The Best TV Shows of 2022 So Far

We've somehow already reached the midpoint of the year, which means there's been plenty of new and returning TV shows that have aired over the past six months. Some were big meme-generating machines and others were quieter programs that packed an emotional punch. With more TV than ever before, it's not hard to lose track and miss out on some great shows. Below is an unranked list of some highlights from 2022 so far.

"And Just Like That..." Season 1 (HBO Max)

Over a decade since the maligned "Sex and the City 2" film hit theaters comes a sequel to the proper HBO series – except without the pivotal Samantha Jones, played by the one-and-only Kim Cattrall. Without her presence, "And Just Like That..." feels like a completely different show in most ways – a serious tone, a mission to right the show's past problematic wrongs by making a lazy attempt at inclusivity, and focusing on issues many women face in their 50s and 60s. Much like David Lynch's "Twin Peaks: The Return," "And Just Like That..." subverts viewers expectations and results in a fever dream that's equally confounding and captivating.

"Euphoria" Season 2 (HBO)

The second season of HBO's edgy teen drama "Euphoria" may have been one of the most popular series of 2022 – at least if you were on Twitter. Benefiting from a weekly rollout (and not a binge), the adrenalin-infused episodes contained some of the most exciting and thrilling TV moments of the year: From Cal's (Eric Dane) closeted storyline, to the love triangle between Cassie (Sydney Sweeny); her best friend Maddy (Alexa Demi) and Nate (Jacob Elordi), and the tension between Rue; Jules (Hunter Schafer) and Elliot (Dominic Fike), Season 2 built towards a showstopping finale thanks to Lexi's (Maude Apatow) play.

"Hacks" Season 2 (HBO Max)

"Hacks" Season 2 did not miss a beat. From the moment it started, the Emmy Award-winning comedy came back just as strong as its first season. The first half of the new season began as a road trip romp of sorts – with legendary comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) working on her new and raw comedy special with her writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder)...who Deborah is also suing for violating a nondisclosure agreement. Season 2 only gets better in its homestretch, coming together as a feel good show rather than leaning into bleakness – something far too many programs (including comedies) tend to do. Also shoutout to the supporting cast of "Hacks" (out actors Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Megan Stalter, Mark Indelicato, and Johnny Sibilly, as well as Rose Abdoo, Paul W. Downs) and Lauire Metcalf and Suzise's special guest roles.

"I Love That for You" Season 1(Showtime)

The debut season of "I Love That for You" is easily one of the best new comedies of the year. Starring and created by "Saturday Night Live" alum Vanessa Bayer (along with Jeremy Beiler), "I Love That for You" feels like Mike White's "Enlightened" crossed with a Christopher Guest movie. With episodes directed by filmmaker Michael Showalter ("The Eyes of Tammy Faye," "The Big Sick") and out filmmaker Desiree Akhavan ("The Miseducation of Cameron Post," "Appropriate Behavior"), the show also features titans of comedy including actors like Molly Shannon and Jenifer Lewis. They work at QVC-type network, where Bayer's Joanna is a newcomer and looks up to her idol and SVN's longtime personality Jackie (Shannon). The network is run by the no-nonsense CEO Patricia (Lewis) – as funny as Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada" but the show allows this character to have a bit more depth. "I Love That for You" also hinges on a big lie – Joanna, on the verge of being fired in her first week – convinces Patricia to keep her around because her childhood cancer has returned.

"Raised By Wolves" Season 2 (HBO Max)

HBO may have canceled "Raised By Wolves," but its second season is a complete thrill ride, somehow topping the insanity of Season 1. Starring Amanda Collin as Mother, the show takes place in the future, on an earth-like planet where she and Father (Abubakar Salim), two androids, raise a group of children to keep humanity alive. But "Raised By Wolves" is so much more than that and gives us some of the most wild imagery you will see on TV this year (people turning into trees, vicious fish people who live in acid water, giant flying serpents, killer android children). It's a shame we won't get to see how this story concludes but "Raised by Wolves" is a special show that disserves some attention.

"Somebody Somewhere" Season 1 (HBO)

A tender show with big heart, "Somebody Somewhere" quietly aired on HBO earlier this year. The fish-out-of-water comedy stars Bridget Everett as Sam who is grappling with living in her small hometown as she butts heads with her family in the wake of her sister's death. But Sam stumbles upon a group of weirdos – namely Joel (an incredible performance from Jeff Hiller), her coworker who uses his church (inside a mall) as a safe (mostly) queer space for his friends and the community. As the comedy blossoms, it becomes about maintaining and repairing the fragile relationships with the closest people in your life.

"The Righteous Gemstones" Season 2 (HBO)

"The Righteous Gemstones" upped the ante with its second season (as someone on Twitter put it, it's a live-action "Family Guy" – sorry if that description upsets some people but it's true) – a candy-colored spectacle that featured murder, betrayal, deceit and giant homoerotic musclemen who worship God. With stellar performances from creator Danny McBride, Adam Devine, Edi Patterson and John Goodman, "The Righteous Gemstones" was easily one of the most outrageous and enjoyable shows of 2022.

"Severance" Season 1 (Apple TV+)

As "Severance" unfolded during its first season – with its chic retro 70s office vibe and Adam Scott's quaffed hair – the more mysterious and the more relatable the show became. Directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle, the dark comedy takes place at Lumon, a nefarious tech company that employs people who undergo "severance." It's a procedure that blocks work memories at Lumon, creating a second version of the person who inhabits the same body but goes away when they're in the real world. But things start to go left at the secretive company when Mark's "severed" version (Scott) discovers a conspiracy that involves his boss Harmony (a ruthless Patricia Arquette). "Severance" (which also stars Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, John Tuturro, and Christopher Walken) balances a fine line between capturing the existential dread of 9-to-5 office life while being a captivating thriller.

Honorable mentions: "Julia" Season 1 (HBO Max), "Minx" Season 1 (HBO Max), "My Brilliant Friend" Season 3 (HBO), "Station Eleven" Season 1 (HBO Max)