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procrastinator’s picks – top tv of 2018

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Well tv is getting much harder to keep up with and the introduction of more and more streaming shows I feel like I can let those back up a bit. I paused to pretend I could catch up at the beginning of the year but while I tried a few things realized I just needed to draw the line and move on. I did add Hulu this year so I’m starting on original fare there but still not paying for premium cable so missing shows like those on HBO. And for a look at what critics were picking try Metacritic.

  • The Americans (Fx)- This season wrapped up what was an amazing run, you really go through ups and downs with the spy family and the series finale gave it the sendoff it deserved.
  • Killing Eve (BBCA) – Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer in this cat and mouse show just pull you in and while she’s doing terrible things as a killer Comer as Villanelle draws you in, oh and the fashion!
  • Bojack Horseman (Net) – The layering of tragic and the fun they have with the world they’ve created still make this show a top choice.
  • Atlanta (Fx) – Glover tries to manage his rapper cousin manages to make each episode unique and interesting while still creating a powerful overall season arc and the entire cast gets moments to shine.
  • The Good Place (NBC) – This show gets credit for creating a unique story and world but also for daring to leap forward with the concept with enough frequency to risk a fail but keeps it fresh, I can’t wait to see what awaits those dummies next season.
  • Casual (Hulu) – This was one of the first series I tore through after finally getting Hulu and the final season, while taking some odd turns surprisingly tied all our journeys together.
  • Sorry For Your Loss (FB Watch) – I sort of started this show in the hopes I would never have to track anything down on Facebook Watch again but was swept up in the story of Elizabeth Olsen as a young widow and those around her.
  • Rectify (AMC) – Ok this show technically ended in 2016 but I caught the rest of the run that I had missed this last year and was mesmerized by the tragedy of the post prison life of our protagonist as well as the damage to those around him and their attempts to move on.

I know the goal is always a top ten list but that’s where my super strong recommendations felt like they wanted to stop. Though I will toss out some other gems worth a watch pending your type of fare: The Bold Type (Free), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC), Dear White People (Net), Forever (Net), Kominsky Method (Net), Lodge 49 (AMC), Mom (CBS), One Day at a Time (Net), Queen Sugar (OWN), Santa Clarita Diet (Net), Speechless (ABC), Superstore (NBC), You (Life), Younger (TVL), You’re the Worst (Fxx).

I’m sure I’m forgetting something. What were your favorites?

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new and noteworthy tv: 12/3-12/9

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I wrapped up Rectify this week, which I keep recommending to people with a caveat that it’s slow and can be more bitter than sweet but beautifully poignant. I also wrapped Sabrina which I wanted to like more than I did, good moments but suffered like many Netflix shows by not grabbing quite enough over the spread of episodes. I also went back and picked up the first ep of Dirty John and it was a pass for me, I couldn’t get on board with any of the characters/angles, for a better ‘relationship goes bad’ I’d go back to You which just wrapped on Life. Mrs. Maisel also returns this week and while it wasn’t my fave Palladino series there was much to like and I’m curious how the second season will go.

This week is pretty light but yet again this week there are a handful of new Netflix shows (for amusement check out SNL’s take) none of which I can easily find info on, the good thing about streaming is I can wait for critics to point me to what’s worth watching: Hero Mask (Mon), Bad Blood (Fri), Dogs of Berlin (Fri), Pine Gap (Fri), Plan Coeur (Fri).

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new and noteworthy tv: 10/24-10/30

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My schedule is starting to solidify as we wrap up the final fall releases.

  • Man with a Plan (CBS) Series Premiere, Monday, 8:30pm – This Matt LeBlanc sitcom really isn’t getting any positive buzz.
  • Rectify (Sund) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – The final season of this excellent show begins, and I still have some catch up on last season on Netflix since this is one of those channels I don’t get.
  • The Great Indoors/Mom/Life in Pieces/Pure Genius (CBS) Series/Season Premieres, Thursday, 8:30/9/9:30/10pm – And with the last of our fall premieres, the new Joel McHale millennials vs. oldsters via outdoor stuff isn’t supposed to be revolutionary nor is the Dermot Mulroney hospital of the future, but I am a big fan of the off kilter humor of Mom and pretty on board with the amusing family humor of Life in Pieces.
  • The Living and the Dead (BBCA) Series Premiere, Thursday, 9pm – No real word on this drama about an 1800s psychologist who moves home and finds some ‘odd’ cases.
  • Good Girls Revolt (Am) Series Premiere, Friday – This look back at some ‘girls’ in the 1969 newsroom is apparently more clichéd than insightful.
  • Tracey Ullman’s Show (HBO) Series Premiere, Friday, 11pm – Ullman returns to sketch comedy.
  • The Fall (Net) Season Premiere, Saturday – I’m excited for the return of this detective vs serial killer intrigue.

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

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returning fall favorites

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This year fall sort of snuck up on me but as usual as much as it’s upon us it’s a slow roll. A few of the shows that I’ve got on season pass ready to return:

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/19) – This show might not be revolutionary but still makes me laugh enough to look forward to it for the fun mix of personalities.
  • The Blacklist (NBC, 9/22) – I would be happy never to see Elizabeth again and Red may not be enough to keep me tuning in for another season but my interest is still greater than my annoyance, for now at least.
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, 9/20) – Another one I find funny, the characters have all grown in nice ways and create interesting complementary relationships.
  • Elementary (CBS, 10/2) – I found I was paying less attention to this last year but still like the main characters enough, and enjoy having a good procedural to be available so for now I’ll tune in for more than Joan’s outfit.
  • Empire (Fox, 9/21) – There was a bit of a sophomore slump on this one but I love a good fast moving soapy show and the musical accompaniment adds a nice touch.
  • Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, 10/11) – The mix of cultures and generations in our 80s era setting are well explored with a nice ensemble of well-drawn characters.
  • Gotham (Fox, 9/19) – I never love this reinvention of the early years of the dawn of Batman as much as I want to but I find that I always enjoy the villains and the complexity of the ‘good’ guys more than I think I’m going to.
  • Life in Pieces (CBS, 10/27) – I spent every episode last season deciding whether I was going to keep watching this show but I made it through the year so we’ll see if this extended family laugher keeps me laughing.
  • Madam Secretary (CBS, 10/2) – I am keeping this show in the lineup as basically a poor man’s The Good Wife but this politics meets family show will do for now.
  • Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC, 9/20) – Repeat Gotham description here.
  • The Middle (ABC, 10/11) – This comedy has help up to the test of time and continues to bring amusement even as college is taking them away.
  • Mom (CBS, 10/27) – This show has grown into a nice comedy while still keeping the drama of the darker moments of their lives.
  • New Girl (Fox, 9/20) – Repeat The Big Bang Theory description here.
  • Superstore (NBC, 9/22) – There was enough intriguing and amusing in this workplace comedy to keep me coming back.

And of course a few cable fare: Longmire (Net, 9/23), Project Runway (Life, 9/15),  Rectify (Sund, 10/26). The Walking Dead (AMC, 10/23), Younger (TVL, 9/28), You’re the Worst (Fxx, 8/31), Z Nation (Syfy, 9/16)

Though as I read my reccos I realized most aren’t that strong, here’s hoping the new crop of shows offers some new faves. Stay tuned for my look at what I’m looking forward to.

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new and noteworthy tv: 7/6-7/12

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datesSo no idea about the new shows but it’s summer so either an English import on network or an IFC show I don’t get. I did enjoy the first season of Rectify but need to wait awhile before this hits Netflix.

  • Monday – Penn & Teller, Season Premiere (CW, 8pm), Chasing Life, Season Premiere (ABCF, 9pm)
  • Tuesday – Counting Cars, Season Premiere (Hist, 9pm), Total Divas/Hollywood Cycle, Season/Series Premieres (E!, 9/10pm), Hollywood Game Night, Season Premiere (NBC, 10pm)
  • Wednesday – The Spoils Before Dying, Season Premiere (IFC, 9pm), Million Dollar Listing: San Francisco (Brav, 10pm), Why? with Hannibal Buress, Series Premiere (Com, 10:30pm)
  • Thursday – Dates, Series Premiere (CW, 9pm), Dominion, Season Premiere (Syfy, 10pm), Living with the Enemy, Series Premiere (Life, 10pm), Rectify, Season Premiere (Sund, 10pm), Teen Mom 2/One Bad Choice, Season/Series Premieres (MTV, 10/11pm)
  • Friday – Masters of Illusion, Season Premiere (CW, 8pm), Sex with Brody, Series Premiere (E!, 10:30pm)
  • Saturday – Wimbledon, Women’s Final (ESPN, 6am/ABC 12pm, Men’s final Sunday) , Livin’ Lozada/Flex & Shanice, Series/Season Premieres (OWN, 9/10pm)
  • Sunday – The Hunt with John Walsh/Death Row Stories, Season Premieres (CNN, 8/10pm), Basketball Wives LA, Season Premiere (VH1, 9pm), Ray Donovan/Masters of Sex, Season Premieres (Show, 9/10pm), The Strain, Season Premiere (Fx, 10pm)

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

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critics’ picks – top tv of 2014

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transparentWe’ve said goodbye to 2014 and when I think of how we spent it, it mostly with some television. The critics have posted their top picks so take a look and see what they think. Stay tuned for more top picks including my top tv.

  • The Affair (Show) – MRo, GG
  • The Americans (Fx) –  JP, MR, MRo, TG, AS, HS, MZS, DF, AFI
  • Broad City (Com) – JP
  • Cosmos (Fox) – MZS
  • Downton Abbey (PBS) – GG
  • Enlisted (Fox) – MR
  • Fargo (Fx) – JP, MRo, TG, AS, HS, EW, DF, AFI
  • Game of Thrones (HBO) – MRo, TG, HS, EW, DF, AFI, GG
  • Girls (HBO) – GG
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – JP, MRo, HS, EW, GG
  • Hannibal (NBC) – AS, EW, MZS, DF
  • Happy Valley (Net/BBC) – MR
  • High Maintenance (JP)
  • The Honorable Woman (Sund) – TG
  • House of Cards (Net) – GG
  • How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – AFI
  • Inside Amy Schumer (Com) – EW
  • Jane the Virgin (CW) – MR, MRo, AFI, GG
  • The Knick (Cin) – AFI
  • Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – JP, MZS, DF
  • The Leftovers (HBO) – AS
  • Louie (FX) – JP, TG, EW
  • Mad Men (AMC) – TG, AS, EW, MZS, DF, AFI
  • The Missing (Starz) – MZS
  • The Normal Heart (HBO) – MRo
  • Olive Kitteridge (HBO) – MRo, HS, MZS
  • Orange Is the New Black (Net) – JP, MR, TG, AS, HS, DF, AFI, GG
  • Penny Dreadful (Show) – MR
  • Private Violence (HBO) – MZS
  • Please Like Me (Piv) – EW
  • Rectify (Sund) – MR, AS, EW, DF
  • Review (Com) – MR, AS, DF
  • The Roosevelts (PBS) – MRo, HS, MZS
  • Shameless (Show) – DF
  • Silicon Valley (HBO) – JP, HS, AFI, GG
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) – MRo
  • Transparent (Am) – JP, MR, MRo, TG, AS, HS, EW, AFI, GG
  • True Detective (HBO) – TG, AS, MZS
  • The Walking Dead (AMC) – TG, HS
  • You’re the Worst (Fx) – MR

AFI, AS – Alan Sepinwall for HitFix, MR – Maureen Ryan for Huffington Post, MRo – Matt Roush for TV Guide, TG – Tim Goodman for The Hollywood Reporter, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, HS – Hank Stuever for The Washington Post, EW – Entertainment Weekly, MZS – Matt Zoller Seitz for Vulture, DF – Daniel Fienberg for HitFix, GG – Golden Globe Awards

And for a roundup of more lists check out: News for TV Majors 

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