My Favourite TV Shows

I talk about TV over on my podcast I co-host with Liv Purvis a lot. We even have a slot called ‘Telly Talk’, so I thought I should probably compile a list of my favourite shows to watch that never fail to cheer me up. I am not a crime or murder kind of girl, so if you’re looking for a whodunit you’re in the wrong place - life has enough tension and I can’t deal with it on my TV screen. In the list below I can promise you a warm fuzzy feeling whilst watching, and at this stage in January what else is there to do?! Now who wants to move to France with me, or invest in a beach house?!

P.S. This post has limited images, because when do I photograph myself watching TV…imagine those slippers curled up on that chair though…

Grace & Frankie

I first discovered this show when I was maternity leave when June was tiny, and Jack worked away a lot. I almost felt like Grace and Frankie were my housemates and I lived in their beach house in San Diego. I found myself talking back to them often and after I’d watched all the episodes I’d just have it on in the background for company….embarrassing perhaps but funny always. Total life goals for old age (well apart from the husband having an affair part). It won’t fail to put a smile on your face, and give you a bit of faith that getting older is every bit as life affirming and rebellious as you think it might be. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin please come round and hang!

Brooklyn Nine Nine

Late the the party I know, but binge watching five series of this in December / January has been the most fun and one of my better life decisions. I’ve just finished watching the last episode of season five and I can feel a big gaping hole in my heart and my evenings. Set in a Brooklyn precinct, focusing on a group of detectives (the crime really is secondary to the humour), Captain Raymond Holt, I think is my favourite character, closely followed by the one and only Gina Linettie, I think we could all be a bit more Gina. The whole show, which is only 22 minutes long, is completely addictive and has had me up way past my bedtime. I’ve uttered the words “just one more episode” way more often than I should… it’s probably for the best that it is all over for now. There are so many in-jokes I’d recommend watching from the very start, I can’t wait for the new series to make it’s way over to the UK.

The Marvellous Mrs Maisel

Where to begin, the sets, the costumes, the wit, the hot pastrami Reuben on rye….every element of this show has me wanting more. Set in the 1950s, the show focuses on, Midge Maisel and her dream of being a standup comic. In the latest season they head off to Steiner Mountain Resort summer camp in the Catskills, and I don’t think I’ve seen such a pleasing colour palette outside of a Wes Anderson film, ever. The relationship between Midge and Susie (her agent) is so nuanced, and has me laughing into my Yorkshire Tea at night.

GLOW

A TV show about ladies wrestling is something that wouldn’t normally be on top of my to watch list, but I even got my parents interested in this one and cannot wait for season three. GLOW is based on a real life show that aired in the 1980s. The show focuses on it’s inception and as the show goes on, looks at each characters individual stories. It also contains, the marvellous Mark Maron, who has a brilliant podcast (he’s interviewed EVERYONE), however some of you might remember the scene in my favourite film Almost Famous. After a gig goes badly for the fictitious band Stillwater, and they leave a gig in their tour bus with an angry promoter shouting ‘Lock The Gates’ and that short story, is that that person is Mark Maron…I feel it’s every Almost Famous fans right to be able to put two and two together.

Anthony Bourdain: Part’s Unknown

I discovered this last year after the tragic death of Anthony Bourdain, I am embarrassed to say I’d never watched his TV shows. My friend @leparisblog explained his extensive back catalogue of work to me and off I went. There are two of his shows on Netflix, Parts Unknown is my favourite as I feel he really gets to know a city more so than the Layover. He doesn’t look at your usual tourist spots at the destinations he visits and he also looks at the social historical fabric of the city, and shines a light on their problems too. A really wonderful man, and legacy of work. After watching this I am even more baffled by the tragic circumstances around his death. But thank you Anthony for your passion and curiosity, and leaving your dry humour, energy bundled in this extensive series.

Queer Eye

I am sure it needs no introduction, but just incase you’re the last person on the planet that hasn’t watched this life affirming make over show, I feel it’s my duty to mention it. The words “make over show” would normally put me off instantly, but this really digs below the surface and works on the persons soul and well being. Karamo, Antoni, Bobby, Jonathan and Tan each have their area of expertise, keep some tissues near by as there’s always a tear jerker in each episode. Can you believe?

Big Little Lies

Everyone was talking about this last year, and when I finally got round to watch it I realised why. It’s on the darker side of everything else I have mentioned above but well worth the tension at times. Set in beachfront town of Monterey, California, starring Reece Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley and Alexander Skarsgard. It looks at the secrets and lies behind closed doors, of what on the surface, looks like the perfect life. Based on the book by Liane Moriarty, I don’t want to say too much more as I’m a really good plot spoiler, all I can say is I did not see that coming.

Sex Education

I’ll admit, I cannot stand anything with too much hype, and it’s always to the detriment of the show. As things generally have everyone talking for a very good reason and Sex Education did not disappoint. Originally from the stills I’d seen on Netflix I thought it was an American Pie type show, and not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I’ll leave all that in my teens thank you. It’s actually a really quick witted and complex drama, that is relatable for all ages and genders. It turns out it was all filmed just outside Newport in Wales, and was a university (a follower kindly got in touch to tell me). Favourite character for me was definitely Eric, I loved every second of his screen time and I’ve never rooted for a character more. Also worth nothing that Gillian Anderson’s character has impeccable interior decorating taste, so much William Morris and Ercol, and keep an eye out for those rattan breakfast bar chairs…

Escape to the Chateau

CAN YOU BELIEVE I NEARLY FORGOT TO INCLUDE THIS ONE?! I was sat in the car telling Jack I’d written this blog post and he started guessing what was on it (cos I’m THAT predictable) and he mentioned ETC and nearly told him to slam on the emergency breaks and take me home immediately so I could update my post. Lucikly the queue at the post office wasn’t that long, so here I am just in time to add the ultimate in fantasy viewing to my list. Again you might think everyone has already seen this, but not to mention names….Katie from Oh Squirrel…only started watching it last night, and obviously is hooked. There’s five series on catch up all about a couple (Dick and Angel) who moved into a 45 bedroom 19th-century French chateau and their renovation journey. It’s absolute perfection.

What else have you been enjoying? Please leave your recommendations below as I think I’ve run out of TV to watch…