We’re going to try a Netflix Party for the first time tonight—it’s time to see what this whole Tiger King hoopla is all about! Are you watching it? What are you watching?
With a little more time in our hands and an overwhelming amount of show options on streaming services, Aron and I have still been sticking to favorites with new seasons so far—Better Call Saul, Homeland, Mrs. Maisel. We’re looking forward to getting back to the Ozarks and Peaky Blinders soon, too—though I might be ready for something a little lighter. I’ve especially loved Dead to Me, Fleabag, The Morning Show recently and am always looking for options along those lines.
Here’s a list of a few good ones that I have either seen myself or have had recommended to me. They are quite the mix! But I would love it if you left me show recommendations in the comments.
What are you watching?
Love is Blind (One Season, on Netflix)
A lot of people have recommended this show, but I confess I have not gotten around to watching it… yet. I was about to suggest we start when Tiger King took over the conversation. If you’re one of the three people who haven’t heard of it, it asks a group of singles to date each other through “pods” (little rooms) where they cannot see each other. Based only on voices and conversations, the participants can then choose to get engaged to someone they had never seen before.
Ugly Delicious (Two Seasons, Netlfix)
David Chang’s travelogue/food diary show seems like the armchair travel I might need soon. No doubt it will be, um, bittersweet.
The Goop Lab (One Season, on Netflix)
I actually love Gwyneth Paltrow, so this show had to make the cut. A mix between reality TV and a documentary, Gwyneth and her team explore psychedelics, energy and other interesting wellness topics in episodes which can be watched in any order. We’ve watched one on Cold Exposure and the Wim Hof breath method, set in Lake Tahoe. But I think this might be one I save for nights without Aron, who can’t really get down with the Goop-i-ness.
Explained (3 “Seasons”, on Netflix)
In a similar vein, Netflix’s original delves into different topics each episode, explaining everything from beauty to billionaires. They have two seasons of short twenty-minute episodes to watch in any order—for example, one that fully focuses on many different aspects of Sex (Sex, Explained) and one that focuses on interesting features of the human mind (The Mind, Explained).
Little Fires Everywhere (One Season, on Hulu)
Our bookclub (and so many others around the world) read Celeste Ng’s 2017 book—about the “weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood—and the danger in believing that following the rules can avert disaster.” Aron doesn’t know the story yet, so I’ll be interested to watch it together.
On that note: I can’t leave out another Witherspoon-produced favorite, Big Little Lies (Two Seasons, on HBO). If you haven’t seen it, it’s great: based on a book about of a group of (upper-class) moms, who bond over their past (and current) traumas and try to navigate through their intricate lives, which eventually leads to a murder. That is as spoiler free as this description can get!
High Fidelity(One Season, on Hulu)
If you’ve watched the John Cusack movie (based on a great Nick Hornby book), this series will have some uncanny moments of parroting but if you liked the movie, you probably won’t mind. So far, I’m really enjoying the turn of seeing Zoe Kravitz in the lead role of Rob, the record-store owner who revisits past relationships through music and pop culture while trying to get over her one true love.
You (Two Seasons, on Netflix)
We watched the first season but haven’t yet come back to it. Definitely in our queue. IMDB describes this show in one simple sentence: “A dangerously charming, intensely obsessive young man goes to extreme measures to insert himself into the lives of those he is transfixed by.” Perfect for those who love a thriller filled romance.
Virgin River (One Season, on Netflix)
The preview reminds me of ’80s rural-escapist comedies like Baby Boom or Doc Hollywood: Virgin River follows the story of a nurse used to a big-town life who decides she needs a change of scenery and moves to a small town to help at a local clinic, where she meets a charming man (who I liked a lot on Grey’s Anatomy).
The Crown (Five Seasons, on Netflix)
Netflix recently released its third of five seasons, making it a perfect binge-watch if you have not started yet. It follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II, from getting crowned at a very young age.
Self-Made (One Season, on Netflix)
This one just came out March 20th, but already has great reviews. IMDB describes it as “The inspiring story of trailblazing African American entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker who built a haircare empire that made her America’s first female self-made millionaire.” This show has a fantastic cast, and is inspired by a true story. Has anyone seen it?
The Haunting of Hill House (One Season, on Netflix)
This show was actually recommended to me by someone who, like me, hates “jumpy” horror movies, for being such a good thriller. It follows the story of a family that is living, you guessed it, in a haunted house. But the story goes much deeper than that, exploring family trauma with unexpected twists and turns. (I still don’t know if I’m up for it though. I got too scared in Season Two of Stranger Things.)
Babies (One Season, on Netflix)
Very self-explanatory, but Netflix recently released a very interesting docu-series on how babies evolve and learn from their first day on this planet. I’ve actually heard this can be a good family-watch, too.
Cheer (One Season, on Netflix)
This show about the sport of cheer won hearts all over the country earlier this year. The Guardian wrote an article about its success here. We are about half-way through.
What would you add? What are you watching?
P.S. Some previous TV conversations: here, here, and here.
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