My first year of college, I barely watched any TV. It wasn't set up in my dorm and I hated going to the multipurpose area to watch TV because there were always guys down there watching some sports or a group of friends playing pool. Plus, most of what I wanted to watch was already downloaded onto my computer or on Netflix. I was content.
Then I came home for the Summer and decided it would be nice to watch my daily dose of Spongebob Squarepants on a bigger screen: the living room TV. Flipping through the guide, I saw some other good shows (Roseanne, cough) and flipped back and forth between channels.
Commercials for new TV shows started registering in my mind. That looks interesting. I should watch that. Premiere dates got saved, research was done to find more, a list was made, and my summer has officially been set. 5 shows with potential to be game changing
Here are five shows that I think have potential to be game-changing.
1. Ok KO Let's Be Heroes! (Coming in August on Cartoon Network)
Cartoon Network used to have it all. Johnny Bravo, Tom & Jerry, Dexter's Laboratory, and more classics I still watch to this day. It even has some modern quality shows, such as Regular Show and the occasional Teen Titans Go! episode (I can appreciate it because it's not supposed to be exactly like the old one, it's supposed to be funny).
But some shows like Uncle Grandpa are just horrendously random and don't really tell a story. Introducing K.O., a young kid training to be a superhero, who can save us from this horrid cartoon wasteland. I'm not only excited for this because I'm a sucker for the cute animation, but K.O. has a dream. He wants to work hard and do good with his friends, much like another favorite of mine, Steven Universe.
A positive message that I think 100% kicks butt (like K.O.'s awesome hairdo).
2. GLOW (June 23 on Netflix)
Being a woman is hard work. And trying to be someone important in this society is about as easy as taking a bone from a temperamental dog; it takes big kahunas to pursue your dreams. Ruth Wilder is doing her best, but she's struggling to become the actress she wants to be.
Through this struggle, she lands a gig...as a wrestler. Though not exactly what she expected, it may be just what she needs to give her the confidence to be a star. Not only are there some big talented names producing on this story (lots of members from beloved Orange is the New Black) but the story highlights the importance of sisterhood, women empowerment, and unconventionality (how often do we encourage women to wrestle?), something we can all learn from and appreciate.
3. Raven's Home (July 21 @ 10 PM on Disney)
I don't know too many people who don't know about Raven-Symone or who didn't watch her classic Disney show, That's So Raven. Growing up, Raven was A-list to me. Not only was I proud to see an African American actress on the screen, but she was portrayed in a positive light.
A supportive friend, daughter, and sister, and a great role model for all kid viewers. After her show and others on at the same time disappeared, Disney took a turn for the worse. The shows now (minus one that has curiously grabbed my attention) usually don't garner much more than a sigh and eye roll from me. The return of Raven and Chelsea means a lot to those who grew up watching the original show. Two best friends who have stuck together through the years, are divorced but raising their kids together, and there are still those awesome visions that can only lead to wacky shenanigans? I can't see the future, but something tells me fun is ahead.
4. The Bold Type (July 11 @ 8 on Freeform)
At first, I wasn't ready to give this show a chance.
My heart is still broken at the fact that The Carrie Diaries only had two seasons (and still tragically shipping #kyddshaw); the show was a prequel to Sex and the City, following Carrie Bradshaw and her start in the world of writing big time. This show also shows a big break in the big industry, this time for three best friends working for Cosmopolitan. It didn't seem as glamorous or as real as The Carrie Diaries was; it appeared to be just another Freeform show to get teenagers to become wrapped up in unnecessary drama caused by reckless decisions. Except, that just may happen to three young girls working for an important magazine, coming up in the world, and being challenged by their authority to do whatever it takes to get the story.
An order like that may call for a wild ride, and I'm prepared to get a ticket.
5. The Sinner (August 2 @ 10 on the USA)
Typically, I stay far away from horror and gore if I can help it. Ironically enough, Freddy Krueger (easily one of the most, if not the most, creatively gruesome killers ever) is my favorite murderous villain and American Horror Story was one of my biggest binge babies. This new show may not be on those levels of gore specifically, but it has the potential to dig deep into the mind of the protagonist (or maybe antagonist?). Mary Camden kills a complete stranger and is not sure why. Though sounds creepy and unsettling, my interest is in how the show will explore her motives and what we can find out about this case that could apply to similar current cases or historic cases. It could potentially shed light into the minds of everyday people. The question isn't whodunnit, it's why, and I plan to follow this case very carefully.
