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Nostalgia and the binge-worthy: What we are watching

28 May 2021
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We’ve debated and laid robust counter arguments in our group chat in order to bring you our picks to watch, listen and read during the next few weeks.

This is part one of two, but if you want to take a sneak peek at what books and podcasts we recommend, check out the full story in our digital edition out now.

– Binge-worthy streaming –

 

Red Bull Racings Dutch Driver Max Verstappen (l) And

Netflix’s F1: Drive to Survive has been an unexpected hit with some of our team. Things get a bit tense between F1 drivers Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in the first season. PHOTO: GETTY

F1: Drive to Survive
We were all a bit surprised when our deputy editor suddenly had a ferocious appetite for this series. Even more so when our deep-thinking designer Alice jumped on board, along with ad-man Gary. Its attraction? It drags you in with the stories behind the drivers and their bid to stay in the musical chairs that is the sport. And we are #TeamDaniel – Max needs to wait his turn, says designer Alice wagging her finger aggressively.

The Good Place
Surprisingly addictive, because, as designer Rodney puts it so succinctly, “It answers the question; what if a bad girl, in death, is mistakenly sent to heaven? The results are hilarious and unexpected with plenty of twists.” Well, he convinced us.

The Witcher
Please don’t judge it by the first two episodes. They were just warming up, promise. Hang in there, because you are about to go down a rabbit hole of binge-watching television that will see you emerge three days later. Do not compare it to Game of Thrones. Just don’t.

Santa Clarita Diet
Rodney also gives this one a hearty recommendation: “A hilarious twist on the zombie genre with superb banter between undead wife and mother, Drew Barrymore, and her just-trying-to-keep-up husband, Timothy Olyphant.” Sold!

Honourable mentions: Ugly Delicious, Cheer, Big Little Lies, Good Girls, Ozark, Schitt’s Creek, Grace and Frankie, The Last Kingdom, Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

 

– Nostalgia television –

It is time to dust off your DVD player (does anyone still have one?) and find those boxsets lurking in the garage or head online to find these television gems of yesteryear.

The 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Access Hollywood Gallery

The ensemble cast of Arrested Development and quick wit of the series is worthy of pulling it out of the vault. PHOTO: Getty

Arrested Development (2003–2006)
The bumbling actions of the formerly wealthy and highly dysfunctional Bluths got the nod of approval from many on the team for its cracking wit, ensemble cast and, as Rodney the graphic designer says, “Jason Bateman is pitch-perfect in the whole thing.” Though, it comes with a warning. Only the first three seasons are any good – controversial?

Gilmore Girls (2002–2007)

via GIPHY

“You can use your mother’s old golf clubs. They’re upstairs, gathering dust with the rest of her potential.” Emily Gilmore, folks. The true star of this series from the early 2000s. Admittedly, we look at this series through very different eyes than we did first time round. Anyone else find Lorelai and Rory slightly annoying? It’s is still worth watching simply for glorious Emily (Kelly Bishop) and Richard (Edward Herrmann) one-liners.

Friends (1994–2004)
How is that we are not sick of this yet? It had a resurgence with a new generation of younger fans, who don’t yet understand the cultural phenomenon that was ‘The Rachel’ haircut. Give them time. And don’t try to give yourself ‘The Rachel’ – disastrous. Tears even.

Twin Peaks (1990–1991)
A cult-classic if there ever was one. Some will remember sitting by the lounge room door, when they were meant to be in bed, waiting to find out who on earth really killed Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). It tanked quickly after season one, but we’ll forgive it for that.

MacGyver (1985–1992)

This gets a mention simply because in lockdown we may need handy tips from the man who can thwart terrorists with a Swiss Army knife, a paperclip and some duct tape.

Honorable mentions: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, ER, Scrubs, Grey’s Anatomy, Cold Feet, Seinfeld, M*A*S*H, Breaking Bad, The West Wing, Freaks and Geeks, Band of Brothers, The IT Crowd.

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