mood: “a seat at the table” by solange. yes. the whole album. get into it.
If you had asked me four years ago what I was watching on TV, I would have been embarrassed to tell you, “nothing.” Today? I’m currently watching the space on my DVR fill up faster than a 72 ounce cup on free Slurpee day at 7-Eleven.
You see, four years ago, I was an undergrad studying film and television. It was practically a sin against God, the universe and the king of Queens to not have a minimum of 10 series that you were following with regularity and another five on your DVR and in your Netflix queue waiting for the perfect academic break to be optically consumed.
It seemed as though all my classmates couldn’t wait to discuss with each other and our professors the latest developments from shows on any number of networks (I really tried to provide names of actual shows and actual networks, but I have no idea what was on any of them back then). So there I was, minding my business in the spirit of “can’t relate.” It was a sad, sad time for me. I wasn’t sure how it was possible that I couldn’t list one current TV show I watched religiously. I love(d) television. Then it hit me: representation.
I struggled with finding a show to watch with regularity because I couldn’t relate to most of what was on TV at the time. They all seemed the same and they were all lacking inclusion of stories I wanted to see. As I came to this realization, I began focusing my papers on this topic. If an assignment was to create a concept for a show, which network to pitch it to and whom to cast, I always made sure it was the perfect mix of everything that I felt was missing.
Fast-forward to today and I feel like there is SO MUCH TV AND NOT ENOUGH EYEBALLS WITH WHICH TO WATCH IT ALL. So below, and not in any particular order, are 10 shows I’m excited about seeing on the small screen.
1.) Black-ish, ABC
Photo courtesy of ABC
This show is actually in its third season, but I’m still really excited about it. It’s the first show on ABC that has featured a black family as its primary focus since My Wife and Kids. I’m so into this show that I kept up with updates about after it was presented during the 2014 TV Upfronts and I downloaded the first episode of it on iTunes before it had even premiered on television.
2.) Queen Sugar, OWN
Photo courtesy of OWN
I don’t really do drama, but... #GimmeSugar. The cinematography alone makes me want to slap your auntie—not mine. She’ll kill me. The storyline is engaging, the character development is intriguing and Ava DuVernay directs it. AVA DUVER-freakin’-NAY. It’s a far cry from the barbershop brand of shows that are The Haves and the Have Not a Clue How to Write a Soap Opera and Iyanla, You Can’t Even Fix My Plate, Let Alone My Life. I look forward to Wednesdays, not because it’s humpday, but because of this show right here.
3.) This Is Us, NBC
Photo courtesy of NBC
I’m not actually watching this one… yet. I KNOW Y’ALL HAD HEARD ME WHEN I HAD SAID I DON’T WATCH TV. It’s just that a lot my attention is focused elsewhere and I’m not used to having to prioritize TV anymore. I do plan to get around to it and even though the trailers look amazing and I’ll probably like it, I’m secretly hoping I don’t. I DON’T HAVE THE TAHM
4.) Luke Cage, Netflix
Photo courtesy of Netflix
Not watching this one either, but I’m happy it makes you all happy. I am curious to see what all the hype is about, but as someone who has never read a comic book (wait, does Captain Underpants count?) I have no idea what to expect. I'm glad to see that the lead character and much of the supporting cast represents a group of people that have flown under the radar like a Kreayshawn (Who? Exactly) album. You might have to remind me to check this one out.
5.) Speechless, ABC
Photo courtesy of ABC
The concept of this show is one I didn’t even know I wanted. (Kind of like that time I wanted a dance battle to break out between the ministers and ushers at church. But I don’t wanna talk about that time.) As a person who works—some days admittedly harder than others—to be a decent human being, it's refreshing to see a comedic spotlight on cerebral palsy, something I don’t have much knowledge about. Thanks for making me a better person, ABC.
6.) Atlanta, FX
Photo courtesy of FX
I didn’t think I was going to like Atlanta. I remember seeing a teaser for it months ago. You know, the one where Donald Glover, the star of the show, was walking like he was part of an experiment that had gone horribly wrong. Yeah, that one. I typically like my comedy a little less dry and gritty, but HOLY FLUTTER-MCNUGGET, this show is amazingly hilarious. I’m not looking forward to the season finale, but hey, at least I know it’s coming back for season two.
7.) Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Netflix
“Unbreakable” is the word I’d use to describe my ability to binge watch this show. I’ve seen both seasons and it is killing me into itty, bitty pieces to have to wait until as early as April 2017 for the next one. Believe the hype around this one. It’s gold.
8.) Fresh Off the Boat, ABC
Photo courtesy of ABC
ABC killed it two years ago when they announced their new sitcom lineup. When I tell you I wrote an entire research paper on the lack of visual representation on network TV for people of color, it’s because I did. The first time I really noticed I hadn’t seen a TV show centered on an Asian family was when I was 13 and that bothered me. This show is set in the mid-’90s, so for those of us with bills, there’s something for everyone. While it wouldn’t hurt for more Asian representation on other networks, I am definitely getting my fix from this one.
9.) The Goldbergs, ABC
Photo courtesy of ABC
I’m not… exactly… sure, um, why I like this show so much. BUT I’M NOT AFRAID TO ADMIT THAT I DO. I think it may be my appreciation for the representation of the everymom that raised members of my generation to be a little more on the entitled side of the spectrum. I also think it has something to do with the fact that I don’t feel like I could write the jokes on that show. I hate watching shows that I feel like I can write on. It reminds me that I don’t have a job writing on a show.
10.) Shut up in advance. Chrisley Knows Best, USA
Photo courtesy of USA
We all have our guilty pleasures and I have been judged a time or two for making this one mine. But Todd Chrisley, the patriarch of the family, has so many zingers, if you’re a sentient human who appreciates humor, how are you not watching? I definitely get the feeling that this “reality” show is scripted, but I don’t even believe I had questioned that. I just know I look forward to watching it.
I’m not going to lie. I’ll probably let a couple of these episodes stack on top of each other so that I have something to watch during the presidential debates. Keep doing what you're doing, Television. I like it and I love it.
Tell me: What are you watching?