Welcome to MovieJawn’s Split Decision! Each week, Ryan will pose a question to our staff of knowledgeable and passionate film lovers and share the responses. Chime in on Twitter, Facebook, our Instagram, or in the comments below.

What was your favorite TV show of 2021?

What We Do in the Shadows - I resisted the TV treatment of one of my favorite comedies in recent memory for its first two seasons, only to spend 2021 realizing that the TV show is better than the movie. The cast is phenomenal and the way this show takes the piss out of every vampire movie trope under the sun (pun accidental and I feel bad saying intentional) is masterful. There are a lot of excellent shows out there and picking a favorite is tough, but I can’t think of a show that brings me more joy via making me laugh so hard I feel like I might have to text 911 to come get me. ——Ian Hrabe, Staff Writer

I started Succession last summer not expecting that I would get into it. I just wanted to see more Nicholas Braun after Zola and I heard it was funny. One hour dramas are not usually my jam. I like a tight 20-25 minutes of light hearted comedy and then to move on. I loved it. It’s funny and vulgar and the acting is excellent. So many shows can’t justify going on for three seasons-plus, but Succession is dynamic. It’s cinematic. The finale made me gasp multiple times, and I love that feeling of genuine surprise.  –Audrey Callerstrom, Staff Writer

Succession had an incredible run this season, but no show had my attention week to week like the six episode run of Mike White’s The White Lotus. I saw myself and my loved ones in there, hilarious warts and all, but not without White’s special brand of compassionate empathy for his characters. I loved the demonstration of generational clashes, but also the cold hard truth that the ultimate dividing factor in society is between those who have and those who have not. Underneath it all is a hope for the future and that humanity can change for the better…maybe. –A.Freedman, Staff Writer

I’m presuming that the Old Sport, Rosalie Kicks will go to bat for Chucky (which, in fairness, rules) so I’ll throw my hat in the ring for Only Murders in the Building. I may be slightly biased because I am simultaneously an aging hipster with a list of quirks longer than your arm like Steve Martin’s Charles-Haden Savage AND an aspiring podcast emperor à la Martin Short’s Oliver Putnam, but I still think their genteel approach to the ubiquitous True Crime genre is a blast to watch with fun performances, characters that feel unique, and a sense of worldbuilding that really appeals to me. I’d also like to recommend the latest seasons of both The Rookie and Brooklyn Nine-Nine; two shows I’ve enjoyed since their inception that have both had to pivot in light of recent societal changes in an attempt to be true to their characters while not coming off as purely Copaganda. In the case of the Nine-Nine, this was their final season, but it was nice in a bittersweet way to see a show full of such humor and heart go out on top without compromising their POV.   -“Doc” Hunter Bush, Staff Writer

Chucky is hands down one of the best things to happen to our television sets. It has everything you could ask for… a killer doll loose in a small town corrupting teens all while being extremely charming. And if that is not enough to convince a person to watch, there are not one but TWO Devon Sawas. Jennifer Tilly also makes several appearances. This show has done a great job of continuing a terrific legacy and welcoming new fans to the insanity. Oh! Hunter might quite possibly be clairvoyant, but did he know my second choice? That is Resident Alien (coincidentally another SYFY program). If you haven’t checked out this creative and quirky show I highly recommend it. Alright - well TTYL film pals, time to go catch up with Archie and the gang in Riverdale. -Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport 

Shrill. Already a fan of star Aidy Bryant, writer Samantha Irby, writer/developer Lindy West, and the book by West that inspired the series, I still felt surprised by how much I loved it. The characters are real enough to ring true, and so cool and interesting I want to hang out with or be adopted by them. I’m inspired by the love between BFFs Annie (Bryant) and Fran (Lolly Adefope) and intrigued by Annie’s clashes with her Gen X boss Gabe (Hedwig, I mean John Cameron Mitchell). Best of all, Shrill takes strides toward depicting the lived experiences of a woman in larger body. It follows Annie’s journey from culturally programmed self-hatred to self-acceptance as she deals with family shaming, dating experiences full of douchebaggery, and more while just trying live her life. –Melissa Strong, Contributor

Because it was sequestered away behind the gates of Apple TV+, I worry not enough people saw Ronald D. Moore’s brilliant alternate-history drama For All Mankind. The basic premise is “what if Russia beat America in the Space Race?”, but it goes so much further than a simple Cold War reimagining. America’s space program becomes a microcosm for the feminist, racial, and LGBTQ movements, thanks to the show’s clever writing and carefully crafted plot development. If you like historical fiction, complex characters, and the stellar production design of Mad Men and The Americans, give this one a watch. If for no other reason, then just so I can have more people understand me when I scream “TRACY AND GORDO!!!!!” into the internet void. -Liz Locke, CinemaSips.com

It warms my heart that What We Do In the Shadows was the first show mentioned for this Split Decision! The series had a supremely excellent run this year, and since Ian has already talked about it so lovingly, I’ll move my attention to the other great vampire show from this year: Castlevania. The series came to its conclusion, after four pretty spectacular seasons on Netflix, and while the ending was deeply fulfilling… I simply want more of it! By almost all accounts, Castlevania is the greatest video game adaptation of all time, and I think it’ll probably keep that crown - even if Arcane is trying to come for its crown. The show takes inspiration from the games, while creating a storyline all its own. (A common wish, but somehow almost never done well.) Castlevania is filled with magic and violence and the bittersweet sacrifices we make for love. It’s characters are well drawn, funny, and sexy in ways that feel fun and not gratuitous. The series makes a strong case for bringing back the gothic vampire media we’ve been missing, and I truly hope people decide to translate that into live-action once more. Also, this series said “I heard you wanted queer vampires… how about Dracula’s son?” and I will always love it for that! –Emily Maesar, Staff Writer

I’ve seen a few great shows this year: Yellowstone, Invincible, The White Lotus, Squid Game. The most surprising and exciting show I watched, though, was WandaVision. Out of all the Marvel shows that were announced last year, WandaVision was the one I was least interested in. But it turned out that a show I had hardly any expectations of ended up blowing me away with its creativity and daring. Tracing the history of American sitcoms as a way to explore grief is such a bonkers idea, let alone doing that within the trappings of a superhero show. And they pulled it off! - Hugo, Art Director, Hollywood Hunk

I feel like South Korea continued their trend of knocking it out of the park this year with both Squid Game and Hellbound. The two shoes couldn't be any different, but touch upon classism, capitalism and greed with such brilliant anger, with a glimmer of hope. I can't recommend either show highly enough. Brutal, funny, brilliant stuff. –Billy Russell, Staff Writer

My answer is Joe Pera Talks With You, a show I couldn’t care more about. I reviewed every episode of the third season for this site. I bought twenty copies of Pera’s book to give to family and friends for the holidays. I watch and enjoy a lot of TV, but Joe Pera Talks With You is the only thing that lays out an emotional spectrum this wide. It’s often a show I need as much as it is one I look forward to sitting down to watch.–Alex Rudolph, Staff Writer

Its third season scooted in just under the deadline, added to HBO Max in early December, and Stath Lets Flats is consistently one of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen. Created by, co-written by, and starring Jamie Demetriou, the cast introduces you to a lot of talented performers that have yet to hit stateside (the exceptions being Jamie’s sister and costar Natasha, who plays Nadja in the also-excellent What We Do In The Shadows, and recurring appearances from Nick Mohammed, Nate from Ted Lasso). It’s an amazing show with a sense of humor unlike any other, and I can’t recommend it enough! –Clayton Hayes, Staff Writer

I don’t watch a lot of TV, but besides Wandavision and Only Murders in the Building, the best show I watched this year was Reservation Dogs. Showing life in a Native community through the eyes of disaffected teens means the show can do earnest emotions and find the humor even in dark situations in equal measure. These are characters I look forward to spending more time with.–Ryan Silberstein, Managing Editor