Let’s get one thing out of the way. I love TV. And as in previous posts, I’ve discussed my issue with ‘trying new thing’ TV-wise in the past. This season, I’m trying a little bit of everything! (Via Hulu, of course. How else would a grad student be able to catch all these great shows?!) The fact of the matter is TV has grown immensely in quality of shows over the recent years. More and more innovative ideas are coming through the small screen… and i LIKE it.
Here’s what I’ve been absorbing:
A delightful, absurd comedy about community college. The first season was pretty fantastic and I really loved that it became more of an ensemble cast then totally focused on Joel McHale. (Joel, I love ya, and the whole ‘will Brita and Jeff get together?!’ thing kept my attention, but it’s not the entire show, which I appreciate.) Not to mention the premiere this season has an appearance by none other than the infamous Betty White! If you’re ok with absurdist humor, please please check this show out! Also if you watch no other episode from season 1, watch “Modern Warfare.” I have no words.
This show could go one of two ways: very very dawson’s creek (plus 10 years) or the comedic route. Hulu categorizes it as a comedy, which I’m not totally feelin’ yet. Why, Ericka, are you including this in your blog, then?? Awkwardness of seeing folks from high school, plus the fact that the characters are aware of cameras and often break the fourth wall, mix in a lot of drama, and you’ll start to see why ‘My Generation’ is an interesting show. The creators have forged it as a documentary series that followed 9 seniors from a high school in Texas and following up with them 10 years later as they run into each other and their lives seem to be entirely criss-crossed. (Strangers on a Train, anyone?) In any event, the idea of a fake documentary (in the vein of fake footage in general, a la Cloverfield, I’m Still Here, etc.) holds some interest. Thinking that the characters are real, or could be real, they could be you or I, gets the viewers emotionally invested early on. We all had high school crushes. We all have nostalgia for at least some part of our youth. What I want to know is, what would this look like if it were a real documentary? (probably boring, albeit I do enjoy seeing where all my high school classmates are now via facebook.) For ‘My Generation’, I have not decided yet, but perhaps it is worth keeping up with, at least via the interwebs.
It should be no surprise that I am a “gleek” as it were. I can’t help myself. I love the music. The drama is a little over the top, but again, I’m ok with absurdity. Last season was fantastic, and I’m glad that recording artists are somewhat supportive of the show and making music accessible, dance-ible, and super entertaining. The characters are super saturated and let’s face it, their voices are amazing. I could do with a little less Lea Michele though.
There have to be at least a half dozen other shows that I’m forgetting about. The Office (last year w/ Steve Carrell!), 30 Rock, Mad Men (of course!)… the list goes on. Tell me what your favorites are, what am I missing out on??
