What to Watch

Although I truly admire Rachel for making a decision to not watch TV, no one will have that same admiration of me! I love this form of entertainment. It allows me to turn my brain off at the end of the day and transports me to another world (yes, I know reading could do the same, and I love that too). I don’t binge-watch (I prefer to savor episodes) and I don’t stay up all night (it usually puts me to sleep). I just like to watch a show or two every day. 

Rachel: Amanda, that sounded like a confession of a naughty mommy. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I actually admire that TV has the effect it does on you. When I do watch a show, I feel wide-eyed and compulsive; like I can’t be stopped! I get obsessed and I’m by all accounts a binger! The thing I learned about myself many years ago is that I can use that same obsession for good if I apply it to personal development. And again, not because TV is evil, it just brings out the worst in me and triggers all my bad habits – staying up too late, snacking, over-sleeping, and waking up groggy with low motivation and little productivity. I guess you could say I’m an all or nothing kind of gal. YOUR ability to strike balance in life and “savor” TV is something I admire!

Amanda: Okay, so, if you’re not a TV fan (or it brings out your dark side, like Rachel), and you’re in need of some entertainment, check out Sound Advice From My Virtual Besties, Grace x Quarantine and Choose Joy. There’s some really inspiring content there. But, if you love TV like me and are in need of a new series, read on . . . I shouldn’t say but . . . please do read those stories . . . I assure you, you can do both and you might even learn something! 

Please note: there will be no recommendation of reality shows, tiger shows, or reality shows about tigers.

I always check Common Sense Media before starting a show or movie that my kids watch. It’s a good resource that helps me determine whether a show/movie is appropriate for our family. Here’s what we’ve watched over the last year that is worth checking out:

Shows for you

• Dead to Me (Netflix)
• You (Netflix)
• Veep (HBO GO: many shows are FREE right now)
• Big Little Lies (HBO GO: FREE right now)
• Schitt’s Creek (Netflix)
• Call the Midwife (Netflix)
• What/If (Netflix)
• Catastrophe (Amazon Prime)

Shows for you and your spouse

• Ozark (Netflix)
• Forever (Amazon Prime)
• Suits (Amazon Prime)
• Jack Ryan (Amazon Prime)
• Dispatches from Elsewhere (AMC)
• Sneaky Pete (Amazon Prime)

Shows for the family

• Stranger Things (Netflix)
• Once Upon a Time (Netflix)
• The Goldbergs (Hulu, reruns are on TV)
• Guns, Germs, and Steel (Hoopla)
• Just Add Magic (Amazon Prime)
• The Kicks (Amazon Prime)
• Cash Cab (On Demand)

Beyond my suggestions, check out the many great streaming opportunities right now. I downloaded the HBO GO app because they are offering many series for free. I just started Veep. The History Channel has a ‘Vault’ of shows that are free for 1 month. Be on the lookout for more special offers!

I usually have a few shows going. I don’t necessarily watch all of them each day. Right now, my husband and I are watching Ozark, season 3, and Schitt’s Creek when we need some laughs…and there are a ton in that show. I’m watching Veep by myself and I watch Once Upon a Time with my 10-year-old daughter. 

My 13-year-old and I are watching Stranger Things. It’s ‘our thing’. We watch an episode every few days and it’s been really fun. Last year, we watched all of the Marvel movies in chronological order and if you have kids who are interested in that, I highly recommend it. We had so much fun, and again, it was ‘our thing’. We bonded over Iron Man and Captain America!

What shows are you in to? Let me know your recommendations and I’ll be sure to put them in my queue (while Rachel binges self-help books in her evil reading nook, but not past 9:00 pm).