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How To Weather The Current ‘Show Hole’ We’re In

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Futuristic image of a cyberspace tunnel with technology related images resembling a scientific broadcasting concept. Hundreds of video stills projected in the space as a metaphor of technology achievements and global business communications. All images are part of my portfolio.

Remember when rainy summer afternoons either meant building forts in the basement, or going to the movies? Remember the movies? Whatever happened to them? Amazing stories that Siskel and Ebert would bicker over as to which one was better “crafted” than the last. Stories we didn’t want to end?

Okay, well, we grew up, and somebody must have paid attention, because we now have these incredible, ongoing series embossed in our collective pantheon; television that completely smokes the current film industry. Imagine being a show runner today and attempting to follow the likes of “Breaking Bad”, “30 Rock”, “Mad Men”, “The Wire” and “Louie”. Good luck.

In the meantime, I hear it. That distant rumbling of your restless soul, searching Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime for something, anything to fill this desperate ‘show hole’ you’ve been dragging around all summer; impatiently waiting for the favorite immersion/obsession to return in the fall. Something to happily surprise us all out of this endless conveyor belt of bad news we’re being pummeled with.

Granted, Netflix “Stranger Things” scratches the itch, but maybe it’s out of desperation more than anything. I can’t tell anymore.

Call me spoiled, I don’t care. I’m restless, and sweaty, and I want options. I’m an American, and it’s an election year. I’m sad and disillusioned. My heart hurts for the world around us, and I need a story… right NOW! It’s the dead of summer, and we could really use a happy diversion for a change.

Don’t worry. I won’t leave you blankly staring off into space like that. I do have a few suggestions up my sleeve.

There’s such a rush of content out there today, it’s doubtful you’ve seen everything you’ve been intending to watch. Pace yourself. Consider this your chance to catch up on show’s you’ve been missing and create some deliciously decadent shared experiences that will elevate your mood, transport you to another world, and engage your imagination and maybe even offer hope from a place you least expect.

16 Shows To Watch During the Current ‘Show Hole’

  1. Man Seeks Woman (FXX) File this one under “Lighten Up Already”. It’s hilarious!
  2. Adam Ruins Everything (TRU) Same as above, and it’s informative, too. Bonus.
  3. Better Call Saul (AMC) The Breaking Bad prequel that rivals most shows. Period.
  4. Empire (FOX) New York Times calls it “Godfather meets King Lear”. Well put. (There’s a nod to the Scottish play in there as well, only waaaay more up-to-date.)
  5. Stranger Things (Netflix) Creepy fun. (Check under the bed before retiring.)
  6. The Walking Dead (AMC) #1 show in America for the 5th year. Find out why.
  7. Game of Thrones (HBO) #1 show on the planet for the 5th year. It’s flat out amazing.
  8. The Americans (FX) Recently canceled. HUGE mistake. It’s extraordinary and should continue. You be the judge.
  9. Mad Men (AMC) Pitch perfect. ‘Nuf said.
  10. Playing House (USA Network) Funny, smart, surprising.
  11. Mr. Robot (USA Network) Hello, Reality. (I shudder to think.)
  12. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (CW) Discover where all the Golden Globes went. Brilliant.
  13. Jessica Jones (Netflix HD) An elevated Marvel comics offspring. Smart and cool.
  14. Orphan Black (BBC America) Suspenseful, intense, expertly crafted. Can’t get enough.
  15. Bloodline (Netflix) You’ll forget about Zika with this Florida thriller. Smack!
  16. The Andy Griffith Show (Netflix) Humor me. It’s better than popcorn. I smell a pie in the oven… great escape any time. Morning, noon, or night.

Could I come up with more? Absolutely. Just get on with it already.

I totally understand. You’ve been meaning to watch (fill in blank here) but you “want to start from the beginning”, right? Give it up.

Frankly, I don’t think I ever became fully invested in any show from the beginning. Not with The Sopranos or Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones or The Walking Dead, not Mad Men to Downton Abbey either. Nope. Instead, just as an experiment, start somewhere around the 2nd or 3rd episode from the end of the 2nd season, or maybe even mid-way through the 3rd season. I dare you to watch 6 consecutive episodes. 7 maybe. THEN, once you’re in—you’re in. It’s not as overwhelming as attempting to start watching a show from the very beginning, and less of a commitment. No pressure.

Maybe binge-watching is a lot like eating Popsicles. Everybody’s got their own way of going about it. At any rate, the goal is to feed your soul, fill that ‘show hole’, and maybe even discover a whole new diversion while you’re at it.

Worth a try. Summer’s almost over. Almost. œ

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Copyright © 2016 by Kate McClanaghan, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The post How To Weather The Current ‘Show Hole’ We’re In appeared first on Actors' SOUND ADVICE.


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