I’ve pretty much given up streaming and have never owned a TV, but I like to “watch” one thing a week while I clean my apartment. (I tend to listen more than watch because, well, I’m cleaning my apartment.)
I’m currently obsessed with Banksy. The best documentary I’ve “watched” is Banksy Most Wanted. Highly recommended look at the outsider “artist”—in quotes because no one knows who he is or if he’s one person. What we do know is that he’s the most popular artist of the past century.
This one he did at the London Zoo is for the beautiful
I watch one show at night with my husband. We just finished Outlander, which really pushes boundaries but the story, acting, and setting/scenery and costume design are so good I look past those things. I also just binge watched (while recovering from radiation treatment) "The Perfect Couple," on Netflix starring Nicole Kidman. I had recently read the book by Elin Hilderbrand and the short series was very good.
English Teacher on Hulu. We try to always have a half hour sitcom going to watch after a long day and this one is hilarious and very modern and funny but not too silly. It’s a tricky balance since my boyfriend and I have differing tastes but we both liked it enough to watch the first 2 episodes in a row. It’s also great in our current political climate to have a show about a gay teacher that acknowledges his gayness and makes it a plot point but not the only plot point.
All of my current watching is binge watching so rather than recommend the show I’m watching now — a classic series with 156 episodes (which would take, at your current rate of one show per week, three years to complete) I will stay tuned for the suggestions of others.
I just finished The Wire. The last two seasons are lessons in masterful storytelling. (But going in know you won’t understand the first four episodes because they’re so full of slang. Push through!)
I'll look for that Banksy documentary. His self-destructing painting left me speechless. I saw it happen live and couldn't believe it. As for a TV show recommendation: Mad Men. It's phenomenal. I rewatch one or two episodes every week.
The Killing, a detective show set in Seattle. The acting is excellent and the writing is solid. The two leads and their unfolding relationship make it a pleasure to watch.
I've really enjoyed the second series of Australian comedy series Colin From Accounts. Eight episodes, but all, except one extended one, just 30 minutes. In the UK it's available on BBCiplayer; not sure about elsewhere.
I was just discussing “anarchist and mum” with my daughter.
I think he is the embodiment of our repressed (suppressed) humanity. His images remind us that the system we inhabit and embody is deeply corrupt and cruel, and that another world, less bullying and violent, could exist, and moreover we know it, deep down.
If you’re looking for a holiday movie (we found it on Kanopy), I recommend The Man Who Invented Christmas. It’s a fictionalization story of how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. I love the writer’s block scenes.
I’m not watching anything right now. However, the Banksy documentary sounds like something I’d enjoy. I found the Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu compelling. Read the novel when it published back in the 80s, but I can only watch a few episodes of the series at a time. The series immerses me in that world in a way the novel didn’t. I appreciate both experiences, but the series causes a sensory overload l can consume only in small bites.
I watch one show too. Right now, The Perfect Couple on Netflix. The first episode made me think of what George Saunders recently wrote about “making the water boil” in a story.
I started watching season 3 of "Bridgerton" series last week (During weekends, which are Thursdays and Fridays, i watch movies and series based on my interests. During the week, i watch a Korean series with my dad). Before that, i was watching "The Wheel of Time". I can recommend a lot more, but i have to stop myself from oversharing.
I started watching that with my Greek mythology fan 14 year old. Didn't take too long to conclude that it wasn't for them, even with my liberal approach to this sort of thing, so finished it on my own. Thoroughly enjoyed it once I didn't have to cringe at it!
I thought it was great! Anything with Jeff Goldblum in gets my interest. But it definitely wasn't suitable for a 14 year old. Even when they didn't really understand what was happening on the screen, I did, and I was squirming 🤣
Loving all these recommends and I will def. check out Banksy, thank you so much! Along similar lines of artist docs, I just watched the Frida Kahlo doc called "Frida" on Amazon Prime. It was masterfully done and especially intimate as the whole thing is told in Frida's own words from her diaries and letters. I found it mesmerizing.
Not right now, but the best series ever was West Wing. Seen it a number of times. Best writing ever (Aaron Sorkin). Not sure you could watch it while cleaning, however – too much compelling dialogue.
'Outlaws' set in Bristol, featuring an actual Banksy being painted over for the credits, written by Stephen Merchant. 3 seasons, all excellent. The script gets tighter and tighter as it goes.
Bo Burnham's Make Happy. He's weird and silly and yet has there's this underlying thread that ties all these deeper themes together. I genuinely believe he's one of the most lucid thinkers of our time and every time I watch the show I find all these new layers, like an endless onion.
There's a wild documentary series on Max called "Chimp Crazy." From the official description:
Former nurse-turned-exotic-animal-broker Tonia Haddix, who refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps,” spends her days caring for animals in captivity. However, her limitless love for one chimpanzee spins into a wild cat-and-mouse game with authorities and an animal rights group.
“Slow Horses” on Apple Plus. Season Four started on Wednesday and I didn’t find out until Thursday and I was kicking myself because I love the show so much. Gary Oldman, Kristen Scott-Thomas, and the theme song is written and sung by Mick Jagger. It’s like the main character. No, it is the main character. Okay, let’s not argue. It’s Mick.
“Anatomy of a Fall,” by Justine Triet, is a riveting legal thriller. It won the Palme d’Or last year, and Sandra Hüller’s acting is raw, intense, emotionally spot-on. I haven’t had a tv in 20 years, and rarely watch anything… this film was excellent. A beautiful portrait of a strong woman, and the dissection of couple dynamics.
There aren’t many series that catch my breath, but this was one. Don’t be put off by the subject matter - the acting is superb as is the title song by Leonard Cohen.
Just finished The Essex Serpent which I loved the first time and watched a second. it speaks to the intersecting of science, belief, and dogma which is totally up my alley.
Rewatching Ted Lasso on Apple TV before my subscription runs out...I love some of the one liners and zingers! It's a good one for multitasking... Essex would make you sit down so I'd fold laundry with that one! PS it's based on a fantastic book by Sarah Perry
My husband and I love Slow Horses, a show on Apple TV about English spies who have all been demoted for one reason or another, yet manage to outwit their smarter colleagues at M15. I have a strange fascination with Cold War espionage (though I think I’d make a terrible spy), and this show ticks all my boxes. And Gary Oldman is amazing as the drunken, sarcastic head of their department who is more than what he seems.
There’s a documentary that’s buzzing on the internet about thousands of Chinese migrants who illegally cross into the US through the Wall from Mexico. Yes—it’s a thing—and the documentary is top-notch storytelling and reporting.
It’s called “Walk the Line” and it’s free on YouTube!
WHY is it so hard, if not impossible, to watch a show or a movie? I tried a few series people were raving about and even if it captured my attention (I'm talking about Bear and others), I cannot continue watching. Mostly, I don't even think to turn on the TV.
Instead, I tend to watch webinars, conferences, etc. on my computer. Sarah, I just discovered you tonight via your excellent session at the online Anxiety Super Conference. Oh, I have so many questions I wish I could ask YOU! :)
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
So good.
I watch one show at night with my husband. We just finished Outlander, which really pushes boundaries but the story, acting, and setting/scenery and costume design are so good I look past those things. I also just binge watched (while recovering from radiation treatment) "The Perfect Couple," on Netflix starring Nicole Kidman. I had recently read the book by Elin Hilderbrand and the short series was very good.
English Teacher on Hulu. We try to always have a half hour sitcom going to watch after a long day and this one is hilarious and very modern and funny but not too silly. It’s a tricky balance since my boyfriend and I have differing tastes but we both liked it enough to watch the first 2 episodes in a row. It’s also great in our current political climate to have a show about a gay teacher that acknowledges his gayness and makes it a plot point but not the only plot point.
All of my current watching is binge watching so rather than recommend the show I’m watching now — a classic series with 156 episodes (which would take, at your current rate of one show per week, three years to complete) I will stay tuned for the suggestions of others.
Okay fine then. As everyone is sharing series, I'm going go ahead and say it: The West Wing. Best TV ever.
I just finished The Wire. The last two seasons are lessons in masterful storytelling. (But going in know you won’t understand the first four episodes because they’re so full of slang. Push through!)
Subtitles!
It's been said that The Wire is Shakespearean. I agree! The best!
I'll look for that Banksy documentary. His self-destructing painting left me speechless. I saw it happen live and couldn't believe it. As for a TV show recommendation: Mad Men. It's phenomenal. I rewatch one or two episodes every week.
Love that.
It’s the 25th anniversary of Sopranos. Watching this documentary on HBO
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2024-09-06/wise-guy-david-chase-and-the-sopranos-review
The Killing, a detective show set in Seattle. The acting is excellent and the writing is solid. The two leads and their unfolding relationship make it a pleasure to watch.
You MUST watch the original. It was a Danish series first. (I'm a Nordic Noir junkie.) The American version pales in comparison. https://tv.apple.com/us/show/the-killing/umc.cmc.5jtiw5o4jkvh5yqdw1jjq7pii
Wisting on Prime is good if you like the Nordic noir genre 👍
Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer on Disney.
This documentary is a fantastic foray into an amazing woman.
Baseball MLB and MiLB
I've really enjoyed the second series of Australian comedy series Colin From Accounts. Eight episodes, but all, except one extended one, just 30 minutes. In the UK it's available on BBCiplayer; not sure about elsewhere.
I was just discussing “anarchist and mum” with my daughter.
I think he is the embodiment of our repressed (suppressed) humanity. His images remind us that the system we inhabit and embody is deeply corrupt and cruel, and that another world, less bullying and violent, could exist, and moreover we know it, deep down.
Sadly? Don’t have TV. But obsessed with Masterclass app 🤣 and watch/listen to it when driving or cleaning 😎
https://www.masterclass.com/classes/mellody-hobson-teaches-strategic-decision-making?utm_medium=iOS&utm_term=Aq-Remarketing&utm_source=Organic-Social-PR&utm_content=TrailerNativeShareCTA
If you’re looking for a holiday movie (we found it on Kanopy), I recommend The Man Who Invented Christmas. It’s a fictionalization story of how Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. I love the writer’s block scenes.
I’m not watching anything right now. However, the Banksy documentary sounds like something I’d enjoy. I found the Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu compelling. Read the novel when it published back in the 80s, but I can only watch a few episodes of the series at a time. The series immerses me in that world in a way the novel didn’t. I appreciate both experiences, but the series causes a sensory overload l can consume only in small bites.
I watch one show too. Right now, The Perfect Couple on Netflix. The first episode made me think of what George Saunders recently wrote about “making the water boil” in a story.
I started watching season 3 of "Bridgerton" series last week (During weekends, which are Thursdays and Fridays, i watch movies and series based on my interests. During the week, i watch a Korean series with my dad). Before that, i was watching "The Wheel of Time". I can recommend a lot more, but i have to stop myself from oversharing.
Kaos on Netflix. It’s fun 🤩
I started watching that with my Greek mythology fan 14 year old. Didn't take too long to conclude that it wasn't for them, even with my liberal approach to this sort of thing, so finished it on my own. Thoroughly enjoyed it once I didn't have to cringe at it!
Oh I’m not saying it’s the most high brow of shows. I don’t normally go for that type of thing but it is what we’re watching 😆
I thought it was great! Anything with Jeff Goldblum in gets my interest. But it definitely wasn't suitable for a 14 year old. Even when they didn't really understand what was happening on the screen, I did, and I was squirming 🤣
Loving all these recommends and I will def. check out Banksy, thank you so much! Along similar lines of artist docs, I just watched the Frida Kahlo doc called "Frida" on Amazon Prime. It was masterfully done and especially intimate as the whole thing is told in Frida's own words from her diaries and letters. I found it mesmerizing.
That looks very cool.
The Resident is amazing - you can watch it on Netflix.
Not right now, but the best series ever was West Wing. Seen it a number of times. Best writing ever (Aaron Sorkin). Not sure you could watch it while cleaning, however – too much compelling dialogue.
'Outlaws' set in Bristol, featuring an actual Banksy being painted over for the credits, written by Stephen Merchant. 3 seasons, all excellent. The script gets tighter and tighter as it goes.
Amazing!
Finding it impossible to pinpoint one but I loved Outlaws, such wonderfully drawn characters
Bo Burnham's Make Happy. He's weird and silly and yet has there's this underlying thread that ties all these deeper themes together. I genuinely believe he's one of the most lucid thinkers of our time and every time I watch the show I find all these new layers, like an endless onion.
There's a wild documentary series on Max called "Chimp Crazy." From the official description:
Former nurse-turned-exotic-animal-broker Tonia Haddix, who refers to herself as the “Dolly Parton of chimps,” spends her days caring for animals in captivity. However, her limitless love for one chimpanzee spins into a wild cat-and-mouse game with authorities and an animal rights group.
Pachinko.
(But, it's a watch as sometimes there is subtitles when they speak in Korean or Japanese.)
“Slow Horses” on Apple Plus. Season Four started on Wednesday and I didn’t find out until Thursday and I was kicking myself because I love the show so much. Gary Oldman, Kristen Scott-Thomas, and the theme song is written and sung by Mick Jagger. It’s like the main character. No, it is the main character. Okay, let’s not argue. It’s Mick.
Oooh!
Every single character in Slow Horses is a deep exploration of dysfunction..I love it.
“Anatomy of a Fall,” by Justine Triet, is a riveting legal thriller. It won the Palme d’Or last year, and Sandra Hüller’s acting is raw, intense, emotionally spot-on. I haven’t had a tv in 20 years, and rarely watch anything… this film was excellent. A beautiful portrait of a strong woman, and the dissection of couple dynamics.
Loved it!
Dark Matter https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19231492/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Dune 2
"Outlaws" written by Stephen Merchant. Sharp script, funny, surprisingly tense, and very British.
There aren’t many series that catch my breath, but this was one. Don’t be put off by the subject matter - the acting is superb as is the title song by Leonard Cohen.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b0bk8t10/black-earth-rising
Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Outstanding film!
Will check it out!
Alex Rider on Prime/Freeve based on YA series about teenage spy is really good!
Just finished The Essex Serpent which I loved the first time and watched a second. it speaks to the intersecting of science, belief, and dogma which is totally up my alley.
Rewatching Ted Lasso on Apple TV before my subscription runs out...I love some of the one liners and zingers! It's a good one for multitasking... Essex would make you sit down so I'd fold laundry with that one! PS it's based on a fantastic book by Sarah Perry
My husband and I love Slow Horses, a show on Apple TV about English spies who have all been demoted for one reason or another, yet manage to outwit their smarter colleagues at M15. I have a strange fascination with Cold War espionage (though I think I’d make a terrible spy), and this show ticks all my boxes. And Gary Oldman is amazing as the drunken, sarcastic head of their department who is more than what he seems.
Thank you!
There’s a documentary that’s buzzing on the internet about thousands of Chinese migrants who illegally cross into the US through the Wall from Mexico. Yes—it’s a thing—and the documentary is top-notch storytelling and reporting.
It’s called “Walk the Line” and it’s free on YouTube!
Ooh, thank you.
WHY is it so hard, if not impossible, to watch a show or a movie? I tried a few series people were raving about and even if it captured my attention (I'm talking about Bear and others), I cannot continue watching. Mostly, I don't even think to turn on the TV.
Instead, I tend to watch webinars, conferences, etc. on my computer. Sarah, I just discovered you tonight via your excellent session at the online Anxiety Super Conference. Oh, I have so many questions I wish I could ask YOU! :)
Terry! I'm in total agreement about not continuing to watch.
It's so great to have you here! Ask away! DM me.
Thanks for the quick response! I'm fairly new to Substack- how do I DM you? I need to be a paid subscriber, I think?
I m reading and watching Substack Subscribers posts notes,