The Top 25 Shows of 2015, No. 5: USA’s “Mr. Robot” and Lifetime’s “UnREAL”

I have put these two shows together in the No. 5 position on my Top 25 list because they share something significant in common. Both shows debuted last summer on basic cable networks absent any significant expectation or anticipation, at least on the part of the press, and they were both identified immediately as being among the best new series of the year. Further, those two networks are not necessarily known for producing top-quality drama series that are heralded by critics as being among the best that television has to offer during this era of Peak TV.