5 TV shows you need to stream this month
It’s September, which means fall TV is back with fresh seasons and brandnew shows.
But if you’re getting antsy waiting week to week to watch your favorite series, check out these great shows in the meantime, from comedy to drama to reality television. (Note, the content ratings are taken from Common Sense Media.) Here’s my list for what to watch in September:
Insecure
Network: HBO. Genre: Comedy/drama. What it’s about: Created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore, the series is based partially on Rae’s Web series, “Awkward Black Girl.” The show follows friends Issa (Rae) and Molly (Yvonne
Orji) as they navigate their late 20s in Los Angeles. Issa is outgoing and funny, working at a non-profit that helps middle school students of color. Molly is smart and ambitious, working as a highpowered corporate lawyer who has unrealistic standards for a relationship. They succeed and stumble through life, whether dealing with tone-deaf white co-workers, advocating for equal pay or playing the dating game.
Why I like it: It’s funny, it’s raunchy, it’s self-aware. The show absolutely and importantly speaks to the AfricanAmerican experience and what it means to be black in America today. The characters are complex and eschew stereotypes of black women in a way that is refreshing and hilarious. The show also speaks to the female experience in general, from being taken seriously at work to dealing with messy, complicated relationships.
Issa and Molly’s friendship is seriously #bestfriendgoals. They have that wonderful unspoken understanding of each other that only good friends can have. Sure, they get into fights and disagree on things, but in the end (I may be kicking myself later if I’m wrong), their relationship will outlast every obstacle they face.
There are these great moments when Issa raps or practices a scenario, such as hyping herself up to talk to a guy, in front of the mirror. It’s fierce and original, and you get glimpses of the qualities Issa wants or thinks she should have, but in the end she is herself — a bit awkward and quirky.
And the music, oh It’s absolutely fantastic. The talented Raphael Saadiq created the original music for the first season, and Solange Knowles is a music consultant for the show. I sit there with the SoundHound app open through entire episodes.
Content rating: 16+ Network: Netflix, PBS.
Genre: Reality.
What it’s about: Called the “Great British Bake Off” in the U.K., this is a competition show that follows 12 amateur bakers in various rounds, working to impress judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, with a contestant eliminated each week. There’s no cash prize; rather, the winner receives a cake stand, a bouquet of flowers and the pride of being the U.K.’s best baker.
Berry is beloved in the U.K. and is like the grandmother you wish you had, gently offering some restrained criticism, but also encouragement and advice. Hollywood is like the English equivalent of Tom Colicchio on “Top Chef:” He’s discerning, giving contestants the you-might-want-to-rethinkthat look of death. Hosts Sue Perkins and Mel Giedroyc keep the competition moving forward by explaining the challenges, supporting the contestants and providing plenty of PG comic relief.
Why like it: Sometimes you just need to watch something positive. Yes, it’s a competition show, but it also makes obvious that the bakers could be your neighbor or co-worker. There’s no swearing (at least on camera), and rarely does anyone throw a fit. Instead, competitors encourage each other rather than bring each other down. While it can be entertaining to watch a contestant throw a pan on the ground or drop a couple of F-bombs, there’s something quite endearing about the “Great British Baking Show” contestants and their utter politeness.
The hosts are an absolute delight, throwing in silly puns that make even the most serious bakers crack smiles during tense moments. They also help calm the bakers down, sometimes even lending a hand, which is usually unheard
Iof in a competition show.
As an American, you’ll likely be confused with many of the British baking terms, and I am constantly asking Alexa what certain terms mean. I’ll admit, I always giggle when I hear someone say “frangipane,” or when Mary Berry talks about her disdain for a “soggy bottom.” (She uses that term so often it’s probably inspired many a drinking game).
The show is inspirational, and I even ordered all of the tools to make French macarons. (They are still sitting in my pantry unused. It will happen ... one day.) And this should go without saying, but be careful what you Google. I wanted to find out more about a contestant in this current season, and accidentally spoiled myself with the winner in like, the first episode. Whoops.
Content rating: 8+
Episode length: 60 minutes. Number of seasons: Eight seasons have aired in the U.K., with five released in the U.S. PBS is currently showing season five, which is actually the third season in the U.K. that aired in 2012.
Next season release: Sometime in 2019. This series already aired in the U.K. and features new hosts and a replacement for Berry.
How to watch it:
Netflix (seasons 1-4).
American Vandal
Network: Netflix. PBS (season 5),
Why I like it: I am a big fan of true crime. I binge-listened to “Serial” and watched “Making a Murderer” wideeyed. The premise of “American Vandal” sounds ridiculous, and it is, but it’s also extremely well-done and thought-provoking. Don’t believe me? It actually won a Peabody Award.
This show takes all of the best elements of those series and others. With every clue uncovered and revelation made, you are constantly salivating for more details. The series offers entertaining and sharp satire on the intersection of reality and entertainment.
Dylan, played by Jimmy Tatro, is quite believable as the senior slacker. As the viewer, you consistently vacillate between his guilt and innocent, one second brushing him off as a loser, the next feeling bad that maybe everyone gave up on him too soon. Whatever the outcome of the documentary, perhaps he really is doomed.
The true crime details are completely on point. When Peter and Sam try to recreate the vandalism to see if Dylan actually had enough time to play the prank, I laughed out loud. The attention to detail was awesome, and it was so perfectly in line with “Serial” season one. It seems like it would be a limited series, but I’m happy to see that Peter and Sam will return for a second season to investigate a crime at another school. Content rating: 15+
Episode length: 26-42 minutes.
Number of seasons: One (eight episodes).
Next season release: Likely fall 2018. How to watch it: Netflix.
Fargo
Network: FX.
Genre: Black comedy/crime drama. What it’s about: This anthology series from Noah Hawley is inspired by the 1996 film of the same name by Joel and Ethan Coen. Each season takes place in a small town in Minnesota where nothing ever happens, until suddenly, everything happens. As in the movie, the opening of every episode starts with “This is a true story” but of course, none of them are true stories. Each season features a different cast and a different story.
Why I like it: I watched this series out of sequence with season two first, three next and one last. The order you watch them doesn’t really matter because they are standalone seasons. But I’m not sure what took me so long to start the show.
Each season sees pleasant, unassuming Midwest folk who lead mundane lives get sucked into dangerous and violent situations. They slip further and get more and more desperate, and it’s often hard to watch. But, the storytelling is so compelling.
Also, the acting is impeccable, from Martin Freeman to Jean Smart to Carrie Coon to Billy Bob Thornton. I honestly don’t think there’s any bad acting in the entire series. During season three, EwanMcGregor plays both brothers! I didn’t even realize they were both him until halfway through the first episode.
The villains are truly terrifying. Bokeem Woodbine, who played Mike Milligan in season two, and David Thewlis who was V.M. Varga in season three, sent chills through my body every time they appeared on screen. What are they going to do next?! Oh my God!
And the cinematography is superb, with beautiful wide shots of the cold, harsh landscape of a Midwest winter that are both beautiful and haunting. I honestly believed I could see my breath in some scenes.
Content rating: 16+
Episode length: 46-68 minutes. Number of seasons: Three (30 episodes).
Next season release: 2018.
How to watch it: Netflix.
Jessica Jones
Network: Netflix.
Genre: Superhero/thriller.
What it’s about: The Netflix original show portrays Marvel character Jessica Jones, a former superhero who’s hung up her spandex costume and now is a private investigator, living and working out of her unkempt New York apartment. Jones mostly deals with cases involving other humans with extraordinary abilities, while being forced to confront her own demons in the process.
Why I like it: It’s a Marvel show that answers the question, “What happens when a superhero quits?” It doesn’t feel like a typical superhero show at all. More an antihero, Jessica is tough and brash, self-medicates with booze and avoids opening up too much to people. We see her interact with fellow Marvel superhuman Luke Cage; Jessica’s best friend, radio host Trish Walker; and neighbor Malcom Ducasse, a drug addict.
The show delves into some deep issues: rape, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction and assault, with Jones haunted by her abuser in the first season. Even though Jessica wants to live an anonymous life, she can’t escape her past. She can’t exactly hide her superhuman strength and endurance, as much as she tries.
I’m not going to lie, it’s always fun to see Jessica surprise people, especially men, with her abilities: lifting up a car with ease (with a person still inside), or kicking someone’s butt who definitely deserves it. And I’ve lost count of how many times Jones has broken her office/ apartment door.
Content rating: 17+
Episode length: 46-55 minutes. Number of seasons: Two (26 episodes).
Next season release: 2019.
How to watch it: Netflix.