We are living in the golden age of television. Of that, I am certain. Everywhere you look, there’s great TV to be consumed. In fact, it’s become one of the first world’s most profound problems: perhaps there’s too much good TV. Every week someone tells me that I have to see a show that I’ve never heard of. And I do this for a living.
As you will see in the coming days and weeks, we’re going to be talking more and more about the great TV shows that are out there. Whether they are on networks, cable, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, or other services, we’re going to try to cover more in a new column called Last Night on TV. Most of it will be an excuse for me to write about shows like The Flash and You’re The Worst. Not every episode of television requires 1,000 words of deep analysis. Some do, but most don’t. So every day, we’ll dedicate a few paragraphs to each of our favorite shows. My hope is that you’ll read along and jump into the comments with your own reviews. And don’t worry, there will still be shows that get a little extra attention (I’ll still be drowning you in words about Game of Thrones every week).
Beyond the launch of this new column (which starts tomorrow), it’s also time to look ahead over the landscape of television in 2016 and pick the shows (both returning and new) I can’t wait to watch in the coming year. As you’ll see, there’s plenty of new blood in the water.
15. Love
Debuts: February 19 on Netflix
The new Netflix show from Judd Apatow, Paul Rust and Leslie Afrin is one that I’ve already seen most of it. Without going into too much detail (there will be a time and place for that), I can confirm that it’s dark and funny. Paul Rust (Comedy Bang! Bang!) and Gillian Jacobs (Community) play two Los Angelenos who are struggling to find love. When they find each other, things don’t exactly go as you might expect. It’s as vulgar and unexpectedly dark as you might expect within the freedom of the Netflix sandbox. But it’s not without its charms. The two leads are great and there’s some fun supporting cast, as well.
14. Roadies
Debuts: TBD on Showtime
It’s hard to be all-in on a Cameron Crowe project after Aloha, but this does feel like he’s returning to his wheelhouse. Roadies will be a behind the scenes show about what it’s like to be on tour with a rock band. We’re back to Almost Famous territory and Crowe is bringing along a fine cast that includes Luke Wilson, Carla Gugino, Imogen Poots, Rafe Spall and Keisha Castle-Hughes.
13. Preacher
Debuts: TBD on AMC
A Texas preacher (Dominic Cooper) finds out that God has abandoned Heaven and sets out with the help of a vampire to set things right. This is based on an excellent comic book from Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon. It has a very solid cast and the writing team includes Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. There’s nothing but upside to this show.
12. The Get Down
Debuts: August 12 on Netflix
Did you see the trailer for The Get Down? It looks fantastic. It’s got the Baz Luhrmann rhythm and the grit and grind of Shawn Ryan (The Shield). The streets of The Bronx are vivid and alive with the sounds of the 1970s. It’s going to introduce us to a crop of talented young actors, show us all kinds of iconic places of 1970s New York (from CBGB to Studio 54) and the music should be all kinds of vibrant. Luhrmann and Ryan aren’t a pairing I would have made on my own, but this project feels like the perfect meld between their two styles.
11. Broad City
Debuts: February 17 on Comedy Central
I’ve missed Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer. They are The Odd Couple of my generation and their uniquely New York stories are always entertaining. This week they released a new promo that in no way tells us anything about their upcoming third season. But it does make me want to tune in when they come back. Last season was a beautiful mishmash of vulgarity, heart and scattershot conceptual work. There’s little doubt that they can continue to kill it in season 3.
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