TV Picks from a 36 Year Old Mom

 

 

 

 

 

If you are not aware, I love TV.  Lately though, I having a hard time watching…ya know, because kids.  My sacred television watching time occurs while at the gym on the treadmill. Rarely, when my kids fall asleep at a reasonable time, I will watch on my iPad in bed.  Anyway- below is a list, in no particular order, of some shows that I recommend to my fellow mom (and not mom) friends.  I always see posts that ask for TV recommendations, so here you go.  Its honestly a quick summary and nothing ground-breaking- it’s just my opinions, summarized.  Let me know what you think!

 

The Good Wife – CBS (7 Seasons, finished)
What took me so long to get hooked on this freaking awesome series?  Alicia (Julianna Marguiles) is stunning and a freaking stellar actress.  The story lines are insane and her love interests are HOT.
Quick synopsis: Alicia Florrick is the wife of Governor Peter Florrick (Chris Noth).  Peter publicly humiliates Alicia with a cheating scandal.  Years of story lines follow.  Some eps left me shocked, others made me tear up.  Eli (Alan Cumming), Peter’s campaign manager and wing man made me laugh out loud.  And Josh Charles, who plays Will Gardner…I just cannot even talk about it.  If you like law/political dramas with a hint of humor, start watching.

Broad City – Comedy Central (3 Seasons)
Believe it or not, hubs turned me on to this show.  Why would a 36 year old mom relate?  It’s just hysterical.  Lots of funny lines, lots of cringe-worthy scenes, lots of awkward moments.  It kind of makes me relieved that those crazy years are behind me.
Quick synopsis: It’s simple.  Abbi (Abbi Jacobsen) and Ilana (Ilana Wexler) are OUT of CONTROL best friends.  In their 20s, shitty jobs, and wild love lives…the show follows their adventures and wild days and nights in NYC.  It is LOL funny.  Season 4 starts up in August.

Love – Netflix (2 Seasons)
I didn’t want to like this show, because I had a lot of other television commitments at the time.  Season 2 was recently released, so catching up won’t take long.
Quick synopsis: Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and Gus (Paul Rust) are complete opposites but find themselves dating.  They seem SO different but just seem to click.  Gus is an all around good guy (so far) and Mickey has issues upon issues.  Mickey’s roommate Bertie Bauer (Claudia O’Doherty) makes me LOL every time.  Episodes are only 30 minutes, so it’s not a huge time suck.

Scandal- NBC (6 seasons)
In my next life, I would like to be Olivia Pope.  In my opinion, it is a must watch.
Quick synopsis: Currently in the middle of Season 6.  Pope, played by Kerry Washington, is a crisis manager in Washington D.C.  She and her team “fix” things.  All kinds of things.   Her clients include powerful political figures and everyday citizens involved in high profile scandals.  The chemistry between Olivia and President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) is undeniable, and First Lady Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) might be one of my favorite characters on the show.

OITNB- Netflix (4 Seasons)
I jumped on to the bandwagon a little late with this one and I am so glad I did.
Quick Synopsis: The show is based on Piper Kerman’s memoir, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison, which was published in 2010.  Taylor Schilling plays Piper Chapman, who is sentenced to 15 months in a minimum security prison in CT.  Piper was in a previous relationship and committed the crime with Alex Vause (Lara Prepon), who is also fellow inmate.  So many awesome characters and so well written. 

House of Cards- Netflix (4 Seasons)
You guys, seriously.  2 words.  Kevin Spacey. The man has serious acting skills. If you are a fan of political drama/thrillers, this one is for you.
Quick Synopsis: Spacey plays Frank Underwood, a South Carolina Democrat and House Majority Whip.  He, along with his wife Claire (Robin Wright) make a play for the highest position of power at the White House after Underwood was not chosen as Secretary of State.  This show is mostly about revenge, and Spacey is perfect for the part.

Girls- HBO (6 Seasons)
In just the last few months I have binge-watched the entire series to date on the treadmill. In the past, whenever the show was advertised or came up in a convo, I immediately wrote it off.  “Not for me,” I would think. Lena Dunham, the show’s creator…I just didn’t “get” her.  It was one of the times my judgement was WAY off.    I love her.  She is brilliant.  The series finale will be coming up soon and it makes me so sad.
Quick Synopsis: Hannah (Lena Dunham), Marnie (Allison Williams), Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) and Jessa (Jemima Kirke) are four twenty-somethings living in New York City.   Adam Driver, who plays Hannah’s boyfriend Adam, does an AMAZING job.  It’s like Sex in the City but so not.  It’s completely different.  There isn’t much glamour, but there is a realness that really  resonates.   Lots of topics are touched on: relationships, sexuality, becoming an adult, drugs…the list goes on.

American Housewife-ABC (1 Season)
My husband and I rarely agree when it comes to TV choices.  He likes The Big Bang Theory, I like the Kardashians.  But there is one show that we totally agree on, and it is American Housewife.
Quick Synopsis:  Katy Mixon plays Katie Otto, a “regular mom”  living with her average family in a wealthy Connecticut suburb.  The show focuses on Katie trying to fit in with the rich and beautiful wives in the neighborhood, while raising her kids at the same time.  Her husband Greg (Diedrich Bader) keeps her somewhat sane, and really balances their relationship.  The kids couldn’t be more different: athletic older daughter, wannabe Wall-Streeter middle son, and OCD younger daughter.  Lots of fun storylines and things we all can relate to.

Big Little Lies- HBO (1 Season- finished- pray for more)
You guys.  Do you have HBO?  YES?  OK, please start watching now.  NO?  Please order HBO stat.
Quick Synopsis:  Based on a best-selling book by Liane Moriarty, the story follows a handful of first grade moms and a lot of individual storylines, which result in a murder.  I will say no more.  Actually, let me just say that Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman are perfection.  Watch it.  Now!