TV + MD

I'm the MD. I write about TV. I have evolved this blog into a newsletter covering all media! You can subscribe here: https://marthdee.com

[mdwatchestv]

Serving Media Reccos for November

As a reminder this blog can come STRAIGHT TO YOU by visiting marthadee.com

Happy November friends and media consumers! What costume did you do for Halloween? I was a girl who was absolutely scandalized the price of Halloween candy in this day and age! Snickers! In this economy???

November is THE MONTH for premiers apparently, so dive in and be thankful for these offerings. The best part of starting a new blog is being able to reuse all my old jokes! Wait did I already re-use this re-use joke last month?

Something Old, Something New for NOVEMBER 2025! 

Television

Not only is Stranger Things still on but it’s ending in three “volumes” AND being shown simultaneously in theaters. Is this something we want? That we asked for? Lily Allen doesn’t think so!

Also speaking of what we want, I would be REMISS not to mention that the Ryan Murphy x Kimmy K Kollab All’s Fair is coming out this month. The trailer is just absolutely fascinating, not a SOUL under 40 save Teyana Taylor - which, what insane timing for her after OBAA. The colors, the clothes, the SKIMS fabric chairs in the office. So much to take in. I’m not condoning this, but I’m also …not not.

Something New: 

I Love LA - November 2nd on HBO Max

The long awaited show from It Girl Rachel Sennott, full of all her It-People friends (Jordan Firstman, Odessa A’zion et al). A group of quirky misfits like, totally, trying to make it in LA via influencer-adjacent cringe activities is a tale as old as time, but hey, I do love LA. 

Plur1bus - November 7th, 2025 on AppleTV+

Writer Vince Gilligan is best known for creating THEE Breaking Bad BUT before he was a ~*~*prestige ~*~* drama creator, Vince was but a lowly writer on the greatest show of all time aka The X-Files akathe OG OTP. All this is to say, in Pluribus (er Plur1bus?) he is leaving his drug days behind and returning to his sci-fi ROOTS. In Pluribus, an (alien??) virus has taken over the world, making everyone inexplicably happy…except for grumpy Rhea Seehorn whose bad attitude makes her humanity’s de facto savior. I will be honest with you, I don’t really see the problem here and am ready to succumb to the happy virus, kind of seems like a nice change of pace. But I’m willing to be persuaded otherwise, Vince!

Something Old:

The Knick - Streaming on HBO Max

As my loyal (as of three months) readers know, my passion for The Pitt sent me back in time to central-line the glory of ER. But what if you could go even further back in time to when modern medical techniques were still being invented, like in 1900 by an opium addict!  The Knick is a medical miracle — starring Clive Owen, introducing Andre Holland, with every episode directed by the GOAT Steven Soderbergh.  These new age doctors rely too much on “antibiotics” and frown on “injecting drugs into your feet.” Not so at The Knickerbocker Hospital of New York, my friends! 

Content Warning: Everything

Movies:

November 7th is really THE DAY this month, buckle up and get thee to a movie theater!

Something New:

Die, My Love - November 7th

We stan a woman succumbing to madness, especially if it’s J Law, ESPECIALLY if she’s married to Robert Pattinson ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY if Lynne Ramsay is the conductor. It’s Feel Bad Fall and ladies — we are coming out of the wallpaper and creeping along the floor. 

Sentimental Value - November 7th

The new movie from the director (Joachim Trier) and star (Renate Reinsve) now with Papa Skarsgård and the littlest Fanning. Papa Skarsgård is an aging film director struggling to reconnect with his adult daughters after a childhood of neglect through the medium and magic of filmmaking. Absolutely incredible acting across the board, including from a house. More on this in my Film Festival supplement coming soon!

The Running Man - November 7th

Pro: I love Edgar Wright! Con: His past two movies have…been lacking Pro: Seems timely! Con: But we’ve already had many Squid Games Pro: People love Glen Powell! Con: But is that suspicious??? ¯\(ツ)/¯

Something Old:

The Handmaiden (2016)

To continue to unceasingly tease my upcoming Montclair Film Festival supplement - mostly to ensure that I actually write it - doing a little tie-in. One of the movies I saw that I will feature in the supplement, that I am definitely going to get to writing right away, was No Other Choice, the new feature from Park Chan-wook. I am a Director Park stan from the beginning of his oeuvre (er from JSA, I haven’t seen the Cyborg one), but his films in the last ten years have just been all killer no filler. The Handmaiden is a loose adaptation of the novel Fingersmith, wherein a young (lady) thief starts working for a noblewoman in an attempt to get into her pants and thus her wallet. Erotic complications ensue, and when I tell you this movie is lush, beautiful, sexy, and Director Park really likes to get weird with an octopus.

Books:

Something New:

The Rose Field by Philip Pullman -  October 23rd

But Martha, this date is cleary October, when obviously this is the November blog — how could this happen? Agh I KNOW, you got me! I couldn’t believe I missed this somehow for last month, and during my full meltdown Alex reminded me that this is my blog and I can do whatever I want (huge if true). Even though it is anathema to me to break my own carefully constructed rules, I simply MUST put this in front of you -— whatever the cost to the natural order.

Philip Pullman is the author of the His Dark Material book series — one of the most important/influential in my life!  The Rose Field is the final book in Pullman’s Book of Dust supplemental trilogy and therefore the final chapter of the overall HDM world. The series follows Lyra, a plucky young girl who, like me this month, is also forced to confront the natural order of the world along with the physical animal manifestation of her soul, Pan (I have one of these as well). If you love talking animals, soft magical realism, and want to attack and dethrone god — these books are for you!!! 

 Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite  - November 4th

Oyinkan made a splash with her first novel, the darkly comic My Sister The Serial Killer and is back at it again. Her new novel similarly explores themes of familial pressure, defining yourself as an individual, and trying to convince everyone you aren’t a reincarnated family member. These things happen. Oyinkan wields her wickedly sharp tone to flay open the family ties that bind us.

Something Old: 

Katabasis - RF Kuang (2025)

Continuing to really push my self-imposed boundaries here with a book that came out one month before I started the blog as ‘old’. But hey I am feeling wild and empowered to color outside my own lines I guess! You probably know RF Kuang for her bestseller Babel, which sees college students in a world where magic is invoked by language translation, confront systematic racism in a hellish alternate Victorian era. Katabasis, by contrast, sees grad students in a world where magic is invoked by logic, confront systematic imbalance in literally Hell! Honestly, both books are so much fun, especially if you have also spent too much time in academia, read a lot of books, or tried to travel to Hell and back.

Someone to Follow: 

Kseniia the Rhinestone Lady This Danish woman is decorating for Christmas by  gluing a rhinestone onto the side of her house for every follower she gets. I have been watching this from the first rhinestone and now she has almost  two full sides done. She 3D-printed her own rhinestone sorting device to put on sparkles faster, sometimes a rainy day thwarts the gluing.  There’s really not much more to it than that — but her steady pursuit of the project is incredibly soothing, and sparkly. If you give her a follow, she’ll be forced to glue on a rhinestone for you too!

!!!!SPEED ROUND!!!!

I valiantly tried to see One Battle After Another in VistaVision, but the Regal’s machine was broken, leaving me and 100 other New York hipsters to resort to …. Digital. But I loved it of course! Probably the PTA movie I have most enjoyed since Magnolia! I said it!!

On the ER front - currently season 7! Carter had a very unfortunate goatee, Dr. Benton deserves a public statue, and Sally Field is Maura Tierney’s mother!! TV does NOT get better!

Reporting from Halloween - GDT’s Frankenstein movie is not not ER-coded (I know I am unwell)

In non-ER television watching, I finished Only Murders In the Building - I’ve been seeing a lot of rumbling that this season wasn’t as strong as previous, but they all kind of feel on par to me? Not like it was last season of The Bear!

XO, MD ❤️

[mdwatchestv]

MDWatchesTV has moved ... and been reborn!

Hello my little Tumbles! The last time I updated this blog was May 2020 before my world got swept up into the COVID tsunami.

I stopped writing, and over the next five years (!!!), upended my life in almost every conceivable way.

But I missed writing, and I missed all of you!! And now five years later (insane timeline, truly I am the crypt keeper) I am BACK to tell you not just about TV, but MOVIES and BOOKS too!!

Come follow me at my new newsletter home https://mdmedia.beehiiv.com/

Updates will be monthly, content will be glib!

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch In May: AKA Time To Put On A New Shirt

Here we are again. Hope everyone is well. Are we making good food choices? Washing our clothes? Staying active?  Watching our quick bites? Lol I’m jk, you don’t need to be doing any of that. All you have to do is get through each day, in whatever way you see fit. Perhaps for you this includes binge-watching television. If so, welcome, you are among friends.

Even though it may appear to you all that I am perfect, I sadly must admit I am not. Two shows that I missed telling you about and have been hyped up to me:

Unorthodox (Netflix) - An ultra-Orthodox Jewish woman runs away from her arranged marriage, complications arise. Only four episodes! My mom is really pushing this one hard.

Normal People (Hulu) - Based on the Sally Rooney books that I guess I didn’t read. Secret romance! Only 30 minute eps! Don’t watch it with your mom!

Also PSA HBO MAX is launching this month! Here’s the run down:

- It’s all Warner Brothers properties (HBO, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network, WB produced CW shows, etc) 

-Lord of the Rings, Friends, original content, etc

-If you already have HBO Now, you will be migrated over. 

- No, this is not necessary, but yes, it is happening.

Now here are some premieres: 

Friday, May 1st

Hollywood (Netflix) 

Ryan Murphy’s first miniseries for Netflix after his bajillion dollar deal with them about...you guessed it...the Golden Age of Hollywood. Yes this feels like a classic Ryan Murphy Trap, but who amongst us isn’t desperate for a distraction. What happens to be diverting for me personally is Darren Criss in that trim little vest. We are all just trying to cope. 

Into the Night (Netflix)

What if THE SUN started killing people?!? A timely reminder that it could always be worse: you could have to fly ceaselessly into the night on an airplane to escape a Death Sun. The Belgians made it so its only 6 episodes!

Friday, May 8th

Dead to Me Season 2 (Netflix)

A lot of people recommended this to me, did I watch it? No. But I trust them enough to pass that recommendation along. The circle of life.

Tuesday, May 12th

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy Vs The Reverend (Netflix)

Bringing back Kimmy Schmidt for an ~*~*~ interactive ~*~*~ special ala Black Mirror: Bandersnatch. If you interacted with that show then you will know it was totally fine! But it did take up a nice solid block of time! Also you can choose to make out with Daniel Radcliffe in this one soooo (still, just trying to cope).

Friday, May 15th

The Great (Hulu)

Another show in the ‘quirky history’ trend, this time starring Elle Fanning as baby Catherine the Great (before she was Great). A satirical period piece with vague girl power themes? That sounds like maybe I’m making fun of it, but seriously sign me up. This is genuinely all things I want.

White Lines (Netflix)

The new show from the Money Heist creator, except instead of robbing a bank we are doing my other favorite activity: solving a cold case murder! If it even has half the flash (the victim is a DJ) and twists and turns of Money Heist (there is a group of likely suspects)  it will still be time well spent.

Sunday, May 17th

Snowpiercer (9pm on TNT)

Y’all, I truly never thought we’d see the day. To say the Snowpiercer TV series (based on the Bong Joon-ho movie) has been ‘embattled’ is the understatement of the frozen television landscape. This show was announced five years ago, has had two different showrunners, a total pilot redo, and was supposed to be on TNT, then TBS, now TNT again. No idea if this will be good, or even anything at all, but it’s become such an object of curiosity how could you not want to take a peek. Also it’s already been picked up for a season 2! Absolutely wild. Thrilled to be on the journey. 

Wednesday, May 27th- HBO Max Day!

Along with that library of WB content, HBO has some original series dropping today that I will now briefly preview for you:

Craftopia - Pre-teen crafting competition.

Legendary -  The voguing competition that began the great Jameela Jamil Battle of Twitter.

Looney Tunes - Self explanatory!

Love Life-  A rom com anthology from Paul Feig. Spend a season watching Anna Kendrick search for love- or don’t! Whatever you’re into.

The Not Too Late Show With Elmo - Elmo hosts a talk show! 

I will say this for HBO Max: their offerings are clear and concise. 

Friday, May 29th 

Space Force (Netflix)

Remember like two years ago when it was announced we would have a Space Force?  Well this Greg Daniel’s workplace comedy series (wonder if he’s any good at those) starring Steve Carrell will commemorate those simpler times. 

Central Park (Apple +)

An animated musical comedy from the makers of Bob’s Burgers about the battle for the soul of Central Park. Looks fun, zany, etc. Boy, I would really like to go to a park...

Okay out of an energy now. Feel free to tell me what I missed and if it’s something turns out to be good I’ll humble myself with a correction next month (pending continuation of civilization). Now get out of here, scram, back to the couch with ya.

(JK love you)

XO

MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in April: *** SUPER QUARANTINE EDITION***

I mean.... here we all are then.

Usually in these blogs I try to keep the fantasy alive of like “oooh maybe I really am going to watch all of these shows!” But, let’s just cut to the chase - you’re bored, you need to fill the yawning void of time between now and when they let us back outside (June?), you clicked on this for cold hard content recs. I hear you, I see you, I adore you, I’d love to embrace you, but most importantly: I got you. This month, I’m listing everything that could even remotely be in the realm of watchability. I do it for you.

BUT FIRST - Let’s talk about QUIBI. Quibi (“Quick Bites”) has been a looming threat for a long time and its time is finally nigh. Designed for “people on the go” (lol remember them?), it’s tv, movies, and docs released in ten minute or less “bites” on your mobile device. I think it’s supposed to tap into the same part of your brain that wants to watch 100 Tik Toks when you are technically “in bed” but haven’t put your phone down yet. It launches April 6 and you can get a 90-day free trial! Just the length of the rest of our time indoors! And on that date Quibi is ready to absolutely blast you in the face with a shotgun of content and celebrities. Chrissy Teigen is a judge, Chance the Rapper is Ashton Kutcher, Liam Hemsworth is a dying task rabbit. We are flipping murder houses, break dancing, and learning how to become drag queens. Also turns out this is the final resting place of When the Streetlights Go On! Who knew. I can not do individual recs because I am just one girl, and Quibi is a vast, merciless ocean of bites. However you are welcome to  drown in a full list of their offerings here: GOOD LUCK 

Now in case Quibi doesn’t permanently disfigure the television industry and forever alter all of our viewing habits, here’s what’s on “real” TV:

Friday, April 3rd 

Home Before Dark (Apple +) 

A tiny child journalist solves a cold case in a small town! This is based on a true story (?!?!?) Adorable! Gritty!

Harley Quinn Season 2 (DC Universe)

If you want to continue the high of Birds of Prey, I have heard the animated series is actually pretty good. No idea how to get DC Universe tho, you’re on your own there.

Money Heist Part 4 (Netflix)

La Casa De Papal! Never been a better time to learn to speak Spanish AND plan the perfect heist with your hot criminal friends!

Tales From The Loop (Amazon Prime) 

A sci-fi show based on Simon Stålenhag’s paintings (see above). Its Swedish, its futuristic, Rebecca Hall is in it. Feels like more of a vibe than a show tbh, but the painting is cool!

Sunday, April 5th

Kim Kardashian West: The Justice Project (7pm on Oxygen)

I KNOW some of you want to watch this.

Thursday, April 9th

The Good Fight S4 (CBS All Access) 

PSA: This is back for those who partake, and CBS All Access is doing one month free! Sir Patrick said so!

The Circle: France (Netflix)

Okay so I did watch all of The Circle, Netflix’s social media reality show. Am I proud? No. Am I going to watch it in French? Yes.

Sunday, April 12th AKA NATIONAL PWB DAY

Killing Eve Season 3 (9pm on BBC America / AMC) 

Admittedly, I was underwhelmed by season 2 but that’s only because season 1 set the very highest bar imaginable. Our favorite murder girlfriends are back with a NEW lady show runner, so blank slate baby. Speaking of the perfect season 1, it is all on HULU. 

Run (10:30pm on HBO)

After Killing Eve hop right on over to HBO where this show from PWB’s writing partner Vicky Jones premieres! What a day for us! Ex-lovers abandon their lives to RUN away together. Merritt Weaver! Phoebe is actually IN it!  Romance! Intrigue! Also I have official confirmation: Domhnall Gleeson is doing his natural accent for those of us made nervous by the teaser. 

Wednesday, April 15th 

Mrs. America (FX but on Hulu) 

Look, I’m just going to come out and say what we’re all thinking: Rose Byrne is the most underrated actress alive, every performances is a master class, and her American accent is a work of art. Anyway she plays Gloria Steinem in this and she’s going to absolutely crush it. This miniseries about the ERA could not be more on brand for me: fabulous actresses of today, playing feminist heroes of yesterday! Thank you FX, for this gift. And thank you Australia for Rose Byrne (and Cate Blanchett!) 

What We Do in the Shadows Season 2 (10pm FX on FX and then on Hulu) 

Season 1 also on Hulu to catch up! Maybe even I myself, your dearest blogger, will catch up. Anything is possible.

Thursday, April 23rd 

We’re Here (9pm on HBO)

Shangela, Bob the Drag Queen, and Eureka travel the country and empower people by making them into drag queens! Like a hug for your heart (in case you never actually physically hug anyone ever again).

Friday, April 24th 

Defending Jacob (Apple +) 

Chris Evans has to defend his son, Jacob. Look, do you want to stare at Chris Evans or not?

Sunday, April 26th

Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (10pm on Showtime)

A sequel to the OG Penny Dreadful, the new series takes place in 1930s Los Angeles and Natalie Dormer in a leather dress, Natalie Dormer in a leather dress, Natalie Dormer in a leather dress, and um other supernatural chaos too I guess.

Vida Season 4 (9pm on Starz)

One of the shows most recommended to me I haven’t watched. I’ll say to you what my friends say to me: “Martha it’s only 30 minutes!”

Monday, April 27th

Never Have I Ever (Netflix) 

A teen comedy by Mindy Kaling about an Indian-American girl growing up in the valley. There will be awkwardness and growth! I love teens!!!

I Know This Much Is True (9pm on HBO)

2 Mark Ruffalos. 

Okay if you can’t find something here to whittle away the minutes unto freedom then idk how to help you. Please stay inside and watch tv, stay safe, I love you, I’m thinking of you <3

XO MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in March: Sell Out Season

Here we are luxuriating in Los Angeles’ most glorious season: pilot. I humbly ask you to put down your phones, deflate your hyperventilation bags, and give what is left of your frayed attention span to the television premieres of March. There is much to partake in friends. FX, for example, does not give even half of one shit that it’s the industry’s busiest month and is foisting a seemingly endless number premieres upon us. Also just when you thought it was safe to return to premium cable, Westworld is upon us yet again and reader... I am going to watch it.

Sunday, March 1st

Dispatches from Elsewhere (10pm on AMC)

I think this is based on a real thing in San Francisco, like an interactive world game that is sort of like the game in the movie The Game. But this is a television show about that game. The SF game, not the David Fincher one. Or maybe one was inspired by the other? I don’t know I’m bad at puzzles and would perform poorly in any of those games, but that’s okay because in this show Jason Segel has to solve the puzzles and not me. 

Thursday, March 5th

Devs (FX..but you can only watch it on Hulu?)

Disney owns everything now, including Fox, including Hulu, including this blog (jk, but if you want to buy it Disney my price is reasonable! Let’s talk!) So sometimes FX shows are on FX and sometimes they are on Hulu? Anyway this is the fourth FX-related premiere this month! I didn’t even post about the first four because there is not world enough or time. Regardless, Dev’s is a sci-fi thriller from Alex Garland, that guy who brought us the glorious Ex Machina and the even more glorious Annihilation. Creepy, stylish sci-fi starring a moody girl and with Nick Offerman as villain. I support FX in their quest to make every Parks + Rec cast member into a bad guy. Do Donna next!

Better Things (10pm on Actual FX)

This is a show that I struggle to actually watch but know to be doing Continuously Good Work, and I want to support it. Also I want to support Pamela Adlon and women in general. Also I do like the show. This is not an ad, Disney still hasn’t called (although there is still time!!)

Friday, March 6th

The Most Dangerous Animal of All (10pm on FX - seriously)

Well since you’re already tuned to FX you might as well watch this docu-series about a guy who thinks his dad was the Zodiac Killer! Word puzzles!

Hillary (Hulu)

But her emails.

Friday, March 13th 

The Pale Horse (Amazon) 

Agatha Christie + Witches + British Actors = This is it, this is my brand.

Sunday, March 15th

Westworld (9pm on HBO)

Here we go again! Feels like just yesterday we were all sinking slowly into the opaque narrative mire of what, at its core, is a robot show. If you would like to read my panicked and confused recaps of  season 2 I welcome you to click here. If you are hoping I will be recapping season 3, I regret to inform you I will not because it was difficult and unrewarding. Much like season 2 of Westworld. I’m hatin, but I am also going to watch this so. Jokes on me I guess.

Wednesday, March 18th

Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu)

Idk why I was surprised this had actual fire in it. Spring’s most hotly anticipated new seroes features Kerry Washington and Reece Witherspoon producing AND facing off. Intrigue abounds!

Wow Hulu absolutely crushing it this month with exciting and original content! Great acquisition Disney, jolly good stuff. Once again, myself and this blog are FOR SALE. It’s my dream to be a sell out, I’m a phone call away guys!

XO MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch In February: Be Mine TV-Tine (Did I Make this Joke Last Year? Don’t Remember)

Wow you guys, I fucked up big and totally failed to recommend you THE best show of 2020 thus far. Forget all those other shows from the January blog, they were whatever and start watching CHEER (on Netflix) TODAY. You think you do not care about jr. college cheerleading? Let me tell you something: you do, you will, you must. Lexi is my sweet angel and I will be worried about her until my last day on this Earth.

Also if anyone has watched The Circle - yes the social media competition show on Netflix, I would like to speak about it. 

Okay so January was a total bust, let’s give February, the month of love and pilots, a shot.

Monday, February 3rd

McMillions (10pm on HBO)

HBO serves up more true crime goodness with their newest doc series McMillions. This is one of my favorite stranger-than-fiction true crime tales about a guy who successfully rigged the McDonald’s Monopoly game on a pretty massive scale. Honestly, it’s inspirational. 

Thursday, February 6th

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (8pm on NBC)

Now that The Good Place is ending this might be the...only network show I watch. Fancy that.

Friday, February 7th

Locke & Key (Netflix)

Locke & Key has been in development and shuffled around for the past 4 or 5 years, which is like 100 in television years, but I have remained mildly curious about it. Sure, the trailer gives off confusing tone vibes and there is no faster tv turn off for me than an indiscernible tone! However, I am hoping the vibe is “teen-friendly Haunting of Hill House that won’t make you throw up out of terror”. And if so - great!

Sunday, February 9th 

92nd Annual Academy Awards (8pm ABC)

Yep, we’re still doing these!

Friday, February 14th

High Fidelity (Hulu)

Can you believe movie High Fidelity came out 20 years ago? We are all old and made of dust. ANYWAY this updated take on the book/movie stars not Jon Cusack puttering around a vinyl store bemoaning lost loves but Zoë Kravitz puttering around a vinyl store bemoaning lost loves! I am usually anti-recycling IP, BUT I have been living in a non-stop nostalgia for the early aughts AND the gender swap is a cute update here. Regardless, Jack Black will be missed.

Friday, February 21st

Hunters (Amazon Prime)

Al Pacino and Logan Lerman hunt down goddamn nazis in 1970′s New York. That’s it, that’s the show. What more do you people want!

Wednesday, February 26th

I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix)

A teenage girl (little Amy Adams in Sharp Objects) has to deal with growing up AND getting super powers!!! Yet another show I should have written first. Well it’s based on a graphic novel so I guess technically I should have written that first.

Friday, February 28th

RuPaul’s Drag Race (8pm on Vh1)

Start your engines!

See you in March xoxo

MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in January: Off to A Late Start

Happy 2020! New year, new start, new month to be behind on the blog. In my defense I was traversing what felt like every state on the Eastern Seaboard until Saturday. Could I have written something “ahead” of time and “scheduled” it? Sure. I also could have “started” a “career” in writing eight years ago. So best get to scrolling, because we are both already behind!!!!!

Wednesday, January 1st

Doctor Who (8pm on BBC America)

Because this is technically in “the past” I can let you know the first episode is available to stream for free on bbcamerica.com! You are welcome. Jodie Whittaker is back to adventure through space and time as Doctor #13. Her debut season had its ups and downs, but boasted some of the best back-in-time eps of the series and Jodie’s take on the iconic role is fresh and fun. Kind of feels like the world could really use a visit from the Doctor right now!

Saturday, January 4th

Dracula (Netflix)

Speaking of ups and downs with Doctor Who... Writing bros Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are back with another classic literary adaptation. Whatever you may feel about where Sherlock ended up, you can’t deny the first two seasons were good af. And with the deployment of the three 90-minute episode season again here, maybe we will see another flashy fresh beginning. Or if you’ve already watched this - you tell me! I don’t know!

Sunday, January 12th

The Outsider (9pm on HBO)

We are having a real Stephen King Moment, which is personally unfortunate because I have recently come to the conclusion that Mr. King is Not For Me. Obviously his works are iconic, best-selling etc etc, not trying to knock any of the shine off the man, the myth, the legend. It’s just that I, personally, don’t like being surprised by magic. Love magic, love surprises, just not together. If there is magic I want to know about it UP FRONT.  I have not read the novel upon which this mini-series is based, but I can already tell there is going to be surprise magic. Look, I’m still going to watch it because it’s a gritty HBO drama about murder with an all-star cast, I’m not like an animal. 

Wednesday, January 15th

The Magicians (10pm on SyFy)

Right off the bat, magic is in the NAME. No surprises here. Yes, I am biased, but I truly believe The Magicians is one of the most exciting shows on television. On it’s surface it’s a ‘save the world’ fantasy romp, but moment to moment it’s a tonally unique deep-dive into adult friendship, grief, and mental health. It’s a pitch black comedy, and a madcap magic show. It’s meta, irreverent, and has a plot that moves at a million miles per hour. And yes, it will be just as good without They-Who-Will-Not-Be-Named. Hail to the king, baby.

Sunday, January 19th

Avenue 5 (10pm on HBO)

Hugh Laurie is captain of a luxury spaceship that runs into trouble- space trouble! Intriguing as that is on its own, the real draw here is that this is the next comedy from Veep creator Armando Iannucci. From The Thick of It to Death of Stalin everything he does is hilarious, and has taught me so many new and exciting ways to curse. Also Zach Woods!

Friday, January 24th

Shrill (Hulu)

I loved season 1 of this show so much it made it on to my best of the year list , and now season 2 is upon us. Aidy Bryant showed us she is ready to graduate from SNL sketches to full on leading lady. Season 1 was a pure bubbly delight, like drinking a glass of champagne by the pool. Hopefully season 2 will be just as sparkling as the first.

Alright, that’s what I got! Watch all of this and try to ignore the, frankly alarming, number of procedural spin-offs dive bombing onto the network channels this month. Love you, mean it and a happy 2020 <3 

Fuckety Bye,

MD

[mdwatchestv]

Best of 2019: A Year in Review

2019 was a hard fucking year. It was long, and weird, and filled with bullshit. I usually like to keep it light and frothy, but I’m going to scrape off the foam and get real for a second. I have had a very difficult past couple of years, but this blog allowed me to stay connected to an activity I enjoyed. Writing to you all every month has been an anchor, a little beacon that’s lit the way while I’ve searched for my path in the dark. So if you read my blog this year, in any capacity, whether as a supportive friend, curious stranger, or schadenfreude seeking acquaintance, I want to thank you. It really means a lot to me that you are here. 

ANYWAY the best television of 2019 was also deeply personal, sometimes devastatingly so. I didn’t watch everything I should have, or meant to, and god knows I jumped a lot of ships when the waters started to get too choppy (Years and Years, I will come back to you one day). Of everything I watched this year (reminder there were 500+ original shows and I have only seen two episodes of Watchmen SORRY)  here is the very best: 

Fleabag Season 2 - Amazon Prime

The first season of Fleabag felt like jumping into ice water, a refreshing shock to the system. Season 2 felt like falling in love. There is not a lot to say about season 2 that has not been said already: the genius of the opening dinner scene, the hotness of the priest, the chicness of the jumpsuit. Uproariously funny, deeply confessional, wrenchingly painful - it was literally perfect.

Pen15 - Hulu

It’s not every day that someone makes a documentary of your own stupid life and then just puts it on a streaming service for EVERYONE to see. Maybe letting women make content was a mistake after all because if this is what seeing yourself truthfully represented in media feels like, I’m not sure I like it. Even this gif is a personal attack. 

Russian Doll - Netflix

A genre-bending exploration of trauma, humanity, and birthdays, Russian Doll was big, messy, and often imperfect - but then again so is life (and death). When all the pieces came together Russian Doll hit as hard as an air conditioner plummeting from the sixth story. It also provided 2019 with the perfect soundtrack in Harry Nilsson’s ‘Gotta Get Up’ and primed us all for a year of existential disappointment. Thanks Nat!

Love Island - ITV2

Because it’s the TRUTH, Maura. Look there are only two types of people in this world: those who have seen Love Island, and those who have not. If you are judging this entry, or raising your eyebrows, or thinking I have hit my head very hard (perhaps on a plummeting air conditioner), then you have simply not yet visited the island. I clocked 90+ hours in the villa this year,  and that alone deems it worthy of inclusion. “But Martha maybe you would have had time to watch Succession if you didn’t watch a reality show about sexy idiots” Maybe, but we’ll simply never know. Reminder- Love Island Winter premieres Jan 1st.

Veep- HBO

Probably the last time we will laugh about politics for a long...long...time. This show was never as good without Iannucci, but JLD consistently turned in one of the all time best performances ever, in a comedy or otherwise. Veep was as sharp and funny as a shank in the gut, and the television landscape will be poorer without it. I will miss this merry band of  deeply relatable sycophants and psychopaths. Amy and Dan forever!

Wow, 2019 was really the year of the female-driven half hour huh! Anyway here are some:

HONORABLE MENTIONS: 

Broad City (Comedy Central) - The best of best friends signed off forever in a pitch perfect finale.

Shrill (Hulu) - Aidy Bryant showed us she was more than a comic relief in this adaptation of Lindy West’s memoir.

The Crown (Netflix) - The UK has the very best actors and there is simply nothing to be done about it

The Good Place (NBC)- The best comedy about philosophy turned out to be just a wrapper for one of the year’s best love stories.

And there we have it 2019 done. Turns out I didn’t finish a ton of dramas - oops! Sorry Chernobyl and When They See Us! I was not in a place to receive information that could hurt me.  There’s always next year. 

Love you, mean it

XO 

MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in December: Let’s Get Numb

Ah, that beautiful time of year between Thanksgiving and Winter Hiatus where absolutely no one wants to be at work and business is conducted at a pace not unlike that of the mighty sloth. 

So what is there to watch on television in such a tired time? I will tell you, friends: wholesome, pleasantly upbeat, reality television. 

~*~*~*~*Behold -*~*~*~*~*

Monday, December 2nd 

Making It (10pm on NBC)

Our old friends Leslie and Ron host a competition about building holiday stuff. Everything is fine, you are relaxed.

Tuesday, December 3rd

One Day at Disney (Disney+)

Little documentaries about making the magic that makes the magical world of Disney. The future is full of promise! Rest is at hand. 

Thursday, December 5th

Ex on the Beach: Peak of Love (9pm on MTV)

My favorite drag queen (Adore) and Love Islander (Georgia) face off against their exes on a mountain. Love is fleeting, chaos is cleansing!

Friday, December 20th 

The Witcher (Netflix) 

Look....the heart wants what it wants okay.

Wednesday, December 25th

Call the Midwife: Holiday Special (9pm)

The miracle of life! The soothing heartiness of the British. Have some tea and shed some tears. 

And yes that IS how I’m going to go out at the end of this year, in a blaze of realty television glory and Henry Cavill’s soaking wet pectorals.  It’s been a long year, a long decade, a long life. 

And in case you want to catch up on like “peak television drama” or whatever, my thoughts on last month are -

His Dark Materials-  A pleasing adaptation but do NOT watch it if you ever plan on reading the books! Read the books, then watch it. If you’re never going to read the books then like yolo.

The Mandalorian -  I mean... I think we all know what’s happening here. 

The Crown - Is perfect!

I don’t want to PROMISE a best of list by the end of the year IN CASE I dissolve into sea foam after turning 30 this weekend BUT MAYBE you will get one.

XO MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in November: The End is Extremely Fucking Nigh

Hello friends,

Welcome. Settle In. We have much to discuss.

For long we have waded in the waters of peak tv, pushing forward against the rising tide of content, surging through the riptide of originals the gush from seemingly every corner of the internet and cable-sphere. We have kept our faces above the waterline, arm-in-arm with our fellows, attempting to absorb and share what is worthwhile, picking out pearls from the churning surf. 

But, despite our labors, we weary waders are helpless in the face of the growing Tsunami waves of the Pluses and the Maxes building on the horizon. The time has come, friends, to make hard desperate choices if we want to continue to watch and blog and survive. We must choose now what we want to watch, and how we will watch it, lest we are swept away, never to surface again.

IN CONCLUSION - I am not getting Apple Plus.  

It’s not personal! It is simply self-preservation. 

The reviews for the new AP shows range from “bad” to “fine”, and that is simply not enough to get me to add another streaming service. Maybe one day, but today is not that day. If i WAS going to watch an Apple+ show it would probably be For All Mankind aka the “fine” show.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about some other stuff. 

LAST MONTH-

Watchmen took big swings, I am into it. Also love the look and the dedication to major American musicals of the 20th century. 

Catherine the Great -  Watched 20 minutes of this and found it to be so paint-by-numbers I turned it right back off! 

Silicon Valley - Forgot to watch it and was just reminded by own blog!

You know what I did start watching? Money Heist on Netflix. It is a GOOD time! And it has hot Spanish actors that are new to me! Pls praise me for starting a new scripted show  and not another season of Love Island! 

Phew all that and we haven’t even gotten to NOVEMBER.

Monday, November 4th 

His Dark Materials (9pm on HBO)

Based on the fantasy YA book series of the same name, and some of my favorite books ever. Like I love these books more than Harry Potter. Like I-named-my-boy-cat-Pan-and-DIDN’T-name-my-girl-cat-Lyra-because-I-am-saving-that-name-for-my-HUMAN-child love these books. Fans have been waiting a long time for a non-shit adaptation of this beautiful work and HOPEFULLY this is it!!! The cast is on point, the color-palette is rich, the CGI looks good- all the pieces are there! Also if you haven’t read these books I highly recommend you do so, there is so much for adults as well as youths.  Um but yeah, it’s a fantasy series set in a world very much like ours, except part of your soul exists outside your body as an animal! And there are witches! And warrior polar bears! And complicated issues of morality, maturation, and free will! Get into it!

***NOV 12 DISNEY PLUS LAUNCHES***

Tuesday, November 12th 

The Mandalorian (Disney +) 

Okay you got me, the reason I am subscribing to Disney+ is to see a live action Star Wars television show. I don’t know what to tell you, except that I am loyal to my IPs. No one really knows anything about this except it cost a truck load of money and it’s Star Wars, but isn’t that enough??

Friday, November 15th

Dollface (Hulu) 

Kat Dennings attempts to rebuild the female friendships she let stagnate during a long term relationship. Yeah, she’s that girl. This would be an otherwise unremarkable comedy, but per the trailer it looks like it’s attempting a quirky / meta vibe which might be fun. Hulu did such a good job with Shrill earlier this year,  perhaps they are capable of creating another non-terrible female driven comedy. Not a guarantee. 

Sunday, November 17th

The Crown (Netflix)

THEY’RE BACK BABY! It’s a new decade and new cast for The Crown, with Olivia-freakin-Colman taking over the title from reigning champ Claire Foy. This lush monarchy drama is one of my all times favs because there is nothing I love more than British actors giving pointed looks in period dress! This season also introduces a more adult Charles (and Camilla!) which means we are really getting to the Good Stuff. Only five-ish more seasons until Princess Duchess Meghan!!

Lots to be excited about this month as we slog slowly and inevitably towards the end of the year. I plan on coasting through to Christmas on the fumes of an Olivia Colman-fueled endorphin release. 

XO MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in October: Spooky, Scary

Here’s the truth: I watched the first episode of AHS (meh) and Good Place (yay) then spent all remaining time this month blasting through season 4 of Love Island. It is thrilling, emotionally moving, the dialogue is highly original, it’s better than 90% of scripted television. It has many delightful phrases and swears to incorporate into your every day life. It has 58 episodes a season. 

Anyway, Happy October to everyone planning on wearing their Fleabag jumpsuit for Halloween (including me, someone please invite me to a party). This month there is actually television premiering that may tear me away from my beautiful idiot singles. There is also auxiliary television that I in no way plan to watch but feel duty bound to tell you about, so look out for the rapid fire round at the end. 

So witches, gather round the fire and drink long the draught of Everything I’m Going to Watch in October -

Friday, October 11th 

RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK (8pm on Logo) 

The UK edition of this reality staple seems like the perfect way to ease off my Love Island viewing and slip back into the easy current of the regular television lazy river. Drag Queens, good. Reality TV, good. More weird British slang I can introduce to my coworkers, goooooood.

Friday, October 18th

Modern Love (Amazon Prime)

This gif is NOT an endorsement of Anne Hathaway, it is simply the only gif someone on Tumblr had already made of this series. Amazon Prime has yet another star-filled anthology series starring John Slattery, except this one is based on the popular NY Times column of the same name. This show merits watching based on the column alone, and if that’s not enough each episode has a different director- and some of them are women! Also Hot Priest is in it. Pretend the gif is of him.

Sunday, October 20th 

Watchmen (9pm on HBO)

Damon Lindelof takes a stab at the graphic novel deemed ‘unadaptable’ and then adapted too faithfully by Zack Snyder in 2009. Classic! This outing of the iconic work is a sort of continuation of the original series, taking place several years after the action of the book. Word on the street is that this was a Westworld-level hot mess behind the scenes, but it still boasts an HBO pedigree and shiny premium cable cast (starring Regina King!) If, like the film, it came with a new My Chemical Romance video, I would be all in. 

Monday, October 21st

Catherine The Great (10pm on HBO)

Helen Mirren. Period Drama. Queens. British Actors. Sumptuous production design. Corsetry. Helen Mirren. 

Thursday, October 24th - 

Daybreak (Netflix)

Instead of shackling your eye stalks to another dreary season of The Walking Dead, I invite you to instead consider this Mad Max/Riverdale/Zombie mash up based on a comic book. As you may know (or perhaps guessed) I, personally, love zombies, teens, and snark, and therefore deem this series worth a try. Look at the pic!!! It’s a cheerleader murder gang! That’s A+ stuff.

Sunday, October 27th- 

Silicon Valley (10pm on HBO) 

Silicon Valley has not been a perfect show, but it does have Zach Woods who is, arguably, a perfect man. The defense rests.

Time for the LIGHTNING ROUND: 

I can’t pretend I’m going to try and watch this stuff but I feel like I should let you know about it anyway: 

Sorry For Your Loss- People seem to like this show!

Big Mouth - Ditto! 

Peaky Blinders - Cillian Murphy is one of my many husbands, but I just can’t get hooked on this. Sorry haberdashery stans!

Nancy Drew- I love Nancy Drew and I could be convinced to watch this if recommended to me by no less than 3 people whose taste I trust.

Batwoman - Ditto! 

The Walking Dead - This is still part of the pop culture lexicon, right? 

Castle Rock S2- I didn’t finish season 1 because I don’t like when horror concepts are driven by magic.  Season 2 has Lizzy Caplan though and I love Lizzy Caplan her because she is driven by magic. Weird I know. 

Mrs Fletcher - I want to rec this because it has Kathryn Hahn plus all women directors, and it looks and sexy and funny, but like I’m tired. 

Alright that’s it for me. Catch me later this month casting spells in my jumpsuit, and bathing in the blood of my enemies.

LYLAS!

XO MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in September: Click For Your Homework

So I guess the summer...is over......and network broadcast season is here! Seems like the networks are putting on Fall Preview ~*~ Specials~*~, but let me just cut to the chase for you: there’s a Chuck Lorre half hour, a Berlanti one-hour (or 3), a spin-off of a successful show, a law show, a cop show, a show about partners with differing points of view who investigate the paranormal, and the final season premiere of one of the best shows on television. Done and done. 

But just because I’m letting you off the network hook doesn’t mean there isn’t a bushel of content to keep busy with this month. So let’s get right into it- 

Wednesday, September 4th 

Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu) 

The origin story of one of the best rap groups of all time, brought to you by many of the original members themselves. Hopefully 90s drama plus killer beats plus a promising youth cast will make this show nothing to fuck with (sorry). 

Wednesday, September 18th

American Horror Story: 1984 (10pm on FX)

God help me, I can’t resist watching the first three episodes of these. I like to revel in the camp and style and then peace out before it inevitably devolves into a hot, hot, spandex-clad mess.

Friday, September 20th

Criminal (Netflix)

A unique little anthology series from Netflix, it seems like it is almost a series of short films versus what we would think of as standard television dramas. Each “episode” has a separate creative team and cast (and language!) but all taking place entirely in a police interrogation room. I appreciate that Netflix is using their platform to take risks, and even if this show doesn’t work - at least it’s something outside the norm. Also it has David Tennant. So. 

Sunday, September 22nd

71st Annual Primetime Emmys

Thank god Television’s Biggest Night is back on a Sunday when Television’s Most Exhausted Employees can actually watch it!!! You KNOW I will have an Emmy blog for you - if only for an excuse to post Fleabag gifs!!!! 

Wednesday, September 25th 

Cake (10:30pm on FXX)

Speaking of television oddities, FXX also has something unusual on offer this month. This late night compilation of comedic shorts feels like the grown up more inclusive version of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim.  So if you were a teen who spent the early aughts staying up late to watch cartoons, but have now embraced the existential despair of adulthood, and miss a late-night variety program jumble (aka the target demo of this blog)- this is for you!

Thursday, September 26th

The Good Place (9pm on NBC)

I have written a lot of words already about the goodness of The Good Place, but let me stress again that this is one of the best shows on television. Mike Schur’s empathetic, absurd, and hilarious comedy about ethics and philosophy sets sail for its final voyage this Fall. This is a show that I wish could run forever, but know its careful plotting demands it have a controlled end.  I can only hope that they got Blake Bortles for a final season cameo now that he has come to LA (sorry Jason!) 

Friday, September 27th 

The Politician (Netflix)

Okay I know, for someone who makes a lot of fun of Ryan Murphy I sure do have a lot of Ryan Murphy shows on this list. I KNOW LEAVE ME ALONE. I think we can all agree though that Mr. Murphy is known for having killer first seasons (Glee, Nip/Tuck, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, etc) and since this is the FIRST SEASON of a new venture it will PROBABLY be good! Also his FIRST series under Netflix. A lot of FIRSTS IS VERY PROMISING. Ben Platt is running for president or something, also Jessica Lange.

That feels like enough for this month! Also a gentle murdery reminder if you forgot to watch Mindhunter last month, it is really a chef’s kiss of programming. 

XO MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in August: LIFE IS CHAOS

My life is in shambles and I have not finished literally ANYTHING from July. I have seen exactly four Stranger Things and four Veronica Mars - I am not ready to discuss! I started taking a writing class so I can, you know, actually be better at this and give you people the QUALITY PROSE you DESERVE. But now I’m so busy I barely have time to watch anything. In attempting to bestow one gift upon you, I am inadvertently robbing you of another. Such is life.  Veronica Mars is so far so good, I’m sure nothing too bad will happen and Stranger Things has been predictably numbingly enjoyable. Several people I trust have given good reviews to The Boys, and Antoni’s Instagram thirst traps are as far as I’ve gotten into the new Queer Eye season. But none of that matters now because there is MORE NEWER stuff to watch in August!!!!!!! Now excuse me while I scream into my panic pillow.

In the interest of time I am going to highlight in depth the THREE SHOWS I am actually going to make a concentrated effort to watch, followed by a rapid fire list of shows YOU may want to watch. Here we go- 

Friday, August 9th -

GLOW Season 3 (Netflix)

The second season of GLOW found a way to improve even further upon their first season. Season 2 had deeply moving episodes that investigated female friendship, race and social class, and even found a poignant twist on the now-popular #metoo storyline. It also had an anti-kidnapping PSA singalong in a glorious full-length episode of the show-within-the-show. I love GLOW, it brings me joy, glitter goals, and actresses doing special skills ( I LOVE when actors have to do special skills). With the ladies moving to a floor show in fabulous Las Vegas, I can’t imagine this season being anything less than a..... total knock out.  (See, this is why I need the writing class!!)

Monday, August 12th 

The Terror: Infamy (9pm on AMC)

The second season of AMC’s horror anthology series- like the first season The Terror: Infamy merges the supernatural with real-life historical horrors, but that is where the similarities end. Season 2 follows a Japanese-American family who face internment during WW2 in the US. As if being shockingly betrayed by the country where they have made their home isn’t enough, the family is also being actively haunted by a vengeful, murderous ghost. When it rains it pours I guess. But in all seriousness, what I am most excited about in this show is the cast which is made up almost entirely of actors of Japanese descent (from literally all over the world.) Casting anyone non-white in a period piece is rare enough, but to be able to refocus the lens of history onto stories of the past that are often overlooked by media feels especially exciting. It’s important to tell these stories so we can make sure atrocities like this never happen in America ever ever again......oh wait.

Friday, August 16th

Mindhunter Season 2 (Netflix)

Five thousand years later Mindhunter season 2 is finally ready for consumption. David Fincher does hundreds of takes okay, it takes him a while to make a show. That was probably the 60th take of that shot in the gif, but look at it, its perfect! This whole show is perfect!  Cameron Britton! Serial killers! JONATHAN GROFF! The 70s! Son of Sam! Conflicts of masculinity! Cars! Anna Torv! Behavioral sciences! Sepia colors! TENSION! 

As promised a lot of other stuff premieres this month that I would be remiss not to remind you about. So in the spirit of giving,  here is a quick rundown of things I have absolutely zero intention of watching but maybe you will want to for various reasons:

Dear White People S3 (Netflix) - I’m just too behind, but maybe you are better at keeping up on your Netflix queue than me. 

Preacher S4 (AMC) - I consciously uncoupled from this show which I would describe as a medium -to- moderate mess. It’s the final season though, and maybe ya’ll like mess.

BH90210 (Fox)  - Maybe Beverly Hills 90210 was very important to you at one time.

Succession  S2 (HBO) - I don’t understand what the tone is. 

Lodge 49 S2 (AMC)  -I don’t understand what the tone is.

The Affair (Showtime) - I assume some people are still watching this? 

On Becoming A God in Central Florida (Showtime) - Kirsten Dunst and Alexander Skarsgard make themselves ugly. Maybe you’re into that!

Carnival Row (Amazon Prime) -  I could not endorse a show whose main characters are named “Rycroft Philostrate” and “Vignette Stonemoss”. I simply must draw a line somewhere. But I am duty bound to tell you that Orlando Bloom is appearing on television in a waistcoat. 

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix) - Maybe The Dark Crystal was very important to you at one time.

Alright I gotta go watch TV or make TV or something, DEUCES 

XO MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in July: Watching TV is Patriotic

Can you believe this year is half over! Already time for America’s birthday once again, and even though I didn’t get her anything she still gave me two days off of work. God bless us, every one. I’d like to begin this blog with an apology for neglecting to post that AGGRETSUKO SEASON 2 was released on Netflix! Aggretsuko is me, she is you, she is us. If you have even felt one moment of discontent in your empty millennial life, you will relate to Retsko, the death-metal loving red panda. I implore you to watch this, you will not be sorry.

Also I didn’t have time to watch anything else last month, so if there was something I posted about that you loved - YOU tell ME. This blog isn’t just a one way street people.  I did start Years and Years, which is one part This is Us, one part Black Mirror, and ten parts all your deepest fears. It’s great! Luckily July’s offerings are light and there is really only one major must-watch event....

Thursday, July 4th 

Stranger Things (Netflix)

That’s right, Netflix’s child-based genre phenom is back for season 3! Hopefully this season we can put the Eleven-centric solo adventures to the side and focus on purely sweet, sweet nostalgia-inducing hijinks. Say what you will about Stranger Things, it boasts one of the most charismatic casts in television, and it binges real smooth. The theme song alone has as much potency as any designer CBD product, in fact just thinking about Steve Harrington in a sailor uniform has added five years to my life expectancy! What I’m saying is: Stranger Things is self care.

Friday, July 19th

Queer Eye Season 4 (Netflix)

Speaking of self care.

Friday, July 26th 

The Boys (Amazon Prime)

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg bring yet another of Garth Ennis’ comic book tales to the small screen (the first being Preacher). While I think Rogen and Goldberg are too way over-extended, and that lack of focus turned initially promising Preacher  into a sort of a genre-jumble-mess, the actual showrunning of this series is being left to sci-fi veteran Eric Kripke. So I’m not getting my hopes up, but I’m also not not getting them up that this could be a whacky irreverent superhero show of quality. 

Veronica Mars (Hulu)

This is not a drill Marshmallows, everyone’s favorite private detective is BACK for an entire series. Kristen Bell is at a point in her career where she can do no wrong, so here’s hoping that magic elevates this revival of the series above that of the movie (of which we shall not speak). I had planned to do a Good Place joke here, like “we must be really living in the Good Place to get a reboot like this!” but couldn’t quite land it. What about “All three seasons of the original series are on Hulu, that’s forking great!” or “A long time ago we used to be friends...in the Good Place!” Anything? No?

And I guess that’s it! July is really bringing the nostalgia feel-goodery. So snuggle up in your air-conditioned apartment, gather your pets, and set phasers to chill. 

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in June: The Future is Here And It’s Terrible

I’ll be honest with you reader, which is a first as this blog is a constant waterfall of lies regarding an overly ambitious television watching schedule, but this is the truth. There is a lot of potential television to watch this months, and there will be yet ever more in the months and years to come. However it is quite possible, nay more than likely, that nothing will come as close to the pure undiluted perfection that is Fleabag.  I think we can all go home now, TV as an artistic medium has peaked, there is nowhere to go but down. If you have not yet watched Fleabag, please I beg of you, take the five minutes you were going to spend lovingly digesting every word and phrase of this blog and get thee to your television. Get out, go! I don’t want you here!

If you have already watched Fleabag at least twice, then I guess we can talk about other TV -  I GUESS.

If you want to blast off on a rocket ship of anxiety to a moon of horror and stress, may I recommend to you Chernobyl. Catch-22 was simply not for me, and Good Omens is perfectly fine. David Tennant is a superior actor. 

Alright we have a lot going on this month, and the overall theme of the premieres seems to be dystopia. There is a LOT to get through, I’m going to try and make it quick so you can get back to Fleabag. Also as an upfront warning Big Little Lies is NOT on this list, I was told by several different people last year it was “not for me” so I didn’t watch it. However it does premiere this month, you’ve been warned. Okay, let’s do it-

Sunday, June 2nd 

The Weekly - (10pm on FX, and next day Hulu) 

A docu-series from The New York Times that looks at a different news story every week. Investigative journalism is important. I chose this gif as it is better than any marketing materials I’ve seen for this.

Wednesday, June 5th

Black Mirror (Netflix)

More Black Mirror! They’ve gone back to the three episode season, which I think is a good idea for a series that was starting to feel spread a little thin. Hot Priest, Miley Cyrus, Anthony Mackie! Possibly a sequel to The Entire History of You? The future is here and it’s terrible!

Tuesday, June 11th

Pose Season 2 (10pm on FX)

I really enjoyed the one episode of this I watched, the only problem was that the pilot was so long and had so many endings I felt fully satisfied by the experience. Now that season one is on Netflix it will be so easy to catch up in all my spare time. 

Friday, June 14th 

Los Espookys (11pm on HBO)

A Spanish language horror/comedy series from Fred Armisen. A group of perhaps supernatural friends in Mexico City have a horror-for-hire business. I appreciate the weirdness and I think I saw John Early for a split second in the trailer, so here we are.

Too Old To Die Young (Amazon Prime) 

Okay I’m going to include this show with the caveat that it could be absolute garbage. Nicolas Winding Refn’s arguable best work (Drive) he did not write, and results are mixed when left to his own devices (Only God Forgives). So we should all approach this 10 episode series, where episodes range from 60-90 minutes (!!!! RED FLAG) that he wrote and directed himself (red flag), starring Miles Teller (red flag), with a healthy amount of skepticism. On the other hand, it will probs be stylish as hell, with lots of driving around LA. APPROACH WITH CAUTION.

Sunday, June 16th

City On A Hill (9pm on Showtime)

Kevin Bacon, the 90s, Boston, gangsters, intrigue, dirty cops, Matt and Ben, Aldis Hodge. 

Euphoria (9pm on HBO)

High school drama starring Zendaya (not as Meechee). I am all about that dark and edgy teen drama life starring sexy sexy not-teens, but I’m concerned that the press material for this show seems sort of...dour. If this show is even 10% more fun and lively than the trailer makes it appear, I am here for it. I know the title is probably supposed to be ironic, but I’d still like a little sprinkle of it.

Monday, June 24th

Legion Season 3 (10pm on FX)

Yeah I know season 2 got a little out of hand, too self-indulgent, and too opaque - BUT, and hear me out, Harry Lloyd is going to be Professor X!!! HARRY LLOYD!!!!!! HARRY. LLOYD. 

Years and Years (9pm on HBO)

BBC miniseries that goes 15 years into a hypothetical political future in the UK. Spoiler: the future is here and it’s terrible. Also it stars Emma Thompson. EMMA!!!! THOMPSON!!! EMMA. THOMPSON.

Sunday, June 30th

The Loudest Voice (10pm on Showtime)

If you’ve made it to the end of this month and are still feeling masochistic, then I invite you to watch The Loudest Voice, a miniseries about Roger Ailes and the rise of Fox News. Russell Crowe is Roger Ailes, honestly that’s vom-inducing enough. Nice though to book end the month with shows about the news (I use that term loosely here). The Present is Here and It’s Terrible.

That’s a wrap on this month! Impressed with Showtime getting back into the must-watch programming game. I will remind you once again if you would like to eschew this programming and simply rewatch Fleabag, that is OKAY. It may even be WHAT’S BEST.

Love you mean it,

MD

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in May:be Baby Please (But I Just Don’t Know)

Look say what you will about the final season of Game of Thrones, there will probably never be a show like it again. Its passing marks the end of appointment TV, maybe forever. Sure there will be GOT spinoffs and similar big budget epics (looking at you weird Amazon Lord of the Rings prequel), but the OG Thrones began in a time before binge watching, a time before you could (nay were expected to) finish a season in a weekend. It's not a perfect show, in fact parts of it are barely visible. But I can't remember the last time I screamed in genuine shock while watching TV, or the last time I could expect to talk to everyone I knew about it the very next day. What I'm saying is: cherish these last three weeks. Unless Sansa dies, then fuck everything I just said because this show is dead to me. In other news season 2 of Killing Eve is missing Phoebe Waller-Bridge's je ne sais quoi, but it's still a bad girl delight and Sandra and Jodie continue to knock it out of the park. Villanelle still deeply, devastatingly, relatable.

I'm already late with this blog due to crushing job stress and general emotional free fall so let's get to it! 

Sunday, May 5th

The Spanish Princess (8pm on Starz)

You loved The White Queen (Rebecca Ferguson in her only good role) , you swooned for The White Princess (Jodie fucking Comer!) now meet the Spanish Princess (Charlotte Hope aka Ramsay Bolton’s twisted side piece, pushed to death off parapet by Theon). The Spanish Princess is about Catherine of Aragon aka the first of Henry VIII’s six wives. He invented the Church of England to end his marriage to her because she was Catholic af. This is her story only sexy and with many British youths.  You will probably know by the gif if you’re into this or not.

Monday, May 6th

The Terror Season 2 Chernobyl (9pm on HBO)

If you watched season one of The Terror and thought “Gee, I can’t get enough of Jared Harris and Adam Nagaitis rotting to death” - then do I have a show for you! Once again Jared Harris’ very prescient warnings about chaos and death fall on deaf ears. Chaos and death ensue. But for real this is a miniseries about the horrific Chernobyl nuclear disaster- it's bleak. 

Friday, May 17th 

Fleabag Season 2 (Amazon Prime)

Season 1 of this show blew my mind, it changed my life. I could never have imagined a story so frank and funny and female before watching it. It made me also want to do things I never before imagined possible. If you are very enterprising perhaps you have already watched season 2 when it aired last month in the UK. I want to watch it SO BAD but I also NEVER WANT IT TO BE OVER so I have just not...watched it..... yet... I want to watch it in 30 second intervals so it will never end. If you have somehow not watched any Fleabag whatsoever, I urge you to do this for yourself. Consider it self care.

Catch-22 (Hulu)

I didn’t have to read this in high school so I am going into this miniseries adaptation FRESH. What’s the catch??? I don’t know!  I do know that George Clooney directed and stars in it, as well as many other caucasian males. It’s about war I guess? Perhaps there will be applicable themes to the world today! Looks wry! 

Friday, May 31st

When They See Us (Netflix)

Limited series from Ava DuVernay about the The Central Park Five. Probably just as horrible and depressing as the actual events, but the teen cast looks truly remarkable. I love good youth casting. Also starring actual criminal Felicity Huffman!

Good Omens (Prime Video)

I read this book, it was enjoyable. That being said, I am not a Neil Gaiman stan, and if American Gods Season 2 is anything to go on, justifiably wary of how he handles adaptations of his own work. THAT being said David Tennant is everything and Frances McDormand is literally God. So, there’s that. 

XO MD

PS I’m also watching the new Project Runway if anyone wants to talk about it. 

[mdwatchestv]

Everything I’m Going to Watch in April (A Very Uneventful Month)

I guess the advantage of Los Angeles being a frigid 60 degree wasteland is that there's lots of time to stay in and watch TV. I have accomplished feats such as watching The Umbrella Academy to completion so Netflix can log my "finished series" view (I would do anything for you, Gerard). I also gathered the courage to polish off Pen15, whose detail was so accurate as to be frightening. The penultimate episode is documentary-level, and should be awarded a prize for nonfiction journalism.  

Speaking of journalism Shrill is also, dare I say, a delight. Aidy Bryant is utterly charming, and let this be a lesson to us all to utilize her as a leading lady in future. I am in full denial about the ending Broad City  and refuse to finish it, if I do not finish it, it won't be over. I am writing this on the 29th, but I'm sure Veep and Barry were excellent. [Monday Morning edit: Veep had a joke that punched so hard I think I blacked out. I will never be over it.]

Also did anyone else watch Apple's live event? They like...totally don't have any actual content and this whole thing is an elaborate hoax....right? I mean probably for the best that their shows are all star-studded lies because who can fit one more thing into their watching schedule???

Oh that's right, you can this month, because here's what's comin round the bend in April:

Monday, April 1st -

The Twilight Zone (CBS All Access)

From the mind of Jordan Peele comes a reboot of the OG sci-fi anthology. We got intrigue, we got stars, we got unsettling parables that draw eery conclusions about modern life. Every network seems determined to have their own sci-fi anthology series, yet there hasn't been a good sci-fi anthology since the first two seasons of Black Mirror so.... Doesn't mean I'm not gonna watch it- I love stars!

Sunday, April 7th-

Killing Eve Season 2 (8pm AMC + BBC America)

YES KILLING EVE IS BACK IS BACK IS BACK. Killing Eve was without question my favorite show of last year, it was not only quite literally a personal revelation for me, but a beautiful gift to the world from Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Sadly Phoebe is not back to oversee season 2 (she busy girl), but the show is now in the capable hands of Emerald Fennell (aka Nurse Mount). MAXIMUM EXCITEMENT, TEN OUT OF TEN, FIRE EMOJI, HEART EYE EMOJI, PRINCESS EMOJI.

Tuesday, April 9th -

Fosse/Verdon (10pm on FX)

I will never forget the first time I clapped eyes on Sam Rockwell. I was a pre-teen watching the Charlie's Angels film for the first time, and he was on screen busting a goddamn move. "Who," thought I, "is that." Sam Rockwell is a spectacular actor for a litany of reasons, but it is his dancing that has always stuck with me as his most magical quality. So do not sleep on him being BOB MOTHER FLIPPIN FOSSE in this FX limited series. As good as he is though, it's Michelle Williams who really crushes in this series as Gwen Verdon, his long-suffering romantic and dance partner. Intellectually I know Michelle is A Good Actress, and yet every time I see her I am surprised by just how electric she is. Guys, if you want FX to keep making these glittery and moody little period dramas you have to WATCH THEM. Only YOU can prevent this from becoming another Trust!

Monday, April 22nd -

Gentleman Jack (10pm on HBO)

A miniseries about Anne Lister, an Englishwoman in the 19th century who decided she wanted to do all the things men did:  run her own business, own land, kick ass, and marry a fancy society lady.  Based on the true story of the woman referred to as the "first modern lesbian", this is a BBC costume  drama that can't be missed!!! Let’s go lesbians!!!!

And...that's it! That's all the shows of any interest at all that are premiering this month. Pretty sparse actually, not too much to watch.  Everyone can just take it easy I guess. We are all done, nothing more to see here!

Nothing at all! 

Lol I'm jk guys. There is one more thing this month.

Sunday, April 14th -

GAME OF THRONES (9pm on HBO)

DOO DOO DO DO DOO DOO DO DO DOO DOO DO DO DOO DOO! THE FINAL SEASON OF GAME OF THRONES!!!!!! There is no possible way they can wrap up all the loose ends in 8 episodes, even if they are unusually long, but it doesn't matter because GAME OF THRONES. I honestly can't remember the last show I HAD to watch live day of because of it's water cooler appeal....oh wait yes I do it was Game of Thrones two years ago. WINTER IS HERE!!!!!  SANSA FOR THE IRON THRONE!!!!!!!  GIVE ARYA THE DRAGONS!!!!! THE PACK SURVIVES!!!!!

XO MD