Tag: summer TV

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.

Summer TV: We need to talk about ABC’s Summer Fun and Games

Summer: the time when shorts and flip-flops are everywhere, sangria is a drink of choice and TV hits a lull.

But ABC is hitting advertising hard with it’s Summer Fun & Games lineup. And it’s out of control.

Another networks are airing new reality competition shows (See Fox‘s “Beat Shazam” and NBC‘s “World of Dance“), too, but ABC has a plethora of them.

Returning this season are “Celebrity Family Feud,” “The $100,000 Pyramid” and “To Tell the Truth.” Additionally, new shows “The Gong Show,” “Boy Band,” “Steve Harvey’s FUNDERDOME” and “Battle of the Network Stars” will also premiere in June.

That’s seven reality competition shows. In theory, that’s one for every day of the week, but only Sunday and Thursday evening programming will center around these shows.

Is this really necessary?

All types of shows premiere almost year-round these days. Typically new summer shows are lighter, more soap-opera-style or a competition show.

Admittedly yes, this lineup includes all lighter shows. But they’re probably not interesting.

Maybe ABC is going for nostalgia. After all, “100,000 Pyramid” and “To Tell the Truth” are re-launches, as is new show “The Gong Show.” And “Boy Band” seems like a rip off of “Making the Band” made to fill the void One Direction’s hiatus made.

But substance is lacking immensely in these shows. It’s all about catching attention, especially with all the celebrities that’ll be on the shows, but not really keeping it. Yes, you get celebrities acting silly, but who really cares?

I’m always surprised when competition shows last more than a season. Something about “American Idol” worked for a time, but these shows usually don’t have it.

“The Search for Elle Woods,” a competition focused on finding Broadway’s next “Legally Blonde” star, was one season. “The Glee Project” lasted for only two seasons. One Directioners may watch the new show “Boy Band,” but they’ll probably lose interest too.

I’ll stick to “Hollywood Game Night.” And the “Bachelorette”…for the workouts (another blog for another time)