What does couch potatoing have to do with "doing stuff", you ask. You cannot be a doer of stuff without being a non doer of stuff for at least one hour a day. Those are the rules of relaxation.
I worked in the world of television for many years so I have a deep appreciation for good television knowing exactly how difficult it is to make. It's not harder to make good television. It's just rarer.
Here's how a television show usually gets made:
- Jimmy comes up with an unique, entertaining, risk-taking drama about cannibals to pitch!
- Network executives love the idea, they just need to tweak a few things.
- By the time the show is made it's a comedy, with no cannibalism and features one of the Property Brothers. They don't care which one.
The chances of your unique, entertaining, well written, risk-taking show idea remaining any of those things after going through production is 0.1%.
These are the shows that I loved this year and what they could have become.
SEE A QUICK REVIEW OF MY TV SHOW LIKES & DISLIKES HERE
Table of Contents
Sort Of
"Sort Of" follows the journey of Sabi Mehboob, a gender-fluid millennial who comes from a conservative muslim family in Toronto. Through Sabi's obviously unique perspective, the series explores themes of self-discovery, cultural identity, and the complexities of modern life.
Plus it's highly watchable.
With a blend of humour, heart, and poignant moments, "Sort Of" offers a relatable portrayal of a non-binary individual trying to get through life's stuff.
A great watch for anyone who supports, champions, feels uncertain, fearful, or puzzled by non-binary individuals.
It took a few episodes for my brain to stop trying to process Sabi (and other castmates) as male or female. Which is the main reason I encourage you to watch this. Practice makes perfect.
In the wrong hands Sort of could have ended up as a video game where players navigate personal growth and relationships by building forts and battling opponents to the death.
Platonic
Watch the Platonic trailer on Youtube
Platonic explores the power of platonic love in a world obsessed with romantic relationships. Best friends, Mitch (Seth Rogan) and Sylvia (Rose Byrne) renew their friendship years after a falling out. Mitch (Seth Rogan) is now recently divorced and Sylvia is married with kids.
Also it's ridiculous and hilarious. It's ridiculously hilarious.
I liked this show WAY more than I thought I was going to.
Could have become a romcom where the girl giggles a lot and they get together in the end. They do not.
The Super Models
Watch the Super Models trailer on YouTube
This 4 part docuseries covers the careers of Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford - The Super Models. If you have any interest in fashion and these superstars of fashion in the 80's and 90's you will enjoy the series.
The story of their careers as told by each of them filled with iconic cultural moments you had almost forgotten about.
Could have become The Real Housewives model edition complete with Andy Cohen.
Succession
Watch the Succession trailer on YouTube
Succession (which I recently finished) follows the Roy family, owners of a powerful media conglomerate called Waystar Royco. Led by the formidable patriarch Logan Roy who is terrifying on his best day(and who almost dies at least twice a season), the family navigates corporate politics, betrayal, and familial rivalries.
EVERYTHING about this tragicomedy is spectacular. The performances, the storylines and especially the writing.
As Logan's health declines, his ambitious privileged children - Kendall, Roman, Shiv, and Connor - vie for control of the company. Each and every one of them is spectacularly broken.
In today's television climate Succession easily could have become a straight up drama or even worse - a musical.
Girls5Eva
Watch the Girls5Eva trailer on YouTube
One hit wonder all girls group Girls5Eva were huge for a few minutes in the late 90's. 20 years later a rapper samples their hit and the women reunite to try another shot at stardom. It's absurd and from the school of Tina Fey.
You need to know nothing else.
Palm Royale
Watch the Palm Royale trailer on YouTube
Based on the novel Mr. & Mrs. American Pie the series stars Kristen Wiig as a social climber trying to make her way into the most exclusive club in town; The Palm Royale. I've now added the book to my list of books to read.
Set in 1969, a time of cultural revolution for women, Kristen wants nothing to do with feminism. She wants a Grasshopper with crème de cacao served to her by Ricky Martin the pool boy/mystery man.
The cast makes me giddy with the series starring Kristen Wigg, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Laura Dern, Allison Janney and more. But it doesn't end there! Supporting roles include Carol Burnett, Bruce Dern and Mindy Cohn as a socialite and contributing writer to the town's gossip paper (yes, Natalie from The Facts of Life).
It could have become something terrible in the wrong (Ryan Murphy) hands.
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary created by and starring Quinta Brunson as the perpetually Pollyanna Janine, is a palette cleanser of a television show. It'll wash away the taste of anything unpleasant that came before it.
In a lot of ways it's a typical network comedy. They have a certain structure and a certain 3 jokes a minute familiarity.
It takes place in a predominantly black public school system in Philadelphia with a group of fiercely (also predominantly black) dedicated teachers who make the most of what little they get from the school board.
This mockumentary is a perfect 22 minute before bed wind down.
It could have become a cartoon. For real. A cartoon is how Quinta first envisioned the show.
Once I watch enough good movies to make a collection I'll make a list of those for you as well. Movies usually bore me.
The only time I watch a movie uninterrupted from start to finish is when I can't reach the remote from my nest of snacks and blankets.
"to be a complete non-doer I must force myself to be a doer for one hour a day"
Love this! Lol!
Loved Platonic. Highly recommend The Shrink Next Door and also Shrinked. Also recommend New Heights podcast on Youtube if you have any interest in American football.
If you enjoy English crime drama I recommend Case histories. Free on Tubi. Only 2 seasons unfortunately. Jason Isaaks is the lead. As your're a fan of Mr Idris I think you might enjoy. Also enjoyed Midsomer murders it's an easy, sweet binge'
I highly recommend the French series ASTRID. It's on PBS in the US. You won't be disappointed, I promise!
Here’s a few more. The Gentlemen (Guy Ritchie). Barry (Bill Hader). Whip smart funny and very dark. The Diplomat (Netflix). Season 2 of that can’t come fast enough. I too was in film/TV production all my working life. I have seen how projects get mangled and destroyed before they ever go into production. So when some succeed you have to celebrate that. Also, set aside your feelings, whatever they may be, about Jeremy Clarkson the man and watch Clarkson’s Farm. For this come-to-farm life woman who bought a farm much later in life than a sensible person would, it’s wet-your-pants-funny and will give all the would-be farmers in your readership a taste of what you might be up against.
Ya I'm not sure if I can separate the art from the artist in the case of Jeremy Clarkson but I'll give it a look. Promise. Loved Barry! Tried The Diplomat and I just didn't click with me but a know a ton of people who love it. ~ karen!
Just try. I don’t like him either. But he’s not the “star” of the show and you are laughing at him, not with him, if that helps. It’s the others you will really appreciate. You shouldn’t miss the true nature of the show despite his being a buffoon. And trust me, the scale of his experiences are larger than mine but still are authentic.
Ok I will confess to being a JC fan from his Top Gear days. Loved that show. Yes, he’s an ass and a bully but anyone who punches Piers Morgan can’t be all bad right? Clarkson Farm is brilliant imho.
Yes, that was a happy moment. That just hasn’t happened enough 🤣
You missed one:
Sprung
2022 ‧ Sitcom ‧ 1 season
Amazon
Hi Mary. I'd never even heard of Sprung, it looks great! ~ karen
Good article. Made me giggle which is one of the things I love about you.
P.S. Love your sweater. Would much rather wear that than one with an American flag. Ugh……
I love Son of a Critch! Well written story delivered by excellent actors telling stories about a Canadian family, modelled after Mark Critch’s own family. Malcolm McDowell, as the grandfather, is great!
Our Flag Means Death was amazing!!! Only 2 seasons tho :(
And just started Renegade Nell. So far I love it!
I’d like to mention the short series The Gentlemen. Great camera work, dark comedy, essential Guy Ritchie characters (ridiculous, brash and violent in a cheerful sort of way). And, necessarily, utter, utter British snobbery.
I just finished this!!! Thoroughly enjoyed it!! Vinnie Jones as a somewhat "softer" character made my heart melt
We have pretty similar tastes in candy-bar (palatable, yet forgettable) television so let me recommend Tokyo Vice on Apple. It's a fascinating dive into journalism, hostess bars, and the Yakuza circa 2000. Also, check out The Resident on Netflix - great special effects - the surgeries are revolting. Never have 2 words struck as much fear in my heart as "necrotic bowels".
I can't remember if I tried Tokyo Vice already or not. Regardless, it does seem like a show I would like so maybe I just wasn't in the right mood for it. I'll try it again! ~ karen
I'm going to take a look at your recommendations. Starting with the Super Models...looking at it all through their eyes should be illuminating.
And hey, if you haven't see The Bear, I must say that was my recently discovered favorite on Hulu!
Oh yes. I've definitely seen The Bear. LOVE it. :) ~ karen!
Best shows for me in the last year:
1) Lincoln Lawyer-Netflix
2)6 Feet Under-Netflix
3) Daisy Jones and the 6-Amazon Prime
4) Maid-Netflix
5)Mayflies-Acorn
6)Northern Exposure-finally available on a streaming service for the first time-Amazon Prime
You must live in the States. Northern Exposure is not available on Amazon Prime in Canada. So disappointed!
LOVE Northern Exposure. And 6 feet under has the best show finale I've ever seen. Also liked Daisy Jones. ~ karen!
I loved Northern Exposure when it first aired. It got quirkier/weirder the last season or two, but the first few years were wonderful! I loved the show so much, my husband gave me a Northern Exposure sweatshirt (I still have it).
I love your sweater, will you share where you got/bought it?
Hi Paula! It's actually very, very old. I bought it on Queen Street from a variety store when I worked the Chum/City building at Queen and John. ~ karen!
Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Happy w your sense o' humor------ glad we don't share a remote. Most nights we are so happy watching an hour or so of the 1990 Heriott 'All Creatures' [I think it's all Creatures Great and Small.] Eventually we'll be done w all 7 seasons and watch the newer version. Mebbe. Or watch 'Young Sheldon.' I'll save you the trouble of pointing out the acting s not brilliant in Sheldon. Really, don't have to cover my eyes/ears for either one.
Open for recommendations for other shows ............that are well written and good natured.
Besides the obvious ones, Loved The Detectorists, The Kominsky Method, Attorney Woo, Mum.........
I watch the new "All Creatures ..." the odd time. It's good! ~ karen
From your list I'd likely gravitate towards maybe giving Palm Royale a chance. I've currently been binge watching and truly enjoying Resident Alien. Two quick impressions from this post, A: you are skilled at taking and being featured in captivating pictures and #2, my life as a retiree is the exact mirror image of yours in that in order for me to be a complete non-doer I must force myself to be a doer for one hour a day.
For me, binge watching a show takes a good 2 months. 3 if it's the summertime. ~ karen!
And thus is the chasm between doers and non-doers -lol
I'm loving Palm Royale. Tried to watch Succession but.....