These TV shows to watch may or may not be in trouble with ratings, for this list it doesn’t matter. I am recommending my ten favorite shows that are on TV now. There are so many shows that I didn’t watch until long after they were off the air and even though I still enjoyed them, I wish I had watched them while they were still relevant. I still regret not listening to my friend that recommended Arrested Development to me while it was in its first season. I waited until after it had been cancelled to watch it in its entirety. I would love to be able to say that I knew what a gem that show was before anyone else did.
Anyway here are my favorite shows that are currently airing or in production for their next season. If you aren’t watching any of these shows, it’s not too late! Jump on the bandwagon now and get to know what everyone is talking about.
I’m not including this seasons new shows because I haven’t seen enough of them to know how good or bad they are but I am looking forward to Go On, The Mindy Project and Elementary.
TV Shows To Watch
New Girl
I wasn’t sure about this show when I first started seeing the TV spots for it, I like Zooey Deschanel but I wasn’t sure I was ready to watch her in a sitcom once a week. Turns out it is one of my favorite shows on TV and I can’t wait for the new season to start. I love the characters and the stories, it is so easy to watch this show. Schmidt is brilliant and the Nick/Jess dynamic is always fun. I have actually watched the first season four times since it ended while I wait for the new season to start. New Girl is available from Amazon.com
Homeland
I did a whole post about Homeland a few months back, this was a show that I checked out mostly because of Damian Lewis. He was so brilliant in Band of Brothers that I figured he could do no wrong. I think Homeland is a great drama, full of suspense and great performances from the whole cast. Season two starts very soon and I can’t wait. This is the kind of show where talk about it starts off slow but soon everyone will be telling you to watch. Homeland is available from Amazon.com
Mad Men
Now if you are not watching Mad Men then you must be crazy, it just finished its fifth season and there is no excuse for not watching it. I have watched it from the beginning three times and every time I watch I am more impressed. If you tried watching and found it hard to get into, you need to push past that feeling, you will not be disappointed. Mad Men is easily in my top three favorite shows of all time. It is definitely not action packed but its subtlety is what makes it perfect. The characters are so well written and the acting is fantastic, there is no reason not to be watching. I forgive you if you haven’t gotten on the Mad Men bandwagon but now is the time to hop on. Mad Men is available from Amazon.com
Parks and Recreation
I can’t say enough good things about this show, I feel like I mention it to everyone I meet and they all say they were thinking of watching but haven’t yet. You need to start watching this show! As far as comedies go, Parks and Rec has one of, if not the best ensemble comedy cast on TV today. The show is funny and smart and ridiculous, it is everything you could want in a comedy. There is someone for everyone in this cast and they are all bringing their A game to this show. Watch it! Parks & Recreation is available from Amazon.com
Happy Endings
I started watching Happy Endings at the very beginning, I have to give all of the credit to the people I follow on Twitter who encouraged me to do so, but they were absolutely right. I love this show, it feels a bit like a modern version of Friends but a bit more unconventional. I love the group dynamic and think that Max, Penny and Brad are the stand out characters. This show is funny but it is also absurd, these people do the most ridiculous things but I am totally fine with it because it’s hilarious. I love the references that are made and the subtleties that take multiple viewings to pick up on. If you don’t watch this show then you are most definitely missing out. Happy Endings is available from Amazon.com
The Newsroom
Now with The Newsroom I am sure I will have people disagree with me but I loved the first season of this show. I am on board with anything that Aaron Sorkin does, The West Wing and Studio 60 are two of my favorite shows but I did hesitate before watching this one. I wasn’t excited by the setting and the cast wasn’t grabbing me either but when I finally sat down and watched the first couple of episodes, I was hooked. I know it has its flaws but I am completely willing to overlook them for the fantastic moments that this show offers. I think this is my favorite version of Jeff Daniels and some of the cast that I have never seen before are fantastic performers. Thomas Sadoski as Don is the standout for me, I could watch him all day and the rest of the cast make me excited to keep watching. If you tried and gave up on The Newsroom, I think you should try again. The Newsroom is available from Amazon.com
Girls
Girls is not for everyone, I actually didn’t think it was for me at first but I stuck it out and was very pleased with the first season. Lena Dunham is quite the genius and she has created women in a world that I understand and can relate to on some levels. Sort of the anti Sex and the City, Girls explores the more relatable side of trying to live and survive in New York City. Girls is cheeky and its messy, there isn’t much glamor and not everyone is beautiful but it is quirky and charming and funny. I also don’t think that this show is just for women, there is enough awkward sex for men to enjoy too. Girls is available from Amazon.com
Louie
I think Louie is brilliant and so should you. The show is awkward and self deprecating but funny as hell and Louis C.K. is a genius. If you like his stand up then you will like this show and if you like smart and well written comedy then you too will like this show. It isn’t your typical comedy but that is what makes it great and the fantastic guest appearances make it even more appealing. I hear people talk about this show from time to time but not nearly as much as I should. Everyone needs to be watching Louie! Louie is available from Amazon.com
Episodes
I feel like I am always telling people to watch Episodes, which is probably because I am. It was just picked up for a third season which is very exciting news and it is very well deserved. I love Episodes because it isn’t afraid to make fun of the world of television and as someone who works in that world I can really appreciate the jabs they make. I think that Matt Leblanc is fantastic in this show and even though he is playing himself, he is really giving a fantastic performance. Episodes is charming and funny and has that dry British humor that I love. I was worried that it wasn’t going to catch on but I can breathe easy now that they have been picked up for season 3. It is very easy to catch up on this show if you aren’t watching yet, so do it! Episodes is available from Amazon.com
House of Lies
I’m not going to lie, I started to watch this show because Jean-Ralphio from Parks and Rec was in it and he is amazing on that show. After watching the entire first season though, I can say that it is worth it for more than just him. The show is very dirty and at first I thought it might be trying a little too hard but I think that is just the feel the show is going for. I do worry about Showtime’s characters and how they seem to be terrible at learning and growing from their mistakes but I will hold out hope that Don Cheadle’s character doesn’t pull a Nancy Botwin on me. I did enjoy House of Lies though and I will watch the second season, it has some great moments and if you like Californication then you will probably enjoy House of Lies. House of Lies is available from Amazon.com
Now there are a few shows that I keep getting told to watch and I am putting things in motion to get this done, that is why Boardwalk Empire, Shameless and Downton Abbey are not on my list. I am sure there are more that I need to be watching so let me know in the comments what I am missing.
