2026 has been a standout year for TV, especially comedy. Entertainment Weekly recently named its 10 favorite shows of the year, a list that includes The Pitt, Hacks and Widow’s Bay. Here’s a quick guide to each pick and where to stream it, in alphabetical order.
1. Big Mistakes (Netflix)
Dan Levy co-created this comedy with Rachel Sennott. He and Taylor Ortega play bumbling siblings who stumble into organized crime, and Laurie Metcalf co-stars. Expect bad decisions, big laughs and a few genuine plot twists.
2. Hacks (HBO Max)
The fifth and final season of the comedy about stand-up, starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, and a strong finish for the series.
3. Industry (HBO)
Season 4 turned the drama about ruthless young financiers into must-binge TV. Myha’la, Marisa Abela, Kit Harington and Max Minghella star.
4. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO)
A modest, half-hour Game of Thrones prequel about a tall, naive knight-in-training (Peter Claffey) and his young squire with a secret (Dexter Sol Ansell). Its lighter tone won back plenty of Thrones fans.
5. Paradise (Hulu)
After a first season set inside the bunker, season 2 took a big swing: it opened with the apocalypse story of a new character played by Shailene Woodley, while Sterling K. Brown’s Xavier remained the show’s anchor.
6. The Pitt (HBO Max)
Rather than trying to top season 1, the ER drama’s second season focused on the emotional toll of the job on Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle), with a hospital cyberattack keeping the tension high.
7. Rooster (HBO)
Steve Carell plays Greg Russo, a commercial author who becomes writer-in-residence at a college, with Connie Britton and Charly Clive. It’s a cozy, big-hearted comedy.
8. Shrinking (Apple TV)
Bill Lawrence’s heartfelt comedy about therapist Jimmy (Jason Segel) and his colleagues, including Harrison Ford’s Paul, keeps getting better as it leans into its terrific ensemble.
9. The Vampire Lestat (AMC)
The Interview With the Vampire series switches to Lestat’s (Sam Reid) point of view and follows his life as a rock star. It’s the show’s boldest season.
10. Widow’s Bay (Apple TV)
Katie Dippold’s strange, genuinely scary horror-comedy about a tight-knit New England island stars Matthew Rhys as the skeptical Mayor Tom Loftis. It went on to sweep the Emmy comedy categories.
Our take
If you only have time for one, start with Widow’s Bay. It’s the rare new show that lives up to the hype. The Pitt is the best pick for drama fans, and Rooster is the coziest watch on the list.
