Thursday I was excited to sit down to watch Hacks, which has consistently been on my top tv list. But actually on Wednesday I was also excited to sit down and watch High Potential and Will Trent, two shows not on my top tv list. We don’t always want to sit down and watch great tv. A lot of what I look forward to each week falls into different categories. Shows that are just… good. Easy to get into. Consistently entertaining. The kind of tv you’re happy to see show up midweek.
And to be clear, what falls into this category is pretty personal. There are shows I can’t get past for one reason or another. A character that doesn’t quite land, a premise I don’t fully buy. I know people who feel that way about entire genres. For me, if a show has a cast I like and a format that doesn’t demand my full attention, I’m usually in. Whether it’s a procedural, a comedy, or something in between here are some of the shows that came to mind.
- Abbott Elementary (Abc) Still one of the most consistently sharp comedies. Strong ensemble, smart writing, and it makes it look effortless.
- Bad Monkey (App+) I dig me some Carl Hiaasen chaos and they do a pretty good job of capturing the spirit with Vince Vaughn as an appealing not altogether together lead.
- Elsbeth (Cbs) They took a favorite side character from the world of The Good Wife/Fight and put her in circumstances that let her shine, we see who the culprit is so it’s all about the interplay.
- Emily in Paris (Net) Not good in the traditional sense but completely bingeable anyway, it knows exactly what it’s doing with its ridiculousness and outfits.
- Ghosts (Cbs) Again with a fun ensemble in endlessly quirky scenarios and ongoing bits, gets funnier over time.
- High Potential (Abc) Kaitlin Olson shines as the lead here and sails through each week’s crime with enough overarching story and a little romantic tension.
- A Man on the Inside (Net) Ted Danson is always a charmer and this role is meant for where he is, each season brings (and brings back) a fun cast and an appealing light mystery.
- Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) At its best it was on the best list but this trio of crime solvers may have gotten more ridiculous, it’s still a fun hang.
- Peacemaker (Hbo) Big, chaotic, and very specific in tone, it commits fully and brings the outlier characters together in a way that brings you in.
- Scrubs (Abc) A return that is one of the few that nail the tone in a continuation and it’s a comfort to sit down with these characters again.
- Stumble (Nbc) A really fun and funny docu-style look at an underdog cheerleading team that brings the quirks and the heart with a fun cast and a great leading performance by Jenn Lyon.
- Twisted Metal (Pea) Super weird but this post apocalyptic car race lands with its comedic and brutal over the top tone.
- Wild Cards (CW) Light, playful, and built for easy watching the will they won’t they criminal + crime solving doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is part of the appeal.
- Will Trent (Abc) I’ve heard complaints from those who read the books but for me it’s a fun take on the extra skilled detective formula with a good supporting cast.
- Your Friends & Neighbors (App+) Jon Hamm heisting in his fancy neighborhood, heck yes, and of course it’s always on the edge of unraveling.
They’re the shows I actually keep up with. The ones I’m happy to put on first without thinking too much about it. The ones that fill in the gaps between the heavy hitters.
And honestly, that counts for a lot. What are some of your go-tos that are good, but maybe not great?
