The world is upside down, yada, yada, yada --- what's on TV?
With the avalanche of information and the turmoil our nation faces constantly, sometimes it's nice to relax and get lost in a good show. Traditional TV is about to go the way of the dodo, but now is still the golden age of television thanks to services like Netflix and Amazon.
Glenn lives and breathes the news and current events, but he's just like the rest of us and has a go-to list of favorites for an evening on the couch with a bucket of popcorn.
Here are a few of Glenn's favorites with his review for each:
The Crown
British television series
Based on an award-winning play ("The Audience") by showrunner Peter Morgan, this lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) from the 1940s to modern times. The series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. As the decades pass, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries are revealed that played a big role in events that shaped the later years of the 20th century.
Glenn's Review:
The best series on TV.
Watch:Netflix
Alias Grace
Drama series
Based on the 1996 Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, "Alias Grace" tells the story of young Grace Marks, a poor Irish immigrant and domestic servant in Upper Canada who is accused and convicted of the 1843 murder of her employer and his housekeeper. Stablehand James McDermott is also convicted of the crime. McDermott is hanged, but Grace is sentenced to life in prison, leading her to become one of the most notorious women of the period in Canada. The story is based on actual 19th-century events.
Glenn's Review:
Watch:Netflix
Haters Back Off
Comedy
This comedy series, exclusive to Netflix, follows the oddball family life of a fictional YouTube star named Miranda Sings, a character created and portrayed by Colleen Ballinger, who also serves as an executive producer. Miranda is an incredibly confident, self-absorbed teenage singer/dancer/actor/model who is on the rise --- despite a complete and utter lack of talent. Miranda continues to luck into failing upward, fueled by her belief that she was born to be famous, even if no one else knows it yet.
Glenn's Review:
Cheyenne and I love this. Very funny in a "Napoleon Dynamite" sort of way.
Watch:Netflix
Little Evil
Comedy series
A newly married man starts to believe that his 5-year-old stepson is the spawn of Satan.
Glenn's Review:
Dark humor.
Watch:Netflix
Ryan Hamilton: Happy Face
Comedy Special
Small-town import "Ryan Hamilton" charms New York with folksy comic observations on big-city life, hot-air ballooning and going to Disney World alone.
Glenn's Review:
Single or family hilarious.
Watch:Netflix
Black Mirror
Drama series
Featuring stand-alone dramas --- sharp, suspenseful, satirical tales that explore techno-paranoia --- "Black Mirror" is a contemporary reworking of "The Twilight Zone" with stories that tap into the collective unease about the modern world. Each story features its own cast of unique characters, including stars like Bryce Dallas Howard ("The Help"), Alice Eve, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tom Cullen and Jerome Flynn ("Game of Thrones"). Joe Wright, Dan Trachtenberg, and James Watkins are among the featured directors.
Glenn's Review:
Inconsistent, but really good futurist/"Twilight Zone" that could happen.
Watch:Netflix
Jim and Andy
Documentary
Using 100 hours of footage from the set of "Man on the Moon," filmmaker Chris Smith documents Jim Carrey's transformation into legendary performance artist and comedian Andy Kaufman.
Glenn's Review:
Fascinating. Jim is either nuts or the clearest guy in Hollywood.
Watch:Netflix
House of Cards
Drama series
U.S. Rep. Francis Underwood of South Carolina starts out as a ruthless politician seeking revenge in this Netflix original production. Promised the post of Secretary of State in exchange for his support, his efforts help to ensure the election of Garrett Walker to the presidency. But Walker changes his mind before the inauguration, telling Underwood he's too valuable in Congress. Outwardly, Underwood accepts his marching orders, but secretly he and his wife, an environmental activist, make a pact to destroy Walker and his allies. Based on the U.K. miniseries of the same name, the U.S. version offers a look behind the scenes at the greed and corruption in American politics. A number of real-life media figures make cameo appearances.
Glenn's Review:
Amazing.
Watch:Netflix
Abstract: The Art of Design
Docuseries
The art and science of design with some of the world's greatest designers.
Glenn's Review:
Open your mind.
Watch:Netflix
Brian Regan: Nunchucks and Flamethrowers
Comedy special
Brian Regan takes relatable family humor to new heights as he talks board games, underwear elastic and looking for hot dogs in all the wrong places.
Glenn's Review:
I love Brian. Not his best work.
Watch:Netflix
Stranger Things
Drama series
This thrilling Netflix original drama stars Golden Globe-winning actress Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, who lives in a small Indiana town in 1983 -- inspired by a time when tales of science fiction captivated audiences. When Joyce's 12-year-old son, Will, goes missing, she launches a terrifying investigation into his disappearance with local authorities. As they search for answers, they unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries involving secret government experiments, unnerving supernatural forces, and a very unusual little girl.
Glenn's Review:
Wow.
Watch:Netflix
Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond
Docuseries
This four-part miniseries explores the life of Ian Fleming, who created the James Bond icon in his spy novels. Ian's story begins at the outset of World War II, when he is a mischievous playboy who is chasing women, collecting books and living off his family's fortune. He believes he's a disappointment to his mother, as he lives in the shadow of older brother Peter, a successful author married to a movie star. Ian, a lost young man, dreams of becoming the "ultimate" man and finally sees direction in his life when he is recruited to begin a naval intelligence job to help take down the Nazis. This experience paves the way for his creation of 007.
Glenn's Review:
Fascinating. I love Bond. I love history.
Watch:Netflix
The Great British Baking Show
Reality show
The search for Britain's best amateur baker is back as 12 passionate baking fans compete for the title. Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins return as presenters, as do judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, who devise the three challenges faced by the competitors each week. They incorporate a signature bake, which tests the bakers' personality and creative flair; a technical bake, which tests experience; and a showstopper bake, during which the bakers are able to showcase their depth of skill and talent. Berry and Hollywood inspect, prod and sample the baked goodies as they decide who gets to have their cake --- and eat it.
Glenn's Review:
Family favorite.
Watch:Netflix
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Comedy series
Rescued after 15 years in a cult, Kimmy Schmidt decides to reclaim her life by venturing to New York, where she experiences everyday life with wide-eyed enthusiasm. On a whim, she rents a room from Titus, a gay wannabe Broadway actor, who makes ends meet as a street performer in Times Square. The unlikely pair find they're well-suited to help each other out, with Titus reintroducing Kimmy to modern life, and her providing him with the inspiration that you should never give up. Together they'll make it through whatever life throws at them.
Glenn's Review:
Very funny.
Watch:Netflix
The Good Place
Comedy series
When Eleanor Shellstrop finds herself in the afterlife, she's both relieved and surprised that she's made it into the Good Place. But it doesn't take long for Eleanor to realize she's there by mistake. She hides in plain sight from the Good Place's architect Michael and his all-knowing assistant Janet. Her seemingly perfect neighbors Tahani and Jianyu and open-hearted soul mate Chidi help her realize that it's never too late. With the help of her new friends -- and a few enemies -- Eleanor becomes determined to shed her old way of life in hopes of discovering a new one in the afterlife.
Glenn's Review:
Funny.
Watch:Netflix
Mindhunter
Crime TV show
Catching a criminal often requires the authorities to get inside the villain's mind to figure out how he thinks. That's the job of FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench. They attempt to understand and catch serial killers by studying their damaged psyches. Along the way, the agents pioneer the development of modern serial-killer profiling. The crime drama has a strong pedigree behind the camera, with Oscar-nominated director David Fincher and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron among the show's executive producers.
Glenn's Review:
Powerful binge!
Watch:Netflix
Merlin
Drama series
This action-packed fantasy-drama revisits the saga of King Arthur and his wizard, Merlin, by focusing on the two characters when they were ambitious young men struggling to understand their destinies. In this telling, Prince Arthur is known to be the heir to the throne (no sword from the stone here). And he is acquainted with all those who will one day form the legend of Camelot, including Lancelot, Guinevere, and Morgana. Merlin is also forced to deal with King Uther's Great Purge, which bans all use of magic.
Glenn's Review:
Family favorite.
Watch:Netflix
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
Drama series
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is the debut novel by British writer Susanna Clarke. Published in 2004, it is an alternative history set in 19th-century England around the time of the Napoleonic Wars.
Glenn's Review:
Personal fave.
Watch:Netflix
Gotham
Drama series
Jim Gordon is a rising detective in corrupt Gotham City, where his late father was a successful district attorney. Brave, honest and determined to prove himself, Jim hopes to return the city to the glamorous, purer version he remembers as a child. He and his partner, legendary Detective Harvey Bullock, must navigate the dirty politics of Gotham's justice system, even as they tackle a high-profile case, the murder of billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne. Gordon becomes a friend to their young orphan, Bruce.
Glenn's Review:
Raphe and I agree best comic series out. Consistent and great.
Watch:Netflix
Daredevil
Drama series
The first in a planned series of shows detailing the Marvel universe, "Daredevil" follows Matt Murdock, attorney by day and vigilante by night. Blinded in an accident as a child, Murdock uses his heightened senses as Daredevil to fight crime on the streets of New York after the sun goes down. While Murdock's day job requires him to believe in the criminal justice system, his alter ego does not follow suit, leading him to take the law into his own hands to protect his Hell's Kitchen neighborhood and the surrounding communities.
Glenn's Review:
Watch:Netflix
Peaky Blinders
Television series
A gangster drama located in the streets of post-war Birmingham on the verge of the 1920s.
Glenn's Review:
Harsh.
Watch:Netflix
Christine
Drama series
Rebecca Hall stars in director Antonio Campos' third feature film, "Christine," the story of a woman who finds herself caught in the crosshairs of a spiraling personal life and career crisis. Christine, always the smartest person in the room at her local Sarasota, Florida news station, feels like she is destined for bigger things and is relentless in her pursuit of an on-air position in a larger market.
Glenn's Review:
Didn’t know this. Powerful history.
Watch:Netflix
What Happened Miss Simone
Biography
Classically trained pianist, dive-bar chanteuse, black power icon and legendary recording artist Nina Simone lived a life of brutal honesty, musical genius, and tortured melancholy.
Glenn's Review:
Same as above. Powerful history of one of the best voices of the 20th century.
Watch:Netflix
Mr. Robot
Television series
Young, anti-social computer programmer Elliot works as a cybersecurity engineer during the day, but at night he is a vigilante hacker. He is recruited by the mysterious leader of an underground group of hackers to join their organization. Elliot's task? Help bring down corporate America, including the company he is paid to protect, which presents him with a moral dilemma. Although he works for a corporation, his personal beliefs make it hard to resist the urge to take down the heads of multinational companies that he believes are running --- and ruining --- the world.
Glenn's Review:
First season is the best. Dark.
Watch:Amazon
The Americans
Television series
Philip and Elizabeth Jennings are two KGB spies in an arranged marriage who are posing as Americans in suburban Washington, D.C., shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected president. The couple have two children, Paige and Henry, who are unaware of their parents' true identities until they tell Paige after some time has passed. The complex marriage becomes more passionate and genuine each day but is continually tested as the Cold War escalates. As Philip begins to warm up to America's values and way of life, his relationship with Elizabeth becomes more complicated. Further complicating things is the arrival of the Jennings' neighbor, FBI agent Stan Beeman, who is part of a new division of the agency tasked with fighting foreign agents on U.S. soil. The drama series was created by former CIA agent-turned-author Joe Weisberg.
Glenn's Review:
I l o v e this series.
Watch:Amazon
The Collection
Television series
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7MTFD0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=glen03c-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01N7MTFD0&linkId=f7f3bc4136bac2dfd8cadb574969909d
A gripping family drama and entrepreneurial fable, set in a post-war Paris fashion house. It exposes the grit behind the glamour of a rising business, spearheaded by two clashing brothers. The atelier staff survived one war, but others loom; rivalries and romances pitting family against family, protégés against mentors, the past against the future.
Glenn's Review:
Nudity, but great story on WWII.
Watch:Amazon
Orphan Black
Television series
Orphan Black is a Sci-Fi thriller starring Tatiana Maslany in the lead role of Sarah, an outsider and orphan whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looks just like her. Sarah hopes that cleaning out the dead woman's bank account will solve all of her problems. Instead, her problems multiply - and so does she.
Glenn's Review:
Decent series.
Watch:Amazon
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Television series
In 1958 New York, Midge Maisel's life is on track- husband, kids, and elegant Yom Kippur dinners in their Upper West Side apartment. But when her life takes a surprise turn, she has to quickly decide what else she's good at - and going from housewife to stand-up comic is a wild choice to everyone but her. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls).
Glenn's Review:
Personal favorite.
Watch:Amazon
Covert Affairs
Television series
Meet Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), a young CIA trainee who is thrust into the inner sanctum of the agency when she is unexpectedly promoted to field operative. While it appears that she has been plucked from obscurity for her exceptional linguistic skills, there may be something or someone from her past that her CIA bosses are really after.
Glenn's Review:
Good network show.
Watch:Amazon
The Last Man On Earth
Comedy
From writer/producer Will Forte ("Nebraska") and directors/producers Chris Miller and Phil Lord ("The Lego Movie"), "The Last Man On Earth" is a comedy about the adventures of PHIL MILLER (Forte), a regular guy who became humanity's last hope. Also starring Kristen Schaal, January Jones, Mel Rodriguez, Mary Steenburgen and Cleopatra Coleman
Glenn's Review:
First season is the best.
Watch:Amazon
Victoria
Television series
Created by Daisy Goodwin, this ambitious drama presents the early years of one of history's greatest monarchs.
Glenn's Review:
Love the history.
Watch:Amazon
Comrade Detective
Television series
In the 1980s, millions of Romanians tuned in to Comrade Detective, a gritty, sexy, communist buddy cop show that has now been digitally remastered and dubbed into English for the first time by a cast featuring Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Jenny Slate, Nick Offerman and many more.
Glenn's Review:
Amazing to watch propaganda from the USSR.
Watch:Amazon
Fleabag
Television series
"Fleabag" is a hilarious and poignant window into the mind of a dry-witted, sexual, angry, grief-riddled woman, as she hurls herself at modern living in London. Award-winning playwright Phoebe Waller-Bridge writes and stars as Fleabag, an unfiltered woman trying to heal, while rejecting anyone who tries to help her and keeping up her bravado all along.
Glenn's Review:
Harsh, but funny, powerful, sad. In the end uplifting.
Watch:Amazon
The Man In the High Castle
Televsion series
Based on Philip K. Dick's award-winning novel, and executive produced by Ridley Scott (Blade Runner), and Frank Spotnitz (The X-Files), The Man in the High Castle explores what it would be like if the Allied Powers had lost WWII, and Japan and Germany ruled the United States. Starring Rufus Sewell (John Adams), Luke Kleintank (Pretty Little Liars), and Alexa Davalos (Mob City).
Glenn's Review:
I like this, but the book is better.
Watch:Amazon
The Tunnel
Television series
When a prominent French politician is found dead on the border between the UK and France, detectives Karl Roebuck (Stephen Dillane) and Elise Wassermann (Clйmence Poйsy) are sent to investigate on behalf of their respective countries. The case takes a surreal turn when a shocking discovery is made at the crime scene, forcing the French and British police into an uneasy partnership.
Glenn's Review:
Hooked from episode one.
Watch:Amazon
The Kettering Incident
Television series
Two girls disappear in identical circumstances in the wilds of Tasmania 15 years apart, and Doctor Anna Macy finds herself linked to both cases. To clear her name, Anna must delve into her troubled past and face some truths about herself and the otherworldly nature of this gothic land.
Glenn's Review:
So weird that you just can’t stop.
Watch:Amazon
Archangel
BBC series
Four days in the life of Fluke Kelso, a dissipated, middle-aged former Oxford historian, who is in Moscow to attend a conference on the newly opened Soviet archives. What starts as an idle enquiry in the Lenin Library soon caused him to become embroiled in a series of murders that seem to be getting closer to him. A BBC series.
Glenn's Review:
I love Daniel Craig.
Watch:Amazon
How does this list compare with your favorites? Let us know in the comment section below.