You only have a few more TV binge watching weekends left. Before you know it your weekends will be filled with hot air balloon rides, mint juleps and yachting. That or shovelling up dog poop in the backyard.
Either way, you only have a few good weekends left to binge watch television guilt free. Once spring really hits you’re going to feel like watching 12 straight hours of television is a bit slovenly. Spring’s a real asshead that way. Winter will let you get away with things that Spring never would. Eating 17 bowls of stew then passing out for the night at 5 o’clock is one of those things that comes to mind.
Knowing we’re coming to the end of our binge watching days in the Northern Hemisphere and just starting them in the Southern Hemisphere I thought it would be a good time to not only give you Part XIII in my 3 Shows You Should be Watching series, but also make those shows that you can finish up quickly.
Because like I said, there’s not a lot of time left for you to be your cute, adorable, slobbery, slothy winter self. Each of the shows I’ve picked today have only aired their first season.
You can see Parts 1-12 in the 3 TV Shows You Should be Watching here.
3 TV Shows You Should be Watching
After Life
After Life is the latest television show from Ricky Gervais. His shows are always good. Period. This show though? This show is perfect. It’s the story of a man’s life in the time after his wife dies of cancer.
It’s not for anyone who is sensitive, is offended by swearing, never thinks Ricky Gervais is funny, doesn’t like to be challenged, doesn’t like dogs, is easily depressed or has ever started a sentence with “I have a good sense of humour, but ….”
Everyone else? It’s going to change your life.
This trailer is not safe for work. Or children. Or anyone who ticked off any of the boxes in the above paragraph.
Killing Eve
I watched Killing Eve this winter on a whim. It was one of those UCH, fine, I’ll watch this because a new episode of Shameless isn’t up yet, moments. I binge watched it over 2 days. It’s the story of a bored MI5 agent who ends up tracking a psychopathic assassin.
The show is worth watching just for the psychopath’s fantastic, slightly crumbling apartment.
Season 2 of Killing Eve starts at the end of this weekend so if you love Season 1 you won’t have long to wait for season two.
Russian Doll
I hated the first episode of this show. I thought If the whole thing is going to be like this I can’t watch it. But again … the new episode of Shameless wasn’t up so I pushed ahead. It’s the story of a woman reliving her death in new and exciting ways over and over again.
Russian Doll is like Groundhog Day with death. And a lot more drug use and sex.
This trailer is also not safe for work. At all. Unless you work at Netflix. Or maybe a prison.
Looking back on these selections they all feature a lot of death and dying. They’re not what you’d call fluff. So if you’re looking for a happy-go-lucky binge session may I direct you to something with a laugh track.
Now before any of you mention it in the comments I know that Idris Elba has a new show out. It’s called Turn Up Charlie. And I couldn’t get through the first episode. It STARS Idris Elba and I couldn’t even watch it. I have no idea if it gets any better after the first 15 minutes but it was more depressing than After Life, which as I said is about a man whose wife dies of cancer. And Turn up Charlie is (apparently) a comedy.
I have a good sense of humour but …
Have a good weekend and happy watching if that’s what you’re doing. If you’re picking up dog poop … sorry ’bout that.
I watched ‘Derek’ 5 times. I. Love. Ricky. Gervais. But. I do not understand why so many kind, intelligent people have embraced utterly foul language. I hoped our current leadership might send them in the other direction – but no. Incessant cussing doesn’t fall into the same category as meanness, but it’s jarring nonetheless.
Thank you so much for recommending After Life. We just finished watching season 1 and LOVED IT!
Glad you liked it! ~ karen!
Love “Killing Eve”! The actress playing the psychopath does it soooo well – it’s rather disturbing.
But Edris is very endearing and smiles a lot. Okay, I confess I really don’t like the obnoxious child and her parents. My husband loves it though, so it’s occasionally eye candy when I walk through the living room!
I just watched After Life in one sitting. Well sitting and then laying down for the last 4 episodes. For anyone who has lost a spouse, it’s really on point. Especially if your a semi funny/cynical person. I lost my husband 2 years ago, he was young..I am too. So much of what he portrayed, really hit home and I found myself sobbing more than a couple of times. But it was a great show, very touching and very real.
P.S. I didnt try heroine. However, I did drink a lot the first year and fed my dog a can of beans at one point. 😳😂
I might have to check those out. I really like Ricky Gervais, but good with too much violence or too sad (lots of deaths in my life, people and pets). Thanks.
I love all of these shows. And I throw in my hat for Catastrophe and Atypical. Both had me snort laughing. Thanks for your blog!
Russian Doll is possibly my favorite show ever, glad to see it recommended here. Don’t think I’ve binge-watched a show with quite that much enthusiasm, ever, and it was the first show of my entire life where I finished it and immediately thought, “I should watch that again.”
Having started After Life, it’s also quite good. Ricky Gervais has a way of polarizing me, but this show is what I consider his “good side”, meaning his “negativity disguised as realism” has a lot of depth and heart and explanation behind it, instead of pure cynicism like some of his material.
Thanks for the great recommendations!
Love Killing Eve! Have you checked out Absentia? It’s pretty good. Season 2 is just starting.
Haven’t read the first I-XII, so this may be mentioned somewhere else, but have you seen “Catastrophe”? It’s available through Amazon Prime. Amazing. Only 4 seasons, but fantastic. Like your blog. Thank you for writing!
I’ll check these out. I subscribed to Acorn TV, $5/month. Best deal in town.
Love Acorn Tv, have you tried Brit box? Really dislike American shows, and after watching more british they’re even worse! Killing Eve is phenominal !!!! Missed this first episode though Grrrrr😥
No, but I’ll check it out. I’m learning British phrases and am learning to speak “Aussie”, haha. Have friends of friends in Australia and may have to visit. Love their series.
I hate Netflix with a passion. My TV subscription is already astronomical, due to the stupid way how Canadian TV providers like to “bundle” stuff and if want CNN you also have to accept another 10 channels that you will never watch in your life and ditto with HGTV.
So I am not a Netflix subscriber. Ask me after I have won a lottery.
I think I will be binge-raking my garden instead.
I don’t have a TV, Cable or Satellite. I have an iMac large screen. If I want to watch news channels I do it online. Netflix and Crave subscriptions are very reasonably priced.
Also, there are nature shows and documentaries on both of these services. If you are a sports fan, you are likely stuck with TV channel providers.
So great to watch movies and TV series uninterrupted by commercials. My evenings, after I am finished all the chores, I get to be entertained, uninterrupted, earphones on.
Killing Eve is a fab series. Great there is a second season soon available.
After Life was very good, but I think the self-pity went on for a little too long. But, the focus shifted just in time to save the series.
I feel really out of touch that I haven’t watched any of those, but the garden is calling, and any TV time for the next couple months is reserved for the Stanley Cup playoffs! I’ll have to add these to my list and hope I can find them when the weather gets bad again.
Ah…binge watching. Something DH and I discovered this winter ever since we subscribed to Acorn and Brit box. Who would’ve known there was so many great programs out there ? What we’re really looking forward to is May 31st when Amazon will be releasing “Good Omens” a BBC 6 part dramatization of a novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Well, we hope it will be shown in Canada, it will be in the States. All 6 parts are to be shown on the same day. We’ve signed up to Amazon specifically for this one program and we will be totally unavailable to the outside world during the showing.
ooh, see if they have “Going Postal” too! One of the best transitions of book to TVmini series ever attempted.
I think this is the first time in forever that I’ve seen every series in a “You Gotta Watch This” list! Love them all. Is anyone else driven mad that Tony only buys one can of dog food at a time? Good god, man! Buy a case!
So curious to see where Killing Eve and Russian Doll go in the next season.
I’m not always a Ricky Gervais fan but After Life is amazingly good. Some of it is really hard to watch but always glad that I did. The scenes with his father, who has dementia, hit home and remind me of dealing with my mum. Love the dog. Love the sweet videos that his wife left for him. Love his scenes in the cemetery with the older woman (Penelope Wilton) who has lost her husband.
Being raised a Catholic girl, who wore a uniform for 8 years, I LOVE Derry Girls! They remind me so much of how zany my BFFS and I were at that age. So happy there are more episodes coming. Also watching a TV series on Netflix called The Dark. It’s German so we are using the original German language and English subtitles. Tried the English dubbing but I prefer subtitles. Really creepy and interesting but you rally have to pay attention. Only a few episodes in but can’t wait to see where it goes next.
I picked up the dog poop yesterday, so I’m free to binge watch this weekend. I’ve been meaning to watch Killing Eve. Thanks for the push!
Ohhhhh, I likey these suggestions. Making popcorn and binge watching STAT. Have you watched Nurse Jackie? It’s on US Netflix. So good. If you like it, there are seven seasons. For the win. x
I have! I loved Nurse Jackie and mourned a little bit when it was in its final season. Such a great show. ~ karen!
Thanks Karen, I did watch After Life and loved it! Looking forward to watching the others.
Annie
TOTALLY agree about all your recommendations (including, unfortunately, your take on Idris’ new show). I watched After Life in the midst of my father dying and even though I cried big disgusting snot tears, it was just perfect because I laughed just as hard.
I have been a silent stalker of this blog for a while but must chime in on this topic. Just to add a suggestion to meet that funny and uplifting need some may have. Derry Girls!!! I have watched the 1st season at least 4x.
I really liked Derry Girls, too, and am just waiting for Season 2.
Yes indeed. Caught up already and I wrote “Killing Eve Season 2” in my calendar months ago!
EXCELLENT ALL! Makes those d@mned subscription fees worth it…well sorta worth it 🙂
I love your taste!
I really enjoyed Russian Doll, had that song stuck in my head for dayyyyyys. Also binged Killing Eve earlier this year, loved it too. Can’t wait for S2. Sandra Oh is so great and Jodie Comer may be my new favourite actor – if you like her, watch “Thirteen.”
Killing Eve is the best show ever! Also loved Russian Doll and am now in the middle of After Life. There is so much crap on tv these days and I am so grateful for these three shows.
Karen, I marvel at your taste and I love the way you think. Netflix, hulu, prime video here I come!
I loved After Life and always enjoy Ricky Gervais, but I didn’t enjoy Humanity one bit. I don’t think he should do stand-up.
After Life would kill me. I cry at commercials. I stopped watching the news because it made me cry. I cry reading books….even horror novels. I must be one of the “sensitive” ones you were referring to. I’m also a bit of a masochist so I might just check it out because I love Ricky G lol
I laughed so hard that I cried from laughter more than I ever cried from sadness watching After Life
I can’t figure out how I can watch Killing Eve. Darn. I don’t have any of the available subscriptions. It sounds good. I binge watched Russian Doll and loved it, and binged and loved After Life. Another one I binged and loved was the first season of Break on Netflix. I did not think the second season was as good. It is set in the Ardennes (I had to google – the Forest is in Belgium mostly.) and is subtitled. I love your lists, Karen. Good shows and great books.
Check you local library for Killing Eve. Mine has the first season. BBCamerica.com will let you screen the first episode for free as well.
Did After Life in two days this week.
Started second season of OA last night. First one was so long ago, I forgot I was waiting for round two. First season was SO GOOD. First episode of second season had me confused, but after the second, I’m all in again.
I had never even heard of The OA! It looks good, I’ll try it! ~ karen
I was skeptical of the OA, but I loved it! The first season ended perfectly, leaving it open for more OA.
I also recommend “Ann with an E” — a more adult version of Anne of Green Gables — and Margaret Atwood’s “Alias Grace”.
Canadians are so much better than Americans for television, according to this border town women who grew up watching The Gentle Giant.
Karen I feel your bewilderment about Turn up Charlie. I struggled to watch the whole series, but it’s the ugly butt end of winter so -I did for lack of anything better to do. How could this sexy cool man look like such an idiot? What a terrible haircut! A washed up aging DJ with a part-time nanny gig. It was terrible to see. Stringer Bell, Gunslinger, Luther …come back!
I totally agree! I guess it does show what a great actor he is to be able to transform himself like that. But whyyyyy lol
I watched an episode and a half. That was all I could bear – the concept had such promise and – well – Idris Elba. I was horrified. I started into the second episode thinking maybe I am tired, maybe I am missing something, but no. Just no.
My friend highly recommends Russian Doll. I have a couple of other things to get through first but it is on my list, as is Killing Eve round two.
Omg, I actually ROLFed watching the clip for Russian Doll. I’m tucked up in bed but want desperately to get up and binge it now!
Killing Eve is phenomenal! Can’t wait for the new season. So.damn.good
After Life is excellent. Ricky Gervaise says it’s the best thing he’s ever done. It’s not, but it is terrific. Next up?? Informer on Amazon Prime. More riveting UK drama.
After Life had me after that Jackie Collins Line, and Ricky Gervais. That guy is a global treasure. Ive been wanting to watch it and know I have no excuse.
It’s best to pick up dog poop while they’re still frozen
And I’ll put the shout out for Russian Doll!
YESSSS!!!!!!! KILLING EVE!!!
May I suggest adding the movie Catfight to that particular marathon?
Half a day watching Sandra is never wasted time, and for Jodie Comer episode 6 of season 2 of “My mad fat diary”is a MUST!
I loved After Life, but I also think Ricky Gervais is great; then again, I am British.