We are living in the Golden Age of TV. There are so many great shows coming out each year and it can be tough to keep up with all of them. I'll run you through a few newer shows that you can quickly catch up on before they return.
Stranger Things:
This was one of the best shows that premiered in 2016. Audiences loved it as did the critics. Since its release, this has become one of the most popular shows Netflix has ever created. It is a homage to many classic movies from the 80's as well as Stephen King novels. Think Stand By Me meets E.T meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
What separates this show is the acting ability of the kids. So many movies and shows feature lackluster performances from children. Not Stranger Things, these kids all give great performances and are also hilarious. If you have not seen season 1 then you have plenty of time to catch up before season 2 drops on October 27th. According to various sources, season 3 is already being worked on. I would like to see this show run for 4 or 5 seasons. That is usually the perfect amount for a drama series. I cannot wait for season two. This will be the perfect show to binge right around Halloween.
BoJack Horseman:
This is my favorite cartoon show out there. It blends the line between comedy and drama so perfectly.
One might think that a show about talking animals living in the real world would be a straight up comedy. They would only be half-right. This is one of the darkest shows I've ever watched. It deals with drugs, alcohol and depression. It deals with the thought that you are not good enough for anyone or anything. While it deals with those topics, it is also filled with hilarious one-liners and animal puns.
All 3 seasons are airing on Netflix and you have until September 8th to catch up before season 4. This is a relatively quick watch, 3 seasons with each episode being roughly 25-30 minutes. This show can get heavy but it was still made to be binge-watched.
This Is Us:
This is the show that is keeping cable television alive for me.
Who thought an NBC drama airing in 2016 could be one of the best shows on TV? At its basic plot, it sounds fairly simple. It is about a family and their lives. I do not want to say much about the plot because you will get a feel for what type of show this will be by the end of the pilot episode. The characters are all so likeable and I cannot wait to continue to watch them grow and change over the seasons. This show is so beloved that NBC already renewed it for seasons 2 and 3. This is one of those shows that can be on for a long time. Season 2 returns September 19th, and all of season 1 is available on Hulu. Even if you do not think this would be your type of show, I highly recommend giving it a chance.
Westworld:
Westworld is my favorite show that premiered in 2016. The first season is a masterpiece of storytelling and world-building. HBO wants Westworld to be their next Game of Thrones, with Thrones ending next year. The first season of this show definitely set it up for what should be an even better second season. The only problem right now is that we have no idea when season 2 is premiering. I put this show last on my list because you have the most time with it. We do not know the premiere date but we do know it will be some time in 2018. Whether that is early in the year or later is yet to be known. I recommend starting this show as soon as you can though. This is must-see TV at its finest.
