Things that made us happy in 2022, from Adele and Lizzo to 'Bluey' and 'RRR'

Happy (almost) New Year.

It’s been a doozy. And we're glad to have 2022 behind us: There was plenty of sadness as the coronavirus pandemic continued, political tribes remained fractured and we lost treasured entertainers. But amid all the sorrow came much-needed moments of joy.

So here's our staff's picks of things that made us happy in the past 12 months, from entertainment – a thrilling movie, a touching YouTube channel, a hilarious TV show, a great album or concert – to put a cap on the year. And here's hoping there'll be plenty more of those as we usher in 2023.

'Abbott Elementary'

ABC's sitcom is my comfort TV watch. I wish the seasons had 20+ episodes. The comedy of children and the woes faced by public-school educators are very real, but the mockumentary style puts a fun spin on it. Plus the characters are so lovable. (Even you, Tariq.)  –Naledi Ushe

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'Better Call Saul' series finale

It’s a miracle that AMC's “Breaking Bad” spinoff, starring Bob Odenkirk as huckster strip-mall lawyer Saul Goodman, was good at all, never mind great. But with the final episode of its sixth and final season in August, the show cemented its status as an all-timer, turning one last shared cigarette in a Supermax federal prison into high romance. –Barbara VanDenburgh

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Adele in Las Vegas

After nine months of waiting, wondering, changing travel plans and worrying about ticket status, I admit to tearing up when she finally walked on stage Nov.18 and sang the first word of "Hello." Her residency surpassed my expectations, and the dramatic production elements during “Skyfall” and "Set Fire to the Rain" are – really, no hyperbole – spectacular. –Melissa Ruggieri

More: Adele begins Las Vegas residency with emotion, tells fans, 'thank you for coming back to me'

'The Gilded Age'

Watching this elitist HBO drama unfold at the top of the year was the perfect form of escapism. The intricate outfits, diverse cast and and loose historical context kept me tuned in and provided fun weekly conversation for my group chat.  –Elise Brisco 

More: 'Gilded Age' standout Denée Benton on bringing 'authentic' Black representation to HBO's period drama

Brandi Carlile x Indigo Girls concert

I’m a huge Brandi fan (literally cried the first time I saw her perform live) and my mom raised my sister and I on the Indigo Girls, so when I saw they were touring together earlier this year, I knew we had to go. And let me just say, it’s a memory I’ll cherish forever. My mom, sister and I singing along to "Closer to Fine" at the top of our lungs, the power of hearing Brandi’s latest album live (which my mom is now equally obsessed with) and the happiness of bringing the three of us together for such a special, generation-spanning occasion. Pure queer joy!  –Sara Moniuszko

'Kimberly Akimbo'

There was a lot to be thankful for on New York stages this year, from Heather Headley’s galvanic turn as the Witch in “Into the Woods” to Lea Michele and Julie Benko’s very different but equally fantastic takes on Fanny Brice in the first Broadway revival of “Funny Girl.” But there’s one show I cannot stop thinking about, and that’s “Kimberly Akimbo.” The new Broadway musical takes an unusual premise – a 16-year-old girl (Victoria Clark) who ages four-and-a-half times faster than normal – and makes it an extremely funny and moving reflection on death, family and living to the fullest. – Patrick Ryan

'Michael's Best Life Ever'

This YouTube channel featuring Michael (the unfailingly effervescent employee at my local Gelson’s grocery store) is Los Angeles-based. But it gives a universal reminder to savor life, good food and family, and to belt out a good show tune at any opportunity. This year, Michael ventured out with camera to visit New York and Hawaii, never forgetting to salute his “Team Michael” of subscribers every step of the way. It’s been a joy-filled trip. –Bryan Alexander

'Bluey'

I became a mother at the end of 2021, and by mid-2022 so many of my parent friends and fellow TV critics had hounded (pun intended) me to watch Disney+'s beloved animated preschool series "Bluey" that I dove in, occasionally allowing my baby to watch, too. When I say the show, about an animated Australian family who happen to be dogs, is one of the best shows on TV, I don’t mean just one of the best kids’ shows. Not only did it accurately capture the experience of parenthood in episodes that made me, a grown woman, break down into tears, it also is routinely hilarious and exceptionally well written. TV writers all around could learn from the little blue dogs from down under that keep so many parents out there sane. –Kelly Lawler

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'Fire Island'

I always shout from the proverbial rooftops about queer representation. This year, I practically bathed in it thanks to many a film and television series, but none hit quite as homo home for me as Hulu’s "Fire Island" in June. The gay "Pride and Prejudice" I never knew I wanted, "Fire Island" showcased a slice of queer life,  one of family, friendship, heartache, body-image concerns, laughter, scandal and ultimately love. Did each scene exactly mirror my lived gay experiences? No, but that doesn’t matter. It showed me that people like me are worthy of onscreen time. And no line hits home for me like Matt Rogers’ character asking if he could trade a Crest white strip for a PrEP pill.  –David Oliver

'RRR'

Let’s be honest, the internet’s not a great place to find a lot of happiness nowadays. Yet when I saw some folks I dig talking about this Indian action epic that was streaming on Netflix, I gave it a shot. Y’all, a film hasn’t made me straight-up giddy in a very long time – three soul-enriching hours of jaw-dropping action, two-fisted adventure, wild animal armies, all-time bromance, true love, historical relevance and the best movie dance-off this century.  –Brian Truitt

More top films: The 10 best movies of 2022, from Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun: Maverick' to 'The Whale,' 'RRR'

Lizzo

From playing a 200-year-old crystal flute made for President James Madison to her inspiring Emmys acceptance speech and "SNL" Christmas episode, Lizzo basically wins 2022, especially when it comes to making people smile. –Amy Haneline

It's about damn time: Lizzo celebrates on-screen representation in Emmys acceptance speech

'Armchair Anonymous'

These special episodes of Dax Shepard and Monica Padman’s "Armchair Expert" podcast brought me much-needed laughter in 2022. The wild vignettes from Armcheeries (what they call their podcast listeners) made road trips more bearable – and made for good conversation starters with friends. I mean, what’s your worst dating experience? –Amy Haneline

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Good news: Adele, Lizzo, more things that made us happy in 2022