Ran out of stuff to watch again? Wait till you get a load of these...
#1 Watchmen, 2019
Miniseries--9 episodes
Created by David Lindelof
Starring Regina King, Yaha Abdul-Mateen II, Tom Mison, Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart
The series opens with an event that many Americans are only just now becoming aware of: The Devastation of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921. The world of Watchmen is in an alternate history timeline that begins to diverge in 1939, as a team of costumed crime-fighters dramatically alter the course of history. If you've never seen the 2009 film of the same name, it's a really great introduction to the vast universe... but even with a running time of 2 hours and 42 minutes, fans said it didn't come close to delivering justice to the graphic novel.
I don't think seeing the movie is entirely necessary to enjoy the miniseries, but it would provide enjoyable context to the characters (like when Doctor Manhattan fights in the Vietnam War).
But! This series is a continuation of the 1986 graphic novel, not the movie. A lot of characters and events that were left out of the movie are mentioned in the series, so even if you have seen the movie, you might be a little confused as to why tiny squids are raining down on New York City.
Just roll with it, you'll be fine.
So why should you give this overwhelming universe a chance? SO MANY REASONS!
Starring Regina King! (voice of Huey and Riley on The Boondocks)
The bad guys are white supremacists.
Cops wear masks to hide their identity (In our timeline, they just cover their badge numbers.)
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross on soundtrack detail.
The costumes!
Jeremy Irons! Everything this guy is in... he's fantastic. He was the voice of Scar...
In a time when we are taking a serious look at police accountability, the question of "Who will watch the watchmen?" is extraordinarily relevant.
Available to stream on Hulu and HBOmax.
(HBO is streaming the series for free to everyone 6/20 and 6/21.)
#2 The Simpsons, 1989-present
31 seasons, 639 episodes
Created by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Sam Simon
Starring Dan Castellaneta, Nancy Cartwright, Harry Shearer, Julie Kavner,
Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Pamela Hayden, Phil Hartmen, Jon Lovitz
With 639 episodes, there might be enough Simpsons episodes to get you through this whole ordeal. But there are certainly some highlights of cultural relevance worth pointing out, and more than a few episodes where this show seemed to predict the future.
"Marge in Chains"
Season 4 Episode 24
Originally Aired: 5/6/93
6 to 8 weeks after a factory worker coughs into a box, the "Osaka Flu" hits Springfield. An angry crowd demands a cure for the virus, and they knock over a box containing "killer bees”.
"The Springfield Connection"
Season 6 Episode 23
Originally Aired: 5/7/95
Seeking escape from the boredom of everyday life, Marge joins the Springfield police force and is confronted with corruption and crime; one of many episodes where the creators poke fun at police ineptitude.
"Bart to the Future"
Season 11 Episode 17
Originally Aired: 3/19/2000
The year is 2030, Lisa is President of the United States, and faces challenges laid out by her predecessor.
Dan Greaney said that the thought of a Trump presidency "just seemed like the logical last stop before hitting bottom. It was pitched because it was consistent with the vision of America going insane."
Note: Definitely not one of their best episodes...
"Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge"
Season 13 Episode 22
Originally Aired: 5/22/02
Widespread rioting and looting take place in Springfield during a heatwave and power outage.
The police try to intervene, but fail. Mayor Quimby, disgusted with police incompetence, makes Homer the chief of police.
Treehouse of Horror XIX
Season 20, Episode 4
Originally Aired: 11/02/08
Homer tries to vote for Barack Obama only to have a voting machine change his selection several times.
During Obama's second run, footage emerged of a Pennsylvania machine switching a vote from Obama to Romney.
And they say that vote-by-mail has issues...
For more Simpsons episode recommendations:
Here's a list of a suggested best episodes for each season.
And a list of 10 times The Simpsons was ahead of its time on subjects like LGBTQA+ rights, marijuana legalization, undocumented immigrants, and vegetarianism.
OR! Check out the 3 minute short released only on YouTube "A Tale of Two Trumps."
Streaming Options:
All episodes are available to stream on Disney+
Some seasons are available on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
Many episodes can be found on Youtube.
#3 ER, 1994-2009
15 seasons, 331 episodes
Created by Michael Crichton
Starring Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies
Ok, full disclosure... I have never seen this show. But the more I read about it the more excited I am to start watching... and I know I can't stretch Watchmen out any longer... I mean, I started it yesterday!
First off, I had no idea that this series was created by Michael Crichton! While the show was getting started in 1994, I was in middle school, reading some of Crichton's amazing novels: Congo, Sphere, Jurassic Park, and The Lost World were some of my favorites.
Margaret Lyons of the New York Times said, "Now is the best time to watch 'ER.' It’s one of the greats; there are more than 300 episodes; the characters genuinely try to provide good health care; there are multiple models of successful leadership... other than the absence of cellphones and Google, it feels current — modern, even, thanks to its fast pace and aversion to neat endings."
In 2018, Vox called ER the "show of the year," stating: "ER, with its lightning-quick storytelling and propulsive filmmaking, is a perfect fit for the “just one more episode” streaming television era."
Margaret goes on to say, "If you’ve never watched “ER,” I’m trembling with jealousy." She also says that it might not be for you if you're squeamish, or if you can't handle stories of death or loss. She adds, "Warning: You will cry."
So I guess the next time I'm in need of some emotional purging, I'll give this show a shot.
(Even though I kind of can't stand Gerg Clooners)
But do I even want to cry right now? Or am I too busy being angry?
I think I'm talking myself out of it... it might just go the way of The Wire: one of those shows that speaks to a lot of people but isn't for me.
We'll see if I've gotten through the pilot by next week...
Available to stream on Amazon Prime and Hulu