Summer is coming…
And you know what that means, right? Long stretches of time without a single new episode of your favorite shows. {Insert sad trombone sound here.}
Sure, these days the cable channels air plenty of new shows during the “off” seasons – some of them my favorites, like White Collar, Franklin & Bash or So You Think You Can Dance. But still, we have fewer shows to choose from during the summer and sometimes, we don’t have any shows at all.
Enter Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video and all the DVDs you can find at the library and clearance bin at Walmart.
I’ve actually discovered some of my very favorite shows during rerun season: Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks, Firefly and Parks & Recreation. And I keep a running list of “shows I want to watch on DVD” for emergency nothing-new-on-TV situations. But while that running list is great in theory, it’s gotten so long that I’ve become a paralyzed TV viewer. I don’t know what to watch first!
Here’s where you come in. Help me decide what shows to catch up on this summer?
I’ll give you a place to start. Here are the top shows on my list:
- Friday Night Lights: I know. It’s ridiculous that I have not watched your beloved Friday Night Lights. I KNOW, okay? I want to, I really do! But I also think Mark would like it, and our time for watching TV together is so limited that we just haven’t been able to get to it. I promise, this is first on my “catch up” agenda, though.
- West Wing: And how about this? How did I not watch this show when it was first on? Again, this is one I want to watch with Mark and oh my word, it’s SEVEN seasons long! That is a major time investment! Still, I really want to watch this show. I’m about 99% sure I’ll love it.
- Parenthood: See, here’s the thing. I watched the first couple of seasons sporadically, but I just couldn’t commit. Not because it’s not good, and not because I didn’t love it. It is, and I did. But holy box of Kleenex, it is TOO MUCH emotion for me! It’s just so MUCH. Still, everyone else in the world adores this show and the weekly cry-fests, so I figure I should give it another try. Right? Should I?
- Scandal: This show looks cuh-raze-y. I mean, just insane. But I hear it’s really good. So…
- 30 Rock: I missed the last several episodes of the season (and series) this past year. Much as I love Tina Fey and this show, I was never a faithful fan. But as I’ve mentioned before, I’m a sucker for finales, so I want to catch these last episodes.
- Call the Midwife: So many people say this is good, but it really doesn’t sound good. Then again, neither did Downton Abbey. (Oh, shoot, That reminds me I still need to watch the last season of Downton Abbey…)
- Mad Men: I’m torn on this one. People who know me – and know that I’ve worked in advertising and really kind of love marketing of all sorts – are always surprised to find out I don’t watch this show. But I don’t know…it seems so serious, and there are so many seasons…is it worth it? No, really. Is it?
- Veronica Mars, second season (again): The second season of VM is my favorite season of any show, ever. I’ve watched it several times and before the movie comes out, I’ll probably watch it again.
- Arrested Development (again): It’s probably not possible for me to rewatch all three seasons of AD before the weird fourth season comes out later this month. But I’d like to.
So, what do you think? Do I have the right shows on my list? What should I skip? What should I add? And…
What TV shows will YOU be catching up on this summer?
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Hey, I’ve actually watched some of these! Yay!
Okay,
Friday Night Lights – I’m in a similar situation as you, Mary although I have actually seen all 5 series before I am trying to watch it with my sister now. She’s loving it too (even though neither of us ‘get’ American ‘football’!) but two years later and we’re only through two seasons so yes, TEDIOUS!
The West Wing – Yes! Watch it. You’ll love it.
Parenthood – I enjoyed this. Not so much as its predecessor (aforementioned FNL) but it is good. Sidebar – I wouldn’t say everyone ‘in the world’ loves it – maybe everyone in America ;) It’s on inconveniently late at night here so I watch online. Truth – I have never cried during a single episode. I do get irritated sometimes – so that’s either my heart of stone or my Aussie allergy to sentiment (or both) showing!
Mad Men – used to LOVE it but lately this has been trainwrecking for me. I can handle dark (Breaking Bad is my favourite show) but I can’t handle NOTHINGNESS. Basically a well dressed existential crisis. Good times.
Call the Midwife – The. Best. I’ve read the books too and this kind of show is totally up my alley. It’s nothing like Downton though so just because you enjoyed that (I didn’t) you won’t automatically adore this one. Quiet and slow moving at times you need the time and space to sit down and concentrate. Oh, and I do sometimes tear up watching. Considering I just admitted that even Parenthood won’t wring a single tear that’s probably a significant warning!
As for me, it’s Autumn down here so things are just beginning. Hurrah! I mostly watch Australian and some British drama (I can only think of one American show that I’m watching right now) so it makes our TV chat a bit difficult doesn’t it? Obviously we’ve found the answer though: TV on DVD! I’ve rambled on way too long now so I’ll sign off! Happy viewing, Mary. :) xo
Finally! We can talk about TV again! ;) Interesting that you don’t cry at Parenthood – I’m not sure I’ve heard anyone say this! I didn’t know Australians were allergic to sentiment – is this a real thing?! :) Also interesting about Mad Men. I’m not sure I could handle all the seasons, either – but I’d like to watch some of it at least. (Someday.) I really want to watch the Midwife…but slow-moving isn’t selling me on it!! Considering I rarely just sit and watch TV and normally work on the computer at the same time…I’m not sure I can handle a thinker!
See. REALLY. I love long comments!
Sentiment allergy is totally a thing; I break out in hives with repeated exposure! Mind numbingly depressing content/crushing tragedy is fine (we kill main characters off our programs with regularity!) but Hallmark moments are a no. ;)
Both Call the Midwife and Mad Men are certainly slower and you need to focus because it’s all in the small moments. I recommend waiting to be alone/unoccupied (yeah, THAT will happen) I unreservedly recommend both seasons of Call the Midwife and Seasons 1 to 3 of Mad Men. Looking forward to hearing where you land. My money’s on The West Wing!
You must watch the last season of Downton Abbey before anything else!
I know. It’s shameful that I haven’t watched it yet! I DVRed it but never got started and then it was just all these hours taking up space and … don’t hate me, but I erased it!
You will adore Call the Midwife.
Thanks – I’m looking forward to watching it!
I haven’t watched FNL yet either. I feel regularly ashamed of this and hope to borrow the DVDs from a friend this summer. RIght now I’m watching Big Love for the first time and it’s fascinating. I recently rewatched the second season of Felicity and it made me want to watch the other 3 seasons again too. I loved that show so much.
I’ve yet to watch Veronica Mars (I know!) and I keep hearing good things about Sherlock. I gave up on Parenthood- way too emotional and close to home with Kristina’s storyline and then the enmeshed, codependent family relationships drove me crazy and made me want to lead family counseling sessions. Definitely give Call the Midwife a chance. It’s so, so good. Also, you will love Chummy! She’s the best character around.
Thank you for understanding about Parenthood. But oh my word, you should definitely watch Veronica Mars when you can. I’ve heard good things about Sherlock, too, though I’m not sure I would actually like it. And now? Now I want to watch Felicity again.
My middle-of-the-night Netflix viewing is either Buffy the Vampire Slayer (never watched it before, really surprised that I like it) or Call the Midwife. I’m only 3 episodes into Midwife but I do like it. It’s quirky but the main character is very likable and it has some funny characters, too.
Jessie, I really enjoyed the first season of Buffy but couldn’t get myself geared up to watch any of the other seasons. Maybe because I’m a wimp and I watch late at night, home alone…maybe. ;)
ok… um, i don’t know why this is even an issue?! WATCH PARENTHOOD!!!!! ohmygosh it is soooo good. and downton. how have you not seen season 3 yet?! (which, by the way, i have on dvd if you need it. :-) )
and for the record, i have not watched FNL. why does it make me think of dawson’s creek?!
I know, Erin. I know. I just…sometimes (most the time) I can’t handle All That Emotion! I mean, life is stressful enough, you know? But I do LIKE the show, so…I’ll try it again. Although, if you want to loan me Downton Abbey, I should watch that first. :)
Also…what’s wrong with Dawson’s Creek? I’d think that would make you want to watch FNL more! ;)
Friday Nighy Lights is one of my all-time favorite shows, and Parenthood isn’t far behind. We starte watching Scandal last week. The first season on Netflix has only 7 episodes. We watched them in a few days and then I decided to use an Amazon gift card I got for my birthday to watch Season 2 there. So, so good.
So basically I haven’t watched any of your favorites! Haha! :)
Oh yes – Scandal is completely, totally, Ca-Ray-Zee insane, but it is soooooo good. Just don’t watch it back to back with West Wing. Your head might explode. (I love Friday Night Lights, although I lost interest in the later seasons. But you’ll love love love the Coach & Mrs. Coach stories. Best married couple on TV. Very real (in a good way).
Yes, I’ve heard that I’m going to love the Taylors – can’t wait to watch it!!