Netflix Archives - TV Fanatic https://www.tvfanatic.com/networks/netflix/ Your Home for TV Show Reviews, Opinions, Spoilers, and News! Thu, 12 Dec 2024 22:02:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6 https://cdn.tvfanatic.com/uploads/2024/05/favicon-1-150x150.png Netflix Archives - TV Fanatic https://www.tvfanatic.com/networks/netflix/ 32 32 Revenge Plots, Breakups, and Drama: The Best TV Shows for Spilling the Tea https://www.tvfanatic.com/revenge-plots-breakups-and-drama-the-best-tv-shows-for-spilling-the-tea/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/revenge-plots-breakups-and-drama-the-best-tv-shows-for-spilling-the-tea/#respond Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=827675 The girls pose for a photo during Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.

Revenge, breakups, and drama, oh my! We're taking a look at some of the most scandalous series ever!

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Some of the most memorable shows of all time are good, old-fashioned prime-time soap opera fare.

Think Dallas, Dynasty, and Knot’s Landing. All were long-term series that still influence the current television age.

While television may have moved away from the genre, many series still embrace the core principle of those beloved soaps: throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.

The girls pose for a photo during Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.
(Karolina Wojtasik/Max)

There are a lot of downright scandalous series on the air nowadays and in years past. Those that are rife with drama and unbelievable plots that may not make all the sense in the world but are too entertaining for it to matter.

We’re looking at some of those current and past series that embody the spirit of wacky and dramatic television that had everyone gathered around the water cooler (remember those?) to discuss the latest attempted murder or cheating scandal!

Check out our list, and let us know some of your favorite soapy shows from over the years!

Scandal

(ABC/Adam Taylor)

When you think of the wildest and most nonsensical storylines that had you glued to your television screen weekly, you think of the Shonda Rhimes gem Scandal.

All the Shondaland shows could make this kind of list (and you’ll see another one pop up later!), but Scandal remains one of the biggest shows of the last twenty years, and its cultural impact can still be felt today.

Olivia Pope, her white hat, President Fitzgerald Grant III, DEFIANCE, and B613 were just some of the various things Scandal gave us, and audiences devoured the sordid tales of espionage, political intrigue, and high-profile affairs.

Scandal was drama on top of drama, and the series constantly outdid itself by finding new and twistier ways to shock viewers who thought they’d seen it all.

The age of live tweeting and instant reactions really took off during this age of television, and Scandal was a big reason for that.

Watch Scandal Online

Gossip Girl

B and S in the Final Season
(Giovanni Rufino/THE CW)

“Hey, Upper East Siders, Gossip Girl here.”

You may have never seen an episode of the CW 2000s staple, but you’ve undoubtedly heard that phrase before. Gossip Girl came along when cell phones quickly became THE place to get all your information, and the series fed into the craze.

From the outside, it wasn’t wholly relatable, as not many teens across America were living the extravagant lifestyles that Serena van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf, but they could relate to the high school hierarchies, betrayals, and heartbreak that often befell the young Manhattanites.

The characters were deceitful in their own ways, and the series relied on shock value, though it didn’t always come in the form of surprising deaths but good, old-fashioned treachery.  

Every Thanksgiving that one clip from Gossip Girls Season 3 Episode 11 makes the rounds and is the epitome of what the series was. Secrets and more secrets came out, causing embarrassment, sadness, anger, and everything in between.

It was not a prestige drama. But Gossip Girl remains one of the most deliciously twisty series in recent memory and lives on now as one of the most entertaining series we’ve seen.

Watch Gossip Girl Online

Bridgerton

(Liam Daniel/Netflix)

Think Gossip Girl meets the Regency Era, and you get Bridgerton, a Shondaland product that has become one of the most popular shows of the past five years.

Bridgerton’s entire premise is basically someone in town hiding behind the moniker Lady Whistledown and gossiping about everyone in her own little published paper.

Sound familiar?

The series is sexy and raunchy in all the right ways, and while that period may not be relatable, seeing cutthroat courting, backstabbing, and betrayal transcends all eras.

Bridgerton has become a household name, and each new season features a new romance and a new set of trials and tribulations that audiences are excited to devour.

The show has a little bit of everything, leaving you gobsmacked regularly.

Watch Bridgerton Online

Ginny & Georgia

Joint Therapy Session - Ginny & Georgia Season 2 Episode 7
(Netflix (Screenshot))

Ginny & Georgia is a complicated but engaging tale about Georgia Miller, the mother of Ginny and Austin. She has moved to many places with her children and set up shop in Wellsbury, Massachusetts.

Georgia and her kids have a tough go of it, and the series delves into several serious topics, like childhood abuse and self-harm.

Georgia tried hard to fit in when she arrived, but Cynthia and her friends in Season 1 spread so much gossip about her that she never did.

You weren’t the right kind of woman if you didn’t fit into the ladies’ society.

There’s a lot of drama in the serene little town, and it’s a soapy series that reminds you of the comedy dramas from the 80s that thoughtfully dealt with serious subject matter.

Watch Ginny & Georgia Online

Elite

Omar and Samuel friendship -- Elite
(Netflix)

Look, if you want to have a conversation about why Elite was still airing as of 2024, then that’s a conversation that can be had. But when the series was in its heyday (we’re looking at the first three seasons), it was one hell of a thriller.

The Las Encinas high schoolers were involved in various dramas, including crime and straight-up murder. While the series was risqué when it wanted to be, it also dove into broader and more serious topics.

The series took off on social media amid a time when binging series were taking off, and audiences were enthralled by the high school drama mixed with heart and a gripping mystery woven within.

Like many of the others on this list, the series became popular across social media and launched the careers of many of the series stars.

That first season remains one of the most captivating teen drama seasons ever. They had one job and one job only: to cram as much drama as they could into eight episodes, and they did it in spades.

Watch Elite Online

Revenge

Emily Thorne-Revenge
(ABC/Colleen Hayes)

Emily Thorne came to get her revenge but encountered many other problems along the way.

A story about someone looking for revenge is a tale as old as time. Still, Revenge turned Emily’s journey into something unexpected, as she fought feelings for the enemy, faces from the past, and supposedly dead people!

Emily was on a mission to avenge her father, and she did so by waltzing into the lives of various families in the Hamptons with nothing but a dream and a Sharpie. But the secrets she encountered were plentiful, as were the lies and dangerous situations she and others found themselves in.

The series stood out, especially in its earlier seasons, for taking itself very seriously while leaning into the ridiculous. It was sometimes predictable (hell, A LOT of the time), but it was highly addictive.

Each week, Emily got deeper into the lives of the people she was solely trying to rip apart from the inside out.

The series may have gone on a season or two too long, but when it was great, it was genuinely great.

Watch Revenge Online

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

The girls face a killer on Pretty Little Liars: Summer School.
(Karolina Wojtasik/Max)

The latest in the Pretty Little Liars franchise desired better than its fate.

Original Sin took us to Millwood, Pennsylvania, where a set of new friends came together and found their lives threatened by a masked killer named A, who may have had something to do with a mysterious death that befell a classmate of their mothers.

The chemistry between the girls was the heart and soul of the slasher teen drama, which had a great mix of drama, mystery, intrigue, and vengeance to keep things interesting week in and week out.

While trying to find the identity of A was the end goal, there was so much deception and craziness along the way that sucked you in. Every storyline had meaning and emotional weight, even when the levels of ridiculousness reached a fever pitch.

Having the girls attend summer school in the second season expanded the universe and upped the stakes. It was soapy goodness at its very best, and it’s shameful that we won’t see the girls continue to grow and uncover the never-ending secrets and mysteries throughout those small Pennsylvania towns.

Watch Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Online

Rivals

Rupert Campbell-Black spends time with his dogs during Rivals Season 1.
(Courtesy of Robert Viglasky/Disney)

If you haven’t gotten the chance to stream Rivals on Disney+ yet, do yourself a favor and do so now.

The British drama series explores the rivalries between various people surrounding an independent commercial television station. It’s sexy and indecent, filled with affairs and backstabbing from just about every corner.

Every character gets a moment to be a little naughty, and the series takes us back to the ’80s, with high hair, high-waisted jeans, and a relatively high tolerance for debauchery.

There aren’t many television shows currently airing that truly invoke the wild and crazy of yesteryears and do it with such aplomb. The ensemble cast is stacked from top to bottom with compelling characters and intriguing storylines.

If those watercooler conversations were still a thing like they were in the period this series takes place, Rivals is the kind of show that would have everyone talking.

Watch Rivals Online

Now that you’ve seen our list, tell us your favorite gossip-worthy series in the comments below!

Did your favorite make the cut? What others would you add, and which would you remove from the list?

We can’t wait to hear from you!

The post Revenge Plots, Breakups, and Drama: The Best TV Shows for Spilling the Tea appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/revenge-plots-breakups-and-drama-the-best-tv-shows-for-spilling-the-tea/feed/ 0 The Girls – PLL S02 Olivia Pope – Scandal JustWatch B and S in the Final Season Blair and Serena on the final season of Gossip Girl. JustWatch BRIDGERTON_307_Unit_04902R Bridgerton. Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte in episode 307 of Bridgerton. Cr. Liam Daniel/Netflix © 2024 JustWatch Joint Therapy Session – Ginny & Georgia Season 2 Episode 7 Georgia insisted on joining Ginny in therapy. JustWatch Omar and Samuel friendship — Elite Omar and Samuel sit on the couch together on Elite. JustWatch Emily Thorne-Revenge JustWatch Girls Face Off – PLL S02 JustWatch Rupert Campbell-Black – Rivals JustWatch
Holiday Spirit or Total Scrooge? Ranking TV’s Most Festive (and Least Festive) Characters https://www.tvfanatic.com/holiday-spirit-or-total-scrooge-ranking-tvs-most-festive-and-least-festive-characters/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/holiday-spirit-or-total-scrooge-ranking-tvs-most-festive-and-least-festive-characters/#respond Wed, 11 Dec 2024 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=825661

Find out which TV characters we believe possess the most holiday spirit and which are the most like Scrooge.

The post Holiday Spirit or Total Scrooge? Ranking TV’s Most Festive (and Least Festive) Characters appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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The holidays are often a time to celebrate family traditions, play in the snow, and bake delectable desserts.

But not everyone enjoys the holidays. Some people have bad memories of Christmas, while others would rather mope at home alone.

Some TV characters love the holidays, turning them into a winter wonderland, while others hibernate until January and forget Christmas exists.

(Saeed Adyani/Netflix)

We’ve examined which characters have the most and least holiday spirit for this list.

This list may have you reconsider some of your holiday traditions.

The Most Festive TV Characters

These TV characters are the essence of the holiday spirit. They carry on family traditions and bring warmth, laughter, and love to their everyday lives.

Some of them love planning elaborate gatherings, while others prefer sharing joy.

Lorelai Gilmore (Gilmore Girls)

(Netflix/ Screenshot)

Lorelai Gilmore from the Gilmore Girls has an abundance of holiday spirit. She’d be a delight to spend the holidays with.

Lorelai loves snow and had the uncanny ability to smell the first snowflakes as snow as they began to fall.

Since she ran an inn for years with Sookie, she also excelled at planning events, so Lorelai would be the ideal candidate for planning a holiday dinner or a winter carnival with snow sculpting and ice skating.

In fact, Lorelai and Sookie hosted a Victorian-themed holiday dinner for all of their Stars Hollow friends and family when snow stopped the original guests from attending. That was Lorelai in her element.

With Lorelai around, the holidays would consist of outdoor winter fun and watching holiday movies with hot chocolate. It would be the best of both worlds.

Watch Gilmore Girls Online

Cassie Nightingale (Good Witch)

Cassie in a Sweater - Good Witch Season 7 Episode 5
(©2021 Crown Media United States LLC)

Cassie Nightingale from Good Witch possesses the ideal amount of magic and cheer to make the holidays perfect.

Cassie’s gifts and magic would come in handy near the holidays when it’s the perfect time to pamper yourself or repair relationships — two of Cassie’s specialties.

She always had that extraordinary intuition, which often kicked in harder when it was a loved one like Grace or Abigail.

Grey House would be the ideal place to visit for the holidays since Cassie would go out of her way to make you feel special, and there would often be holiday chocolates or homemade treats.

She made it a point to open her family home to others and carry on essential traditions.

Watch Good Witch Online

Jack Pearson (This is Us)

Appendicitis for Christmas - This Is Us
(Ron Batzdorff/NBC)

Many traditions would be missing without Jack Pearson from This is Us. He was the essence of family and holiday spirit.

Jack Pearson’s love of family traditions and stories would be crucial in having three children, from passing on the baton of Pilgrim Rick to teaching them how to show kindness and include others in their family dinner.

He inspired his family and friends by enjoying the simple things in life and spending time with those he loved.

While more significant gifts like jewelry were appreciated, they were memories that people would remember for longer.

Watch This is Us Online

Georgia Miller (Ginny & Georgia)

(Marni Grossman/Netflix © 2022)

Who wouldn’t want to celebrate the holidays with a Southern belle like Georgia Miller from Ginny & Georgia? First and foremost, she’s a mom who strives to make the holidays magical for her children.

Georgia never experienced a loving home life, making her more determined to provide one for Ginny and Austin. While she partly worked for Paul to maintain the perfect image, working for the mayor had perks.

It allowed her to use her planning skills to host a winter festival and use the proceeds for other needy families. After everything she had been through, she wanted to give back.

Georgia would be so fun to hang out with for the holidays because she understands the balance of sexy fun and family traditions needed to spice them up.

Watch Ginny and Georgia Online

DJ Tanner-Fuller (Fuller House)

(Michael Yarish/Netflix)

There is something heartwarming about spending Christmas with a mom. Most go out to please their children, but DJ Tanner from Fuller House learned from her dad, Danny Tanner, the master of going overboard.

Like her dad, DJ would have her work cut out from wrangling children and the family dog to pose for holiday photos when they would instead do anything but that.

It’s often difficult to keep the magic alive as children grow older, especially as they miss a parent or nostalgic traditions.

DJ knew that one well and understood when it was time to let go of elaborate holiday plans and instead watch home movies and give thanks for the blessings they did have.

She was the type of mom who tried to instill this kind of gratitude all year long.

Watch Fuller House Online

The Least Festive TV Characters

Some of these TV characters may despise the holidays, while others prefer hibernating inside, away from others, to forget the season existed. We all know someone like that.

Then, a few characters began mean or evil but reformed, like Ebenezer Scrooge. We hope you’ll find these selections enlightening.

Regina Mills (Once Upon a Time)

(Hulu/ Screenshot)

Regina Mills from Once Upon a Time embodies Ebenezer Scrooge. She was downright deliciously evil and wished everyone to be as miserable as she was.

For years, the holidays were probably lonely because she pushed everyone away. She was estranged from her mother, and her father could only do so much.

Adopting Henry helped some because then she had a child to shower love on and spoil, but it wasn’t until Henry was kidnapped that Regina truly reformed.

Even after she got Henry back, Regina remained a loner because she was known as the “Evil Queen.” It was still challenging for her to socialize and be part of an extended family.

Watch Once Upon a Time Online

Will Trent (Will Trent)

Remembering the Past-Vertical - Will Trent Season 2 Episode 8
(Disney/Daniel Delgado Jr.)

Will Trent was the first of several characters who would probably prefer to be left alone than join an office holiday party.

Even though he considers his colleagues his found family, it doesn’t mean he wants to exchange gifts with them or toast them.

Will would prefer to stay home with Betty on Christmas Eve. He has no holiday traditions since he was bounced around from foster home to foster home.

This holiday season may be worse than usual since he doesn’t even have Angie.

Watch Will Trent Online

Gil Grissom (CSI/CSI: Vegas)

(Paramount Plus/ Screenshot)

Gil Grissom from CSI was an anti-social workaholic. While he occasionally joined his team for breakfast at the local diner, he avoided formal celebrations.

He rarely gave anyone on his team holiday gifts except Sara, and even then, it was often a book about bugs, something he was interested in.

Gil Grissom didn’t like the holidays, partly because his dad died when he was young, and his mom continued to buy his father gifts.

While he understood that obsession, it wasn’t easy on him. It made it easier to avoid significant dates like holidays and birthdays.

Watch CSI Crime Scene Investigation Online

Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory)

(Paramount Plus/ Screenshot)

Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory has always been intelligent and intellectual and never saw the need for something as frivolous as Christmas.

He’d much rather hang out with his buddies and play Dungeon and Dragons or Magic of the Gathering. He’s like my husband in that way.

Like many of these other characters, Sheldon lost someone he loved as a child, his grandfather. When Santa Claus failed to return his grandfather, Sheldon stopped believing in the magical holiday.

It’s challenging to believe when you see the world in black and white and facts like Sheldon does. He likes predictability and has been steadfast in his hate of Christmas.

Watch The Big Bang Theory Online

Frank Costanza (Seinfeld)

(Netflix/ Screenshot)

Frank Costanza from Seinfeld is an oldie but a goodie. Holiday shopping has always been chaotic and frustrating, and it overwhelmed Frank so much that he got into a fight with another customer.

Nowadays, that would be a common occurrence on Black Friday, but it angered Frank, and he gave up on the holidays.

There are times I wouldn’t blame him. People are rude when they are shoving for the best toy.

Frank Costanza created Festivus, where guests discussed their grievances and yelled at each other instead of counting their blessings. A modern Scrooge, indeed.

Watch seinfeld Online

Severus Snape (Harry Potter)

(Peacock/ Screenshot)

Severus Snape was one of the most complex characters in the Harry Potter franchise. He often wanted to make everyone as miserable as he was by being necessarily cruel to his students, especially Harry and his friends.

While Snape is the villain, he often despises Harry because he reminds him of James, his rival for Lily’s affections.

For many years, Snape would have let Lord Voldemort kill and torture anyone but Lily. It was only in his final moments that he realized his ways.

He’s also the essence of Scrooge in that he realizes the error of way almost too late. While Harry named one of his children after Snape, there was no natural way to make peace.

Watch harry potter and the deathly hallows part 2 Online

Over to you, TV Fanatics.

Which TV characters have the most or least festive holiday spirit?

Let us know in the comments below.

The post Holiday Spirit or Total Scrooge? Ranking TV’s Most Festive (and Least Festive) Characters appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/holiday-spirit-or-total-scrooge-ranking-tvs-most-festive-and-least-festive-characters/feed/ 0 The Gilmore Girls Love Snow Lorelai-I Smell Snow-Gilmore Girls JustWatch Cassie in a Sweater – Good Witch Season 7 Episode 5 On Good Witch Season 7 Episode 5, when Joy’s recurring dream progresses, Cassie and Abigail wonder if there’s a connection to the Merriwick trio and why they need protection, so the cousins take a trip in search of a missing piece of Joy’s past. JustWatch Appendicitis for Christmas – This Is Us Kate gets a very awful gift from Santa Claus this year! JustWatch Georgia Miller in Ginny & Georgia Season 2 Episode 6 JustWatch DJ Tanner-Fuller Loves the Holidays JustWatch The Evil Queen in Once Upon a Time JustWatch Remembering the Past-Vertical – Will Trent Season 2 Episode 8 A new case triggers Will to have more flashbacks. JustWatch Gil Grissom in CSI Season 6 Episode 10 JustWatch Sheldon Cooper- The Big Bang Theory Season 6 Episode 11 JustWatch Festivus Frank Constanza-Seinfeld JustWatch Severus Snape JustWatch
Fading Laugh Tracks: Is the Traditional Broadcast Sitcom On Its Way Out? https://www.tvfanatic.com/fading-laugh-tracks-is-the-traditional-broadcast-sitcom-on-its-way-out/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/fading-laugh-tracks-is-the-traditional-broadcast-sitcom-on-its-way-out/#respond Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=823961 The cast from television's popular "Seinfeld" comedy show are pictured in this undated file photo.

If you look at a list of the most-watched television shows of the 1990s, you’ll find that seven of the top …

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If you look at a list of the most-watched television shows of the 1990s, you’ll find that seven of the top 10 were sitcoms.

As any fan who lived through it can tell you, the decade was a golden era for three-camera, live-studio-audience comedies.

Shows like Seinfeld, Friends, Home Improvement, Frasier, and Roseanne were averaging close to 30 million viewers per episode, a figure that would make any network exec do a little happy dance in 2024.

The cast from television's popular "Seinfeld" comedy show are pictured in this undated file photo.
(FILES/AFP via Getty Images)

By 2000, hourlong dramas and reality shows had taken over the TV landscape, with only Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond landing spots among the year’s 10 most-watched shows.

Those viewing trends have remained in place ever since, but for a long time, the sitcom continued to show signs of life.

The Office and Modern Family switched up the formula, going with a cinema verite mockumentary style and ditching the laugh track.

And in doing so, they seemed to have breathed new life into the art form.

(NBC/Screenshot)

Then the 2010s saw the rise of a hip new brand of TV comedy.

Shows like Community, New Girl, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine kept the format fresh for a new generation of young adults.

But in the 2020s one of TV’s oldest genres has been showing signs of age.

The Big Four networks are still offering quality comedy, of course:

Abbott Elementary, Ghosts, and several other new sitcoms have found success with both critics and audiences.

Watch Abbott Elementary Online

Janine in a Striped Dress - Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 7
(Disney/Gilles Mingasson)

And newcomers like St. Denis Medical and Happy’s Place are off to promising starts.

But the broadcast networks are offering far fewer sitcoms in 2024 than in years past.

And several of the current comedies are rebooted or spun-off from previously successful series, as is the case with Night Court and Georgie and Mandy’s First Marriage, a trend that reflects a reluctance to take risks with what was once considered the most safely bankable genre.

There are many factors behind this trend:

Watch Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Online

Georgie standing at the intake desk at the hospital looking freaked out on Georgie &.Mandy's First Marriage
(CBS/Robert Voets)

For one thing, cable and streaming outlets are not limited by FCC standards and practices guidelines, meaning that when it comes to comedy, HBO, Netflix, and their ilk can offer writers a lot more freedom.

Thus, in the world of edgy humor, the broadcast networks just can’t push the envelope as far.

And, of course, dramas have an easier time molding their storylines into the serialized, season-long plots that audiences seem to prefer nowadays.

Then there’s the rise of reality TV, which seems to have taken the place that lighthearted sitcoms used to occupy in millions of American households.

(Jordin Althaus/NBC/Warner Bros. Television)

And then there’s the fact that Americans are currently so divided that we can’t even agree on what’s funny and what’s not.

When Seinfeld and Home Improvement ruled the roost, they routinely pulled in over 30 million viewers a week.

With audiences that size, there had to be some significant overlap.

But it’s tough to imagine millions of modern-day viewers would be equally amused by the plights of both Manhattan singles and a Midwestern family.

Actor-comedian Tim Allen poses with the awards  he won during the 21st Annual People's Choice Awards 05 March at Universal City.
(Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)

Both shows might find decent-sized niches nowadays, but the sort of broad cross-demographic appeal they enjoyed in the ’90s is almost certainly a thing of the past.

Yes, for numerous reasons, the sitcom is not as dominant as it used to be in today’s TV landscape.

Perhaps it will eventually make a comeback. But for now, dramas and reality TV are the dominant forces on broadcast.

And that’s a shame, as it seems that come the prime time hours, most of us have already experienced more than enough drama and reality.

What we could really use is to share a laugh with our neighbors. Or at least with a studio audience.

The post Fading Laugh Tracks: Is the Traditional Broadcast Sitcom On Its Way Out? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/fading-laugh-tracks-is-the-traditional-broadcast-sitcom-on-its-way-out/feed/ 0 US-SEINFELD-CAST The Office 1 JustWatch Janine in a Striped Dress – Abbott Elementary Season 3 Episode 7 Janine stands and smiles while wearing a striped dress with a black belt. JustWatch Georgie Is Freaked Out – GM S1E1 Nostalgia – Night Court 1 Actor-comedian Tim Allen poses with the awards he Actor-comedian Tim Allen poses with the awards he won during the 21st Annual People's Choice Awards 05 March at Universal City.
Unapologetically Real: TV Characters Who Embrace Their Flaws https://www.tvfanatic.com/unapologetically-real-tv-characters-who-embrace-their-flaws/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/unapologetically-real-tv-characters-who-embrace-their-flaws/#respond Thu, 05 Dec 2024 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=826754 Rafe is racing.

The best characters are those who embrace their flaws unapologetically and keep it real in the process. Check out our list of TV characters who fit the bill

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Let’s keep it as real as these characters we’re about to break down: flawed characters are fun.

A series isn’t much fun if it doesn’t have a flawed character who somehow resonates with the audience, whether they lean more dark or are a burst of light. Characters who recognize and embrace their flaws are some of the most compelling to watch.

And we couldn’t resist breaking down some of the characters who fit the bill.

Rafe Cameron – Outer Banks

Rafe is racing.
(Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix)

By now, we’ve discussed what went wrong in Outer Banks Season 4 and even mourned the loss of our comfort show. But moving on, the series is full of flawed characters who are somehow endearing.

No one fits the bill better than Kook King Rafe Cameron. He’s objectively a terrible person at times; his long list of crimes includes nearly killing his own sister, for starters. But this is Outer Banks, baby, where Rafe’s flaws somehow work within this series.

A self-professed killer, Rafe is, at times, mentally unstable, driven by traits like revenge and greed. Still, he’s also bound by values like legacy and family, culminating in him doing unspeakable things for oddly noble reasons.

Rafe knows who he is and he rarely apologizes for it. However, he does make the necessary adjustments and proves himself through actions. And that’s why there’s something strangely admirable about the character—how he knows himself so well and stands in who he is, good, bad, and ugly.

Rafe isn’t a perfect character or even a good person. Still, he’s authentic, which makes him click into place and resonate well amid the class lines that often revolve around superficiality and identity crises in Outer Banks.

Watch Outer Banks Online

Morgan Gillory – High Potential

KAITLIN OLSON
(Mitch Hasseth/Disney)

Who hasn’t fallen in love with Morgan Gillory and High Potential?

She’s witty, intelligent, messy, and prone to making mistakes in many aspects of her life, but she’s genuinely good-hearted. Her style, openness, and honesty make her stand out. She wears her working-class background on her brazenly bright, gaudy faux fur sleeve.

She is gifted intellectually but realistically stalled in life, making her a less glamorous and more realistic depiction of neurodivergence and genuinely relatable as a character.

She’s imperfect and will be the first to tell you that upfront. She readily accepts that she’s flawed but still strives to be a better mother, friend, and person.

Morgan always holds her own and is true to herself, even though she oversteps boundaries, is pushy, and lacks a filter. That’s what makes her so likable.

Watch High Potential Online

Oliver Wolf – Brilliant Minds

(Rafy/ NBC)

Oliver is absolutely brilliant, as the Brilliant Minds‘ title implies, but he’s such a deliciously complex character, not without many flaws and imperfections. He’s a socially awkward, introverted gay luddite with face blindness! And damn if we don’t love him for it.

Oliver is a fantastic doctor who focuses as much on connecting with his patients as he is on fixing their health issues. His unique approach to practicing medicine is often rooted deeply in a traumatic past of dealing with an emotionally distant mother and a father who battled and died from mental illness.

Oliver’s flaws and experiences allow him to lead with genuine compassion and sympathy. He not only wholly embraces what makes him different and flawed and his own shortcomings, but he subsequently teaches and inspires other characters to do the same.

Oliver is a quietly inspiring character who continues to battle issues but learns how to step outside of them, and he’s a poster child for how to live one’s life, distancing oneself from shame, self-doubt, and second-guessing.

And we get to see his ongoing journey of unlearning these habits along the way.

Watch Brilliant Minds Online

Beth Dutton – Yellowstone

Cooking Up a Plan - Yellowstone Season 1 Episode 7
(Emerson Miller / Paramount)

Beth Dutton has a sharp tongue, quick wit, and the ability to destroy everything in her path, which is one of many reasons she’s one of Yellowstone‘s greatest characters.

She’s a deeply flawed woman hardened by many hurts and betrayals, turning her grief, pain, and previous trauma into a thick armor that makes her nearly indestructible.

She’s fearless, ruthless, intelligent, cunning, unafraid, and unapologetic about doing whatever it takes to get what she desires or handle something. Still, she’s fiercely loyal to most of her family and deceptively soft and vulnerable, particularly when she gets to bury herself in Rip’s arms.

Beth is a host of contradictions, a viper unafraid to strike first, hard, and fast if need be. She is most assuredly an acquired taste to many, but that makes her one of the most genuinely refreshing characters on the air and as real as it gets, baby.

Watch Yellowstone Online

BoJack Horseman – Bojack Horseman

Bojack Horseman
(Courtesy of Netflix)

There’s a reason why this character tends to resonate with many viewers when they tune in.

Bojack Horseman is painfully himself throughout the series. He’s selfish, cynical, and totally self-destructive at almost all times. He’s one of the most toxic characters you’ll see, especially to those around him.

But in knowing that, and how openly he addresses his mental illnesses, addiction issues, and all the ways in which he fails in life, that raw honesty is endearing and refreshing, and in some ways, maybe even deeply inspiring.

He tries to improve, but not so earnestly and consistently that it feels inauthentic and forced. There are no delusions about him.

Watch Bojack Horseman Online

Samantha Jones – SATC

Samantha Jones brings a unique sense of humor to Sex and the City.
(HBO/Youtube Screenshot)

Samantha Jones is a feminist icon of a television character for a reason.

She is sexually liberated in a way that we hadn’t seen, unapologetic about her sexual appetite and desires, brash, bold, and progressive in a way that challenges those around her.

Samantha rarely has a filter. She is blunt to a fault, incredibly vain, and materialistic.

But she is fiercely loyal, protective, and open-minded, and through her relationships, she learns how to be vulnerable, intimate, and committed.

Watch Sex and the City Online

Robert Spearing – Industry

Robert looks longingly in the season finale of Industry.
(Nick Strasburg/HBO)

Oh, Robert, the sweet and, at times, pathetic soul that he is, it’s hard not to love every bit of him.

Robert is one of Industry‘s most flawed characters, which speaks volumes for a series that is essentially all about flaws. He’s often out of his depth, someone who tends to lack confidence, fumbles through the basics of his job and is gullible and easily manipulated.

The thing about Robert is that in the world Industry cultivates, he’s mostly a genuinely good person, but because he lacks the ambition, ruthlessness, and arrogance of the other characters, he tends to fall short and stand out.

But he offers a nice, albeit sad, at times, counterbalance to the other characters, and despite his hopeless love for a woman who’ll never properly love him back or his aspirations to climb up the social class ranks to no avail, you genuinely root for him.

And he holds fast in trying to navigate a world where he’s a guppy in shark-infested waters without sacrificing too much of what makes him. It’s quietly defiant.

Watch Industry Online

Ted Lasso – Ted Lasso

Ted Ponders - Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 8
(Apple TV+)

Truthfully, Ted Lasso is so aggressively positive, nice, and kind that it feels surreal and should be one of the most offputting things ever.

It’s a clear facade to some degree, masking deep pain and Ted’s depression, but how he pours himself into being a good person despite how awful he often feels aside is part of what makes the character so great.

Ted Lasso proves that you don’t have to be an asshole just because you’re hurting, and he inspires and often pulls out the best in those around him despite his shortcomings and how he behaves because of them.

Watch Ted Lasso Online

Gregory House – House M.D.

House in the Hallway
(Adam Taylor/FOX)

House is an arrogant doctor who completely disregards the feelings of those around him.

And yes, this disregard extends to a mostly abhorrent bedside manner that typically involves him offending everyone in the room.

He’s outspoken, snarky, blunt, and rude, and most of the time, he seems to get off on making people miserable. He also has a pretty bad painkiller addiction that only brings out the worst of his traits when he gets agitated.

But you can never accuse House of not keeping 100 at all times, and there’s something commendable about his willingness to embrace his worst traits without a second thought.

Watch House Online

Rose Nylund – The Golden Girls

Blanche, Rose & Dorothy are about to hug
(NBC/Screenshot )

How does the saying go? Oh, right, Rose Nylund is as dumb as a bag of rocks.

Her naivete and intellectual challenges make her a flawed character, but her innocence and moments of purity and clarity make up for it.

What’s great about Rose is that she’s conscious of how dumb she sounds often but is also not ashamed of what she doesn’t know.

She’s always open to learning more and growing and wholly accepts and embraces her shortcomings, even putting up with the ribbing and jokes in the interim.

Most people are too self-conscious to admit when they’re out of their depth, so there’s a bravery to Rose’s authenticity.

Watch The Golden Girls Online

Emily Cooper – Emily in Paris

Standing Tall - Emily in Paris
(Netflix)

Emily is easily one of the most annoying characters on the air, and yet, like a bad rash, Emily in Paris persists.

But that’s also what begrudgingly makes us appreciate the character so much. She’s often a walking, talking stereotype of American ignorance, brashness, and entitlement wrapped up in a bubbly package. But she knows who and what she is and how she affects people, and she carries on anyway.

If she can win a person over, she’ll find a way to do so, and her plucky persona and inability to stay down and out even when she should sit down, zip it, take things in, and assess are what make the series so interesting.

She’s bold and smiles in the face of Parisian snobbery, never even considering being anything other than herself.

Watch Emily in Paris Online

Michael Scott – The Office

Michael Scott lead  - The Office
(NBC (promo screenshot) )

On The Office, Michael is selfish, self-absorbed, and lacks social and self-awareness.

He’s often narcissistic, and no one sticks his foot in his mouth better. He spends much of the series struggling with these traits and trying to get outside them.

But he cares enough about his colleagues and makes some effort to right things, so his flaws, political incorrectness, and insensitivity work out.

Watch The Office Online

Maggie Bell – FBI

Maggie's Back - FBI Season 6 Episode 13
(Bennett Raglin/CBS)

Maggie always takes risks and takes a walk on the dark side of things on FBI.

But she’s so incredibly stubborn that it often gets frustrating.

She always sticks her ground, is opinionated, rarely holds back, and is reckless, making her a genuinely stressful person to watch on cases.

But so many of Maggie’s most frustrating traits make her a great agent, loyal partner, and solid friend, and leaning into these traits rather than straying away from them works for the character.

Watch FBI Online

Parker – Leverage/Leverage Redemption

Parker Leverage: Redemption
(© 2021 Alfonso Bresciani / IMDb TV)

There are very few characters like Parker, especially women, making her Leverage‘s breath of fresh air.

Parker has nothing that resembles a filter. She is brutally honest and always speaks her mind while simultaneously displaying a whimsical and childlike innocence.

She’s whipsmart in an untraditional way, fierce, loyal, and badass. In two different series, she learned how to come to grips with who she is as a person and truly thrive within that.

Parker’s journey towards embracing who and what she is and making everyone around her and the world a better place is one of Leverage’s most lasting impacts.

Watch Leverage Online

Quigley Smitty – The Rookie

Smitty all Smiles -tall - The Rookie Season 6 Episode 3
(Disney/Raymond Liu (ABC))

Smitty is such a staple on The Rookie that it would be difficult to envision the series without him.

He’s an opportunistic and supremely lazy officer who doesn’t do much unless it’s self-serving and seemingly is riding out the gig until he can retire. On paper, he should be a truly loathsome character as he rarely lifts a finger.

But when he does, he’s shockingly badass and possesses a self-awareness that makes you appreciate rather than resent him. With Smitty, you almost always know who and what you’ll get; something is comforting about that.

He doesn’t mince any words about what he will and won’t do, and he doesn’t feel he has anything to prove, and you have to respect that!

Watch The Rookie Online

Will Trent – Will Trent

(Disney/Daniel Delgado Jr.)

Will is constantly evolving as a character.

He battles various issues, from his dyslexia and OCD to his lack of social awareness and inability to get along with others easily.

He seems stuck in his ways, but with time and effort, he comes to grips with who he is and accepts it while making meaningful improvements along the way that enhance his life and those around him.

Of all the characters in Will Trent, he’s one of the most real, grounded, and unapologetic, and also one of the most inspiring.

Watch Will Trent Online

Kitty Song Covey – XO, Kitty

Kitty smiles.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

Kitty is such an endearing character, which is one of many reasons Netflix created XO, Kitty for her after the success of the To All the Boys movie franchise.

But Kitty is certainly a character with her fair share of issues, many of which are the catalyst behind her landing in South Korea in the first place.

Kitty is incredibly impulsive, in case moving halfway across the world didn’t already reach that natural conclusion. She is also naive about love and what her true love story should be like possessing some childlike, fairytale idealism far from reality.

Like many young people coming into their own, she’s often selfish and absorbed, at times lacking insight and awareness about those around her.

But even with all of these flaws, she’s an endearing enough character because she’s genuine about working her way through them and becoming a better person, as well as genuinely figuring out who she is and what she wants out of life.

Watch XO, Kitty Online

Louis Litt – Suits

Louis Tries to Save the Day - Suits Season 8 Episode 16
(Shane Mahood/USA Network)

By now, we all know that Suits has a treasure trove of fascinating and flawed characters who stayed true to themselves and stood in all they were.

But one of the most unexpectedly compelling from the bunch was Louis Litt. He was quick to anger, jealous, often whiny, lacked self-confidence, and desperate.

Louis was also devoted and loyal to those who mattered, smart, and adaptable. He wore his flaws on his sleeve, and despite the occasional moment of being treated like more antagonist and nuisance than ally at various points in the series, his multifaceted portrayal makes him such a great character.

Watch XO, Kitty Online

Somehow, falling somewhere between being an outcast and a mascot.

There are some of our favorite television characters who embrace their flaws, and now, we want to hear about some of yours.

Who would you place on this list? Sound off below!

The post Unapologetically Real: TV Characters Who Embrace Their Flaws appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/unapologetically-real-tv-characters-who-embrace-their-flaws/feed/ 0 OUTERBANKS_401_Unit_10924RC Outer Banks. Drew Starkey as Rafe in episode 401 of Outer Banks. Cr. Jackson Lee Davis/Netflix © 2024 JustWatch Morgan – S01E06 – Spoilers – High Potential JustWatch A Hard Decision-Brilliant Minds Season 1 Episode 7 JustWatch Cooking Up a Plan – Yellowstone Season 1 Episode 7 JustWatch Bojack Horseman Bojack Horseman JustWatch Samantha Jones JustWatch Robert Longing – Industry S03E08 JustWatch Ted Ponders – Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 8 This is a still of Ted Lasso Season 3 Episode 8 on Apple TV+. JustWatch House in the Hallway How many times have we seen this look on House's face? Take a picture, fans, because this time it's from the series finale. JustWatch Golden Girls Hugging Far 16×9 JustWatch Standing Tall – Emily in Paris This is a still of Emily in Paris Season 3 on Netflix. JustWatch Michael Scott lead – The Office Michael Scott (Steve Carell) in his office, on The Office JustWatch Maggie’s Back – FBI Season 6 Episode 13 The Somalian terrorist group behind the death of Agent Hobbs resurfaces, sending Maggie and the team on a chase to take them down for good, JustWatch Parker Leverage: Redemption Parker in the first season of Leverage: Redemption! JustWatch Smitty all Smiles -tall – The Rookie Season 6 Episode 3 Smitty is all smiles as he makes an appearance in The Rookie Season 6 Episode 3 when Nolan and Bailey go to their honeymoon. JustWatch Elves – Will Trent JustWatch Kitty Smiles – XO Kitty S02E01 XO, Kitty. Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey in episode 201 of XO, Kitty. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024 JustWatch Louis Tries to Save the Day – Suits Season 8 Episode 16 Louis sets out on a mission to try and save the day, but is it too late? JustWatch
XO, Kitty Season 2: First Look, Premiere Date, and Everything We Know https://www.tvfanatic.com/xo-kitty-season-2-everything-we-know/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/xo-kitty-season-2-everything-we-know/#respond Mon, 25 Nov 2024 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=824735 Kitty and Min Ho serve face.

We're headed back to Seoul, and soon, when XO, Kitty returns for a sophomore season. Get all the details!

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It’s a great time for teen drama fans!

Fresh off the news that Netflix’s hit teen mystery A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is renewed, we have more exciting news about another hit show on the streamer making a return.

Kitty Covey is back, and we’re headed back to Seoul soon! We also have some first-look images to accompany a synopsis of what to expect from XO, Kitty Season 2!

Kitty smiles.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

What is XO, Kitty About?

Unless you were somehow under a rock, you might be privy to the To All the Boys movie adaptations from Jenny Han’s wonderful young adult series.

But fret not. If you did happen to miss them, then you should head to Netflix and stream the heck out of them.

They’re some of the strongest book-to-film adaptations for a young adult series out there, and they gifted us with Lana Candor’s fantastic performance as Lara Jean Covey and heartthrob Noah Centineo as seemingly perfect Peter Kavinsky.

Fresh off the success of the films, a television series spinoff resulted in XO, Kitty following the scene-stealing, wholly endearing younger sister of Lara Jean, Katherine “Kitty” Covey, as she embarked on her own journey of getting in touch with her Korean roots, finding love, friendship, and learning life lessons.

Anna Cathcart is an utterly charming lead as Kitty Song Covey. We follow her to KISS, a prestigious school in Seoul where her late mother attended, as she tries to reconnect with her past and heritage and gets entangled in a love story with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae.

Dae and Min Ho are friends and rivals.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

Kitty’s journey in a new school in a new country provides a similar and wonderfully comedic but heartwarming “fish out of water” vibe as Netflix’s hit Emily in Paris (albeit with infinitely more charm).

Is XO, Kitty Based on a Book Adaptation?

Nope!

Kitty is a character from Han’s To All the Boys I Loved Before book trilogy, but the spinoff is an original piece unrelated to the book series and tells totally original stories.

Where Did XO, Kitty Season 1 Leave Off?

Kitty and Q at KISS.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

When we last saw Kitty, she was single after breaking things off with her boyfriend, Dae.

If you’re familiar with Kitty, you know how huge that was for her. She was a young woman in love with the idea of love and fully committed to the “One True Love” trope, believing that Dae was all there was for her.

It was a mark of growth for Kitty to decide that maybe there’s more to life and love than she realized. It was particularly revealing for Kitty as she had feelings not only for Dae but also for effortlessly cool, “bad-boy” frenemy Ming-Ho, KISS’ “It Girl,” and rival-turned-crush Yuri.

After a turbulent semester at KISS that had her looking into her family history and uncovering secrets and revelations about some of those closest to her while in Seoul, Kitty boarded a plane and headed back home after getting expelled for the semester.

But the finale left fans squealing and pondering the possibilities when we saw that she was sitting beside enemy-to friend-to possible new romantic interest, Min-ho.

Kitty and Min Ho serve face.
(Park Young-Sol/Netflix)

What Will XO, Kitty Season 2 Be About?

Netflix teases that Kitty will return to the Korean Independent School of Seoul (KISS) for her second semester.

She has a new plan: not to meddle so much in the love lives of those around her or their lives overall.

Kitty also intends to enjoy her single life, maybe engage in some casual dating, and avoid drama at all costs.

That sounds fake, am I right? Kitty could never! But kudos to her for giving it a go, though we’ll have to see how long that lasts.

Kitty by the cherry blossom.
(Park Young-Sol/Netflix)

Of course, when a letter about her mother’s past comes to her attention, Kitty will wind up on yet another investigative journey to unpack its origins and the mystery around it. And we all know that Kitty on a mission is a force to be reckoned with, so it’s worth buckling up for that alone.

Kitty is better equipped to navigate Seoul in search of the truth, but this new adventure may also bring about new faces and places, which is exciting.

She’ll also learn new things that may test the bonds of various relationships and friendships, and she’ll realize that life, romance, family, and friends are all more complicated than she could’ve ever known.

Who Will Star in XO, Kitty Season 2?

Naturally, the talented Anna Cathcart will be reprising her role as Belove Kitty Covey.

First season cast Minyeong Choi (Dae), Gia Kim (Yuri), Sang Heon Lee (Min Ho), Anthony Keyvan (Q), Peter Thurnwald (Alex), and Regan Aliyah (Juliana), Peter Thurnwald (Alex), Jocelyn Shelfo (Madison), and Michael K. Lee (Professor Lee) will also be returning for the sophomore season.

XO Kitty Keyart
(Courtesy of Netflix)

In addition to most of the first season’s cast, we can expect some new faces.

Audrey Huynh will play Stella, Sasha Bhasin will join season two as Praveena, Joshua Lee will star as Jin, and Philippe Lee will play Mr. Moon.

When Will XO, Kitty Season 2 Premiere?

The new season of XO, Kitty, is returning sooner than we would’ve imagined. Or maybe not, since technically, it’s been about a year and a half since the series first hit Netflix. Perhaps we should blame the wait on the strikes.

Nevertheless, fans can tune into the series on January 16.

How Many Episodes Are in XO, Kitty Season 2?

Yuri and Juliana are together.
(Park Young-Sol/Netflix)

While there’s no official confirmation of the number of episodes or their titles, the first season had ten episodes, and we can expect the second season to have the same.

We also have yet to determine whether there will be a split season. Still, given that Netflix hasn’t released more than one drop date, it strongly suggests that we can binge the entire season to our heart’s content on January 16 rather than waiting a month between “two parts.”

Freaking, thank you!

Is There a Trailer for XO, Kitty Season 2?

Kitty is infatuated with Yuri.
(Park Young-Sol/Netflix)

Unfortunately, there isn’t a trailer for the new season just yet, but we’ll update this post whenever Netflix releases one.

However, this post includes first-look photos of the season and a fun announcement from the cast sharing the premiere date!

So check that out!

We’ll keep this post updated as new information comes up about the upcoming season.

Over to you, XO, Kitty Fanatics.

Are you excited about the upcoming season?

What are you looking forward to most?

Hit the comments below!

Who Should Kitty Date in XO, Kitty Season 2?
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The post XO, Kitty Season 2: First Look, Premiere Date, and Everything We Know appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/xo-kitty-season-2-everything-we-know/feed/ 0 Kitty Smiles – XO Kitty S02E01 XO, Kitty. Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey in episode 201 of XO, Kitty. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024 Friends and Rivals – XO Kitty S02E01 XO, Kitty. (L to R) Minyeong Choi as Dae Heon Kim, Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho Moon in episode 201 of XO, Kitty. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024 Q and Kitty – XO Kitty S02E03 XO, Kitty. (L to R) Anthony Keyvan as Quincy 'Q' Shabazian, Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey in episode 203 of XO, Kitty. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2024 Kitty and Min Ho – XO Kitty S02E05 XO, Kitty. (L to R) Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey, Sang Heon Lee as Min Ho Moon in episode 205 of XO, Kitty. Cr. Park Young-Sol/Netflix © 2024 Kitty By Cherry Blossom – XO Kitty S02E02 XO, Kitty. Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey in episode 202 of XO, Kitty. Cr. Park Young-Sol/Netflix © 2024 XO Kitty Keyart Yuri and Juliana – XO Kitty S02E01 XO, Kitty. (L to R) Gia Kim as Yuri Han, Regan Aliyah as Juliana Porter in episode 201 of XO, Kitty. Cr. Park Young-Sol/Netflix © 2024 XO Kitty – S02E03 XO Kitty. (L to R) Anna Cathcart as Kitty Song Covey, Gia Kim as Yuri Han in episode 203 of XO, Kitty. Cr. Park Young-Sol/Netflix © 2024
TV Shows Doing Nostalgia Right (Without Making It Cringe) https://www.tvfanatic.com/tv-shows-doing-nostalgia-right-without-making-it-cringe/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/tv-shows-doing-nostalgia-right-without-making-it-cringe/#respond Sat, 23 Nov 2024 19:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=823195

Nostalgia, reboots and relaunches are everywhere. But only a handful of 2020-era shows are doing it right.

The post TV Shows Doing Nostalgia Right (Without Making It Cringe) appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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Happy Days may not have been the first TV experiment in nostalgia. 

But co-creators Michael Eisner and Tom Miller definitely knew they were taking a risk when they pitched the show to Paramount.

Not surprisingly, the concept didn’t fare well with execs, and the studio passed. 

(ABC/Screenshot)

The market research department said a coming-of-age sitcom about the idealism and innocence of 1950s youth would never work in the trippy 1970s.

But over time, with a little push from George Lucas, Happy Days made history as one of the most significant nostalgia-based shows of all time.

And ever since Fonz and Richie Cunningham showed us how to laugh at our childhood, TV audiences have had a love affair with nostalgic TV shows. 

Many new TV shows also followed the Happy Days formula, whether it was The Wonder Years, set in the late 1960s while airing in the late 1980s, or That 70s Show, which showed us the glee of the 1970s while airing in the 1990s. 

Even in the 2020s, we’ve never really stopped loving nostalgia and using “period pieces” as a storytelling technique. 

(ABC/Screenshot)

Today, with Gen X and Millennials at the wheel of modern culture, we’re tapping back into the 1980s and 1990s and remembering how boomers and slackers saw the world.

We were disconnected and barely scratching the surface of modern technology. But the memories were powerful enough to stick with us and symbolize the lives of whole generations. 

Here are eight TV shows that recreate or recapture yesterday’s nostalgia without being too cringe in that Revenge of the Nerds kind of way. 

Matlock 

Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock”
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Kathy Bates is back on television, and although Matlock takes place in the modern era, it’s easy to see how this rebooted and gender-swapped version of Matlock is a tribute to the 1980s.

Kathy Bates plays, and seemingly channels, the Andy Griffith character of 1986, Ben Matlock. But she’s not just a country bumpkin. She’s also a bit sneaky, a bit disarming, and above all, genteel and charming, as expected. 

Bates played a similar role in The Office as Jo Bennett.

However, it’s easy to see how this modern retelling of Matlock has more secrets than it’s letting on, especially regarding why Matlock is going undercover at a law firm and solving a much bigger mystery.

While taking down giants with a smile, her “I’m just a harmless old lady” shtick just gets better with age. 

Watch Matlock Online

Bel-Air

(Peacock)

Ironically, most people remember the 1990s hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for its dramatic moments involving family conflict, rather than its many lighthearted moments. 

Years after the show came to an end, fan Morgan Cooper made a short film and reimagined The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as a dramatic TV series he called Bel-Air. 

It was such a natural evolution that it caught the attention of Will Smith, who wanted to revisit nostalgic characters like Vivian, Uncle Phil, House Manager Geoffrey, Carlton, and Hilary. 

Bel-Air is a bit dark, but who can deny the 1990s took on dark themes with a jaded grin? 

Watch Bel-Air Online

Cobra Kai

(Curtis Bond Baker/Netflix)

Cobra Kai was less of a reboot and more of a “repair” of the hatchet job that was The Karate Kid reboot of 2010. Will Smith’s kid learning Kung-Fu? Come on!

Cobra Kai actually revisited the original characters of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence (played by original cast members Ralph Macchio and William Zabka) and picked up where the movies left off. 

And before it’s all over, we also get more cameos from original cast members from the first three Karate Kid films. 

No, Hilary Swank never returned to revisit “Julie”, but hey — we still get feels hearing Daniel talk about his mentor. 

Watch Cobra Kai Online

Walker

(Rebecca Brennaman/The CW)

True, Walker was unceremoniously canceled despite its good ratings. (Another TV first!) But it’s hard to deny that producer and actor Jared Padalecki made a genuine and valiant attempt to recreate 1990s nostalgia with a 2020-era lens. 

Family conflict was low, while gang-police conflict was high. 

And while Cordell Walker did not exactly tribute Chuck Norris (he didn’t even kick anyone’s butt with savage kicks), he did give fans a taste of 1990s nostalgia. 

Walker’s troubled but good-natured family steals the show, while Jared balances between cowboy stoicism and a moralistic community leader. 

Walker, Texas Ranger wasn’t just about beating up bad guys. Ultimately, it was about remembering the forgotten Western genre in the spirit of films like Lone Wolf McQuade. 

Watch Walker Online

That ’90s Show

(Netflix/Screenshot)

That ’90s Show reminds us how great the 1990s actually were while we slacked and remembered how cool the 1970s sounded. 

Set in 1996, the show revisits iconic 1970s parents Red and Kitty, but through the lens of Leia Forman, the teenage daughter of Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti.  

The show is double nostalgic in the sense that it remembers the 1990s while also remembering distinctive 1970s characters. 

Most of those characters come back, too, such as Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), and even Bob Pinciotti (Don Stark). 

Even legends like Eric Forman (Topher Grace), Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis), and Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) show up, reminding us that you usually CAN go home again — as long as you’re not in jail. Sorry about that, Hyde. 

Watch That '90s Show Online

Night Court

(Jordin Althaus/NBC/Warner Bros. Television)

The original Night Court captured the madness and uninhibited comedy that defined the 1980s.

It was one part burlesque show, one part dad jokes, and one part sad commentary on fatherless boys — a recurring motif throughout its nine seasons. 

It seems impossible to revisit such a “you had to be there” moment in time. Not only because of the madcap and politically incorrect comedy, but just the simple fact that most of the original cast was resting in peace. 

Except John Larroquette.  

(Elizabeth Morris/NBC/Warner Bros)

The same John Larroquette who always comes back to TV in some capacity, usually playing sidekicks or irritable B-sitcom protagonists. But this time, he gets it right. 

On Night Court, the reboot, he revisits his greatest role as Dan Fielding, who bonds with Judge Abby Stone, the daughter of his late friend, Harry Stone. 

While Harry Anderson’s presence is sorely missed, it’s impossible not to follow Dan Fielding, all grown up and bitter — until he meets a gang of old friends, including former bailiff Roz, played again by Marsha Warfield. 

Night Court might well set a record for a sitcom actor inhabiting the same character for decades if it wasn’t for one other guy.

Watch Night Court Online

Frasier

(Chris Haston/Paramount+)

Kelsey Grammar has always teased his desire to revisit Frasier Crane after retiring the character in 2004. 

And if Grammar has learned anything in his four-decade sitcom career, it’s that you can’t take your ensemble cast with you. 

In the 1990s, he didn’t get the luxury of inviting back Ted Danson or Bebe Neuwirth until Frasier was a hit. 

Likewise, in the 2020s, he couldn’t get David Hyde Pierce to return as Niles Crane. Some ”ships” have sailed. 

But to his credit, Grammar is eager to return to a world that has surpassed him in technology, culture, and, of course, new family members. 

(Chris Haston/Paramount+)

This time, Frasier moved back to the Boston, Massachusetts, area, taking a job as a Harvard University professor, hoping to reconnect with his son Frederick Crane. 

The original Frasier always felt nostalgic, especially in scenes involving Kelsey Grammar and the late John Mahoney, who played Frasier’s irritable but earnest father, Martin Crane. 

They talked about the past. They shared introspective monologues. They thought about the 1980s and how a drink at the end of the day was everything.

Grammar spent so much of the 1990s finding neuroses and avoiding happiness that it is refreshing to see him as a fully realized character.

This new Frasier loves more, gives more, and supports his friends and family in a way Frasier of old could never comprehend. 

Watch Frasier Online

Stranger Things

(Netflix/Screenshot)

Stranger Things is the most successful nostalgic show and is the one exception on this list, in that it feels dynamic and “in the moment” and is never just a trip down memory lane. 

Stranger Things gives us Gen X’s aesthetics while creating its own universe of terror, intrigue, and happy endings. (Or shall we say, Happy For Now endings, at least until the final season)

While the show references many 1980s culture riffs and movie tributes, its premise and execution are also distinctly 1980s. 

The series plays with classic tropes and themes from 1980s movies, such as children going on adventures, dungeons and dragons, government conspiracies, and paranormal discoveries. 

The cinematography is influenced by 1980s directors like Steven Spielberg and John Carpenter. Even the 1980s synth-heavy soundtrack evokes the feeling of 1980s mischief. 

The Duffer Brothers recreated the 1980s very well, right down to including the nostalgic and iconic objects we all still talk about, like arcade games, walkie-talkies, basement hangouts, and terrible sofas. 

Watch Stranger Things Online

Why We Love Nostalgia TV

Kathy Bates as “Madeline Matlock”
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

While trendy and quite effective in getting attention, nostalgia is also very therapeutic. 

It helps members of Gen Z and A visualize a forgotten pre-internet existence while also softly triggering Gen Xers and Boomers to remember the highs and lows of their glory days. 

I personally hope this nostalgia obsession never ends.

Because in the back of our minds, we always want to know what happened to our favorite characters — and we want that portal to an alternative universe to stay open and not just feel like a lost memory.

Those happy days never have to end if we keep remembering the past so fondly.

Over to you, TV Fanatics! What TV shows do you think are doing nostalgia right? Hit the comments and let us know!

The post TV Shows Doing Nostalgia Right (Without Making It Cringe) appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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Are We Entering the Age of Interactive TV? https://www.tvfanatic.com/are-we-entering-the-age-of-interactive-tv/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/are-we-entering-the-age-of-interactive-tv/#comments Sat, 23 Nov 2024 17:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=823825

Is the future of TV in your hands? With interactive storytelling on the rise, viewers might soon control more than ever before.

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Once upon a time, TV was a passive experience.

You turned it on, plopped down on the couch, and let the story unfold without lifting a finger.

But then came shows like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, which flipped the script and handed the reins to the audience.

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (Netflix/Screenshot)

Suddenly, viewers were making decisions for characters, shaping outcomes, and realizing they didn’t have to sit back and watch anymore — they could steer the story.

Sure, it was a gimmick, but it planted a seed.

Now, with technology evolving and our hunger for personalized content growing, interactive TV might be the next big thing. Or is it just a passing fad?

A History of “Choose Your Own Adventure”

Before we dive into interactive TV, let’s take a moment to appreciate the OG of storytelling control: Choose Your Own Adventure books.

If you grew up reading these, you know they were the bomb. You weren’t just reading; you were living the story.

A scene from Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (Netflix (screenshot))

Deciding whether to explore a spooky cave, confront a fire-breathing dragon, or unravel a space mystery felt thrilling — and the outcome was entirely up to you.

The best part? Flipping back when your choices led to sudden doom and trying a different path.

These books offered endless adventures, and they never got old. Even now, they hold up as some of the most fun you can have with a book in hand.

That magic — being part of the story — is exactly what interactive TV is trying to recapture.

But the seeds of this concept didn’t start with TV.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Hollywood experimented with interactive gimmicks like Smell-O-Vision and AromaRama, pumping scents into theaters to immerse audiences in the story.

Polyester (1981) (New Line Cinema/Screenshot)

John Waters revived the concept in 1981 with his film Polyester, using scratch-and-sniff cards, and it made another quirky comeback in 2003 with Rugrats Go Wild.

While these ideas didn’t stick, they reflected an ambition to push storytelling beyond the screen and engage audiences in new, creative ways.

By the 1990s, even video games tried to revive the concept of sensory interaction, adding scent-based elements to niche experiences.

Around the same time, gaming as a whole was pushing the boundaries of interactivity.

Intellivision stood out in the early console era with RPG titles like Advanced Dungeons & Dragons: Cloudy Mountain and Treasure of Tarmin, which let players explore dungeons and battle monsters.

1980s Intellivision commercial

Computer games like The Curse of Monkey Island took things further, blending humor, puzzles, and narrative-driven choices to craft engaging, player-directed adventures.

Then came the modern era of gaming, when interactive storytelling hit its stride.

Titles like The Walking Dead and Mass Effect revolutionized the medium, letting players make emotionally charged decisions with real consequences.

These weren’t just games — they were immersive experiences where every choice shaped the story.

By the time streaming entered the picture, the groundwork for interactive storytelling was already laid.

Curse of Monkey Island (Lucasfilm Games/Screenshot)

Netflix took things to the next level with Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, a groundbreaking experiment that put the power in the viewer’s hands.

It wasn’t just about making choices — it was about feeling the weight of those decisions.

And as streaming platforms continue to innovate, they’re proving that audiences are ready to move from passive viewing to active participation.

How Streaming Changed the Game

Streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video have one major advantage over traditional TV: total control over how and when their content is delivered.

Bandersnatch (Netflix/Screenshot)

It’s no coincidence that Bandersnatch landed on Netflix and not a cable channel.

Streaming’s on-demand structure means interactivity fits like a glove. No waiting for commercial breaks, no linear scheduling, just pure, customizable chaos.

But Bandersnatch wasn’t just about making decisions; it forced viewers to reflect on their choices.

Did you choose to have the protagonist jump off the balcony? Did you force him to poison someone?

These aren’t lighthearted decisions, and that psychological weight made the experience unforgettable.

Scent of a Mystery (1960) — The first film to use Smell-O-Vision (Mike Todd Jr./Screenshot)

It wasn’t perfect — some criticized the story for feeling like a gimmick — but it proved that audiences were willing to play along.

The success of Bandersnatch opened doors.

Streaming platforms, desperate to stand out in an oversaturated market, are exploring ways to make their content feel fresh and unique. And interactivity taps into something primal: the desire for control.

Consider how we already dabble in “interactive TV” in subtler ways.

Platforms like Hulu let you choose ad experiences based on your preferences. Love cars? Watch a car ad. Hate cleaning? Skip the vacuum commercials.

Behind the Great Wall (1959) — The first film to use AromaRama scent technology. (The Shaw Brothers/Screenshot)

This isn’t storytelling but a form of customization that shows how audiences want to tailor their experience.

Imagine applying that logic to TV.

Want the lead character to choose love over revenge? Pick option A. Want to see a surprise twist where the villain wins? Go with option B.

The technology exists, and audiences seem ready for it.

Mass Effect (Electronic Arts/Screenshot)

Will It Take Over TV?

Here’s the big question: Is interactivity the future of TV, or is it a novelty that will eventually wear thin?

On the one hand, the idea of crafting your own narrative is thrilling.

Consider genres like murder mysteries or thrillers, where you could guide the investigation or even become the killer.

Shows like Only Murders in the Building or True Detective could thrive with choose-your-own-sleuthing options.

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu/Patrick Harbron)

But let’s be real — there’s a reason traditional storytelling works. Not everyone wants to be responsible for making choices.

Sometimes, we just want to be told a damn good story.

Too many options could dilute the narrative, leaving us with something that feels more like a game than a show.

There’s also the risk of lazy storytelling, with creators relying on interactivity as a crutch rather than crafting tight, compelling scripts.

And then there’s the technical side.

The Walking Dead RPG (Free League Publishing/Screenshot)

While big platforms like Netflix can afford the investment, smaller ones might struggle to implement these features.

Interactivity might end up being an exclusive perk for streaming giants, leaving traditional networks in the dust.

The Future Is Already Here

We might not see a flood of interactive shows yet, but the groundwork is being laid.

Netflix followed Bandersnatch with projects like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, which let viewers guide Kimmy through her bizarre adventures.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend (Netflix/Screenshot)

Other platforms are testing the waters with kids’ content, where interactivity feels like a natural fit.

Beyond TV, gaming and virtual reality increasingly merge storytelling with active participation.

As technology becomes more accessible, we might see shows incorporating augmented reality elements, where your phone or VR headset becomes part of the narrative.

Imagine a murder mystery where clues pop up on your screen, and you must solve the case alongside the characters.

The idea of interactive TV is exciting, but it comes with questions.

Rugrats Go Wild (2003) (Paramount Pictures/Screenshot)

Are viewers willing to spend extra time making choices, or will they eventually crave the simplicity of traditional storytelling?

Will this trend evolve into something groundbreaking, or will it fizzle out like Smell-O-Vision and gimmicky DVDs?

One thing’s certain: we’re no longer content to sit on the sidelines.

Whether we choose which ads to watch or decide the fate of fictional characters, we want a say in how we consume our entertainment.

Bandersnatch (Netflix/Screenshot)

Interactive TV might not take over completely, but it’s carving out its own corner of the industry. And if nothing else, it’s forcing creators to think outside the box.

So, are we entering the age of interactive TV? Maybe. Or maybe we’re already living in it, one choice at a time.

Now it’s your turn, TV Fanatics! Are you ready to embrace the world of interactive TV?

Did you dive into Black Mirror: Bandersnatch? What did you think of the concept? Share your thoughts in the comments — we want to hear from you!

The post Are We Entering the Age of Interactive TV? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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Love Him or Hate Him, De Niro’s Presidential Turn in Zero Day Will Get People Talking https://www.tvfanatic.com/love-him-or-hate-him-de-niros-presidential-turn-in-zero-day-will-get-people-talking/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/love-him-or-hate-him-de-niros-presidential-turn-in-zero-day-will-get-people-talking/#comments Fri, 22 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=824477

Robert De Niro makes his TV debut as a former president investigating a deadly cyberattack in Netflix’s high-stakes thriller, Zero Day.

The post Love Him or Hate Him, De Niro’s Presidential Turn in Zero Day Will Get People Talking appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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Love him or hate him, Robert De Niro is stepping into uncharted territory: episodic television.

And he’s doing it in a way only De Niro can — by playing a former U.S. president caught in the chaos of a devastating cyberattack in Netflix’s Zero Day.

Premiering February 20, 2025, the six-episode limited series finds De Niro in the role of George Mullen, a highly respected but complicated former president.

(Netflix)

He’s called back into action to lead an investigation after a cyberattack leaves thousands dead.

As head of the Zero Day Commission, Mullen must unravel a crisis steeped in disinformation, conspiracy, and power struggles.

But the stakes aren’t just political; they’re personal. Mullen’s relentless search for answers forces him to confront his own demons, risking his family, reputation, and legacy in the process.

The premise alone feels eerily relevant. Cybersecurity threats, rampant misinformation, and distrust in leadership dominate today’s headlines, making Zero Day not just timely but urgent.

This is a series that doesn’t just want to entertain — it’s here to make you think.

What happens when the systems we rely on fail catastrophically? How do we rebuild trust when every institution feels compromised?

(Netflix)

These questions feel ripped from reality, and De Niro’s presence adds a gravitas that ensures this isn’t just another political thriller.

And clearly, this isn’t escapist entertainment, at least not in the traditional sense.

De Niro’s move to television is an event in itself.

Known for his iconic roles in The Godfather Part II, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, and too many more to list, the Oscar-winning actor has always been a dominant force on the big screen.

His decision to headline a streaming series speaks volumes about how TV has evolved as a medium for serious, high-stakes storytelling.

But this isn’t just a vanity project. De Niro is also an executive producer who is deeply involved in bringing this story to life.

(Netflix)

For fans, it’s a chance to see him flex his legendary talent in a new arena; for skeptics, it’s a bold experiment that could redefine his career.

Of course, De Niro isn’t carrying this show alone. The supporting cast is stacked with powerhouse talent, starting with Angela Bassett (American Horror Story) as current U.S. President Evelyn Mitchell.

A brilliant strategist, Mitchell enlists Mullen for the investigation, knowing his influence and expertise are unmatched.

Lizzy Caplan (Party Down) brings depth to the story as Mullen’s daughter, Alexandra, a congresswoman determined to escape her father’s shadow.

Their father-daughter dynamic is sure to add emotional weight to the series, especially as the investigation threatens to expose buried secrets.

Joan Allen (The Killing) plays Sheila Mullen, the poised and ambitious former first lady whose own career aspirations create tension within the family.

(Netflix)

Jesse Plemons (The Irishman) brings his signature mix of charm and unease to Roger Carlson, Mullen’s former aide who’s eager to reclaim his place on the national stage.

And then there’s Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) as Evan Green, a magnetic yet divisive political commentator who becomes Mullen’s most vocal critic.

With a cast this strong, the series promises drama on every level — personal, political, and global.

The creative team behind Zero Day is equally impressive. Eric Newman (Narcos), Noah Oppenheim (Jackie), and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael S. Schmidt crafted the series, ensuring it’s as smart as it is thrilling.

Schmidt’s investigative background adds a layer of authenticity, while Lesli Linka Glatter (Homeland) directs all six episodes, guaranteeing a polished, high-stakes experience.

(Netflix)

This isn’t just a show with big names; it’s a carefully crafted story designed to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

At its core, Zero Day is about more than just a cyberattack. It’s a meditation on power, truth, and the cost of leadership.

The series explores how disinformation and conspiracy theories can destabilize a nation, but it also asks deeper questions:

How much of the chaos we face is self-inflicted? What happens when those in power are forced to confront the consequences of their actions?

After watching the series, these questions will surely linger in your mind, making the series as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

De Niro’s real-life political outspokenness adds another layer of intrigue to his portrayal of George Mullen.

(Netflix)

Known for his fiery critiques of modern politics, De Niro sinks his teeth into this role, bringing a sharp, almost personal intensity that will make it impossible to look away.

Hopefully, this won’t be another misstep like The Irishman. Oh, I know some of you loved it, but let’s be real — it was a total fabrication and not exactly Scorsese’s or De Niro’s finest hour — err, three hours.

And love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Robert De Niro’s new venture will get people talking.

In today’s polarized climate, Zero Day feels like the perfect platform for the kind of nuanced, impactful storytelling that De Niro excels at.

So, mark your calendars for February 20. Whether you’re here for the high-stakes drama, the powerhouse cast, or to see how De Niro makes his mark on episodic TV, Zero Day promises to deliver.

(Netflix)

With its exploration of power, truth, and accountability, it’s shaping up to be one of the year’s most talked-about shows.

What about you? Are you ready to see De Niro’s take on television?

Does Zero Day’s premise hook you, or do you have reservations about big-screen legends crossing into streaming (e.g., Nicole Kidman)?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

The post Love Him or Hate Him, De Niro’s Presidential Turn in Zero Day Will Get People Talking appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 Renewal & Everything We Know! https://www.tvfanatic.com/a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-season-2-everything-we-know/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-season-2-everything-we-know/#respond Thu, 21 Nov 2024 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=824476

Netflix's teen-mystery, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, just got renewed, and we have everything we know about season 2. Check it out!

The post A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 Renewal & Everything We Know! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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Hip, hip, hooray! Pippa Fitz-Amobi is ready to crack a new case.

And we’re ready to help her do it when A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder returns for a second season.

The teen mystery inspired by Holly Jackson’s mystery book series will return with an all-new season and, yes, an all-new mystery.

Emma Meyers as Pip
(Courtesy of Netflix)

Bookmark this page for all information!

We’ll update you with everything you need to know about A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2.

Did Netflix Renew A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder?

Well, that’s why we’re here!

To our delight, the teen-sleuthing series that climbed the charts at Netflix and hit number one Globally will return for a second season.

Netflix announced the series’ return, proclaiming it will return with an all-new adaptation of one of Holly Jackson’s books.

Pip at Grave.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

Author Holly Jackson was ecstatic over the news, sharing:

I am BEYOND thrilled that we can continue Pip’s story, and, this time, I’m writing on the show! “We owe everything to the dedicated fans, and I can’t wait to reunite with my AGGGTM family!

Can you think of anything better than the actual novelist of an adaptation writing on the actual series, too?

It’s the ideal solution, given no one understands the characters and narrative more than the person who created them.

Poppy Cogan, who adapted the series to screen, was also ecstatic about the news sharing:

I’m delighted to be back in Little Kilton with Pip and friends for Season 2 and to have the opportunity to bring another of Holly’s gripping stories to the screen.

What’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder About?

Pippa and Ravi investigate Andie's disappearance.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is about precocious teen Pippa, affectionately referred to as Pip, who has a knack for crime-solving and lives in a small English town full of mystery.

The seventeen-year-old manages to find trouble when stumbling upon truths and investigating town mysteries, shaking things up and unsettling those around her.

She does this all while juggling regular school woes, setting her sights on college, and forming deep friendships and a little love with controversial people in town.

What Happened in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 1

In the first season, Pip opted to investigate one of the town’s biggest and most devastating mysteries: the disappearance of revered teen Andie Bell.

Andie Bell disappears.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

The town was wracked with pain when Andie Bell disappeared, and shortly after, Andie’s boyfriend, Sal Singh, was accused of murdering her.

It contributed to some tensions in the town, bringing about some of the difficulties and nuances of interracial dating when Sal was immediately assumed to have murdered his girlfriend.

Sal wound up dead, too, leaving the Singh family just as torn up and reeling from the loss of their son as well.

As part of a project, Pip pursues the truth, knowing that there is more to this tale, and naturally, she is right.

A thorough investigation of these deaths five years prior has her teaming up with Sal’s youngest brother, Ravi, to not only figure out what happened to Andie Bell but also prove Sal’s innocence.

Emma Meyers as Pip
(Courtesy of Netflix)

When we last saw these characters, they revealed the truth and exposed what happened to both, leaving the town reeling from the truth and all it entails.

Meanwhile, Pip found herself contemplating her future, what was next for her, and her future with Ravi, whom she developed feelings for over time.

Is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 Based on a Book?

Yes. The sophomore season will be based on Jackson’s second book in the series, Good Girl, Bad Blood.

What Will A Good Girls Guide to Murder Season 2 Be About?

Ravi and Pippa
(Sally Mais/Netflix)

The second season will pick up where we left off with Pip and Ravi.

Pip was unprepared for the emotional fallout from solving the Andie Bell case and would prefer to stay under the radar and away from further investigations.

But that’s never easy for a young detective such as herself, right?

As the real killer’s trial quickly approaches, a key witness who can put the person away suddenly disappears under mysterious circumstances.

Just as Pip thought she was done with her sleuthing, she races against time to find Jamie Reynolds, the witness.

Pip reads.
(Netflix/Screenshot)

As a result, this new investigation and journey will take her into unexcepted territory and darker places as Pip continues to ponder the idea of justice and what it even means.

Could Pip, the “good girl,” be straying further away from that title?

We’ll have to see when the series drops!

Who is the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 Cast?

Pip's friends.
(Sally Mais/Netflix)

Obviously, our heroine, Pip, will be returning for the series.

Wednesday’s Emma Meyers will be reprising her role, to our absolute delight.

The Family Switch star brings this teen to life and gives a heartfelt and endearing performance as Pip.

Zain Iqbal, as Ravi, will accompany her.

The burgeoning friendship turned romance between Pip and Ravi is one of the strongest aspects of the first season, and fortunately, we’ll get to continue with that.

Pippa and Ravi investigate Andie's disappearance.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

Their chemistry grounded the series, and we can guess that where Pip is out investigating, Ravi may be right behind her assisting.

We have yet to hear who else will star in the second season.

However, we speculate that Anna Maxwell Martin, Gary Beadle, and Kamari Loyd may return as Pip’s mother, father, and brother.

Henry Ashton may also reprise his role as Max Hastings.

How Many Episodes Will A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 Have?

Emma Meyers as Pippa.
(Netflix/Screenshot)

Like the first season, this collaborative series from BBC and Netflix will have six episodes in total.

The good news is that Netflix is unlikely to resort to its frustrating split-season formula with a shorter episode count.

But trust us, the series knows how to pack a punch with its shortened season, and they make every second of it count.

When Will A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 Premiere?

AGGGTM S01 Pippa Investigates.
(Netflix/Screenshot)

Sadly, we don’t have a release date yet.

The good news is that the series will start filming early into 2025, so the ball is rolling, and we may get to see it sooner rather than later.

Will A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Get More Renewals?

We don’t know that yet, and much of this series’ success will depend on viewership.

The series has done incredibly well thus far, and the second season is highly anticipated.

It’s also promising to know that the book series has at least two more novels, Good as Dead and KillJoy, that are just waiting to be adapted.

Pip at Grave.
(Courtesy of Netflix)

Is there a Teaser or Trailer for A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2?

Unfortunately, it’s too soon for one of those, but when we get one, we’ll update this accordingly.

Where Can You Watch a Good Girl’s Guide to Murder?

You can stream the first season on Netflix. And you’ll be able to do the same when the second season premieres, as it’s officially a Netflix series.

Watch A Good Girl's Guide to Murder Online

And we’ll update you with any additional news as it comes out.

Over to you, AGGGTM Fanatics.

Are you excited about a second season?

The post A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 Renewal & Everything We Know! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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https://www.tvfanatic.com/a-good-girls-guide-to-murder-season-2-everything-we-know/feed/ 0 AGGGTM S01 Pip AGGGTM-S01-Pip-at-Grave AGGGTM Pip and Ravi AGGGTM S01 Andie Bell AGGGTM S01 Pip AGGGTM S01 AGGGTM S01- Pip Reads AGGGTM S01 Cast AGGGTM Pip and Ravi Pippa in Thought – AGGGTM S01 Pippa Investigates – AGGGTM S01 AGGGTM-S01-Pip-at-Grave JustWatch
Shows That Actually ‘Get’ Young Adults: Where TV Gets It Right (and Wrong) https://www.tvfanatic.com/shows-that-actually-get-young-adults-where-tv-gets-it-right-and-wrong/ https://www.tvfanatic.com/shows-that-actually-get-young-adults-where-tv-gets-it-right-and-wrong/#respond Sat, 16 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000 https://www.tvfanatic.com/?p=823077 Screenshot from the first episode of Degrassi: Next Class

The television landscape is full of young adults, but what does TV get right about this age group? We have some thoughts.

The post Shows That Actually ‘Get’ Young Adults: Where TV Gets It Right (and Wrong) appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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In difficult times, young adults need shows about them more than ever.

Adolescence and early adulthood are challenging no matter what’s going on in a young person’s life, and doubly so when they’re growing up in a high-stress, polarized environment.

TV gets a lot of things right about young people, though it still misses the mark sometimes.

Screenshot from the first episode of Degrassi: Next Class
(CBC/Screenshot)

American Shows Need To Take Some Lessons from Degrassi High (and Degrassi: Next Class)

Degrassi HIgh feels like it’s been around forever. I remember it being on PBS when I was a kid, not that I ever watched it then.

But if you want to know what writing young adults properly looks like, you’ve got to check out Degrassi: Next Class.

This show featured a ton of LGBTQ+ relationships, but the thing is, saying that only scratches the surface of why it is brilliant.

LGBTQ+ shows shouldn’t ONLY be about being a queer kid. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but there’s so much more to being young, and our LGBTQ+ identities aren’t our only identities.

This is especially true if you’re Black or Indigenous or Jewish or any other marginalized identity.

Your queerness is only one part of who you are, and LGBTQ+ representation should show the diversity in the community.

Screenshot from the first episode of Degrassi: Next Class
(CBC/Screenshot)

Degrassi: Next Class did that by including people from different cultures and showing how their culture influenced their queerness and vice versa.

This show, which sadly only lasted two seasons, is most properly classified as a teen soap. This means that it features romances, problems with parents, addiction issues, and other things that are of interest to young adults.

It was also designed to appeal to Generation Z, which means there’s a lot of smartboards, cell phones, social media, and other tech that today’s kids are familiar with.

But despite these gimmicks, the characters are well-rounded and realistic, which is something that we sometimes miss on shows about young adults.

Watch Degrassi Next Class Online

Toast to the Coterie - Tall - Good Trouble Season 5 Episode 20
(Disney/Carlos Lopez-Calleja (Freeform))

One of the few shows I can think of that’s anything like it is the recently ended Good Trouble.

Like Degrassi, Good Trouble featured well-rounded characters who had stuff going on in their lives. It wasn’t JUST about being LGBTQ+, but about being a young adult whose LGBTQ+ identity was part of who they were.

That’s the kind of LGBTQ+ representation we need more of!

Watch Good Trouble Online

Also, There’s More To Being A Young Adult Than Romance

Shows like Good Trouble and Degrassi High have a LOT of romantic subplots. In a way, that makes sense.

Jamie Dips Callie - Good Trouble
(Disney/Troy Harvey (Freeform))

After all, young adults are new to the game of love.

Every crush, every meaningful look, every fight… all of these are super intense when it’s your first or second love.

Plus, love triangles, insecurity, jealousy, and other relationship roadblocks lead to strong drama.

That said, sometimes shows aimed at young adults focus TOO much on romance, especially those shows that straddle the line between teen drama and soap opera.

Holly and Tate enjoying a kiss on Days of Our Lives
(Peacock/Screenshot)

Young adult shows tend to fall into one of two camps: the teenager who has found the person they are meant to be with for their entire lives at 16, or the teenager that quickly jumps into a relationship with someone else when their heart is broken.

(These two are not mutually exclusive, of course.)

In reality, teenage love life is full of drama, but it gets tiring when shows focus too hard on the romance angle, especially when it involves too much partner-switching.

I was thinking about this when I read an interview recently with Leo Howard, who plays Tate on Days of Our Lives.

Howard was glad that, unlike many soap opera characters, Tate was level-headed enough that he would be honest with his ex-girlfriend about having moved on. However, he attributed Tate’s quick change of partners to that being the way teenagers are.

To an extent, Howard is right — some teenagers do jump from one partner to another.

Yet, it bothers me that this trope is so prevalent on shows involving teenagers.

Tao and Isaac sitting at lunch with two wraps and a diet Coke in front of them on Heartstopper
(Netflix/Samuel Dore)

The easiest, most common way to create drama is for somebody to get their heart broken and then jump into bed with someone else, usually their ex-partner’s worst enemy.

Even though that might be quasi-realistic, shouldn’t TV strive to do better?

Shouldn’t there be SOME shows that show teens who are real role models, whose lives don’t revolve around relationships, who do something other than jump from one relationship to another?

Young adults are into SO many things. And yes, crushes and relationship drama are part of teenage life, but what about idealism? What about after-school clubs? What about conflicts with teachers and parents?

When there is too much focus on romance, it starts to feel like the message is that that’s the only thing that matters, which is a terrible message to send, especially for shows that focus on girls.

Watch Days of Our LIves Online

Charlie leans on Isaac while Isaac reads a book called Gender Queer on Heartstopper
(Netflix/Samuel Dore)

Additionally, this exclusive focus on romance often leaves out asexual teenagers.

Both Heartstopper and Sex Education introduced asexual characters, making them the exception to this rule, though Heartstopper did a better job of getting it right.

Heartstopper Season 3’s Isaac storyline was brilliant because it demonstrated how left-out asexual teens can feel when their friends begin dating.

Isaac was happy for his friends when they got into relationships, but he felt like a third wheel, which often happens when you don’t have crushes or an interest in dating.

Watch Heartstopper Online

O is Back - Sex Education Season 4 Episode 8
(Netflix)

Conversely, Sex Education’s asexual storyline was mostly forgettable, which I have mixed feelings about.

On the one hand, not focusing on it allowed O to be a human being who was asexual, but on the other, it got lost in the bigger storyline of O trying to take over the sex therapy business.

That just points to the fact that we need more stories about asexual characters, period.

That way, the ones that are not explicitly about asexuality don’t bring up questions about whether they’re strong enough representation.

Watch Sex Education Online

A Chorus Line - Riverdale Season 7 Episode 14
(Justine Yeung/The CW)

Where Do Fantasy Shows Fit In?

Shows like Riverdale that have supernatural elements, superhero shows, and vampire shows have always been popular with young adults and still are.

There are a lot of reasons that these shows speak to young adults. They’re about people who are capable of doing extraordinary things, and often the heroes are the ones who are outcasts.

The message behind these shows is that young people can do anything, including unimaginable things, and that they can make the world a better place.

Obviously, these shows aren’t realistic, yet they include some of the best depictions of young adults on TV.

They offer young people dealing with difficult situations (remember how problematic Jughead’s father was on Riverdale Season 1?) and not only surviving, but thriving and being able to help others in even worse situations.

Watch Riverdale Online

Basketball Star - Riverdale Season 7 Episode 20
(Justine Yeung/The CW)

Over to you, TV Fanatics.

If you watch a lot of young adult shows, especially if you’re the target audience, I want to hear from you.

Where do you think TV gets young people right? Where does it need to improve?

Hit the comments with your thoughts.

The post Shows That Actually ‘Get’ Young Adults: Where TV Gets It Right (and Wrong) appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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