For too long, an individual who opts for the comfort of their home and the enjoyment of television on a Saturday night has been ostracized from society and deemed anti-social. For too long, someone who likes to catch up on their DVR stockpile instead of engaging in physical activity has been cruelly labeled as lazy. But enough is enough.
I stand before you today as a proud couch potato; someone who takes pride in their endless consumption of small screen entertainment. No longer will my people hide in the shadows of their basements waiting for their mothers to bring down a fresh batch of Hot Pockets.
Okay, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic. But if Rachel Dolezal can make a ridiculous argument, so can I.
My point is that I love television and if you do too, here are three current series I recommend.
1. "Humans" - AMC
"Humans" takes place in an alternative present where society relies on Synths - highly-developed humanoid robots - for everyday tasks, caretaking and companionship. But a small handful of these Synths are radically different; they can think and feel, blurring the lines of what makes us actually human.
AMC's new offering echoes the thematic core of "Blade Runner" without the overly nihilistic world view. You'll find few dark and gritty corners in this show.
"Humans" strikes an eerie tone that uneases you in just the right way; unsettling without being off-putting. But what I like most about the show is its focus on feeling. Is it wrong to create artificially intelligent beings that have their own emotions and, in turn, is it wrong if humans develop an emotional bond with these creations?
"Humans" raises that important question, and many more, in a fresh and entertaining way while exploring a new dynamic of the traditional family. It's worth checking out if you're interested in a smart show with a cool concept and quality acting.
Airs: Sunday at 9 p.m.
2. "Mr. Robot" - USA Network
"Mr. Robot" follows a young computer programmer, Elliot Anderson, who suffers from debilitating social anxiety and drug abuse as he reluctantly attempts to form connections with those around him. The series wastes no time in hooking Elliot up with an anarchy-minded hacker group led by the mysterious Mr. Robot.
I know what you're thinking: USA Network, really? They're like the backup quarterback of basic cable. But this show is far from the cookie-cutter blah you've come to expect. What immediately stands out about "Mr. Robot" is its distinct tone. This is a weird show complete with heavy handed first-person voice overs, loopy drug induced dream sequences and a main character that is so strange he makes Kristen Stewart seem like engaging company.
And yet it works. Despite the show's self-seriousness and questionable dialogue, it somehow works. Some of that has to do with Christian Slater's enjoyable bravado as Mr. Robot. Slater, long a punch line in entertainment circles for his repeated television failures, finally figured out that he's better utilized as a charismatic supporting player rather than the main star. Think Scottie Pippen or Chris Bosh.
"Mr. Robot" is a very different type of show and I consider that a good thing in this world of recycled content, sequels and reboots.
Airs: Wednesday at 10 p.m.
3. "Peaky Blinders" - BBC Two (Netflix)
A friend of mine recommended "Peaky Blinders" to me last year and I ran through its 12 episodes in less than a week. The show centers around Tommy Shelby (played perfectly by Cillian Murphy) and his brothers as they expand their criminal organization in Birmingham, England shortly after the conclusion of World War I.
In a sentence, "Peaky Blinders" is a gangster family epic, but it lacks the substance of "The Sopranos," the intellect of "Breaking Bad" and the character development of "The Wire." To paraphrase Shrek, "Peaky Blinders" is not like an onion because there aren't too many layers.
But, man, is it just a fun show.
It's pure period piece pulp with escalating schemes and stakes. Sometimes when I watch TV, I don't want to wrestle with the meaning of life and the struggle between good and evil. Sometimes, I just want to be entertained. "Peaky Blinders" accomplishes that with ease.
Plus, the second season has Tom Hardy going full Johnny Depp gonzo as a Jewish gangster in a role that looks like he is having the time of his life playing. Who doesn't want to see that?
Airs: Streaming
Agree or disagree with my suggestions? Have a few of your own? Let us know in the comments section below!
