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Need A Show To Distract You From Everything?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 16, 2017
Modified Jan 16, 2017
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 16, 2017
Modified Jan 16, 2017
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The Good Place
Reality is a lot to swallow right now, and after a long day spent organizing and resisting the incoming regime, you may find that your mind requires some moments of narrative, televised escapism in order to recharge. We're in the golden age of television, but not every show is going to give you a comforting feeling that briefly silences the inner-screams of "how is this happening?!"—for that, you need something that's not, say, Homeland. You need something simple, and ideally something that you haven't seen before.
In that vein, you won't find the big players on this list—Mad Men, The Americans, Breaking Bad, The OA, The Night Of, Rectify, 30 Rock, The Simpsons, etc. We've all watched those. We've also probably really worn out some old those favorites, like Gilmore Girls, everyone's comfort constant.
Below, a short list of programs that you may not have already seen 100 times, none of which will make you think about What Trump Is Tweeting Right Now.
THIS IS US
I hadn't even heard of this show until a Mandy Moore mosaic turned up in a shower in Queens. It's sort of like Parenthood, in that big family drama way, but there's a twist. It will be revealed at the end of the pilot, so if you don't know it, don't try to find out (and assume someone will mention it in these comments).
SNEAKY PETE
Following its glowing reviews from last week (when the full first season was released), I started this over the weekend. Yahoo's critic Ken Tucker had declared, "Once you watch the first episode, I dare you not to start binge-watching its 10 episodes." The pilot (which has been available since 2015) does indeed deliver enough intrigue to keep you from turning away, and the storyline for the crime drama will bring you into the light as often as it brings you into the dark. It stars Giovanni Ribisi as con man Marius Josipovic, along with Bryan Cranston, a gangster to whom he's indebted. Alan Sepinwall also enjoyed it, which is always a great sign.
Watch on: Amazon
THE GOOD PLACE
This 30-minute dark-ish comedy is set in the afterlife and stars Kristen Bell as Eleanor Shellstrop, a woman who regains consciousness after being run over by a truck carrying a billboard for erectile dysfunction products. She's told this is The Good Place (sector 12358w), a magical land where you meet your soulmate, get a house designed just for you, and the restaurant serves your favorite meal every time. Also Ted Danson is there.
Watch on: Hulu
MR. SELFRIDGE
One time I had to do a pretty quick interview with Jeremy Piven, who I found to be surprisingly not-a-dick, as I assumed most people involved with Entourage were? He was very nice! So afterward I decided to give his show Mr. Selfridge a shot, and ended up really enjoying it. The show centers around "the real-life story of the flamboyant and visionary American founder of Selfridge's, London's department store." Piven's mom likes it, too!
THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW
And finally, if watching a roomful of jolly Brits baking Madeira Cake doesn't make you happy, nothing will.
Tagged
binge watching
guide
television
tv
original
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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