Here’s everything a lot of things that I loved from 2017 so far. In one blog post. Instead of trying to get hits on my blog with a lot of different pages. I limited each category to five so I left a lot more that I love out. C’est la vie.
Category Archives: Television
Dear ESPN: find Harris Wittels’ wrestling figures
Bill Simmons hosted Aziz Ansari on his podcast on May 11 ahead of Ansari’s second season of the masterful Master of None (more on that season soon). The entire 90 minutes is worth listening to and ranges from eating pasta in Italy, hosting Saturday Night Live, Kanye and Jay-Z, Dave Chappelle, and so much more. Around the 50 minute mark, Simmons brings up Harris Wittels – a former Grantland writer, who was also friends and coworkers with Ansari on Parks and Recreation as well as during the genesis of Master of None.
Get stoked for April’s Peak TV rush
April used to not have a lot going on for it, pop culturally speaking. It’s before the summer blockbuster month and it’s right near the tail end of the traditional network television cycle.
Thankfully, cable doesn’t care about the archaic calendar and realized April is the last month to premiere a show and air enough episodes that it would be eligible for September’s Emmys. Here’s a ranking of shows I’m stoked to be back from unbelievable excited to wickedly giddy.
30 podcasts from 2016 you need to subscribe to
Podcasts are trendier than ever now. Which is a grand thing to say. There’s a lot out there – some top notch, some not so much – and trying to find the right one for you is tricky. Here are 30 I listen to that I suggest to a lot of people I meet. Most of them are the “mainstream” ones, because I haven’t done much of a deep dive. Chances are you’ve listened to most of these if you love podcasts, but if you haven’t listened to much, you should definitely check some out.
25 shows from 2016 you need to watch
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.
New shows to watch in October 2016
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 Good Place,’ ‘Designated Survivor,’ ‘Pitch,’ ‘Speechless’ reviewed
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.
‘This is Us’ proves cable dramas need explosive acting; not explosive CGI
Here is a confession that I should just get out of the way right now. I cried five minutes into NBC’s This is Us. Not a full fledged ugly cry. Just a little swelling of tears. I’m not sure what that says about me. That I’m not manly? That I appreciate cliched tropes? That this show is the new emotional pulse of broadcast television? Probably all three; but definitely the last.
Premiere reviews: FX’s ‘Atlanta’ and ‘Better Things’
Two of the best new shows on television debuted on the same network in the first week of September 2016. One was created and stars a black man. The other was created and stars a woman. The white man hierarchy of Hollywood must be wetting their beds. And they should be. FX’s Atlanta and Better Things aren’t perfect, yet. But they can be. And that’s a good thing.
New shows to watch in September 2016
Ahhh. While you’re getting exciting over crappy Pumpkin Spice Lattes and the one good Pumpkin beer coming out way too early, I’m getting excited over new television. Of course, there are some heavy hitters returning, but I came up with too many new shows to check out. I tried to get a variety of shows so that everyone can find something they like.
Below you will find shows that critics are already falling in love with, offbeat shows that might not make it (but hopefully do), as well as shows that can be called “cozy,” “fun,” or “cute.” These are the shows critics might not love, but the general public will enjoy.
ADAM VITCAVAGE 