Underrated Must-Watch TV Shows | Opinion
By now, I know everyone must feel that they have watched “everything.” I did too until I found these must-watch shows…
NO ACTIVITY
The Australian Original Series (2015) is laugh of loud / ‘did I really just hear that shit’ funny. I am late to the party, but… it’s Australian.
I also have no idea how I stumbled upon it, maybe desperation for something new —IDK. But I liked No Activity enough to look into and find they made an American version (2017)!
I finished watching that as well, in record time. 😁
Both very similar, so I guess just chose what you have access to:
The show is pretty much just conversations between two detectives on a stakeout, but also features convos with the [2] dispatchers and the criminals/hostages.
Remember it’s a comedy! Just trust me. It’s hilarious.
Personally, I preferred the American version, but that may just be ‘cause I am a fan of the comedic actors in it, like:
Will Ferrell (!!!)
Tim Meadows [SNL, Mean Girls]
Jason Mantzoukas [The League, Brooklyn 99]
Jake Johnson [New Girl]
— you know, just to name a few.
It also has a satisfying ending, whereas the Australian original doesn’t have one, like at all. Which is fine, both great nonetheless!
FAIR WARNING:
There is NO ACTIVITY. So yeah, a show about NOTHING. Just 2-3 people in conversation each scene.
I did find out after obsessing over it that it is loosely based on a real-life bust in 2007; they just added this “Seinfeld-ian twist” (where nothing happens —that the audience sees anyway).
Original series is available on Hulu
Other on CBS ALL-Access
MODERN LOVE
Lonely? Want something to make you truly feel again? Check out Modern Love on Amazon Prime! LOL
I didn’t know what to expect from it, but as a non-mushy person… still so, so good.
Modern Love is an anthology series, inspired by a real-life personal essays in the New York Times column of the same name. So each episode has a story that is it’s own, and ahh… a feel good show with real*, beautiful stories about love💖
*real = not sappy; relatable
Lots of familiar faces here too, like: Tina Fey, Anne Hathaway, Catherine Keener, Cristin Milioti, Dev Patel, and John Slattery.
And yes, there will be another season!
P.S. I’m open to discuss favorite episodes in the comments :)
THE BOYS
I am VERY picky about my ‘superhero’ shows. I’ve seen so many versions of the same story told over and over again, and I get it. They’re exciting. But I like to watch the ones that are from lesser known comics.
(ex: If you know me, I’ve probably talked your ear off on the amazingness of FX’s Legion)
The Boys is also based off a comic book, just not in the Marvel Universe [like Legion].
The Amazon Original takes place in a world where superheroes are real, therefore have celebrity or political influence and status, and a lots of ‘em are arrogant / corrupt. 👀
SO! It’s up to “the Boys,” a team of [human] vigilantes led by Billy Butcher, to stop those Supes [soops; noun, plural: short for superheroes] who abuse their powers. 💥💥💥
The superhero satire is thrilling, gory, raunchy, and pretty bloody funny. 😜
Season 2 of The Boys is out now. And it’s already been renewed for a third!
BONUS:💚
COMMUNITY
If you follow me on Snapchat (yes, I am still there) or just a friend of mine, I’ve either suggested or raved about the former NBC sitcom Community (2009 - 2015). Because it’s brilliant! (And needs a movie!!!)
OK, sorry. But for real: it’s an original, smart, underrated comedy.
What’s it about? A diverse group of community college students form a study group for their Spanish class at Greendale. And that turns into so much more. (No spoilers!)
Community uses meta-humor (often parodying film and television clichés), so episodes can spin into different genres. It was truly ahead of its time, and the cast?! Y’ALL. Full of names we know very well today: Joel McHale, Alison Brie, Donald Glover […jussst as he was starting his music career as Childish Gambino], Chevy Chase, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Gillian Jacobs, Jim Rash, and The Hangover’s Ken Jeong as their Spanish professor, Chang.
Oh, and 5-time Emmy Award winner John Oliver of Last Week Tonight (HBO) is in it too!
Community was created by Dan Harmon, the man behind Rick & Morty. The entire series is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu.
[spoilers??? ok.]Seriously, everyone I’ve suggested it to has ended up loving and re-watching it. That, or they had already seen it and are equally obsessed. CHECK IT OUT! #sixseasonsandamovie
Honorable Mentions:
Crossing Swords — Just another vulgar animated series —NOT FOR CHILDREN. It’s a Hulu Original I thought I’d play as background noise, but it quickly got my attention. (And made me late to wherever I was going.)
I was thinking it’d be like ‘Adventure Time,’ but it’s more ‘Rick & Morty.’ The animated comedy is set in medieval times, with “sailor mouthed” stop-motion toys. I got through Crossing Swords so fast, mainly cuz it’s just one short, 10-episode season. But it was also quickly renewed for a second!
Close Enough — Another adult animation! Actually may have liked this one more than Crossing Swords, but I had already written the above haha. The HBO Max Original will be available on Netflix soon!
Future Man — This was surprisingly really good and funny! The Hulu original sci-fi comedy wrapped up its third and final season in April 2020. I got into it last year, so was happy to see it didn’t get canceled to wrap up, but also to have something I knew I liked before lockdown LOL. If a fan of Seth Rogen, check it out!
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee — I have never feel so heard lol. This is the “Reality TV” we need today, cuz it’s REAL FUCKIN’ PEOPLE, HAVING A REAL CONVERSATION over COFFEE. Not some staged BS. Best thing: It’s all comedians which makes it more honest and I fucking LOVE that.
Dead to Me — After all the promos and being told repeatedly to watch, I gave in. And it’s GOOD! Honestly, I didn’t check it out sooner because I assumed [from the trailer] it was gonna be a cheesy, girly rom-com — yeah, it’s not lol. It’s actually a dark comedy about a female friendship …with twists, turns, secrets, and MURDERrrr. On Netflix.
Greatness Code — A short-form series from Apple TV+, with inspiring stories from some of the world’s greatest athletes. Each share the pivotal moment that defined their career, in about six-minutes. Recommend to go through it during [**insert a sport**] halftime!
Mythic Quest — Recommend if you’re an Always Sunny fan …or just a nerd [like me]. It’s Rob McElhenney’s new show!
The Morning Show — As a Journalism graduate, these shows appeal to me. They are also a reminder of why I didn’t pursue that career after college lol. (Oh, and y’all: Jennifer Aniston! Reese Witherspoon! Exclamation points!!) ✨✨
Ted Lasso — NEW! So, tbh I started this cuz I have a crush on Jason Sudeikis (and his wife😍). But y’all, it is pretty good …so far.