What are you binge watching?

[storrsroars]

I hardly ever watch network TV other than Jeopardy and maybe 60 minutes. The last network show I recall watching was "The Good Place". So I surprised myself by deciding to binge "Person of Interest", which ran back in 2011-16. The overall premise is interesting, regarding how government use of AI can be abused and yet accepted via legislation like the Patriot Act. There's also a nod to "pre-crime" a la "Minority Report".

It grew on me. I originally found the leads stiff, humorless, and not particularly good actors, and the storylines often reminding me of something like "Touched By An Angel" where each episode is discrete. But as the series moved on and new characters and national/international threats were introduced, it got significantly better. I really enjoyed the contributions of Fusco and Shaw. By the final season (5), the philosophical arguments for an against AI as a benefit to society were into the metaphysical realm, and while the acting of the leads was still wanting (somewhere along the line Jim Caviezel became older Clint Eastwood), and the shootouts were ridiculous (bad guys with worse aim than Storm Troopers), the stories were substantial and interesting. Glad I took the time to get through it all.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I hardly ever watch network TV other than Jeopardy and maybe 60 minutes. The last network show I recall watching was "The Good Place". So I surprised myself by deciding to binge "Person of Interest", which ran back in 2011-16. The overall premise is interesting, regarding how government use of AI can be abused and yet accepted via legislation like the Patriot Act. There's also a nod to "pre-crime" a la "Minority Report".

It grew on me. I originally found the leads stiff, humorless, and not particularly good actors, and the storylines often reminding me of something like "Touched By An Angel" where each episode is discrete. But as the series moved on and new characters and national/international threats were introduced, it got significantly better. I really enjoyed the contributions of Fusco and Shaw. By the final season (5), the philosophical arguments for an against AI as a benefit to society were into the metaphysical realm, and while the acting of the leads was still wanting (somewhere along the line Jim Caviezel became older Clint Eastwood), and the shootouts were ridiculous (bad guys with worse aim than Storm Troopers), the stories were substantial and interesting. Glad I took the time to get through it all.

Person on Interest was one of the few Network shows I did watch. I thought it was pretty good, certainly something different at the time. Not NCIS [insert city] or those rehashed things.

 

[storrsroars]

Started S2 of Severance. As interesting as the story has been, it remains a somewhat tedious watch for me as it requires constant attention. And some of it seems incredibly stupid, like manipulating employees through better snacks in the vending machine. And now there appears to be characters having multiple roles. And we still don't know what the hell the company does. It's not light entertainment.

Also started Paradise. Can't really say anything without it being a spoiler if you haven't watched the first episode. But I have sooooo many questions.

 

[Bomber36]

Started S2 of Severance. As interesting as the story has been, it remains a somewhat tedious watch for me as it requires constant attention. And some of it seems incredibly stupid, like manipulating employees through better snacks in the vending machine. And now there appears to be characters having multiple roles. And we still don't know what the hell the company does. It's not light entertainment.

Also started Paradise. Can't really say anything without it being a spoiler if you haven't watched the first episode. But I have sooooo many questions.

I just couldn’t get into it…think I semi watched the first three episodes Of season one. Not for me.

 

[CL82]

Special Forces: World's Toughest Test.

This is a guilty pleasure for me. They take a bunch of C list celebrities and put them through a watered down special forces course. It's interesting to see who breaks and who thrives under the pressure.

 

[UCan3]

Started S2 of Severance. As interesting as the story has been, it remains a somewhat tedious watch for me as it requires constant attention. And some of it seems incredibly stupid, like manipulating employees through better snacks in the vending machine. And now there appears to be characters having multiple roles. And we still don't know what the hell the company does. It's not light entertainment.

Also started Paradise. Can't really say anything without it being a spoiler if you haven't watched the first episode. But I have sooooo many questions.

I agree on Severance. I loved Season 1 but having trouble following, staying interested in Season 2. I hope it gets better because it is a unique and reality bending show - I like shows that take some chances.

 

[UCan3]

One of better show I’ve seen is on Paramount - Colin from Accounts. Terrible title - good season 1 but GREAT season 2. Australian TV industry not known for great Rom-coms but they kind set a new standard here IMO. It is a good one for you / significant other - lots of fun, no stress.

 

[temery]

The Bookie on HBO.

The scene with a character on 'shrooms reliving his time as a fetus still has me cracking up.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I didn't realize Landman was by Taylor Sheriden. Is it as stupid as Yellowstone?

 

[HCCForever]

I didn't realize Landman was by Taylor Sheriden. Is it as stupid as Yellowstone?

It’s okay but IMO will probably decline like Yellowstone.

Although Ali Larter is easy to look at, I’m not fond of scenes with her and her daughter.

The comedy is with Billy Bob. Here’s a skinny dude acting like a bad ass with members of the Mexican cartel. Seems unrealistic.

 

[Deepster]

So I have Peacock channel for the next month getting it for the game and then I also recently watched the SNL movie on Netflix. Figured I’d get around to watching the original season of Saturday Night Live today and got through a bunch of the first episodes. Super cool to watch the beginning stages of that show, it really was a ground breaker. Some of the skits are kind of cheesy or dated or not really that funny, but you could see what they were trying to do with the show.

 

[CL82]

@HuskyHawk I gave skeleton crew a shot based upon your recommendation. I'm only two episodes in, but it's pretty good.

 

[superjohn]

Paradise on Hulu is terrible.

 

[superjohn]

Normal People on Hulu. Character driven story based on two young people in Ireland and their relationship together. Based on a book and has the pacing of a book. Great performances from the leads, I really enjoyed the series.

 

[Chuck]

Severance: Really liked Season 1. It had some great potential re what makes us who we are and how a corporation can take advantage/abuse that. But, it took too long to release Season 2 and it seems a bit like Lost where I'm not sure they knew where they were going. This season got creepier rather than quirky and Adam Scott looks like he aged 20 years between seasons and is wearing tons of makeup. But, maybe it'll get better. At least they are hinting about what he's doing at the company.

Black Doves: Wife and I liked it. It isn't perfect, but the acting and budget were solid. I don't think it's as good as Slow Horses, but it scratches a similar itch.

Night Agent: It's the B list version of Black Doves. Not that they are the same, but you can tell the difference in acting and production. But, we're watching it and are sort of into it (Season 1).

Beast Games: This is a microcosm of what is wrong with our world. My little nephew wanted to watch on a family trip. They must have interviewed every player to confirm they are an idiot or unlikable (or both). Mr. Beast and his friends are total nerds (which I actually like). He had a couple guests on that were definitely high.

The Pitt: Great to see Dr. Carter's life in an alternate universe. It's a pretty good ER show.

Penguin: I watched on my own. I was really liking it until the end. The end really bothered me. Some great performances.

Dune: Prophecy: I've watched because I like SciFi and Dune, but it's so serious. I haven't finished the end, but I'm not sure who I'm supposed to root for. I kind of hate the sisters, but maybe I'm supposed to?

 

[billythekid]

I stumbled across a show on Amazon Prime from around ten years ago called, The Booth at the End. It stars Xander Berkeley as some type of modern day crossroads demon offering desperate people deals to grant their wishes. He is one of those actors that you've seen in a million shows but could probably never think of his name. I'm only a couple of episodes in, but it seems pretty good.

 

[Deepster]

Beast Games: This is a microcosm of what is wrong with our world. My little nephew wanted to watch on a family trip. They must have interviewed every player to confirm they are an idiot or unlikable (or both). Mr. Beast and his friends are total nerds (which I actually like). He had a couple guests on that were definitely high.

I have stuck with Beast Games and it's a C-, if that high.

a) I don't like that they refer to everyone as their number. It's hard to keep track of who's who.
b) There's really no one likeable. I hate the fact that one of them is getting 5m.
c) The "drama" is so forced and fake. People crying hysterically when someone they met a week ago gets voted out. The religious guy with long beard praising Jesus every five minutes.
d) Not a ton of skill in the challenges. Lots of picking a number and succumbing to dumb luck. Or something like one shot with a ball into a big solo cup from on top of a building. All luck.

 

[billythekid]

Paradise on Hulu is terrible.

What do you find terrible about it? I'm only a couple of episodes in, but I've enjoyed it so far. Pretty cool premise and the lead actor is solid. I've also always had a thing for Sarah Shahi. It seems to have solid review scores on Rt, not that that's dispositive in and of itself.

 

[storrsroars]

What do you find terrible about it? I'm only a couple of episodes in, but I've enjoyed it so far. Pretty cool premise and the lead actor is solid. I've also always had a thing for Sarah Shahi. It seems to have solid review scores on Rt, not that that's dispositive in and of itself.

Well, Sarah is worth watching, loved her in Person of Interest. But I'm having issues with the premise. Starting with, do you need a president and secret service when your "nation" is tiny and you could manage it with a mayor. I also believe the prez lit up a Marlboro menthol. So smoking is still a thing?

 

[billythekid]

Well, Sarah is worth watching, loved her in Person of Interest. But I'm having issues with the premise. Starting with, do you need a president and secret service when your "nation" is tiny and you could manage it with a mayor. I also believe the prez lit up a Marlboro menthol. So smoking is still a thing?

I first discovered her in Life. An underrated show that starred Damien Lewis.

I hear your plot criticisms, but it's early enough in the series that I'm gonna let it play out. Without giving away any spoilers, we still don't know who else is around outside of their immediate community.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

So I have Peacock channel for the next month getting it for the game and then I also recently watched the SNL movie on Netflix. Figured I’d get around to watching the original season of Saturday Night Live today and got through a bunch of the first episodes. Super cool to watch the beginning stages of that show, it really was a ground breaker. Some of the skits are kind of cheesy or dated or not really that funny, but you could see what they were trying to do with the show.

Comedy often doesn’t age well.

I think of those early seasons as almost a history lesson of a huge cultural break occurring in America. SNL and National Lampoon were revolutionary compared to the silly, and deeply misogynistic humor of shows like Laugh In that came right before it.

 

[Deepster]

Comedy often doesn’t age well.

I think of those early seasons as almost a history lesson of a huge cultural break occurring in America. SNL and National Lampoon were revolutionary compared to the silly, and deeply misogynistic humor of shows like Laugh In that came right before it.

Good call. I can’t say I laughed a ton at those episodes but I was still interested seeing how the show was put together originally. And highlighting someone like Andy Kaufman certainly pushed an envelope back then.

 

[ZooCougar]

The new Vietnam Doc on Apple is super. Episodes are short and they cover quite a few things that many people didn’t know about.

It’s mostly about the war’s impact on Americans but quite a few Vietnamese are interviewed.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Good call. I can’t say I laughed a ton at those episodes but I was still interested seeing how the show was put together originally. And highlighting someone like Andy Kaufman certainly pushed an envelope back then.

Michael O’Donoghue was crazier than Kaufman, if that is possible, and he was head writer. The show got more professional in Lorne Michaels 2.0, and I think it got more consistent.

 

[storrsroars]

I first discovered her in Life. An underrated show that starred Damien Lewis.

I hear your plot criticisms, but it's early enough in the series that I'm gonna let it play out. Without giving away any spoilers, we still don't know who else is around outside of their immediate community.

OK, this week's episode finally started to put some things into place. Although I still have to wonder about the decision to include a bunch of carnival equipment in the "must have" stuff for the new community. And what happens after all the booze is consumed?