Festive small screen feasts
What will Kiwi telly personalities be binge watching over the summer holidays?
‘‘My absolute go-to when I want to switch my brain off is The Blacklist. For me, it is the gift that keeps on giving. Not many series get better season after season. Usually I’m not a massive fan of bald protagonists (that is an absolute lie, I amobsessed with Vin Diesel) but James Spader brings so much to the role. If it is raining this Christmas or there is another reason you can not get outside, park up and watch The Blacklist.‘‘
‘‘I think you should sample the homegrown genius of Short Poppies. Not only great New Zealand comedy from Rhys, David and great cameos, but short episodes so if you are in Auckland you can dash out and enjoy the sunny part of the four seasons the city regularly brings to its days.’’ ‘‘Of course, the perfect show to binge watch is Jono and Ben on 3Now! But as I have two little girls, I end up binge-watching shows like Mako Mermaids and Popples.’’ ‘‘Everyone knows Veep but not everyone knows The Thick Of It. It’s the British precursor to Veep and with the risk of sounding like a cliche it’s vastly superior. My favourite political comedy.’’ ‘‘I have some random things I like to watch but I’m an epic fan of The Real Housewives of Melbourne and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I would happily sit on the couch, remote in hand and watch the entire series of both. Now before you think ‘Are you for real?’; Know me before you judge me.’’ ‘‘ Lost. You will get intrigued, hooked and eventually exasperated. No other series could take hours and days from you quite like Lost.’’ ‘‘I just finished watching The Crown. I give it five out of five stars. Otherwise ... Marco Polo, Suits, Vikings, Game of Thrones and I’m just starting to watch Narcos.’’ ‘‘For my sake, I would love you to watch iZombie. I’m really proud of it. It’s fun and entertaining and has a great combination of zombie action and drama and comedy. I’m a sucker for reruns of Friends or The Office or Seinfeld. Great comfort food.’’ ‘‘Any of these as I watch so many TV shows on planes with all my travelling – Spartacus, Tudors, Vikings, Sons of Anarchy and naturally Game Of Thrones.’’ ‘‘You just can’t go past Game of Thrones. I love the evolving strong female characters … I love the political machinations in the plot. I could watch it again and again.’’ ‘‘I’m not a binge watcher of anything, but I could binge watch a heap of Marvel movies if it’s raining. Just because I’m just a bloke really.’’ ‘‘ Friday Night Lights. It’s an oldie but a goodie. It combines my two loves – acting and football.’’ ‘‘ Planet Earth. There’s something about nature docos that is always so comforting to me, also I love the HD visuals.’’ ‘‘It’s New Zealand, let’s face it, it will be raining over summer. I love Bob’s Burgers but if you want something with more of a storyline go for American Horror Story. Asylum is the best.’’