I figured that it was time for a TV roundup. A list of the TV shows I’ve watched this summer. Or maybe it’s been for the year so far. I’m only going by memory here so I probably have forgot some things. Or maybe not. If I forgot how would I know?
Andor Season 2 – I know people who really liked this show. I thought it was good and watched the whole thing but I didn’t think it was great. It’s a Star Wars show and it takes place before the original movie and it’s kind of about the nuts and bolts of a revolution. It’s all spy stuff and political intrigue. It shows the price ordinary people have to pay for going up against The Empire. It’s worth a look if that description intrigues you.
Abby’s – Another watch for me of this ten episode 2019 people in a backyard bar sitcom. It’s become my August show and I rewatch it every year. I’m not going to tell you that it’s a great show but I find it very pleasant and enjoyable. The people in the show are trying to build their own little community and I find that comforting.
Animal Control – A Joe McHale (from Community) vehicle about a group of animal control officers. I find this one a lot of fun as the characters go around town taking care of animal business and have a lot of interpersonal hijinks. This was season three and they are only ten episode seasons.
Bad Monkey – A Vince Vaughn show where he is a laid back cop in Key West, Florida. Of course he gets suspended but that doesn’t stop him from getting involved in a mystery. I liked this one but it took me a while to get through it. It’s only ten episodes but I seemed to only watch it when it was raining out and I had to ride my stationary bike instead of my outside bike. I liked the end episodes the best.
Based on a True Story – I liked the first season of this Kaley Cuoco comedy but I haven’t jumped on this second season very quickly. There are only eight episodes per season and I still have a couple left to go. It’s a crime comedy about a couple who discover that they know a serial killer so they decide to make a podcast with him. I’ll finish it up sooner or later.
Counterpart – I only just started this alternate world spy thriller. There is an another alternate world just like ours but they keep it secret and spy on each other. What shenanigans are everyone up to? I’ll have to see. So far all I know that that no one trusts anyone.
Death in Paradise – A British murder mystery show that takes place in a fictional Caribbean island. It’s one of those shows where they gather the suspects in a room at the end and reveal who committed the crime. It’s a fun show.
Dexter: Resurrection – You thought Dexter died at the and of the last show? Well guess what? He got better! Now we get a new season of the serial killer who hunts serial killers and it takes place in New York City. Though there is still one episode to go as I write this it’s been another good season of Dexter.
Elsbeth – One of my favorite genres of TV shows is the quirky detective genre and this show fits that bill. Elsbeth is a lawyer from Chicago who is assigned to watch for police corruption in NYC. Of course she solves crimes along with the police and she’s really quirky as she does it.
Hacks – This was the season when our pair of stars hit the big time. The older comedian and younger comedy writer team got a network late night show and this season was all about them dealing with it. A lot of drama happened but in a funny way since it’s a comedy. This is a sharp and funny show.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – We got a new eight episode season of my favorite comedy this summer and I enjoyed it. The gang is as amusing and awful as ever. I also always watch reruns of this show. These days I like to watch the reruns on shuffle so that I never know what episode I’m going to get.
The Last of Us – I kind of bailed on this show after a couple of episodes. Since then I’ve read that a lot of people haven’t liked season two. Maybe I’ll get back to it someday.
Mid-Century Modern – A sitcom about three gay men living together. I think they’re supposed to be three different generations but one seems older than the other two so I’m really not sure. Not the funniest thing ever but it’s pleasant enough. It’s sort of a classical sitcom. I still have a few episodes to go so we’ll see if I get back to it.
Murder Most Puzzling – A short series from the UK about a woman who makes crossword puzzles and also gets involved in solving murders. It stars Phillis Logan from “Lovejoy” which is a favorite show of mine. It was solid.
My Life is Murder – A new season of this New Zealand Lucy Lawless show just started. She’s fun to watch as she solves cold case murders as a police consultant. She’s not as quirky as the other quirky detectives but it’s still that genre.
My Name is Earl – I’m giving this show a rewatch. I find it hard to believe that it stared back in 2005. That’s 20 years ago! I remember enjoying it back then and I’m enjoying it again now. It’s a sitcom about a criminal loser who is trying to make up for the bad things he’s done in his life by doing good things. Lots of fun and funny characters in this show.
Poker Face – This second season takes place in NYC as our lead character, a woman who is a human lie detector, gets involved in solving murders and mysteries. Yes, this is another quirky detective show. Fun stuff.
Resident Alien – It’s the third and final ten episode season of this one. It’s a comedy about an alien living on Earth. I liked the first two seasons but I’ve only watched a few episodes of this season. It’s just not hitting me right. Maybe I’ll finish watching it and maybe I won’t. We’ll see.
Sherlock and Daughter – I like to check out Sherlock Holmes stuff. I’m a fan of the original stories and the Jeremy Brett TV show from the 1980s. This is a new series that takes place in the original Sherlock Holmes time period. A young woman shows up in London to track down Sherlock because her dead mother told her that he is her father. She’s got a sharp mind like he does and though he doubts her story they still get involved in some cases together. Fun stuff.
Son of a Critch – A Canadian show about a young boy growing up in Newfoundland in the 1980s. I don’t have much to say about it except it’s sweet and pleasant.
Wednesday – The opposite of sweet and pleasant is Wednesday Adams. In its second season Wednesday turns up her creepiness and leans in to her outsider even with the other outsiders nature. I think I’m enjoying this season even more than the first.
So that’s some of the shows I’ve watched this year. There might be a few more I’ve forgotten. Who can remember everything?