Ok, it's time we shared something. Something that, I would wager, involves each and every one of us. It's something we do, but never really discuss here. I do it almost every day. I get home, change out of my heels and into my PJ’s, steamy green tea in hand. And then, when sufficiently relaxed, that’s when it happens. That’s when I hit 'play' on my favourite TV show.
A well made series can be almost as nice as a night of cocktails with friends. And sometimes, I’ll admit, I’d prefer it. My friend Sharan and I have been obsessing over
The Voice lately.Yes, we've been screaming at the TV screen for the last three months, encouraging the judges to stop telling the terrible ones they're good. But now that supremely cheesy show is over, a new distraction is in order. So I thought I’d come to you. My reasoning is that if I share mine, you’ll share yours. So here goes.
My most recent TV addiction is Judd Apatow’s
Girls. Yes, that’s the Judd Apatow of
Knocked Up and pretty much everything else involving Seth Rogan. My mum has Foxtel, saw
Girls and said I simply had to see it. Like
Sex and the City, it's a half hour HBO show about four, yep, you guessed it, girls living in New York. But while Carrie was in her thirties, Hannah (played by Lena Dunham, also the show's writer) is twenty-something. It's been described as the anti-
Sex and the City in fact, and this is for good reason.
Girls is gritty and dirty and the characters are rarely fabulous in the hollywood sense. Instead, they're as close to the real deal as TV shows get. But a bit more embarrassing. Somehow it isn't depressing, and I found myself screaming at the TV screen while I lay curled up in my mums lounge-room screaming "no Hannah, he's disgusting, leave!" Yeah, I got very into it.
But I've just watched the last episode of the season, so I need something else. So what can you recommend? If you haven't seen them, you have to check out:
- How I met your mother (Oh my god, I need to see the wedding, now!).
- Game of Thrones Season Two. I'll be honest, while I love this show, it can get a bit slow at times. What I mean is, both season one and two started out amazingly and I was hooked, but then about mid-season, everything got boring and there was too much Tyrion and Joffrey, not enough Calisi, John Snow and Arya. But then, the final episode rolls around and WOW! Why do they do that to me? Now I have to wait another year!
- I was into The Walking Dead for a while, but Zombies are a pretty lame nemesis in my opinion. I can't help but think while watching it, "um, they're not that fast, just run". But the suspense is good. What do you think of it?
- Then there’s Dexter, which is TV perfection. This one’s good for both the guys and girls. But I’m ashamed to say I’ve missed the last two seasons. Hey, it’s not exactly “feel good” and like a Jodi Piccoult book, I really need to be in the right mood to attempt it.
- The Conversation is so good. From Kelly Preston discussing the death of her son to Zoe Saldana's plans for plastic surgery, every interview on this show is amazing. If you're a woman, you should watch it. Now.
Ok, so now I’ve identified some of my more trendy TV show favourites, it’s time I came clean on my actual number one. It’s kind of embarrassing, but I’d probably ditch a party just to watch the latest episode. And yes, I’ve actually done that once with Sex and the City. But that was before the days of internet streaming and the final season was only airing on the Nine Network! So just as my friends were preparing for social fun, I said “ok guys, bye” and went home.
And I’m going to be honest about this. Since the end of Sex and the City, in my opinion the absolute best show to hit the box is… True Blood. Not for the vampires, I swear, but for the suspense! You can never, EVER predict what’s to come. The actors are incredible and the quality is perfection. There’s never, ever a reason to roll your eyes at the dialogue like in some other shows *cough* Gossip Girl *cough*. Oh and did I mention Alexander Skarsgard (Eric) and Joe Manganiello (Alcide)? I rest my case.
I'm well aware that a lot of people like a bit more reality to their TV shows, so to them I’d say ignore True Blood if you must, but Girls, you have to check out. Also, I’m always on the hunt for a new show/distraction, so I’d love to hear your recommendations. What shows must I see?
Alexandra Sutton is madison's web intern