The shows I'm loving right now:
UNORTHODOX (Netflix): Such a sensitive treatment of the story of a woman coming of age in a very orthodox Hasidic sect. Brilliantly acted. Addictive. In three parts. Be prepared for a few subtitles when the characters are speaking Yiddish. Just a few episodes tells the story and its heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time.A SECRET LOVE (Netflix): A documentary about the 60+ year love between Terry Donahue,
who helped inspire 'A League of Their Own' and Pat Henschel. It's a lovely story.THE GOOD PLACE (several streaming services): Lucky you if you haven't started this. Heaven (or is it hell) like you never imagined it with really clever and smart philosophical riffs. It twists just when you think it's going to turn. Terrific performances.
THE CROWN (Netflix): There are three seasons of this superb dramatization of the current Queen Elizabeth and her family. Yes, indeed, heavy does lie the crown...
SHAUN THE SHEEP ADVENTURES (Netflix & Amazon): If you have a soft spot for Wallace and Grommet, this is for you. Shaun the Sheep is wonderfully goofy and each episode is only a half hour.
RUSSIAN DOLL (Netflix): I'm not giving anything away when I say the main character keeps dying and coming back to life. The main character, Nadia, grew on me until... I can't wait to see what's going to happen next. Natasha Lyon created the series and stars.
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL (Amazon): If only to see Tony Shaloub play the father, this is a must-see. It's about a New Yorker girl in the 60s who tries to make it as a comedienne. More brilliant performances; even better clothes.UNBELIEVABLE (Netflix): A must see, this true crime about the victims of a serial rapist who (yes!) eventually gets caught through the courage of the victims and the tenacity of a pair of female police detectives. Fantastic drama.
SCOTT & BAILEY: It's the one show I watch on broadcast TV is on PBS, SCOTT & BAILEY. Smart, believable, with two brilliant main characters played by Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp. If anyone knows where this is streaming, let us know!
And an aside for fans of Harry Potter, on J. K. Rowling's Wizarding World they're streaming, free, chapters of the first Harry Potter book The Sorcerer's Stone. So far there are two: Chapter One read by Daniel Radcliffe and Chapter Two by Noma Dumezweni (she played Hermione in the London production). I can't wait to listen to the rest... still a secret who's lined up to read.
AND tune into Hank and Mary Hannah McKinnon reading first chapters of new books in the Facebook group, FIRST CHAPTER FUN. Listen to taped chapters and tune in live Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30 AM ET. Hank is reading from CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR tomorrow!
What are you watching these days when you have so much time on your hands?
On broadcast television, our only always-watch show is NCIS . . . otherwise, it’s Science or Discovery or NASA Select. We’ve also been watching some Disney+ . . .
ReplyDeleteNASA Select? Going to look it up.
DeleteHallie, I watched Unorthodox this week and also thought it was brilliantly acted, and I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole on Googling Hasidic Jews and women in that world. Triss Stein and I exchanged emails in which she gave me some information about it. She also reminded me of a mystery/crime series by Julia Dahl featuring a reporter whose mother had returned to one the Hasidic communities in Brooklyn after the mother had given birth to the daughter in a relationship with a Christian man. The reporter is sent to cover the murder of an Hasidic woman (not her mother) in the first book entitled Invisible City. Triss also recommended another fiction book about an Hasidic woman entitled The Romance Reader.
ReplyDeleteI’ve also watched Russian Doll, and I was happy to see that actress in your sisters’ play Love, Loss, and What I Wore. I’m currently on season five of Vera. I’m getting ready to watch the new season of Dead to Me, and I want to catch up on The Good Place and The Crown. I’ve almost decided to watch season 3 of Ozark. There’s an Amazon documentary on the secret letters of Wallace Simpson I’ll watch soon. I’m going back to pick up some Midwife episodes I didn’t see. I know there are some others I have picked out, but my brain isn’t bringing them up right now.
I hope I can get up in time to watch And listen to First Chapter Fun this morning. I’d love to hear the first chapter read of Careful What You Wish For. It’s nice I can still catch it later if I sleep in. Julia, I did catch some of your event today, and it was wonderful watching you write and hearing the writing tips you shared. I plan on reading the story in its entirety tomorrow, er, later today.
I love Julia Dahl's books, too. She wrote a really interesting piece on Unorthodox for her British publisher: https://www.faber.co.uk/blog/writers-in-residence-julia-dahl-on-unorthodox/
DeleteThanks for the link, Hallie. I'll be reading that after leaving here.
DeleteI have had no cable TV for 4 years and I gave up Netflix last year because I was not watching much and they hiked the monthly price.
ReplyDeleteBut I have a ROKU streaming player, so I can watch Amazon Prime Video and Crave TV (90 day free trial). I also have a one-year subscription to Curiosity Stream which shows science-based documentaries.
I have watched episodes of Bosch, Star Trek: Picard, Killing Eve and Cardinal but am still way behind since I don't binge watch.
And I can stream morning and evening national and local news from either ROKU or on my laptop.
I love my ROKU! But I think the one source that would be hardest to give up is Netflix. PICARD is one show I want to see but don't get... also THE GOOD FIGHT. Is anyone streaming CBS All Access? Is there anything ore than those two shows?
DeleteYes, I am glad I got my ROKU too, Hallie.
DeleteCBS All Access is not the same in Canada. It does not include any of the new Star Trek shows (Discovery or Picard) which is why I am trying Crave which includes Showtime and HBO programming and new movies. I can watch most CBS shows on my ROKU or laptop for free so I have no interest in signing up.
Also, I should mention the Curiosity Stream annual subscription is on sale for $12 (I paid $20 US). This is frankly the same price as 1 month of Netflix which I was not using.
I forgot to mention Star Trek Picard in my post further down. I saw the first episode for free when they put it up on YouTube for a week or so. I don't have CBS All-Access (which will be going through a rebranding soon, BTW) so I'll buy that one should they release it on DVD.
DeleteFirst: "my bar hopping" - you had me scratching my head at that one, Hallie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendations. I've heard others talk about Scott & Bailey - I want to get to that. And I'm a Good Place virgin - hoping to start that, too. Right now I have an eager new-series watcher in the house, because no Red Sox...
We watched all of Normal Love - beautiful. Highly recommend. We also just finished Midnight Sun. It's well done, set in Sweden. Darker than I usually want to spend time with (hey, it's Scandinavian crime fiction, which I typically don't read, so I shouldn't have been surprised). Now we're onto the new season of Dead to Me, which is great, although people say "Okay" way too often.
Writing them down...
DeleteI have been corrected! It's Normal LIFE, not Normal Love. Irish. Beautiful.
DeleteBroadchurch and Shetland, of course, are fabulous, too.
Scott & Bailey - seasons 1-5 available on Amazon Prime
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss that?!?!? Thanks!
Deleteactually it's a bit of a bait and switch. SOME of the episodes in those seasons are available with amazon prime subscription. But most you need to pay for separately or sign up for Britbox to see. Annoying.
DeleteThat's odd; my Prime subscription gives me all five seasons, no other streaming sub required...
DeleteWe watched all five seasons on Amazon Prime and it still looks like they are available to me.
DeleteSilent Witness is another great BBC show as well as Inspector Morse, Inspector Lewis and Endeavour.
Darn, NO Scott & Bailey on Amazon Prime in Canada at all!
DeleteHULU has Scott & Bailey seasons 1-5.
DeleteHas anyone tried either Acorn or BritBox? I love British dramas and mysteries but am not sure which one to try.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds! I was writing my answer below while you were writing this. I've had both, and currently just have Acorn. I watch more on Acorn than on Netflix.
DeleteI had Acorn for awhile but ran out of things to watch. I keep thinking I'll sign up for Britbox. (See Scott & Bailey!)
DeleteI have both Acorn and Britbox, but I find I watch more Acorn. I loved Scott and Bailey and was sad when there were no more seasons. I keep Britbox so I can watch Vera - 9 seasons so far! There are a lot of good mysteries on Acorn - No Offence, Balthazar, Deadwater Fell, Foyle's War, Midsommer Murder, Agatha Christie, Poirot, etc.
DeleteI loved Unorthodox and a few random other things, but I usually go for the British shows.
We have Prime, Netflix, Britbox, Acron, PBS Passport, Hulu plus a bunch of free stuff. Love Roku. I think we watch Britbox more than Acorn, but they are both our go to channels.
DeleteHas anyone seen the latest episode of Killing Eve? Absolutely brilliant.
And Little Fires Everywhere and the current season of Little Big Lies? Oh my. Meryl Streep. Be still my heart.
I checked Acorn and there is no Scott & Bailey listed there, either. We only get a limited set of shows on these streaming services in Canada (licensing differences) compared to the US, so it is often not worth it to subscribe. Will check out shows listed on Britbox.
DeleteWe have Acorn and Britbox, and watch both. Sometimes series are split between the two!
DeleteI have Acorn and Britbox, but it's Acorn that I use. I'm looking forward to more Agatha Raisin on there.
DeleteHallie, BritBox has Scott & Bailey. And it's only $8-9 a month. Vera is also available there.
ReplyDeleteThe lack of barhopping opportunities is serious, I must say. To some. My friend Judy is 73, and one of her best pals Joanie is 84. Those two could be found any Friday night at any of several bars. And whether Joanie was with her or not, Judy would "check in" on Facebook from all over town, as last as 2 AM. Once a month or more I go to the first place with her, then she's on her own. Who can keep up? She is buddies with all the bartenders, and has made friends with all the regulars in all the hot spots. This lockdown has seriously cramped her style.
In lieu of living life vicariously through Judy, I've been watching all 13 seasons of Murdoch Mysteries, and I'm nearly finished with Season 11. It's addictive, quirky, cheeky, and fascinating since the story begins at the fin de siecle of the 20th century. It's kind of steampunk, and includes references to dozens of famous people (one episode I watched last night included the Jolson brothers, one of whom was Al; another included President Roosevelt, whose life Murdoch has now saved twice). Jerry might enjoy this one, Hallie, since it has so many cool period references. The producers do a great job.
Steve watches a lot more Netflix than I do. His taste is different, too. For instance, he discovered Wallander years ago, in the original series. But I couldn't get him to watch Russian Doll last summer. It fascinated me, but he thought it was dumb.
By the way, subtitles don't bother us, we keep closed caption on all the time. Steve is deaf in one ear, and he was driving me nuts asking me to repeat EVERY line of dialogue, until I discovered that we could turn this feature on. Now I also enjoy it, especially when watching shows where heavy accents are used. Some shows are better than others at employing them, though.
I meant to say that I was Murdoch and lots of other shows on Acorn. It's $6 a month, and is money well spent. I had BritBox, too, for awhile, but you can dip in and out of these subscriptions. Like Starz, which I am ending in a few days. I had that only to watch this season of Outlander, which just finished.
DeleteMurdoch! I've skipped past it many times. Will have to stop and give it a try. And Wallander is good but Soooo dark. Those two are at very different ends of the same spectrum.
DeleteThere are two versions of Wallander. I started to watch with Steve and had to stop, because of how dark it was. Too depressing for me.
DeleteMurdoch is fun, although it does get gory at times. But the characters are SO appealing.
My mother loved the Murdoch Mysteries. A DVD collection of the first few seasons sits on the shelves over the TV. I've only seen a few episodes but nothing for a while.
DeleteWe have Acorn and I never miss Murdoch. Love that show!
DeleteAll you fellow Murdoch fans, they just signed for a fourteenth season!
DeleteI have to watch this!
DeleteI keep closed caption on all the time, too, because I'm so hard of hearing. It is wonderful that I can now enjoy television more because I can follow along better.
Deletehttps://writerswhokill.blogspot.com/2020/05/british-crime-tv-shows-during-pandemic.html
ReplyDeleteMy Writers Who Kill blog, up today, addresses the same topic. I'm old school (library DVD's) and don't have Netflix, Acorn, or Britbox. Yet. We also tune into the Metropolitan Opera every night at 7:30pm, a different HD production every day.
Going to check it out! Thanks, Margaret.
DeleteOh, you lucky people! My DSL internet was too slow to stream anything so then I got satellite internet. For reasons I do not understand it is still too slow to stream anything! But costs a lot more! My son gave me a roku device, but it is too frustraing, dealing with such slow internet!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, how frustrating. I've been 'teaching' my granddaughter and the Internet is a constant frustration - we do it via Facetime and the transmission is spotty.
DeleteI'm VERY fussy with TV so don't watch much. We are enjoying MRS. AMERICA about Phyllis Schlafly and the women's movement. Cate Blanchett is scary good. Also admiring DEFENDING JACOB based on the book by our New England pal Bill Landay. And this week saw the first episode of Wally Lamb's I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE. We'll probably keep going though it was very tough.
ReplyDeleteMy true pandemic love is LAST TANGO IN HALIFAX, but now we have to wait until the BBC releases the final season next fall...
Yes, I meant to mention Mrs. America. I'm two shows behind, but will catch up soon.
DeleteSounds like I should consider adding HULU
DeleteHulu is indispensable. We don't have cable, haven't in years, so this is where we catch up on network shows, plus Hulu has lots of exclusive stuff. Like Little Fires Everywhere and Big Little Lies. Fiberoptic internet is coming to our neighborhood very soon, so we will cut the comcast cord forever. Cable companies should be very afraid.
DeleteAgree about Hulu!
DeleteYes, we have Hulu. We are all streaming so use Hulu and our Tablo (which records) for anything local and network.
DeleteWe subscribe to both Acorn and Britbox. It's worth the money to us, especially now that we are't going to movies, concerts, ballgames . . .
ReplyDeleteWe loved, loved, loved Scott & Bailey. Sharp writing, sharp acting, all around great show. Similarly, No Offence (Acorn) is terrific. Also set in Manchester, with a mostly female squad of cops. It's a bit profane, which doesn't bother me, but those with delicate sensibilities may cringe every now and then. Great writing - tension, people, tension!
Thanks for your tips, Hallie, and yours, fellow backbloggers. We've seen some of those mentioned but not all. It's always great to have a fresh list vetted by trusted people.
Brenda, if you had to pick one, Acorn or Britbox??
DeleteAcorn, I think. So many good shows, some you can't find anywhere else. Keeping Faith is one. The Brokenwood Mysteries is another. (The first dark, the second cozier). Also Single-Handed, a dark but brilliant show set in the West of Ireland. There is a lot to plumb on Acorn.
DeleteBrenda, I didn't know about No Offence. Looking up now! I loved Keeping Faith, although the second season fell off a bit. Did you know that every scene was filmed in both Welsh and English? So interesting. Single-Handed is good, too.
DeleteAgreed on Keeping Faith, amazing that they filmed in both languages (and Welsh is not an easy language at all!) Let me know what you think about No Offence - I think it's brilliant.
DeleteThe Good Place is an absolute treasure! I adored every minute of it, it lost its way in the middle, I admit, but then it came back so fabulously! I still think about it all the time.
ReplyDeleteOzark! One of the best things I’ve ever seen. So brilliant, and Laura Linney is amazing. Unbelievable, yes. Loved it. Better Call Saul, after having adored Breaking Bad. Outlander! and the finale of Homeland I was one of the most perfect endings I have ever seen. If you missed The Americans, rush right out and see it. By “out “I mean into your living room.
Ozark... I haven't watched it but now I will.
DeleteWe've watched all of Ozark and then started over from the very beginning. It's one of the best of the best. Laura Linney is fabulous.
DeleteI am also a big fan of The Good Place. I didn't have many expectations for it when it started. I tuned in originally because of Kristen Bell (I'm a dedicated Marshmallow) and Ted Danson but that show just made me laugh and I was moved to genuine sadness with the finale.
DeleteI haven't watched season three of Ozark yet, but I'm planning to soon. I saw somewhere online a link to explaining the last episode of season three, so that's intriguing (I think, or could be frustrating. I guess I'll see). I do love Laura Linney in anything, and I think she is brilliant in Ozark. I also am impressed with Jason Bateman and his versatility in his acting.
DeleteAnd see you all at 11:30 AM today, Thursday! For the first chapter of CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR read out loud to you on first chapter fun! Look for the group on Facebook—you will be automatically joined when you request—and at @firstchapterfun on Instagram!
ReplyDeleteYay!
And make sure you look for the special minute long preview trailer I made!
The trailer made me laugh out loud!!! The music is so perfect. THANK YOU, HANK!
DeleteEven though I'd already read the book, I really enjoyed this . . . .
DeleteThank you for all these recommendations. I'll have to come back later and make a long list. Netflix is the only access point we have and that's where we watched Scott & Bailey, but it must be gone from there by now given all your comments. It is a super series with smart women, and the scripts pass the Bechdel test (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechdel_test). I have yet to watch Vera and, clearly, must get on that, though don't have Acorn or BritBox (yet). Anything written by Sally Wainwright -- i.e., Last Tango in Halifax and also Happy Valley -- is worth watching, though Happy Valley is hardly happy. My workday beckons now. Damn.
ReplyDeleteI loved Last Tango and Happy Valley!
DeleteAmanda, give both Britbox and Acorn a try. I think you'll be happy you did.
DeleteAmanda, several of the recommended shows are NOT listed on Acorn or Amazon Prime in Canada (e.g. Scott & Bailey), so check out the listings to see if it is worth paying a subscription!
DeleteThank you, Grace. That's good to know.
DeleteThe Good Place is one of my favorite shows! :)
ReplyDeleteI've watched a number of yours, Hallie (though still have never started The Crown). In addition, I finished up Catastrophe, Schitts Creek, and watched all of "Never Have I Ever" in one night (indian american teenage girl and her family... a comedy from Mindy Kaling, but this almost-50-year old didn't mind one bit that she's probably not the target demographic for this show. It reminded me a bit of Jane the Virgin, which I loved!
ReplyDeleteI have a lengthy list of someday binges, but Upload on Amazon Prime is definitely next up for me.
I'm watching Never Have I ever and loving it. Also Dead to Me!
DeleteOh yes - I watched the first season of Dead to Me -- hoping the second season lives up to the first!
Delete(and so happy to hear you're loving NHIE, Ann!)
If anyone is looking for something completely different, and really quirky, I recommend Eureka (on Amazon Prime). It's a series that ran on the SciFi network several years ago. It's full of nutty scientists, a few by-the-book military and bureaucrats, smart teenagers and a very down-to-earth sheriff in the middle of everything. Now I'm writing down all of the wonderful suggestions others have made.
ReplyDeleteChris, we have Eureka on DVD. I agree, it's a fun, sweet, interesting show, and I love Colin Ferguson as the sheriff.
DeleteI loved Eureka too back when the SyFy channel had some decent shows.
DeleteI'll have to check out Eureka. Thanks, Chris.
DeleteLoved Eureka! I wish I could watch some of it I hadn't already seen.
DeleteIt's funny about The Good Place--I watched the first episode years ago and couldn't get into it. But this time around, I was hooked! I was recently bummed to find out that the final season is not on Netflix . . . yet. But speaking of Netflix, I absolutely loved Unbelievable and The Politician. I can't wait for the final (sob) season of Grace and Frankie. Right now I'm watching the second season of Dead to Me and enjoying it, but after 6 episodes of the new Upload (Amazin Prime), I'm just not that interested to keep going. I've seen a few episodes of Hollywood, and while it's over the top, it's fun to watch (Jim Parsons doing a sultry dance wearing flowing garments?!). And I've finally started watching Call the Midwife, which was almost too much for me in the first episode, but which is definitely growing on me. I have 9 seasons to catch up on!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm thrilled I have Disney Plus, because the filmed version of Hamilton will be there in July! I've seen the show in San Francisco, but not with the original cast, of course.
Margie, we sort of accidentally got Disney Plus when the Maine Millennial bought a new laptop, and it came with three months free. Of course, by the time it came to ay per month, we were hooked. We loved THE MANDALORIAN - honestly, it was much better storytelling than the last Star Wars movie! - and we're super excited about Hamilton!
DeleteWe may have to get Disney plus in July, just for Hamilton.
DeleteI'm going to take notes on some of these,but here is what I love: The Crown, which I watched from the beginning (so nothing until the next season - sadly)- such compelling acting and writing and unexpectedly moving.(I think they let Duke/Duchess of Windsor off too easy though. They liked that nice Mr. Hitler). Mrs. Maisel - both hilarious and sharp. Just what I need in these times. I was a child in that era,and living a much different life, but it still has just that bit of familiarity. The Modern ( meaning '60's) Miss Fisher - so fun. I do hope it returns. (Signed up for Acorn just so I could watch it) Call the Midwife of course. My husband is a fan of Michael Connoly's books so he is hooked on Bosch. And he got me hooked too. Pretty dark for these dark times -not what I wanted - but such superior tv making. Someone mentioned The Americans if you missed it originally.Strong second from me. Not what I usually like but watched the first and could not turn away. Now I have to go find some of the ones you all listed! Thanks to Hallie and everyone.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you who love science fiction, as I do, I can highly recommend LOST IN SPACE. Youngest and I watched the second season right after it came out, managing to stretch it out to two episodes a night. It is to the original show what the rebooted BATTLESTAR GALACTICA was to its 1970s predecessor... that is, the writers took the names and a few key concepts and turned them into something much more serious and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, Robot still says "Danger, Will Robinson!"
Given how much the finale of BSG The Reboot soured me on the show as a whole, I'm not sure I would be into Lost In Space if I could watch it.
DeleteI did get to meet BSG The Reboot actress Nicky Clyne a couple times at conventions. This would be before it turned out she was part of the cult thing that actress Allison Mack got arrested for.
Julia, my husband and I both loved Lost in Space. Parker Posey brilliantly plays the character I so love to hate. I do hope that there will be a third season sometime.
DeleteI confess I've been watching Star Trek Next Generation - Engage!
DeleteI've finally found Vera on PBS. I'm not watching as much as listening. I've doing more reading with music playing on my TV. All those cable music channels I've been paying are finally becoming handy.
ReplyDeleteDeana, I finally started watching Vera, too, and love it. I'm on season five, but I had to switch from Acorn to Amazon after season two (or at least I think that's the way it went). I didn't see all the seasons on any one venue.
DeleteSince pretty much everything that I watch on regular TV has now finished their abbreviated seasons, there isn't a whole lot of NEW stuff for me to watch there.
ReplyDeleteI've watched a few movies including The Last Full Measure and Robert The Bruce on PPV. And I've been watching episodes of 2 Broke Girls and The Big Bang Theory on TBS On Demand. Oh and I started watching Bones on TNT On Demand because I caught it just as they started re-running the series from the beginning.
And for anyone who has Xfinity/Comcast as their cable provider, this week is Watchathon Week so a lot of the premium channels you normally have to pay for like HBO, Showtime, Starz, Epix and AcornTV are free through May 17th. Oh, and they have a few Hulu series available as well for anyone who doesn't have that option normally.
The one show that is airing new episodes still is on the Ovation channel and that is Frankie Drake Mysteries which airs on Saturdays at 7pm EST. It's in Season 3 and I've really enjoyed that one.
I don't have any of the streaming services so I don't get to watch any of the shows there. Though the only one I really want to see is Bosch on Amazon. I saw the first season when it was first released thanks to a co-worker but I've missed the rest since then. I have a friend who has Amazon but there are two problems with watching it at her place. The first is of course, I can't go to her house because of this damn virus crap. The other reason is that she isn't into the series. She tried to watch it and didn't like it. (Yes, I wonder why I am friends with her at times. LOL)
Plus I have plenty of DVDs to watch if I can't find something being shown on TV. Hell, I should sit down and watch the first two Charlie Chan movie box sets that I have.
We’ve been binging Britbox. Pour or, Markle, Morse and all the silly old comedies! I need comfort
ReplyDeleteSilly old comedies? Does that include the sublime genius that was Are You Being Served?
DeleteYes Jay. All of it. Also Faulty Towers and Father Ted
DeleteI made it through season 4 of Murder, She Wrote earlier than I had planned (I thought I'd start it about now instead of finishing it about now). Other than that, it's been TV watching as usual. But my shows are ending now, so I'll probably be hunting for new stuff to watch. Might even break down and go streaming, but we will see on that one.
ReplyDeleteHallie, thanks for the list! I watched the three seasons of the Crown and I was disappointed that they did NOT hire a Deaf actress to play Princess Alice of Battenberg as they did for the first seasons. The first actress who played Princess Alice (mother of Prince Philip) is Deaf in real life and the actress was also on SHETLAND and had an brief appearance on MIDSOMER MURDERS.
ReplyDeleteWhat have we been watching? QUEEN OF MYSTERY, SHAKESPEARE AND HATHAWAY, MAIGRET, MISS MARPLE, POIROT, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (CBS Access), MADAM SECRETARY (CBS Access), ZEN, DOCTOR FINLAY, GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL, PHRYNNE FISHER, among many others.
Just learned that MAD MEN will be leaving Netflix next month so now is the time to binge watch MAD MEN before it leaves!
Watching lots of shows from Acorn TV and Britbox.
Diana
I love Good Karma Hospital!
DeleteCindy, many people love Good Karma Hospital. There is an actress in that programme who was also in NEW TRICKS on PBS. So far I cannot find NEW TRICKS on any of the streaming servies.
DeleteDoctor Finlay is so good, and so is Good Karma Hospital! I hope there's another season. Miss Fisher Mysteries, such an appealing show.
DeleteDid you ever watch The Indian Doctor, Diana? I loved it.
Karen, not yet. Planning to watch The Indian Doctor. Thanks for the recommendation.
DeleteThe actor who plays Doctor Finlay was Darcy in Pride and Prejudice in the early 1980s.
We have been re-watching Vera, Shetland, Midsomer Murders, and Brokenwood. More recent discoveries include Death in Paradise, The Majorca Files, The Mrs. Bradley Mysteries, My Life is Murder.
ReplyDeleteBut secretly, (and I never thought I'd say this) I'm getting maxed out on murder mysteries. My husband asks me which I want tonight and I think, whatever happened to musicals? Rom-coms? stupid comedies? ensemble shows? But when I actually say that, it leads to a long, unproductive search through too many services and we finally end up back at a British mystery by default. If you ever hear I've done my sweet husband in, this is likely to be the reason.
Maybe you should write a book about him...?
DeleteWe've seen a lot of these and I'm taking notes of others. We really liked Line of Duty, Crownies (Australian - Director of Prosecutions office) and the follow-up Janet King. Also Alibi--complete in a couple of episodes. Adored No Offense. Also Striking Out, Blood, Manhunt and My Life Is Murder, London Kills, Loch Ness.
ReplyDeleteI binged the latest Season of Dead to Me. Just when I think that absolutely nothing else could happen it happens. Great show! Two seasons of The Sinner are on Netflix. Each season starts with a crime. You know the victim and the perp. Bill Pullman plays the slightly off detective who figures out the why and how to see justice is done. I also live Ozark. My sister And I text back and forth when we’re watching that one. Acorn has some great shows which have been mentioned by others. I really enjoy the limited series they do. Dead Fell and Trust are a couple I saw recently. I’m watching Gold Digger currently. I watch PBS mysteries and historicals. And Killing Eve. That one is absolutely nuts! My guilty pleasure is What We Do In the Shadows. A hilarious mockumentary about vampire housemates on Staten Island. I think it’s on FX. It’s based on the movie that came out of New Zealand a few years back. The show has retained the
ReplyDeletesincerety and absurdity and it makes me laugh like all get out.
Has anyone else seen Deadwater Fell, the new Scottish drama with David Tennant? It's Acorn (I think), very dark, but I watched all four episodes in two nights. Great performances, but be forewarned, Tennant is creepy as all get-out.
ReplyDeleteWe are halfway through season 1 of Fortitude. Talk about creepy!!! And weird. And gory. But it's riveting and a great cast, including Stanley Tucci and Michael Gambon in season 1.
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DeleteAagh. Can’t type. I thought Deadwater Fell was great. Another community to avoid! David Tennant can do no wrong.
DeleteWe really liked Deadwater Fell, Debs
DeleteI think the only reason I haven't watched Deadwater Fell yet is because I'm trying to catch up on Vera. I love David Tennant, so I'm excited about watching this new one he's in. For David Tennant fans, there's a movie that I love that isn't well known, and it's David in a comedic role. The movie is The Decoy Bride and also stars one of my favorite actresses, Kelly Macdonald.
DeleteSpeaking of Kelly Macdonald, has anyone watched her in The Victim? I thought it was such a great series (from 2019). John Hannah, another favorite British actor, is also in it. Here's a link about it. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8178650/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_5
David Tennant was also Doctor Who before Matt Smith. David Tennant was also in Spies of Warsaw ? He had a brief appearance in a Harry Potter film. I have seen him in so many British programmes.
DeleteLove Scott & Bailey, but I think I'm (sadly) all caught up!
ReplyDeleteHere are some others from quarantine days. I am a teacher of world religions with a background in anthropology and a fondness for science fiction, so take that as context for my recommendations!
Unorthodox was great. The book is even better for her life Before; the German parts (After) were fiction, I suppose to protect her privacy.
I recommend Shtisel (Netflix) for an excellent look at an ultra-orthodox community not focused on leaving the community, but rather on various ways of living within it and testing its limits.
A Serious Man (Netflix) Coen brothers!
On Amazon: Darwin: No Services Ahead, documentary about a very small town.
Forgotten Genocide: Europe's Gypsies in World War II.
Upload - first season, 10 episodes. I loved it, but some friends were less impressed.
Great suggestions! Many I'd never heard of. I'm a big fan of documentaries.
DeleteOh, and speaking of DAVID TENNANT (yes, please) and SCIENCE FICTION, please watch Good Omens on Amazon. I actually use a few minutes of this in my religions class (the Genesis creation story).
ReplyDeleteLoved Good Omens! And I could tune in forever to watch the angel dance.
DeleteLOVED Good Omens!
DeleteAnother great one!
DeleteHub and I are blowing through Ozark and Bosch. Next up we're catching up to Longmire! Finally!
ReplyDeleteLongmire is flat out fantastic!
DeleteAm I the only one who though Longmire went very dark...
DeleteLongmire is pretty good, though it can be violent sometimes! I saw it and when they started showing violent scenes, I fast forwarded to other scenes. LOL
DeleteLoved watching Longmire, and yes the show turned much darker than the novels. This was one of the few shows I watched on Neflix and so I ended the subscription after Longmire ended.
DeleteWe canceled Netflix a couple years ago so now only subscribe to PBS. We use the Roku Channel - they actually have a lot of movies and tv shows and it's free. Youtube has movies, old NBA, MLB games that are fun to watch and it's all free. FilmRise on youtube has ALL of the Midsomer Murders up through season 15 and that's what I've been watching lately. I've seen 'em all at least twice before, but decided to watch them again just for the comforting feel of an old friend. LOL Our library has Kanopy which lets you stream a limited number of movies free. Also the library now has pick up service when we reserve items so that is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteOur library has all kinds of streaming movies that I should figure out how to tap into... free.
DeleteAbsolutely adore Schitt’s Creek! Brilliant writing and cast! Joyful, warm-hearted, kind, and hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been able to comment for the last few days, but I think I've sorted it out now.
ReplyDeleteSo many great suggestions here! I agree with all of the Britbox and Acorn suggestions. I have both, and enjoy them. Another suggestion for those who like British mysteries is New Tricks. All 12 seasons are on Hulu--a female detective in London gets stuck with a cold case team comprised on retired former detectives. It's fairly light, but does get serious at times.
I LOVED New Tricks and have been looking for it! Thanks for the info. I especially liked the first cast (weird how so many of these british series swap out the casts after a few seasons... disorienting.)
DeleteI watched New Tricks on DVD's from the library. DVD's are nice because there are often extra content. Luckily I finished that series because the library is closed, and my DVD player died. When things open up, I'll buy a new DVR but I need someone to hook it up for me. I don't do wires well and have a sight problem. Does anyone know why Acorn doesn't have Season 3 of Vera? Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteEdith. I’m trying to find Midnight Sun and am having no luck. Where did you watch it, Acorn, amazon Prime, ?
ReplyDeleteThx.