As the writers’ strike necessarily drags on — and now the actors are joining them on the picket line — we may run out of new scripted shows. Fear not, I will once again be your guide to series you might’ve missed. Here are the programs I’ve checked out in the past half year-plus.
LOVED
Party Down (Starz) They certainly kept us waiting for the revival of this catering cult comedy, but oh my was it worth it. Excellent to see the old gang after so long — Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Martin Starr, Ryan Hansen, Megan Mullally, Jane Lynch — and the new additions fit in perfectly. The writing didn’t skip a beat from 2010 — this was immediately once again the smartest, funniest show around.
2022 Men’s World Cup (FOX) Was held in the late fall instead of summer because it’s 8,000 degrees in Qatar, a terrible place that mistreats its women, LGBTQ community, and laborers. But what do you expect from a country so dumb they don’t even know how to pronounce their own name? Nonetheless, I couldn’t stop watching, and what a thrill to see the legend Lionel Messi finally kissing that trophy.
White Lotus (HBO) Mike White — who writes ”uncomfortable” and also “rich jerks” better than anybody — came through again in season 2, shifting the focus from money to sex, with another absolutely stellar cast. Bonus points for a shot-by-shot tribute to the 1960 Italian classic L’avventura. And the season’s ending was utter perfection.
Wednesday (Netflix) A spiritual continuation of the Barry Sonnenfeld Addams Family films, the blend of dark humor, teen soap, and just enough heart made this a real winner. Jenna Ortega is brilliant in the lead role. And what a treat to have 4 episodes directed by the macabre master himself, Tim Burton.
LIKED A LOT
Unstable (Netflix) The dynamic between Rob Lowe and actual son John Owen Lowe is a delight to watch in this workplace comedy. But the secret weapon is co-creator Victor Fresco, who delivers the same offbeat comedy and sweetness he brought to Andy Richter Controls the Universe and Better Off Dead (which the science-lab work setting here is basically cribbed from).
George & Tammy (Showtime) Michael Shannon is never happier than when he’s chewing up the scenery, and he really gets to have some fun as The Possum, George Jones. And Jessica Chastain, in a bit of a stretch from her previous roles, certainly holds her own as out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire Tammy Wynette. The period details feel spot-on, and kudos to north Jersey’s own David Mansfield for the original music.
LIKED
Shrinking (Apple) The cast is outstanding, from Jason Segel and Harrison Ford on down. (OK, I find Christa Miller as Liz kind of annoying.) And although I enjoyed the series and it did make me cry, I had a nagging suspicion that with less talented actors, this show might be feel-good garbage. For starters, it is such an unrealistic view of the psychiatric profession, it almost seems offensive to me. I will award bonus points for an original theme song from Ben Gibbard, and also for returning Ted McGinley to series television.
Night Court (NBC) Ooh, a couple of friends were so angry at this reboot when it debuted. Worst show ever, disgracing the legacy of Harry Anderson! Well, news flash: The original Night Court wasn’t such great shakes either; we were very young and didn’t know any better. Now, I’m not saying that this new version is anything special, but it is a pleasing-enough example of that dying breed, the old-fashioned sitcom. I find the cast likable, and having John Larroquette in those familiar sets with Reinhold Weege’s name in the opening credits checks off nostalgia boxes for me. No-stress viewing!
SORT OF LIKED, SORT OF DIDN’T
History of the World, Part II (Hulu) I was so happy when this was announced (Mel Brooks and Nick Kroll together!), and the first couple of episodes were really strong, but over the course of 8 episodes, the hit-and-miss ratio got worse and worse. Ultimately this should’ve been a 90-minute movie instead of a 4-hour limited series.
FORTY-THREE AND DONE
Dark Shadows (FreeVee) On TCM, I’d watched and gotten a kick out of House of Dark Shadows (1970) and Night of Dark Shadows (1971). So I figured I should finally take a wooden-spike stab at the original 1966 series with several of the same actors as in the movies. I was quickly hooked on this corny black-and-white gothic soap opera, and I loved the vintage ABC promos during the closing credits. But of course the problem with a daily soap opera: They mete out the plot in such tiny portions that very little happens in the day-to-day episodes. I’d watched the entire 35-episode first season, and there was still no vampire! I started season 2 but with 1,182 episodes to go, I just couldn’t commit.
FOUR AND DONE
Fleishman Is in Trouble (Hulu) The marital woes of over-privileged Upper West Siders just wasn’t for me. Also, did they steal the music from The Leftovers? Oh, and was angry at this show for making Lizzy Caplan unavailable for Party Down.
THREE AND DONE
The Night Agent (Netflix) Initially thought this was going to give me my 24 dumb action fix, but there was way too much plot and the lead guy is too bro-y. Plus I was hoping all episodes would take place at night. False advertising!
TWO AND DONE
Lucky Hank (AMC) I thought this was going to be right up my alley (Bob Odenkirk as a creative writing professor), but the tone was off. The series is not nearly as smart and good as it thinks it is. And do not promise me author George Saunders and then it’s an actor playing Saunders. Why?
ONE (AND 4 MINUTES OF A SECOND ONE) AND DONE
Not Dead Yet (ABC) Not Watching Again. I was intrigued by the concept — former newspaper reporter returns to job, assigned to obituary desk — but the writing was lame. Adding insult to injury, seeing actor Rick Glassman as a co-star was the only way I learned that my beloved As We See It had been canceled.
BAILED AFTER 15 MINUTES, 13 SECONDS
The Diplomat (Amazon) This was not the show’s fault; I’ll take all the blame. Michael “Lenny” McKean tweeted (gosh, remember Twitter?) about a new show he was in. I assumed it was a comedy. It is not.
BAILED AFTER 13 MINUTES, 53 SECONDS
Virgin River (Netflix) A trusted friend told me it was “ridiculously corny and kind of bad but I like it.” I was hoping for a Northern Exposure groove — nurse practitioner moves to rural Northern California. I agree with my friend that it is kind of bad, and to me it felt really phony.
YES, I STILL WATCH THE SIMPSONS
I have been intimating this and look, now Vulture agrees that The Simpsons is good again. (At least I think that’s what they said; I used up my free articles so I can’t read it.)
BUT I NO LONGER WATCH PERRY MASON
Was hoping his switch to attorney would turn the show into something I wanted to watch. After two episodes of the second season, I dismissed the case.
THANK YOU AND GOODBYE
Barry has been such a dependably strong show — dark, funny, with an increasingly complex look at the human psyche. The final season took a wonderfully unexpected turn. And Bill Hader’s direction has become so skillful, I can’t wait to see what he does next — I hope it’s movies.
LOOKING FORWARD TO
Women’s World Cup — let’s do this! Full Circle on HBO looks promising. Most of all I’m looking forward to equitable contracts for writers and actors.
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, XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, and XXIII.
Jack Silbert, curator