TV SHOWS / SERIES - Seen any good ones lately? Please feel free to post reviews / feedback / trailers / articles / TV news / all that shit ...
Damn forgot the new season of Cosmos w/ NDT just started on NatGeo.. anyone have the first two episodes..?
Thanks for the recommendation. Vice also had the doc' The Wrestlers in recent years. Caught a few of the episodes. They aired in Canada on MuchMusic and on demand.
Enjoyed the eps with the indy wrestling & more extreme in Japan.
The Ringer’s Exhaustive Guide to Streaming
Welcome to the Streaming Canon, an extensive list of the best movies and shows to watch from the comfort of your home
www.theringer.com
Over the coming weeks more and more of us will find ourselves unable to leave home. With live TV shutting down, no sport, and even the soaps likely to shut up shop, here is our writers’ guide to the top 50 shows to get your teeth into. These may not be the most intellectually demanding programmes of all time, but they are the ones you won’t be able to tear yourself away from. Let us know your favourites to binge in the comments, and come back tomorrow for the next instalment.
The Thick of It
Netflix
You shouldn’t need an opportunity to rewatch The Thick of It. You could watch it a million times in a row and Armando Iannucci’s political satire would still maintain its bite. If you haven’t seen it since the altogether more slick Veep, you might be taken aback by how joyously ramshackle this cheap little no-risk BBC Four sitcom feels. But that is part of its charm. When Malcolm Tucker bares his teeth for the first time in the first scene of the first episode, it is like stumbling across a found-footage horror film. It’s nightmarish. You might not think now is a good time to watch a show about the incompetent failings of national government. But, if you have the stomach for it, there’s nothing better. Stuart Heritage
Twin Peaks
Sky/Now TV
Given what it was – a mystery show with no real intention of answering its own mystery, made by a figure who specialises in deliberately oblique storytelling – the original Twin Peaks was a blockbuster of a show, with an old-school riddle at its heart. A girl died. A good-hearted stranger comes to town to investigate. Then weirdness ensues. But, at least to my mind, the 2017 sequel has now become the definitive Twin Peaks. Aggressively avant garde in places, and truly terrifying in others, it is like nothing else that has ever been on television. It is not an easy watch by any means. In fact, sometimes it is downright maddening. But nevertheless, it will affect you in ways you didn’t think you could be affected. Stuart Heritage
34
Deadwood
Sky/Now TV
FacebookTwitterPinterest
The wild wild west ... Deadwood. Photograph: Allstar/HBO
Advertisement
Ever wanted to see Lovejoy scream “cocksucker” at a procession of bemused cowboys? Then this is the show for you. Set in the “hey!”-day of the wild west, with a host of real-life historical figures such as Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane popping in and out of its small South Dakota town, Deadwood’s stellar reputation never translated into viewing figures, leading to its premature cancellation after three seasons. Luckily, the storylines were rounded out in a feature-length special last year, making now the perfect time to appreciate this thoroughly modern western. Ian McShane chews the scenery as the saloon owner Al Swearengen, but it is Timothy Olyphant, playing the long-suffering sheriff, who holds it all together. If you are not hooked after the first four episodes, culminating in the depiction of the real-life murder of Wild Bill Hickok (an all-too-brief turn from Keith Carradine), there is something wrong with you. And if all else fails, just count the F-bombs; there are 43 in the first hour alone. Toby Moses
35
Arrested Development
Netflix
It may have been created for a pre-streaming world, but there are few sitcoms as binge-friendly as the Bluth family’s madcap saga. Stuffed to the gills with callbacks and inter-show references, Arrested Developmentbenefits hugely from back-to-back (and repeat) viewing – and the impressive gag-rate and endlessly ridiculous narrative accelerations mean the episodes simply fly by. Masterminded by The Ellen Show co-creator Mitchell Hurwitz, Arrested Development began airing in 2003, with three near-peerless seasons before it was cancelled, only to be resurrected for two more disappointing outings on Netflix. Nonetheless, we will always have those early years tracing the many trials (sometimes literally) of the extremely rich, extremely entitled and extremely eccentric Newport Beach crew. Cue layers of cartoonish plotlines, catchphrases galore and a veritable labyrinth of addictively quotable in-jokes; not to mention some of greatest slapstick that television comedy has ever seen. Rachel Aroesti
36
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Netflix
A true millennial phenomenon. The idea of a feminist musical sitcom that majors on mental health issues might cause eyes to roll. But don’t switch over to Friends just yet. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is hilarious, pioneering and eminently watchable. It has caused controversy since first being aired in 2015, chronicling the life struggles of its main character Rebecca (played wonderfully by its writer-creator Rachel Bloom) – from her obsessive fixations and borderline personality disorder, to suicide attempts and abortions – all with a sunny musical theatre soundtrack. What could be heavy, dramatic fare, is dealt with confidently, accompanied by a righteous wink; the Cats special is a thing to behold, and Period Sex will be stuck in your head for weeks. Bloom has been nominated for multiple Emmies, Glaad awards and Golden Globes for her performance, and rightly so – she shines. But the supporting cast are beautifully played, too, with one of the most authentic portrayals of bisexuality ever put to screen in Pete Gardner’s Darryl Whitefeather. Dylan B Jones
Next in Fashion
Advertisement
Netflix
Well-tailored ... Next in Fashion. Photograph: Lara Solanki/Netflix
All dressed up with nowhere to go? Then try Next in Fashion, the Netflix reality show in which already competent and semi-established designers, stuck in the shadows of their big-name bosses, get to compete in front of an impressive array of fashion insiders, from Christopher Kane to Phillip Lim. Better still, its focus on bringing people up rather than putting them down offers a welcome reprieve from the more typically brutal world of TV talent competitions, and presenters Alexa Chung and Tan France provide warm, supportive, well-tailored shoulders to cry on. Plus, you don’t have to wait 10 weeks to find out who the winner will be; the duo very much urge you to binge this, with a reminder to press “next episode” at the end of every episode. Rebecca Nicholson
38
Shameless
All4
Between 2004 and 2013 the writer Paul Abbott embedded us in Manchester’s Chatsworth council estate, with the sprawling, chaotic Gallagher family, headed up – nominally – by their drunkard dad Frank (David Threlfall) and, actually, by his eldest daughter Fiona (Anne-Marie Duff). So much good came from the Gallaghers: Fiona’s unutterably sweet on-screen romance with Steve led to the real-life marriage of Duff and co-star James McAvoy; Maxine Peake built her reputation as fearsome neighbour Veronica, and stories were told about British working-class life without condescension or judgment. Are the Gallaghers the type of family to have a coat of arms? Probably not. But if they were, its motto would read: “Honi soit qui mal y pense” – Shame on those who see shame in it. Ellen E Jones
39
First Dates
Advertisement
All4
Masterful matchmaking is what makes First Dates stand out. It sometimes feels like the only dating show on television with producers who actually care, as proven in a 2015 special episode First Dates: The Proposal, which welcomed back couples who had found love on the show and offered a second chance to those who had not. Not everyone who presents themselves at Fred the maître d’s famous check-in desk will find romance. But the 42 cameras placed around the restaurant mean we miss none of the tragic chat-up lines, awkward silences, tear-jerking backstories and uplifting moments. After a few episodes, even the most hardened cynic is guaranteed to find themselves whooping like the drunkest guest at a wedding. Ellen E Jones
40
Sex Education
Netflix
Public service zeal ... Asa Butterfield and Patricia Allison in Sex Education. Photograph: Netflix
Advertisement
There are so many things about Sex Education that may irritate at first. Why does the school look so American – right down to the lettered bomber jackets – despite being set (and filmed) in rural Britain? For that matter, why film in Wales yet feature no one with a Welsh accent? And let’s not forget that hardy perennial: why do most of its teenagers look about 30? (Answer: because they are.) But be patient; get past that. The show may attempt to lure you in with Inbetweeners-style crudeness, but it unfolds into a thoughtful, well-paced comedy drama, with an almost public-service zeal for exploring the issues around sex and relationships with sensitivity and warmth. There is, of course, the show’s breakout star too, Ncuti Gatwa (real age 27). He has become a meme as lead character Otis’s out-and-proud gay best friend, Eric, and is now a rather unexpected spokesperson for the coronavirus pandemic, with his line after spotting another character leaving the toilets without washing their hands doing more to stop the spread of the virus than any Boris Johnson press conference: “Wash your hands, you detty pig.” Scott Bryan
41
The Blue Planet
iPlayer
There are few voices more soothing than David Attenborough’s, and here he narrates what must be one of the greatest nature documentaries of all time, and certainly the most visually stunning. While its 2017 sequel (also on iPlayer) played a vital role in shifting attitudes towards plastic pollution around the world, it started here, with the the original Blue Planet in 2001, which took five years to make and is still one of Attenborough’s career highlights. The sheer beauty of all that it uncovered is wonderfully escapist in itself (episode two, The Deep, is a psychedelic wonder), and at a pinch, it may also provide just a little of what’s needed in times like these: travel without travelling, education without crowds, and a reminder of the respect we must have for the unforgiving power of nature. Rebecca Nicholson
42
Noughts + Crosses
Advertisement
BBC iPlayer
Romeo and Juliet in a race-reversed society ... Noughts + Crosses. Photograph: Ilze Kitshoff/Mammoth Screen/BBC
Malorie Blackman’s hit young adult series arrived earlier this month, its tale of star-crossed lovers separated because of their races and backgrounds seeming more urgent as bigotry continues its worrying resurgence. Over six episodes – all of which are available to stream now – this Romeo and Juliet in a race-reversed society draws you into a world where the microagressions and discrimination frequently suffered by people of colour are drawn into sharp relief, and the lines between rich and poor are more pronounced than ever. Besides this, it is also a gripping tale of families with hidden secrets, changing allegiances and, of course, love. Peaky Blinders’ Jack Rowan and newcomer Masali Baduza are captivating as the leads, while Paterson Joseph is among its strong ensemble. Hannah J Davies
43
Modern Family
Sky Go/NowTV/Amazon Prime Video
Modern Family is a show you can bond with, settling into and going the distance with its 10 series. Those 200-plus episodes, along with the ongoing 11th and final series, make the story of various factions of the Pritchett clan – including a gay couple with a daughter, introduced to a mainstream American audience as part of the happy warp and weft of normal suburban life – one of the longest running sitcoms in television history. Of course there have been peaks and troughs in that time, but it has always been of standout quality, with laugh-a-line scenes, some of which are so light and fleet that you barely catch them skimming past you, making every episode ripe for rewatching. Lucy Mangan
44
Dirty John
Advertisement
Netflix
FacebookTwitterPinterest
Particularly shocking ... Connie Britton as Debra Newell and Eric Bana as John Meehan in Dirty John. Photograph: Michael Becker/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
As podcasts become ever more popular, so the number of pods that have been made into TV series continues to grow, from Homecoming (Amazon Prime Video) to Limetown (Facebook Watch). Chief among them is Dirty John, adapted from the hit Wondery show about a devious, bedraggled conman who wormed his way into the life of a moneyed businesswoman, Debra Newell, by posing as a successful anaesthesiologist (he was in fact a former nurse anaesthetist who had spent time in prison for fraud). The total gall displayed by John Meehan – as he attempted a Parasite-esque takeover of Newell’s life – would be enough to stun most people. But, combined with a helping of Netflix melodrama, it makes for a particularly shocking, if knowingly cheesy, watch. Hannah J Davies
45
New Girl
Amazon Prime Video
This Zooey Deschanel vehicle has two main things going for it. First, it is funny. Second, there are a lot of episodes. I adopted New Girl as my back-up binge show a couple of years ago, dropping in and out when there wasn’t anything exciting on, and I still haven’t made it to the finale. The best thing about an ensemble sitcom such as New Girl is that – if you hang in there for long enough – all the characters have their time to shine. Schmidt is the breakout character, but then he is eclipsed by the ornery Nick. And then, out of nowhere, Winston becomes the absurdist one who holds the whole show together. This is a series so egalitarian that even Megan Fox is able to become its funniest thing for a decent stretch of episodes. Stuart Heritage
46
Years and Years
Advertisement
BBC iPlayer
Horrifying and plausible ... Years and Years. Photograph: Matt Squire/Red Productions/BBC
Increasingly, you can just stroll down to your local supermarket to achieve an effect comparable to watching Russell T Davies’s 2019 future-shock family saga. With its grim projections about rampant populism, accelerating climate crisis, the madness of crowds and the bewildering pace of technological change, Years and Years felt worryingly on the nose when it aired last year. Suffice to say, its vision hasn’t got much more comforting in the meantime. But as horrifying – and frequently plausible – as the travails of the Lyons family were, the show does, eventually, speak to resilience and continuity. By the skin of their teeth, and not without a couple of casualties, the family keeps it together. And so, just about, does the country. Phil Harrison
47
Lovesick
Netflix
The sitcom previously known as Scrotal Recall was always far better than a show with that painful pun as a name had any right to be. But with a new moniker, and a shift to Netflix, fresh life was breathed into the tale of four twentysomethings navigating friendship, relationships and STIs post university. The laughs may be gentle, but the writing by Tom Edge is subtle and the characters well drawn, with Johnny Flynn (brother of Jerome) leading the cast as the chlamydia-infected Dylan tracking down his previous conquests to break the news. It’s a neat conceit, and the will they/won’t they romance with Antonia Thomas’s Evie is in the greatest of sitcom traditions – and far less frustrating when watched in one go. Toby Moses
48
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Advertisement
All4
The cop comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a feelgood proposition on every level. It is a properly funny comedy. It is undemanding moreish fare. It has charm, it has warmth, it has heart. Its characters are fundamentally united, chafing and rubbing together enough to strike comic sparks but essentially hanging together in the fight against the villainry. True antipathy or hostility has no place here. But best of all, and most valuably perhaps in our current times, it also shows every sign of the ensemble cast being free of it, too. It is impossible to know for sure, of course – the set may be a hotbed of hatred and warring egos – but one feels that the easy camaraderie on display is impossible to fake entirely. Add to that the joy of seeing Andre Braugher – Frank freaking Pembleton from Homicide: Life on the Streets, people! – in a light comic role and all that it left to say is, of course, NOICE! Lucy Mangan
49
Brideshead Revisited
Amazon Prime Video/BritBox
They don’t, in so many senses, make them like this any more. ITV’s 1981 version of Evelyn Waugh’s 1945 novel was, with its 11-hour running time, not far off granting the wish of those viewers who like dramatisations to include every word of the book. That meant the world Waugh conjured – fading nobility, eccentric inter-war hedonism and grassy afternoons at a perfectly proper Oxford University – could be allowed to completely envelop the viewer. In the days before the big US box-set beasts, Brideshead Revisited was routinely cited as the best TV show of all time. In part, that was due to the exquisite score, the sky-high production values and the brilliant cast. But its appeal has always been mainly as a door to a fantasy of a bygone world. That’s now perhaps more valuable than ever. Jack Seale
50
Fresh Meat
All4
Not quite drama, not quite comedy ... Fresh Meat. Photograph: Mark Johnson/Channel 4
Making a followup to Peep Show was always going to be tough for its writers Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, and shorn of the natural comedic chemistry of Mitchell and Webb you might find yourself wondering where all the laughs have gone. But this is not a sitcom – it sits in that weird half-space, not quite a drama, not quite a comedy – where so many TV shows flounder. Yet Fresh Meat pulls through with a hugely talented young cast bringing to life a collection of university misfits adjusting to house-sharing – and hinted at the drama chops of Armstrong, who would go on to write Succession without his long-time collaborator. Jack Whitehall impresses as the posh dimwit best avoided in the uni bar, while Zawe Ashton’s beautifully surreal turn as Vod never fails to entertain, even if the thrill is somewhat diminished in the latter series when the character is pushed to the emotional forefront. Across four series, we see the characters mature, regress and mature again – before it reaches its natural endpoint with graduation. Toby Moses
The Thick of It
Netflix
You shouldn’t need an opportunity to rewatch The Thick of It. You could watch it a million times in a row and Armando Iannucci’s political satire would still maintain its bite. If you haven’t seen it since the altogether more slick Veep, you might be taken aback by how joyously ramshackle this cheap little no-risk BBC Four sitcom feels. But that is part of its charm. When Malcolm Tucker bares his teeth for the first time in the first scene of the first episode, it is like stumbling across a found-footage horror film. It’s nightmarish. You might not think now is a good time to watch a show about the incompetent failings of national government. But, if you have the stomach for it, there’s nothing better. Stuart Heritage
Twin Peaks
Sky/Now TV
Given what it was – a mystery show with no real intention of answering its own mystery, made by a figure who specialises in deliberately oblique storytelling – the original Twin Peaks was a blockbuster of a show, with an old-school riddle at its heart. A girl died. A good-hearted stranger comes to town to investigate. Then weirdness ensues. But, at least to my mind, the 2017 sequel has now become the definitive Twin Peaks. Aggressively avant garde in places, and truly terrifying in others, it is like nothing else that has ever been on television. It is not an easy watch by any means. In fact, sometimes it is downright maddening. But nevertheless, it will affect you in ways you didn’t think you could be affected. Stuart Heritage
34
Deadwood
Sky/Now TV
FacebookTwitterPinterest
The wild wild west ... Deadwood. Photograph: Allstar/HBO
Advertisement
Ever wanted to see Lovejoy scream “cocksucker” at a procession of bemused cowboys? Then this is the show for you. Set in the “hey!”-day of the wild west, with a host of real-life historical figures such as Wyatt Earp and Calamity Jane popping in and out of its small South Dakota town, Deadwood’s stellar reputation never translated into viewing figures, leading to its premature cancellation after three seasons. Luckily, the storylines were rounded out in a feature-length special last year, making now the perfect time to appreciate this thoroughly modern western. Ian McShane chews the scenery as the saloon owner Al Swearengen, but it is Timothy Olyphant, playing the long-suffering sheriff, who holds it all together. If you are not hooked after the first four episodes, culminating in the depiction of the real-life murder of Wild Bill Hickok (an all-too-brief turn from Keith Carradine), there is something wrong with you. And if all else fails, just count the F-bombs; there are 43 in the first hour alone. Toby Moses
35
Arrested Development
Netflix
It may have been created for a pre-streaming world, but there are few sitcoms as binge-friendly as the Bluth family’s madcap saga. Stuffed to the gills with callbacks and inter-show references, Arrested Developmentbenefits hugely from back-to-back (and repeat) viewing – and the impressive gag-rate and endlessly ridiculous narrative accelerations mean the episodes simply fly by. Masterminded by The Ellen Show co-creator Mitchell Hurwitz, Arrested Development began airing in 2003, with three near-peerless seasons before it was cancelled, only to be resurrected for two more disappointing outings on Netflix. Nonetheless, we will always have those early years tracing the many trials (sometimes literally) of the extremely rich, extremely entitled and extremely eccentric Newport Beach crew. Cue layers of cartoonish plotlines, catchphrases galore and a veritable labyrinth of addictively quotable in-jokes; not to mention some of greatest slapstick that television comedy has ever seen. Rachel Aroesti
36
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Netflix
A true millennial phenomenon. The idea of a feminist musical sitcom that majors on mental health issues might cause eyes to roll. But don’t switch over to Friends just yet. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is hilarious, pioneering and eminently watchable. It has caused controversy since first being aired in 2015, chronicling the life struggles of its main character Rebecca (played wonderfully by its writer-creator Rachel Bloom) – from her obsessive fixations and borderline personality disorder, to suicide attempts and abortions – all with a sunny musical theatre soundtrack. What could be heavy, dramatic fare, is dealt with confidently, accompanied by a righteous wink; the Cats special is a thing to behold, and Period Sex will be stuck in your head for weeks. Bloom has been nominated for multiple Emmies, Glaad awards and Golden Globes for her performance, and rightly so – she shines. But the supporting cast are beautifully played, too, with one of the most authentic portrayals of bisexuality ever put to screen in Pete Gardner’s Darryl Whitefeather. Dylan B Jones
Next in Fashion
Advertisement
Netflix
Well-tailored ... Next in Fashion. Photograph: Lara Solanki/Netflix
All dressed up with nowhere to go? Then try Next in Fashion, the Netflix reality show in which already competent and semi-established designers, stuck in the shadows of their big-name bosses, get to compete in front of an impressive array of fashion insiders, from Christopher Kane to Phillip Lim. Better still, its focus on bringing people up rather than putting them down offers a welcome reprieve from the more typically brutal world of TV talent competitions, and presenters Alexa Chung and Tan France provide warm, supportive, well-tailored shoulders to cry on. Plus, you don’t have to wait 10 weeks to find out who the winner will be; the duo very much urge you to binge this, with a reminder to press “next episode” at the end of every episode. Rebecca Nicholson
38
Shameless
All4
Between 2004 and 2013 the writer Paul Abbott embedded us in Manchester’s Chatsworth council estate, with the sprawling, chaotic Gallagher family, headed up – nominally – by their drunkard dad Frank (David Threlfall) and, actually, by his eldest daughter Fiona (Anne-Marie Duff). So much good came from the Gallaghers: Fiona’s unutterably sweet on-screen romance with Steve led to the real-life marriage of Duff and co-star James McAvoy; Maxine Peake built her reputation as fearsome neighbour Veronica, and stories were told about British working-class life without condescension or judgment. Are the Gallaghers the type of family to have a coat of arms? Probably not. But if they were, its motto would read: “Honi soit qui mal y pense” – Shame on those who see shame in it. Ellen E Jones
39
First Dates
Advertisement
All4
Masterful matchmaking is what makes First Dates stand out. It sometimes feels like the only dating show on television with producers who actually care, as proven in a 2015 special episode First Dates: The Proposal, which welcomed back couples who had found love on the show and offered a second chance to those who had not. Not everyone who presents themselves at Fred the maître d’s famous check-in desk will find romance. But the 42 cameras placed around the restaurant mean we miss none of the tragic chat-up lines, awkward silences, tear-jerking backstories and uplifting moments. After a few episodes, even the most hardened cynic is guaranteed to find themselves whooping like the drunkest guest at a wedding. Ellen E Jones
40
Sex Education
Netflix
Public service zeal ... Asa Butterfield and Patricia Allison in Sex Education. Photograph: Netflix
Advertisement
There are so many things about Sex Education that may irritate at first. Why does the school look so American – right down to the lettered bomber jackets – despite being set (and filmed) in rural Britain? For that matter, why film in Wales yet feature no one with a Welsh accent? And let’s not forget that hardy perennial: why do most of its teenagers look about 30? (Answer: because they are.) But be patient; get past that. The show may attempt to lure you in with Inbetweeners-style crudeness, but it unfolds into a thoughtful, well-paced comedy drama, with an almost public-service zeal for exploring the issues around sex and relationships with sensitivity and warmth. There is, of course, the show’s breakout star too, Ncuti Gatwa (real age 27). He has become a meme as lead character Otis’s out-and-proud gay best friend, Eric, and is now a rather unexpected spokesperson for the coronavirus pandemic, with his line after spotting another character leaving the toilets without washing their hands doing more to stop the spread of the virus than any Boris Johnson press conference: “Wash your hands, you detty pig.” Scott Bryan
41
The Blue Planet
iPlayer
There are few voices more soothing than David Attenborough’s, and here he narrates what must be one of the greatest nature documentaries of all time, and certainly the most visually stunning. While its 2017 sequel (also on iPlayer) played a vital role in shifting attitudes towards plastic pollution around the world, it started here, with the the original Blue Planet in 2001, which took five years to make and is still one of Attenborough’s career highlights. The sheer beauty of all that it uncovered is wonderfully escapist in itself (episode two, The Deep, is a psychedelic wonder), and at a pinch, it may also provide just a little of what’s needed in times like these: travel without travelling, education without crowds, and a reminder of the respect we must have for the unforgiving power of nature. Rebecca Nicholson
42
Noughts + Crosses
Advertisement
BBC iPlayer
Romeo and Juliet in a race-reversed society ... Noughts + Crosses. Photograph: Ilze Kitshoff/Mammoth Screen/BBC
Malorie Blackman’s hit young adult series arrived earlier this month, its tale of star-crossed lovers separated because of their races and backgrounds seeming more urgent as bigotry continues its worrying resurgence. Over six episodes – all of which are available to stream now – this Romeo and Juliet in a race-reversed society draws you into a world where the microagressions and discrimination frequently suffered by people of colour are drawn into sharp relief, and the lines between rich and poor are more pronounced than ever. Besides this, it is also a gripping tale of families with hidden secrets, changing allegiances and, of course, love. Peaky Blinders’ Jack Rowan and newcomer Masali Baduza are captivating as the leads, while Paterson Joseph is among its strong ensemble. Hannah J Davies
43
Modern Family
Sky Go/NowTV/Amazon Prime Video
Modern Family is a show you can bond with, settling into and going the distance with its 10 series. Those 200-plus episodes, along with the ongoing 11th and final series, make the story of various factions of the Pritchett clan – including a gay couple with a daughter, introduced to a mainstream American audience as part of the happy warp and weft of normal suburban life – one of the longest running sitcoms in television history. Of course there have been peaks and troughs in that time, but it has always been of standout quality, with laugh-a-line scenes, some of which are so light and fleet that you barely catch them skimming past you, making every episode ripe for rewatching. Lucy Mangan
44
Dirty John
Advertisement
Netflix
FacebookTwitterPinterest
Particularly shocking ... Connie Britton as Debra Newell and Eric Bana as John Meehan in Dirty John. Photograph: Michael Becker/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
As podcasts become ever more popular, so the number of pods that have been made into TV series continues to grow, from Homecoming (Amazon Prime Video) to Limetown (Facebook Watch). Chief among them is Dirty John, adapted from the hit Wondery show about a devious, bedraggled conman who wormed his way into the life of a moneyed businesswoman, Debra Newell, by posing as a successful anaesthesiologist (he was in fact a former nurse anaesthetist who had spent time in prison for fraud). The total gall displayed by John Meehan – as he attempted a Parasite-esque takeover of Newell’s life – would be enough to stun most people. But, combined with a helping of Netflix melodrama, it makes for a particularly shocking, if knowingly cheesy, watch. Hannah J Davies
45
New Girl
Amazon Prime Video
This Zooey Deschanel vehicle has two main things going for it. First, it is funny. Second, there are a lot of episodes. I adopted New Girl as my back-up binge show a couple of years ago, dropping in and out when there wasn’t anything exciting on, and I still haven’t made it to the finale. The best thing about an ensemble sitcom such as New Girl is that – if you hang in there for long enough – all the characters have their time to shine. Schmidt is the breakout character, but then he is eclipsed by the ornery Nick. And then, out of nowhere, Winston becomes the absurdist one who holds the whole show together. This is a series so egalitarian that even Megan Fox is able to become its funniest thing for a decent stretch of episodes. Stuart Heritage
46
Years and Years
Advertisement
BBC iPlayer
Horrifying and plausible ... Years and Years. Photograph: Matt Squire/Red Productions/BBC
Increasingly, you can just stroll down to your local supermarket to achieve an effect comparable to watching Russell T Davies’s 2019 future-shock family saga. With its grim projections about rampant populism, accelerating climate crisis, the madness of crowds and the bewildering pace of technological change, Years and Years felt worryingly on the nose when it aired last year. Suffice to say, its vision hasn’t got much more comforting in the meantime. But as horrifying – and frequently plausible – as the travails of the Lyons family were, the show does, eventually, speak to resilience and continuity. By the skin of their teeth, and not without a couple of casualties, the family keeps it together. And so, just about, does the country. Phil Harrison
47
Lovesick
Netflix
The sitcom previously known as Scrotal Recall was always far better than a show with that painful pun as a name had any right to be. But with a new moniker, and a shift to Netflix, fresh life was breathed into the tale of four twentysomethings navigating friendship, relationships and STIs post university. The laughs may be gentle, but the writing by Tom Edge is subtle and the characters well drawn, with Johnny Flynn (brother of Jerome) leading the cast as the chlamydia-infected Dylan tracking down his previous conquests to break the news. It’s a neat conceit, and the will they/won’t they romance with Antonia Thomas’s Evie is in the greatest of sitcom traditions – and far less frustrating when watched in one go. Toby Moses
48
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Advertisement
All4
The cop comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a feelgood proposition on every level. It is a properly funny comedy. It is undemanding moreish fare. It has charm, it has warmth, it has heart. Its characters are fundamentally united, chafing and rubbing together enough to strike comic sparks but essentially hanging together in the fight against the villainry. True antipathy or hostility has no place here. But best of all, and most valuably perhaps in our current times, it also shows every sign of the ensemble cast being free of it, too. It is impossible to know for sure, of course – the set may be a hotbed of hatred and warring egos – but one feels that the easy camaraderie on display is impossible to fake entirely. Add to that the joy of seeing Andre Braugher – Frank freaking Pembleton from Homicide: Life on the Streets, people! – in a light comic role and all that it left to say is, of course, NOICE! Lucy Mangan
49
Brideshead Revisited
Amazon Prime Video/BritBox
They don’t, in so many senses, make them like this any more. ITV’s 1981 version of Evelyn Waugh’s 1945 novel was, with its 11-hour running time, not far off granting the wish of those viewers who like dramatisations to include every word of the book. That meant the world Waugh conjured – fading nobility, eccentric inter-war hedonism and grassy afternoons at a perfectly proper Oxford University – could be allowed to completely envelop the viewer. In the days before the big US box-set beasts, Brideshead Revisited was routinely cited as the best TV show of all time. In part, that was due to the exquisite score, the sky-high production values and the brilliant cast. But its appeal has always been mainly as a door to a fantasy of a bygone world. That’s now perhaps more valuable than ever. Jack Seale
50
Fresh Meat
All4
Not quite drama, not quite comedy ... Fresh Meat. Photograph: Mark Johnson/Channel 4
Making a followup to Peep Show was always going to be tough for its writers Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, and shorn of the natural comedic chemistry of Mitchell and Webb you might find yourself wondering where all the laughs have gone. But this is not a sitcom – it sits in that weird half-space, not quite a drama, not quite a comedy – where so many TV shows flounder. Yet Fresh Meat pulls through with a hugely talented young cast bringing to life a collection of university misfits adjusting to house-sharing – and hinted at the drama chops of Armstrong, who would go on to write Succession without his long-time collaborator. Jack Whitehall impresses as the posh dimwit best avoided in the uni bar, while Zawe Ashton’s beautifully surreal turn as Vod never fails to entertain, even if the thrill is somewhat diminished in the latter series when the character is pushed to the emotional forefront. Across four series, we see the characters mature, regress and mature again – before it reaches its natural endpoint with graduation. Toby Moses
Good double vote-off on Survivor the other day, for fans of the show who are watching. $2 million prize on the line this season.
Good list of shows, most of these are kind of family friendly so you can watch without traumatizing the kids.
This was an ok movie but the main actor looked anorexic and could not beat anyone in a fight.
Anyone else enjoying the current season of Better Call Saul? Good stuff as always ...
www.rottentomatoes.com
www.rottentomatoes.com
Better Call Saul: Season 5 - TV Reviews
Rotten Tomatoes, home of the Tomatometer, is the most trusted measurement of quality for Movies & TV. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets
Better Call Saul Season 5
Synopsis:Explore Better Call Saul's Season 5 critics' insights and audience ratings. Dive into the drama, excitement, and fun. Read reviews now!
TV Premiere Dates 2020
"Black Mirror" creators drop comedy mocumentary "Death to 2020," featuring stars like Samuel L. Jackson, Lisa Kudrow, and Leslie Jones Plus, the final episodes of "Vikings" will debut on Amazon Prime Video in December. Find out when the most anticipated new and returning shows of 2020 will...
Little Fires Everywhere follows the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and an enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. The story explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood – and the danger in believing that following the rules can avert disaster.
Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective is an animated mystery-adventure series for preschoolers inspired by the cultures and customs of India. Set in the fictional land of Jalpur, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the Queen. Along with her friend Prince Neel, a talented inventor, creative cousin Priya, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, Mira will stop at nothing to solve a case.
Members with Kids....
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It's been a good season so far. Airs on the USA Network in the States, and on Showcase in Canada.
www.complex.com
The Best New TV Shows & Movies This Week: 'The Plot Against America,' 'Briarpatch,' and More
From the new HBO series to a dope new episode of 'Briarpatch', here's a look at the best new TV shows and movies we watched (and streamed) this week.
Nice - I was just talking to my mom & asked her what they've been checking out lately. She said they just got started with Valhalla Murders.
The Outer limits Seasons 3-7 Review
1-6 Hulu
1,3-7 Amazon Prime
This show started out strong. But it started declining,( at least to me) half way through season 5. I liked how the show would continue and finish up story lines. But by the last two seasons. It seems they just started plugging shit from different seasons so they so they can fit.
Season 6 was tolerable, but season 7 was all over the place. There were defiantly great episodes, but there a lot of filler episodes in the last season. Though this show fell off in the end. I would still recommend people check out the show if they haven't seen it.
Oh BTW whille viewing some certain episodes, the audio will cut out sometimes. Im not sure if its on Hulu end or they edit out certain words. I tried looking up this issue and I couldnt find a definitive answer, on whats going on with this issue.
My favorite seasons is 1-4
1-6 Hulu
1,3-7 Amazon Prime
This show started out strong. But it started declining,( at least to me) half way through season 5. I liked how the show would continue and finish up story lines. But by the last two seasons. It seems they just started plugging shit from different seasons so they so they can fit.
Season 6 was tolerable, but season 7 was all over the place. There were defiantly great episodes, but there a lot of filler episodes in the last season. Though this show fell off in the end. I would still recommend people check out the show if they haven't seen it.
Oh BTW whille viewing some certain episodes, the audio will cut out sometimes. Im not sure if its on Hulu end or they edit out certain words. I tried looking up this issue and I couldnt find a definitive answer, on whats going on with this issue.
My favorite seasons is 1-4
what's on Hulu, Amazon & netflix in April?
they better come up with good shows. This corona thing means alot are just indoors
they better come up with good shows. This corona thing means alot are just indoors
Disney Junior’s Mira, Royal Detective is an animated mystery-adventure series for preschoolers inspired by the cultures and customs of India. Set in the fictional land of Jalpur, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the Queen. Along with her friend Prince Neel, a talented inventor, creative cousin Priya, and comical mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, Mira will stop at nothing to solve a case.
Members with Kids....
You can't trust Disney with shit these days. They are full of feminist propaganda programming. You better watch that first before letting your kids see it.
Kids will be running around saying "Mira says you're the bad guy and mommy should divorce you and take all of your money." "Then we can go to Disneyland!"
New on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon April 2020
Now, more than ever, people are craving the latest new titles on streaming services....
www.chron.com
All the movies and TV shows coming to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime in April 2020
March has been a massive month for streaming entertainment, with so many people stuck inside during the coronavirus outbreak. Netflix even agreed to slow streaming speeds in Europe by 25 […]
www.boston.com
New to Hulu April 2020: All the Movies & Shows Coming & Going
Hulu has announced the full list of film and TV titles set to debut in April, including the four Oscar-winning South Korean dark comedy Parasite!
www.comingsoon.net
Hulu New Releases: April 2020
We have a list of the new Hulu movies and shows arriving in April 2020.
www.denofgeek.com
New On Amazon Prime Video February 2024, Plus What’s Coming Next
The list of new titles on Prime Video for February 2024 has a spectacular slate of entertainment, with incredible content streaming all month long! We also highlight some Prime Video Original movie…
decider.com
All Disney shows have 2 themes. Teen girls trying to get dick or some girl power shit.You can't trust Disney with shit these days. They are full of feminist propaganda programming. You better watch that first before letting your kids see it.
Kids will be running around saying "Mira says you're the bad guy and mommy should divorce you and take all of your money." "Then we can go to Disneyland!"
..and you wonder why those DC and Nick show stars sometime be showing out down the line after their series ends and theyre older..
..and you wonder why those DC and Nick show stars sometime be showing out down the line after their series ends and theyre older..
True - really trying to distance themselves from their past images / brands.
Bella Thorne a perfect example..she won a Pornhub award for directing a short film featuring Abella Danger
Then there's a new BGOL favorite..
Turns out some of her former Boy Meets World co-stars are now fans of her work
Turns out some of her former Boy Meets World co-stars are now fans of her work
Surprising that Bella hasn’t gone the Maitland route too.
Vikings
Yeah I just started watching this on Hulu. This is pretty good so far.
Yeah I just started watching this on Hulu. This is pretty good so far.
This was more like Ryan Reynolds as Hannibal King in Blade Trinity rather than in Deadpool.
This movie was ridiculous. Its like Michael Bay told them to freestyle the dialogue and he would just fill in the rest.
This movie was ridiculous. Its like Michael Bay told them to freestyle the dialogue and he would just fill in the rest.
I was listening to a podcast recap of the movie, and the professional reviewer (works at a tv station) joked that he had to watch the movie in 20 minute segments.
The first 20 minute segment was that long ass car chase sequence.I was listening to a podcast recap of the movie, and the professional reviewer (works at a tv station) joked that he had to watch the movie in 20 minute segments.
Cars would hit a bump and explode like they had bombs strapped to them.
Shit looked like a big budget B movie.
Gotta love how the majority of cars explode on impact in movies & TV shows. Just like the real world.
