procrastinationchronicles.com – Page 16 – how television rules my life…

new and noteworthy tv: 8/3-8/16

August 2, 2020 No Comments

This week I wrapped up the second season of Kominsky Method which has some very good old guy humor from Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. I also wrapped my New Adventures of Old Christine rewatch which is still a hoot of a good show, if you like a show about people who are a mess, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and this cast nails it. Last week I also tried Tell Me a Story that wasn’t showing up as new because it’s apparently a reairing on CW from CBS All Access, while the slow season means I’ll give this show another shot I like the idea of reselling some of these series from off networks and things like Canadian reairing, Coroner below. No advanced word on any of the new entries.

Invisible Stories (HBOM) Series Premiere, Monday 8/3 – A six -episode half hour anthology drama about migrant workers in Asia.
Coroner (CW) Series Premiere, Wednesday 8/5 – Recently widowed newly appointed coroner investigates suspicious deaths in this Canadian drama.
Hitmen (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 8/6 – A comedy about two best buddy hitmen and the hijinks they get into.
Upright (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 8/6 – An eight-part Australian comedy drama that follows a shabby musician driving across the country.
We Hunt Together (Show) Series Premiere, Sunday 8/9 – Two conflicted detectives track down a pair of killers in this six-episode drama.
The Other One (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 8/10 – A comedy following two half sisters both named Catherine Walcott who find each other after their father dies.
Five Bedrooms (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 8/13 – Five people who meet at the singles table at a wedding end up buying a house together, for some reason.
The Great Heist (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 8/14 – Based on the ’94 robbery of $33 million from Colombia’s central bank.
Ted Lasso (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 8/14 – A comedy series where Jason Sudeikis plays a Kansas football coach hired to coach an English pro soccer team.
Teenage Bounty Hunters (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 8/14 – Twin sisters in an elite high school get to bounty hunting.
Lovecraft Country (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 8/16 – Based on a book, a trek across ’50s segregated America to find a missing father.

Returning streaming: The Seven Deadly Sins (Net, 8/6), High Seas (Net, 8/7), Nailed it! Mexico (Net, 8/7), The New Legends of Monkey (Net, 8/7), Selling Sunset (Net, 8/7), Infinity Train (HBOM, 8/13), Glow Up (Net, 8/14), Weird But True (Dis+, 8/14), Rita (Net, 8/15).

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

new and noteworthy tv 7/20-8/2

July 19, 2020 No Comments

Wrapped up this season of Dead to Me and Never Have I Ever, both compelling in their own ways as well as the choose your own adventure version of Kimmy Schmidt, which was fun enough if you’ve gone on the Kimmy journey.

I also somewhat successfully started watching The Peacock, mainly because I recently binged all of Psych and darned if I was going to miss the second movie (which was much as expected if not a little light on psychic powers). And while I wasn’t able to get it to work in browser on my iPad (which supposedly meets the requirements, it does seem to work on laptop browser) I was able to watch on the free app though unable to Chromecast to my TV which appeared available just wouldn’t connect. And while I’m not really going out of my way to go back soon, if it were easy enough to use and they had something I wanted, why not? Though not yet interested in any of the original content and not quite sure on the content level of paid vs free.

This week along with some imports I’m excited for the return of Wynonna Earp on Syfy and didn’t love but enjoyed elements of the first Umbrella Academy so will likely check in on season 2.

Signs (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/22 – A Polish murder mystery, where a new murder shows similarities to a cold case.
Maxxx (Hulu) Series Premiere, Tuesday 7/28 – A former famous boy band star tries to make a comeback in this UK comedy.
Ladhood (Hulu) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/29 – A UK coming-of-age comedy looking at masculinity and memories of misspent adolescence.
Frayed (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 7/30 – A wealthy London housewife returns to Australian roots and events that led her to flee in this drama.
In My Skin (Hulu) Series Premiere, Thursday 7/30 – Another coming-of-age UK comedy this one about a teen girl’s very different home and school life.
Brassic (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 7/31 – A UK comedy following two friends, one with bipolar disorder.
Get Even (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 7/31 – Four teen girls band together to get revenge in this UK private school comedy.
Locked Up (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 7/31 – This Spanish thriller follows a naive young woman sentenced to prison after being manipulated by her boyfriend.
The Code (Ova) Series Premiere, Saturday 8/1, 7pm – A drama about two brothers in Australia who come across a video of a car accident whose contents are ‘shocking’.

Returning streaming: How to Sell Drugs Online (Net, 7/21), Norsemen (Net, 7/22), Rebecka Martinsson (Acorn, 7/27), Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons (Net), The Umbrella Academy (Net, 7/31).

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

new and noteworthy tv: 7/6-7/19

July 5, 2020 No Comments

I actually knocked a few things off I’d been streaming Grace & Frankie (cute), Queer Eye (fun enough), Orange is the New Black (very uneven but some great elements in early and final seasons), Bosch (will miss his detective capers), and Upload (fun sci-fi romance romp) as well as a Hot in Cleveland rewatch (fun and fluffy). Still plugging away at others and thinking of diving back into a few dvr saves like the final season of Mr Robot.

In this round’s new launches Peacock comes out on Wednesday July 15 – and is apparently free, but not sure that applied so everybody. A quick google got me to Peacock TV which seems to indicate you need an X1 (xfinity device?) or a Flex (internet with an option like a roku?) with a basic level of service. Whether this will also be available online or with other smart devices is unclear but would seem like a bad move if not. There’s also a paid version that gets you ‘more’ but what that means is also unclear. I have to say if I bothered to look into this and I’m not sure about it it’s really not a good sign, but likely more clarity as the launch date approaches/passes.

Stateless (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/8 – The paths of four diverse strangers intersect at an immigration detention center in the Australian outback with Cate Blanchett, Dominic West, Jai Courtney, and Yvonne Strahovski with some good early buzz.
Was It Love (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/8 – A single mother has four men come into her life in this South Korean drama.
Close Enough (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 7/9 – An adult animated comedy about a married couple live in a shared space with their kid and their two divorced friends.
Japan Sinks (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 7/9 – An ordinary family faces massive earthquakes in this Japanese animated comedy.
Breathe: Into the Shadows (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 7/10 – An Indian psychological thriller where a man and his wife delve into the case of their kidnapped daughter.
Little Voice (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 7/10 – A comedy about an aspiring singer trying to fulfill her dreams with music by Sara Bareilles.
The Twelve (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 7/10 – This drama from Belgium about twelve jurors deciding the case of a woman accused of killing her best friend and her own daughter.
P-Valley (Starz) Series Premiere, Sunday 7/12 – A dramatic look at the lives of strip club dancers.
The Nest (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 7/13 – A couple trying to have a baby meet a troubled 18-year-old surrogate.
Brave New World (Pea) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/15 – Based on the novel a Utopian society is threatened after a couple meets a man while on vacation in the Savage Lands.
The Capture (Pea) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/15 – A conspiracy thriller looking at truth of digital evidence in a crime.
Dark Desire (Pea) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/15 – A married woman’s weekend away sparks some passion, tragedy, and questions in this Spanish drama.
Cleopatra in Space (Pea) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/15 – An animated comedy based on a graphic novel where she is transported into the future and trains to take on bad guys and get back to her time.
Intelligence (Pea) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/15 – An American NSA agent, David Schwimmer, joins a UK Government Communications Headquarters in this comedy.
Psych2: Lassie Come Home (Pea) Special presentation, I not that long ago did a Psych binge including the first movie only to find that this one wasn’t out yet, and would like to cross it off.
United We Fall (ABC) Series Premiere, Wednesday 7/15 – A new family comedy, with extended family.
The Secrets She Keeps (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 7/16 – Set in Sydney two pregnant women’s lives and secrets collide in this drama based on a novel.
Cursed (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 7/17 – Another re-imagining of the Arthur/Merlin dramatic tale.

Returning streaming: The Protector (Net, 7/9), Hello Ninja (Net, 7/10), Absentia (Am, 7/17).

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

lifestyle

shop for shelter

June 30, 2020 No Comments

So it’s been a while now, 15 weeks or so. And while we’ve all been impacted in different ways one common theme is a lot more time in our own homes. And while everyone has by now hopefully been able to get the basics: food, TP, masks, and antibacterial hand wash, plus I actually scored some cleaning wipes (it was the last container but gave me a sign of hope). But there are a few things that I’ve appreciated or added that supplement the bare essentials.

Taking a little time for self-care might be keeping me a little more sane. While I have been known to order the occasional item online a good trip to your local drugstore should stock you up for this. With all the hand washing make sure you’re treating yourself to a little extra moisture, I personally never use hand lotion so ended up splurging for this version from L’Occitane. I figured I could splurge there since I’m saving so much money on mani pedis, which I now make time for over the weekend to do myself, though I’m skipping color I do find I need a little nail strengthener or my nails fall apart so use the Nailtiques 2plus and try a little moisture there with some cuticle oil. And if your place of residence has a tub indulging in a little time with an epsom salt soak should be on the menu and while you’re there maybe throw on a sheet or a mud or charcoal mask (I find the options on sheet masks a little overwhelming), and yes still on the lookout for the perfect bubble to accompany.

I find that although I’m not going out as much I do still try to change out of my pajamas for the day, it just makes me feel better and avoids those awkward moments when the delivery guy knocks on your door. But while I do like to put on “real” clothes this mostly consists of t shirts and some sort of comfy pants. Personally comfy pants are not fitted “yoga” pants, it just still feels a little like giving up if I’m not actually exercising. Mine are usually something I’ve snagged off the sale rack but I have comparable versions to and these soft drape pants, tapered knit pants, slightly oomphed knit pants, and on a whim these overalls. And don’t get me wrong a good pair of pajama pants are in my book indispensable and I snagged a cute pair of these in the lemons right before lock-down. And yes I do still do zooms so depending on the audience have been known to put on an actual shirt. Sorry gents no personal men’s suggestions but similar pants are out there like these lounge chinos or these pants both suggested by The Strategist (which I love for reccos).

It’s been really tough not seeing people and being able to hang out on a semi regular basis but we’ve been able to supplement the quality alone time with some virtual activities. A fan of our lovely local Napa Valley it seemed like a good opportunity to support some local wineries and did a virtual tasting through Matthiasson that was fun and tasty, with a discounted follow up wine purchase. Also took advantage of some speaker series through Commonwealth Club and Eventbrite as well as some events normally attended in person like City Arts & Lectures and Pop-Up Magazine. And of course have figured out a way to get together for weekly happy hours that include themes (usually includes a virtual background and an occasional attire inspiration, Paris anyone?) and game night fun with Drawful, Trivia, Scattergories, and a non virtual made virtual version of Codenames but I think there’s an online version. Museum tours have also been attempted but something feels lacking in not being there.

My biggest quarantine splurge was well worth it for an alt gym option since my short walking has been curtailed and long walking impeded by foot issues. My building manager made a point that our ecosystem was out of balance with people trying to work on zoom and others getting their aerobic on but this low key cycle keeps me able to get some movement on a regular basis, my setup is of course with a chair and in front of the television. I also like to try to get some regular strength and stretching and have developed an affinity for the PBS show with my buddy Miranda (and no we’re not friends I just refer to the show in a way that makes it seem like we’re just going to hang out), but I like that it’s quick, full body strengthening and stretching, and again is not setting off the apartment building ecosystem.

And you know I couldn’t survive this without some tv and a few books for book club and otherwise. Let me know in the comments what is keeping you going and anything else I should consider buying?

new and noteworthy tv: 6/22-7/5

June 21, 2020 No Comments

I’m still finding it kind of a relief that TV is slowing down for the end of seasons and Covid. I mean don’t get me wrong I’d trade no virus for an overflowing backlog but it’s giving me some time to do some catch up. This week I got back up to date with One Day at a Time after it’s move the POP, and it’s still a sweet fun show to ride an exercise bike to. A few more things in the queue as well as a few real time things like Bold Type and Agents of SHIELD, though I am a little disappointed the fun Search Party moved from TBS to HBO Max which I’m not throwing down for.

Amar Y Vivir (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 6/26 – Country boy gets mixed up with organized crime searching for his sister in Bogota.
Blinded (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 7/2 – Financial thriller follows a young financial journalist and the secrets that she finds investigating her lover’s bank.
Warrior Nun (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 7/2 – A young woman wakes up in a morgue with inexplicable powers and in the battle between good and evil.
The Baby-Sitters Club (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 7/3 – An update on the book series of five friends baby-sitting business.
Ju-On (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 7/3 – A horror story based on real events occurring over four decades.

Returning streaming: Doom Patrol (HBOM, 6/25), Esme & Roy (HBOM, 6/25), Search Party (HBOM, 6/25), The Twilight Zone (CBSAA, 6/25), Pete the Cat (Am, 6/26), The Summerdahl Murders (Aco, 6/29), Chico Bon Bon (Net, 7/1), Hanna (Am, 7/3).

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

new and noteworthy tv: 6/8-6/21

June 7, 2020 No Comments

I wrapped Ozark which threw down with another dark season, visually and content wise, if this is your kind of show definitely check it out. Things are starting to peter out but one of my fave escapist shows The Bold Type and a very special animated episode of One Day at a Time are on the radar. And this week if you’re looking for a special on the topics of today Monday The Time is Now: Race and Resolution on History/Lifetime/A&E, and Tuesday-Wed on various channels including Own: Own Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?

The Woods (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 6/12 – Based on a Harlan Coben novel, a prosecutor’s hopes rise when a body is found and linked to sister’s disappearance.
Partners in Crime (Ova) Series Premiere, Saturday 6/13 – Based on Agatha Christie’s work and following a crime fighting couple, probably par for this kind of course.
Beecham House (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 6/14 – Not great early buzz for former soldier trying to start a new life but carrying a secret.
Love,Victor (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 6/19 – Inspired by the film Love, Simon this one follows our protagonist while adjusting to a new high school.
Perry Mason (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 6/21 – Matthew Rhys picks up as criminal defense lawyer, with the case of the decade, no early word but I’d give it a shot.

Additional streaming:

Curon (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 6/10 – Teen twins discover secrets when their mother mysteriously disappears in this Italian fantasy series.
Reality Z (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 6/10 – A zombie apocalypse imprison contestants on a reality show studio in this Brazilian Horror series.
Whispers (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 6/11 – A Saudi thriller about a family facing the death of the patriarch as secrets come out.

Returning streaming: Dating Around (Net, 6/12), F is for Family (Net, 6/12), Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (Net, 6/12), Pokeman the Series (Net, 6/12), Marcella (Net, 6/14), Hidden (Acorn, 6/15), Mr. Iglesias (Net, 6/17), The Bureau (SundN, 6/18), The Order (Net, 6/18), Summer Camp Island (HBOM, 6/18), Babies (Net, 6/19), Coisa Mais Linda (Net, 6/19), The Politician (Net, 6/19).

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

new and noteworthy tv: 5/25-6/7

May 24, 2020 No Comments

I knocked off Veep through a free window into some HBO shows, and while it was mostly a hoot I wish the finale could have been both dramatically satisfying and a little less depressing. I also knocked off two adaptations Little Fires Everywhere which I thought lacked the nuance of the book and Normal People which minus a few tweaks in tone mostly mirrored the book which I never quite loved. And the latest season of Sex Education which I’m still enjoying. Queer Eye returns this week as well as a special Family Feud celebrity old vs new cast (ABC, 5/31). I’m also looking forward to Agents of SHIELD which returns for its final season, though it’s been uneven I’ve enjoyed the journey and will give another run at Ramy.

In other tv news, HBO Max is now a thing, kicking off on May 27, but what’s the difference between HBO GO (included with HBO), HBO NOW (standalone streaming and apparently comes with access to HBO Max at launch at no additional charge) and HBO Max? Well Max seems to give you all of HBO plus more including some original series and stuff from WarnerMedia and maybe more? How that ends up shaking out in the long run time will tell I suppose. But until then you’re note a few new originals, most of which seem to yet have any advanced critical review as of yet.

Barkskins (NGC) Series Premiere, Monday 5/25, 9pm – No advanced word on this drama series based on the Annie Proulx novel, a look at the mysterious massacre of settlers in the 1690s New France in Quebec.
Ghosts (HBOM) Series Premiere, Wednesday 5/27 – A comedic take on a group of former inhabitants haunting a country mansion.
Home (HBOM) Series Premiere, Wednesday 5/27 – A comedy that follows a family and the refugee who escapes in their car.
Love Life (HBOM) Series Premiere, Wednesday 5/27 – Anna Kendrick stars in at least part of this comedic anthology series looks at the journey from first to last love, so far not a lot of positivity.
Stath Lets Flats (HBOM) Series Premiere, Wednesday 5/27 – A comedy where a rubbish lettings agent aims to take over the family business.
Trigonometry (HBOM) Series Premiere, Wednesday 5/27 – Three people in a complicated relationship.
Central Park (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 5/29 – Animated release from one of the Bob’s Burgers peeps, and with cast including Daveed Diggs, Josh Gad, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, and Stanley Tucci about a family that cares for and lives in the park and their foe a hotel heiress, getting some early good buzz.
Space Force (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/29 – Following the latest launch 5/27 hopefully that puts you in the mood to watch Steve Carell as a serious military man who swaps his dreams of running the Air Force for running the Space Force, good pedigree but time will tell.
Quiz (AMC) Series Premiere, Sunday 5/31, 9pm – Early good word on this three-part drama series about the people who tried to cheat their way through the British version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Maxxx (Hulu) Series Premiere, Tuesday 6/2 – A comedy about a former boy band star trying to make a comeback, might have some laughs.
In My Skin (Hulu) Series Premiere, Thursday 6/4 – Welsh coming-of-age dark comedy about a teen girl who hides her troubled home life, might be worth a look.
McCallum (Ova) Series Premiere, Friday 6/5 – Motorcycling forensic pathologist, not sure if this is worth finding Ovation or not.
Trackers (Cin) Series Premiere, Friday 6/5 – Six episode crime drama set in South Africa finds a low-level analyst uncovering a conspiracy.
I May Destroy You (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 6/7, 10:30pm – After an up-and-coming writer is assaulted at a nightclub she reconsiders parts of her life.

More streaming

Can You Hear Me? (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 6/4 – Canadian drama about three friends grappling with life.
El Presidente (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 6/5 – A Mexican true crime series inspired by the 2015 Fifa corruption scandal.

Returning streaming: Ramy (Hulu, 5/29), Somebody Feed Pil (Net, 5/29), Baki (Net, 6/4), Queer Eye (Net, 6/5)

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

new and noteworthy tv: 5/11-5/24

May 10, 2020 No Comments

I’ve been kicking along with some of the shows still airing/wrapping up as well as making some progress on streaming options. I wrapped up High Fidelity which I really liked, thought they captured a good vibe from the source materials which I also really liked. This week a few new things cropping up, Burden of Truth is also back, the Canadian legal drama that somehow got me hooked based on timing as a sort of summer series.

The Great (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 5/15 – A satirical, comedic drama about Catherine the Great played by Elle Fanning, some good initial reviews.
White Lines (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/15 – A woman travels from England to Ibiza when her brother is found dead in this offbeat thriller.
Hightown (Starz) Series Premiere, Sunday 5/17 – No word on this crime drama exploring themes of addiction, recovery and possible redemption.
Snowpiercer (TNT) Series Premiere, Sunday 5/17 – This series has been in the works for a while so I’m a little skeptical particularly since it’s based on what was already an odd film that’s a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller where the remnants of humanity survive on a moving train.
Dead Still (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 5/18 – A darkly comic murder mystery set in 1880s Ireland, not sure about the show or where one would actually watch Acorn.
DC’s Stargirl (DC) Series Premiere, Monday 5/18 – A high school sophomore finds a staff and gathers up a team to superhero, I’m not super eager.
Sweet Magnolias (Net) Series Premiere, Tuesday 5/19 – Lifelong friends lift each other up in a small southern town in this romantic drama.

More streaming

Inhuman Resources (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/15 – Out of work and attracted by a job opening that leads to more than bargained for in this French thriller.
The Unremarkable Juanquini (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/15 – A magician makes a kingpin disappear in this Latin absurdist drama.
Control Z (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/22 – A hacker starts releasing high school students’ secrets in this Mexican teen show.
Betaal (Net) Series Premiere, Sunday 5/24 – British soldier unearth zombies when trying to make way for a highway in this Indian thriller.

Returning streaming: Bordertown (Net, 5/11), Magic for Humans (Net, 5/15), She Ra and the Princess of Power (Net, 5/15), Homecoming (Am, 5/22), Trailer Park Boys (Net, 5/22)

new and noteworthy tv: 4/27-5/10

April 26, 2020 No Comments

I got an under desk bike for my apartment which allowed me to watch a couple of series that I was only allowing myself at the gym, so wrapped up very fun The Tick and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, two seasons not enough for one and four seasons probably a little too much for the other. I also wrapped the reboot of Will & Grace which overall I enjoyed but maybe more so in the beginning when it seemed to be dealing with more issues around their new older place in life. And as shows are wrapping for the season, either as scheduled or prematurely, there are still some new things coming our way. I’m going to tune in for Never Have I Ever and Normal People. Also excited to see where season two of Dead to Me goes, the first season was imperfect but I found myself totally absorbed by Applegate and Cardellini and their precarious circumstances. Note for those of you who tuned in or missed Council of Dads on NBC it’s back on Thursday after the Parks & Rec special, it was super sappy but you know if you’re into that kind of thing.

Never Have I Ever (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 4/27 – Hearing good things about this new series from Mindy Kaling about a first-gen Indian-American teen.
Normal People (Hulu) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/29 – Based on the book (which we just read for book club) the story of a relationship of an Irish ‘couple’ whose lives are intertwined from high school through undergraduate, liked the book and will tune in based on overall positive reviews.
Parks and Recreation (NBC) Thursday 4/30 – Excited to revisit some of our favorite city workers though curious to see what the filmed from their own homes special episode will bring.
Hollywood (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/1 – No advanced word on this new limited series from Ryan Murphy about the “Golden Age” of Hollywood.
Trying (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 5/1 – British comedy about a couple who want kids, no insights as to how funny it is.
Upload (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 5/1 – The premise of this comedy by Greg Daniels (Office/Parks & Rec) is an app developer gets uploaded to a virtual world after a near fatal accident, probably worth a sample.
Betty (HBO) Series Premiere, Friday 5/1 – Intrigued by this look at a group of young women skateboarders, expanding on the world created by the film Skate Kitchen.
Ming’s Dynasty (Fuse) Series Premiere, Sunday 5/3, 11pm – Aspiring rappers return to Toronto to manage the family’s Chinese restaurant.
Bad Mothers (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 5/7 – Australian drama looking at motherhood through four different women.
I Know This Much Is True (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 5/10 – An adaptation of Wally Lamb novel starring Mark Ruffalo as twins dealing with mental illness and other drama, no word but intriguing.

More streaming

Extracurricular (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/29 – Korean teen drama about a student living a double life at school and in the world of crime.
Summertime (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/29 – Italian summer of love for two young adults from different backgrounds.
The Victim’s Game (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/30 – Taiwanese crime drama about a detective with Asperger’s who investigates his daughter’s link to murders.
Almost Happy (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/1 – Quirky Argentinian comedy about a radio host and his family.
Into the Night (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/1 – Belgian thriller about a flight that tries to outrace the sun or face death (in like a supernatural way).
Republic of Doyle (Ova) Series Premiere, Saturday 5/2 – Comedic drama series about a father and son PI agency.
The Eddy (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/8 – French drama about the owner of a jazz club getting mixed up with criminals.
Valeria (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/8 – Spanish romantic comedy with four women discovering themselves.

Returning streaming: Wolf Creek (Shud, 4/30), Medici (Net, 5/1), Workin’ Moms (Net, 5/6), Scissor Seven (Net, 5/7), Dead to Me (Net, 5/8), The Hollow (Net, 5/8), Restaurants on the Edge (Net, 5/8), Rust Valley Restores (Net, 5/8)

shelter and binge

April 23, 2020 No Comments

Note: Apologies to my email subscribers, a recent update has caused the emails to contain all(?) of my 2020 postings in addition to the current post. My email subscription service is no longer supported and I was hoping to put off updates so it’ll just take a beat to clean up with a new service. Stay tuned the procrastinator is on it, eventually.

So there’s always more tv than a person can watch these days but as some people find themselves having more downtime, or just different downtime and needing to disconnect, we still find ourselves sometimes needing to find the right show. I find that when I’m looking for something to binge I’m not always looking for the best tv show and might want something a little lighter and ideally that has an entire series so I can mark it as complete. I might be due for a Buffy rewatch, that would keep me busy for a while. In what follows I’m going to lean toward more exhaustive and less detailed on some options but included only things available to stream. There are a few extras happening these days (e.g. select HBO shows available until ~5/15, I’m currently watching Veep) and now might be the time to do a free trial to check out a service you don’t have. For those not streaming take a look at your various on demand services and channel websites for backlogs to varied degrees.

Classic sitcoms new and old – The Carmichael Show (Hulu). Cheers (Netflix/Prime/Hulu)/Frasier (Hulu), The Good Place (Net), Malcolm in the Middle (Hulu), Mary Tyler Moore (Hulu), MASH (Hulu), New Girl (Netflix), The Office (Netflix), Parks & Recreations (Netflix/Prime/Hulu), Scrubs (Hulu), Seinfeld (Hulu), That 70s Show (Net), 3rd Rock From the Sun (Prime), 30 Rock (Prime/Hulu) – While I’m still a fan of watching from start to finish for most of these you can just tune in and out (other than The Good Place which is a can’t miss but needs to be watched in order) I recently redid Cheers which totally holds up
More under the radar – Baskets (Hulu), Better Off Ted (Hulu), Bored to Death (Prime), Community (Net/Hulu), Cougar Town (Hulu), Don’t Trust the B in Apartment (Hulu), Flight of the Conchords (Prime), Happy Endings (Hulu), The League (Hulu), The Mindy Project (Hulu), Party Down (Hulu), Santa Clarity Diet (Net), Schitts Creek (Net), Speechless (Hulu) – I recently finished the very fun Santa Clarita and I tend to find myself always tuning in for a random Cougartown
Less sitcomy – Bojack Horseman (Net), Casual (Hulu), Catastrophe (Prime), Enlightened (Prime), Forever (Prime), Fleabag (Prime), Master of None (Net), One Mississippi (Prime), Sex & the City (Prime), Sorry For Your Loss (FBWatch), You’re the Worst (Hulu) – These all have moments of humor but are capitalizing on the dramedy phase, Bojack just ended but tempted to go back and rewatch that again next
Procedurals/Capers – Bones (Prime/Hulu), Broadchurch (Net), Burn Notice (Prime/Hulu), Chuck (Prime), Crossing Jordan (Prime), Elementary (Hulu), ER (Hulu), Hannibal (Prime), Luther (Prime/Hulu), The Mentalist (Prime), NYPD Blue (Prime/Hulu), Patriot (Prime), Psych (Prime), Sneaky Pete (Prime), Southland (Hulu), Terriers (Hulu), Veronica Mars (Hulu) – I recently finished Psych which was perfect mindless tv, did a rewatch of Terriers before they took it down for a bit and a rewatch of Veronica Mars (not technically done but no new seasons on the way, Luther is also not technically done) before the later season added to Hulu, some of these are more mindless than others and of course some hold up longer in their runs than others but all would be good distractions
Relationships/Soaps – Downton Abbey (Prime), Gillmore Girls/Bunheads (from the Palladinos) (Net/Hulu), Gossip Girl (Net), Greek (Net), Hart of Dixie (Net), The Riches (Hulu) – I recently wrapped Downton Abbey and what great fare but if you just want to curl up with these fluffier bits it makes for some fun, I was going to try The OC but can’t seem to find it for free, alas plenty of other options
Genre – Angel/Buffy/Firefly/Dollhouse (Joss Whedon fare) (Hulu), Battlestar Galactica (Prime), HUMANS (Prime), iZombie (Net), Jessica Jones (Net), Orphan Black (Prime), Pushing Daisies (Prime), Saving Grace (Hulu), The Tick (Prime), The X-Files (Hulu) – I did an X-Files rewatch a while ago and the earlier episodes are fun but it does eventually get a little tedious, Buffy always calls to me
Drama – The Americans (Prime), Breaking Bad (Netflix), Deadwood (Prime), Friday Night Lights (Prime/Hulu), The Good Wife (Prime/Hulu), In Treatment (Prime), Justified (Hulu), Lodge 49 (Hulu),, Mad Men (Net), Rectify (Net), The Shield (Hulu), Six Feet Under/The Sopranos/The Wire (Prime/Hulu) I think of these as the HBO canon) – Though I don’t tend to binge the heavier stuff so much, now is a great time to catch one of these classics, I personally dropped Breaking Bad after the second season and have decided to go back when I finish The Shield

Happy to do any personalized narrowing down! What’s next for you and what did I miss that you’d recommend?

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