Fall means changing weather (cooler soon where I am, I hope!) new books AND new shows to watch. So welcome to:
Jen Streams Fall 2017!
I’ve made my streaming list and programmed the DVR! Here are eight new shows I’m planning to check out. (I’m also looking forward to Season Two of Stranger Things, but that is for another post.)
What do I like in a show?
- I have a low attention span when it comes to TV, so I like shows that are either gripping (Breaking Bad) or require no brain cells at all (the entire Bravo line-up).
- Being a book reviewer, I really appreciate good writing in a show.
- I’m all for shows with strong female characters.
- I’m not a huge fan of sitcoms (usually no character development) or really graphic violence.
- I love British/European TV and am always trying to find more (loved Luther, UK Broadchurch, Borgen, Scott & Bailey)
Here’s my list (which may get revised) and my take on the first two shows I tried: The Deuce (HBO) and American Vandals (Netflix)
American Vandals (Netflix) Watch the trailer here.
I really wasn’t sure about this one. I’ve never been a big mockumentary watcher. (I’ve never seen Best in Show or This is Spinal Tap.) But it’s set in a high school and I review YA, so I thought: hey, why not?
Watched episode one and my reaction is “meh.” It does a good job of satirizing true crime shows but for me the joke wore off after about 10 minutes. (I did warn you about my short attention span!) To me, this just seemed like boring guy humor — the entire mystery revolves around giant male genitals spray painted on teachers’ cars. Yawn. (Then I read spoilers and … no thanks.)
Verdict: I’d rather watch a real documentary
The Deuce (HBO) Watch the trailer here.
George Pelecanos. David Simon. Maggie Gyllenhaal. James Franco. What’s not to like here? This is a show set in gritty 1970s New York, and I love shows set in New York.
Watched the first episode and was really impressed by the amazing production values. But I soon realized that this was way too depressing for me, focusing heavily on prostitution and pornography. Watching this reminded me of forcing my way through Taxi Driver because of Robert de Niro and Jodie Foster.
Verdict: Try it if you loved Taxi Driver, and I’m sure it will win awards, but not for me.
Stay tuned for future installments to find out if I can find a show I can love!
Will Dynasty fulfill my love for shallow Bravo-style TV? Can Edie Falco in Law and Order: True Crime or Kyra Sedgwick in Ten Days in the Valley give me strong female characters and gripping suspense? Am I brave enough for Mindhunter? Is Liar the addictive new British show I’ve been looking for?
Tell me in comments what you’re planning to watch this fall!
This is the first year I am not excited for any new shows. I am not sure why. I am happy about Will & Grace being back though. Hope you find a show you love!
Oh, no! Well, maybe I will help you find something you like. Or if I dislike all my choices, I’ll need your advice!
Only new things I’m excited for this fall are the The Mayor, which is that new comedy with Lea Michele, maybe Star Trek Discovery and Runaways. Other than that, I’ve pretty much dropped everything out of boredom. Staying with The Walking Dead (at this point I’ve invested too much not to), Stranger Things, Fuller House. That’s pretty much it? I’m sad that the Deuce didn’t work out for you bc I was going to give it a try. Have you watched Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries?
LOVE Stranger Things!!!! Try the Deuce. My husband thought it was good but I’m a mood watcher and it just wasn’t for me.
Not sure about The Mayor – I dropped Glee and that horror show that Lea Michele was in (I was so excited for that but it wasn’t good..)
My husband is already watching The Deuce, it looked kind of interesting? I never watched The Wire, so…
I’m sure it will be great – I just found the porn and prostitution really depressing. Maybe I need more shows made by women. Did you watch Big Little Lies?
My husband is gonna force me to watch Vandal tonight. I’m pretty “meh” about it, but he is ecstatic. Here’s hoping I like it?
Hoping you like it – and that he likes it!
I liked Luther too, and Shetland is quite good. Have you seen that one? It’s a British production set in the Shetland islands off Scotland. Good show, no real violence onscreen, good mysteries. I liked Marcella too, another Brit production.
I’m looking forward to S2 of Stranger Things big time!!
Ha – forget Karen – you and I have similar taste. British crime shows all the way. I will check out Shetland ASAP.
We really diverge in tastes when it comes to tv lol (except for Breaking Bad).
I actually don’t watch a lot of television anymore or it’s very random. I’m not very loyal. I can get bored at the drop of a hat and just move on.
We just finished watching S2 pf Preacher but I don’t think you would like that one and I have a few episodes of You’re the Worst S3 (you *might* like that one) ready to go.
For What It’s Worth
Interesting! I have really different taste in books and TV. I love sappy romantic books but can’t stand that in movies and TV. I like dark and suspenseful. Character driven, with strong women characters. Yeah, I don’t think Preacher is for me….
Actually I’ve been having a bit of a hard time trying to find new shows to stream lately, so I guess I might re-watch The Crown and well, wait for season two of Stranger Things, plus some Halloween movies when the time comes 🙂
I want to try The Crown!
I’m not very good at keeping up with shows. I still haven’t finished S4 of The 100. I didn’t even start S2 of Outlander, though all of it’s on the DVR, much to my hubby’s chagrin. And I fully intended on watching all of the first season of Riverdale before it picks back up this fall. Oops. That said, I think I’m only really looking forward to The Alienist and The Gifted and new seasons of old shows. I think you can tell that like with books, my tastes pretty much stay with YA or historical fiction or sci-fi/fantasy. 🙂 Good luck with everything new you’re watching this fall…hope you find some new favorites!
I’m picky – I try a lot of stuff and then choose the things I want to stick with. So far, Stranger Things is a yes. I’m not overly optimistic about any of these new ones, but we will see.
gah I don’t have much time for watching TV anymore, but I love the look of the new Dynasty. Since I saw the last one growing up, I am super curious
I love TV. Maybe too much. My family didn’t have one when I was little (my father didn’t approve) so I still feel like I’m getting away with something. (And I was around in the 80s but did not watch Dynasty!)
I continue to be the only person who does not watch any of the big shows. I really don’t watch much TV, because it keeps crushing my soul by canceling all my fave shows. I have been interested in Stranger Things because I have really only heard great things.
Definitely try Stranger Things!!!!! There’s time to catch up before the new season.