The 16 TV Shows We Were So Thankful For In 2016

6. The moms on ABC’s household comedies

ABC

Since its debut in 2009, Modern Family has gained the Emmy for finest comedy 5 occasions, however the present’s best legacy is definitely the revolutionary wave of household comedies it ushered in at ABC. At no level in latest reminiscence has the community boasted as deep a bench of family-focused sitcoms because it does now; notably Black-ish, Fresh Off the Boat, The Goldbergs, The Real O’Neals, Speechless, and The Middle — six joyous exhibits that characterize a broad swath of America, previous and current.

And whereas every presents a barely totally different model of the nuclear household, they’re all led by ladies anybody can be proud to name “mother.” There’s Wendi McLendon-Covey’s well-meaning however undeniably overbearing Beverly on The Goldbergs, Constance Wu’s proud but essential Jessica on Fresh Off the Boat, Minnie Driver’s headstrong and assertive Maya on Speechless, Tracee Ellis Ross’s lovingly sincere and sensible Bow on Black-ish, Martha Plimpton’s resolved but inquisitive Eileen on The Real O’Neals, and Patricia Heaton’s all-seeing Frankie on The Middle.

They’re deeply developed ladies of humor, complexity, and compassion, whose presence makes this world a barely much less scary place. And what extra may you ask for in a mom, TV or in any other case? —J.W.