It's that time of year again to reflect on our favorite shows of the year. To date, 2017 has been a rollercoaster ride for television ratings, as we've had both binge-worthy and cringe-worthy series to remember. This year has produced record breaking TV network numbers and some devastating results from critics.
Streaming services are booming, as they become increasingly competitive. The Pew Research Center reports that 61% of young adults in the U.S have jumped on board and viewers are loving the convenience that comes with watching their shows online.
Rotten Tomatoes ranks television and films from certified fresh to straight up rotten. Reviews come from publications or individual critics that have been properly vetted by the site and the aggregated scores make up the Tomatometer.
To be certified fresh, a show must meet two criterias. It has to rock a 75% or better on the tomatometer, and receive over 40 positive top critic reviews. The green splat means audience members considered it to be a flop.
Let's check out this year's best and worst, according to Rotten Tomatoes!
16. Best: Great News (Season 2)
Tomatometer Rating: 100%
Audience Score: 64%
Fans are excited about spending their Thursday night's watching Great News on NBC. Tracey Wigfield created this amazing sitcom starring Briga Heelan and Andrea Martin. Their mother-daughter relationship is put to the test after Carol, played by Martin, becomes the new intern at her daughter Katie's, played by Heelan, workplace.
Great News had a slow start, but ratings have picked up significantly this year. Season 2 has progressively grown on audience members as they grow accustomed to the show's sense of humor. Tiny Fey from 30 Rock was recently added to the all-star cast.
Fans are loving the extra spice Fey brings to the show and Wigfield herself has a recurring role as the hilarious Beth. Rotten Tomatoes highly recommends this quirky workplace comedy.
Worst: Pure Genius (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 27%
Audience Score: 83%
The first season of Pure Genius premiered last spring on CBS. Sadly, many critics clearly didn't like this one. Rotten Tomatoes claims the series is weighed down by stereotypical doctor-drama tropes.
You may remember James Bell, played by Augustus Prew from About a Boy. Bell is a tech-genius who's determined to use his fortune to build a medical empire. The head surgeon of this hospital is Dr.Walter Wallace, played by Dermot Mulroney, who has a mysterious past.
Unfortunately, the writing wasn't the only problem as the performances didn't bring anything newto the genre either. After the 13th episode wrapped up, the hospital drama was cancelled. According to TVLine, Prew says "Pure Genius was caught between two shows, that in part led to its truncated freshman season and likely cancellation".
14. Best: Broad City (Season 4)
Tomatometer Rating: 100%
Audience Score: 75%
Broad City is based off of a witty web series that premiered in 2010. Four years later it debuted on Comedy Central, starring Abbi Jacobson and Llana Glazer. Currently in the midst of their fourth successful season, fans are still enjoying this hilarious show.
The stars of the show met while taking improv classes with the Upright Citizens Brigade. They decided to get together after a creative conflict between Glazer and another student. Despite the usual drama behind the scenes, the comedians actually love working together.
Broad City follows their story in New York City and takes viewers on a fun ride. This hit series has been rated certified fresh each season, landing the ladies several Emmy nominations.
13. Worst: Gypsy (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 27%
Audience Score: 85%
We all enjoy shows that grab our attention within minutes of watching. The chances of people tuning in is slim to none if the show a slow drag. Gypsy had mixed reviews during the first season that it launched on Netflix. Several critics called it flat out boring. Jean Holloway, played by Naomi Watts, makes you want to think twice about booking a therapist in this psychological thriller.
The big names weren't limited to in front of the camera either, as the show was directed by Fifty Shades of Grey helmer Taylor Johnson. The talent involved made the launch of the dreary show that much more disappointing and it was abruptly axed. It is rare for Netflix to give up on a show after only one season as most of their original series have been renewed at least once.
12. Best: Poldark (Season 3)
Tomatometer Rating: 100%
Audience Score: 85%
Poldark is a period piece that is filled with action, adventure, and romance. Robert Ellis, who originally played Captain Poldark on the show 40 years ago, appears in this remake next to the leading man Aidan Turner. The series covers Poldark's life after the American Revolution, as he returns to Britain and finds new enemies and lovers alike.
Fans adore Eleanor Tomlinson's feisty independent character, Demelza. The cast delivers impeccable on screen acting performances that leaves viewers glued to their screens.
Debbie Horsefield is the genius writer behind the scenes. She's also responsible for other shows like All Small Things and Cutting It. Horsefield recently revealed a suspenseful hint about the future of Poldark, so hopefully the show can keep its captivating momentum.
11. Worst: Friends From College (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 23%
Audience Score: 73%
The title of this show is pretty self explanatory. Friends From College follow a group of friends who graduated from Harvard together and are now in their 40s. This Netflix original series was allegedly unfunny and a lot of the jokes felt forced.
The cast included Keegan Michael-Key along with Nat Fox and Cobie Smulders who are all incredibly talented. However, fans apparently didn't find any of the characters that appealing or even likeable for that matter. The show received a dreadful 23% rating from Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics claim the comedy is predictable and never manages to do anything compelling. The plot twist is that the show actually survived and will be returning for a second season in 2018. Maybe it's not as bad as the critics are saying.
10. Best: The Good Place (Season 2)
Tomatometer Rating: 100%
Audience Score: 86%
This unique comedy focuses on the afterlife of Eleanor, played by Kristen Bell. The Veronica Mars actress ends up in The Good Place following her strange death. Ironically, the leading lady is struggling with understanding the difference between good and bad, as she feels she doesn't deserve to be part of this utopia.
Ted Danson embodies the role of Michael, the manipulating architect of the titular good place. The cast members say that the writers have brilliant imaginations, which contributes greatly to the show's success.
The Good Place is currently on pause until January 2018. The second season is scheduled to wrap up in February and the show will return for season three in the Fall. Ratings shot through the roof this year and fans are impressed with this new thought provoking fantasy world.
9. Worst: The Orville (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 20%
Audience Score: 93%
If you're a super fan of Star Trek, The Orville might not be worth watching. This space adventure has striking similarities to the classic series, but viewers find this parody less entertaining. The show debuted on Fox in September and was given a Sunday time slot. Unfortunately, Rotten Tomatoes currently has the series at a sad 20% score.
The critic consensus says that the show is an odd jumble of homage and satire. Despite that, The Orville received the highest network opening since Empire in 2015. Despite the poor critical reception, Fox's sci-fi series has been averaging an impressive 6.7 million viewers per episode.
Seth MacFarlane, the creator of both Family Guy and American Dad, also created abd stars in The Orville. The network has already announced a second season for the show.
8. Best: The Good Fight (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 100%
Audience Score: 87%
Robert and Michelle King created this legal drama spin-off of The Good Wife. The couple scored 39 nominations and 5 Emmy wins for the CBS All Access show. The Good Fight follows up with Diane Lockhart played by the talented Christine Baranski. Diane joins Rose Leslie's character, Maia Rindell, as the pair team up with hopes of rebuilding their careers and reputations.
This intense politically charged drama has fans addicted. The Good Fight attracted over 7 million viewers the first night it aired earlier this year. The reaction it received was absolutely phenomenal with both fans and critics alike.
CBS has announced the renewal of the show for a highly anticipated season 3 coming in 2018. We can only hope that the show will keep up this level of quality.
7. Worst: Iron Fist (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 19%
Audience Score: 76%
Top critics from Rotten Tomatoes are claiming that Iron Fist is creatively flat. This reportedly dull action series debuted on Netflix in March and actually delivered some insane numbers. Despite the show receiving a massive amount of negative reviews, viewers couldn't stop watching.
According to the critics consensus, Iron Fist lacked originality and momentum. Fans also weren't impressed with Danny Rand's poor martial arts skills. It didn't help that the show was circled in controversy before it was even released.
When Finn Jones of Game of Thrones fame was cast as the titular superhero, fans mounted a backlash due to the overused white savior trope. Netflix decided to stick with their original casting choice and refused to fire Jones. Iron Fist has since appeared again in The Defenders series.
6. Best: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (Season 2)
Tomatometer Rating: 100%
Audience Score: 91%
Rachel Bloom portrays the titular crazy ex-girlfriend that viewers at home are actually rooting for. She delivers an enthralling performance in this electrifyingly musical series. Bloom also serves as one of the creators and even does writing for the show.
Season 3 takes a deep dive into the main character's psyche, making fans feel plenty of humorous compassion. Although the show did poorly in ratings when it debuted, the show's third season was a smash hit.
The critically favored comedy just wrapped up another successful season this fall on The CW. A fourth season hasn't officially been announced yet, but fans can't wait to see more of the cast in action. Rotten Tomatoes gives Crazy Ex Girlfriend an amazing 100% rating.
Worst: 9JKL (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 13%
Audience Score: 43%
Mark Feuerstein stars in this comedy about a guy living in apartment 9K, while his parents live in 9J and his brother lives in 9L. While the title serves as a visual joke as he is literally sandwiched between his family member, it really isn't a good title.
The leading man teamed up to bring the series to life with his wife and co-creator, Diane Klein. CBS unleashed the show in the fall and critics instantly called it painfully unfunny.
Rotten Tomatoes gives this sitcom a cringing 13% rating. According to TV Watch US, the show is likely to be cancelled. The network has ordered additional scripts, meaning they're hesitant to renew. Since receiving the lowest comedy ratings this year, we won't be surprised if 9JKL gets evicted.
4. Best: The Defiant Ones (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 100%
Audience Score: 94%
This certified fresh miniseries quickly became an audience favorite after its premiere in the summer. The documentary, directed by Allen Hughes, explores the pivotal events in contemporary culture.
The series features notable producer Dr. Dre and Chairman of Interscope Records Jimmy Iovine, as they share intimate details of their unlikely partnership. If you're a fan of the music industry, this fantastic four part series is for you. It's a cultural defining and very interesting story.
Rotten Tomatoes gave the show a perfect score, calling it a compellingly comprehensive portrait. The Defiant Ones received a 94% audience score as well, showing that it's not just the critics who love this one.
3. Worst: Inhumans (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 13%
Audience Score: 51%
Inhumans sets a new low standard for the overall Marvel series. The Disney owned network, ABC, released the first season in September. The show tells the untold story of a royal family with superpowers.
It was originally made to hit the big screen, but was revamped for TV. However, the first two episodes did play on IMAX screens in an attempt to build hype for the show. Unfortunately, critics are calling it below mediocre and arguably a tv disaster.
The series was also placed in a difficult Friday night time slot. Even with this disadvantage, the ratings were still below average. The series cancellation hasn't been announced yet, but it's not looking good. Inhumans sits on the rotten scale with a crashing 13% rating.
2. Best: Peaky Blinders (Season 4)
Tomatometer Rating: 100
Audience Score: 94%
The Peaky Blinders gang returned to Netflix for a fourth season near the end of this year. Fans have been fond of this crime drama since it debuted, making it well worth the wait. Cillian Murphy is back as Tommy Shelby, kicking down doors and taking names.
Top critics are giving this show outstanding reviews. Peaky Blinders has skyrocketed on the tomatometer and viewers are already spending the holidays binge watching the gangster series. Director and creator Stephen Knight tells Digital Spy, "We’re all thinking that five will be the last one, but it’s not set in stone. I don’t want to be a hostage to that.”
The premiere of the new season received the best opening ratings since the show's debut in 2013, as 2.3 million fans tuned in for the season premiere.
1. Worst: Hit the Road (Season 1)
Tomatometer Rating: 0%
Audience Score: 40%
Unfortunately, Hit the Road literally went nowhere on the Tomatometer. A 0% score indicates that the show was pretty awful. Top critics savagely ripped this comedy apart, calling it relentlessly broad and determinedly offensive. American Channel premiered the first season in October. The series was meant to be a family show, but viewers are saying it's far from it.
While Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame is one of the creators, he only has a minor role on the show. The raunchy, uncomfortable scenes and plethora of bad jokes didn't make things better. The majority of watchers say that the sitcom is simply doomed. Ironically, it's safe to say that this poorly executed sitcom will be hitting the road.
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Are there any shows you think should be on the list?