Issue 36: Primetime Television
Currently on all the TV shows to watch right now.
With new seasons of cult favorites Severance and The White Lotus behind us, I found myself looking for a new TV show to start. And to my surprise, there's a lot of TV happening right now.
Streamers are pouring resources into television shows. Cinematic production keeps leveling up. Storylines are getting bolder and more layered. We are in an era of primetime television.
But film is about to have a moment too. This year should bring new releases from Ari Aster, Wes Anderson, Celine Song, Darren Aronofsky, Yorgos Lanthimos, Paul Thomas Anderson, Danny Boyle, and Mike Flanagan 😮💨
So until those films arrive, here are a few TV picks you might already be anticipating, didn’t know were dropping soon, or are just discovering for the first time.
Adolescence
Adolescence is an intense, harrowing, and emotional experience. This series serves as a call to action for parents, highlighting the challenges teens face in today’s digital age, including incel culture, bullying, and misogyny. Beyond its timely and important message, it’s also a technical masterpiece with each of its four episodes shot in a single take. On top of all that, the performances are incredible, especially newcomer Owen Cooper, who filmed the series at just 14 years old in his first professional role. All four episodes are available to stream on Netflix.
Watch this if you like: Uncut Gems, Normal People, Euphoria.
The Pitt
The Pitt follows the crew of an emergency room in Pittsburgh, capturing the chaos, urgency, anxiety, and importance of the job. Its real-time format makes it especially gripping. Each episode covers a single hour in the hospital, so it feels like you’re right there as each new patient is rolled in. From what I’ve read, the medical details are factually accurate, and the show is honest about how the system works. It’s already been renewed for season two. Unlike many others on this list, the wait won’t be long as new episodes could arrive as soon as January. All fifteen episodes are available to stream on Max.
Watch this if you like: The Bear, 24, ER.
Black Mirror Season 7
Black Mirror continues to explore the darker side of technology and its impact on our lives. Each episode presents a different dystopian reality, often leaving you with more questions than answers. It’s an unsettling and thought-provoking sci-fi anthology, but a little too bleak for me to keep it on my watchlist. All six episodes are available to stream on Netflix.
Watch this if you like: …Black Mirror.
Common Side Effects
Common Side Effects has officially hit the rule of 7 for me. While I wouldn’t describe myself as someone who’s into adult animation or has a deep history with Adult Swim, this show has been consistently popping up across all my feeds, so I had to check it out. The animation is both beautiful and weird. And even though it’s playfully animated, it has serious things to say about conspiracies, the environment, and Big Pharma. All ten episodes are available to stream on Max.
Watch this if you like: Scavengers Reign, Pantheon, Primal.
The Last of Us Season 2
While Pedro Pascal established himself in Game of Thrones, Narcos, and The Mandalorian, it wasn’t until The Last of Us that he became the zaddy we all love today. The show follows Joel and Ellie, survivors forced to endure a brutal trek across a post-outbreak America. It’s based on a hugely successful video game, and anything with such beloved source material opens itself up to backlash. But if you’re just along for the ride, season two promises more of that post-apocalyptic world. Episodes are released weekly and are available to stream on Max.
Watch this if you like: Children of Men, The Walking Dead, Chernobyl.
The Studio
I’m a big fan of Seth Rogen—his acting, his art, and his production company, which funds smaller films, childhood cartoons, and comic books adapted for the big screen. So, an original show written with his creative partner, Evan Goldberg, about the film industry seemed right up my alley. It’s an intense, manic, and technically impressive satire. It’s also a bit “inside baseball,” with cameos galore and behind-the-scenes peeks into the inner workings of Hollywood. But ultimately, it’s a little too outrageous for my tastes. Episodes are released weekly and are available to stream on Apple TV+.
Watch this if you like: 30 Rock, The Bear, Birdman.
Lazarus
Director Shinichirō Watanabe’s work oozes style, often featuring guns, jazz, and sharp choreography. So when I heard he had a new show out, I was immediately interested. Lazarus follows a task force of five agents racing to find a genius neuroscientist who holds the key to creating a vaccine before users of a dangerous experimental drug begin to die. It’s clearly cut from the same cloth as Cowboy Bebop, with its soundtrack, vibrant poster, and gun-toting protagonist named Axel. And like Common Side Effects, it also critiques the medical industry and environmental crisis. While it can’t match Cowboy Bebop’s legacy, Lazarus is still an action-packed “gun-fu” romp. Episodes are released weekly and are available to stream on Max.
Watch this if you like: Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Psycho-Pass.
The Rehearsal Season 2
The Rehearsal is one of the most fascinating pieces of art I’ve experienced. What begins as Nathan Fielder exploring the lengths people will go to reduce the uncertainties of everyday life eventually evolves into a social experiment on himself. It explores expectations, grief, relationships, and ultimately, reality. It’s truly remarkable and unlike any other show out there. I’m curious how he can keep the gag going, and I look forward to learning more about what he has up his sleeve. Episodes are released weekly and are available to stream on Max.
Watch this if you like: How To with John Wilson, Severance, Nathan For You.
Andor Season 2
Andor skips the epic space battles and lightsaber duels and instead focuses on the core of the Star Wars story, which centers on the fight between good and evil, rebellion, and the struggle for freedom and justice. I think that’s largely due to Tony Gilroy, writer of The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, and The Bourne Legacy, being at the helm of the story. Every character is well-developed and excellently performed. The cinematography is stunning, the sets feel lived in, and the music is moving. Star Wars fan or not, Andor is a show I’d recommend to anyone. It is a beautifully made political thriller about standing up for what’s right. Episodes are released weekly and are available to stream on Disney+.
Watch this if you like: Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse.
Taskmaster Series 19
Taskmaster is a British panel show in which comedians tackle a range of inventive assignments. These tasks range from imaginative puzzles to physical challenges. Contestants are encouraged to approach each one in original and comedic ways, often resulting in surprising outcomes. What I admire most is the creativity of the challenges, the resourcefulness of the participants, and how the show consistently leaves me laughing harder than ever before. The nineteenth series will be available on YouTube starting on May 1.
Watch this if you like: Great British Bake Off, Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Welcome to Wrexham Season 4
I’m a sucker for a good underdog story and a sports documentary. Welcome to Wrexham, now in its fourth season, continues to follow Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds through their Hollywood-to-Wales Cinderella story as they try to climb the ranks in the Welsh football system. The docuseries is a touching exploration of the power of sport to bring hope and change to a community in need. The fourth season will be available on Hulu starting on May 15.
Watch this if you like: Ted Lasso, The Last Dance, Drive to Survive.
Thanks for being here.
— Justin