barry has been renewed for Season 4 by HBO. — Greta Bjornson
'Stranger Things'
Netflix
It’s wild to think that it’s been nearly three years since Stranger Things last aired on Netflix; but it’s so, so good to be back in Hawkins, regardless of how long it took. Few shows reach the level of event status that Stranger Things exemplifies, and fewer still meet that hype. Based on the first seven episodes of Season 4 (two more will premiere in July), Stranger Things doesn’t just meet that hype; it surpasses it. Telling the story of a new villain, Vecna, while also following events in Russia and ones that took place in Hawkins decades earlier, the Duffer Brothers and company weave a complicated tale that begins to come together in surprising ways by the end of the episodes. The cast is phenomenal, the Upside Down scarier than ever, and a particular shout-out to Sadie Sink, and her character Max, who get the stand-out episode in “Dear Billy”. Is it July yet? — Alex Zalben
'Hacks'
HBO Max
God, it is great to be back in Jean Smart’s world. In its second season, Hacks is sharper and funnier than ever without once sacrificing the gut punches that made its first season so addicting. Whereas last season was all about hardened comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and her younger alter ego Ava (Hannah Einbinder) realizing that they need each other, Season 2 starts to piece together what their partnership should look like. There is so much that Hacks does right, from its brilliant timing to its smart yet never overpowering stunt casting. But where this series continuously excels is in its pacing, which always makes space for both jokes and emotions. Series creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky know they have something special on their hands, and they’re in no hurry to rush toward the finish line. — Kayla Cobb
