TV Shows You Should Savor, Not Binge
Do you have that one friend who always wants you to watch their favorite show and just won’t stop talking about it? If you don’t have that friend, maybe you are that friend!
Our NiceBlog team has already spent many lunch hours discussing favorite characters, shocking twists and outstanding performances. It turns out we are all that one person who can’t hold back when it comes to TV shows.
So we are excited to give you our recommendations for shows to watch now and always.
Ina – Comedy geek
Name of the show: Community
What is it about: A phony lawyer is suspended from his law firm when it’s discovered that he never possessed a bachelor’s degree. He decides to enroll at the local Community College and starts a study group to spend more time with his activist classmate, who he is attracted to. The diverse group soon becomes more than study mates and do everything together in order to get their lives back on track and save their College.
Why you should watch it: For the great pop-culture references, amazing animations and just a clever mix of human misfortunes, zombies, and parallel worlds.
You will love it if you liked Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, Scrubs, The Office
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime
Emmy nominations and wins: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation (2011), 3 Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program (2014, 2015) and Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series (2012)
Isabel – Fantasy Lover
Name of the show: Outlander
What is it about: The story is about Claire, a nurse from the war of 1945 who decides to go on a trip to Scotland with her husband after the war, but in her stay there she suddenly travels back in time to 1743. There she meets Jamie Fraser, a young Scottish warrior…. And I’m not going to tell more, I don’t want to give away any spoilers. ;)
Why you should watch it: If you are a fantasy + romance story lover this is your show. However, Even if you don’t like fantasy but you like history, you will love this tv series!
You will love it if you liked… Doctor Who (only the time travel is related) and if you like historic shows such as Reign, this is your show.
Where to watch it: Netflix (and in Spain Movistar +)
Emmy nominations and wins: Emmy nominations in 2015 and 2016, the winner of the People’s Choice Awards in 2015, 2016, and 2017 and Saturn Awards in 2015 and 2016 (so it’s a must!!)
Isotta – Lives for the suspense in shows
Name of the show: Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)
What is it about: The plot focuses on a bunch of highly experienced career criminals who follow a plan to rob the Royal Mint of Spain. Well, their real plan is to break into the bank and print out €2.4 billion. The plan is devilish and meticulous, but, of course, the unexpected happens.
The Dali-mask wearing heist crew are all under the guidance of a man who calls himself “The Professor”, the mastermind behind the robbery. He is consistently one step ahead of everybody else and always seems to be able to come up with solutions to the direst situations.
Why you should watch it: the tenseness of a heist drama, enjoyable suspense, action and high stakes make this TV series a worth watching one.
You will love it if you liked… Breaking Bad’s main character, Walter White.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Emmy nominations and wins: Winner of Best Spanish Series, Winner best Screenplay at Atv Awards
Katarina – Forever fascinated by cults
Name of the show: Wild Wild Country
What is it about: The true story of how the controversial guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (later Osho) and his followers build an entire town in Oregon, USA. It focuses on the many many conflicts and scandals with their neighbors and the whole state.
Why you should watch it: The whole story is retold by important members who lived in Rajneeshpuram (that’s the name of the town). It is fascinating to see who remembers what in which way and it is up to the viewer to decide who they will trust and how far.
You will love it if you liked… Any other documentary about religious cults but also if you are a fan of true crime series. I don’t want to spoil anything, but there was a lot going on in this community!
Where to watch it: Netflix
Emmy nominations and wins: Nomination 2018 for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series & Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program
Mariana – The one who belongs in the nice place
Name of the show: The Good Place
What is it about: The story of a woman, Eleanor, a totally immoral person who after her death was sent to heaven by mistake. “The Good Place” an utopian and surrealistic heaven where people are rated by how many good things they made during their lives. In order to remain in heaven, Eleanor must hide her behavior and become a better person. During this journey, she is guided by Michael, a sort of angel, who is the funniest spiritual guide of all times.
Why you should watch it: The plot is basically moral philosophy translated into a comedy show and discusses how the concepts of moral in our behavior are a social construction. It also has a lot of pop culture references and if you like art direction you will love the way they use bright colors to design this idea of heaven.
You will love it if you liked: Pushing daisies, Master of none, Parks and recreation, Chewing gum
Where to watch it: Netflix
Emmy nominations and wins:
Nominate for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Ted Danson)
Nominate for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Maya Rudolph)
Marta – The one who wishes she could go to an alternative universe
Name of the show: Counterpart (2018)
What is it about: It’s very hard giving a summary of this show without spoiling it. All you need to know it’s that the main character is Howard Silk, an employee at a Berlin-based United Nations that discovers the agency he works for is hiding a crossing into a parallel dimension, where his other self is a top spy.
Why you should watch it: Despite having a sci-fi side, the show doesn’t fall into the clichés of the alternate universe stories. There is a very realistic side of the story, very good narrative full of nuances and historical allusions. The lighting, constant grey colors help the audience immerse into the mystery and the thriller vibe.
You will love it if you liked… Westworld, The Handmaid’s Tale
Where to watch it: HBO España (but it’s a Starz Production)
Emmy nominations and wins:
2018: Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, nominated for Outstanding Main Title Design
2018: TCA Awards, nominated for Outstanding New Program
Nijady- That one friend who can’t decide between 2 shows
Name of the show: Mad Men (2007-2015)
What is it about: A drama about one of New York’s most prestigious ad agencies at the beginning of the 1960s, focusing on one of the firm’s most mysterious but extremely talented ad executives, Donald Draper, the biggest ad man (and ladies man) in the business, and his colleagues at the Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency. The series also depicts authentically the roles of men and women in this era while exploring the true human nature beneath the guise of 1960s traditional family values.
Why you should watch it: Everything on this show means something, from a pile of papers out of focus in the background to a character’s tie. Every episode feels like a short story because it dives deep into the characters, and the human stories make it relatable. It doesn’t follow the typical pattern that TV dramas do. What you think is going to blow up as a huge scandal never does, and the major moments can’t be seen coming.
Because it’s extremely well-written and it tells the truth.
You will love it if you liked… The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, The Wire, House of Cards.
Where to watch it: Netflix.
Emmy nominations and wins: Outstanding Drama Series winner for 4 times consecutive. In 2012 the series set a record for the most Emmy nominations, 17, without winning.
Nijady- That one friend who can’t decide between 2 shows
Name of the show: The Young Pope (2016 -)
What is it about: The beginning of the pontificate of the young and charming, newly elected Pius XIII, aka Lenny Belardo, the first American Pope in history. As Belardo begins his reign, he is stubbornly resistant to the Vatican stewards, instead relying on Sister Mary to serve as his chief adviser. While she urges him to focus on leading his billion followers, the young pope shows little interest in making himself known, either to the College of Cardinals or to the masses.
Why you should watch it: Although it seems like a work of the Church is actually about the human being. Oh and…the Young Pope drops a baby.
You will love it if you liked… Sorrentino’s films. Mad Men.
Where to watch it: HBO | Canal +
Emmy nominations and wins: Nominated for Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie and Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary or Fantasy Program (One Hour or More).
Renata – Food Lover and Pad Thai Connoisseur
Name of the show: Chef’s Table
What is it about: (short plot summary): This is a documentary series that gives you a peek behind the scenes of the lives and kitchens of the world’s most renowned, international culinary chefs. Each episode focuses on a single chef and their unique look at their lives, talents, and passion.
Why you should watch it: Do you love food and consider yourself a foodie? Each episode gives the audience an inside look into how some of the best think about food, talk about food, and, of course, cook food.
You will love it if you liked… Jiro Dreams of Sushi, The Mind of a Chef, Cooked. But basically, if you like food you will love this show!
Where to watch it: Netflix
Emmy nominations and wins: James Beard Award for Visual and Technical Excellence,
Nominated for: Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program 2017 & 2018, Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series 2016 & 2017
Laura – Loves British tv shows
Name of the show: IN THE FLESH
What is it about: 7 years after the zombie apocalypse finally a cure is found. The zombies can become “humans” again. But how does the society of a small, anti-zombie declared, English town can cope with the arrival of one of their ex-zombie inhabitants?
Why you should watch it: This is not just a show about zombies, this is a show about stereotypes, tolerance and intolerance, forgiveness, and family.
You will love it if you liked… Les Revenants, Glitch, Black Mirror…
Where to watch it: BBC
Emmy nominations and wins: 2013: BATFA won Best Mini-Series, 2013: BAFTA won Best Writer – Drama
Which one do you like the best? Let us know in the comments and add your favorite if it’s not on the list!
Ketilly | 10 October, 2020
Muito legal
Deborah Shepard | 5 August, 2019
Nijady- That one friend who can’t decide between 2 shows