Joy the Baker

Here’s What We’re Binge Watching

by 119 Comments

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I read somewhere that Thursday is the new Friday.  Just in case that’s true, let’s talk about our weekend plans.  

There was a brief time between 1997 and 2000 when I worried about solid Friday and Saturday night plans, out of the house, out on the town, likely in uncomfortable shoe choices with an aggressive amount of eye liner.  Those days are now few and far between, and with age comes much more expensive, far comfortable shoes.  These days I’m very protective of my Friday nights and they usually involve yoga, takeout dinner, popcorn and white wine and television binge… full decompress.  According to me, this is a glorious along with cat companionship, buying myself roses, and eating Nutella from a jar until I can’t possibly any longer.  

Adulthood.  Amen.  What a time to be alive.    

There are all sorts of ways to finagle quality binge television watching from laptop computer to full HD television.  I don’t have traditional cable, but opt instead of the Amazon Fire television box (which I love) souped-up (is that right?) with a Hulu and Netflix subscription.  Between all of the shows available and streaming of Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix, I feel like I have everything ever made on my tiny television (hieroglyphs excluded). 

 •  The X Files Season 1 (1993)  •  Let’s go back to the time before we all had the Internet in our pockets and we believed in alien abduction along with Mulder and Scully.  If you’re in your early 20’s you might not understand the drama, intrigue, and amazing mystery that occurs when aliens are real in The X Files.  I wanted to be an FBI Agent for several years in the mid 1990’s.  Obviously.  Turns out I make a much better baker.   This show was scary and odd and it’s coming back so we need to study up:  Find The X Files Season 1 here on  Amazon Prime or here on Hulu.  

•  Making A Murderer Season 1 (2015)  •  This is all (literally) everyone has been talking about for the past month.  If you’re familiar with the podcast Serial, you understand the intrigue of the real-life murder mystery.  Making a Murderer seems unjust, painful, heart-wrenching, and just…. it’s deeply messed up for everyone involved.  And here we are.  Is this just ‘highbrow vigilante justice’?  This article: Dead Certainty.  Find Marking A Murderer here on Netflix.  

•  The Missing Season 1 (2014)  •  Maybe I binge watch some pretty gnarly stuff.  I have yet to mention Amy Poehler or Zooey Deschanel.  The Missing is the tragic story of a couple whose young son goes missing while they’re on vacation.  The characters are complicated and emotional and I couldn’t stop watching.  Find The Missing here on Amazon Prime.  

•  Mr. Robot Season 1 (2015)  •   is a show about a computer programmer who knows all the codes to all the things, is dark and twisty, with moral dilemmas and take-down-the-man attitude.  Also, Mr. Robot looks like my long-lost brother according to Tracy Shutterbean… but I don’t actually have one of those so it’s just a coincidence.  Find Mr Robot here on Amazon Prime.  

•  I watched The Jinx (2015) on a very long airplane flight and was sufficiently horrified by the time I got off the plane.  It’s the life of millionaire Robert Durst and details of some of the mysterious deaths that occurred around him  Some people are weirdo, eccentric, lying, murderers.  This show was really well done, right!?  Good grief. Find The Jinx here on HBOGo.  

•  Difficult People Season 1 (2015)  •   is SO FUNNY, so pup-culture, and full of so many guilty-laughs.  It’s about two aspiring comics in their 30’s in New York City.  They’re mean.  And funny.  Find Difficult People here on Hulu.     

•  I’ll watch Olivia Pope save the world on Scandal Season 1 (2012) if only for her outwear choices alone.  Shows with strong female leads who solve problems and look amazing and occasionally get kidnapped?  I mean… they’re just like us.    Find Scandal here on Amazon Prime.  

•  Hotwives of Orlando Season 1 (2014)  •  This comedy is so ridiculous and so off-the-wall, yet deeply amusing if you’ve seen every episode of every Real Housewives of Everywhere like I have.  This isn’t a proud moment for me.  I’m just saying.  Find Hotwives of Orlando on here on Hulu.  

For your snacking consideration:

//  Roy Choi’s Furikake Kettlecorn   //  Hot Tamales  //  Peanut Butter and Nutella Sandwiches // Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies  //  Pistachios  //  Root Beer

Now tell me, please please.  What are you watching?  

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lynn @ The Actor's Diet

    My husband’s birthday/Xmas gift to me was to watch Felicity with me (I was rewatching it). So we did 83 episodes in 1 month. Actually, he was on his phone for 80 of them, because after the 3rd episode he asked, “Do she ever do anything except talk about Ben and Noel?”

    Reply

  2. Jessie @ Chasing Belle

    Scandal is my favveee! I have been wanting to see Mr. Robot and I am so far really impressed with the new X Files. My husband and I have been binge watching Narcos lately. I can only take a few episodes at a time because most of the events are ones that actually happened and there is a lot of violence. But is a great show and the country of Colombia looks beyond beautiful.

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  3. Mary B

    I have never binge-watched anything harder than I did the two seasons of Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon Prime. I adore Gael Garcia Bernal. In more shameful pursuits, I also like to binge-watch the HGTV shows on Netflix… right now I’m on season 2 of Property Brothers. I’m not proud of it, but that’s not going to stop me from watching every season they have available.

    Reply

  6. Jess

    “I’ll have what Phil is having” on Netflix. A little like Anthony Bourdain, but nerdier and more endearing. There are only six episodes, but I’m craving more.

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  8. christina

    I’m watching “Happy Endings” and “The Goldbergs” on Hulu. I also finished Season 1 of “Man Seeking Woman,” and it is bonkers. All are comedies, and highly recommended.

    I loved “Hotwives of Orlando.” The reunion was amazing, haha.

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  10. Natalie

    I just finished a two-season binge of Outlander. I hadn’t heard of it but saw it was nominated for (and, I think, won) several Golden Globes in the major categories like Best TV Series, Best Actress in a TV Series…I took a chance and paid the add-on price through Amazon Prime to get Starz and it was totally worth it. (True story, please don’t judge: I picked up my daughter from the bus stop unshowered, with a coat over my pajamas, no bra, and five minutes late because I was binge-watching all day. It’s THAT compelling.) My mom said she’d read the book series and liked it, when I told her about it. The acting is first-rate, as are the costumes and the locations. I guess I’m out of the loop because I haven’t heard anyone talking about it and I think it’s up there with Game of Thrones…well, it’s definitely worth watching as we all wait for the new season, anyway.

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  11. Matti

    LOST. I haven’t been able to (emotionally) invest in another drama / hour block show since I wept along to the final episode with my best friend just before we graduated college. I’m re-watching it now from the beginning, and it’s just as addictive and surprising the second time around. There’s a lot buried in earlier episodes that I can now recognize as significant. The storyline is admittedly a love-it-or-hate-it kind of affair, but for me the characters (and that I’m unhealthily attached to almost all of them) were the reason to watch; so much of the show comes down to the value of human connection. And the magnetism of Josh Holloway’s furrowed brow…

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  14. growntocook

    We (me and my daughter) have been loving ‘Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries’ – it’s worth watching just for the 1920’s fashion. But also nice to have a show about an unconventional forty-something heroin plus the acting is great.

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  15. butterandtoasttt

    I just watched Season 1 of the X-Files again after I finished The Fall (if you haven’t done that one, you must. It’s Gillian Anderson being totally boss and it’s on Netflix, although it becomes a little unsettling because the serial killer is seriously hot) and am flirting with Making a Murderer – for some reason I’m resistant. Haven’t done The Jinx yet either. I really enjoyed Narcos on Netflix, though again I had a strange attraction to Pablo Escobar. I’m taking the whole Bad Boy thing up a notch I guess…

    Reply

  16. Shannon

    Peaky Blinders – about a family of brothers who threaten, fistfight and occasionally dynamite their way to the top of organized crime in post-WWI England. They’re called peaky blinders because they keep razor blades in the bills of their hats and use them against their opponents (supposedly – I don’t think that ever really happened on the show).

    Frankie and Grace – with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as newly divorced seniors whose law-partner husbands have recently admitted to a decades-old homosexual affair with each other.

    Bloodline – with that hunky guy from Homefront a long long time ago. A story of family secrets set in the Florida Keys.

    The White Queen – based on a Phillipa Gregory novel, so characters are dressed in cool period dress, until they’re not.

    Fargo – Each season is different, but connected. Similar to the original film in terms of mood and crazy criminal goings-on.

    True Detective, Season One, only Season One.

    Better Call Saul – just getting good after one season. Waiting on season two.

    Silicon Valley – nerd laughs, a lot of them.

    There are more, but that seems like enough to admit to :) I watch a lot of TV. My husband says I would die of grief over the loss of my shows in a Zombie apocalypse. Seems like the better way to go :)

    Reply

  17. Bec

    Recently purchased all of the X files dvds and have been binge watching before the new season! Currently in season 4, with many a shoulder pad and brick sized mobile phone

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  18. Lauren

    About making a murderer I started to watch and what was with the cat part? From one cat lover to another I had to stop watching immediately because I thought I would hate the guy regardless and think he deserves jail. Am I being too extreme? Should I continue watching?

    Reply

  19. Deb Rountree

    Daredevil and Jessica Jones on Netflix are great. You HAVE to watch Mozart in the Jungle on Amazon. Season 1 and 2 each episode just gets better and better. I was so glad it won an award. SO GOOD!
    Just finished binge watching all seasons of The Good Wife; I do love that show. Working on Parenthood now. I miss the Bravermans!

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  21. Carla

    OMG Scandal has taken over our evenings. We are just about done every episode Netflix has to offer and I’m a little antsy wondering when I will be able to get my next “fix”.

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  22. Priya

    Catastrophe is brillant. Plus just binged on 3 seasons of Vikings on Amazon prime (season 4 next month) – kind of a game of thrones vibe. And of course I love game of thrones. Parks and recreation and Jimmy Schmidt are hilarious too. I really want to try making a murderer! So much tv!!!!

    Reply

  24. Janie

    Definitely Orphan Black. Tatiana Maslany is so amazing I often forget that I’m watching one actress play multiple characters.

    Reply

  25. Geigy Dazo Boek

    Was smitten with Friday Night Lights- yes Riggens is the man. Bawled my eyes out for the Bravermans on Parenthood. Now getting my Chicago Fire on- you’d like it, I mean, firemen in uniform….right.

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  27. Elisabeth h

    It is already ‘old’, as in season two will soon be popping up, but the Brit crime/drama/mystery ‘Happy Valley’ is utterly nerve wracking and intensely well done. Also (also British,I’m afraid) BBC crime drama ‘The Fall’, 2 seasons out, starring none other than the very VERY mesmerizing Gillian Anderson, but so far away from X-files as you can get.

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  33. Nicole @ the dirty oven

    Broadchurch is amazing, make sure it is the English version, detectives, crime and a small town.. I also enjoyed Jessica Jones, a bit long in the middle but fun. We are now watching River on Netflix another British crime type police with a twist.

    Unreal is silly but fun, basically behind the cameras of a show like the Bachelor.

    Reply

  34. Suzonne

    I forgot to mention American Crime to you! Season 1 was powerful, season 2 shaping up to be equally so. I also enjoyed Bloodline on Netflix. And if you ever need to watch Friday Night Lights again, I have every season on DVD. ????

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  35. Andrea

    Mr. Selfridge (with Jeremy Piven) is really good! It’s very much like The Paradise – a period drama. I also just watched the documentary Trophy Kids on Netflix. So disturbing – made me feel like the best parent ever with my satisfaction for middle ground for my kids. Weeds is one of my all-time favourites.

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  36. Laura

    Just finished Great British Baking Show (LOVE. I want to live in the tent they cook in! Weird?) and I also loved Chef’s Table.

    I’m doing a re-watch of Gilmore Girls and X-Files (with corresponding podcasts…)

    In the middle of The Man in the High Castle on amazon. This was an intriguing new-to-me genre: “alternate history”!

    Another vote for Veep too.

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  37. Melinda

    Wow-so many good recommendations here. I think Netflix has ruined me for normal TV because after an episode of a currently airing show at their regular weekly time, I find myself ticked that I have to wait a WHOLE WEEK to find out what happens next. as if I’ve lost all concept of how short a week actually is. Also, X-Files is next on my list since I managed to live through the 90’s without seeing a single episode. And I wasn’t a toddler at the time so I have no excuse.

    Anyway, I like smart funny, dark humor and drama, so currently I am loving:

    -Nurse Jackie-Edie Falco. No need to say more really but so darkly funny
    -Hinterland-detective drama in the Welsh countryside with some really twisted cases
    -Parks & Rec-for when I need to just laugh and laugh and laugh. Every character is hilarious
    -Shameless-so messed up and funny, really good writing
    -Sherlock-brilliant! So engrossing.

    For guilty mindlessness, Z Nation (not even close to The Walking Dead but better than most zombie shows), Switched at Birth (because inside I’m 17), and The Wonder Years, which makes me wish I had lived through the 60’s. Happy binge watching!

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  38. Deanna

    I love that you included goodies from the Animal Rescue Site at the end of your post. Helping homeless animals is always something that’s on my mind…

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  39. Genna

    Jessica Jones! It’s intense and dark but feminist and awesome with a badass babe lead. And then, if you like David Tennant as the villain, check him out in the british version of Broadchurch, which is a crime/detective drama about a small town in coastal England. Both awesome, both intense and a bit cheeky/sarcastic.

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  40. Maggie

    Walking dead, greys academy. Orphan black was really good too, house of cards, bloodline… Maybe I watch too much??? At least I knit while watching! Enjoy

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  41. Madame Lau

    omg, i’m re-watching x-files too!! i’m prepping myself for the brand new season coming this weekend! so exciting. even more exciting … are those PBJs i see in your photo?? mmmmmmm!

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  43. janet @ the taste space

    Great post with fabulous comments. Not mentioned yet is Call the Midwife and The Bletchley Circle.

    Otherwise, heartily recommend Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Broadchurch, The Fall, Chef’s Table and The Mind of a Chef. And Lilyhammer. Not sure if others mentioned the last two.

    Happy watching!

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  44. Holly

    Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. SO GOOD, and also features strong female characters. Plus, it’s set in the 1920s, so the outfits are splendid.

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  45. Marilyn Flottman

    I recently finished Making a Murderer and found myself on an emotional roller coaster. And I also watched The Missing which I was compelled to finish but I had a hard time with the ending, plus at some point during the series I became angry and decided I didn’t like any of the characters! Again on the roller coaster. I have watched Hinterland (AcornTV and Netflix) twice. And Scott & Bailey (HULU). I tend to gravitate to the British shows. I walk on a treadmill every day, and watching these shows is how I tolerate it!!

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  46. Valerie

    I just finished watching The Affair (Seasons 1 & 2) and Harper’s Island. Both shows I couldn’t get through the first couple of episodes when they originally came out but this time I blew through them. Maybe a different frame of mind. Now, skipping every other Sunday of Shameless so I can have a mini binge every other week…I can’t get enough of it. Just when you think they’ve come up with the craziest storyline, something tops it.

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  47. ewg

    Two good British comedies – Fresh Meat and Scrotal Recall. Was pleasantly surprised by both being much better than I expected them to be (I was prejudging them based on their titles!).

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  49. Jen @ Fresh From The...

    I couldn’t stop watching Jessica Jones once I started – so good! And Master of None, even though ostensibly it’s about a guy, felt like it was about everyone around my/our age. Both are solid watches, for sure.

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  50. alyssa breed

    I feel like there will never be a new show for me!!! Breaking Bad is my all-time favorite (for reference), and I’ve binged The Jinx and Making a Murderer bc, duh. and holy shit what is this world we live in. That actually resulted in me getting sucked into Paradise Lost about the West Memphis 3…which was basically a prequel to making a murderer, so many of the same themes and trial outcomes (more despicable-ness). I clearly love true crime and documentaries, but I’m all for other genres too (love parks and rec / and recently liked the following).
    But I’ve gotta admit…I’ve watched what seems like all the other ‘popular’ shows and nothing is sticking!! I.e. friday night lights, sherlock, master of none, the affair, suits, ALL to no avail, like HATED them?!?! what’s wrong with me!!?? Going to bookmark this post so I can scrounge the comments…hopefully find something new :P In the meantime, going to checkout Orphan Black and Fargo…hopefully one (or both!) will prevail as watchable…

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  51. Michele

    Flesh And Bone!!

    And… The Leftovers (Justin Theroux sliding out of a bathtub… now those are some lovely abs)

    And… The Affair…. and Master of None for fun.

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  52. kara

    To throw a little British tv in there, River (Netflix) and Sherlock (? Prime or Netflix, can’t remember). Sherlock is amazing! I really like River too but Stellan is no Benedict. Thanks for the recommendations!

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  53. Breanna

    Loving this post and all of the comments! I too am rather protective of my cat-snuggling, comfy-pants-wearing, snack-food-eating, TV-binging nights. Also, YAS Olivia Pope’s outwear is so on point.

    I’m currently binging on Seinfeld and loving it. I just finished a major binge of The Office; Jim and Pam are all of my relationship goals. I would totally recommend The Good Wife and Suits. And, of course, I have a lot of series I am always willing to re-watch: Friends, Gilmore Girls, Frasier, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, amongst others. You can’t really binge these ones because they’re “airing” now, but I’m really enjoying The Shannara Chronicles and Netflix’s Shadowhunters.

    As I am listing these, I am realizing I may watch too much TV…

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  54. Lauren

    Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is my fav show in a very long while! I don’t have traditional cable either, but I watch it on Hulu. Its both super dark and super light, if that makes sense. I’m obsessed. Also loved Master of None on Netflix!

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  57. saltandserenity

    Joy, you are wise beyond your years. It wasn’t until my late 40’s that the wisdom of comfy expensive shoes kicked in for me!
    I am currently binging on Friday Night Lights (my sister and daughter both told me I must watch it – they were right). High school football is a religion in Texas. It is fascinating to watch. I am on Season 4 and already starting to feel sad that I only have one more season left.
    I am also watching House of Cards because Kevin Spacey is amazing!

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  58. Hannah

    Important question: have you see The Fall? Gillian Anderson plays a woman-boss detective lady hot on the trail of a serial killer/rapist in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Jamie Dornan plays the bad guy (surprise! he can act!) and it was dark and twisty enough to keep me equally terrified and rapt. But seriously, Gillian Anderson is great. Also check out Broadchurch if you haven’t yet! Both shows are on Netflix.

    xx Hannah // http://www.HomemadeBanana.com

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  59. Kaley

    I loved The Jinx! Right now we’re watching The Shield, The Good Wife, and New Girl! I also like Brooklyn 99, but I don’t find myself laughing out loud nearly so much as with New Girl. We just finished Making a Murderer, and while I agree the way the prosecution/police acted was heinous, I do think he was probably guilty based on the evidence left out of the series. However, I find what they did to his nephew Brendan to be deplorable. A very sad case indeed.

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  62. Laura

    Narcos is my current TV show at the moment, but since I binge watched it I’m almost done :( I won’t say how long (or how short) it took me to watch…ahem 5 days ahem..

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  63. Danielle

    Joy! Have you watched The Great British BakeOff? There’s one season on Amazon Prime and it is so fabulous!!! You must watch it :)

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  64. Ka Ri

    Downtown Abbey (PBS)
    Master of None (Netflix)
    The Affair (Showtime)
    Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
    Making a Murderer (Netflix)
    UnReal (Lifetime) – if you appreciate a show winking at the trope of the Bachelor show it is great
    Orphan Black (BBC America) – Science Fiction, Drama, Thriller, — Fantastic show

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  65. Jessie

    My husband and I are introvert homebodies, so TV binge culture is our jam. My current favorites (especially if you’re into the darker stuff): Jessica Jones (SO GOOD! Brilliant strong female lead, and most interesting villain I’ve ever seen too). Orphan Black (Tatiana Maslany is unbelievably talented. I keep thinking I’m watching different actresses and not one person playing like 12 different characters). I watched the first 2 episodes of Mr. Robot (free on the USA today app-I’m cheap) but I need to go back to it. My brother works in I.T. and is obssessed with it. I also have a thing for feel-good British period dramas – Mr. Selfridge (Victorian department store drama, with Jeremy Piven!) is a lot of fun. And I loved The Hour (follows a BBC news show during the 50s – only 2 seasons)

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  66. Carrie

    The Mindy Project, Sherlock, old episodes of Greys Anatomy and The Office, Modern Family and Jimmy Fallon. I can only do Scandal in small doses BC for some reason watching people get tortured is disturbing to me ;)

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  67. Melissa

    Thumbs up for being “old.” Isn’t it awesome?! I’m diggin it. Also, you have reached a new level of cool for mentioning The X-Files first. It’s next in line for me…

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  68. Eliza

    Forensic Files on Netflix…followed by awkward exchanges with boyfriend (“don’t you EVER take out a life insurance policy on me!”…”you know, we COULD commit the perfect crime…we know ALL THE PITFALLS…”)

    Others have mentioned Master of None, Great British Baking Show, Parks and Rec – here is my repeated endorsement.

    Lastly, Band of Brothers is on Amazon Prime, and I find it’s always worth a revisit, particularly on stormy, cold, dark winter weekends…

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  70. Anna

    Transparent! Just binged the last tree episodes of season 2 last night. Am now hooked on Last Tango in Halifax with the brilliant Sarah Lancashire. Previous obsessions have included The Big C, Luther (Idris Elba omg!), The Bridge (original version of course), Masters Of Sex and Downton (waiting for the last season on Prime). Alway with a massive cup of Rooibus and knitting, Henry the dog right next to me. X

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  72. Tiffany

    I just finished Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and I’m mourning the fact that it’s over (but seriously though…). Ummm I also enjoy binge-watching Alaska the Last Frontier on Discovery Channel (my dad’s really into that show so we watch it together whenever I’m home visiting) and Barnwood Builders on the DIY Network which brings me SO MUCH JOY OH MY GOSH. It’s about a crew of dudes with Southern accents who salvage old logs and build traditional log cabins. It involves, like, tractors and pre-Industrial Revolution engineering techniques and it’s just utterly magnificent.

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  73. Stephanie

    I’ve been binge watching Last Man Standing and The Good Wife on Netflix; I didn’t have any interest in the Good Wife when it first came out on TV, but watched an episode on a plane and realized that I really like a lot of the characters. Most episodes have interesting trial plot lines going on too, since it’s partly about a law firm.

    Also, maybe I didn’t read through enough comments, but I’m really interested on “souped-up”! I don’t think I’ve ever seen this expression written out – is there discussion happening on this? :) My first thought is that maybe it’s from “made more super”, so ‘sup’ed-up’? but since it’s a food blog, isn’t ‘souped up’ so much more appropriate?! Anyways, a fun moment of internal dialogue.. Either way I want to go home and binge TV with nutella and popcorn now! TGIT

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  74. Lisa

    I finally started Parks and Rec over winter break and I’m a little ashamed to have gotten through four seasons that quickly. Sometimes I imagine what I could do if I used all the time that currently goes toward popcorn and Netflix,, and then I cringe at my laziness. And start another episode.

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  77. Megan

    Master of None, Trailer Park Boys, re-watching the last season of Parks and Recreation, Maron. We used to binge watch King of the Hill episodes, which are amazingly hilarious, until they removed it from Netflix :(

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  79. DJessup

    Everyone has such fabulous suggestions and options…I feel as if I should do more whiskey sipping, braless lounging, salty snacking, and “bad” TV watching on the weekends. Thanks, Joy! My contributions would have to be as follows:

    Veep (my #1 recommendation for laugh out loud comebacks & witticisms)
    The Walking Dead (zombies! & people arguing)
    Game of Thrones (relationship drama! & people arguing)
    Penny Dreadful (villainous fairytales come to life! & people arguing)
    Black Sails (hot pirates! & lots of arguing)
    Outlander (hot Scots! & tons of arguing)
    Younger (relationship drama & lies we all tell ourselves)
    The Magicians (new this season)
    The Shannara Chronicles (new this season – might be too new to tell)

    Yes, almost all of my options are a bit on the dark fantasy side – except Veep & Younger, but there is so much more going on in each of these besides the imaginary reality of fabled characters. Each show provides the viewer with truthful (and sometimes harsh) observations of humanity. Oh, and each show demonstrates strong female leads and characters, something that is happily becoming more of a trend on TV.

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  80. Wendy Werner

    Netflix has a six episode program called Chef’s Table. Yes it is in your work wheelhouse, but it is about six chefs and their restaurants across the world. It is really a study of any artist, the inspirations, obsession and tribulations. Filming and music are exquisite. So lovely.

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  83. Candice

    Along with your list I would recommend Bosch on Amazon. It’s a fantastic adaptation of Michael Connelly’s books. Also, to add some levity: Mozart in the Jungle from Amazon, a very funny show featuring the New York Symphony. This show makes it okay for me to love classical music and Clem Snide equally. I’ve also been watching Younger from TV Land, Hulu and Amazon. Being older and watching the main character pass herself off as 26 to land a job & a boyfriend makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. Different reasons.

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  84. Kandy Donnelly

    Last Tango in Halifax
    British and so opposite of prim and proper Downton Abbey. Great characters and actors. Looking forward to next season!

    Enjoy your posts Joy!

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    • Melinda

      Yes! I second this-the plot just keeps thickening and it’s humor is subtle but abundant. And I can’t stop asking myself why they’ve decided “the” isn’t a necessary word.

      Reply

  85. shendrixson

    I’ve started watching Madam Secretary and am currently loving it. And of course, I’m watching Gilmore Girls for maybe the fifth time through, but we’ve got prepare for the new season right? Besides, the writing is so smart, witty, and chock full of pop culture references that I consistently find myself laughing out loud with my dog on a Friday night.

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  87. Dawn Camp

    We have the same television options as you. I heard so much about the Blindspot that we paid $1.99 each for the first five episodes on Amazon, and then watched the next five on Hulu. I can’t wait until it starts back up again at the end of February. I need to check out Making a Murderer. I loved Serial season one and now I’m binge listening to the follow up, Undisclosed.

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  88. carrie loves (@carrieloves)

    I can’t wait until Sunday for the new X-Files to start back up.

    Making a Murderer is soooo messed up! I was ticked off with the law enforcement the whole time.

    Mr. Robot was GREAT! My husband guessed the plot in the 1st episode, but it was so good I watched it to the end.

    Right now I’m watching Point & Shoot on Netflix. Bloodline, Sense8, and Jessica Jones are really good, too.

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  89. Callie

    Can’t wait to watch the shows listed by you all! I just finished Falling Skies on Amazon. Fighting an Alien invasion apocalypse style. Lots of sappy, but great action and interesting story.

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  90. Paula

    I love this post – it is so honest and funny, and I can 100 percent relate!
    The Affair – Showtime
    The Master of None – Netflix

    Reply

  91. littlebearries

    iZombie… I don’t know what I was expecting from it, but it’s adorable (as adorable as zombies can be), The Sopranos (because I’ve never seen it before), Avatar the Last Airbender (it’s just SO good), Clone Wars (also… SO good, and it will make you forget all about the crappy Star Wars prequels… or, maybe just wish really hard that they’d been made by the maker of Clone Wars instead), Star Trek (all of them – because I’ve never seen these before either and I hate having a huge gap in my pop culture knowledge, LOL)

    Reply

  92. bob f.

    ANGIE TRIBECA!!! it’s hilarious :)
    like an updated ‘naked gun’, in tv show format!

    also the unbreakeable kimmy shmidt and f is for family
    i like to laugh

    Reply

  93. Jill Hutmacher

    Loving Mozart in the Jungle and Transparent on Amazon Prime. Also Aziz Ansari’s show on Netflix, Master of None. Love my TV nights!

    Reply

    • Kate

      Yes! A job change that hit right about the same time I hit the end of S2 broke my binge, (plus S2 was just weird w/the writers’ strike and all), but I need to get back into it. I also just listened to WNYC’s great podcast The Season which put me back in the mood. And I don’t even like football!

      Making a Murderer is normally something I’d be all over (loved The Jinx), but I couldn’t even make it through the first episode. Everyone is so awful :(

      Lately I’ve been getting back into Survivor, of all things, after watching the most recent season because an acquaintance was on. Hadn’t watched in years but got totally sucked back in and have been binging some of the better seasons I missed. Still hoping a genuinely deserving person will win…

      Reply

  97. Pat

    I am so enjoying Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries on Netflix. Love the music, the clothes are gorgeous and the plot lines are very interesting. I am hoping there is a Season 4 in the works!

    Reply

  98. itadakimat

    Right now I’m rewatching Buffy the vampire slayer for the (probably) fifteenth time. But I finished Making a murderer recently too, and I’m so confused as to what to believe really. I hope it’s possible to find out what really happened there. Oh and the Jinx is just…crazy.

    Reply

  99. mary

    I know i am late to the scene ..I just finished all 5 seasons of downton abbey on prime!!!! will start boardwalk empire and the sopranos soon.

    Reply

  100. Maris

    I love it when peoe ask what I’m watching…just finished Person of Interest, great characters, great scifi, about a machine that watches us all and gives warning to two man team…ack, cant explain, very good. And The Following, fantastic, Um, Mevin Bacon, cutest smile on a 57 yr old man. I’m 62, so heart’s a flutter. Got to watch his 30th anniv. of Footloose on jimmy fallon – he redoes the dance in the warehouse from the movie. Amaaaazing!

    Reply

    • Cassie Sue

      The Following is SO GOOD, and very intense. It reminded me of Breaking Bad in the fact that you are never quite sure what will happen next. I’m with you Maris, I keep telling my husband that Kevin Bacon (I read Melvin the first time too) just has a swagger to him that is attractive (I’m significantly younger than him) but the hubby just doesn’t get it.

      Vikings on Amazon is FANTASTIC! Lots of fighting, cute boys, and great story. Not as many twists as the Following, but a good dramatic show.

      Supernatural, if you haven’t watched it, go do it now. It’s on Netflix and Amazon. There are like 10 seasons, and it just gets better and better. About two brothers that are “hunters” of the supernatural after their mother was killed by a demon. Plus the leads are just good eye candy, AND seem like decent human beings in real life based on how much they love their fan base (which doesn’t hurt, right?!?). Not too serious, not too comedic, but an excellent combo of both.

      Also good on the opposite end of the scale is The Great British Bake Off. It has to be the cutest reality TV competition I’ve ever watched, and I loved every minute of it (Netflix)

      And New Girl, and Parks and Rec… those are a given. They make me so happy.

      Reply

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