Whether it’s streaming, binging, or whatever, television shows are the best form of art right now. While everything at the megaplex is basically a superhero story, a young adult book adaption, or a remake, things on television are completely fresh. Here are 25 shows from this year you need to catch up on now. Spoiler alert: no Game of Thrones because I’m the only person in the world who hasn’t seen it. I do it to just infuriate my friends.
Donald Glover’s artistry blossomed in recent years. It might have been an existential crisis in a hotel around the release of Childish Gambino’s Because the Internet in 2013. It might have been that he was finally allowed to write and act his own thoughts instead of helping Tina Fey on 30 Rock or playing Dan Harmon’s affable jock Troy Barnes on Community. Whatever it is: Glover is one of the most important artists right now, and his Childish Gambino alter ego is finally ready to step up to that level.
Reading is probably the least sexy part of pop culture. If there is a ranking it would go: keeping up on Peak TV, catching the latest Oscar bait, and hearing the newest band before the rest of the world does. Yet literature is the longest, strongest pillar of culture, pop or not.
Here are 25 works of fiction – in alphabetical order – that made me laugh, cry, shiver, and think.
Ah, basketball is back. It reminds me of the days when my shorts when down to my calves, my Nikes always matched my shirt, and when my favorite musician was Ludacris. Junior high was a fun time. I guess it’s also time for my inaugural blog where I predict the upcoming season so I can laugh at my stupidity, I mean confidence, in a few months.
Fairy Bones is an energetic rock outfit from Phoenix. Their no gimmick, kickass approach caught the eye of Highly Suspect, who brought them on a west coast tour this past autumn. Fronted by Chelsey Louise, the band released Dramabot in 2015, which garnered a lot of respect from the media and fans in Arizona.
Liam McCormack is a talented songwriter who performs under the moniker yellowbirddd. His earnest lyrics and intricate compositions allow listeners into a deeply personal diary of emotions and reactions. He’s released four full-length albums and a handful of EPs in addition to playing bass in nationally touring bands like the pop-punk outfit Allison Weiss.
Tony Ruland was the guitarist in the Washington-based band for a decade of his life. The band suddenly broke up, but he wasn’t too worried. He had music built up and ready to explode into the world. He linked up with fellow northwestern musicians to create Soft Sleep.
September brought a lot of new shows to watch. Atlanta is the best series on television right now. This is Us might be the next great family drama that reduces us to tears every week. Luke Cage, premiering at the tail-end of the month with a review on this blog coming soon, was a nice way to cap off a terrific month of television.
What about October? Well, here are another 12 new shows premiering this month that might tickle your fancy. Some are highbrow, some are lowbrow. Some might even get canceled fairly quickly. But you should still check them out.
The Lovely Days are an upbeat band from Australia led by brothers Tennyson and Holden Nobel. Their beach vibe has undertones of ’60s pop rock like the Beatles, which makes this one of the happiest sounding bands out there.
Network television refuses to be left behind in the Peak TV world. These shows might not be complete Emmy bait, but they are four solid options to watch week after week with your loved ones. I’m glad we live in a world where we can choose between an absurd afterlife comedy or a Jack Ryan-worthy thriller plus we can watch a female play against the big boys of baseball and celebrate children with cerebral palsy. Check out my thoughts below.
ADAM VITCAVAGE 