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It is time once again to take a look back at some of our favorite TV moments of 2022. Now, keep in mind.... I don't watch everything; well, who has the time? And there are quite a few things on this site that I have no part of, so I will leave any mention of THOSE things to WM or anyone else who cares to play along in the comments. First of all.... Wishing you all the best in the coming year! Despite the fact that this is an "RTV" site, we DO chat quite a few scripted shows. So my first mention of 2022 Memorable TV Moments is actually.... "This Is Us: The Series Finale" I remember quite clearly the season one premiere of this wonderful show. I watched it alone and was so moved, I wrote a "review" of it the next day. Sadly it was done on the old free Disqus channel, so was lost when they shut us down #Aww. I loved everything about that first show and my review of it was so passionate that it caused Windbag Mark (who may not have ever watched an episode without my review #YoureWelcomeWM), to join me in the watch (The amazing first "twist" was the mixed timelines, a complete novelty at the time. We didn't know then that this would become commonplace on "This Is Us". There was much discussion all over the media about it the next day). Quite a few more joined in and as a result, "This Is Us" became the first scripted show included in our weekly live chats. The series finale last spring was every bit as beautifully done as that premiere episode six seasons before. In addition to giving us a satisfying conclusion to each story line of the "Big Three" (my favorite was the Kevin reconciliation and proposal to his childhood sweetheart and ex-wife Sophie), we also watched all season long the slow, difficult descent of Rebecca into Alzheimer's. Yes, it's a difficult topic but was handled so respectfully and beautifully here. The shock of seeing her beloved second husband Miguel sit lovingly by her side, caring for her day in and day out (even when her confused mind thought Miguel was her first husband, Jack), then passing away before her - so heartbreaking. I really cannot recall a series finish being more beautifully made (of any show I've ever watched) as "This Is Us" did. We've missed you this year, Kevin, Kate and Randall. But we loved being able to watch your stories unfold for six wonderful seasons. The writers of this show had such an amazing way of storytelling, weaving two or three different, seemingly disconnected pieces of the story into one episode. And in the end, it would be revealed how everything fits together like a perfect puzzle. It's all connected. And speaking of "It's all connected...." "Manifest" (Season four currently streaming on Netflix) "Manifest"... such a bizarre little show. Fun - but really bizarre. While I can't say they have it all right Biblically, and while some of the content troubles me a little (reading tarot cards for answers?) this is strange, well-written science fiction with an intriguing plot and a likable cast. Heck, some of villains are likable and even a bit funny - but yes, still bad people (Egan). Season four episodes were released a while back and I have made it through all ten available (the rest will be released later). It picks up two years after the horrifying end of the third season. You'll recall Grace Stone was murdered and her baby, Eden, kidnapped by Angelina (the young girl from the 828 plane tragedy, who had become obsessed with the idea that little Eden was her guardian angel). Disturbing, yes. She is one misguided soul, this Angelina (but a great negotiator. And don't give her your leather jacket if she begs for it, even if you will never be using it again #SurvivorDavidVersusGoliathHumour). Also, young Cal coming home after his strange disappearance, only not as the twelve-year-old we knew.... but as the 17-year-old that he SHOULD be. WTH? Yes, season four has an adult (isn't that a teenage, not adult?) Cal. I must commend the casting department here, picking an older Cal who I think very easily passes as the adult version of the young actor we knew before (he is also very convincing as Olive's twin). Amazing job, casting director. Without giving anything away, I must say it IS kind of fun seeing Cal and Olive interacting with each other as same age twins, not five years apart (as was the case in the first three seasons). Don't want to give anything away for those who watch but haven't yet seen it - except that I enjoyed it (despite a few things in the story that I didn't much care for). Overall, it's a suspenseful, great piece of storytelling. But, for the record, Josh Dallas should NEVER again sport a beard. Never! Five o'clock shadow works well. Full beard? Never again, Josh. I am so far behind on my streaming shows. Haven't caught up on current season of so many things that I'm sure some might want to mention. "Stranger Things". "Cobra Kai" (just to name a couple). One day. Please feel free WM to add your thoughts here. I know you DID dive into the "Stranger Things" world (which wasn't "your cup of tea") I would mention "The Chosen" - but since New Year's Eve mention, we haven't had a new full season (we are just a couple of episodes into one). I maintain "The Chosen" is still the BEST show out there. This is actual Biblical truth, not some science fiction version. Heh. Available everywhere these days, even Netflix (well, just season one). And there are still free streaming opportunities all over the place. No reason to pay to watch. Moving on to "SURVIVOR", beginning with.... "Australian Survivor: Blood Vs. Water" It featured an iconic US Survivor player and her progeny: Sandra Diaz-Twine and daughter Nina. I must say, the US should NEVER have let the Australian version get first crack at Nina (she applied one season and was not chosen one season. WHAAT?? Dumb move, Probst). She is an awesome young woman, a fantastic player of the game. Shame US audiences who don't do internationals missed her. We will never all agree about mama Sandra. She has rabid fans; others consider her highly over-rated. But there is no denying that she has been on several seasons and became the first to win the game twice; for this alone she deserves respect (I can hear the audible MadamP "Pfffttttt!" now #HeeHeeHee). I was struck at the respect she was given by the Australian players - complete admiration, mixed with the knowledge that it would be foolish to keep her in the game for long. Contrast that to the appearance of Russell Hantz on Australian Survivor season five. His oversized ego was front and center the moment he stepped on the beach. The tribe wanted no part of Hantz in Australia; this time, his identical Samoa strategy backfired completely and turned him into the ceremonious first boot. But Sandra - she was greeted with applause as she came on their beach for the first time. And daughter Nina really proved herself in this game. She had built a pretty undeniable alliance and was set to go far. If I'm not mistaken - correct me if I'm wrong WM - she found herself in a position of needing to write Mom's name on the parchment (Sandra emphasized that going against the votes was the worst strategic move you could make. When it became obvious at tribal that Sandra was about to get voted out, Nina heeded mom's words and voted for her. It made Sandra very proud that daughter listened to her advice). Sadly, Nina's game came to an early end: she suffered an ankle injury during a challenge. Heartbreaking for all of us to see. But thankfully, this story doesn't end there. Nina will be a cast member on the upcoming "Australian Survivor: Heroes Vs Villains" season as a "Hero". Take that, Hantz! While Mark Wales was the eventual winner of the season (dominating with wife Samantha - it's all coming back now!) - it was Nina who stole all of our hearts. Even MadamP must love the fact that Nina - Sandra's DAUGHTER! - voted mom out. And a Diaz-Twine is returning to the game - as a "Hero"! But Australia didn't have all the 2022 fun this year: the US had TWO "Survivor" seasons this year. Survivor 42 - where we've shortened the game to 26 days (as said on the Australian page, if JLP and the Aussies can manage a 49 (down from 55) game day in the post Covid world, how is it Probst can only manage a 26-day (down from 39) game?) The US version is getting "wimpy", heh. (Are you aware that no matter how many days a season lasts, all series are televised in thirteen to fifteen weeks. Changing the amount of days does would not switch that. And "wimpy"? Exact opposite. 26-day cast members have to cram the same amount of challenges and tribals into much less time. 39-day players had more spare time to accomplish the same amount of work. The new shortened time line forces them to work much harder). I can't say I recall much about this season... except that Maryanne won and no one expected her to. In fact, most of us thought she would be the first boot of her tribe. Her over- the-top emotions, her non-stop chatter... just a couple of the reasons why most thought this. I remember I was rooting pretty hard for Jonathan. But sadly, he lost in the final four fire-making challenge to Mike Turner after somehow losing the final challenge to Romeo. How did this happen after dominating the games challenges most of the season (We all suspect the previous night's "open bar" shenanigans gave him a hangover the next day, and that "catch the spinning balls" challenge must have been MUCH more difficult for him in that condition)? And rightly so, Romeo was not just going to hand Johnathan the win by taking him to the end. He took Maryanne, forcing Johnathan to win his spot in a fire making challenge. No one can begrudge Romeo this choice; it was the right one. Would Johnathan have won the game if he had been at the end? I'm really not sure. How did Maryanne manage to get the win? I really don't recall; I'll let WM fill in this part. An unexpectedly brilliant FTC performance, explaining her game and the reasons she should win SO much better than the other two. Whipping out the immunity idol she had kept secret all game was the shocking "cherry on top" that stunned the jury. Survivor 43 This season is most fresh in my mind and, I must say, was the most enjoyable one we've had in a while. Overall, a likable cast; I can't recall anyone that I overtly disliked at all. And after a wonderful season with some great challenges and game play, we got an unlikely hero as the winner... ... Mike Gabler, a fifty-one year old veteran. Like Maryanne on season 42, I think most of us dismissed Gabler early on. Nice enough guy, but it seemed like he wasn't really there to PLAY. We didn't see a lot of big moves or big strategy from him. An offbeat personality and likable enough, sure. but come on. Who thought he'd still be there anywhere close to the end? But that was the beauty of it all - no one, not even his castmates - saw him as a threat. They were all so busy taking down THEIR perceived enemies, they didn't really pay attention to the game that Gabler was quietly playing. He articulately described that at final tribal council, so eloquently that he literally won the entire jury over (except for one person). Then after winning the game, he made a hero's announcement: his winnings would ALL be donated to veteran charities, helping those who have fought to protect and serve our country. A selfless act - and an amazing outcome to a pretty darn great season of "Survivor". I'm sure WM will have more to say on this. (Kudos for never mentioning this at all DURING the game; it might have called many to question his motivation. The fact that he made this announcement after the game is what made it a truly heroic moment: his inspiration was simply to aid a cause he believed in) I was rooting hard for Owen or Jesse, but I have no complaint about this outcome. We also had two seasons of "The Amazing Race" this year.... ... season 32, which I can't recall much about except that it was won by Kim and Penn, a pair that not everyone liked much. But I remember that I did. Then season 33, which had one of the most memorable teams we have seen in a while: Emily and Molly placed second in the game, but first in our hearts. The team that hit the mat fastest was Big Brother alums Derek and Claire, a deserving win for sure. But Emily and Molly (who I often referred to as long-lost sisters) captured our hearts with their story. Twins separated at birth and raised without ever knowing about the other, they reunited as adults and used the race to make up for so much lost time. Completely likable and great competitors who you just had to cheer for. Their second-place finish was even more remarkable due an injury to Molly's knee that she had to fight throughout the race, getting progressively worse just as the challenges increased in difficulty. I will remember season 33's Emily and Molly long after I've forgotten the names of #TeamBigBrother. I'm sure there are other things I should mention. I'll leave Big Brother and The Bachelor and Big Sky, and so on... for WM. Someone who actually watches those shows. "Big Brother" had the most inspirational season in its franchise history; the most heartwarming triumph-of-the-underdog story in - dare I say it? - reality TV history. A beautiful young woman becomes the victim of intense bullying (racism and petty female jealousy being the cause) yet powers through by strength of character despite early attempts to evict her EVERY single week. Forming an alliance with the fellow house outliers later in the game, she used her leadership to defeat the blatant racism in the house with great maturity (something not usually seen in the Big Brother house). Ultimately, she dazzled the jury at the final Q&A (as so many RTV winners did in 2022) with what many called the greatest final speech in BB history. She won 8-1, the first Black woman (in a non-celebrity season) to do so, and also the first winner to also be named America's Favourite Player. Taylor Hale will be end up on the Big Brother Mount Rushmore. But I'm out of time..... OH! I will mention MY favorite new show of the season.... (I assume "Ghosts" is a close second?) ... "So Help Me Todd" (which may or may not get a second season but has sure been an enjoyable show). What zany fun this turned out to be! Even though Todd (Skyler Austin, pictured here) will forever be Max from "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" for me (stupid NBC for cancelling that fabulous show), This little "dramedy" has been a fun replacement. Okay, officially out of time. Please feel free to add your favorites in the comments. Happy New Year! Here is hoping for a better 2023 in the world of TV.
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