Jenn’s Pick: 10 Shows and Movies That Have Brightened Up My Quarantine Life [Contributor: Jenn]

It’s been a weird few months. While March seemed like it was an entire decade in itself, April has appeared to fly by. And with May creeping up behind us, it’s hard to believe that 2020 is nearly half over already. Whether you’ve been doing well in quarantine, are going a bit stir crazy, are suffering from anxiety and depression, have gotten sick or know someone who is, this is a very weird time to be on planet Earth. And it might be really hard for you to watch anything remotely sad or dramatic at the moment. I talked with my best friend recently and we both agreed that in these uncertain times (a phrase everyone likes to use now), it’s hard to watch anything that doesn’t make us laugh or lift our spirits.

So I wanted to provide you with a few “lift my spirits” options as you navigate the rest of this pandemic. These are all movies, shows, and specials that I’ve watched over the last few months, and I hope that they provide you with as much joy as humanly possible.

10. Booksmart (Hulu)

I got the chance to watch Booksmart virtually with my friends Chels and Jen. It’s a charming, funny, coming-of-age film that features some wonderful women. Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Denver play Molly and Amy, respectively, who are high-school overachievers. They don’t party and they’ve spent the last four years rigorously planning out the rest of their lives (well, Molly definitely has). But on the last day of school, Molly discovers that even the kids who spent the last four years partying and seemingly not caring managed to get into good schools. What was it all for, then?

Booksmart proceeds to follow the best friends through the night before graduation: their chance to make up for four years’ worth of lost time by being wild and crazy. As you might expect, shenanigans ensue and friendships are tested. I really enjoyed the fact that this movie features female friendships and also that it portrays them realistically. Not everything with Molly and Amy is good and the movie’s tipping point is a really dramatic fight between the two. While Booksmart brought the laughs, there’s definitely real heart at its core and that’s what made it so endearing.

9. The Way, Way Back (Amazon Prime)

I decided to re-watch this movie recently and man, does it hold up. Written and directed by Oscar-award winning duo Jim Rash and Nat Faxon (long live Community and Ben & Kate), this charming and quiet comedy about a shy boy named Duncan who’s forced to accompany his mother, her boyfriend Trent, and Trent’s daughter to Trent’s beach house in Cape Cod for the summer. This is a place where all the adults go wild and crazy and the kids act like adults. But Duncan soon discovers a water park where he meets a ragtag group of adults who befriend him and help him grow in his confidence.

This sweet, charming, funny coming-of-age story has an all-star cast: from Steve Carell playing the truly awful and abusive Trent, to Sam Rockwell playing the slacker-but-kind mentor, Owen, to the incomparable Maya Rudolph and Allison Janney, this film has it all. It truly stands up as a coming-of-age comedy that’s earnest, fun, and sweet.

8. Running Wild with Bear Grylls (Disney+)

Sometimes you want to watch an escapist show like a sitcom because the world is in chaos. And sometimes you want to watch other people do things you’d never, in a million years, be willing or able to do. That’s where the newest season of Running Wild with Bear Grylls comes in! Bear takes his celebrity guests on adventures in different environments: from beautiful cliffs to caverns and canyons, you get the chance to watch him and his guest traipse through the wild. But Bear also gets honest with his guests, asking them about their stories. It’s a really cool, disarming way to get to the heart of who a person is.

The season currently on Disney+ features some incredible people: Brie Larson, Joel McHale, Channing Tatum, Cara Delevingne, and more. Watch as they rappel off the side of mountains, skydive, scuba dive, and eat things they’d never eat in a million years. It’s fun, it’s engaging, and it has nice heart to it.

(I would not make it in the wild, which makes this extra fun for me: I get to watch someone do things I never could from heights that make me dizzy just watching.)

7. Not Another Happy Ending (Amazon Prime)

If you’d like a predictable rom-com, I’ve got just the thing for you! Not Another Happy Ending is a British romantic comedy that stars the lovely and talented Karen Gillan as Jane Lockhart. Jane writes a successful, best-selling novel and her publisher Tom (Stanley Weber) is waiting for her follow-up. The only problem? Jane is so happy and in such a good head space that she’s blocked. And that doesn’t bode well for Tom, who needs another smash hit of Jane’s in order to keep his business afloat. So Tom decides to do what any reasonable person would: he tries to make Jane as unhappy as possible so she’ll be inspired to write.

Not Another Happy Ending unfolds in pretty predictable ways, but also fully develops Jane’s relationships with others, including her father. One of the most unique things is that Jane’s main character, Darsie, comes to life for Jane. And she’s the only one who can see her. Their interactions are a highlight of the film.

It’s cheesy, it’s fun, it features great accents and clothing... give this one a shot!

6. Isn’t It Romantic (Hulu)

Speaking of rom-coms, Isn’t It Romantic combines two of my favorite things: rom-coms and meta commentary. Starring the very funny Rebel Wilson, Priyanka Chopra, Adam Devine, and Liam Hemsworth (with additional hilarity by Betty Gilpin), this story is about Natalie, a woman who’s living in New York as an architect and is just trying to be taken seriously. Living in New York is not as glamorous as rom-coms make it seem, which is something Natalie rants about to her best friend and coworker, Witney (Betty Gilpin). Natalie has hated rom-coms since she was a child. They’re fantasies and give people unrealistic expectations about love.

Then one day, Natalie gets mugged and knocked out at a subway station. And she suddenly wakes up in New York: Rom-Com Version! Everything else that follows is a hilarious meta commentary on all the tropes rom-coms have (a clumsy leading lady, an idealistic setting, no sense of time, random musical numbers, a flamboyant best friend, etc.), and Natalie soon realizes what’s happening. She decides that the way out of the rom-com has to be to fall in love. So she tries to do just that.

Isn’t It Romantic is so charming and cheesy and if you love rom-coms, you’ll love the fact that this movie points out how tropey they are. Plus, take note of some of the perfect background details. Grab your favorite snacks and enjoy this little gem.

5. Onward (Disney+)

Full disclosure: This one WILL make you cry but it’s also a really fun twist on an adventure tale from Disney and Pixar. Elf brothers Barley (Chris Pratt) and Ian (Tom Holland) lost their dad when Ian was so young that he doesn’t remember him. On Ian’s 16th birthday, the brothers discover that their father left him a magical staff with a way to bring him back for just one day. The spell fails, unfortunately, and only bring Wilden’s torso and legs back. The boys go on a quest to find another gem to complete the spell so they can bring their dad back.

Onward is unlike most Disney/Pixar films I’ve seen. It features a completely different world and I love the fact that the movie features a quest. The theme of family runs deep in this movie, and let me tell you that there will be some moments that make you a little choked up, especially if you have siblings. The animation in the film is great, and though I found parts of the middle act a little slow, the final act makes up for it in spades.

Like I said, bring tissues. But you’ll ultimately leave this one with a sense of hope.

4. Love Wedding Repeat (Netflix)

A friend of mine told me to watch this movie because she knows I love rom-coms. True to her word, it was almost exactly what you’d expect it to be. Miscommunications and misunderstandings abound as the story centers around a few hours at a wedding. What’s pretty unique about the film happens right before the third act, so I won’t give that away. But the main focus of the film is missed chances and complex relationships.

The entire story is set against the backdrop of main character Jack’s (Sam Claflin with a bad haircut) sister’s (Eleanor Tomlinson) wedding day. Jack’s sister, Hayley, just wants to have a normal day without any issues. Unfortunately, a guy named Marc shows up who tells Hayley he’s in love with her and threatens to ruin her big day. Meanwhile, Jack has issues of his own to deal with: Hayley’s former roommate, Dina (Olivia Munn), has showed up to the wedding. Jack and Dina met three years prior and had an amazing connection. But Jack never told her how he felt or made a move. He lost his chance.

What happens after is chaos as exes meet, new relationships form, secrets come out, and someone gets slipped sleeping pills in their champagne. Love Wedding Repeat isn’t revolutionary, and I wouldn’t say that it’s the best rom-com out there, but it’s incredibly perfect for what it is: a shenanigans-filled, predictable romp through a rom-com.

3. The Duff (Amazon Prime)

If you’re looking for a fun teen comedy with just enough rom-com to satisfy your shipper heart, The Duff is the film for you. Starring the incomparable Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Allison Janney, Ken Jeong, and more, this film is a nice twist on a high-school tale. The best part too is how the movie wove technology and fantasy sequences into its storylines. Because at its heart, this is a movie about Bianca (Whitman) who has two best friends named Jess and Casey who are more popular than she is. One night at a party, Wesley (Amell) tells Bianca that she’s the DUFF of the group: the designated ugly fat friend. Bianca is rightly horrified and she begins to research the term, soon pushing Jess and Casey away for befriending her knowing that she was their DUFF.

But Bianca and Wesley team up: Bianca to help him pass science, and Wesley to help Bianca shed her DUFF status and go on a date with her crush, Toby. Of course, there are mean girls and misunderstandings, hidden feelings and shenanigans... and the movie is a gem because of it. It’s a sweet, endearing tale. Mae Whitman and Robbie Amell have great chemistry and the film is so enjoyable to watch. Go check it out on Amazon Prime.

2. Middleditch & Schwartz (Netflix)

Improv can be hit or miss. Either you’re laughing hysterically or cringing in awkward secondhand embarrassment. I’m delighted to say that Middleditch & Schwartz, for me, is the former. I knew of Ben Schwartz primarily through Parks and Recreation, so seeing him at home in improv was an utter joy. There are only three episodes of this improv special, but they’re so worth your time. Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz perform one elaborate improv each episode based on a conversation they have with an audience member about something they’re excited about or looking forward to. They then build the story on stage around that plot and develop characters along the way.

Guys, I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt after I finished episode three. These guys play off one another spectacularly and manage to move around the stage (and even into the audience) with ease. They craft some truly hilarious stories and play a wide variety of characters whom they often forget. They break the fourth wall, they pause to explain the plot to each other, and they’re genuinely just so dang funny.

I can’t recommend Middleditch & Schwartz enough. Their creativity and hilarity is insane. Go watch it right now.

1. Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Mindy Kaling’s newest endeavor is so fun from start to finish. Does it occasionally frustrate me? Of course. Do I then have to remind myself that these are mostly high-school sophomores? Yes. Never Have I Ever is filled with wonderful representation, tells a tight story in 10 episodes, features the actual best voiceover narration, and manages to give us some really wonderful emotional moments. Don’t say I didn’t warn you: the final two episodes will leave you crying, but mostly happy tears.

Never Have I Ever tells the story of Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) a sophomore in high school who wants to improve her social standing in the wake of some painful memories from her freshman year: her father died in the middle of an orchestra performance and she was so traumatized that she lost the use of her legs for months. But she has a plan: she’s going to get a boyfriend and she wants her best friends, Eleanor (Ramona Young) and Fabiola (Lee Rodriguez) to do the same. Devi decides to try to sleep with the most attractive guy in school, Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet) to achieve peak “cool” status.

This show was such a quick binge that I managed to start and finish it in one day. I’m not kidding. I got so invested in the emotional core of the story (Poorna Jagannathan is going to break your heart in scenes as Devi’s mother, trust me), and I love that the show is witty, smart, and fun. There are so many fun pop culture references, great treatments of coming-of-age stories, a real and hard look at grief and the way different people, including teenagers, process. And it’s got incredible character development in the course of just 10 episodes.

Never Have I Ever is a great little comedy and I highly recommend it during these crazy times.

What are YOU watching during this pandemic to lift your spirits? Sound off in the comments below!

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Jenn’s Pick: 10 Things to Watch on Disney+ This Month [Contributor: Jenn]

When Disney+ launched, millennials everywhere lost entire days of productivity as we dove headfirst into the Disney vault and relived our childhoods by watching every Disney Channel Original Movie (or DCOM, as we know it) we could get our hands on. We reveled in the new content, too. And if you’re anything like me, you probably began stacking your queue with as much nostalgia and newness as you could find.

Since December kicks off holiday season, you’re probably already in the midst of prepping for vacations and family gatherings. If you’re in need of some fun content to watch on your days off, I’ve got you covered. This is a personal list of favorites — a mix of 90s and current programming — and contains some stuff you can watch any time of the year, as well as some holiday-specific programming I think you might enjoy.

Sit back, relax, and let’s talk about ten things you should watch this month on Disney+.

10. I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1998)

Remember when Jonathan Taylor Thomas was the “it” guy of primetime TV? He charmed as a teenage heartthrob and the sarcastic son on Home Improvement. But he also starred in an incredibly cheesy, fun Disney classic: I’ll Be Home for Christmas. The plot is as follows: Jake (Thomas) is a college student in California who has a strained relationship with his dad. He hasn’t been home to New York for Christmas since his mother died and his dad got remarried. But this Christmas, Jake’s dad promises that if he’s home by 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, he’ll get a vintage Porsche.

Jake weighs his options and decides to go to New York, with his girlfriend Allie (Jessica Biel) set to accompany him. After Jake gets accosted by his college nemesis and left in the desert with nothing on him but a Santa suit, Jake has to find his way home for Christmas. Shenanigans obviously ensue!

I’ll Be Home for Christmas is cheesy in the way that 90s movies were always meant to be cheesy. They’re often unrealistic and silly, but still heartwarming. This one works because Jonathan Taylor Thomas always had a knack for making absurd comedies and situations work, so if you’re looking for a 90s Christmas movie, this one fits the bill!

9. Tru Confessions (2002)

I talk about this DCOM as often as I can because it’s one that incredibly moved me as a kid. But not many people have heard of it or watched it and that’s a shame. The plot: Trudy “Tru” Walker (Clara Bryant) is a teenager who aspires to be a filmmaker. She has a twin brother with autism named Eddie (Shia LaBeouf) whom she has a complicated relationship with. He often acts like a child and while Tru feels protective of Eddie, she’s also frustrated by how he’s treated by others and how he’s favored by her mother over her. Tru decides to create a documentary about her life, which obviously includes seeing the world from Eddie’s perspective. The movie is a look at the complex and emotional family dynamics that take place when a child is atypical.

Although, ideally, in 2019 this movie would be cast differently by using an actor who actually is autistic, as a child I was impressed with Shia LaBeouf’s portrayal of Eddie. Bear in mind that around this time he was still playing the slacker/goofball Louis Stevens on Even Stevens. So to see him switch into a serious role was an adjustment, albeit a good one. One of the most powerful scenes in this movie to me, to date, is when Eddie gets lost in a library. It broke me as a kid to watch that scene, and it’s still emotional as an adult.

If you’re looking for a DCOM that’s a little less widely known or talked about, check Tru Confessions out. A lot of DCOMs were fun, silly, hijinks-filled, but this one is deeply thought-provoking and emotional. And sometimes you just need that kind of movie.

8. Zootopia (2016)

Zootopia is such an underrated Disney movie, in my opinion. Like Inside Out (which I highly recommend as well), it managed to tackle some pretty big topics with ease, humor, and understanding. Zootopia’s main focus is on discussions of bias and prejudice but it does so in such a brilliant way. Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin) is the first bunny on the police force. She wants to make a difference in the world, is bright and idealistic, and also exuberant. Then Judy meets a fox named Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman). Although these two live in a world where animals talk, have jobs, etc., prejudices still run deep. Judy was always taught to fear predators (since she’s prey), and was given fox spray by her parents before leaving home.

When something begins to happen to the animals in Zootopia that turns them “savage” (they begin acting like animals in our world would), Judy and Nick decide to investigate and eventually learn about each other and the world around them. What makes this film so brilliant is its ability to portray bias and prejudice to children in an accessible format. It’s got brilliant jokes and references, meta humor, an incredible voice cast (featuring Idris Elba, Jenny Slate, J.K. Simmons, and more), and emotional beats that are really earned.

Zootopia is a delightful buddy-cop-style animated comedy and definitely is a must watch.

7. Noelle (2019)

This Disney+ original debuted with the platform’s launch and while I was initially skeptical about just how cheesy it would be, I have to say that I was incredibly surprised with how sweet and delightful it was. Of course, Anna Kendrick utterly sells any and everything that she stars in, which certainly helped anchor the film. Noelle is the story of Noelle Kringle (Kendrick), who grew up as the daughter of Santa Claus himself, Kris Kringle. Noelle’s role in the family was never going to be to take up the mantle of Santa though — that role was designated to her brother, Nick (Bill Hader). Noelle decides to help Nick prepare to become Santa Claus but unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to be getting the hang of things. But when Noelle tells him to clear his head, she doesn’t anticipate what follows: Nick disappears. It’s up to her to find him and bring him back to the North Pole so he can fulfill his duty before Christmas!

What makes Noelle such a sweet and fun comedy is two-fold: there’s an earnest, emotional core in Anna Kendrick. She sells both the fish-out-of-water comedy tropes when Noelle visits the United States and the emotional heart of Noelle longing to do something important with her life. The supporting cast is great though, too, which really helps bolster the comedy. I adore Bill Hader, and Billy Eichner and Shirley MacLaine shine as well.

The end result is a movie that’s earnest. It’s a little predictable, but not cringeworthy. It’s cute, fun, and contains the perfect amount of heart. Add Noelle to your watchlist this holiday season!

6. Dan in Real Life (2007)

While Steve Carell was playing Michael Scott on The Office (a role he made memorable and entirely his own) he also played a widower and romantic lead in the rom-com, Dan in Real Life. Not many people talk about this movie but it’s one of my favorites because of the way it weaves an overarching family story with a romantic one.

Dan (Carell) is a widower, father of three daughters, and an advice column writer. He and his daughters take a trip to Rhode Island for a family gathering. While at a bookstore there, Dan meets and seems to have a connection with a woman (Juliette Binoche), only to discover later on that she’s his brother Mitch’s (Dane Cook) girlfriend. The rest of the movie, as you might assume, is what happens after that. In addition to being a story about Dan and Marie’s budding connection, Dan in Real Life spends a lot of time focusing on family — both Dan’s complicated relationship with his daughters in the wake of his wife’s death and also Dan’s relationship to his brothers (another brother is played by Norbert Leo Butz) and parents (played by John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest).

This movie is worth watching just for the fact that Steve Carell sings in it, and also because it’s so tonally different from what he was doing in The Office at the time. It’s a cute, quiet comedy about love and the complexities of life and I definitely recommend watching it!

5. Newsies: The Broadway Musical (2017)

There are two different versions of Newsies available to watch on Disney+ but if you’re a fan of Broadway musicals, like I am, give this version a chance. The musical is based on the 1992 movie of the same name, and follows the story of Jack Kelly (Jeremy Jordan) and “newsies” — kids who are mostly orphaned and sell newspapers to survive. But when the cost of newspapers goes up (because the New York World wants to outsell their competitors), the newsies band together to protest and strike the World. They’re aided by a budding journalist named Katherine (Kara Lindsay) who becomes Jack’s love interest throughout the show.

What’s fun about watching Newsies: The Broadway Musical is that you’re watching a stage performance with the original Broadway cast. Jeremy Jordan is absolutely astounding, and his voice will always be able to melt a little piece of my soul. The choreography for Newsies and its set design are just so much fun. If you’re not rocking out to “Seize the Day,” then something might very well be wrong with you.

So if you’re looking for something a little fun and different to break up your traditional movie/TV show combination on Disney+, check out this stage musical!

4. The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

I definitely remember owning The Muppet Christmas Carol on VHS as a kid. Honestly, it’s probably my favorite retelling of A Christmas Carol, mostly because it combines some meta/fourth wall breaking humor with a classic Christmas story. And it’s got the Muppets in it!

In this version, Ebenezer Scrooge is played by Michael Caine but if that doesn’t sell you, then perhaps the fun additions to the film, like the songs “One More Sleep ‘til Christmas” and “Bless Us All” will. I think everyone knows the plot of A Christmas Carol, so there’s no need for me to recap it here. But if you’ve never seen this version, I definitely recommend it — especially if you have kids. It’s a fun little take on a familiar story and warrants a watch (or rewatch) this Christmas season.

3. Big Hero 6 (2014)

While I often see people post GIFs of Baymax, I don’t often hear people talk about Big Hero 6 as a film overall. It’s such a wonderful story with some really powerful lessons in there for kids (and adults too) about anger, loss/grief, and forgiveness. Hiro (voiced by Ryan Potter) is a teenager and robot prodigy living in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo. He’s a little bit rebellious, choosing to use his talents to battle robots. His older brother Tadashi (Daniel Henney) and he are close, and his brother encourages Hiro to enroll in the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology and use his talents for good. Hiro does manage to build microbots, tiny robots that can bond together to accomplish things. Unfortunately after Hiro showcases these robots, an explosion erupts and Tadashi perishes in the fire.

After Tadashi’s death, Hiro discovers the project his brother was working on — an inflatable healthcare robot named Baymax. Together, the two embark on an adventure that eventually ropes in Tadashi’s friends and classmates too. Big Hero 6 is such a wonderful film, for numerous reasons. First of all, it features so many wonderful cast members and voices including but not limited to Damon Wayans Jr., Jamie Chung, Genesis Rodriguez, Alan Tudyk, and T.J. Miller. In addition to the stellar cast, the story is really compelling and relatable. Understandably, Hiro spends a lot of the episode wanting to avenge Tadashi’s death. He’s grieving and angry and he wants to use those feelings to hurt the people who took his brother from him. But Baymax — such a wonderful, emotional character — truly makes an impact in Hiro’s life and the lives of the people around him.

If you haven’t yet watched this movie, definitely do so. And maybe bring a box of tissues if you cry easily.

2. Never Been Kissed (1999)

I first watched Never Been Kissed at a sleepover. It’s been one of my favorite underrated rom-coms ever since. The plot is so 90s that it’s perfect: A 25-year old copyeditor named Josie (Drew Barrymore) gets the chance to do an undercover assignment posing as a high-school student. As someone who was wildly unpopular back then, Josie gets the chance to have a do-over — to shake the insecurities from her past off. At first, she struggles to become popular. But then her brother Rob (David Arquette) helps coach her... and eventually poses as a high-school student himself. As Josie continues to form relationships at school, she begins to have feelings for the English teacher, Sam (Michael Vartan). What ensues is obviously hijinks, tropes, and revealed secrets.

The thing that makes Never Been Kissed so great is the earnest portrayal of Josie by Drew Barrymore. A lot rides on rom-com leads and she always delivers in spades. You really feel for Josie when she’s found out, and you root for her because she just wants to have what everyone else does: real love. The supporting cast in this movie is also just so dang great: John C. Reilly and Molly Shannon are fabulous, and the fact that Jessica Alba plays a popular mean girl is a lot of fun.

Drew Barrymore and Michael Vartan have fantastic chemistry (why wasn’t he the lead in more rom-coms than just this and Monster-in-Law?!), and if you’ve never seen this movie, I highly recommend you do!

1. The Mandalorian (2019)

Yes, I know that this is a series (and the only series represented on this list), but it’s becoming one of my favorites. The Mandalorian is part of the Star Wars universe so if you’re unfamiliar with it, you probably will be more confused than anything. But for someone like me who’s familiar enough, this is probably right up your alley. The entire first season will be on Disney+ by December 27, when the season finale airs, but I recommend watching weekly if you can. The Mandalorian is a little bit of a slower series — it’s less about action and more about traipsing the galaxy.

The plot? The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) is a bounty hunter, traversing the galaxy for his next mission. He finds one and is set to deliver... until he sees his mark, referred to as “The Child.” Now he and The Child are on the run through the universe, encountering obstacles, fighting monsters, and saving some helpless people along the way.

A lot of people who criticize The Mandalorian do so by saying that it’s “slow.” And yes, it’s got a bit of a smoother pace than most things in the Star Wars franchise, but that’s not a bad thing. This is a “space Western,” which means that fight scenes move quickly and everything in between those scenes is slower-paced storytelling. Genuinely though The Mandalorian is great fun — it’s comedic without being over-the-top cheesy. Its comedy fits right into the Star Wars universe perfectly.

And you’ve probably seen Baby Yoda (what many of us call “The Child”) pop up all over the internet recently. And that’s because Baby Yoda is so gosh darn cute that we can’t help ourselves. The dynamic between the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda is adorable. He’s serving as the little one’s adopted parent, and the show spends a lot of time reminding us of their cute little dynamic. This isn’t something the Mandalorian necessarily wanted, but he chose to save Baby Yoda because something within him knew it was the right thing to do. He couldn’t let people hurt or use his powers.

I’m interested to continue to learn more about the Mandalorian’s past (we’ve gotten hints of it here and there), but I can honestly say that Pedro Pascal is doing such great work emoting with just his voice since the Mandalorian never takes off his helmet. If you’re a fan of Star Wars, you’re probably already watching it. But if for some reason you’re not, I highly recommend checking it out. It’s fun, good storytelling. And again... Baby Yoda.

What do you plan to check out this holiday season on Disney+? Sound off in the comments below and let us know what we should watch too!

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Jenn’s Pick: 10 TV Shows That Are Worth Your Time [Contributor: Jenn]

Welcome to the final few months of 2019! As we approach a brand-new decade soon (a shocking thought), it seems like we’ll soon be in the era of all-out streaming service wars. Between Disney, Apple, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, and cable services, it can be overwhelming to find the time and money to watch television.

Regardless of the cost, you might be looking for a way to escape the plethora of parties or family engagements as the holiday season rolls around. And that’s where I come in! Whether it’s a new show or a show that’s returned for another season, there are numerous series out there deserving of your time. I’ve narrowed them down to ten. Let’s get started!

10. Single Parents (ABC)

I’ve talked a lot about Single Parents on here, but it truly is a gem of a comedy series. It has a fantastic ensemble, the children in the show are just as important as the adults (and they get their own major storylines to prove it), the show is genuinely funny, and it has a big heart. The show is created by the same women who had a hand in New Girl, so if you enjoyed the blend of hilarity, shenanigans, and sweet moments that show was about, then you’ll love Single Parents.

This little-show-that-could managed to get a second season which is currently airing on ABC, so binge-watch the first season on Hulu and catch up now!

9. Emergence (ABC)

I love fall TV pilot season. As a good friend of mine noted, it’s like our own version of college football kickoff! I tend to gravitate more toward comedy pilots than drama ones (or at least I have in the past), so I was surprised that this season saw a healthy mix of both in my queue. Emergence was one of the shows that intrigued me and it’s already proven to be a mystery-centric series. I like shows with cliffhangers that draw you in — not just shock and awe for the sake of shock and awe — so Emergence was right up my alley. It stars Allison Tolman as Jo, a police chief, who suddenly finds herself at the center of a mystery surrounding a little girl. Tolman’s Jo is kind, endearing, and immediately likable. There’s enough in the pilot to unravel in the future: Jo’s sick father, her ex-husband (played by Donald Faison), the ever-growing powers the little girl, Piper, seems to have. If you’re in the market for something interesting without too much of a scare factor, then Emergence is the series for you.

8. Stumptown (ABC)

I couldn’t say no to a show that featured Cobie Smulders and a bearded Jake Johnson, and I didn’t regret it. The pilot begins with “Sweet Caroline,” a fight sequence, a dramatic freeze frame, and a cast of dimensional characters. Stumptown is an ABC drama series based on a comic of the same name. It centers around Dex (Smulders), a military veteran-turned-P.I. Dex is unabashadley blunt and cavalier in her methods and relationships, but beneath her harder exterior and emotional walls is a lot of loss and vulnerability. Not many people get to see the softer side of Dex, besides her brother, Ansel, and her friend Grey (Johnson).

Stumptown had a really nice mix of everything which is probably why I immediately gravitated toward it. It boasts an incredibly talented cast (not mentioned above was Michael Ealy who plays a detective and Dex’s sorta-love interest), plus a nice blend of mystery/cop drama and case-of-the-week serialization/comedy/heart. Cobie Smulders could sell me anything, and Dex is a really hard character to play. She’s sarcastic, deeply wounded, and also incredibly warm — but only when she chooses to be. Smulders strikes the exact right balance in her performance, and Jake Johnson’s Grey is equal parts endearing and complex.

Your next drama series should be this one!

9. The -ish Trio: blackish, grownish, and mixedish (ABC and Freeform)

I know I am cheating but I have to keep the -ish trio together. If you haven’t yet watched blackish, I highly recommend starting there. Though it’s not required, necessarily, to watch blackish before attempting mixedish or grownish, you’ll have a clearer picture of each series if you do. Plus, blackish is just excellent. It has this incredible way of portraying very real, very hard conversations with rawness, honesty, and humanity. The Johnsons are all so well-rounded that it makes their inter-family conflicts that much more painful because we’re reminded over and over again that they’re all human. That means they’re flawed. And no two characters think or act exactly alike on the series.

grownish is the second series in the -ish family, following Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi), the oldest of the siblings in blackish, as she goes to college. She meets friends, falls in love, and struggles with things a lot of college students do. grownish is very much a Freeform shows in the look and feel (as well as musical choices), but also in the way that Zoey is portrayed. The series’ title is apt, as Zoey is not quite an adult — and neither are her friends — which comes across clearly in the way they think and talk about themselves, their situations, and their problems. But I like complex characters — ones who you often don’t root for, or waffle about — and this show is full of them! (Plus it’s just a fun series.)

mixedish is the newest addition to the family, and it tells the story of how Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross) grew up. What I immediately loved about the pilot was the sentimentality of the final scene. It’s what sets the show apart from a lot of series on television right now, and what makes blackish such a stand-out show. There’s a tendency in television to skew toward negativity or darkness. The -ish trio really focuses on love, family, and dealing with the hard stuff together. mixedish, I can tell, will stay that trajectory.

mixedish follows Bow’s journey as she grows up in the 1980s in a mixed-race family. It’s going to be a series that focuses a lot on the era, and I can tell that — just like its predecessor blackish — it will handle difficult and multi-layered topics with grace and humor. Rainbow’s upbringing is fascinating and with Tika Sumpter and Mark-Paul Gosselaar playing Bow’s parents, there are plenty of opportunities for shenanigans and heart already in the series.

I highly recommend checking out this trio of series, especially blackish and mixedish as they’re currently airing on ABC!

8. Schitt’s Creek (Pop TV)

It took me too long to get into Schitt’s Creek (and I’m currently watching the show as I write), but I could immediately see the appeal. When the Rose family loses their fortune, they’re left with the only asset they have: a town called Schitt’s Creek that they bought as a joke. The rest of the series is a step of mishaps, shenanigans, and comedy as the Roses learn not only to build their lives but actually connect with each other and the townspeople.

Schitt’s Creek can be cackle-out-loud funny. But it’s a series that manages to surprise you with how it taps into the heart of relationships. Have you ever ever had those moments in TV comedies that sneak up on you because of how earnest they are? Yeah, just listen to Patrick sing “Simply the Best” and see if you have tears streaming down your face.

7. Bless This Mess (ABC)

Bless This Mess is a quiet, chill, and quirky comedy on ABC that not many people even know exist. It might not be the shining star of the network but it’s a cute show starring Dax Sheperd and Lake Bell. It’s about a couple named Mike and Rio who move from New York City to Nebraska when Mike’s great-aunt leaves him a farmhouse. It’s a fish-out-of-water comedy series that features quirky characters, silly storylines, and some genuine heartwarming moments.

The relationship between Mike and Rio is the show’s cornerstone, and I’m interested to see how the series will continue to strike the balance between their marriage and the rest of the ensemble cast. If you haven’t checked out Bless This Mess, give the series a shot! Hopefully you’ll find it as enjoyable as I do.

6. Four Weddings and a Funeral (Hulu)

Very loosely based on the romantic comedy of the same name, Four Weddings and a Funeral is a new Hulu miniseries that just concluded. It tells the story of a group of friends who are trying to navigate life, love, and loss in London together. When a show features an EP credit of Mindy Kaling, I immediately need to check it out. And while I found a few characters in the series to be frustrating, I can tell you one thing: This show is fun, and it also makes you feel. I didn’t expect to cry the second episode of the series, but I did. And the fact that I had feelings — positive or negative — toward characters means that the show is creating and stirring something in its viewers other than ambivalence.

Four Weddings and a Funeral is a rom-com that leans on tropes one moment and then subverts them the next. It cleverly depicts the passage of time, and balances stories between its main characters very well. It doesn’t try and drag out reveals too much, and it keeps you feeling and laughing along the way. Nathalie Emmanuel is stellar as Maya, who’s an ambitious woman who feels and loves well. Nikesh Patel is endearing as Kash, Rebecca Rittenhouse and John Reynolds play Ainsley and Duffy respectively and though their characters are complex and frustrating at times, they do a fantastic job conveying the layers of insecurity in both of them. Brandon Mychal Smith gets to play comedic relief and also one of the most earnest characters, Craig, while Zoe Boyle’s Gemma truly surprised me the most in the series (Sophia La Porta also is surprising in how deep and empathetic her character becomes).

If you’re looking for a miniseries that features laughter, love, and drama, then check this one out!

5. A Million Little Things (ABC)

I have surprised myself with how much I’ve enjoyed A Million Little Things. Maybe it’s James Roday, maybe it’s the fact that this show can make me burst into tears, or maybe it’s that it picked up steam throughout the first season in storytelling. Regardless, this ABC drama has become a part of my “must-watch” queue these days. If you’ve never watched A Million Little Things and assumed it’s a carbon copy of This Is Us, you’d be incorrect. While there are shades of that emotional, family-centric drama series in this one, that’s about where the comparisons end.

A Million Little Things is about what happens when secrets are kept between loved ones: it really is a show about the importance of honesty, vulnerability, and connection. I expected to cry as I watched the series, but I didn’t expect to be hit with such a powerful wave of emotions regarding the human spirit and significance of community. There are fun moments peppered throughout the series, too, so that the heavy subject matter doesn’t overwhelm the show.

If you haven’t yet checked it out, I’d recommend the series. Try a binge-watch: it might surprise you!

4. The Politician (Netflix)

I definitely finished the entire first season of The Politician in a day. That’s how easy of a binge it really is. To be honest, I’m still bitter at Ryan Murphy for the way he utterly allowed Glee to become the utter trainwreck that it was, but I think series that are over-the-top in terms of camp and drama are right up his alley. So that’s why when you watch this  Netflix series, the fact that teenagers talk in the way that no other teenagers actually talk, you can chalk it up to the fact that these are very wealthy, entitled characters in a very satirical universe.

The Politician stars Ben Platt as Payton Hobart, an ambitious student who desires to become student body president. Payton is on a singular track to become President of the United States someday, which is why he needs (not just wants, but NEEDS) to win. He’s flocked by advisors and a supportive girlfriend, and chooses a cancer patient (Zoey Deutch) to be his vice-president. Soapy drama ensues, of course, when Payton squares up against River, the popular and athletic student, for student body president.

Everything about The Politician is over-the-top and somehow, a decent part of it works. And honestly almost all of it works not because of Ryan Murphy or any of his former Glee showrunners. It works because of Ben Platt. Platt humanizes a character who’s borderline sociopathic, turning him into someone we don’t necessarily root for, but definitely someone we can feel for. Platt gets to sing in the series multiple times which just really adds to the humanizing of Payton. And when Ben Platt cries, I think we all cry.

Additionally, Zoey Deutch is compelling in her role and deserves to be in everything from here on out. Gwenyth Paltrow plays Payton’s mother and though her role isn’t incredibly prevalent throughout, the significance of her relationship with Payton is central to the series (and also induced the most tears for me toward the end of the first season).

The Politician is something you can really breeze through, and I recommend spending a rainy afternoon doing just that.

3. Superstore (NBC)

I don’t remember when I started watching Superstore, but when I did, I couldn’t fathom why I hadn’t been watching it from the start! Superstore is a workplace comedy starring America Ferrera and Ben Feldman, this NBC show focuses on the employees of Cloud 9, which is essentially like the show’s version of a Wal-Mart. It features running jokes, shenanigans, nuanced characters, and some really funny moments. It also surprised me last season with a finale that left an emotional moment hanging, with no real punchline. I love when shows are able to lean into some serious moments and topics, and Superstore’s characters can carry that subject matter.

If you’re not already watching this show for some reason, definitely binge-watch to catch up and then enjoy the Cloud 9 antics as much as I do!

2. Fleabag (Amazon Prime)

I finally decided to watch Fleabag this year after so many people talked about it, and I wasn’t disappointed. The show’s an utterly brilliant, funny, occasionally dark, heartbreaking look at a woman — known to us as “Fleabag” — who is grieving and angry, trying everything she can (mostly including reckless behavior with men) to stop herself from feeling loss. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is so perfect in this role and series; she’s what will draw you in. Quite literally, too, because her character breaks the fourth wall and talks to you. The show will probably make you uncomfortable at times, and that’s what’s so amazing about it. Feelings are messy. People are messy. Life doesn’t work the way we think, and we all cope in whatever way we can — whether it’s healthy or not. Seeing Fleabag develop over the course of the two seasons though is so refreshing and the ways that she manages to cope and improve herself are very realistic. Progress and healing don’t happen overnight, and this series focuses on that.

Plus, Andrew Scott stars in the second season as a priest who’s very attractive and he’s simultaneously the best and most heartbreaking part of the show.

1. The Good Place (NBC)

If you haven’t watched The Good Place yet, where have you been for the last few years? I don’t know that I’ll be able to say anything about the show to convince you to watch it that hasn’t already been said, but I’ll try. I love The Good Place. I think the writing and storytelling are concise, funny, and so very smart. I think the showrunners and writers care deeply about honoring the characters they’ve created, and I think that the show does a wonderful job of weaving in humor and heart. If you don’t tear up or cry watching the “girl from Arizona” scene this season, you’re probably a robot. The acting is impeccable, the callbacks and attention to detail are what I would expect from a Mike Schur show (and nothing less), and the ensemble is the heart of the series. You can tell when a cast clicks on and off set because it makes a difference in the way the show ends up. It’s clear when you watch The Good Place that the cast and writers understand and respect one another. It’s also clear that this show is devoted to focusing on the good of humanity — something a lot of shows would rather ignore.

I once remember someone saying that Parks and Recreation was “the comedy of optimism,” but I really believe this is just part of who Mike Schur is, at his core. It shines through in all he creates: the world is dark and bad, of course. But people are still good. There is still hope. And there is still work to be done in the interim. That is what The Good Place is all about.

So what do you all think? Have you checked out the shows I mentioned above? If you have, sound off with some of your favorites below!

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Jenn’s Pick: 10 Underrated TV Actresses [Contributor: Jenn]

You don’t have to be a television aficionado to know that being in the “golden age of television” can feel simultaneously exciting and overwhelming. Where there used to be only cable networks to choose from, today’s options for entertainment are vast and diverse. From YouTube original series to an array of streaming platforms, it seems like there’s scarcely a place you can’t watch television.

And since the TV landscape is jam-packed with talent, sometimes actors, actresses, and series get a little lost in the shuffle. There is just so much television and not enough time. (For instance, I just started watching Schitt’s Creek, a series I barely hear anyone talk about!)

But since here at Just About Write we value women as much as we value pop culture — if not more — I thought it’d be nice to talk about some unsung heroes of television: these underrated television actresses. Though I think all of these women deserve accolades, most have given performances that have been brilliant and yet also flown lower under the radar.

So let’s celebrate ten underrated television actresses, shall we?

Hilary Duff
Younger (TV Land)

I grew up in the 2000s, so of course I loved Hilary Duff as the title character in tween comedy Lizzie McGuire (shout-out if you also remember the movie and/or can quote it by heart). So when I realized that Younger starred Broadway star Sutton Foster and an actress from my childhood, I knew I had to check it out. Hilary is consistently impressive in the series, navigating Kelsey’s desires for love, power, and friendship. She’s a young woman who’s trying to thrive in a career where men dominate. She’s a young woman who’s trying to figure out the complexities of friendships, loyalty, and relationships.

And Hilary not only portrays this struggle but also the heart that Kelsey has behind it all. She’s not a mean girl. She’s not a diva. She’s a woman who is compassionate and kind, but tough and fierce. She’s not afraid to stand up for her beliefs, but she also messes up. Hilary really nails the emotional moments Kelsey experiences too with such genuine and heartfelt emotion. I’m grateful Younger exists to continue to showcase Hilary Duff’s talent!

Alison Brie
GLOW (Netflix)

I’ve loved Alison Brie since Community. Annie Edison was a go-getter, driven, perfectionistic — in essence, a lot of the things I am. In GLOW, Alison plays a character who shares a lot of the optimism that Annie Edison had but she also brings an incredibly real, raw depth to her performance as Ruth. There are some really powerful scenes in season two where Ruth breaks down, and you can palpably feel the pain, anger, and heartbreak.

Alison Brie is deceptive in the best way possible — she’s able to perfectly portray innocence and enthusiasm. But then she can hit you with an intense display of vulnerability and emotion. It’s something she navigates incredibly well and leaves you reeling. Not to mention the fact that Alison Brie is an immensely funny person too with impeccable comedic timing. I can’t wait to see her continue to tackle the emotional nuances of Ruth in the new season of GLOW.

Kimrie Lewis
Single Parents (ABC)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Watch Single Parents on ABC as soon as possible. The show was thankfully renewed and I can honestly say it was one of my favorite series last year. The show has an ensemble of incredibly talented people (Leighton Meester is an absolute gem in the series), but I wanted to take special note of underrated Kimrie Lewis. Kimrie plays Poppy, the single mother to a vivacious, fantastic young boy. Poppy herself is self-sufficient, witty, and intelligent. But even with Will as soft and kind as he is, honestly Poppy might just be the heart of the group — and Kimrie does a wonderful job conveying her layers.

In the first season we get to see Poppy’s humor and heart, as well as her vulnerability, on display. Kimrie plays her as this perfect balance of kindness and kick-butt ferocity. She’s just as much at home on the couch with a glass of wine as she is donning an evening gown to visit The Bachelor mansion (please watch this show if for no other reason than the little crossover we get in one of the episodes with The Bachelor).

Kimrie is a talented actress to watch and you truly need to see her shine on Single Parents! Catch up before the season two debut in September.

Justina Machado
One Day At A Time (Netflix; Pop TV)

I don’t think anyone made me cry more in 2019 (or 2018, or 2017...) than Justina Machado. Thank goodness Pop TV rescued One Day At A Time after its cancellation at Netflix because I need more of this show in my life! Not only is Justina an incredibly talented comedic actress (her facial expressions and physical comedy is so impressive; she fills up every space she’s in and commands the scenes), but she is one of the most underrated, yet wildly talented emotional actresses. She made this evident in the show’s first and second seasons with her ability to make you overtly weep over storylines about PTSD, anxiety, addiction and depression. But she just keeps getting better and better each year, and I am amazed that she isn’t a household name yet.

Penelope is a fun, strong, and compassionate character. Her kindness and love for people is only rivaled by her desire for their happiness and success. Her scenes this season with Todd Grinnell (especially toward the back half of the season) were impeccable. I cannot sing the praises of this inclusive, emotional, hilarious show enough. And I won’t stop singing the praises of Justina Machado either!

Emily Bett Rickards
Arrow (The CW)

Admittedly, I stopped watching Arrow consistently a few years ago (sorry, show, but you kinda sucked life out of me). Nevertheless, I’m constantly amazed that no one has seemed to recognize Emily Bett Rickards for her talent over the years! This woman has done incredible work and, arguably, has held the series together as its glue when the writing was in shambles. Since the past season’s finale was her last (I expect she’ll make some sort of return in the series finale at least), I thought it was appropriate to honor her here. Emily Bett Rickards has done immense work with Felicity Smoak over the last several years. She was so captivating in the first appearance that she became a regular part of the series even though that was never the intent. And it’s a testament to her chemistry with Stephen Amell and presence on screen that she went from a presumed one-off role to the show’s leading lady.

What I was always impressed by was Emily’s impeccable navigation between nervous awkward comedy to genuinely heartbreaking emotion. She’s the kind of actress who can make you feel something so deeply by just the look in her eyes. There have been countless moments over the years where I’ve just watched a GIF of a facial expression or nuance she’s made over and over, impressed by her ability to communicate feeling and the intentional choices she makes. Emily understood Felicity deeply; I know she loved her as a character, and it shows. Felicity was an incredible, complex woman — someone who was equal parts moral compass, light, and tragedy. Emily fought hard in her portrayal to make sure Felicity always stood out and stood on her own, never needing to be defined by another character to make an impact. Even though she was the other half of the show’s major romantic pairing, Emily Bett Rickards didn’t need Stephen Amell to shine — she just shone by existing.

As Arrow wraps up, it felt right to acknowledge how hard Emily worked over the years and the journey she went on with this character. May we always remember her for her heroism, love, and hilarious Freudian slips.

America Ferrera
Superstore (NBC)

I started binge-watching Superstore on a whim, and fell in love with it pretty quickly. It’s often awkward and silly but sometimes downright unexpectedly emotional. America Ferrera is the heart of this workplace comedy (NBC really does this genre of shows well), but she’s also been given the chance to do really great emotional beats too. America’s Superstore character, Amy, begins the series feeling trapped and by the end of the most recent season we’re able to truly step back and see how much she’s grown. She’s taken on more professional responsibilities and leadership and America walks the line between Amy’s awkwardness (which often lands her in some hilarious situations) and her stoicism well. She’s the kind of character who loves antics but also knows they have their time and place. I love that we get the opportunity to see not only America Ferrera’s comedic timing but also some somber, dramatic moments too. If you haven’t watched the most recent season finale, you definitely should.

I’m thankful that America Ferrera gets to bring Amy to life each week and can’t wait to see what she does with her next season!

D’Arcy Carden
The Good Place (NBC)

Every actor on The Good Place deserves an accolade. Seriously. The writing deserves all the accolades. And while I’m devastated next season will be the series’ last, I’m grateful it gets to end on its own terms — something a lot of shows don’t have the luxury to do these days. Nevertheless, you likely noticed that the underrated actress I want to honor is none other than D’Arcy Carden.

It’s easy to take for granted the difficulties the actress must have had in playing the show’s operational mainframe; but when you realize those difficulties, it makes D’Arcy’s performance all the more impressive. While the other characters on the show are humans, there are unique tics that Janet has because she is not human (or a robot). The way she forms sentences is different. Her facial expressions are different. And her emotional nuances and beats are different. All of these subtleties are incredibly well-communicated by D’Arcy, who makes it look effortless and natural.

Speaking of making things look like they’re effortless and natural, D’Arcy deserves all the awards possible for her performance in “Janet(s)” this year. This woman not only had the normal difficulties of getting into Janet’s character but then also had to embody, while not satirizing, the other actors’ performances of THEIR characters.

D’Arcy absolutely knocked it out of the park in that episode, and I know from reading interviews with her that she was incredibly intentional in the way she observed and then portrayed her fellow actors as their characters. This woman deserves an Emmy for her work for sure. Janet is such a great character with growing emotional depth and layers thanks to D’Arcy Carden. I’ll miss The Good Place terribly and will definitely miss Janet.

Yara Shahidi
grownish (Freeform)

It’s actually really great how much I waffle between loving Zoey Johnson and being irritated by her choices. Why? Because that’s the mark of a complex character, and one who Yara Shahidi plays flawlessly. Though I ended up reversing my watch order and binge-watching the first season of grownish before I started blackish, I was nearly immediately compelled by Zoey as a character. She begins her spin-off series naïve about the world and admittedly there’s still a lot of privilege and pride in Zoey’s actions and decisions even in the current season. But what’s great (besides Yara’s impeccably hilarious deadpans at the fourth-wall-breaking camera) about grownish and Zoey as a character is that we are welcomed into her messy, non-linear growth. We don’t always agree with her. The show doesn’t always ask us to believe she’s in the right. And Yara does a great job portraying that kind of complexity in her inner/external monologues. She breaks the fourth wall in certain scenarios to recognize she’s wrong, to rant, or to process her feelings and determine that she was right after all.

It’s a testament to how good Yara is that she manages to navigate those complexities in Zoey with grace. She communicates the young woman’s thoughts and feelings with humor and prowess. Zoey can be stubborn and proud, but she’s also incredibly passionate and loving. And Yara Shahidi captivates us in any and every of Zoey’s journeys!

Aidy Bryant
Shrill (Hulu)

You likely know Aidy Bryant of Saturday Night Live fame. And while I enjoyed her on the sketch comedy, I was curious about her Hulu series, Shrill. I can honestly say the biggest disappointment... is that the first season is so short! I wanted more! (And thankfully there will be another season to satisfy that desire.) Aidy Bryant is as beautifully subtle and funny in this show as she is heartwarming. Aidy plays Annie, a full-figured woman who often gets dismissed, ignored, or disrespected by those around her. What’s really great is that even in the course of six episodes, you get to watch Annie grow in confidence. Aidy does a fantastic job initially portraying Annie as quiet and unsure of herself. But the character does not stay in that place for long.

And though the show does note that Annie has to learn to modulate her boundaries and actions toward others in this newfound confidence, she rips away from dependence on others and learns to stand up for herself. One of the most underrated and yet touching scenes in the series is when Annie decides to fully embrace her body and dance at a pool party. Aidy fantastically portrays the joy of Annie’s freedom and that action truly does change her for the rest of the season. I’m definitely excited to see more of Annie’s story unfold and more of Aidy Bryant’s performance in 2020!

Stephanie Beatriz
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC)

Amazingly, it took me three tries to get into Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but I’m glad I stuck it out because it’s one of the most delightful comedies out there. Though every single cast member is a standout in his or her own way, Stephanie Beatriz has truly come into her own with her portrayal of Rosa Diaz. Rosa’s story has unfolded in really amazing, cool ways and I’m so grateful Stephanie has been gifted on and off-screen opportunities to showcase her talent. Not only does she have deadpan humor down (Rosa’s dark comedy is truly a highlight), but Stephanie also is able to tap into Rosa’s realistic and in-character emotional responses. Rosa will never be as emotionally expressive as Amy Santiago (shout-out to the equally fabulous Melissa Fumero), but that’s great because Rosa still expresses emotions with just as much validity as Amy — or anyone else for that matter. Over the years, Rosa’s journey through a very well-done coming out storyline to sacrifices she’s made for the people she cares about has woven together well. And you can tell Stephanie Beatriz cares deeply about this character by the way she plays her.

Additionally, Stephanie was at the directorial helm of this year’s powerful episode, “He Said, She Said.” And though Rosa’s presence in the episode itself was limited, it was great to see Rosa and Amy differ in opinion on a situation even though they are both women (Brooklyn Nine-Nine does well reminding us that women are well-rounded individuals and not identical. Praise hands!) Not only is Stephanie an incredibly talented actress but also a great director. I’m constantly amazed by what she’s done with the character and am glad I’ll get to continue to see her work next season!

Who are some of your favorite TV actresses right now? Hit up the comments below and let me know!

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Year in Review: Jenn’s Top 10 Comedies of 2018 [Contributor: Jenn]

In an era of peak television, I’ve often found it easier to flip open my Netflix account and re-watch The Office or Friends or Parks and Recreation for the millionth time. Why is that, I wonder? Perhaps because getting invested in television has burned us all in the past. We’ve fallen in love with shows, only to watch them brutally cancelled after a season. So we flock to what is familiar, what we know, because it’s safe and comfortable. In spite of the fact that I did spend a lot of 2018 falling asleep to my favorite comedies of TV years past, there were also a lot of amazing shows that debuted or continued this year.

It’s time to honor what made me laugh (and occasionally cry) this year, so in no particular order, here are my favorite ten TV comedies of 2018!

New Girl

God bless this little gem of a sitcom. 2018 has been and felt so long that it took me a while to remember that this series actually concluded this year. And it went out exactly how it needed to — with a few last recurring gags, sentimental storylines, a few well-placed time jumps, and one final game of True American (that made all of us ugly cry. Just me?).

The thing about New Girl? It was always going to end with these weird, wonderful friends figuring out life together — it was a series about them making mistakes, making fun of one another, falling in love, falling into crazy antics, and ultimately becoming better people because they’d done all of those things. Over the series, we got the chance to watch each character evolve and grow into who they were always supposed to become. Jess learned how to be honest with herself and others, to fall in love, and to find her purpose. Schmidt became a better, more well-rounded person. Cece found her life’s purpose, and Nick finally finished that book. Winston got the love story he always wanted and deserved.

The final few episodes of the series this year made me laugh and cry, and I was reminded exactly how much I was going to miss Apartment 4D.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is still firing on all cylinders in its final season. While there have been a few slower episodes here and there, the show continues to prove exactly why it’s always been critically acclaimed. It’s smart, sharp, witty, and the musical numbers continue to be something incredible to witness. I love that in its final curtain call, this CW series is exploring what it looks like to own our stories — mistakes and all — and become better people.

Rebecca Bunch is truly learning where she’s gone wrong in her life and is willing to accept the consequences for her actions. But the final season has been more than just that: it’s focused on what it looks like for all of us to grow up and move on. Each character’s arc has followed the same path, where they’ve learned from their mistakes and have grown up.

The fall finale was genius with the show’s introduction of “new” Greg, and I’m sorry but if a series can manage to entirely recast a main character, make it incredibly meta, write a song about it but also tie it so well into the overall story arc/theme of growth and change... I’m sold. That is why this show continues to deserve accolades.

One Day At A Time

YES THIS SHOW ALSO AIRED IN 2018. Granted, it was in January, so it’s understandable if you — like me — forgot that its second season debuted this year, let’s take time to honor this comedy. I keep trying to convince people to watch it, and my pitch is: “This show will make you belly laugh and ugly cry.” The second season is no different. It follows a Cuban family who’s just trying to navigate life — the struggles and successes of it. It’s a show filled with incredibly nuanced, well-written women and representation across all forms.

One Day At A Time is sweet, without being cheesy, and poignant without being over-the-top or heavy-handed (which a lot of shows tend to skew toward when attempting to tackle controversial and/or serious subjects). One of the best, most emotional episodes of 2018 is arguably “Hello, Penelope” which features frank discussions about medicine and features a character’s realistic withdrawal when she stops her antidepressants. If you haven’t yet watched this incredibly moving and hilarious show... what are you waiting for?!

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

I was never a fan of Gilmore Girls (you can yell at me in the comments) because I found it difficult to connect with Lorelai and Rory since they talked so quickly and were constantly witty and honestly who can do that in real life? And while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is essentially the same in terms of rapid-fire dialogue, it seems to work better in an over-exaggerated, bright, bold world and paired alongside Midge’s personality.

Maisel is a show that mostly draws you in with its dialogue, colorful wardrobes, and witty banter. The relationship between Midge and her family (as well as her internal and external struggles with her not-quite-ex-husband) is the focal point of much of the first season, but the true heart of this show is the arc of Midge learning to become who she was meant to be. She breaks free of certain traditional molds by embarking in a career in stand-up comedy. But a lot of the show’s emphasis is on the fact that Midge is very privileged. So while she’s got her struggles and personal issues, she also has a lot of support in her life. How does she reconcile those two things? And how does she put herself first and take risks when her whole life has been safe?

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is an incredibly binge-worthy show on Amazon Prime, and if you’re looking for a period piece with good writing and great acting (Rachel Brosnahan shines), then look no further than this one!

Splitting Up Together

I’m honestly surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed Splitting Up Together. I thought it was going to be a show about a couple going through a... well, uncoupling, and while it is a show about a marriage that splits up, what it’s really about is how complex families really are. But how all of us are complex, and that’s what makes us humans.

This show makes the point that broken families aren’t bad families; in the midseason finale, Martin (Oliver Hudson) calls Lena (Jenna Fischer) to thank her for the way that she’s been such a great mom. He knows their arrangement is weird to a lot of people, but he actually wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s a sweet, subtle gesture rooted in Martin’s own realization of how messed up other parents actually are. As much as Oliver and Lena’s relationship is tumultuous, the show really focuses on the fact that their love and devotion to their family is unwavering.

Splitting Up Together is perfect if you’ve loved any other Emily Kapnek shows (Selfie, Suburgatory, etc.) because the humor is relatable, and ultimately sweet. Jenna Fischer absolutely shines in this role and if you haven’t watched it yet, check out Splitting Up Together!

Single Parents

I’m not even remotely surprised that I’m in love with a show that is created by Elizabeth Meriwether and J.J. Philbin and also features a slew of New Girl writers. If you loved New Girl and haven’t yet started Single Parents, please do. It’s a delightful little series about a group of single parents, each of whom has at least one child and their own set of quirks. Leighton Meester and Taran Killam are exceptional (and I get major Nick/Jess vibes from them in terms of their chemistry and characters’ friendship), but so are the other cast members. Brad Garrett, Kimrie Lewis-Davis, and Jake Choi are exceptional. But truly the kids are the stars of this show and have impeccable comedic timing.

What really makes Single Parents special is a lot of what made New Girl special — the way the series manages to balance slapstick humor, recurring references, flashbacks, and witty dialogue with immense heart (I genuinely teared up during the midseason finale).

The show might begin with the group of single parents trying to pick on Will (Taran Killam), but after the pilot, these people become a family. And the humor is fixated not on them being mean-spirited toward one another, but attempting to just navigate the quirky, weird qualities they each have. If you need something sweet that is genuinely funny, Single Parents is your perfect next show to binge!

The Good Place

THIS SHOW, YOU GUYS. Mike Schur and company consistently manage to surprise us with the twists and turns they throw. What I’ve always admired about The Good Place though is that it never gives us a plot twist just for sheer shock value. Each step of the journey in this show is perfectly planned out, and I love that we got to watch the characters really grow and settle into their moral journeys this season. You can tell the cast really enjoys working together, and it shines through in their performances. The Good Place deftly has managed to combine humor, heart, and also impeccable attention to detail. The writing of the series is so tight that while plot twists throw us, we immediately want to re-watch the episodes and pick up all the tiny clues we missed along the way.

Character growth in this series has always been believable. One of my favorite episodes this season featured Michael and Eleanor on a journey by themselves in which they had the opportunity to explore the concept of free will. Ted Danson and Kristen Bell were tour de forces, and everything in the episode felt true to their characters. The performers are top-notch, truly (D’Arcy Carden deserves an Emmy for that finale), and each brings incredibly nuanced and yet hilarious skills to the table. Jameela Jamil and Manny Jacinto often have to deliver lines that would sound absurd coming from everyone else, and William Jackson Harper got the chance to do some really fun physical comedy in 2018.

I’m already itching to see what happens to Michael, Janet, and the humans in 2019. How about you?

GLOW

Ironically one of the reasons I really loved GLOW this year was because it got more serious. Sure, the series was still funny and I appreciate all of the dry wit that episodes bring. But the fact that it pushed itself outside of the confines of the first season truly made it special. “The Good Twin” was an ambitious episode that really paid off, and Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin deserve all of the awards possible for their confrontation in “Nothing Shattered.” The whole cast truly is special and I loved that we got the opportunity to see more of them shine this year. There were deeper storylines for them (please tell me everyone else appreciated the emotional story Tammé  had with her son), and we actually got the chance to not just watch them and their wrestling alter egos in the ring, but explore more about why they’re choosing wrestling and how it impacts the rest of their lives, for better or worse.

GLOW is one of those fun, easy-to-binge shows because the content and format lend itself to watching one more episode, and then one more episode. I love that 2018 brought us more of a series with nearly all women stars and allowed us all the chance to get to know more complex, diverse women on television.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

What a gem of a comed this one is, you guys. Brooklyn Nine-Nine thankfully got picked up by NBC after its cancellation at FOX, and I for one am grateful. I’m not sure exactly when this series became a favorite of mine (because it took me three attempts to even start watching it in the first place), but it did. I’m a sucker for ensemble comedies, if you haven’t noticed that pattern yet, and this show is the best current example of a workplace ensemble comedy.

But what I’ve always appreciated — apart from the commitment to recurring jokes, callbacks (shout-out to all the writers who remember all the things), and flashbacks — about Brooklyn Nine-Nine is that when it chooses to be series, it does so purposefully. “Moo Moo” (though it aired in 2017) and “Show Me Going” are two recent examples of the fact that when the show focuses on the fact that it’s not just a workplace comedy but a workplace comedy about a police station, it shines. “Show Me Going” was the perfect balance of intensity and humor, and that’s the balance Brooklyn Nine-Nine has locked down.

I already saw the first two episodes of the upcoming season and let me tell you... they’re excellent. Catch up on the series if you haven’t yet, and dive into all the romance, humor, silliness, and joy that Brooklyn Nine-Nine holds.

grown-ish

Ironically I began watching grown-ish before I watched black-ish. The Freeform series is fun and features the same kind of narration that black-ish does. But grown-ish takes the narration a step further, frequently breaking the fourth wall and having Zoey directly address cameras. (In the season two premiere, she literally tells the audience to stay put while she goes and does something.) What I really enjoyed about grown-ish this year was the fact that it featured a stellar and diverse cast and though it’s more suited for college students and young adults — like a lot of Freeform’s content — it’s appealing to a wider audience. This isn’t just a series about college students partying, or Zoey trying to find her place in the world. It’s about friendships, arguments, love, identity and purpose — all things that everyone can relate to.

While watching black-ish definitely will help you understand Zoey’s personality better (I started watching black-ish frequently this year and love it too), it’s not necessarily a requirement to watch grown-ish. You’ll be able to jump right into this fun comedy series and hopefully enjoy it as much as I did. Catch up before season two returns in a few weeks!

What were some of your favorite comedies this year? Did 2018 feel simultaneously as long and short to you guys as it did me? Sound off in the comments below!

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