Apple's 'For All Mankind' tops USA Today's best TV of 2021

"For All Mankind" on Apple TV+

USA Today says Apple TV+ drama "For All Mankind" was the best television show of 2021, in a roundup that also includes "Ted Lasso."

In what USA Today describes as the year that "TV came back roaring," the publication has picked out 19 shows to honor, ranging across comedy, drama, and reality series. Overall, HBO (with HBO Max) scored the most with four picks, but Apple TV+ took the top spot with "For All Mankind."

"The series is at its best in the second-season finale, involving a U.S.-Soviet standoff in space with the stakes of the Cuban missile crisis," says the USA Today roundup.

"'Mankind' asks big questions and doesn't shy away from the worst tendencies of 20th-century America, all without careening into pedantic and patronizing territory," it continues. "'Mankind' truly flies."

Apple TV+ hit "Ted Lasso" was listed as the seventh best TV of the year, for its second season.

"Plenty of TV shows that hit it big with audiences, critics and Emmy voters in their first season flounder in their second," says the publication, "but thankfully, producer and star Jason Sudeikis' 'Lasso' isn't one of them."

Notably, of all the network broadcast channels, only ABC's "The Wonder Years" made the full list, and then at number 18. The two entries for Apple TV+ tied it with Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock, while Amazon also managed only one with "The Underground Railroad" coming in at number 2.

"For All Mankind" concluded its second season in April 2021, but a third is coming — and possibly a fourth, too.

The multi-award winning "Ted Lasso" was most recently seen in a new animated short for the holidays. It, too, is returning for a third season.

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22 Comments

GeorgeBMac

said about 2 years ago

"For All Mankind" -- Haven't watched it and don't plan to.

Landing a man on the moon, despite enormous cost in energy, money and human lives, was an enormous triumph not only for the U.S. but for all of mankind: "One tiny step for man...." And, at the same time, the world agreed to keep space open for all without military rivalries or interventions.

No, rewrite of that history can improve on what was accomplished there.

The reality is far superior to any fiction. I prefer to cherish the reality. The hope and opportunity that it promised has shaped my life and that of others -- such as Steve Jobs who also grew up in that era where even the sky was no longer the limit.

(and it was all done with paper, pencil and slide rules (even the emergency rescue of Apollo 13) -- computers (even calculators) barely existed back then. Yet the mighty Saturn V rocket has stood as the most powerful ever created for over 50 years -- Elon Musk's has just now topped it -- but barely!)

pumpkin_king

said about 2 years ago

My wife and I love FAM. Interesting storyline of what could have been. Looking forward to season 3. Definitely an under appreciated show IMO.

harrykatsaros

said about 2 years ago

GeorgeBMac said:

"For All Mankind" -- Haven't watched it and don't plan to.

Landing a man on the moon, despite enormous cost in energy, money and human lives, was an enormous triumph not only for the U.S. but for all of mankind: "One tiny step for man...." And, at the same time, the world agreed to keep space open for all without military rivalries or interventions.

No, rewrite of that history can improve on what was accomplished there.
The reality is far superior to any fiction. I prefer to cherish the reality. The hope and opportunity that it promised has shaped my life and that of others -- such as Steve Jobs who also grew up in that era where even the sky was no longer the limit.

(and it was all done with paper, pencil and slide rules (even the emergency rescue of Apollo 13) -- computers (even calculators) barely existed back then. Yet the mighty Saturn V rocket has stood as the most powerful ever created for over 50 years -- Elon Musk's has just now topped it -- but barely!)

I’d hate to hear your take on Star Wars or how much you disagree with the ideas explored in Star Trek.

slow n easy

said about 2 years ago

harrykatsaros said:

GeorgeBMac said:

"For All Mankind" -- Haven't watched it and don't plan to.

Landing a man on the moon, despite enormous cost in energy, money and human lives, was an enormous triumph not only for the U.S. but for all of mankind: "One tiny step for man...." And, at the same time, the world agreed to keep space open for all without military rivalries or interventions.

No, rewrite of that history can improve on what was accomplished there.
The reality is far superior to any fiction. I prefer to cherish the reality. The hope and opportunity that it promised has shaped my life and that of others -- such as Steve Jobs who also grew up in that era where even the sky was no longer the limit.

(and it was all done with paper, pencil and slide rules (even the emergency rescue of Apollo 13) -- computers (even calculators) barely existed back then. Yet the mighty Saturn V rocket has stood as the most powerful ever created for over 50 years -- Elon Musk's has just now topped it -- but barely!)

I’d hate to hear your take on Star Wars or how much you disagree with the ideas explored in Star Trek.

I'm guessing that he is not so negative on Star Wars or Star Trek because they are total fantasy involving distant galaxies and or solar systems with no connection whatsoever to what we have already done, whereas For All Mankind involves reimagining what we have already accomplished but changing things around.

Japhey

said about 2 years ago

pumpkin_king said:

My wife and I love FAM. Interesting storyline of what could have been. Looking forward to season 3. Definitely an under appreciated show IMO.

Under appreciated?
It was just named the best show for the entire year.