My Quarantine Binge List
Like many across the world, I have spent a lot of time over the course of the last year in front of my television. The pandemic has been a time of stress, anxiety, and loneliness, but also a great time to catch-up on all those shows I said I never had the down time to binge through. So grab your popcorn and come check some out my favorites!
My tastes in entertainment definitely ran the gamut – while I certainly enjoy catching every Best Picture nominee every year, I also subscribed to CBS All Access mostly to re-watch every previous season of Survivor. And don’t get me started on my appreciation for the Transformers movies (although the less said about The Last Knight the better). What I’ve been watching since quarantine started last March has certainly been just as diverse.
1. RuPaul’s Drag Race (CBS All Access/Paramount+) – the most stable thing for me in the whirlwind that was 2020, this show was my go-to binge no matter the mood. I’m actually a newcomer to the world of Drag Race and only started watching within the last year. But what that has left me with is an entire world to explore – 12 seasons, 5 All-Star seasons, and countless memes, quotes, and shady moments from the ladies of the Werk Room. Not only a fabulous competition reality show, but it has also made countless stars in the drag world and truly made the art form of drag into everyday pop culture. Shantay – you stay!
2. Mad Men (Amazon Prime/IMDB TV) – A TV classic that is often considered one of the best shows of all time, and another example of me showing up late to the proverbial party (bow tie required though). This show about the happenings of the advertising industry in the 1960s has it all – from an amazing ensemble cast, layered character development, and an inside look at one the most fascinating (and quickly evolving) industries in American society. They might not all be good, but I just can’t get enough of Don, Peggy, and Joan – I see now why this started the dramatic ascent of Jon Hamm and Elisabeth Moss into stardom. Not only that, but it’s beautiful to look at from a costume & set direction perspective – although I don’t think I would have handled well business dress on the daily back then. Be prepared to be humming the opening credits every episode.
3. The Leftovers (HBO Max) – After seeing Damon Lendelof’s Watchmen (which may be my favorite TV show of all time) on HBO in late 2019 I knew I had to give his previous show The Leftovers a watch. Dealing with the emotional, physical, and spiritual aftermath of 140 million people suddenly disappearing across the globe, the 3 seasons of this show left me in a different headspace each time. Season 2 is by far the superior, an almost pitch perfect run that left you at the edge of your seat by the finale – with a single plot device that tied together the seemingly disparate stories of its cast by the end. On the other hand, Season 1 felt a little tedious with little plot to move characters forward, and Season 3 was a no holds barred love letter at the intersection of sci-fi, fantasy, and thriller storytelling. While it may hit a few speed bumps, highly recommend a full watch to see the diverse (while oftentimes haunting) themes at play.
4. Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) – I know I’m not the only one who enjoyed Jason Sudeikis’ turn as the happy go lucky coach of a British soccer team this year. Hired ironically to ruin the reputation of the soccer team as a revenge prank by the owner’s wife who now owns the team due to a divorce settlement, Ted Lasso is the type of feel-good television we all needed in 2020. I started it because of the word-of-mouth it had gotten – I thought the first few episodes were fun, but it wasn’t until an episode midway through that included an alcohol fueled night at a karaoke bar that I was completely hooked. The writing is sharp and funny, Ted is relatable for all the good (and bad) reasons, and I can’t recommend this show enough as a pick me up for a bad mood day.
5. Shrill (Hulu) – having come back for a second season in 2020, this Hulu Original featuring Aidy Bryant has a special place in my heart. As someone who has also struggled with their weight – its take on body positivity and moving beyond the idea of our size defining who we are is super refreshing. I absolutely adore this show and Aidy’s portray of Annie Easton – someone who wants to stick to her passions but definitely makes a poor choice here and there – including with her less than great boyfriend. The season kicked off immediately where the last one ended, with Annie going after an internet troll who had been attacking her online and ended with newfound determination and excitement for her future. Look for Season 3 coming soon, but in the meantime you should check this one out for yourself!
