For this week’s installment of our Top Five series, we’re going to look at television shows. You know televsion right? The thing that has all the programs? Which you can get online at https://att-bundles.com/att-tv/? Please tell me you know it. Ah, television. I remember television. It was my favorite addiction before this annoying writing bug got a hold of me. Now it feels like there are new shows appearing everyday on streaming services such as HBO, Showtime and Peacock that you can see more information about here. Truth be told, it may take me three or four months to get caught up on everything, but I make sure to never miss an episode of True Blood, Mad Men (still three in the can waiting to be watched from this last season), Parenthood, The Vampire Diaries or Modern Family.
But with more and more streaming services such as VIZIO becoming available, I’m starting to find I don’t have time for is to dig into any of these wonderfully gritty, deeply addictive cable network shows. My good friend, Author Greg Howard, is always on the brink of these shows, which is why I have enlisted his help to give you the best of the best of what’s on.
Disclaimer – I have not seen a single episode of any of these shows, so if you are up in arms about the order, or an all too important show that we have shunned, feel free to leave a comment here letting me know all about it! You can watch them when they’re broadcasted, or alternatively, if you have any of the centurylink internet plans, you can stream them later on.
#5 Orphan Black – BBC America – Saturday Nights, 8:00 CT (Season One complete)
(From www.bbcamerica.com) “Orphan Black” features rising star 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 assumes her identity, her boyfriend and her bank account. But instead of solving her problems, the street smart chameleon is thrust headlong into a kaleidoscopic mystery. She makes the dizzying discovery that she and the dead woman are clones… but are they the only ones? Sarah quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly conspiracy and must race to find answers about who she is and how many others there are just like her.
(From Greg) Tatiana Maslany is THE hardest working woman on any show on television right now. She plays seven different roles (so far), all clones of her main character and brings them all to life with ease. Each one has their own distinct identity, look, voice, and even multiple accents. Plus, it’s full of action, intricate plotting, humor, and heart. The best show on TV that you are probably not watching. Get caught up on Netflix before season two begins!
#4 Sons of Anarchy – FX – Season Premiere September 10th, 9:00 CT
(From Greg) Never in a million years, did I ever think I would be interested in watching a show about a ruthless, gun running, T&A obsessed motorcycle club. I came to the party after hearing the buzz about the first season, but I have never missed an episode.
It’s a crime against humanity that Katey Sagal has never even been nominated for an EMMY for her ball breaking to heartbreaking portrayal of Gemma Teller, the pistol packing, foul mouth matriarch of SAMCRO. (That’s “Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original Charter” to the uninitiated.)
#3 Homeland – Showtime – Season Three Premiers Sunday, September 29th, 8:00 CT
With eleven Emmy nominations and two consecutive Golden Globe wins for “Best Television Series-Drama,” clearly we should all be glued to our televisions come September 29th.
(From Greg) Edge of your seat, addictive television. Danes and Lewis have both been duly rewarded for their amazing acting on this nail biting thriller. You go to bed at night praying that there isn’t a shred of realism to the show.
#2 The Walking Dead – AMC – Returns October 13th
Fun Fact: According to amctv.com, The Walking Dead is the most watched drama in basic cable history.
(From Greg) For those of you not watching because you don’t like zombies – IT’S NOT ABOUT THE ZOMBIES! It’s about the people. Characters to rich and real, I stress out worrying about their post apocalyptic safety from the time the season finale airs until the next season premiere begins. The zombies are just a secondary conflict tool, but mind you, a great one. You also have to love a show that is not afraid to shake things up by killing off main (and beloved) characters. I am still traumatized over Andrea!
#1 Downton Abby – PBS – New Season Premieres on January 5th, 2014
(From Greg) Another show driven by characters you love, characters who break your heart and some you just want to give a good smack across the face. Story lines that will have you on the edge of your seat and simply torn up by its twists and turns. The writing is king on this show, mainly because it’s quick and efficient moving stories along to always keep things interesting. But frankly, I would watch simply to gaze at Maggie Smith’s Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham, sipping tea, raising an eyebrow and pursing her lips. Classic Violet quip expressing her dread of a trip to the country – “That’s the thing about nature. There’s so much of it.” I rest my case.
Greg’s never miss honorable mentions: Mad Men, Game of Thrones, Dexter, Scandal, and House of Cards
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