What I'm watching #5:

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Apologies in advance, because I have been watching a LOT of documentaries recently.  Who better to kick off with than the modern day king of documentary, Louis Theroux?  Man, I love him.  I love him so much that I even shut down Netflix and dusted off my actual television set to watch his most recent BBC series, Louis Theroux's LA Stories.  It's a brief but brilliant trio of documentaries set in LA exploring (as Louis does so well) the human side to some pretty messed up stuff that goes on in this world.  Stray dogs, terminal illness, sex offenders: all the bases are covered.  I'm being flippant, but I appreciate now more than ever that the man is a brilliant journalist, and I spent the majority of these three episodes on the verge of tears.  Powerful, controversial and thought provoking stuff that everyone should watch if they can.

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I'm not too proud to admit that when I stumbled upon The Queen of Versailles in Netflix's documentary section (a weird and wonderful place) I was expecting something along the lines of the Real Housewives... series.  You know - that particular brand of questionable yet addictive 'reality' TV that makes your brain dribble out of your ears.  What I had actually discovered was a compelling and brutally honest (not to mention award winning) documentary, made by Lauren Greenfield in 2012.  It follows the story of the mind bogglingly rich Siegel family and their plan to build the largest and most expensive family home in America (modelled on the Palace of Versailles, hence the title).  Everything goes a bit wrong when the economy begins to suffer and the Seigels start running out of money.

The Queen of Versailles really stood out for me because Greenfield doesn't portray David Siegel and his wife Jackie as billionaire Bond villains, the way I think a lot of filmmakers would.  She captures their good qualities as well as their flaws, and makes the viewer realise that the Siegels are human and (very occasionally) are even capable of being humble. Over the course of the documentary, you can see the physical and mental strain all that money puts on a person, a family and a marriage.  You may even end up glad you aren't a billionaire.  Maybe...

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Okay, okay, this is the last documentary, I promise.  Now, I'm sure this isn't normal behaviour, but I find learning about serial killers and other scary things absolutely fascinating, despite being a huge scaredy cat.  So (again, on Netflix) I found Cropsey and decided it sounded like my kind of thing.  Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio went back to their hometown of Staten Island in 2009 to investigate the urban legend of 'Cropsey' (the name given to the local 'boogeyman' when they were growing up) and whether there was any truth to the stories.  Thankfully, I didn't find this documentary all that scary (apart from the bit where the filmmakers decided to go for a walk in an abandoned asylum at night... why?!) but it was certainly captivating and, at times, quite sad.  I have a sneaking suspicion that the writers of American Horror Story: Asylum may have taken some inspiration from this documentary and its story, so if you're a fan this might be for you!

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Craig and I seriously only just started watching Suits on Sunday, and we've already finished the first season.  I'd heard a lot of good things about this show so (after finishing The Office US yet again) we thought we'd give it a try.  To be honest, the first episode didn't sell it to me.  The writing seemed kind of cheesy and the acting wooden, but somehow it managed to redeem itself, and now I am totally hooked.

Suits follows the story of the brilliant but misguided Mike Ross, who (through a strange series of events) is employed at a top Manhattan law firm by a pretentious (but actually quite cool and successful) lawyer called Harvey Specter.  It isn't a laugh a minute affair, but if you give this show a chance it will reward you with engaging plot lines and the occasional genuine guffaw.  (Mike does have a seriously unrealistic number of love interests though, I'm just saying...)

What have you been watching lately?

What I'm watching #4:

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Parks and Recreation is currently my most favourite thing, and I don't just mean my favourite thing on TV.  Although I'd seen a few episodes before, Craig and I recently opted to start watching the show together from the beginning, which was an excellent decision.  Parks and Rec follows the day to day dealings of a small city council parks and recreation department in Indiana, USA.  Doesn't sound very exciting or funny, does it?  Well, it is.  For a start, the show stars Amy Poehler - who is a truly hilarious lady - and a whole host of other amazing comedic actors.  All of the characters are brilliantly written, and although I love every one of them, Ron Swanson has to be my favourite.  Parks and Rec gets better and more silly with every season, so get it watched!

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I've written about the American Horror Story series before (in my very first 'What I'm watching' post) but because each season has its own story, I thought number three deserved its own mention.  American Horror Story: Coven is quite different to the earlier seasons.  The story follows a small group of witches as they deal with some strange goings on in modern day New Orleans.  We move back and forward in time a lot, as the coven has a rich and spooky history, but this isn't as confusing as it might sound.  

This third series is fairly gory and has some disturbing themes (which you should probably expect from a horror TV show!) but the psychological horror element I've come to expect from the franchise has disappeared.  It might be embarrassing to admit, but I had nightmares after watching seasons one and two of American Horror Story.  Actual wake-up-sweating-because-they-are-so-scary nightmares.  This time around, I'm more concerned with finding out how the mysterious plot is going to unravel, which means I'm no longer absolutely terrified.  It works for me, but hardcore horror fans might be a little disappointed.

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American political drama House of Cards wouldn't normally be my cup of tea, especially when you compare it to the rest of my usual TV choices.  Still, after one of my uni tutors suggested watching it as an easy way to learn more about the structure of US government, I decided to give House of Cards a shot.  What I've come to realise about myself relatively recently is that I should never limit myself because of genre.  In reality, I pretty much enjoy every film or TV program I watch, as long as it is well made, and House of Cards certainly ticks that box.  It's a Netflix original series, and only one season exists at the moment.  I got sucked into the show, and watched all thirteen hour long episodes much faster than I thought I would!

Kevin Spacey stars as Congressman Frank Underwood, and season one follows his personal campaign to move up in the White House.  We see a lot of the seedier side of politics, and I really enjoyed never quite knowing if any one character involved was a goodie or a baddie.  They all do unspeakable things over the course of the season, but they do some really nice things too.  It's very confusing!

I was intrigued to find out that House of Cards was actually based on a short BBC TV series of the same name, made in 1990.  It might be interesting to watch the original show (which is also available on Netflix) and compare the similarities and differences between UK and US politics.  But, to be honest, my grasp on American politics still isn't too hot.

What I'm watching #3:

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A few weeks ago I was off work with a sickness bug, and needed something to take my mind off feeling rubbish.  I decided to give the Netflix original series Orange is the new Black a try after hearing some good reviews, and I'm so glad I did!  I was immediately addicted (and got Craig hooked too!) and we watched the whole first season in less than a week.  Based on a true story, the show follows middle class good girl, Piper Chapman, as she goes to prison for a crime she naively committed more than ten years earlier.  The back story of each supporting character is slowly unfolded throughout the course of the series, which is both frustrating and fascinating.  It's very dark, but also very funny, and that's a winning combination for me.  I can't wait for the second series!

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It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was actually Craig's latest TV discovery.  I watched the first episode with him and didn't think much of it, but he persevered, and by the time I dipped back into the show (somewhere in season two) I found it much more enjoyable.  

The basic premise is that four friends own an unpopular Irish pub in Philadelphia, and they get up to some mischief whilst trying to drum up business, get famous and generally pass the time.  This makes It's Always Sunny sound like a carbon copy of every other US sitcom in existence, and that's all I originally thought it was, but the show has since changed my opinion.  First of all, the cast are actually very funny (my favourite is Kaitlin Olson as Dee) and the addition of Danny Devito to the line up in season two is a bit of a curveball that ends up paying off.  Most importantly, the subject matter of the jokes is extremely unconventional, and generally quite taboo.  Some episodes are a little hit or miss - and if you're easily offended this might not be the program for you - but in general I'd say It's Always Sunny is a witty and unique take on the dry sitcom we've all seen a thousand times.

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Even though I probably would have been too young to get most of the jokes back in 2001 when Teachers was first shown on Channel 4, through the wonders of Netflix I have now started watching it from the beginning.  The show is definitely of its time, and looking a little dated now, but the writing is great and it makes me quite nostalgic for school (which proves they've done it right!).  Hats off to the creators, as some of the camera work is extremely clever and creative, setting Teachers apart from other Britcoms.  Following the life of one young English teacher and his colleagues, the program has a funny premise, and there's the added bonus of seeing Andrew Lincoln as a cheeky, youthful British whippersnapper, long before The Walking Dead.

What I'm watching #2:

Last month I subscribed to Netflix which, as some of you may already know, is both a great and terrible thing.  On one hand, I now have a massive number of new films and TV programs at my fingertips.  On the other, there is a lot of nonsense on Netflix, and watching it takes up quite a bit of precious time...

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My main reason for signing up to Netflix was to watch the recent and highly anticipated fourth season of Arrested Development, which went live on Sunday 26th May.  After being cancelled in 2006, the show has returned as a Netflix exclusive seven years later, with all of its original cast members still on board.  My old flatmate, Liam, first introduced me to Arrested Development during my fourth year of uni, and I'm very glad he convinced me to watch it.  I usually describe it as the most British comedy I've ever seen come out of the US, and encourage whoever I'm speaking to to watch it as soon as possible.  Craig and I raced through season four, so I may have missed some of the comedic subtleties that the show is famous for, but I was still entertained and comforted by the familiarity of the characters.  After such a long gap, the dynamic of the show is bound to have changed a little, but if you loved the first three seasons, then season four is definitely worth a watch.  And if you haven't seen Arrested Development, then start from the beginning.  Right now!

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Countless people recommended Girls to me before I finally got around to watching it. I love living vicariously through Hannah, the main character, who is an overdramatic, penniless writer living in New York City.  I also am in awe of Lena Dunham (the show's creator, and actress who plays Hannah) and wish she could be my friend.  Both male and female friends suggested I watch Girls, so don't let the gender specific title cloud your judgement.  This certainly isn't Sex and the City, but there is quite a lot of the former involved.  It's vulgar, and it's great.

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I started watching Dexter years ago, and got completely hooked, but somehow didn't make it past the second season before I stopped watching.  Craig hadn't seen the show at all, so when we noticed that it was on Netflix in bulk I suggested that we start watching from the beginning together.  It had been just long enough between viewings that I enjoyed the earlier episodes without remembering too much of the plot, and now we are well into the third season.  I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't go into plot detail, but if a crime thriller with hints of black comedy sounds good to you, then Dexter is probably worth a shot. Also, Michael C. Hall is great as Dexter!

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I know, I know, The Hills definitely falls into the 'nonsense' category that I was talking about earlier, but there's nothing better than a bit of guilty pleasure, easy viewing once in a while.  Lately I've been watching about a million twenty minute episodes on my days off while I'm doing housework.  It makes the time pass much faster!  I can't stand the more recent 'staged reality' TV shows like The Only Way Is Essex or Made In Chelsea as they are so cringingly fake, but for some reason this predecessor to those shows is much easier to watch.  You can't beat some old school drama and angst!

What I'm watching #1:

I've been watching a ton of TV lately across a whole variety of genres.  There are some old favourites on the list as well as some unlikely newcomers, so I thought I'd share with you all in case you need some help deciding on your next telly obsession.

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The Mindy Project was created by and stars the witty and talented Mindy Kaling (who you may know as Kelly Kapoor from The Office).  The Mindy Project is a light hearted comedy (with the odd surreal moment thrown in for good measure) centred around the wistfully single, thirty-something Mindy Lahiri.  At first, I described the show to those who hadn't seen it as 'Bridget Jones-esque' (and got a few groans in response, particularly from Craig...).  However, in my opinion, as the first season unfolds, the somewhat predictable main plot point of Mindy's tempestuous love life is balanced out by her brilliantly strong and funny supporting cast and their own characters' stories.  In short, once I had persuaded Craig to watch a couple of episodes, I caught him chuckling away at Mindy and her colleagues just as much as I did.  There are some great celebrity cameos in the majority of episodes, and bear in mind that Mindy Kaling was a writer for The Office, as well as an actor, so if you like one then you will probably enjoy the other!

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Despite being one of the biggest scaredy cats the world has ever known, I recently decided to give American Horror Story a go.  Somehow I convinced myself that a TV show simply couldn't be as scary as a film.  Surely they wouldn't be allowed to actually put anything remotely disturbing on American prime time TV?  Surely I couldn't get anywhere near as creeped out by a TV episode in my own living room (in broad daylight) than I could in a tense and pitch black cinema screen for several hours?  I was wrong.  

The first season of American Horror Story is set in an infamous 'murder house' in Los Angeles, and centres on its inhabitants, both past and present.  The second season, which Craig and I are currently working our way through, takes place largely inside an insane asylum and, again, focuses on the stories of the people there.  The premises of both seasons are typical of their genre, and the show blatantly borrows from many famous horror films, as well as real crimes.  On top of that, the show's story lines can be fairly exaggerated (verging on excessive) and seem to run away from the writers at points, particularly in the first season.  

Yet, somehow, it still works.  American Horror Story is still gripping and definitely still scary, especially for a chicken like me, but also for a horror fanatic like Craig.  In my opinion, the dramatic plot twists are the best part of the show, and these are especially well thought out and executed in the second, 'Asylum' season.  Evan Peters and Jessica Lange deserve a special mention for delivering the best acting performances throughout both series, and they both make up for and carry the weaker actors in the show.

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I couldn't be happier that Mad Men is back on our screens again.  Although a lot has changed in six seasons, the show still adds a much needed dose of glamour to my humdrum life.  As I'm sure you'll all know by now, Mad Men is set in the 1960s and follows an advertising agency (or group of 'ad men' - took me a worryingly long time to make that connection!) through both their work and personal lives.  Jon Hamm plays Don Draper, the leading man everyone loves to love and loves to hate in equal measure, and he is backed up by an excellent supporting cast.  John Slattery, as Roger Sterling, is one of my personal favourites, and his character adds some much needed comic relief to the show's more over dramatic story lines.  If you haven't seen Mad Men before, start from the beginning.  You have a lot to look forward to!

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Breaking Bad is another TV show that has been a favourite for a while (thanks to my old flatmate, Liam, who introduced me to a lot of great programs!).  Breaking Bad follows the story of a high school chemistry teacher who feels forced to begin producing and selling crystal meth in order to provide for his family.  As you can imagine (and considering that there are currently five seasons) there are some consequences.  If you've never seen Breaking Bad before, I have two questions for you:

1) Remember Malcolm in the Middle?  
2) Remember Malcolm's Dad, Hal?

The mild mannered Hal was played by actor Bryan Cranston, who also plays Walter White, the main character in Breaking Bad.  I only ask about Malcolm in the Middle, because if you remember Hal and then watch Breaking Bad, I think it becomes immediately clear how versatile an actor Cranston is.  The show is extremely tense at points, as you might expect from its subject matter, but it has its comedic moments as well, particularly in the earlier episodes.  Jesse Pinkman, played by Aaron Paul, is easily my favourite character, and I'm always rooting for him.  Quite recently, one of my managers at work became utterly obsessed with Breaking Bad, and was so excited to tell me where he was in the story every time we spoke.  It just goes to show that anyone can get addicted!

I'm still dutifully watching the US remake of mockumentary sitcom The Office in its ninth and final season, feeling simultaneously heartbroken and relieved with every new episode.  The show and its amazing cast make me laugh just as much as they always have, but something isn't quite the same any more.  So many brilliant characters have left (some without any explanation) and, as has become the tradition with most American sitcoms, The Office has begun to drag out a little.  I'm looking forward to the finale, as I hear lots of old cast members will be coming back.  Don't get me wrong, I will be very sad to see The Office go, but there is nothing better than going back to the very beginning and starting it all over again.  If you haven't done it already yourself, I highly recommend it!


Are you as addicted to any of these programs as I am?  What have you been watching?  I've already been told by a few friends that I should try Girls next.  I'd love to hear some suggestions for shows to check out in the future, if you have any recommendations!