“This Is Us” -- The Top 25 Programs of 2017, No. 6

There is no sophomore slump here.  NBC's This Is Us, the best drama on broadcast television, hasn’t lost any of its emotional power or keen behavioral insight in its second season.  Sterling K. Brown, as Randall, continues to shine, giving one of the most popular performances on television at the moment.  The story of prescriptive drug dependency the writers have skillfully crafted for Kevin has made Justin Hartley an unexpected award contender.  Kate's pregnancy was tough, tender and above all truthful -- and it gave Chrissy Metz yet another opportunity to show why she deserves so much ongoing praise.  (Hartley, Metz and Brown are pictured above.)  It's all good, and it belongs on everyone's Best of 2017 lists.