At the beginning of September, I planned an ambitious Network TV schedule. Since then, we’ve been introduced to Disney+, Apple+ and a bunch of new HBO shows, all of which have re-claimed the once a week episode schedule. Only Netflix has really kept the binge-style tv drop. This has caused my TV schedule to change drastically from what I originally planned on. As a reminder, this is what I thought I was going to watch this fall:
Sunday: Keeping Up with the Kardashians (E!), Shark Tank (ABC)
Monday: 9-1-1 (Fox)
Tuesday: This Is Us (NBC), black-ish (ABC)
Wednesday: Almost Family (Fox), Riverdale (CW)
Thursday: Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), A Million Little Things (ABC), The Good Place (NBC)
Friday: n/a
Saturday: Saturday Night Live (NBC)
This is what actually happened…
Sunday: Keeping Up with the Kardashians (E!), Shark Tank (ABC), Watchmen (HBO), Mrs. Fletcher (HBO), Silicon Valley (HBO)
Monday: His Dark Materials (HBO)
Tuesday: This Is Us (NBC)
Wednesday: n/a
Thursday: Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), A Million Little Things (ABC), The Good Place (NBC)
Friday: The Morning Show (Apple TV+), The Mandalorian (Disney+)
Saturday: Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Clearly, a lot of my original network TV shows were replaced by other prestigious streaming shows. Shows I dropped off on or never really started in the first place include Almost Family, Riverdale, black-ish and 9-1-1. I don’t think I’m going to catch up on Almost Family or 9-1-1, but I do still plan on binging Riverdale when it goes back on Netflix and black-ish at the end of the season.
Below is an update on why I’m going to keep watching some of these, and what my plan will be moving forward.
I still absolutely love my ABC dramas; Grey’s Anatomy and A Million Little Things specifically are a joy to watch. They are the ideal guilty pleasures with their melodramatic plots and attractive cast that really keep you coming back for more. I think A Million Little Things‘ second season was unable to live up to its first season, but the mid-season finale that aired last Thursday (11/21/19), was by far the highlight and I 100% plan on watching when it picks back up after the holidays. And as we know, I’m never going to stop watching Grey‘s no matter what – plus, we have a new love interest for Meredith (finally! Sorry Deluca, but you were no Derek). Shark Tank is still on my list because I think it’s the most unique show I have listed and I will always enjoy the different products and inspiring inventors. And readers all know how much I love KUWTK, that isn’t stopping anytime soon. SNL has been solid this season with the two highlights for me being Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s monologue and Harry Styles in the Sara Lee skit.
Speaking of falling off… This Is Us had it’s worst season yet, in my opinion. Kate has truly been insufferable this season with her disdain for Toby’s newfound health-consciousness and her constant complaining. Randall and Kevin’s storylines both have just been alright. I don’t think we’ve gotten enough explanation on Miguel and Rebecca and I’m thoroughly not enjoying the path they’re going down with Rebecca. Instead of delving into her life with Miguel, they’re about to give her Alzheimer’s – some topics hit too close to home and this is one of them. The only shining star from this season has come in the form of Deja and her new boyfriend, Malik. It’s a small bright spot in a show that was built on taking us through sad realities of life with a positive outlook, but has gotten a little too dark for me recently. I’m not sure if I’m going to continue with it.
Many of my consistent watches are from HBO. I’ve really enjoyed the new shows that have premiered this fall. Mrs. Fletcher gives a raunchy, sometimes uncomfortable, but mostly enjoyable depiction of a woman trying to figure herself out and grow up after her only son goes to college. She is played by Kathryn Hahn, who is in my opinion, one of our most underrated actresses and an insightful, hilarious, thoroughly entertaining comedian. My only question on the show is I can’t figure out what they’re trying to say; the other story-line revolves around her son at college – he was a douche bag cookie-cutter bully and popular kid in high school who took advantage of his position to fuck as many girls as possible. In college, he’s struggling to make friends and his normal tactics aren’t working. Even the jocks in college are smart and thoughtful – he’s notably out of place. I think we’re supposed to feel bad for him? I’m really not sure but I’m definitely intrigued by the show and love watching Kathryn Hahn work her magic.
Silicon Valley is in its final season and has been solid so far. There aren’t enough smart comedies out right now so I’ll continue to watch. HBO also premiered two genre shows: Watchmen and His Dark Materials. His Dark Materials is based on the best-selling novels of the same name and was supposed to be HBO’s follow up to Game of Thrones. I’ve watched the first 5 episodes, but I’m not sure I’m going to continue. I’m not a huge fan of the main cast, I think the performances are slightly forced plus the plot is moving extremely slowly. The show that I’m by far the most excited about and obsessed with this season is Watchmen. While for the most part, I have no idea what’s going on because I didn’t read the comics, I’m completely addicted to this show. The acting is truly superb and Lindelof’s direction is inspired. He’s so clearly thought of everything and he continues to both ask and answer a large amount of questions at the same time. I’m having so much fun diving deep into this universe because his world building is so specific. I couldn’t recommend this show any more.
Finally, the last two additions I’ve added are The Morning Show and The Mandalorian. I’ve documented my love for The Morning Show on this website already, but I still want to emphasize how great it is. Six episodes later, the show has only gotten better, more specific in what it wants to say, and continuously entertaining with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon battling on-screen.
The jewel of this list is obviously The Mandalorian. To say Disney+ has made a splash since dropping two weeks ago could not be more of an understatement. If you’ve been online at all, there is no way you haven’t seen Baby Yoda take the world by storm.
It is the cutest little thing in the world – all I want to do is love and cuddle Baby Yoda. Its little ears!!! I love everything about him. There has been some criticism that I agree with; mainly, I agree it’s going a bit slow – I’m not sure where the story is heading and I also agree that it’s weird that we’re really not ever going to see Pedro Pascal’s beautiful face but I still absolutely love the show. I feel like we’re lucky to get such an incredible expansion of the Star Wars universe directed specifically for huge fans of the series. It’s part-fantasy part-Western part-thriller, with a whole lot of dope action and an adorable Baby Yoda. There are a lot of lingering questions about Baby Yoda and I only hope they answer at least some of those that they’ve introduced.
That’s all for the fall season. Lots coming up in the winter including the return of many of these shows plus the return of Grown-ish and one of my favorite shows The Bold Type. We’ll see how much the landscape changes as more Disney+ shows are introduced, plus how the other shows progress. I’m looking forward to seeing my obsessions once the Winter TV season starts.
