Can you imagine a television show where Steve Buscemi plays the letter "Q" but somehow that's not the strangest thing that happens? That's the case in the new series Fantasmas, whose star and creator, Julio Torres, is known for building wild, wacky and often spooky worlds.
This is just one of the top shows of 2024, according to our TV Talk critic Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly. She and Deadline's Dominic Patten joined LAist's daily news program AirTalk, which airs on 89.3 FM, to share their favorite new TV shows so far this year.
Fantasmas
So, what are the other bizarre elements of Fantasmas? The show takes place in a parallel universe where anything can happen — literally. Torres, playing a version of himself, lives in a dystopian New York City and is trying to avoid having to get a government-issued "prove of existence" card. He's also searching for a gold oyster earring. If that sounds odd...well, it is. But our critics say that's what makes it worth your time.
Why you'll love this show:
"It's such a bizarre delight," says EW's Baldwin. "The show veers into these wonderfully weird vignettes." For example, at some point Emma Stone shows up playing a Real Housewives-esque reality star. "It's completely visionary in that only Julio Torres could come up with it."
The first five episodes of Season 1 are available to stream on HBO. Episode 6 comes out Friday, July 12.
Shōgun
Chances are you've already heard the buzz around the new FX show Shōgun, which stars Anna Sawai, Cosmo Jarvis and Hiroyuki Sanada, among others. The show takes us back to early 1600s Japan when a European sailor is found shipwrecked in an unfamiliar land. The collision of characters that follows makes for one of the year's best shows, not to mention FX's most expensive ever made.
Why you'll love this show:
"This is a very lavish and much more culturally authentic version," says Baldwin, comparing the show to the 1980s version. Both are adapted from James Cavell's 1975 novel.
"It's something you have to give your full attention to but it earns your full attention," adds Baldwin, who ranks Shōgun as one of the best new shows of the year.
"It's something you have to give your full attention to but it earns your full attention."
All 10 episodes of Season 1 are available on FX on Hulu.
X-Men '97
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Next up is a revival of X-Men: The Animated Series, which aired from 1992 to 1997. This new series, X-Men '97, picks up where the former ends. In this series, the mutant superheroes get to the heart of some of our most timely issues — discrimination, vengeance and identity. Are we sick of superheroes though? Maybe. But Deadline's Dominic Patten makes a strong case for this one.
Why you'll love this show:
"This shows you what happens when you have great writing, strong performances... superheroes are the Trojan horse to all our stories," says Patten, who admits that even though the show takes place during the Clinton-era, it still feels incredibly relevant.
All 10 episodes of Season 1 are available to stream on Disney+.
The Vince Staples Show
If you haven't heard of rapper Vince Staples, The Vince Staples Show on Netflix is a must watch. This show revolves around the aforementioned Staples, who plays himself as he navigates everyday life in his hometown of Long Beach, where the show is shot entirely.
Why you'll love this show:
"I think this is may be the most underappreciated comedy of the year so far," says Baldwin. "It veers from very funny and banal...to really surreal." While many may have slept on the show, it garnered enough love to be picked up for a second season.
"I think this is may be the most underappreciated comedy of the year so far."
All five episodes of Season 1 are available to stream on Netflix.
Baby Reindeer
There seem to be few shows more talked about than Baby Reindeer right now, and for good reason. It's psychological twists and turns have landed the show squarely in the zeitgeist. But the publicity isn't all positive, as Patten points out. "There's a $170 million defamation lawsuit," explains Patten, coming from the woman who claims the show is based on her.
Why you'll love this show:
"Anger is what fuels Baby Reindeer," says Patten. "As [the show] unfolds...you actually get deeper into the psychology of pain and in many ways that is the great allure of this seven-part series."
All seven episodes of the miniseries are available to stream on Netflix.
Criminal Record
Criminal Record follows two detectives, played by Cush Jumbo and Peter Capaldi, who clash over the 2012 conviction of a Black man over his girlfriend's murder. The duo are well-matched foils who lead the show in an "unfussy, well-acted detective yarn," says Baldwin.
Why you'll love this show:
"It's really just this straightforward but brilliantly acted story about all sorts of subtle things — generational conflict, institutional racism and sexism — and then just solid police work," says Baldwin, who credits the two stars as giving all the razzle dazzle a show needs.
All eight episodes of season 1 are available to stream on Apple TV+.
The Sympathizer
Based on the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Sympathizer, the eponymous TV show follows a man who, as a spy for the Viet Cong, moves to America and takes up residence in a refugee community. The series stars Hoa Xuande, Robert Downey Jr. and Sandra Oh.
Why you'll love this show:
"It flips the script on our notion of what that conflict [in Vietnam] was," says Patten, who describes the show as "mind-bending" for its ability to shift our perceptions of history and our reality in it. "I love hidden history and I love when people flip the script. And The Sympathizer has all of my sympathy."
Last thing to mention? Patten said there are "breakout stars all over this," including, Robert Downey Jr.'s wife, Susan Downey.
All seven episodes are available to stream on Max.
Bonus pick from Larry Mantle: Hacks
OK, so Hacks isn't a new TV show, but its third season released in May and it's Larry Mantle's pick for the best of 2024 so far, so we had to include it!
"Jean Smart is jaw-droppingly great. She's of course won the Emmy for Best Lead in a Comedy Series and she just gets better and better," Larry said. "It's so witty — there's social commentary, the level of acting is so high and they do great post-episode conversations with the writing and producing staff."
"Hacks rocks," said Deadline's Patten. "In Season 3 they really launch it to a next level. It's a magnificent show...and it's really funny!"
"I love it so much, and I think one of the things that was so special about this season was the absolutely incredible yet spot-on guest casting," added EW's Baldwin.
All three seasons of Hacks are available to stream on Max.
Listen to the full TV Talk conversation here:
To see Dominic Patten's full list of favorite shows from the year so far, click here. To see Kristen Baldwin's full list of favorite shows from the year so far, click here.
