I’ve been watching a lot of shows recently. Like, a lot. But if you’re not like me and you’re stuck in a television funk, here are some suggestions from (humbly speaking) an expert. Don’t worry! There’s a genre and a show for everyone on this list.
- The Politician
-
The Politician is a crowd-pleaser, and who else but Ryan Murphy, a veritable king of cable TV, could make such a gem? This show revolves around a high schooler obsessed with becoming the president and his trusted advisors as they try to win an increasingly impossible school election. It’s hilarious and tackles extremely deep subjects in the same breath, plus its cast can sing like nothing else. Is this Glee but in 2019? Maybe, but at least it’s thematically coherent. And has Ben Platt.
- Castlevania
-
Not enough people are talking about Castlevania. There can NEVER be enough people talking about Castlevania. Even though it looks like anime, it’s in English with phenomenal voice actors and stunningly animated fight scenes. This isn’t for the faint of heart though—Castlevania is incredibly violent, and although it’s balanced out by its emotional core and hilarious dialogue, even I had to switch tabs when Dracula went into a rage. On the plus side, it’s perfect for spooky season!
- Hello, My Twenties!
-
Don’t let the first thirty minutes of this K-drama fool you—it may look like just a cute show about five college roommates, but there are enough subplots to keep you on a binge despite the hour-long episodes (not least of which include ghosts, romance, family drama and domestic violence). What makes this show stand out is its main five, archetypal characters played with great depth and complexity by their respective actresses. From boy-crazy Ji Won to workaholic Jin Myung, you will fall in love with these girls (and possibly their boyfriends too)!
- Russian Doll
-
If my article last week wasn’t enough to convince you, let it be known that the bizarre sequence of events that is this show’s plot is started by a missing cat named Oatmeal. It also was nominated for two Emmys. Do yourself a favor and watch this one all the way through. You too can have Harry Nilsson’s “Gotta Get Up” stuck in your head!
- Star Trek: The Original Series
-
Sure, you may have seen the 2009 reboot (which is amazing, so good on you), but have you seen the Star Trek that started it all? You don’t need to go in order to understand this show, but many of the 1960s episodes were surprisingly complex and ahead of their time. Take for instance “The City on the Edge of Forever,” in which the death of one person alters the course of World War II. The problem, of course, is that it’s the person Kirk loves. And there’s lighter fare too. My personal favorite is “The Trouble With Tribbles,” in which adorable balls of fluff threaten the lives of an entire starship.
- Galavant
-
Rest in peace to this musical masterpiece. Galavant is a two-season show with music written by Alan Menken, the man behind The Little Mermaid, Tangled and Beauty and the Beast. Also, remember Lasseter from Psych? Yeah, he’s a singing depressed monarch who’s convinced his pet lizard is a dragon.
- Kim’s Convenience
-
This one is for fans of sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. It centers around a Korean family whose parents run a bodega, but the kids are trying to break out of the family mold. It’s heartwarming and hilarious, and you should definitely watch it.
- A Series of Unfortunate Events
-
The movie adaptation does not do this series justice. The show, however, has its secret weapon in Patrick Warburton (Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove) as Lemony Snicket, the author and narrator of the story. It also has the perfect balance of depression and delight along with a beautiful aesthetic in its costumes and set pieces. Watch it if you want to feel like a kid again.
- Abstract
-
Abstract was a series that I honestly never thought I would keep watching. I wasn’t into documentaries at the time, but the first episode really gripped me. It’s a docuseries about different designers and artists, from an interior designer to a man who designs for Nike. What makes it really unique is that each episode is filmed and shot in the style of its subject, which makes for beautiful and interesting cinema.
- The Dragon Prince
-
This is a show made by the same people who made Avatar: The Last Airbender, and it shows. With great and compelling characters and story plus adorable sidekicks, this is a kid’s show that isn’t afraid to get deep. Plus, it fills the fantasy-sized hole in my heart with mages, knights and dragons.
BONUS ROUND! HULU TIME!
- What We Do in the Shadows: Mockumentary about incompetent vampire roommates.
-
Letterkenny: Absurdist comedy meets Canadian slang meets Shakespearian levels of wit
-
Boku no Hero Academia: Degrassi, but the main characters are all superheroes-in-training with complexes.
-
Runaways: Degrassi, but the main characters are children of supervillains. Also gay.
-
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency: There’s no coherent way to describe this show. Doctor Seuss meets Hitchhiker’s Guide meets Sherlock and Doctor Who.
So, the next time you spend hours looking for something on Netflix to watch, whether to savor or to binge, check out one of these shows. Or, if Hulu is more your jam, check out some of the shows on there—and then come talk to me about them! Happy watching!