So, I, uh, missed the summer/fall 2016 entry. I remember watching the Olympics, The Night Of, and then… everything’s kind of a blur. But as I regained coherence and clarity, my old pal TV was there with me every step of the way. Will begin with what I hope is a one-time-only category….
SHOWS I WATCHED IN THE HOSPITAL/REHAB BUT NOT EVEN ONCE AT HOME SINCE
Best case scenario, you’re dealing with basic cable, no DVR capability. So it’s a lot of random live TV, at random hours of the day and night, often interrupted by medication and the vital taking of vitals. I found myself regularly drawn to Live With Kelly, Let’s Make a Deal, The Price Is Right, Two Broke Girls, Kevin Can Wait, Man With a Plan, and The Great Indoors.
LOVED
Twin Peaks (Showtime) Among many positives during my second stretch at Kessler Rehab, I figured out how to stream Showtime on my laptop, and thus was able to begin watching the entire original run of Twin Peaks and also Fire Walk With Me. So I was totally ready for the new episodes… and I am truly loving them. Kyle MacLachlan is having a blast; it’s so fun to watch him as “Dougie Jones.” David Lynch still knows how to bring the dark chills and the laughs. Meanwhile, the Roadhouse has expanded its booking beyond Julee Cruise to now feature some of the best indie rock bands around.
Fargo (FX) I loved season one, I loved season two, I’ve loved season three. Ewan McGregor, Carrie Coon, David Thewlis, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Michael Stuhlbarg have all really impressed. Noah Hawley has displayed a real talent for creating fascinating baddies.
LIKED A LOT
Detroiters (Comedy Central) Sam Richardson, who plays Richard on Veep, shows a whole other side to his talent here. And former SNL farmhand Tim Robinson is a reliable hoot on the show. The slowly revitalizing city of Detroit also plays a key role. But it’s the genuine sweetness of Sam and Tim’s friendship that takes this sharp, funny show to another level.
The Mick (FOX) What if Sweet Dee left Philadelphia and moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, to raise her sister’s spoiled kids? Well, that’s not exactly the conceit here, but close enough. It’s Always Sunny’s Kaitlin Olson stars as Aunt Mickey, and the same cutting, tough humor from that show carries over here — with just a tad more heart. The cast across the board is phenomenal, especially adorable little Jack Stanton as gender-fluid Ben.
The Gorburger Show (Comedy Central) I’d never seen the online shorts, which go back five years. And the first episode didn’t grab me. But this high-concept comedy — a monster from space takes over a Japanese talk show, complete with studio audience — slowly grew on me. T.J. Miller, who is Erlich on Silicon Valley, humorously plays Gorburger. By the episode when his guest was Larry King, I was hooked.
The President Show (Comedy Central) Alec Baldwin may have made the biggest impact with his Trump impression, but Anthony Atamanuik has his own take on Le Grand Orange (oh wait, that was Rusty Staub) and it’s completely hilarious. He puts this half-hour late night spoof on his back and makes it the newest Thursday must-see TV.
LIKED
Speechless (ABC) When people visited me at the hospital while this was on, I liked to say “I only watch wheelchair shows now.” He-actually-has-cerebral-palsy Micah Fowler has been a revelation, and his friendship with Kenneth the aide drives the show. A notch above other family comedies.
24: Legacy (FOX) No Jack Bauer, but a surprisingly strong season with new star Corey Hawkins. They didn’t quite know what to do with Tony Almeida, but earned a couple of points early on for name-checking Edgar Stiles. (Though no way was that woman his cousin.) Spoiler alert: Was annoyed by another “time jump” to get to the 24-hour mark. You’re 24, do 24 episodes!
Great News (NBC) Tina Fey’s latest offering is 30 Rock-lite and there’s nothing wrong with that. Newcomer Briga Heelan is quite likable as a producer on a news show. Andrea Martin plays her mom… who gets an internship at the same show! That’s zany! Luckily the series is written cleverly enough to overcome the concept’s obviousness. And Martin brings more laughs to this than her SCTV pals do in Schitt’s Creek [see below]. Nicole Richie is very funny, and John Michael Higgins plays Ted Baxter. A plea to the writers: Kill off the dad character; that bit is not working.
KIND OF LIKED, KIND OF DIDN’T
Schitt’s Creek (Pop) I was so excited when I first heard about this show: Eugene Levy! Catherine O’Hara! Chris Elliott!! But I didn’t get the network. When I finally got to see the show, I was underwhelmed. It’s funny, just not quite funny enough.
Crashing (HBO) Pete Holmes seems like a super nice guy. But nice isn’t quite enough in comedy; this could definitely use more edge. Show was hit-and-miss, depending on the guest stars. Part of the continuing downward trajectory of Judd Apatow.
Lady Dynamite (Netflix) Maria Bamford is a favorite quirky comedian of mine, so I was looking forward to this. It mostly didn’t disappoint. Bouncing between three different periods in Maria’s life is clever, and it’s always good to see Fred Melamed. Still, a bunch of stuff — such as the talking dog — wasn’t very funny.
Search Party (TBS) I give myself a lot of credit for watching this: There were two episodes a night, 11 pm to midnight, Monday to Friday on Thanksgiving week, and I’d just been transferred to rehab. But I struggled to stay awake and… I’m just not sure the payoff was enough. Enjoyed the concept (woman decides to track down a vague college acquaintance who’s gone missing), and John Early was very funny, but the ending left me cold.
ONE AND DONE
Legion (FX) Watched this on my phone in the hospital. See, I’m “cool.” Anyway, I haven’t watched any of the modern-day comic book TV shows and I guess I still don’t. This was way too stylized for me. Don’t worry, Noah Hawley, I still love Fargo.
People of Earth (TBS) Call me Cenac-al, but Wyatt Cenac has never really done it for me. I was hopeful about the Conan O’Brien seal of approval, though. Alas, too high concept and not funny enough.
GAVE UP ON
Last Man on Earth (FOX) Just two years ago, I had this slotted in the Liked a Lot category. But the more people who joined the cast, the less I liked it, and Will Forte’s character quickly became incredibly unlikable. This season I watched two consecutive episodes that were incomprehensible and had no seeming connection to each other. I was done.
Code Black (CBS) Eh, I’d rather not discuss it.
THE SEASON’S MVP
As tough, troubled Nora on The Leftovers, Carrie Coon has really impressed. But this year, she also shows up as the lead on Fargo, with a completely different portrayal: softer, kinder, Minnesota-er. Really admire her range. Runner-up: Ray Wise showing up on both Fargo and Twin Peaks.
SIMPSONS?
Yep.
THANK YOU AND GOODBYE
Bates Motel (A&E) I always enjoyed this creepy little show, and in its final season, they really let things get wacky and it was total fun to watch. Plus, a nice twist on the shower scene.
The Leftovers (HBO) Another series that loosened up for its last go-around with terrific results. Using the Perfect Strangers theme song was a goofy high point. Kudos for bringing back Tom Perrotta to co-write the finale, and I appreciate that they provided a decent explanation for the overarching mystery.
Rectify (Sundance) Full disclosure, I haven’t finished watching the final season yet. (I watched the first two episodes on my phone in the hospital, then didn’t have access again till recently.) But, since nothing ever happens on this show, I figure I’m safe bidding it farewell now. And that has been a real strength: the glacially slow pace, the sense that we’re peeking in on everyday, uneventful life. It’s tense yet relaxing.
LOOKING FORWARD TO
Mike Myers hosting The Gong Show in character? Yes please! And Battle of the Network Stars too? Thank you, ABC, for bringing back my childhood.
SHOWS I USED TO WATCH AND IN MANY CASES STILL DO
Links to Edition I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII.
Jack Silbert, curator