Tag: Showtime

My summer of binge-watching and catching up

Summer is the slow season for TV.

So what’s a TV blogger to do? Catch up and binge-watch. #ThanksNetflix

Here are some of the shows I’ve binged this summer, along with my binge, savor or skip verdict:

Parenthood

I’ve always heard people talk about this show — how sad it was, how poignant it was, how underrated it was.

So when I was in the mood for some sad TV to get some tears out, I started watching.

But I barely cried. I didn’t think it was that sad. But season 4, when Kristina (Monica Potter) goes through breast cancer treatment, got me. I was tearing up almost every episode.

Overall though, it seemed pretty average. I found some of the characters extremely annoying and unbearable to watch, but I still rooted for the Braverman family to stick together.

Verdict: Skip it

Episodes

While this Showtime show ran for 5 seasons, it’s only 41 episodes, so I watched the whole series in 2 days.

While I enjoyed watching Matt LeBlanc play a bit of a douchebag, a mix of real-life debauchery and Joey’s womanizing ways, it seemed like some plots were irrelevant.

Seasons 3 and 4 just plotted along without much punch; I couldn’t tell you most of the main plot points. Season 5 wraps up everything nicely, but almost too nicely.

Verdict: Binge it

Grace & Frankie

This is one of those shows that I missed when it came out, and then felt like I couldn’t catch up. Summer was the perfect time to catch up.

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin really work as two women struggling to pick up the pieces after their marriages end, and then thrive in their 70s.

It’s pretty inspiring to watch these two thrive, even when they’re bickering with each other. And I find myself laughing almost every episode.

I don’t really need some of the secondary stories, such as Grace’s daughter’s divorce and Lisa Kudrow‘s appearance as a widow looking to get her house back from her stepkids (that 3-episode arc was just a major “Friends” fan service if you ask me).

At 13 30-minute episodes each season, they are easy to speed through, but now I’m bummed I don’t have new episodes to watch.

Verdict: Savor it

GLOW

Season 2 of this Netflix show holds up. I may say it’s better than season 1 because it has a more ensemble focus.

Yes, it’s a bit campy; it is a show about female wrestling in the 80s. But it also touches on women’s rights and sexual harassment in a subtle way.

Ruth’s (Allison Brie) meeting with a studio head and Debbie’s (Betty Gilpin) reaction to Ruth not sleeping with the exec resonates in the #MeToo era. It broke my heart to see a character act so nonchalant about a heinous act of power.

Verdict: Savor or binge it

Queer Eye

I saved the best for last. I’m obsessed along with numerous others.

I’ve fallen in love with the Fab Five. They seem like a fun, honest bunch of guys, and they seem to have a genuine interest in helping the heroes, the name they give the real people they help each episode.

I watched season 1 in May and season 2 the day it came out. I’ve already seen both seasons twice, and don’t be surprised if I start re-watching it once I finish this blog.

Verdict: Binge it (over and over)

Bonus

Because I’ve already seen “Queer Eye,” I may do a workout during my next watch through, following these guidelines:

  • Intro music: 30-second wallsit
  • Transition slide (day 1, etc.): 5 burpees
  • Fab Five on-camera interview: 10 situps
  • Antoni is delighted/disgusted by food: 10 lunges (per side)
  • Jonathan says YAS/queen/girl/honey: 5 pushups
  • Tan gives fashion advice: 20 jumping jacks
  • Karamo has a heart-to-heart with a hero: 10 tricep dips
  • Bobby says “this space”: 10 bicycles (per side)
  • Crying: 10 bridges
  • Swearing: 10 squats
  • Hugs/Kisses: 10 mountain climbers
  • The Reveal: 30-second football run
  • “They’ll feel better about themselves”: 10 Russian twists
  • Something gets thrown out: 30-second plank

Now that’s some quality TV watching.

My New Year’s wishes for TV in 2015

This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Dec. 30, 2014.
To be fair, one of my wishes did come true in 2015.

If it hasn’t been your day, your month or your year, “Friends,” with the help of The Rembrandts, lets you know that friends will be there for you.

And so will TV. Sorry, but new shows and old re-runs will not disappear anytime soon.

While TV is enjoying a greater status these days, there’s always room for improvement.

Here are my wishes for TV in 2015 (There are some spoilers if you haven’t watched certain shows, so be warned.):

KEEP SHOWS ON NETFLIX

I’m watching “Ugly Betty” with a friend of mine, but we just found out the dramedy is disappearing from Netflix on Jan. 4. Not cool.

We still have 1½ seasons to go, and there’s no way we will be able to finish in time.

Why do shows stay on the streaming service for only a limited time? Myriad reasons, but I don’t care.

If I’m watching a show on Netflix, I don’t want to have to hunt for it elsewhere because the streaming service decided to remove it.

AIR THE GOOD FINALE OF ‘HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER’

Remember when many HIMYM fans (including me) were disappointed in the finale of the long-running CBS comedy? You know, the finale where Barney and Robin divorce, the Mother dies and Ted woos Robin … again?

After the should’ve-been-expected uproar, the alternative ending leaked prior to the season 9 DVD release. It’s not that different from what originally aired in March, but it’s infinitely better.

Anyone who buys the DVD or searches for it on YouTube can watch it, but since it’s what many fans wanted, the alternate ending should air on one of the numerous networks that air the show in syndication.

HAVE A PROPER SEND-OFF FOR HOWARD’S MOM ON ‘THE BIG BANG THEORY’

Carol Ann Susi died in November. The actress played a host of minor TV characters, but in her role as Howard’s mom on “The Big Bang Theory,” she was never actually seen, partly (I’m guessing) because she’s not actually that overweight.

Her voice will be missed on the CBS comedy, and she’s too memorable to just have the character slip through the cracks and never be talked about again.

I don’t know how the producers will make it work, but it’s necessary to give her something.

GET SCHMIDT AND CECE BACK TOGETHER ON ‘NEW GIRL’

Putting Nick and Jess together so early in the Fox comedy’s run might have been a bad idea, but the show’s other will-they-or-won’t-they couple has been apart for too long.

Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece (Hannah Simone) have matured in ways viewers might not have thought were possible. When was the last time Schmidt had to put money in a certain jar?

The two have developed a solid friendship, so now it’s time for showrunner Elizabeth Meriwether to bring them together again.

AIR ‘DOWNTON ABBEY’ IN THE US AND ENGLAND SIMULTANEOUSLY

I have friends in England, and I’m super thankful they haven’t spoiled “Downton Abbey” for me.

I’m anxiously awaiting its Jan. 4 return, but it aired months ago across the pond.

It’s silly to wait to air the BBC show in the U.S., especially when spoilers are so easy to come by.

BRING ‘GRACEPOINT’ BACK

I’m still a bit shocked at how “Gracepoint” ended Dec. 11. I wouldn’t say I’m not satisfied since the pivotal question of who killed Danny was answered, but it left me wanting more.

Maybe I need to watch “Broadchurch,” of which the Fox drama was based. But I want to see how Anna Gunn would portray her character’s rebuilding.

MAKE CABLE SHOWS EASIER TO WATCH ONLINE

I would love to watch “The Newsroom” or “Olive Kitteridge,” but I don’t have an easy way to access them.

I also don’t believe in illegally streaming shows.

Hulu and cable networks such as HBO and Showtime need to make an agreement so that everyone can watch multiple shows in one place instead of having multiple online subscription services.