With a change in my relationship status, I find myself watching more television these days. (Michael and I weren't a TV couple, which makes our 12 years all the more remarkable.) But even still, I'm horribly fickle when it comes to entertainment, so finding the right fit is never easy.
I love "On the Case With Paula Zahn" and "Snapped," but I have a strong aversion to fictional hourlong dramas -- if nothing else, "The Jinx" proved that real life is far more interesting than even the best "Law and Order" -- and not everything can be "The Comeback" or "Inside Amy Schumer."
"The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" -- despite assurances from the masses -- was just excruciating for me. Shows that TRY THAT HARD -- with dialogue that no people in the history of the world have ever said, not to mention the speed at which it is said -- just aren't my thing. Ditto for "30 Rock," so anything that isn't at least somewhat based in reality is generally out of the question. (I'd love Tina Fey to write another book, though.)
(If you're interested in what I consider brilliant, read my Top 10 favorite sitcoms of all time HERE or my 30 Forgotten Boob Tube Favorites post HERE.)
I watched -- and even liked-- several episodes of "Orange Is the New Black," but found myself never going back -- and frankly never really wanting to. (I don't watch TV for background noise -- much less as a chore -- I watch it for unadulterated enjoyment.)
I currently have "Mad Men," however briefly. And last night's "Louie" return was very welcomed. (The alien/South American joke!)
And I'm giving Darren Star's "Younger" a shot. It's kinda cute, but I wish it felt more HBO than Nickelodeon. (It's on TVLand, which never shied away from saucy with "Hot in Cleveland," which I love but is almost over.)
But now that I've finished "Bloodline" -- an hourlong drama I gave a shot and enjoyed -- and with "Looking" canceled and "Broad City," "Togetherness" and "Girls" over for the year, I'm already eagerly looking for my next obsession.
And I'm giving Darren Star's "Younger" a shot. It's kinda cute, but I wish it felt more HBO than Nickelodeon. (It's on TVLand, which never shied away from saucy with "Hot in Cleveland," which I love but is almost over.)
But now that I've finished "Bloodline" -- an hourlong drama I gave a shot and enjoyed -- and with "Looking" canceled and "Broad City," "Togetherness" and "Girls" over for the year, I'm already eagerly looking for my next obsession.
Might Netflix's "Grace and Frankie" be the one for me? Looking awfully good ...
Suggestions welcome! Put 'em in the comments or email me HERE.
18 comments:
I know you don't care for fictionalized dramas, but have you tried Hannibal? If nothing else, the visuals are stunning.
Happy Endings, if you don't mind off the air programming.
Like you, there's just not much I care to watch. Scifi is my drug of choice and there just isn't any. Magic and *flail* is not Scifi, so, I've been without.
Why, yes, I am a snob, how did you know?
I'm enjoying Bloodline with Kyle Chandler because, well, Kyle Chandler.
That Grace and Frankie looks hilarious!!! What a cast! I hadn't even heard about that - thanks K!
I have just fallen in love with Parenthood.
Its over the top, but How to get away with Murder is good if you can suspend reality and the eye candy is wonderful
The key to enjoying any series is to swallow the premise, and the show's given universe right at the beginning, and then just go with it. You can't enjoy Star Trek or How to Get Away with Murder if you're always picking around the edges of the setup. The BEST shows stick to their own rules, and don't drag you out of their fictional universe.
That's the key to 30 Rock: it's absurdist, heightened reality, not intended to be taken as something that would really happen for the most part. It's akin to Night Court from the 80s with its cartoonishness, but rarely tries to go mawkish with the "awwwwwww" moments (which Night Court sometimes did). 30 Rock almost always made me laugh out loud at least once.
My current obsessions: The Flash, Agents of SHIELD (also its spinoff, Agent Carter), The Walking Dead (and its coming spinoff) and Better Call Saul. All of them require willing suspension of disbelief.
@James: A sitcom that made you laugh out loud at least ONCE an episode? Oh, dear. I'll stick with my "Bob Newhart" reruns that leave me howling!!!!
Sorry, I could have worded that better:
Most shows don't make me laugh out loud. 30 Rock never failed to. Better? :)
Two others: Better Off Ted (which I'd recommend you watch on Netflix, it's only 26 episodes, and it's hilarious), and Modern Family (which is a bit overrated, but very funny).
:-)
If you liked Bloodlines then The Killing (boy does it have atmosphere!), Happy Valley or Broadchurch (S1 only -- S2's premise just irks me). If you didn't like 30 Rock (really?!?) I doubt you'll like anything I say, but comedy-wise seek out Pulling, a British comedy. It is the funniest, most unromantic, brutally honest show you'll ever see. It was only on for 2 seasons but wrapped up in a one-hour finale (like Looking), which is, minute for minute, the funniest thing ever put to film.
"Shows that TRY THAT HARD -- with dialogue that no people in the history of the world have ever said..."
So.... Looking?
I'm currently watching Hannibal, it's good if you're into surprisingly graphic network TV gore. And of course there's GoT if you like boobies and names. Oh, and Cucumber starts the 13th on Logo, def check that out.
@Von: Hmm. Not sure where you found your friends, but the "Looking" guys reminded me a lot of people I know. I saw "Cucumber" -- and "Banana" -- and trust me, you'll be BEGGING THE LORD to bring back "Looking" after you see 'em!!!
"Guys, I don't wanna talk about how I got fucked against a tree last night. Let's just enjoy this pretty scenery and not talk about how I got fucked against a tree. Because I don't wanna talk about it." Nobody talks like that!!
And I've seen all of Cucumber, which has just as many horrible characters as Looking... but at least it attempts to be entertaining and not something "deep" and "real." Barf.
Also, all my friends (including my boyfriend) agree that Looking is terrible. So apparently I found them in the right places (NOT a rave in the woods, perhaps? ;-)
Oh, Von -- you win!
See? The internet DOES work!!
I would recommend trying a web series - The Outs. Oddly compelling, great writing, and great eye candy.
Bates Motel is pretty good. Basically, I just want Vera Farmiga to scream at me. Haha! I suppose if you enjoyed Psycho you'd find it engaging. It's interesting to see how they try to build to what we all know ultimately happens.
United States of Tara is really great! Toni Collette really nails it. She is so underrated.
I'm currently enjoying Daredevil a lot. They manage to ground the series as opposed to other superhero shows.
Oh, and ditto on The Killing if you enjoyed Bloodline.
I with You on script dramas, and comedies for that matter. I've completely lost my taste for them. Try "I survived" or "I Shouldn't be alive" You can see full episodes of the latter on Youtube. if You like snapped....
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