As a child-centered single mom, I get lots of time at home
while my kid is sleeping and I'm too tired to do anything else. I don’t mind because I LOVE television. People often
ask me how to vote on local issues and what TV shows they should watch. My all-time
favorite shows include Friends, Battle Star Galactica and Breaking Bad. Also
note that I don’t have a TV – everything I watch is streaming. Final note: I also tried a dozen or so more shows that didn't stick, as I do every year. Mention on this list means I watched and intend to keep watching the show (if possible). Here's the list of shows I enjoyed in the previous 12 months:
Jane the Virgin (A) is the best show on TV right now. It’s
fun and exciting but not too upsetting (the baby only gets kidnapped for like 5
minutes), and everyone is gorgeous.
The Mindy Project (A) Mindy Kaling is the most important
feminist of our time. I love her, and everything she represents, everything she
has to say.
Garfunkel and Oates (A) -- 1 season of awesome song and
story. I can’t believe this creative genius was cancelled.
Happy Endings (A) – This was one of the best light binges of
my life. If you need some Friends therapy, and haven’t watched Happy Endings
yet, you need to start. I heard they might bring it back, and I am on the edge
of my seat.
Moone Boy (A) is an authentic show about small town Irish
life, and it’s funny.
You’re the Worst (A) I went into this one kicking and
screaming. But between the beautiful people and the authentic love story, I’m
on-board.
Mad Men (A) I don’t think I need to say anything here…. I
will say that I am so glad I was not born yet in this era. What a beautiful,
deep show.
Big Bang Theory (A) totally deserves its success. I laugh
out loud every episode (alone in my living room, it’s sad), maybe every scene.
I can’t get enough of it. What’s strange about this phenomenon I that the men
are not good looking, and I don’t identify with any of the women. Weird.
Gotham (A) This is a really good show, but sometimes it’s a
bit too upsetting and/or gruesome. They lost my love briefly last season with the
new bad guy.
Orange is the New Black (A) has not lost its luster.
Girls (A-) I love that a woman who doesn’t look like a
fashion model can be a big TV star, and that she can get naked and enjoy sex on
TV. I’m sure people are talking smack about her all the time, but I haven’t
heard it.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (B+) lost some points for making
light of a very dark premise, but is otherwise entertaining. I hope season two
takes the show’s premise a bit more seriously.
Master of None (B+) I love Aziz Ansari. This show is sort of
a light, entertaining version of his book (which I read at the same time). I
like it a lot, but I wish it had gone deeper.
UnReal (B+) sickness. Deep sickness. It’s dark, and I can’t
get enough. Reference my long standing love for the Bachelor franchise and deep
interest in contemporary feminism.
Casual (B+) I’m really on the fence about this one. It’s
great that this brother and sister love each other so much, but I feel bad for
the teenage girl whose childhood ended earlier than necessary. Show quality is
good; content is mixed.New Girl (B+) is another one which frequently has me laughing out loud.
Modern Family (B) Many people close to me love this show; I
think it’s OK. I watch it, consistently, when I want something short and
entertaining.
Castle (B) I usually watch this show last, but I always
enjoy it. All the characters are likable. I really like Nathan Fillion, partly
because of Firefly, but also because he’s a little younger than I am but looks
older.
Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce (B) very entertaining
Call the Midwife (B) I feel like this show should be better
because it’s a British period piece. But it isn’t. I was consistently appalled
by the inaccurate depiction of the birthing experience (having just one natural
childbirth under my belt). I hope everyone knows natural childbirth isn’t like what they show.
I still really loved the characters, their relationships, and issues the show addressed.
Downton Abby (B) a shadow of its former self. There was a
time when I thought this show could go on forever. Now, I hope they make
another good one someday.
Baby Daddy (B) don’t judge me. I love babies and good-looking
adults who are silly.
Glee (B) ended slightly less than a year ago. It could have
gone on forever, but I think everyone was so upset when Cory Monteith died that
they just wanted to move on. It was good to close it out cleanly, and the last
few episodes were fine. I’m sure they’ll give us something similar soon (if
they haven’t already, and I missed it).
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (B-) Sometimes this show is just too
much to take, and maybe too close to home, but love honesty most. So, let’s be
honest about our emotional damage. I also love the completely ridiculous
singing and dancing.
Bones (B-) Great concept, and I love love love David
Boreanaz. I love him. I want to marry him and have his babies. I like the other
characters too, especially the relationship between Angela and Hodgins. I won’t
be too sorry when it ends. I feel like the concept has played out. The crime
solutions seems to have big problems with some frequency.
The Last Man on Earth (B-) This show is often deeply
offensive. I do not love Will Forte and his sensibilities. BUT I am enthralled
with the concept, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out each episode. I
guess I just wish they (the writers and the characters too) would be a little
more realistic.
Grey’s Anatomy (C+) used to be Great. Now it’s OK. I love
watching good looking people save lives. I love medical TV because they’re
dealing with issues that actually matter in addition to their silly love lives.
Yeah, I’m a very loyal person.
The Bachelor franchise (C+) I love these shows and not
ironically. It’s like social research. I love trying to predict how people will
behave and who they will choose. The concept is better than its execution sometimes.
Love (C) should have been a good show. But the Gus character
is so unappealing that the entire premise becomes unbelievable. He’s not even
ugly-hot or charming. Love is just so completely from some man’s fantasy perspective.
The character Bertie is a breath of fresh air amid it all.
