As we progress through nearly nine months of a worldwide pandemic, people have been venturing more and more out into the world, whether it be to see a friend or sit outside a restaurant instead of take-out.
Despite this, the majority of people are relegated to staying inside during this tumultuous time in the world. On top of a pandemic spreading throughout the world, the news seems to be one piece of bummer after another. The world is so divided and chaotic, it is enough to make you want to tune everything out.
A lot of people want to make film and television that addresses or comments on the state of the world from Coronavirus to police brutality to the upcoming US Presidential election to climate change to the #MeToo Movement and more. While these works are very important, it doesn’t necessarily help the psychology of people, especially for the ones looking to find solace where they can. In that way we need works like HAROLD AND MAUDE, that embrace life and elevate the happiness in people, not only works like DO THE RIGHT THING that comments directly on everything going on.
I get requests from a lot of people about what TV shows they should watch, so I thought, considering the state of the world, I’d make my top 10 recommendations for people looking to feel better and get away from the news cycle from time to time. If there are any shows people should be watching right now, in my opinion, these are them:
10. Chef’s Table (Netflix)
This is so much more than just a show that showcases one chef around the world each episode. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious I use CHEF’S TABLE as a way to relax. It may be the calmest show of all time from the way the interviews are structured, to the moments of silence, to the amazing cinematography and the editing, which make the entire experience feel like a waltz of images, music, and food. Aside from it being relaxing it offers interesting and creative ways to approach cooking that can be translated to so many different practices. A new spin-off series CHEF’S TABLE: BBQ has just premiered as well so there is even more to watch when you’re looking to just take yourself away from the world and simultaneously explore the more delicious sides of it.
9. Feel Good (Netflix)
This channel 4 British series has been distributed by Netflix and premiered earlier in the year before everything got crazy. This autobiographical comedy/drama comes from Canadian stand-up Mae Martin and deals with a lot of things in her life including romance, relationships with parents, and addiction. Despite the serious topics the series becomes uplifting most due to the chemistry between the two lead actresses Mae Martin and Charlotte Ritchie. The characters allow themselves to be both vulnerable and funny at just the appropriate times which allows the series to shine. Lisa Kudrow also really kills it as Mae’s mother as well (in a similar way to her other recent roles on UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT and THE GOOD PLACE).
8. Crossing Swords (hulu)
Everyone needs something super crass and dark to laugh at. While I prefer Netflix’s DISENCHANTMENT for adult animated medieval comedy as a series, CROSSING SWORDS is the perfect, stupid, silly, and funny series to fall into. It is exactly what you would expect from the ROBOT CHICKEN team. The great thing here is while everything is stop-motion it all is relative to these painted wooden toy-like figures which is something I haven’t really seen before. The cast makes the show, with Nicholas Hoult playing a more timid character than usual and Luke Evans going full asshole. My favorites include Adam Pally as the dumb best friend role of Broth, Tony Hale as Hoult’s clown/criminal brother (it’s always fun watching him voice work with blue material as in HARLEY QUINN), Maya Erskine as the spoiled princess, and Jameela Jamil as the maid. One thing is for sure — you will have fun with it, especially if you are into more violent, dark, sexual, and off center humor.
7. PEN15 (hulu)
The premise of the show should be enough to make anyone check it out: Two 13 year old female best friends navigate the awkwardness of middle school, however the two main characters are played by their 30 year-old creators, Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, while the rest of the cast is played by actual 13-year-olds. It delivers on the premise — big time as it is probably the most honest portrayal of what middle school was like in the early aughts. You will cringe. You will freak out. You will laugh. Mostly it will bring you back to that simpler time, even if it was some of the most awkward experiences of your life. The second season premieres next week and catching up for it would be a lot of fun for someone who has not seen it.
6. Central Park (Apple TV+)
Every component of this show should make everyone want to watch it. Created by Loren Bouchard, Nora Smith, and Josh Gad. The amazing cast. Great songs with some contributors including Sara Bareilles, Amiee Mann, Meghan Trainor, Darren Criss, Rafael Casal, Alan Menken, and Fiona Apple. Plot lines include tracking a graffiti artist, park chess, kites, roller skating, and a Home Alone 2: Lost in New York tour. The whole thing is Bob’s Burgers meets Parks and Recreation meets Hamilton and that is just an amazing combination of comedies. If nothing else, the songs are so poppy and the ethos of the series lifts you up in the way musicals tend to do.
5. Money Heist (Netflix)
With only one season (part) left, there is no better time to get into the series. This Spanish show has a way of being big, but is also able to zero in on the characters. Even the smaller characters get their time to shine and you end up loving all of them in their own ways (except Arturo!). It is a heist show that, even though we follow the thieves, we are still on the edge of our seat figuring out how they will succeed. There is an option to watch it dubbed in English if subtitles are not your thing, but that would be a huge disservice to the actors and the world of the series. It will grab you, suck you in, and take you along on this wild, exciting, smart and romantic ride. Bella ciao!
4. The Owl House (Disney Channel)
Kid shows, specifically animated shows, seem like something inaccessible to everyone — especially adults. However this modern age of animated childrens’ programming is fantastic. The shows are exciting, smart, and surprising even though they are made primarily for the 8 - 14 age range. Everyone can find their inner child and enjoy these shows especially the great examples from the recent past such as GRAVITY FALLS, STAR VS. THE FORCES OR EVIL, and SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESS OF POWER. This show follows Luz, a girl who ends up in another world where magic is real and as she attempts to become a witch despite being a human. Luz is an infectious character, not only within the world, but to the audience. She is optimistic, silly, and so much fun. The series is also so well constructed and keeps its twists and turns, but overall it makes you feel warm inside while also excited about the magic and fighting in a way Harry Potter resonated with people.
3. Cobra Kai (Netflix)
Ever since he recurred on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER I always knew that William “Billy” Zabka would pop out in a major way. He is not only really good, but also knows who he is and plays the comedy of that in the best ways. This KARATE KID sequel series is the perfect thing to dive into right now. Nostalgia has been a thing that television series and movies have been trying to exploit more and more these days. COBRA KAI never feels exploitative, but at the same time plays to same heart strings shows such as STRANGER THINGS have been playing with. The series pays homage for the films while also allowing the show to grow into its own thing. The whole series is also very layered dealing with themes such as classism, mercy and humanity, reconciling one’s past, and family, specifically the father/son and teacher/student relationships. Another thing the series does so well is that you are on everyone’s side (mostly). You understand where both Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso are coming from and in a way both are right and wrong at the same time. The fight scenes are also really well choreographed and a lot of fun.
2. Love on the Spectrum (Netflix)
We have become accustomed to reality dating series treating the people on the show with distain. Most shows involve people who will react the most and in a way we are mean to the people on the show even though we want them to find love. This show is the exact opposite of all of that. It follows a group of young Australian people, each on a different level of the Autism spectrum. Everything is funny, but we are never laughing at the people profiled. It is easily one of the most positive shows on television right now. Even when they fail there is never an iota of defeat in their spirits. Their power is how they look at the world with such hope and optimism knowing they will find the person they will fall in love with.
1. Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt reprise their roles for a series of ads for premier soccer airing on NBC years ago. The genius of TED LASSO as a series that the main character isn’t mean (like David Brent in THE OFFICE) or out of touch with reality (like Michael Scott in the THE OFFICE [US Version]). He is a genuinely good guy who, instead of bringing anger and intolerance like previous portrayals of Texans, brings a “good-ole-boy'“ nature along with his humanity. This show has more in common with FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS than it does with any comedy. The show is all heart and it is a series everyone should be watching because it is about being genuinely good people. This doesn’t mean that it is not funny — there are so many funny characters and moments. The ensemble around Sudeikis is great especially Juno Temple and Nick Mohammed. If everyone watched TED LASSO I think we’d all feel a little more positive about the world and humanity in general.