Watch with your folks – and without embarrassment
Not everyone wants to sit down and watch “Fleabag“with their parents or grandparents.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are practicing social distancing in whatever way we can. That may mean young adults have returned to their parents’ homes as families hunker down together. If you are staying with multiple generations, trying to find TV shows for distraction is more challenging than putting on “Game of Thrones.”
We picked 10 TV shows that are free of awkward sex and swearing but will still entertain Boomers, Gen X and Millennials alike.
1. ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’
With mile-a-minute dialogue, impeccable costumes and an incredible cast, this Amazon dramedy about a 1950s housewife (Rachel Brosnahan) turned stand-up comic is a pastel pinkcovered treat. Although some of the humor is a bit blue, the period setting and sensibility keep it from being too inappropriate for cross-generational viewing.
• Stream it on Amazon.
2. ‘The West Wing’
The simplicity of politics in Aaron Sorkin’s White House drama, which originally aired on NBC from 1999-2006, feels almost quaint in 2020, but the rousing speeches of President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (Martin Sheen) still inspire and captivate.
• Stream it on Netflix.
3. ‘Madam Secretary’
In this underrated, solid political drama that ran for six seasons on CBS, Téa Leoni plays Secretary of State Elizabeth
McCord. Elizabeth is as fascinating a lead as Bartlet ever was. She’s a former CIA analyst focused on getting things done on the world stage, even if she has to tiptoe around established protocols.
• Stream it on Netflix and CBS All Access.
4. ‘Grantchester’
If your parents or grandparents love the TV drama genre known as “provincial British people solve murders,” try PBS’s “Grantchester,” in which a local Anglican vicar (James Norton) assists an inspector (Robson Green) with murder investigations (naturally). The writers’ approach to social issues and the episodic mysteries themselves are incredibly nuanced for a show that appears twee on the surface. It also retains its quality when the original vicar is replaced with a new one (Tom Brittney).
• Stream it on Amazon and PBS.
5. ‘The Durrels in Corfu’
Are you feeling the strain of a lot of family in a small space? Enjoy this British
PBS drama, based on a series of memoirs, about the Durrels, a poor family that leaves the United Kingdom for Greece to attempt a fresh start. The series is full of sibling squabbles, an exasperated mother and gorgeous beach scenery. “Durrels” always maintains a sweet, loving tone.
• Stream it on Amazon and PBS.
6. ‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’
We’ll bet that your dad will love “Ryan.” John Krasinski, stepping far away from his famous role as Jim on “The Office,” does a serviceable interpretation of the famous Clancy character in this espionage thriller, which mixes its action with solid character work. Amazon has plenty of dad shows, so if you finish “Ryan” try “Bosch” or “Patriot.”
h Stream it on Amazon.
7. ‘The X-Files’
Allow your parents to introduce you to a cult classic from their youth. The recent Fox revival was mostly disappointing, but that doesn’t change how groundbreaking, thrilling and eerie the original was. If you are trying to fill up weeks of quarantine, there are nine long seasons of Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigating the unknown.
• Stream it on Hulu.
8. ‘Star Trek: Picard ’
Although many TV favorites from older generations have been rebooted or revived, not all have resulted in stellar TV. But Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) returns in fine form to the “Star Trek” franchise for this new series. Propulsive, intriguing and (thankfully) not dripping with nostalgia, “Picard” is TV’s best new “Trek” in years.
• Stream it on CBS All Access.
9. ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’
A diverse, multi-generational cast makes this NBC (and former Fox) sitcom another worthy choice. So if you’ve already seen “Parks and Recreation,” try this similar workplace comedy, starring Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher and set in a police precinct, from the same producer with the same upbeat tone.
• Stream it on Hulu and NBC.
10. ‘The Voice’
Sometimes reality-competition TV is the easiest way to please a crowd, and “The Voice” is the best choice among them. Full of amiable celebrities (your mom loves former coach Adam Levine), talented singers and playful humor, the series is just entertaining enough to be uncontroversial. The current season, airing taped episodes, is set to go to live May 4, but there are plenty of old seasons that are still fun to watch, even if you know who the winner is.
• Stream it on Hulu and NBC.