Shows I Started Watching In 2019
Show:
Red Oaks (2014)
Why Though:
One thing that will be made clear this post is that I got Amazon Prime this year. While trying to justify adding another streaming service to my bills, I tried almost every show on the service and Red Oaks just stuck. It didn’t hurt that I also interviewed Jeremey LaLonde this year and he worked with the actor who plays a great character on the show, Ennis Esmer. If you like coming of age stories and feeling nostalgic for your high school/university days then give it a try,
Will I Keep Watching:
I watched the whole series.
Show:
Workin’ Moms (2017)
Why Though:
In an effort to be a better Canadian, and admit that growing up with brit-coms has primed me for Canadian comedy anyway, I started watching Workin Moms. Pauline and I agree that it is a truly hilarious show that hooks you with multi-layered female leads. Don’t be put off by the thought of having to watch a bunch of stories about why it’s better to take care of your kids than to have ambitions outside of being a doting mother. I don’t even know the names of the kids on the show. The mom aspect is a nice reason for all these characters to interact, but it’s not the true point of the show.
Will I Keep Watching:
Yeah I’m hooked. I even used the CBC app to watch season 3 and not wait for it to show up on Netflix.
Show:
You (2018)
Why Though:
When it comes down to it I’m a sucker for watching someone try to get away with a crime, word to some of my favourite Hitchcock films. I don’t think this show is great, and I was actually pretty annoyed with the character of “Beck.” But, if you’ve got time to kill the show does make some bold choices that may be confused for interesting in the moment.
Will I Keep Watching:
I actually think I will check out the second season.
Show:
Insatiable (2018)
Why Though:
I actually started this show that started out about a woman who loses weight but then realizes that’s not the silver bullet answer to all of her problems last year but forgot about it. That should tell you how much I liked it. It’s a weird mix of feeling like something from the Disney channel but with murder, actually dealing with sexuality, threesomes, and sometimes magic? I can’t tell if it’s actually good but whatever it is, it’s not boring.
Will I Keep Watching:
I haven’t made it all the way through season 2 but I intend to finish it.
Show:
Titans (2018)
Why Though:
Oof! Young Justice this is not. I may or may not be mad that the show is being held by DC Universe, an app that is only available in the States… but The show does seem like it is released on Netflix after the whole season is aired and all the the think pieces populating my various timelines have been written. I knew I was in trouble with the infamous Robin line from the first trailer and I wasn’t wrong. The fact that I only enjoyed episodes that didn’t highlight the actual Titans was a bad sign considering my love for Dick Grayson in particular. But the show loses me at moody/mean Dick Grayson instead of the lighter and better adjusted Bruce Wayne, that Dick usually is.
Will I Keep Watching:
It’s Batman related… of course I’m going to keep watching.
Show:
Forever (2018)
Why Though:
Another Amazon Prime pick up. Much like The Good Place, I loved the way that the show kept reinventing itself, forcing me to rethink what I should expect from it. I was in because of Maya and Fred, two SNL heavyweights, but I stayed for the writing that made me think as many times or more than it made me laugh. I don’t even want to hint at what this show is about. Just watch it.
Will I Keep Watching:
I will watch this show till I die.
Show:
Homecoming (2018)
Why Though:
Talk about captivating. Homecoming demands that you keep your eyes on the screen so you can tell what timeline you’re watching based on the aspect ratio and type of film being used. The show deals with trying to get soldiers to “voluntarily” go back into action. Julia and Toronto hero, Stephan create an amazing chemistry and watching them go on their journeys a true delight.
Will I Keep Watching:
I heard some key people won’t be back for season 2 but I have to keep watching this great show.
Show:
Black Monday (2019)
Why Though:
This show had me by using “Uproar” in the trailer. But, let’s be clear, Don Cheadle is my Jam. So the dope music and killer cast featuring Regina Hall was just icing on the cake. Let me find out they even added Dwayne Wayne (BKA Kadeem Hardinson) in the show. That’s the type of deep cuts casting that will have me invested in your show. The show starts with a death and then starts a countdown to that death and even when you’re having fun, the show will give you a visual cue to pull you back into the dreadful feeling that someone’s gotta go by the end. Very engaging television.
Will I Keep Watching:
As long as Don and Regina are involved, I’ll be watching… I mean even if one of them leaves I’ll still watch.
Show:
Sex Education (2019)
Why Though:
The son of a sex therapist tries to navigate high school? Finally an Asa Butterfield property I like! While I still take umbrage with how the black characters are treated on this show, I can’t help but enjoy Gillian Anderson’s British schtick and the overall concept. Bullies become relatable and almost sympathetic, friendships fall apart and get back together plus unrequited love! I’m in on all those!
Will I Keep Watching:
Yeah I’ll keep watch your high school sex romp with a heart show.
Show:
Doom Patrol (2019)
Why Though:
My favourite episode of Titans was the Doom Patrol episode. Thank goodness the show more than delivered on the promise of that backdoor pilot. Don’t believe me? Comedian Gavin Stephens also enjoyed Doom Patrol and we talked about it on Spoiled Rotten! The show has a robot with the brain of a race car driver as well as a rat plotting revenge for his dead parent and that’s still not the craziest stuff going on. If you like to see what happens when you’re not constricted by a popular property from DC then Doom Patrol will be right up your alley!
Will I Keep Watching:
DUH!
Show:
Russian Doll (2019)
Why Though:
Netflix really caught one with this show about Natasha Lyone trying to figure out why she can’t live past her birthday. The fact that this show is quite clearly a riff on Groundhog Day and never feels unoriginal is quite the feat. It’s easy to root for Natasha Lyone, but when her adventures are framed like this, the charm and intrigue gets kicked up quite a few notches.
Will I Keep Watching:
I hope I get to keep watching this show.
Show:
The Umbrella Academy (2019)
Why Though:
Another comic book property without the burden of living up to a bunch of people’s expectation! Umbrella Academy was discussed in detail on Episode 82 of Spoiled Rotten. However, if you’re like many people I know and don’t listen to my podcast I will provide some context. The show is about a man who collected extraordinary kids and tried to raise them as kid superheroes. The show deals with them as grown ups and how that upbringing hindered their overall growth. If you like the sound of that, you should check out this show that was one of my favourites of the year and features Mary J. Blige as an amazing villain.
Will I Keep Watching:
YES PLEASE.
Show:
After Life (2019)
Why Though:
I keep trying to find out if Stephen Merchant was truly the reason I loved The Office and Extras. This show did come close to me feeling as emotional as I got in those shows because it deals with what happens after you lose the love of your life. I haven’t had that come up for me yet, but I can imagine it would lead me to feel some of the way Ricky’s Tony felt. If you’re not a Ricky Gervais fan or even on the fence, I can’t imagine this show will win you over but it does feel a bit more thoughtful than Ricky’s persona in the last few years would let on.
Will I Keep Watching:
I guess so.
Show:
Shrill (2019)
Why Though:
I hate making comparissons to Girls. A show that didn’t work for me. I feel like Shrill is the good version of Girls… I mean a version of Girls that works for me. The part that I like about the show, that I understand is nowhere near unique to this show, is that while Aidy’s Annie embarks on her journey to be respected by her boyfriend, co-workers, boss, and family she is called out whenever she loses sight of how she might be disrespecting those around her. It’s funny, sad, and has great songs like Tierra Whacks’ “I’m Doing Alright” But most importantly the cast executes the writing flawlessly.
Will I Keep Watching:
Yep I’m down!
Show:
Turn Up Charlie (2019)
Why Though:
I can’t not watch Idris projects. I have to say that what kept me going was wondering how much of Idris’ characters journey as a DJ mirrored his come up. But the show fell short of what I thought Idris deserved or what I thought he was capable of. Either way the show is funny most of the time and if you like Idris, you won’t regret committing to watching the season.
Will I Keep Watching:
I think the bigger question is will they keep making…
Show:
I Think You Should Leave (2019)
Why Though:
Bruh, someone give Tim Robinson (and Sam Richardson) his (their) flowers already! After Tim’s episode of Characters and The Detroiters, there was no way I wasn’t going to watch this sketch show based around situations that are so awkward someone should leave or is asked to leave. The humour may not be for you, but if it is, it’s done perfectly on this show.
Will I Keep Watching:
I will probably be rewatching this show as you’re reading this.
Show:
Dead To Me (2019)
Why Though:
Pauline and I watched the whole first season in one sitting. Why? Because a show about Christina Appelgate mourning the death of her husband had so many twists and turns that we couldn’t bear to wait a day or a week to find out how the latest reveal would affect the characters we were so invested in.
Will I Keep Watching:
I’ll watch this show till Netflix inevitably cancels it before, during, or after season 3.
Show:
When They See Us (2019)
Why Though:
I don’t care that Ava picked New Gods over Green Lantern Corps because Ava went in with When They See Us. I was already familiar with this story through the Central Park 5 documentary, but Ava’s mini series unearthed layers to the story that weren’t covered in the documentary and gave me a deeper appreciation of the Exonerated Five as human beings as well as their families. Be ready to go through it when you start this show, it is not a light watch.
Will I Keep Watching:
This was a one shot deal.
Show:
Euphoria (2019)
Why Though:
This might be the second best show of the year. More unrequited love! In addition to the music, Zendaya is truly the star of the show. I was already a fan of Zendaya in Spider-Man: Homecoming, but her performance (which was great) in Far From Home vs her performance in Euphoria shows she has range and is a true talent! Euphoria has some wild moments that sometimes even break the reality of the show but overall it is grounded in a drama about teens coming of age in a much more complicated time.
Will I Keep Watching:
I’ve been waiting for another season to watch with Pauline.
Show:
A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019)
Why Though:
We all know, by now, that I’m in for a great sketch show and that’s exactly what A Black Lady Sketch show delivers. The narrative of the women dealing with each other after an apocalypse is great as are the sketches about the invisible spy. I’m sure there is a series of sketches for everyone with this show!
Will I Keep Watching:
So glad it got renewed. I’ll be watching as soon as its back!
Show:
The Boys (2019)
Why Though:
It’s been a great year for comic books that aren’t on everyone and their grandmother’s radar. I always heard rumblings of this being turned into a movie but it was great to see it as a show on Amazon Prime! Basically the world treats superheroes like NBA teams where companies bargain with cities to hire heroes as their saviors. That’s before you get into the Justice League analogs and how terrible they can be. What I’m saying is I think it’s a great concept with amazing execution.
Will I Keep Watching:
Of course!
Show:
The Righteous Gemstones (2019)
Why Though:
I like Danny McBride TV shows! Sue me! Gemstones deals with the seedy underbelly of an evangelical family. If you couldn’t tell by this list, I’ve been watching a lot this year (in addition to any follow up with previous years’ shows. This means that I haven’t finished the first season but that is only because of time.
Will I Keep Watching:
I’m looking forward to getting more time to finish this show.
Show:
The Politician (2019)
Why Though:
The show about a high schooler who has a life plan to become president, starting with becoming class present definitely takes some funky turns. There’s even a time jump that felt a bit too jarring for me, but there is a talented cast at play here so it’s still a fun show to watch, especially when you add the element of people trying to get away with things.
Will I Keep Watching:
I suppose so.
Show:
Unbelievable (2019)
Why Though:
I first saw Kaitlin in Bad Teacher, a movie I liked… I don’t care what you say! But she had quite the run on Justified and killed it in Booksmart this year so I was more than happy to watch her in a show with Toni Collette and other great actors. The show is very intense as it deals with the trauma women go through when they try to report a rape and It feels like a true crime story, but I hope it’s a made up story based on a mix of true events. Either way it is captivating television that feels like as satisfying of an ending as you can get with a story like this.
Will I Keep Watching:
I feel like this is a one off but if not, I’m down to watch another season of this.
Show:
Living With Yourself (2019)
Why Though:
As a fan of Multiplicity, you didn’t have to do much to sell me on the concept of Living With Yourself. Granted, this show wasn’t as funny as that Michael Keaton classic, but it wasn’t really going for laugh out loud funny. The show is much darker and concerned with deeper questions about life than just “do you need a clone to help you be a better person.”
Will I Keep Watching:
I mean I gotta see what comes next after that first season!
Show:
Modern Love (2019)
Why Though:
An anthology series about the different ways people love each other. It started off pretty strong, but, if you ask me it lost steam by the end. If you ask Pauline, it never let up. Classic Movies vs. Matrimony disagreement! In the year of Amazon Prime delivering, I feel this may fall near the bottom of their shows, but it’s still a show I stuck with so there’s that!
Will I Keep Watching:
If Pauline wants to I guess I gotta.
Show:
Batwoman (2019)
Why Though:
I was pretty happy that Batwoman was coming to the small screen because I liked Ruby Rose’s appearance in the Arrowverse crossover last year even though she wasn’t my first choice for playing Batwoman! I’m only two episodes in as of writing this and I’m not necessarily sold on this show. I do however like the Alice in Wonderland stuff going on as well as the mystery of her sister stuff. I guess I just want her to get to the red hair suit already! Oh I forgot to mention her doctor sister is a nice addition too. Basically anything to do with family ties and Alice is great.
Will I Keep Watching:
Infinite Crisis in addition to being Batman related has made this show must-watch tv.
Show:
Rhythm + Flow (2019)
Why Though:
Netflix got me to watch a competition show and I loved it. I genuinely enjoyed watching these rappers have to battle each other, pick samples, do live performances, create music videos, and perform with established artists. As someone who performs once a year with Sick,Wicked&Nasty, it was nice to see others share my passion for hip hop.
Will I Keep Watching:
Bruh… it’s going to be hard with the latest T.I. stuff. Maybe switiching up the judges?
Show:
Watchmen (2019)
Why Though:
I was not sold on the idea of revisiting this work as a show but the great thing is that unlike the movie (which I actually like) Damon Lindelof’s show is interested in expanding the universe by going back in time and filling in some blanks as well as setting the show’s events after the book/movie. It’s also a trojan black history show which is great.
Will I Keep Watching:
I hear it’s supposed to be a one season affair and I can make peace with that. I don’t want them to run this into the ground.
Show:
His Dark Materials (2019)
Why Though:
I guess I’m not supposed to like the movie but when I saw it I dug it so it stands to reason that I dig this show too! In addition to the great cast featuring Ruth Wilson, the show definitely portrays the dæmons in a great way!
Will I Keep Watching:
I’m only two episodes in at the time of writing this but that’s because I have to find more time to keep watching.
Show:
The Mandalorian (2019)
Why Though:
Welp. I think this show started strong but if you’re listening to the episodes on Spoiled Rotten HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE, you’ll notice that I’ve kind of soured on the episodic nature of this show and lack of commitment to developing characters.
Will I Keep Watching:
Yeah it’s still Space Batman.
Show:
The Morning Show (2019)
Why Though:
A show about a powerful news personality being fired for sexual misconduct is topical, to say the least! But I’m more interested in the performances from everyone involved. I’m even a fan of this post Office Steve Carrell performance, which is a very rare thing! I read some interviews really putting the show through the wringer but I don’t get it. I could be missing something, I’m caught up with all the episodes and I feel this is an entertaining show that attempts to show some nuance on how something like this plays out for all the various players in the situation.
Will I Keep Watching:
Yeah, why not?
-YG