Category: TV Series

Genre: TV Series (Netflix)

Grade: A-/B+

Notable People: Gad Elmalah, Matthew Del Negro, Erinn Hayes Created by: GAD

Title: Huge in France

Review: this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I find this show uproarious. Gad (real name, real person) is a huge comedy star in France and comes to LA to try and win his unbelievably narcissistic late- teen son’s affections. He is clearly NOT huge in the US, though he readily produces a video clip on his phone show people that Gad is Huge in France. Gad seems like a cross between Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David (though more likeable than David). The premise is funny, the execution funny and the actors are funny. I laughed my way through this show’s first season.

Genre: TV series (Showtime)

Grade: A

Notable People: Damian Lewis, Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff, David Constabile, Asia Kate Dillon Created by: Andrew Ross Sorkin

Title: Billions

Review: Created by the son of TV virtuoso, Aaron Sorkin, this show is mesmerizing- centered on the conflict between a billionaire investment company (Lewis) and a barely legal US attorney with aspirations for power and office (Giamatti). The dialog is so crisp it is hard to keep up with. The characters are larger than life, brilliant portrayals(Constabile is truly amazing- and Dillon is a revelation). sex, greed, bribes, graft, murder, manipulation galore…. and occasional flashes of humanity. This show is nonstop entertainment as it reaches the close of its current fourth season. Can’t wait for the next episode.

Genre: TV Series (Netflix)

Grade: A+

Notable People: Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Daniel Levy, Annie Murphy, Chris Elliot, Sarah Levy, Created by: Eugene and Daniel Levy

Title: Schitt’s Creek

Review: though it may not be everybody’s cup of tea, we think this is the funniest show on TV…bar none…maybe ever. The first family of Canadian comedy have their mark all over this show….and they are so funny –you start laughing before they say anything. Levy Sr. and O’Hara are comedy royalty and their children have not fallen far from the tree. Annie Murphy was born to be their daughter. Dan Levy may be the funniest person without saying anything since Jonathan Winters. The ensemble performance is astounding and the supporting cast, including the Levy daughter and the zany Elliot are amazing. The Rose family- long kingpins of the home video industry – lose their fortune to a shyster accountant and have no choice but to move to the tiny Indiana town of Schitt’s Creek and live in the ancient motel (in one ersatz suite)-since they had bought the town as a joke during their heyday. The parents still dress and act as if they are Hollywood paparazzi and the thirty something kids are overgrown stunted teenagers. Any time we watch something that is intense on TV –we end with a random episode of Schitt to mellow out. Four seasons on Netflix…give this a shot or two.

Genre: TV Series (Hulu/BBC America)

Grade: A

Notable People: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Created by: Phoebe Waller Bridge

Title: Killing Eve

Review: this is one wacked out show. Oh is Eve, who works for M-6, the British intelligence Service and Comer is a crazed sociopathic serial killer for hire. .they become totally obsessed with each other and entwined in a massive love-hate relationship that leads them to chasing all over Europe. Oh is her usual excellent self….and Comer is total nut job….captures the role to a T. Their interaction is one for the ages. Finished the first season on Hulu and second season currently airing on BBC America on Sunday nights….Absolutely love this show.