Shows I Started Watching in 2018
Show:
Baroness Von Sketch Show (2016)
Why Though:
I don’t know why I tried to ignore this show when it popped up on Netflix for me. This is some of the funniest sketch comedy I’ve seen since Key & Peele and it moves at a Robot Chicken pace which is right up my alley! The fact that it’s Canadian is just icing on the cake for me!
Will I Keep Watching:
I’m pretty sure I watched every episode available to me on Netflix in just under 4 days. Yeah… I’m trying to watch more of this!
Show:
Fleabag (2016)
Why Though:
I tried watching the first episode of Crashing on Netflix, and it didn’t really hit me the right way so I didn’t jump on Fleabag when I heard about it. Now it’s one of my favourite British comedies. I mean I like this show so much I might actually go back and try Crashing just to get another hit of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s writing and acting!
Will I Keep Watching:
If there are more episodes coming, I’ll definitely keep watching. However, I kind of like where things are left at the moment.
Show:
Search Party (2016)
Why Though:
I didn’t even really know this was a possibility. Another show that will give me a chance to watch Alia Shawkat spread her wings and do something more than just the already great Maeby on Arrested Development. The lines get blurred on how comedic this show is supposed to be. There are a lot of dramatic moments and it works as a straight up thriller as well. As the seasons progress, the point of the show even changes. It’s a must watch if you liked Gone Girl!
Will I Keep Watching:
Oh after the last season finale, I gotta keep watching!
Show:
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017)
Why Though:
This show was definitely made for me. It’s got the visual aesthetic of Mad Men plus it deals with standup comedy! It takes a bit to get over how frequently Midge just has a tight 5 for any situation she’s in, on or off the stage, but it’s just a conceit you have to buy and it does seem to make more sense as the show goes on.
Will I Keep Watching:
Oh yeah. I’m in!
Show:
Marlon (2017)
Why Though:
I always say I don’t believe in so bad it’s good. I either find something to like or I don’t like it. Marlon is an example of this. While I can tell how each episode will go just by the title Netflix provides to each episode, I still find comfort in the formula. I grew up on In Living Color, word to my love forJamie Foxx and the Wayans clan, and loved Smart Guy. There’s just nice does of nostalgia that ties all of the antics together.
Will I Keep Watching:
I may not rush to see it as soon as it drops, but I’m for sure here for more Marlon!
Show:
Neo Yokio (2017)
Why Though:
I… I don’t know why I committed to this show. I don’t hate it, but I also don’t love it. I was drawn in by the voice cast. Susan Sarandon plays Mr. 5th best single of 2018’s aunt, and Desus & Mero play his best friends? It’s a cool world to be immersed in, to be sure, but I think I’m missing something.
Will I Keep Watching:
I think curiosity will bring me back to this show, for sure!
Show:
I Love You, America (2017)
Why Though:
Oh boy, people really don’t want me to like Sarah Silverman. And even though she’s given me reason for me to side with those people. I can’t help that her brand of humour works for me. And even though this show does a bit too much surface level work on “let’s hear each other out,” it’s more then meta jokes going on that I like. She has a bit where a white male announcer/host starts to resent her and then quits and I love that narrative developing throughout episodes.
Will I Keep Watching:
Yeah I’ll definitely keep watching.
Show:
End of the Fucking World (2017)
Why Though:
I started watching this because fellow Game of Thrones enthusiast, Aidan, told me he loved this show. I don’t know why, but i Just feel like this show isn’t fully committing even though I love all the main performances and the story, in theory, is an engaging one.
Will I Keep Watching:
I mean I guess I have to since I still haven’t finished the first season. But it says something that I haven’t even finished it yet.
Show:
Grown-ish (2018)
Why Though:
Pauline isn’t up for this show even though we both love Black-ish. I don’t get it. The show is a lot of fun, plus it’s got Chloe x Halle in it! I guess I enjoy watching Yara Shahidi get more to do than just be the “teenage daughter” on Black-ish. I guess I also like revisiting the first year of University and the subject matter that comes up because of it when you’ve got your first real taste of independence from your black family.
Will I Keep Watching:
DUH!
Show:
The Chi (2018)
Why Though:
I have to be in the right mood for this show. As such I have, unfortunately, not finished the first season. I like everything I’m seeing. Specifically the black excellence on display with Jason Mitchell and the youngest Moonlight star really getting to put in work! That’s just in front of the camera, Lena Waithe, one of the best results of Master of None is the creative force behind this all and that’s great!
Will I Keep Watching:
Yeah I definitely have to finish season one before the second season drops!
Show:
Black Lightning (2018)
Why Though:
You know me! I’m all about black people getting to save the day! So I’m predisposed to liking this show. But this show does something special. It’s an older hero which means there are new elements and wrinkles to the story telling. Plus it becomes about the family really coming together to make a difference in a community. I guess I just like when shows are able to convey that a city is truly at risk and at stake the way Black Lightning does!
Will I Keep Watching:
I think I finally have time to jump into the second season! So yeah, I’ll keep watching.
Show:
Everything Sucks! (2018)
Why Though:
If you like watching stories about how doo-doo high school can be without friends and how it is not “the best time of your life” then this show is for you. I didn’t really like all the characters, but I can’t say they weren’t people I would have run into in real life so that’s actually a good thing.
Will I Keep Watching:
Unfortunately, it was cancelled. I’ve gotta imagine the amazing 90s soundtrack was a financial strain mixed with low viewership.
Show:
On My Block (2018)
Why Though:
This show definitely grew on me. Pauline and I started watching it just because we had nothing else to watch together and the leads are so charismatic you can’t help but sucked into their adventures. There are a ton of future stars on display here in addition to the kid (no not X-23) from Logan who I want to see in more and more things.
Will I Keep Watching:
Again, this show has a finale that will force you to keep your eyes peeled for the second season to drop on Netflix!
Show:
Barry (2018)
Why Though:
I got a little worried when the first episode of the new Bill Hader joint didn’t knock me off my feet. But by the end of the second season the sense of humour seems to be better defined and the tense moments work a bit better and we are off to the races! Barry is a solid comedy but also has some of the best elements of Dexter sprinkled in so it becomes something special!
Will I Keep Watching:
Most definitely.
Show:
The Terror (2018)
Why Though:
Will really seemed to like this show and I wanted to give it a try. Unfortunately, life got in the way and I never got past the second episode. That doesn’t mean I won’t keep watching. It just meant some great news meant I had less time to watch TV throughout the day. And I didn’t think I could sell Pauline on watching it together. I will take this downtime to finish this show up.
Will I Keep Watching:
I guess I’m not great at burying the lead. If you didn’t skip the above section, you’ll note that I will, in fact, keep watching.
Show:
Killing Eve (2018)
Why Though:
I know this post isn’t about ranking these shows. I’m just documenting my year in new (to me) TV shows. But, this was probably my favourite. I know that Sandra Oh got all the hype, and she deserved it, but as a big Joker fan. I felt Jodie Comer did such a great job of making me root for such a clear psychopath. I mean she almost made my list of the best Joker performances. Not really, but hopefully you checked that post out.
Will I Keep Watching:
I’m so down to watch this show forever.
Show:
The Break with Michelle Wolf (2018)
Why Though:
I’m all in for Michelle Wolf. I’ll watch anything that she gets to headline. I also liked that it was a show I could easily watch on Netflix. There is no other reason to watch this show. And if you’re being honest with yourself, there shouldn’t have to be any other reason than it’s Michelle Wolf every week for your viewing pleasure!
Will I Keep Watching:
I honestly can’t believe this got cancelled.
Show:
Pose (2018)
Why Though:
By the point that I was cheering for one house to beat another house during a vogue off with the same passion that most of my friends cheer for the Leafs or Raptors, I think I realized that this was definitely my second favourite show of 2018. In an attempt to broaden my metrics for what makes a “star” I decided to watch Pose to see a show full of transgender actors and I’m pretty sure I finished it in two days. Plus, the show brought me back in touch with my love of The Wiz!
Will I Keep Watching:
I have to. It’s not even just because I want to.
Show:
Cloak & Dagger (2018)
Why Though:
The show could get frustrating at times (teen drama! amirite?), but clearly I’m a sucker for comic book tv because I ended up being fully enthralled with this show and liking it more than some of the all mighty (now half cancelled) Netflix Marvel shows.
Will I Keep Watching:
I will, but I’m hoping that Cloak has a better story arc next time around.
Show:
Sharp Objects (2018)
Why Though:
I feel like I should have liked this more than I did. It’s got the author and screen writer for Gone Girl on deck again plus Amy Adams and the new Mr. Zazz in addition to other great character actors. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an intriguing show if not a bit slow out of the gate considering the limited episode count. Overall It’s probably a good thing that I liked the show enough to watch certain episodes twice just to make sure I caught everything.
Will I Keep Watching:
Isn’t this a limited series? But they are bringing back Big Little Lies… so I might be watching more of this in the future.
Show:
Who Is America? (2018)
Why Though:
I’ve only seen Pauline laugh really hard a couple of times. This show provided one of those times and I can’t hate on it for that alone. I think Sacha might be running out of ways to do crazy shocking things, but at least this show gave me a chance to have cathartic laughs at the expense of people who support or are trying to create legislation to hurt people who look like me. Plus the 8 Mile like rap battle was truly entertaining to me.
Will I Keep Watching:
Even if he can’t get that Sarah Palin interview back, I’ll still watch.
Show:
Disenchantment (2018)
Why Though:
The Simpsons, Futurama, BROAD CITY, and Eric André all collide to make this very fun show that I’m able to binge on Netflix. I’m so glad Abbi gets to break out and do her thing in an animated show created by Matt Groening! I can’t imagine someone I truly respect not finding something to be intrigued by given all the entry points.
Will I Keep Watching:
I stay waiting on another batch of episodes to drop!
Show:
Kidding (2018)
Why Though:
I guess it makes sense that I always thought of Jim Carrey (to be clear I first found him on In Living Color… so yet another reason to love that show) as THE NEW Robin Williams. They both seem to wanted to be defined by their crying clown roles. I’m not so pleased to see it from Jim Carrey, but I guess I respect he’s really going there. I think I laughed three times during the entirety of this season. I don’t know if the show wants me to laugh that much though. It’s a very dark story with more dramatic subject matter than comedic.
Will I Keep Watching:
The show can bum me out but I still watch because it’s Jim!
Show:
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Why Though:
Pauline and I kept hearing about how many people loved this show. Ian and Ryan being chief among that group. The Grants aren’t horror people, but we tested our selves and at the end of the day, this horror that plays more like a family drama similar to Six Feet Under, was worth the potential nightmares. I wasn’t a fan of the last episode, but Pauline was so there was that…
Will I Keep Watching:
I mean I feel like it’d be a mistake to do another season but I’ll check it out if they do it.
-YG