The Emmys have been postponed, but fortunately only once after the writer’s strike ended this week.
In the meantime, I took some time to watch some shows I’d missed. Here are my thoughts:
Tiny Beautiful Things
2 Emmy nominations
This Hulu limited series is very loosely based on the Cheryl Strayed book. The book is just a collection of advice columns, hence the loosely based part. The story that Kathryn Hahn’s character handles seems made up based on Strayed’s other memoir, “Wild,” and for TV.
Neither the book nor the series were particularly riveting, but really, it’s not the most adaptable work. I think Hahn is a great (and underrated) actress, but she’s not given that much in her Emmy-nominated role.
I actually thought her younger self counterpart should’ve been nominated because she had more to do, and it was more interesting plot-wise.
Jury Duty
4 Emmy nominations
I really didn’t get this show, or the hype, at first.
It took me till episode 3 to enjoy it; maybe I just got the concept by then?
It’s pretty ridiculous, and it’s probably lightning in a bottle, only works once kind of thing.
But hey, enjoy it while it works. It helps they got super lucky in casting Ronald Gladden, an attractive, affable guy, for this “Office”-like “documentary.”
Welcome to Chippendales
5 Emmy nominations
So many people got nominated for this limited series, but I thought the overall concept wasn’t great.
A lot of plotlines were glossed over (Dan Stevens is in episode 1 and dies, but it’s glossed over), and it wraps up quickly overall because it’s only 8 episodes.
It’s well-acted, but with so many things left undone, the writing needed some help.
Daisy Jones & the Six
9 Emmy nominations
I hated every character in this show, but I think that was intentional.
Showcasing the tribulations of fame, this book to show adaptation was done much better than Tiny Beautiful Things.
The music was stellar, the costumes on point, but it was hard to root for anyone, which didn’t make it my favorite show. But the artistry was amazing.
Fleishman Is in Trouble
7 nominations
This miniseries starts slow.
I didn’t read the book, but plot lines seemed to drop off in the show, and the second half of the show is way better than the first.
The show explores change and how to handle it in life.
It’s well-acted, but it came and went. I don’t recommend bingeing it, because it covers a lot of subjects that may have you squirming in your thoughts.
Ted Lasso
21 nominations (this year)
This is a super binge-able show. It’s definitely a nice show where the good people win and the bad people are few.
I think three seasons work for this show based on the original conceit. Plus, I think the third season was uneven and had too many extra plotlines that were dropped or wrapped up too quickly.
But unpopular opinion, I think this show majorly benefitted from premiering during the pandemic. It gave me something happy to watch.
Schmigadoon
3 nominations (this year)
I really wanted to like this show. It’s a musical with a huge cast of performers I like!
But I thought it fell flat. The chemistry of the leads in season 1 didn’t work, and season 2’s Schmicago was not my taste.
Shrinking
2 nominations
I’ve burned through this show so quickly, but I wouldn’t say it was good.
It’s a horrendous representation of psychotherapy, breaking so many ethical boundaries.
It also wasn’t what I thought it would be based on the ads, so it felt uneven.
The acting, which is what it’s nominated for, is decent. Harrison Ford is pretty boring minus one scene where he sings in the car.
