This has to be one of our most unusual national crises. We are basically being told that it is our patriotic duty to stay at home and not be depressed. Fortunately we are living in a Golden Age of streaming video so at least we have television to keep our spirits up. I hope everyone will give me suggestions on what to watch, but if I’m going to make that request it only seems fair to offer my own recommendations.
Comedies
The sitcom has never been more necessary than now. And in one devestating week in April we experienced the end of “Modern Family,” “Schitt’s Creek” and possibly “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” (all of which are worth rewatching from the beginning.) Fear not, there are so many other commedies still worth streaming. Here are a few recommendations.
The Office
I wouldn’t both mentioning “The Office,” which is an obvious go-to and still massively popular, except that Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey have launched a new podcast — The Office Ladies” in which they break down each episode from a behind-the-scenes perspective, in sequence and from the beginning. This gives you a reason to rewatch a show that is, if anything, funnier than the first time around. Listen to The Office Ladies” here. “The Office” itself, now one of the most valuable properties is still available on Netflix, but not for long.
I’m Sorry
This is essentially a female version of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” featuring a comedy writer without a filter who is constantly trying to extricate herself from embarrassing situations of her own making. It’s also a pretty good satire of the upper middle class, politically correct society. (On Amazon Prime)
Derry Girls
An unlikely comedy premise: a teenage comedy set in the Catholic section of Belfast during “The Troubles” of the 1990s. To say this is irreverent is putting it mildly. Teens will be teens, even in a low-grade civil war. Subtitles are a necessity as is an abondonment of dogma. Available on Netflix.
Lovesick
I have been trying like crazy to get people to watch “Lovesick,” which is about three thirty-something British flatmates who are friends and possible lovers, but can’t get anyone to stick with it. It’s remarkable storytelling, unfolding through a series of flashbacks. The ostensible premise is that our confused hero is diagnosed with clamydia and needs to get in touch with his previous sexual partners to let them know. The show is an updated and more realistic version of “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” On Netflix.
BlackAF
If “I’m Sorry” is a Yuppie “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” this is a black “Curb.” The show is ostensibly about whether it’s possible for a wealthy (and I mean quite wealthy) black Hollywood success story to retain his black authenticity, but its really about a still-insecure guy who keeps trying to prove to the world and to himself that he deserves all his wealth and success. And like many insecure people he’s got an all-purpose excuse — it’s all the fault of slavery, although no one else on the show seems to suffer from slavery-related insecurity. Despte the formula, it’s still very funny, and with each episode gifted a happy ending or moral, it’s not a stringent as “Curb.” (On Netflix)
Documentaries
The Internet seems obsessed with the freak show that is “Tiger King,” a show I watched in the same way I might eat salty buttered popcorn until I want to throw up. There are much better documentaries to watch:
McMillions
Almost 20 years ago someone cheated on the McDonalds “Monopoly” game and stole most of the million dollar pieces. The documentary explores how the FBI unravelled the sprawling scheme. Like all good documentaries, this is really about human nature — in this case how we balance our dark and light sides, our greed and our morality. The cast of characters is as wide and diverse as in “Tiger King,” but closer to the mainstream. You can’t imagine yourself being caught up in the “Tger King” scandal but it’s not hard to see how, with a little moral compromise, you could end up in a fast food game fraud. (On HBO Go)
Circus of Books
A nice Jewish middle class couple ran West Hollywood’s most important gay porn shop for 30 years and this is their story. It’s a living! On Netflix
Last Dance
When The Chicago Bulls attempted to win their sixth national championship in 1998, a film crew was given behind-the-scenes access but that footage has sat dormant and locked away for decades. Finally Michael Jordan agreed to let ESPN to make a documentary out of this buried treasure. The result is a portrait of a very unhappy team and a grumpy G.O.A.T. The docu-series is still unfurling on ESPN but if you need a sports fix, this is a good place to start.
Amazon Music Documentaries
Back in the old days, boys and girls, when you sat down to watch TV with nothing in mind you would do something called “channel surfing,” flipping TV channel after TV channel until something good enough popped up. My streaming version of channel surfing when I am looking for something to watch that’s not too challenging is to go to Amazon and search for documentaries on musical acts and genres. These are not the best documentaries in the world but they are definitely good enough to watch in a time of stress. The documentary subjects range from the Beatles, Neil Young, The Beach Boys and the Blood Sweat and Tears to whole genres like jazz, country and hip hop. Just start searching the let the algorithm take over from there.
Dramas
For some reason, most of the dramas I’m recommending are set outside the U.S., possibly because I find it more interesting to experience a different culture. In any event, here are my recommendations:
Shtisel
As Israeli soap opera, in Hebrew, about the trials of an Orthodox family in Jeruselum. It’s fascinating to see human nature at work in another culture. Much is the same as in American culture, since humans are findamentally alike, but different traditions do have their own impact.
The Young Pope/The New Pope
Easily the most flipped out recommendation on the list, and definitely not for everybody, “The Young Pope” and “The New Pope” are seasons one and two of a hallucinatory series about a young, sexy-but-doctrinaire priest (Jude Law) who becomes Pontiff and tries to remake the church. This is like “The Crown” for Catholics, with gorgeous sets and cinematography, full of mysticism, eroticism, and cynicism. This is the craziest thing I’ve seen on TV since the reboot of “Twin Peaks.” Christianity is full of mystery and that’s on full display here. On HBO Go.
The Bodyguard
“The Bodyguard” This has been out for a while but if you haven’t watched it yet, this is the perfect time to catch up. Richard Madden (aka, Robb Stark) is put in charge of protecting a British anti-terrorism minister and it’s one heart-pounding scene after another. On Netflix.
Killing Eve
Another British psychological thriller/spy series about a murderous psychopath and the MI16 agent who’s trying to track her down. AMC is airing Season 3 now but to start at the beginning you need to catch up on Hulu or rent the two seasons on Amazon Prime
Other great dramas
If you haven’t watched “The Americans,” “Better Call Saul,” “Deadwood,” “Justified,” “Mad Men,” or “Six Feet Under,” well, you better get on that right away.
Really!!? 