Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante was inspired by a lot of diverse pop-culture material this year: from big-budget Queen biopics and insane Nicholas Cage revenge flicks to experimental hip-hop and chart-topping indie pop. Television was no exception, either.
"I think that 2018 produced some really good TV shows," he says. "Some political, some dark comedies, some really good dramas ... I can't name all of the ones that I really enjoyed, but I can name a few."
Below, Benante lists the television shows that made his short-list for best of 2018.
The Haunting of Hill House
I really enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House, I thought it was done really well, it kept me entertained and I liked where it went. I wasn't crazy about the last episode, but I enjoyed the series as a whole.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
My daughter started watching this show called The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Sabrina is the character from the Archie Comics back in the day, [which also became its own comic] Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Anyway, this show has a different twist on it. The imagery, other aspects of the show completely drew me in. I enjoyed it, thought it was a really good show.
Ozark
I really enjoyed the first season of this show, I love the twists. I love Jason Bateman, who is so great in this show. I love the show and I love Jason Bateman in it, it's a great show.
Vanderpump Rules
I've been into Vanderpump Rules since it came out. Yeah, it's on Bravo and it's one of those "How can you watch that?" But I've been hooked for years and I'm still hooked. I just love these trainwrecks that work at this restaurant called SUR. I can't wait for the next season.
Barry
Barry was on HBO. I'd been waiting to see the show because I'd heard good things about it and it didn't disappoint me at all. It was so amazing how this hit man gets caught up in this acting school and he becomes an actor. It's just crazy. The way the storyline interacts with real life, his background — I just love this show and I can't wait for the next season.
The Circus
There's a show on Showtime called The Circus. The show is in a documentary-type format and it deals with these journalists who work in D.C. reporting on The White House, politics and just the circus aspect of it all. It gives a good insight on certain things. I wouldn't consider this to be in any way, shape or form "Fake News." I think they tell it like it is and for me, it's a really well made show.
Real Time With Bill Maher
Sticking with the political climate, I would have to say that Real Time With Bill Maher is still one of my favorites. I think that Bill tells it like it is. Sometimes he annoys me, but he's real.
