The Best TV shows to binge in 2017
It's hard to decide what to watch these days, you have a world of choices at your fingertips. A lot of TV shows are pretty good but I wanted to narrow down my favorites based on one or more of the following 10 criteria:
1. Lead rolls or equal rolls for women
2. Barrier breaking
3. Fills the hole Sex and the City left in my heart
4. Superior dialogue without the cheese
5. Chills inducing
6. Feel good escapism
7. Laugh out loud alone funny.
8. Touching to Tears
9. Non soapy
10. Diversity Casting (Very hard to find, this needs to change!! A lot of the shows below, while awesome, were unthoughtful in this realm.)
1. "Love you more!" Pilot release only
Grade:
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A+
- Barrier Breaking: A+
- Fills Sex and the City hole: B+
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A+
- Feel Good Escapism: B+
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A+
- Touching to tears: A+
- Non Soapy: A+
- Diversity Casting: A
"The pilot was co-written by Michael Patrick King of Sex and the City, Bobcat Goldthwait (who also directs), and comedian Bridget Everett, who stars as Karen, a woman who does all those things that flawed women on TV and in the movies tend to do. She drinks too much wine. She has sex with random guys, including a short gentleman early in the episode whose penis is practically taller than he is. She can be, as they say, shameless. But she also works full-time at a home for adults with Down syndrome, a job that reveals her enormous reserves of patience and compassion."- Vulture
Pray to God this show gets picked up, because I laughed, I cried, I got the chills. Female led, fantastic roles and acting for and from a cast with Down Syndrome, incredible writing. Bridget is already the best thing on TV and she has barely started.
2. "Better Things"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A+
- Barrier Breaking: A+
- Fills Sex and the City hole: C+
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A+
- Feel Good Escapism: C
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A+
- Touching to tears: A+
- Non Soapy: A+
- Diversity Casting: D
Better Things is an American comedy-drama television series created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K. for FX, starring Adlon as a divorced actress who raises her three daughters by herself. FX gave a 10-episode order on August 7, 2015. The series premiered on September 8, 2016.On September 20, 2016, FX renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on September 14, 2017. In October 2017, FX renewed the series for a third season.
I know, I know, Louis... but don't punish Pamela and the AMAZING actresses who make Better things so good you wanna eat it. How can you want to eat a show? The characters are so beautifully written and directed, it feels so real and brings up all sorts of feeling about motherhood, by the end of the episode you wish you could have 6 more hours. Love it for it's female led and mostly female cast, well developed male characters, working women and girls in school, problems we all deal with. Constant chills, tears and laugh out loud alone moments! Watch this ASAP.
3. "Younger"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A+
- Barrier Breaking: A+
- Fills Sex and the City hole: A+
- Superior dialogue: A
- Chills Inducing: A
- Feel Good Escapism: A+
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: B
- Touching to tears: C
- Non Soapy: B
- Diversity Casting: F
Follows 40-year-old Liza (Foster), a suddenly single mother who tries to get back into the working world, only to find out it's nearly impossible to start at the bottom at her age. When a chance encounter with a 20-something guy at a bar convinces her she looks younger than she is, Liza tries to pass herself off as 26 -- with the help of a makeover, courtesy of her best friend Maggie (Mazar). Armed with new confidence, she lands a job as an assistant to the temperamental Diana (Shor) and teams up with her new co-worker and fellow 20-something Kelsey (Duff) to make it in the career of her dreams.
While this show seems full of fluff and cheesy romance, it's surprisingly juicy and deals with issues such as women aging, women in the workplace and millennials and swaying sexuality. It's very well written but above all well acted by Foster, who is delightful to watch and her character is as addicting as Carrie Bradshaw. This show is escapism central, let the world slip away as you dive into the glossy lives of these beautiful New Yorkers.
4. "Broad City"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A+
- Barrier Breaking: A+
- Fills Sex and the City hole: B+
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: B
- Feel Good Escapism: A+
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A+
- Touching to tears: D
- Non Soapy: A+
- Diversity Casting: A
Broad City is an American comedy television series, created by and starring Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. It was developed from their web series of the same name, which was independently produced from 2009 to 2011. The creation of the web series began after Glazer received poor feedback on a project she and a partner had been working on. After expressing her frustration to Jacobson, the two decided to work on a project together, eventually creating the web series Broad City.The series is based on Glazer and Jacobson's real life friendship, and their attempt to "make it" in New York.Amy Poehler is one of Broad City's executive producers, and appeared in the webseries finale.The series premiered on Comedy Central on January 22, 2014
Broad City's fourth season premiered on September 13, 2017.[5] The series has also been renewed for a fifth season.
Broad City is everything and more when it comes to barrier breaking. Sexual subjects considered taboo are fully explored, women are shown as real, equal people- farting, masturbating, pot smoking, swearing and laughing all the way through- hilarious, sexy and original. It's no wonder this show is loved by so many!! Broad City is the future, it's a must watch.
5. "Please Like Me"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A
- Barrier Breaking: A+
- Fills Sex and the City hole: C
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A+
- Feel Good Escapism: A+
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A+
- Touching to tears: A+
- Non Soapy: A+
- Diversity Casting: B-
Please Like Me is nominally a comedy about three 20-somethings in Melbourne, but "I've never been able to describe it ever," says the comedian.
"It's a portrayal of the young people I know. Some people talk about young people like they're all doing the same thing. A lot of my friends are baking, they like to do little craft things and go out and drink a lot and kiss," he says. "It really seems like my life to me, and there's a lot of other young people who see that and I think they haven't seen it on other shows, and I think that's exciting for them."
But Please Like Me, though very funny and easy to watch, also tackles mental illness more bluntly than most other shows on television. The pilot begins with Josh (Thomas) being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, coming out, then learning his mother attempted suicide.
"Everyone was like, ‘Oh, it's a black comedy!’ And I was like, ‘No, no, no, it's not a black comedy. It's heartwarming,’" Thomas insists. "I've never been able to explain it." -Hollywood Reporter
This show is not only the most one-of-a-kind series I've ever seen, but it will have you belly laughing through the whole thing. Everyone I've watched it with has belly laughed from my own Mom to my straightest guy friends. It's DELICIOUS! It's GENIUS! It's Genuine humanity served up in a feel good comedy you will binge watch all the way through. Josh is a true star and his writing is pure gold. Not only is this show hilarious, but it will make you cry- like a baby. It's powerful and touching, and the best gay story on television.
6. "I Love Dick"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A+
- Barrier Breaking: B
- Fills Sex and the City hole: D
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: B
- Feel Good Escapism: B
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A+
- Touching to tears: D
- Non Soapy: A+
- Diversity Casting: D
Adapted from the lauded feminist novel, I LOVE DICK is set in a colorful academic community in Marfa, Texas. It tells the story of a struggling married couple, Chris and Sylvere, and their obsession with a charismatic professor named Dick. Told in Rashomon-style shifts of POV, I LOVE DICK charts the unraveling of a marriage, the awakening of an artist and the deification of a reluctant messiah.
Starring:
Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Hahn, Griffin Dunne
This wonderful new show is almost too hard to describe. It's VERY sexy, very original and who can resist Kathryn Hahn. It's pretty addicting, so set aside some time and be prepared for a very unique ride- on Kevin Bacon's D.
7. "Master of None"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: C
- Barrier Breaking: A+
- Fills Sex and the City hole: A
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A+
- Feel Good Escapism: A+
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A+
- Touching to tears: B
- Non Soapy: A+
- Diversity Casting: A++
"From romance to pasta to beautifully framed shots of New York City at night, each season of Aziz Ansari’s Netflix dramedy “Master of None” serves up a feast for the senses. But the greatest pleasure the show offers is its innovative approach to episodic television. Whether it features a meditation on religion or a homage to a classic film, just about every half-hour of “Master of None” feels like a self-contained world, with a unique structure and visual style that complements its theme. These distinctive episodes give critics plenty to talk about, so if you’ve finished watching Season 2 and are looking for some insight into its most remarkable moments, this reading list is for you." -NY Times
Just writing about this show gives me chills. No matter how you feel about Aziz Ansari's comedy or acting skills, this show is just...moving. The 2nd season alone was enough to keep you on the couch awake all night. This is much in thanks to the romance between Aziz and Alessandra Mastronardi's characters. Often heartbreaking, you will absolutely relate to someone in this beautiful show.
8. "Divorce"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A+
- Barrier Breaking: B
- Fills Sex and the City hole: A
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A
- Feel Good Escapism: C
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A
- Touching to tears: D
- Non Soapy: A+
- Diversity Casting: D
"Raising two children together and sharing more than 10 years of marriage have taken a toll on Frances, who is suddenly reevaluating her life and the strained relationship she has with her husband, Robert. Friends like Diane, who is successful and has no children, and Dallas, who has been both widowed and divorced, make Frances wonder what she's missed, or is missing. But she soon discovers that making a clean break and starting anew is harder than she thought. "Divorce," a comedy series co-executive produced and starring Sarah Jessica Parker as Frances, follows a middle-aged couple living in the suburbs of New York City as they grapple with the effects of their failing marriage, not just on themselves, but also on their children and friends, ranging from awkward public encounters to difficult private therapy sessions."
Executive producers: Sharon Horgan, Paul Simms, Aaron Kaplan,
Like a lot of women, I have a thing for SJP. Not only is she articulate, funny, interesting and talented, but she is our "Carrie" and we are constantly searching for her since the SATC series ended. Divorce helps fill that void, and though it's slow to start, plow through! It get's better and better with each episode building to a more intriguing storyline. Beautifully acted, shows relationship problems and fault from both sides. You will laugh, you will get pissed, you will fall in love.
9. "Togetherness"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A++
- Barrier Breaking: C
- Fills Sex and the City hole: B
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A+
- Feel Good Escapism: A+
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A+
- Touching to tears: B
- Non Soapy: B... dips to a D at the end
- Diversity Casting: D
"The spark in parents Brett and Michelle Pierson's marriage is all but extinguished. When his best friend, out-of-work actor Alex, and Michelle's sister Tina move in with the Piersons in Los Angeles, the four adults try to remain good friends/siblings/spouses while achieving their personal goals: Sound designer Brett, pushing 40, wants to rediscover himself; Michelle wishes to rekindle passion for life; Tina tries to get her bounce-castle business off the ground; and Alex takes yet another shot at an acting career. It is primarily written and directed by the Duplass brothers, and stars Mark Duplass, Melanie Lynskey, Amanda Peet, Steve Zissis, and Abby Ryder Fortson. The series focuses on themes such as marriage and friendship."
Sadly this awesome show was canceled, so prepare yourself for only 2 seasons.
I love this story so much, it really delves into female insecurity- aging, motherhood, work, homemaking, and the insecurities of marriage- what it is to be a good husband or good wife, to have friends as adult parents. I loved it... the final episodes are NOT good and borderline sap/cheese because of the cancellation they tried to tie it up way too tightly, but the rest of this quirky show makes up for it with it's heartfelt realism.
10. "Fleabag"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A++
- Barrier Breaking: A
- Fills Sex and the City hole: C
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A+
- Feel Good Escapism: D
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A+
- Touching to tears: A
- Non Soapy: A
- Diversity Casting: D
[New Season Premieres 2019] Fleabag is a hilarious and poignant window into the mind of a dry-witted, sexual, angry, grief-riddled woman, as she hurls herself at modern living in London. Award-winning playwright Phoebe Waller-Bridge writes and stars as Fleabag, an unfiltered woman trying to heal, while rejecting anyone who tries to help her and keeping up her bravado all along.
Starring:
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Olivia Colman
This dark comedy is not a feel good, but it will still have you laughing. It's addicting, dreamy, depressing, amazing. Give it a shot, it's very hard to describe!
"It’s this unhinged obsession with sex and power that drives Fleabag throughout the series, until her lust for lust ultimately becomes lethal. Fleabag delivered one of the most poignant arcs seen on television last season, bringing viewers into the deranged world of a woman who appears to lead a perfectly balanced life, all chic trench coats and perfectly applied wine-red lipstick. She runs a mostly empty cafe; she attends feminist lectures with her sister; she breaks the fourth wall to tell dirty jokes. But the comedy is pierced with jagged flashbacks to her dead best friend, Boo—and tragic loss is also at the core of Fleabag’s difficult relationship with her family, especially her stiff, undemonstrative father."-Vanity Fair
11. "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A++
- Barrier Breaking: A
- Fills Sex and the City hole: C
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: C
- Feel Good Escapism: A
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A++
- Touching to tears: D
- Non Soapy: A
- Diversity Casting: A
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is an American television sitcom created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, starring Ellie Kemper in the title role, that has streamed on Netflix since March 6, 2015.Originally set for a 13-episode first season on NBC for spring 2015, the show was sold to Netflix and given a two-season order.
The series follows 29-year-old Kimmy Schmidt (Kemper) as she adjusts to life in New York City after her rescue from a doomsday cult in Indiana where she and three other women were held by Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm) for 15 years. Determined to be seen as something other than a victim and armed only with a positive attitude, Kimmy decides to restart her life by moving to New York City, where she quickly befriends her street-wise landlady Lillian Kaushtupper (Carol Kane), finds a roommate in struggling actor Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), and gains a job as a nanny for the melancholy and out-of-touch socialite Jacqueline Voorhees(Jane Krakowski).
Since its premiere, the show has received critical acclaim, with critic Scott Meslow calling it "the first great sitcom of the streaming era". The series has been nominated for sixteen Primetime Emmy Awards, including three nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series.
On June 13, 2017 it was reported that the series had been renewed for a fourth season."
This light show tackles all subjects in the most humorous way, it's one liners are the best of the best and will have you laughing all the way through. Highly addicting, extreme feel good, major escapism. Perfect prescription when you want to just turn your brain off and hide away.
11. "Doll & Em"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A++
- Barrier Breaking: A
- Fills Sex and the City hole: C
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: C
- Feel Good Escapism: A
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A++
- Touching to tears: D
- Non Soapy: A
- Diversity Casting: A
"Best friends Emily Mortimer ("The Newsroom," "Shutter Island") and Dolly Wells ("Bridget Jones's Diary") star in this self-improvised comedy series as, well, best friends whose longtime relationship experiences unexpected complications and surprising twists against the backdrop of a Hollywood film shoot. Actress Em needs a personal assistant to help her through her biggest film role yet, so who better to hire than Doll, her childhood pal who is welcoming a change of pace after her love life crumbles? But when the job becomes more taxing than intended -- blurring the line between their personal and professional relationships -- Doll and Em start to see cracks in their once-unbreakable bond."
OK, this is an old one, but I didn't discover it until now so I'm including it. Wonderful, feel good show, dry humor, really touches on the hilariousness of female friendship without being glossy or stereotypical. Very unique comedy and Emily Mortimer is wonderful as always!
12. "Durells in Corfu"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A++
- Barrier Breaking: D
- Fills Sex and the City hole: C
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: B
- Feel Good Escapism: A++
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A
- Touching to tears: C
- Non Soapy: B
- Diversity Casting: F
"Adapted from Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals and its two sequels, Season 1 of the family drama about British widow Louisa Durrell (Keeley Hawes) and her children Larry (Josh O'Connor), Leslie (Callum Woodhouse), Margo (Daisy Waterstone) and Gerry (Milo Parker) opens with the family, for financial reasons, relocating from dreary England to the sun-drenched Greek isle of Corfu. However, the change of scenery doesn't change their lives as much as Louisa hoped: monetary issues remain; new challenges, some fueled by differing cultural norms, are introduced; and the relatively normal (and not-so-normal) issues families face surface from time to time. Among them: Margo falling head-over-heels in (unrequited) love and, later, befriending a countess; Gerry becoming tight with a former prison inmate; Leslie, after his mother tosses him out, falling into a life of crime; a visiting relative demanding they return to England; and Louisa realizing that a suitor isn't quite what he appears to be."
Interestingly my boyfriend loved this show as much, if not more, than I did. It's a testament to how easy and feel good this story is. You feel instantly transported away from real life and plopped into this cozy period piece. It's much funnier than it looks, and a wonderful, female driven comedy about family. Lovely, lovely, lovely.
13. "Love"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A+
- Barrier Breaking: C
- Fills Sex and the City hole: B+
- Superior dialogue: A
- Chills Inducing: A
- Feel Good Escapism: A
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A++
- Touching to tears: B
- Non Soapy: A
- Diversity Casting: D
"When his cheating girlfriend leaves him, people-pleasing nice-guy Gus (Paul Rust, "I Love You, Beth Cooper" and "Inglorious Basterds") moves into a trendy apartment complex inhabited by lots of college students. A chance encounter introduces him to wild-child Mickey (Gillian Jacobs, "Community"), also recently single, and who despises her job in radio. Though wildly different, the two are drawn to each other, and that relationship is the basis for the Judd Apatow-helmed Netflix original series. And in the end, their differences may be what help them figure out just what love is."
Judd Apatow seems to do no wrong, another awesome story about love and relationships and I'm so happy it's in series form so we can BINGE! You will definitely wanna binge on this one, have all the wine ready. This show is beyond charming, Gillian Jacobs is so relatable it hurts to watch her, and it's all set in my Silverlake neighborhood so of course it's even more fun for us in LA.
14. "Black Mirror"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A
- Barrier Breaking: A++
- Fills Sex and the City hole: D
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A++++
- Feel Good Escapism: A
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: D
- Touching to tears: A
- Non Soapy: A++
- Diversity Casting: C
"Featuring stand-alone dramas -- sharp, suspenseful, satirical tales that explore techno-paranoia -- "Black Mirror" is a contemporary reworking of "The Twilight Zone" with stories that tap into the collective unease about the modern world. Each story features its own cast of unique characters, including stars like Bryce Dallas Howard ("The Help"), Alice Eve, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Cullen and Jerome Flynn ("Game of Thrones"). Joe Wright, Dan Trachtenberg, and James Watkins are among the featured directors."
All I can say is- PREPARE YOURSELF FOR EPIC THRILLS.
15."Westworld"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A+
- Barrier Breaking: A++
- Fills Sex and the City hole: D
- Superior dialogue: C
- Chills Inducing: A++++
- Feel Good Escapism: A
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: D
- Touching to tears: A
- Non Soapy: A++
- Diversity Casting: B+
"Westworld isn't your typical amusement park. Intended for rich vacationers, the futuristic park -- which is looked after by robotic "hosts" -- allows its visitors to live out their fantasies through artificial consciousness. No matter how illicit the fantasy may be, there are no consequences for the park's guests, allowing for any wish to be indulged. "Westworld" -- which is based on the 1973 Michael Crichton movie of the same name -- features an all-star cast that includes Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and Golden Globe winner Ed Harris."
I mean, how could I not list Westworld? It's probably one of the coolest shows ever created. Evan Rachel Wood is SENSATIONAL. Unreal, if you haven't seen it yet you need to get to it! It's ultimate escapism with wonderful thrills and will keep you guessing out loud. Dreamy.
16."Bigmouth"
- Lead Rolls or Equal rolls for women: A++
- Barrier Breaking: A++
- Fills Sex and the City hole: D
- Superior dialogue: A+
- Chills Inducing: A
- Feel Good Escapism: A
- Laugh Out Loud Funny: A++
- Touching to tears: D
- Non Soapy: A++
- Diversity Casting: C
"Even for a cartoon character, going through puberty isn't easy for a young person. Andrew is learning that first hand as he experiences the nightmare that is growing up in this animated series geared toward adults. Along for the ride are friends Nick and Jessi, who develop a budding romance along the way. The comedy veterans who lend their voices to "Big Mouth" include John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph and Jordan Peele."
Something about Big Mouth makes you forget you're watching a cartoon- probably the brilliant script that is so funny it hurts. Amazing new show, not surprised since Nick Kroll is involved. Wonderful!
- The Girlfriend Experience
- Atlanta
- Insecure
- Good Girls Revolt
- Girls
- The Fall (serial Killer drama SO GOOD)
- Happyish
