5. @midnight

TV has been trying hard to turn social media into programming. Sure there have been attempts along the way. Shows like Attack of the Show (from the now defunct G4) and Web Soup tried to use existing show models as a jumping off point and succeeded to a certain extent. But for the most part we have gotten either point and laugh, clip shows with dude-bro hosts (I’m looking at you Tosh.0) or slimey-panel snark-fests (hey Chelsea Lately, just because you’re over doesn’t mean you’re safe).

For me, none of these ever felt like they were breaking new ground. People have always been snarky and there’s a stable of comedians who’ve built their brand on it. The same goes for dick jokes and fat guy jokes. What surprised me most about @midnight on Comedy Central, wasn’t the dick jokes or snark (there’s plenty). It was that when I watched it, I didn’t get bored with it. I didn’t immediately despise the people on the show. It moved beyond simply laughing at someone and let comedians be funny again. If letting comedians be funny is breaking new ground for TV (and I kind of think it is actually), then @midnight seems to be doing a fine job.

It’s also been a great place to discover new comedians. A few of my favorites have included more well-known folks like: Paul F. Tompkins (@pftompkins ), Kyle Kinane (@kylekinane), and Jen Kirkman (@jenkirkman), to relatively new names like Ron Funches (@RonFunches), Kurt Braunohler (@kurtbraunohler), Mike Lawrence (@TheMikeLawrence) and Ali Wong (@aliwong3000).

I don’t ever watch it live…so DVR/On Demand is super helpful and kinda awesome way to watch a few episodes.

@midnight airs Mon. - Thurs. 12a/11c on Comedy Central.

4. Sturgill Simpson – Metamodern Sounds in Country Music

I don’t listen to even half as much new music as I used to (which is odd given how easy it is to listen these days). It’s pretty fun when you come across an album and an artist that just sticks. That was the case for me this year with Sturgill Simpson, a real deal country & western singer.

The tale of two country musics is obviously nothing new. One side firmly planted in the bedazzled jeans, pontoon-loving, beer swilling ‘Merica crowd. The other hell bent on being anything but. Simpson lands firmly in the latter group and we’re all better off for it.

On Metamodern Sounds…, Simpson hits topics ranging from the philosophical and existential (Turtles All the Way Down) to drugs and booze (uhh…a few tracks). When Simpson sings, “…love’s the only thing that ever saved my life”, after singing about LSD and DMT you get the sense he’s wise enough to sing about it and not come off as false. Oh, and when he lets it rip on “It Ain’t All Flowers” I dare you not to wince and say, “DAYUM!!!”

It’s not gonna be for everyone, but if you’re tired of what’s passing for “Country Music™” these days, then Sturgill Simpson might be for you.

3. Fargo

It was a helluva year for TV. And man did this one take me by surprise. It’s not often that TV shows based on movies work. Beyond Friday Night Lights there haven’t been too many great examples. Fargo takes the elements that worked so well with the Coen brothers’ film and turns it into something that feels like kin and yet can stand completely on its own.

The characters of Fargo are really what set it apart and there’s some really great work on display. Martin Freeman playing the bumbling everyman. Billy Bob Thornton playing…what I imagine Billy Bob Thornton to be like in real life. Colin Hanks, Bob Odenkirk (who, by the way, is absolutely crushing it these days) and Keith Carradine all give great performances.

However, it’s relative newcomer Alison Tolman who completely blew me away. As State Trooper Molly Solverson, we got a sweet, subtle and completely captivating performance. It’s her pieces of the story that drew me in immediately. Her Emmy and Golden Globe noms are well deserved. Plus, her IMDB bio (written supposedly by Alison herself) is about the damned sweetest thing ever.

Fargo will be back in 2015 for season 2 with a completely new cast including Jessie Plemons and Kirsten Dunst.

2. Michael Sam & Laverne Cox

I was hard pressed to find a more important and heartwarming pair of stories from this year in pop culture (yes sports is pop culture) and let’s be honest the rest of this whole list is meaningless in the shadow of these two individuals. And while they are completely unrelated, they both helped represent gigantic moments for the LGBT community in 2014.

In a year where the NFL got pretty much everything wrong, it’s incredibly ironic it was also the year we met Michael Sam, the first openly gay pro football player. His coming out has undoubtedly paved the way for others to do so in the future. The word “distraction” was tossed around. In particular by idiots who wouldn’t want Sam on their team but at the same time would gladly accept Ray Rice. Which all goes to say that despite such a momentous occasion that should be celebrated, there’s a long way to go when it comes to professional sports and it’s treatment of the LGBT community.

Orange is the New Black returned for its season 2 this year with the first Emmy nomination for someone identifying as transgender. Laverne Cox’s portrayal of Sophia Burset was an absolute standout moment in the shows first season and thankfully we got to see even more of her in season 2. More importantly though, 2014 was a year in which Cox’s talent and fame have helped her become an incredible advocate for the transgender community.

1. True Detective

With the glut of viewing options for TV these days, it’s not too often you come across what you’d consider “appointment” television. There was no better example of this in 2014, than what we saw in True Detective. Brilliant performances. Razor sharp (or sliced beer can sharp if you prefer) scripts. A thrilling and completely enthralling story. And while some may have balked at the conclusion, it should be no means spoil what was some of the best television we’ve seen in a long, long time.

As we’ve discussed on the blog and on the podcast, the “Mcconaissance” (dammit, I actually had to type that), is undeniably upon us. True Detective gives McConaughey a big, juicy role to do with it what McConaughey does best. His ability to bounce from the hardened, logical detective Rust Cohle to the crack-a-sixer in the interrogation room burnout Rust Cohle is probably the best performance on TV this year.

Meanwhile Woody Harrelson takes a break from Hunger Gaming to give what is undoubtedly one of his career’s best performances. Harrelson himself has had some incredibly awesome performances in recent years (The Messenger, Game Change, Rampart, Out of the Furnace). I can only hope the trend continues.

Of course I couldn’t heap praises on True Detective and not mention what was perhaps the most brilliant six minutes of television this year: the one shot scene that concludes episode 4. I won’t spoil anything, but is stunning in each and every way. All I’ll say is after you’ve watched the season, read this piece by Matt Zoller Seitz and then this piece from The Guardian. So rad.

True Detective will return in 2015 with an all new cast and storyline.

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Chris Ervasti wrote this article for The Stake. Chris is the producer and co-host of The Stake Podcast. He’s also into sci-fi, comedy, music, and burritos. Follow him @chriservasti