For those days when you’re feeling petty, nothing beats a good TV binge-packed with shade, drama, and characters who know how to throw down.

From scandalous romances to epic rivalries and high-stakes power plays, these shows are loaded with the kind of pettiness that makes for addictive entertainment.

Whether it’s elite high schoolers battling for the top spot, feuding Hollywood legends, or ruthless family dynasties, this list has you covered.

So grab some popcorn and get ready for the best shows to watch when you’re feeling a little — okay, maybe a lot — petty.

Succession

Succession takes family drama and corporate warfare to deliciously petty heights.

The Roy family’s billion-dollar empire is matched only by their ruthless ambition and brutal one-liners.

From Logan’s domineering grip on his children to Kendall, Shiv, and Roman’s relentless battles for power, every scene is packed with tension, betrayal, and dark humor.

It’s a masterclass in snark, with every character out for themselves and no one afraid to play dirty.

If you’re in the mood for jaw-dropping moments and epic takedowns, Succession serves up pettiness on a silver platter.

Watch Succession Online

Revenge

Revenge is all about payback, served ice-cold with a side of high-society flair.

Emily Thorne arrives in the Hamptons with one goal: to destroy the wealthy Grayson family who wronged her.

With every calculated move, hidden scheme, and unexpected turn, Emily turns manipulation into an art form.

• New Teaser be Damned: Who Cares About the Duttons’ Land Battle in 1923 With Yellowstone’s Looming Unhappy Ending?
  by Carissa Pavlica
• Landman Season 1 Episode 6 Balances Brutality and Heart, Making It Hard to Look Away
  by Carissa Pavlica
• 15 Christmas Movie Villains That Might Just Be Misunderstood
  by Lisa Babick

The show drips with drama as allies become enemies and layers of deceit unfold at every corner.

When you’re in that petty kind of mood and craving a good tale of retribution, Revenge is the ultimate binge for high-stakes snark and scheming.

Watch Revenge Online

The White Lotus

The White Lotus takes luxury and privilege and flips it into pure chaos.

Set in a tropical paradise, this show reveals the dark — and often hilariously petty — side of its wealthy guests and staff.

From passive-aggressive insults to jaw-dropping power plays, every character brings their own brand of snark to the vacation from hell. W

With each new guest’s arrival, tensions build, secrets unravel, and the drama escalates to shocking heights.

If you’re feeling petty and craving some top-tier satire, The White Lotus is the perfect getaway…from sanity.

Watch White Lotus Online

Gossip Girl

When it came to scandal, shade, and high society snark, Gossip Girl was the show to tune into.

From Blair’s iconic takedowns to Serena’s endless drama, the Upper East Side turned into a battlefield where pettiness reigned supreme.

Gossip Girl’s anonymous posts exposed everyone’s secrets, ensuring that no one — not even the queen bees — was safe.

This was backstabbing and betrayal with a glamorous twist, where every schemer played to win.

If you’re feeling a little petty, this is your perfect binge.

Watch Gossip Girl Online

House of Cards

House of Cards is political pettiness at its finest.

Frank and Claire Underwood redefine ruthless ambition, clawing their way to the top with calculated manipulation, cutting remarks, and ice-cold revenge.

Every episode is a masterclass in power plays, as the Underwoods pull strings and eliminate rivals without a hint of remorse.

Watching them scheme their way through Washington is thrilling, darkly entertaining, and satisfyingly petty.

If you’re in the mood for a high-stakes game where loyalty is non-existent, House of Cards delivers drama with zero mercy.

Watch House of Cards Online

Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies brings all the pettiness of small-town drama wrapped in a gorgeous beachside setting.

Monterey’s seemingly perfect moms have secrets simmering beneath the surface, and as tensions rise, so do the stakes.

From subtle digs to explosive confrontations, every character brings their own blend of snark and shade to the story.

• 15 Christmas Movie Villains That Might Just Be Misunderstood
  by Lisa Babick
• The Unhinged Christmas Wish List: Gifts Only TV Characters Would Ask For
  by Thomas Godwin
• 27 Christmas Movies to Watch When You Need a Break from Holiday Cheer
  by Lisa Babick

The layers of friendship, rivalry, and betrayal keep things intense, especially when the truth threatens to unravel.

If you’re craving a binge filled with twists, secrets, and deliciously petty moments, Big Little Lies is calling your name.

Watch Big Little Lies Online

Veep

Veep is the ultimate in political pettiness, following the sharp-tongued Selina Meyer as she navigates Washington with zero filters and plenty of insults.

Her ruthless ambition and her team’s chaotic incompetence turn every episode into a whirlwind of snarky one-liners, cringe-worthy mishaps, and brutal takedowns.

Nothing and no one is off-limits in her quest for power, and every setback is met with razor-sharp sarcasm.

If you’re ready to laugh at some of the pettiest political shenanigans imaginable, Veep serves shade like no other.

Watch Veep Online

Dynasty

Dynasty is pure, unapologetic pettiness wrapped in glitz and glamour.

The Carrington family’s power struggles, betrayals, and fierce rivalries make every episode a showcase of backstabbing at its finest.

From Alexis and Krystle’s iconic catfights to Blake’s relentless scheming, the Carringtons know how to keep the drama high and the stakes even higher.

With wealth, power, and scandal at every turn, Dynasty is the ultimate binge for anyone looking to indulge in classic soap opera-style shade.

It’s the kind of deliciously petty drama that’s impossible to resist!

Watch Dynasty Online

The Real Housewives

The Real Housewives franchise sets the gold standard for reality TV pettiness, with each city bringing its own mix of glitz, feuds, and unforgettable drama.

Whether you’re tuning into Beverly Hills, New York, or Atlanta, these ladies deliver shade with every brunch, charity event, and vacation meltdown.

From epic clapbacks to friendships in flames, Housewives shows that behind every fabulous outfit and perfect manicure is someone ready to throw down.

For jaw-dropping confrontations and a front-row seat to the pettiest disputes, pick your city and watch the chaos unfold because The Real Housewives franchise is OFF. THE. CHARTS.

Watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Online

Fleabag

Fleabag is the perfect binge for anyone craving sharp wit and unapologetic honesty.

The show follows its self-destructive, sarcastic heroine as she navigates love, loss, and one messy family, all while breaking the fourth wall with her signature side-eye.

Fleabag’s petty moments are delightfully relatable, from awkward confrontations to brutally honest observations about everyone around her.

With every glance and cutting remark, she takes viewers on a hilariously raw journey through her missteps and grudges.

If you’re feeling petty and craving dark humor, Fleabag is a must-watch.

Watch Fleabag Online

Empire

If you’re craving family feuds and ruthless ambition, Empire delivers the drama with style.

The Lyon family’s power struggles, betrayals, and unfiltered shade turned the music business into a battlefield.

Cookie’s legendary comebacks (and sass!), Lucious’s relentless scheming, and sibling rivalries that redefine petty make Empire the ultimate binge for anyone who loves high-stakes drama with a side of attitude.

Every episode is packed with jaw-dropping twists, lavish performances, and enough family drama to keep you glued to the screen.

So, grab some popcorn — this one’s all about the art of the takedown.

Watch Empire Online

The Bold Type

The Bold Type serves up drama with style, wit, and a hefty dose of snark.

At Scarlet magazine, Jane, Kat, and Sutton juggle friendships, love lives, and career ambitions, all while throwing just the right amount of shade.

The workplace rivalries and heartfelt moments turn this show into an emotional rollercoaster, blending career highs with personal messes and plenty of office drama.

If you’re in the mood for a binge that’s equal parts snark and inspiration, The Bold Type hits all the right notes for those craving a bit of petty entertainment.

Watch The Bold Type Online

The Royals

The Royals is royal drama at its absolute prettiest.

This modern monarchy is filled with scandal, betrayal, and enough shade to block out the sun.

Queen Helena rules with an iron fist and a razor-sharp tongue while her kids bring plenty of chaos, secrets, and snark to the palace.

• Landman Season 1 Episode 6 Balances Brutality and Heart, Making It Hard to Look Away
  by Carissa Pavlica
• Blue Bloods Season 14 Episode 18 Wrapped Up A 14-Year Run With A Reminder Of Everything That Makes This Cancelation Hurt
  by Jack Ori
• Fire Country Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Zombie Fires Take Control
  by Sara Trimble

Every family feud feels like a public spectacle, and every backstabbing moment is pure entertainment.

With its outrageous twists and regal rivalries, The Royals is perfect for when you’re in the mood to indulge your inner drama queen.

Watch The Royals Online

Desperate Housewives

When it comes to petty drama, Desperate Housewives practically invented it.

Life on Wisteria Lane was a soap opera wrapped in suburbia, where no secret stayed hidden and every smile came with a side of shade.

Bree’s icy perfection, Gabrielle’s fierce independence, Lynette’s cunning, and Susan’s knack for getting tangled in everyone’s messes kept viewers hooked.

With every episode, friendships got tested, affairs surfaced, and power plays unfolded, all with a flair that made you want to see what these housewives would do next.

If you’re in the mood for snark and scandal, welcome to Wisteria Lane. 

Watch Desperate Housewives Online

How to Get Away with Murder

How to Get Away with Murder is an ultimate showcase of manipulation, secrets, and high-stakes drama.

Annalise Keating and her band of law students are tangled in a web of lies, betrayals, and, yes, murder, making every episode a thrilling descent into chaos.

Annalise’s sharp tongue and cutthroat tactics bring the perfect mix of snark and suspense, while each character’s dark secrets add layers of intrigue.

If you’re feeling petty and want a dose of courtroom drama with ruthless ambition, How to Get Away with Murder serves up just the right amount of scandal. 

Watch How to Get Away with Murder Online

Emily in Paris

When Emily lands in Paris, her American optimism clashes hilariously with French snobbery, sparking endless drama and passive-aggressive shade.

From love triangles to workplace rivalries, Emily navigates Parisian culture with a mix of naivety and sass, often rubbing locals the wrong way.

Whether she’s butting heads with her colleagues or stirring up romantic chaos, Emily in Paris is the perfect binge for when you’re in the mood for light-hearted, fashion-fueled drama with plenty of snark.

Watch Emily in Paris Online

Bridgerton

Bridgerton is the ultimate escape into Regency-era pettiness, where courtships, rivalries, and scandal rule high society.

With Lady Whistledown (the Gossip Girl of the Regency era) spilling secrets at every turn, the Bridgerton family and their peers face relentless public scrutiny and juicy drama.

From Daphne’s love life to Anthony’s power struggles, every episode brims with subtle shade, whispered gossip, and enough romantic tension to fill a ballroom.

Bridgerton is for anyone in the mood for lavish costumes, smoldering glances, and the delicious thrill of high-stakes romance mixed with sly, period-perfect snark.

Watch Bridgerton Online

Sex and the City

Sex and the City is the epitome of petty friendship drama, fabulous fashion, and brutally honest conversations.

Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda navigate love, heartbreak, and career struggles in New York City, serving up shade with Cosmos and support in equal measure.

From Carrie’s dating disasters to Samantha’s legendary one-liners, every episode is packed with iconic moments that blend humor with a touch of snark.

If you’re feeling petty or just want a front-row seat to the highs and lows of single life in the city, Sex and the City has you covered in style.

Watch Sex and the City Online

Pretty Little Liars

Pretty Little Liars is a rollercoaster of secrets, lies, and non-stop drama.

When four best friends start receiving cryptic messages from the mysterious “A,” their lives spiral into a world of manipulation and betrayal.

With each twist, they uncover darker secrets about each other and their town, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

From backstabbing frenemies to scandalous romances, every episode is packed with the kind of pettiness and suspense that make this show the ultimate binge.

If you’re craving mystery laced with a hefty dose of snark, Pretty Little Liars is for you. 

Watch Pretty Little Liars Online

90210

90210 brings all the high school drama, secrets, and scandal you could want, all wrapped up in Beverly Hills glitz.

The students of West Beverly Hills High are anything but innocent, with rivalries, romances, and power plays keeping things deliciously petty.

From Naomi’s queen-bee attitude to Annie’s constant entanglements, every character brings their own flair for drama and shade.

This show is packed with love triangles, betrayals, and iconic high school moments that make it a binge-worthy classic.

If you’re feeling especially petty, 90210 will deliver all the rich-kid drama you need.

Watch 90210 Online

Feud: Bette and Joan

Feud: Betty and Joan captures the iconic, real-life rivalry between Hollywood legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

Set against the backdrop of the classic 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, the series dives into the pettiness, power plays, and behind-the-scenes battles that defined their relationship.

With biting dialogue, intense standoffs, and plenty of old-school Hollywood snark, this show brings their feud to life in all its deliciously dramatic glory.

If you’re craving glamorous cattiness and classic shade, Feud: Betty and Joan delivers pure, iconic pettiness.

Watch Feud: Bette and Joan Online

The O.C.

The O.C. is the ultimate in teen angst, wealth, and West Coast drama.

When outsider Ryan Atwood moves into the elite world of Orange County, he stirs up secrets, rivalries, and endless romantic drama.

The show’s iconic characters — like Marissa, Seth, and Summer — bring plenty of snark and shade as they navigate love triangles, family feuds, and friendship fallout.

Every episode has the perfect mix of heartfelt moments and sharp one-liners, making The O.C. an addictive watch for anyone craving rich-kid drama with a side of petty.

And let’s be real, this list has plenty of it!

Watch The O.C. Online

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Curb Your Enthusiasm takes pettiness to a whole new level, thanks to Larry David’s knack for turning minor annoyances into full-blown fiascos.

Whether he’s arguing over the “right” way to park or getting into absurd social squabbles, Larry’s relentless nitpicking and total lack of a filter make every episode a masterpiece of awkward, petty humor.

• Suits: LA Cast and Character Guide
  by Sara Trimble
• NCIS: Tony and Ziva Cast and Character Guide
  by Sara Trimble
• NCIS: Origins Cast and Character Guide
  by Sara Trimble

His interactions with friends, neighbors, and total strangers spiral into chaos with hilarious, cringe-worthy outcomes.

If you’re in the mood for unapologetic, real-world pettiness, Curb Your Enthusiasm is the perfect watch to indulge your inner contrarian.

Watch Curb Your Enthusiasm Online

Melrose Place

Melrose Place is ‘90s drama at its finest, with outrageous twists, backstabbing friends, and romantic entanglements that never end well.

This classic series is set in a West Hollywood apartment complex where everyone’s lives are intertwined — and nobody’s hands are clean.

From love triangles to betrayal and petty revenge, Melrose Place is packed with all the drama and shade of a prime-time soap opera.

If you’re ready to relive iconic moments and over-the-top feuds, this one is your ultimate blast from the past.

Watch Melrose Place Online

Scream Queens

Scream Queens brings horror and humor together in the pettiest way possible.

At Wallace University, the ruthless Kappa Kappa Tau sorority sisters face a masked killer — and each other.

With sharp one-liners, campy scares, and no shortage of rivalries, Scream Queens is a slasher comedy packed with drama and over-the-top characters.

The show’s hilarious mix of horror and snark makes it the perfect watch when you’re craving something both scary and petty, with enough shade to fill a haunted house.

Watch Scream Queens Online

BEEF

BEEF brings pettiness to an art form, following two characters whose road rage incident escalates into a full-blown feud.

What starts as a single encounter spirals into a hilarious and dark rivalry, with each one-upping the other in increasingly outrageous ways.

Fueled by revenge and grudges, BEEF explores the lengths people will go to win — even when they’re fighting a completely pointless battle.

If you’re in the mood for petty to the extreme, this show delivers it with a darkly comedic edge that keeps you guessing what they’ll do next.

Watch BEEF Online

You’re the Worst

You’re the Worst is a twisted take on romance where love and snark go hand in hand.

Jimmy and Gretchen are two unapologetically selfish characters who dive headfirst into a relationship full of sarcasm, brutal honesty, and total chaos.

Their love story is anything but conventional, packed with cutting remarks and hilariously bad decisions.

This show is a rollercoaster of dark humor and relationship drama that’s impossible to look away from, and the perfect watch if you’re in the mood for a show that takes petty to a new level!

Watch You're the Worst Online

Embrace the Drama, One Episode at a Time

Now that you’ve got the ultimate guide to petty TV, it’s time to dive in and indulge those snarky vibes.

These shows are here for all your binge-watching needs, packed with shade, secrets, and scandal in every scene.

So the next time you’re in the mood to watch characters scheme, backstab, or serve up some serious side-eye, just hit play.

Because when it comes to drama, sometimes it’s good to be a little petty.

Over to you, TV Fanatics! What’s your go-to show when you’re in a snarky mood? Share your favorite petty picks in the comments!

The post The Best TV Shows to Watch When You’re Feeling Petty appeared first on TV Fanatic.

There is your standard comedian who can tell a joke and think on their feet. Other times, the comedy comes from a certain type of stupidity where it is so dumb it is funny.

Some thrive because of their dry sense of humor or cynicism, and physical, witty, observational, self-deprecating, sarcastic, and satirical humor all have homes, too.

There are the ones who try to be funny and the ones who don’t, who might be meant to be laughed at rather than with, and all leave impressions.

Regardless of the type, the one thing distinguishing a character for their sense of humor is their delivery, which has to be believable. It is not just what you say but also how you say it that resonates with audiences.

And these characters, in no particular order, have certainly defined themselves as obtaining a unique sense of humor.

Related: TV Nation: Would America Be Less Divided If We Still Watched the Same Shows?

Charlie Kelly – It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

From bashing rats to being an illiterate who knows German to huffing paint to knowing how to play instruments and coming up with songs on the spot, Charlie Kelly (Charlie Day) is a prime example of absurd comedy.

Charlie has “Gone America All Over Everybody’s Ass,” proved he isn’t white trash by the motility of his jean shorts, put on his Nightman Cometh musical, has to be told not to try to swim to Europe, and has a real cheese addiction.

There is also the great moment when Mac and Dennis try to help him set up a dating app profile.

His likes? Little green ghouls. Hobby? Magnets. Favorite food? Milk steak. Dislikes? People’s knees. I mean, cover your knees up if you’re gonna be walking around everywhere…

What does he pretend his career is on the date? Well, he tries to say philanthropist, but the words “get blocked up in [his] mouth and [he] don’t say it no good,” so “full-on rapist” is what ends up coming out.

Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm

Larry David is “pretty, pretty” hilarious. His obscure opinions on society’s norms and taboos lead him to say and do things that scream cringe.

This fictional version of himself is brilliant, unconventional, opinionated, and easily hated, yet there will be moments you find yourself agreeing.

We all put people in our phones using a one-word identifying descriptor, pick up hookers to use the carpool lane, wear MAGA hats so no one wants to have any social interaction with us, pretend to be an Orthodox Jew to get our best friend a kidney faster…

Related: How Technology Changed TV Tropes Forever

The show is unscripted and ridiculous, and no one could ever dream of recreating Larry David’s sense of humor.

Gregory Eddie – Abbott Elementary

Abbott Elementary has a deep talent pool, and there is no shortage of humor on the hit sitcom.

However, Gregory Eddie’s (Tyler James Williams) subtle humor is underrated.

His facial expressions, timing, and consistency are top-notch.

His effortless and simple facial expressions are what set his character apart.

The way he takes Ava’s crude and flirtatious comments leaves fans cracking up.

His side eyes and how he looks into the camera do not go unnoticed. It is physical comedy at its finest.

Lucille Bluth – Arrested Development

The Lucille Bluth lines are endless…

“I wanna cry so bad, but I don’t think I can spare the moisture.”

“Your wrist is testing the tensile strength of that bracelet.”

“It’s one banana, Michael, what could it cost, 10 dollars?”

Her drinking problem is also an amazing center of her humor, ordering vodka on the rocks with a piece of toast for breakfast, winning a drinking contest while in rehab, saying people hate hospitals because there aren’t bars in them.

Related: The 17 Best Fictional Journalists on TV

Jessica Walter delivers all her lines flawlessly, beautifully, and with genius.

Everyone else could only hope to master the art as well as she has.

The comedic gold she has left behind is historic, and Lucille Bluth is undoubtedly an Arrested Development fan favorite character because of her sense of humor.

Leon Black- Curb Your Enthusiasm

Yes, Larry David may be the show’s star, but Leon Black’s (J.B. Smoove) sense of humor stole the spotlight the second he got in front of that camera.

He is proud of his ability to “brings the ruckus to the ladies,” comparing himself to “Barack Obama, motherf*****! I’m the president of hittin’ that a**!”

Without Leon, fans would never know the nickname “long-ball Larry” or the term “lampin’.”

He is not shy either, admitting to shooting a porno constipated, and his natural skill to handle Larry’s unusual behaviors with quick-witted one-liners is brilliant.

His entry into the show was even top-tier comedy.

His whole family left the David household, and despite having no reason to stay, he told Larry he was “going upstairs to eat this f***in’ Chinese food in my f***in’ room.” He has been a staple in the HBO hit ever since.

Phil Dunphy- Modern Family

Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when fans think of the Modern Family Dunphy father figure is one thing— his book of “Phil’sosophy.”

Always look people in the eye, even if they are blind. If you get pulled over for speeding, tell the police officer your spouse has diarrhea.

Watch a sunrise at least once a day. Marry someone who looks sexy while disappointed.

Related: Unforgettable Narcissts of the Small Screen

Phil’s childish behavior, novelty, and awkwardness distinguish him from the other cast members.

His dad jokes and goofiness are played out perfectly. It is hard to do dumb humor without it being a bit cringe-worthy, but Phil is a wizard at it.

April Ludgate- Parks & Recreation

April Ludgate (Audrey Plaza), a Parks and Recreation favorite, is a brilliant contrast to Leslie. She is detached, shrewd, and loves ravens — a beacon for dark comedy fans.

Her head is a “terror dome,” and may or may not have a giant needle on hand if someone tells her secrets and thinks going insane is fun!

Her interest in national parks may stem from them being the best places for a full-moon werewolf transformation, but at least she is fighting for them!

Plus, she makes a very solid point — all wine tastes the same. If you spend more than $5 on it, then you are very stupid.

Her deadpan manner, obvious boredom, sarcasm, and dry sense of humor are praiseworthy and have garnered her character much-deserved comedic attention.

George Lopez- The George Lopez Show

Like Larry David, the titular comedian George Lopez plays a fictionalized version of himself in the ABC sitcom of the same name.

His childhood is the center of a lot of the comedy because his mother was a hedonistic alcoholic.

This leads to many hilarious one-liners because now he is a helicopter parent. This family dynamic and Lopez’s humor create a relatability and lighten up a rough childhood.

Related: Heavy On The Rizz: The Most CHarismatic Leading Men on TV

For example, when his mother complimented him on always being independent, crossing the street alone when he was 2, Lopez responded, “I was looking for food!”

He teaches life lessons in unique ways, playing “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and queuing it up to the educational part, hoping that watching scary stuff would make his son more careful of the dangers in the world.

Lopez also has a repertoire of catchphrases, which are always delivered beautifully and in a way that never gets old.

He does not hide his disdain for people and loves to mess with anyone who tries to offend him.

When an in-law asks what he has been up to, knowing they don’t think highly of him, he responds that he just got off of parole due to stabbing someone when they looked at his wife in the wrong way.

Licked the knife clean, too, because that is how he rolls, fool!

Creed Bratton – The Office

Creed also plays a fictionalized version of himself on The Office.

The real-life former Grass Roots musician plays a hippie and homeless man with a strange sense of humor who is employed at Dunder Mifflin.

The show has a long list of talent, but everything that comes from Creed’s mouth is hysterical. He may not be the main character, but it will surely be an unforgettable moment when the cameras focus on him. The fact his golden nuggets are sporadic only adds to the intrigue and comedy.

Offended by homosexuality? Not Creed.

In the ’60s, he “made love to many, many women, often outdoors, in the mud and the rain, and it’s possible a man slipped in. There would be no way of knowing.”

He has a mysterious way of never being fired despite not actually knowing what is going on, and his literal grassroots is obvious when he says, “The copier did tricks on the high wire. A lady tried to give away a baby that looked like a cat.

“There was a Dwight impersonator and a Jim impersonator. A strongman crushed a turtle. I laughed, and I cried. Not bad for a day in the life of a dog food company.”

As fans, we go along with his nonsense. Of course, he understands pirate code but can’t speak it, though. Need a worm dealer? Creed’s got you.

Related: Fixated Females: 17 Duos Who Obsess Over Each Other

He thinks Jim is gay but tries to set him up with his daughter. Points out you can only ooze two things: sexuality and pus. And, if he can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about? What is he working towards?

Jim Lahey – Trailer Park Boys

Famous for being a drunk trailer park supervisor, Jim Lahey (John Dunsworth) may be best known for his line, “I am the liquor,” talk of the winds of shit, and constant failure to take down whatever illegal activity Julian, Ricky, and Bubbles are conducting.

He is absurd, and his sense of humor is heightened when he is “on the liquor,” telling stories of shitfish, shitnets, and shitpower because “when you are in a man’s power, you must do as he bids you.”

Lahey’s struggle with alcohol leads to the most quotable moments of TPB, like, “Alcoholics go to meetings. I don’t go to meetings; therefore, I’m not an alcoholic.”

Before Dunsworth unexpectedly passed away, he coincidentally said at some point while shooting the show, “When you’re dead, you’re dead. But you’re not quite so dead if you contribute something.”

He undoubtedly contributed moments on the screen that will live on through memes and fan’s hearts.

Kimiko Miyashiro – The Boys

Kimiko Miyashiro (Karen Fukuhara) may be a largely nonverbal character, but her sense of humor shines in other forms, such as sign language and text messages.

She is quick-witted and sharp-minded and keeps Frenchie and the other boys alert with her clever insults and callouts.

She can grasp fans uniquely, which speaks a lot about her character.

Even though she may be a little more reserved, guarded, and tougher than your average character known for their sense of humor, she still stands out among the rest of The Boys cast.

Terry Jeffords – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

The Brooklyn Nine-Nine lieutenant is another character based on the actors themselves.

Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) may physically be huge, eating 10,000 calories a day to maintain his size, but he is really a softy.

His size has played into many of the best moments on the show, like when he attempted to get a vasectomy.

Related: 13 Pro Athletes Who Found Great Success as Actors

The doctors had to stop the surgery because they didn’t realize before that they didn’t have enough anesthesia for the procedure due to his size, which forced them to pause the operation.

In his state of delusion, he utters numerous hilarious lines, like commenting on how small Jake Peralta’s head is and asking him where he keeps his brain.

His obsession with yogurt and his frequent use of the third person add a layer to his sense of humor that makes him unforgettable.

Tormund Giantsbane- Game of Thrones

The Game of Thrones Free Folk leader is by far one of the funniest characters. His vulgarity, brute nature, and directness lead to some of the show’s best banter and comedic lines.

His facial expressions are on point, and his obsession with Brienne of Tarth makes for some of his most iconic moments.

His words were quite literal, like when someone referred to the Queen.

He wasn’t sure if they were talking about Cersei or Daenerys, so for clarification, he asked, “The one with the dragons or the one that f**** her brother?”

Or his advice on how to survive the cold, “You have to keep moving; that’s the secret. Walking’s good, fight’s better, f******’s best.”

Giantsbane’s sense of humor is a series highlight and makes for some epic memes.

Willie Jack – Reservation Dogs

Reservation Dogs is a revolutionary FX show hailed for depicting Native Americans through an Indigenous perspective rather than a white perspective.

Although it is centered around a tragic event, it has its hysterical moments.

Related: Single Season Shows That Live on in Our Hearts

Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis) is tough, fierce, loyal, and unafraid to call someone out when needed. She is known for her memorable digs and clever sense of humor, which feels natural.

Even if her moments are just tiny sections of her lines, she makes them count.

Just the way she thinks of learning the wizard ways as not being sure if it’s a wax-on, wax-off situation, so she just shuts up and goes with it, creating a laughable and memorable moment.

Her facial expressions also make fans crack up, and there is something special about a character’s ability to evoke laughter from simple reactions.

Samantha Jones – Sex and the City

Samantha Jones left her mark on the industry with her brilliantly hilarious moments in Sex and the City. She does not care what anyone thinks about her, lives life to the fullest, and never stifles her passion or personality.

She always wants to have a good time, obviously, when she says, “I don’t believe in the Republican party or the Democratic party. I just believe in parties.”

She is also not afraid to tell a man she loves them but loves herself more.

She knows who she is and is not afraid to flaunt it. Her delivery and willingness to make her presence none makes for some of the most quotable TV moments.

“Yeah, I am harsh. I’m also demanding, stubborn, self-sufficient, and always right. In bed, at the office, and everywhere else.”

Grandma Huang – Fresh Off the Boat

Grandma Huang (Lucille Soong) is the comedic relief on Fresh Off the Boat.

Fans love her attitude and sense of humor, both verbal and physical. Her facial expressions and wheelchair make for the best parts of the show.

Related: 11 Series Finales That Hit Us Right In the Feels

With the looming threat of Y2K and Emery’s idea to live it up, instead of following the public’s panic, she decides to pour a can of soda on the carpet because there is no need to worry about consequences with the crash of computers on the horizon.

Using the same reasoning when Emery and Evan tell her not to sign up for a credit card because she has no way of paying it off, she tells them, no need to worry, you pile up the debt and wait until January when bank records get erased. Y2K. Her way of living it up.

In her free time, she likes to take pennies from the public fountain, and she loves Garfield.

She loves free things from the bank, and after the disappointment of learning the pen she wanted was chained to the desk, she takes a potted plant instead.

Supposedly, she has also knitted a cape for Evel Knievel in the past, and she watches “Twins” because she is attracted to Danny DeVito.

Grandma Huang’s delivery is flawless, and her humor is unparalleled.

Chandler Bing – Friends

Chandler Bing’s (Matthew Perry) sarcastic sense of humor and ability to “say more dumb things before 9 a.m. than most people say all day” certainly established him as a character known for his humor.

He also uses comedy as a defense mechanism and a way to cope with his rough childhood upbringing, which started after his parents split up.

This makes him a relatable character, as this tends to be a way for many people to cope.

Chandler is also a comedian who uses his self-esteem issues as the center of jokes, and quitting often becomes the joke.

He always delivers the best zingers and witty comments, but he tends to mess up often, which only adds to his comedy.

His natural humor is extremely effective and has created infamous humor throughout Friends.

Related: What Generation Was Friends Anyway? GenX, Boomers, or Millennials?

Dr. Gregory House – House

Dr. Gregory House has a dry sense of that resonates with fans. He is intelligent and crude, but in the most captivating way that made his sometimes insensitive remarks absolutely hilarious.

When someone asks him if he minds if they come in his place, he responds, “Not at all. Do you mind if I leave?”

How could fans not crack up when he said, “I cared for eight seconds. Then got distracted,” or “The good news is he won’t be bitching about losing his hand if he can’t breathe”?

He doesn’t care what people think of him and calls it as it is.

He also has his own unconventional way of caring for people, like when he knocked on Wilson’s door and said, “I know you’re in there. I can hear you caring.”

The star of House brought humor to a hit show that otherwise is not considered a comedy.

Red Forman – That ’70s Show

Red Forman of That ’70s Show is an icon of bitter humor, sarcasm, and edgy jabs.

He is irritable and grumpy but not actually a cruel person, which makes an interesting contrast and his comedy even better because, you know, at his core, he isn’t truly hateful.

He is blunt and has an irreverent tone and manner that fans cling to and enjoy.

He is the king of insults and is always looking for someone’s ass to put his boot up. He also wants to be buried facedown when the time comes so anyone who doesn’t like him can kiss it.

His deadpan humor makes him an icon for the ages.

Related: TV Moments That Give Meaning to the Word Crescendo

The TV characters known for their sense of humor will always live on in fans’ hearts and through the most infamous memes.

Regardless of their style or the show’s genre, the ones who provide comedic relief or outdo the other show members will continue to be favorites because of their hilarity.

In the comments below, please tell us what you think of the characters listed and some of your favorite lines or scenes!

The post TV Characters Defined by Their Sense of Humor appeared first on TV Fanatic.

OK, nobody says that, but they should!

Your invited guests do the heavy lifting for any celebration.

TV Fanatics that we are, we can't think of anyone we'd love to attend the festivities more than our favorite TV characters.

Related: TV Shows Should Make Stars, Not Depend on Them

Here's who we're inviting to our 4th of July party!

Richie – The Bear

Right off the bat, Richie understands the concept of "play cousin" so well that he'd literally fit right in because of that alone.

He's brash and uncouth, sure, but he's also just a damn good time and pure entertainment.

He can fit into any environment and have some of the best conversations or debates about movies, music, and books, all the while making fun of people for their hot dog condiments.

Whether we get off the books Richie, who knows how to party with the best of him, or Professional Richie, who knows how to organize the event and ensure that everything runs smoothly, you're getting the best of Richie! (Jasmine Blu)

Bobby Nash – 9-1-1

Captain Bobby Nash is both the leader at the 118 and the resident chef.

Known for whipping up one hell of a meal for his team, Bobby’s also known at home for manning the grill whenever there’s a party.

Related: 9-1-1 Season 8: Everything We Know So Far

Considering that neither the team nor his family ever has any complaints about his talents in the kitchen, he’s the #1 person you want to call to marinate the meat and make sure everything is cooked to perfection at the 4th of July barbecue! (Whitney Evans)

Beth Dutton – Yellowstone

Beth's fierce and unapologetic attitude would bring a bold and fiery energy to the party.

The Yellowstone favorite's sharp wit and take-no-prisoners approach to life would make for some intense and interesting conversations.

Beth may be intense, but when it comes to letting her hair down, she’s rarely outmatched. (Carissa Pavlica)

Clark Kent/Superman – Your Pick!

Any Clark or Superman will do, but I've always been most partial to Dean Cain from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman myself.

Superman has always represented an American protector who stands for "truth, justice, and the American way."

Related: Are the Marvel & DC Universes On Their Way Out?

What could be more patriotic than that?

Plus, it doesn't hurt that his costume colors go well with standard July 4th party décor. (Jessica Kosinski)

Alice – The Way Home

If you watch The Way Home, you know the likelihood that Alice may disappear in the middle of the celebration or return to it later inexplicably soaking wet is high.

However, Alice loves a good social event and she gets along with pretty much everyone.

She may even pull out the guitar and give us a little performance. (Jasmine Blu)

King Alfred – The Last Kingdom

I love history, especially the history of England, from the Celts and the Roman takeover all the way through to the end of the Tudor line. My choice would be King Alfred from The Last Kingdom.

From a historical standpoint, I’d want to know more details about several of the battles that took place during his reign, and more about the relationship between Wessex and Mercia.

From the fictional standpoint, I’d want to understand the logic of placing so much trust in the priests around him and so little in Uhtred despite Uhtred coming through for him time and time again. 

Related: How Much Should Showrunners Rely on Audience Reaction For Their Storytelling?

It has absolutely nothing to do with Independence Day and the July 4 celebration, but, in its own way, England was coming together as a country, much like America would do centuries later. It took politics, power, and war for both. 

Not very fun for a party, but I’m done with those days unless there’s some single malt Scotch in the house, preferably a 14-year Glenlivet! (Thomas Godwin)

Lucifer Morningstar – Lucifer

For Lucifer, partying is a way of life. He’s willing to put all seriousness on the back burner to entertain others.

He’s quick on his feet and always has a sarcastic quip to keep the conversation going.

Even better, he’s an ace on the piano and a singer to boot. He can be our entertainment! (Carissa Pavlica)

Leon Black – Curb Your Enthusiasm

He is absolutely hilarious, knows how to have a good time, calls it as he sees it, and definitely has an abundance of entertaining stories worth hearing. (Eve Pierpont)

David Rose and Stevie Budd, Schitt’s Creek

Related: The Age of Nostalgia: Why Young Audiences Are Seeking Out Old TV

We would sit off to the side, complaining about the heat (while wearing sweaters and flannels for some reason), sharing some gossip, and drinking something frozen from a hollowed-out pineapple. (Haley White)

Ted Lasso – Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso's infectious positivity and charm would surely brighten up any gathering.

His ability to connect with people and create a sense of camaraderie would make the party feel inclusive and joyous.

He’s at his best when spirits are high, and we’d like to think he’d get as much from the party as he would give. (Carissa Pavlica)

Barney Gumble – The Simpsons

An outdoor party in the middle of summer? Yeah, I’m not worrying about the scintillating conversation and witty bon mots. I want guests who are there to rage!

And when you invite Barney Gumble, you’re inviting a guy who’s sure to show up with a case of Duff and leave with a lampshade on his head.

We don’t often get to see the auteur behind Pukahontas blackout in environments other than Moe’s Tavern, so a backyard barbecue could make for an interesting change of pace.

Related: Does the Death of Syndicated Reruns Mean the End of Catchphrases and Cult Shows?

Honorable mention goes to other animated lushes of note, including Bender from Futurama, Randy Marsh from South Park, and Sterling Archer from Archer.

Of course, with that guest list, you want to make sure to host a fireworks-free shindig. These are not guys who should be allowed near explosives. (Tyler Johnson)

Villanelle – Killing Eve

Villanelle's unpredictable and thrilling personality would make for an exciting and adventurous party atmosphere.

Her fashion sense and dramatic flair would be a hit. But we might need to hide the knives.

You never know what side of Villanelle will descend upon us! (Carissa Pavlica)

The interns – Grey's Anatomy

Like most of the younger brood, especially on Grey's Anatomy, they love any good reason to bring booze and party.

Related: Fixated Females: 17 Duos Who Obsess Over Each Other

They'll also bring the relationship drama, entertainment, and they're all pretty enough to lounge by the pool. (Jasmine Blu)

Leslie Knope – Parks and Recreation

Leslie's enthusiasm for celebrations and her organizational skills would make the party incredibly fun and well-planned.

Her love for her friends and her country would shine through.

Every 4th of July party needs at least one patriotic guest, and her infectious zeal would bleed through to the others in attendance. (Carissa Pavlica)

Judd Ryder – 911: Lone Star

Who better to invite than 9-1-1: Lonestar favorite Judd? He's a grill master from Texas who knows his barbacoa and barbecue.

'Nuff said.

Related: 9-1-1 Lone Star Season 5 – Everything We Know So Far

Judd is going to come in, make himself at home, man the grill, and be the perfect entertainment. (Jasmine Blu)

Elsbeth Tascioni – Elsbeth

Hey! Who stole the clam dip? No need to worry at this party. Elsbeth Tascioni is on the scene, and if something is amiss, she’ll get to the root of it.

She can pull words out of even the most reluctant party-goer with an inquisitive nature.

She’s so good, they won’t even notice that they’ve suddenly become one of the chattiest guests! (Carissa Pavlica)

Lucas Bouchard – When Calls the Heart

Lucas is When Calls the Heart's most well-traveled, charismatic fellow who, more often than not, puts the needs of others before his own. With so much experience, he’s learned a lot about festivities around the world.

He was the man who first introduced skyward holiday lanterns to Hope Valley, a tradition we hope has remained.

Related: 13 Classic Shows to Watch if You Love Elsbeth & Where to Find Them

Sure, he’s Canadian, but know he won’t hold that against us. We can only imagine what sparkling nuances he’d bring to our 4th of July party. (Carissa Pavlica)

Penelope Garcia – Criminal Minds

If you watch Criminal Minds, you know Penelope Garcia would bring all the personality and fun, maybe some games too.

She's a great conversationalist, and something tells me she'd bring some great snacks. (Jasmine Blu)

There you have it, folks! Even if you disagree with some of our picks, you can't deny that this assemblage of guests would make for one memorable BBQ?

Who would you invite to your patriotic shindig?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

The post Must-Have TV Guests for Our Independence Day Party appeared first on TV Fanatic.

After 12 seasons and 24 years, Larry David has finished kvetching.

Whereas most people can only see Larry David as the real-life George Constanza, the antisocial miscreant who creates conflict wherever he goes, I will always see Larry David as the penultimate social justice warrior.

A man who not only stands up for conversational injustice (trick or treating teenagers without a costume, a parent shaming their kid for wanting a sewing machine?) but a man who also foresees the future of American civil liberties in ways we're just not supposed to foresee yet.

It's easy to see how Larry is influenced by history and law. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from the University of Maryland and, against all logic, worked his observations of Magellan and de Soto into a situation comedy – references very few got but were forced to contemplate nonetheless. 

One has only to casually glance at Seinfeld to see the showrunner's obsession with courtroom drama and, best of all, the circuses and lawyer shenanigans.

From the famous O.J. Simpson "Big Salad" Seinfeld episode to not one but two courtroom-based series finales, in which the protagonist(s) gets sent directly to jail. 

In the series finale of Seinfeld, Larry piques our minds about the minimum degree of empathy we're required to have for each other as civilized creatures, as his quartet of self-absorbed friends are judged for their lack of character.

In the series finale of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry asks another invasive question: What if you are morally inclined and a good, law-abiding citizen but still have to defend your character in front of a jury of your peers?

Who among us can stand when you pick apart the minutia of daily decisions we are required to make with no moral guidance and still hold your head up high when your sins are announced out of context by people who will only remember your bald head and glasses?

If only people understood the "writer" Larry instead of the performer Larry, we might finally appreciate that "Larry David," the character, or the guy, whatever, speaks on behalf of us.

Yes, on behalf of us, the people who have no idea what we're doing but still love to make ridiculous laws explaining what we should not be doing. 

Larry David's ultimate goal in creating his universes of absurdism is to remind us that social justice is as much an individual experience as it is a collective of shared living space.

We are all entitled to unlimited freedom, but only on the condition that it doesn't vex someone who is living next door, who's just trying to enjoy their tepid coffee. 

For years, we will continue to hear about the worst things Larry David has done, including: 

• Defaming someone's obituary with a typo

• Accidentally murdering various fowl

• Lying to a survivor's group to save face

• Destroying relationships after a single conversation

• Faking entire relationships just for litigious pursuits

• Stealing holocaust museum shoes

• Opening a spite store and then burning down the competition

• Shrugging off someone's death because, after all, there is still pizza

• Corrupting the youth and bragging about how you've never learned a lesson, ever

• Being too stingy with his kidneys

• Assaulting Elmo for being too obnoxiously happy 

I prefer to remember Larry's social justice wins rather than his losses.

At various times in his show, he reminded his viewers that sometimes being antisocial is the best form of self-preservation. 

Showing your dying friend that you're a terrible person just to avoid the responsibility of becoming someone's "big brother" is not just a selfish act. It's just as much a protection to that innocent young mind who could and should have better heroes. 

Larry's tendency to give people unsolicited advice eclipses the fact that his solicited advice is usually very insightful.

He's done everything from improving a gangsta rapper's song to giving a call girl fashion tips to boosting his roommate's self-confidence about eating what he wants, regardless of what people think. 

Though a lot of people are quick to curse Larry out, Larry usually uses his profane mouth for the betterment of humanity — like saving the career of a chef who had an unfortunate episode of Tourette syndrome at the worst time. 

And who could forget Larry's assertive egalitarian stance that no one should ever tell you to smile when you're just not feeling it?

Larry David is the social justice warrior we all aspire to be but somehow fall short of because of our pride, tact, or at least the fear of being dreadfully embarrassed.

But none of these human follies seem to affect the Larry David Persona, which is an evolutionary step forward — the ubermensch who feels zero awkwardness himself but poisons everyone around him with social anxiety and civil unrest.

The Social Assassin! The one that takes a nice, normal conversation and explodes it, holding everyone hostage until the comedy bit plays out. 

He's not easily offended by questions, but he's adamant when someone is invading his private space. When he told off CNN's Chris Wallace for obsessing over the size of his "pant's tent," he demonstrated the eloquence of saying no in a million different ways.

In this case, he's not creating conflict but asserting his right to be a cranky old man enjoying his retirement. How many debates do you want to have when you're 76 and are tired of telling the same old stories? 

Somehow, I feel Larry's stilted "character" will only be further appreciated in future generations to come the more we start to ponder the overrated social fabric of our species. 

He's a contemporary of boomers but a hero to GenXers and millennials who have always had problems submitting to the natural order of society.

If our 2020 shush culture will someday be regarded as cringeworthy, then Larry will have already been cringe-reacting to our virtue signaling for over 20 years. 

The guy's so "woke" he never sleeps!

Ideally, the pursuit of social justice is to imagine a world where everyone deserves equal social rights and opportunities. The essence of Curb Your Enthusiasm has always been to remember thine self and not lose your freedom in an effort to acquiesce to society's continuous demands. 

Larry may be a liberal activist in "real life," but on his show, he exaggerates our social consciousness in an effort to understand where this is all going.

"Is he autistic or just a jerk? I dated your dead name, not your authentic self! How do you two decide whose last name you take?"

If Seinfeld was Larry dissecting the gossamer of nothing, then Curb was Larry's uncovering the nipply nothingness of our souls, playing with colloquial verbiage and sacred cow constructs like Socrates on a caffeine high. 

Perhaps it's fitting that Curb Your Enthusiasm ends with Larry David going to jail, paying for his crimes against good taste, but then in the last inning, he is "saved" by fellow social assassin Jerry Seinfeld.

Jerry gets "Chuckles" out of jail because of a technicality involving a jury member breaking the court's sequestering rule.

In the finale, Larry finally lived out his lifelong fantasy: to be #canceled by humankind and to be ordered to pay restitution to the millions of people he offended over the years — including but not limited to the Seinfeld finale, which rubbed his own fandom the wrong way. 

He also got to live happily ever after, in a bizarre plot twist. The silver lining was that, in the end, the hostile audience Larry feared so much decided to let it go and let the old man get away.

After all, being a social justice warrior isn't illegal. It's just a sure way to get kicked out of a country club or to clear a table at your friends' poker night. 

One can assume that if you're an aging celebrity right now, confronted with crimes of your past and facing jail time for terrible misdeeds uncovered, you WISH you had Larry David's life.

Yes, that Larry David!

The quirky bald man, the man-child in a mansion, and the guy who can't keep a wife or a housecleaner because of eradicating all social cues.

The guy who fights muppets and mocks serious journalists and posts Donald Trump Arrest memes as part of a troll storyline, only to troll the audience again by rewriting the same ending he was criticized for 26 years ago. 

This is the guy who is, as it turns out, aging gracefully. Can you believe that? 

The man may obnoxiously tell the truth, but he's only an offender in thought and a shrinking violet in deed. An affable curmudgeon who's surprisingly found happiness in his golden years, content to laugh at the same humanity he loathes. 

The post Saying Goodbye to Curb: Why Larry David Was the Social Justice Knight We Needed appeared first on TV Fanatic.

While set almost entirely in Los Angeles, Curb has a very New York-centric and Jewish sensibility. And at the center of it all is Larry David, playing a probably-not-that-exaggerated version of himself. 

The show started in October of 1999 as a one-off HBO special, meant to depict the return to stand-up comedy of Larry David, best known at that point as the co-creator of Seinfeld.

He was playing a version of Larry, who is independently wealthy yet seemingly never far from a confrontation about something small. 

It soon became a surprisingly long-running comedy series, as its final season launched in February of 2024, nearly 25 years after that special. 

33 Shows To Binge if You Love California

Open List

Curb, as the show is often called, weathered numerous changes throughout its long run, from improvements in the quality of the cinematography to significant shifts in how subscribers watch HBO.

But some things haven't changed during the run. 

That funny music, the improvised comedy style, and Larry himself, whose on-screen persona has remained the same and will likely always be.

Larry is a caustic, often angry guy who doesn't behave himself in social situations and doesn't seem too worried about the feelings of others or the consequences of his actions.

The series has never been afraid to do things and go places where no TV show has ever tread before. 

Among the things Curb has always been uniquely unafraid of making its star unlikable while also taking advantage of his chemistry with certain actors, using guest stars well, and constructing intricate plots. 

Beyond that, Curb may be the first significant comedy series with no concerns about its protagonist appearing highly unlikable. 

Of the more than 100 episodes of Curb that have aired to date, here are the 15 most outstanding examples of its unique style, which never worries that we'll find Larry loathsome or unreasonable. 

"Trick or Treat" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 2 Episode 3)

Larry may have a reported net worth in the hundreds of millions, but that doesn't mean he won't get into a fight over something as meaningless as Halloween candy. 

On Halloween, Larry refuses to give Halloween candy to girls who aren't in costume ("It doesn't mean you're allowed to go to people's homes and bilk them out of candy.")

Soon, they vandalize his house and, providing a template for Curb that would last for years, the plots ultimately intersect. 

As in many Curb episodes, this one has Larry doing something that would probably make you think he's a jerk if someone you knew did it in real life. Most series would be afraid to do it, especially that early in its run. 

"Palestinian Chicken" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 8 Episode 3)

Many series would fear trying to mine comedy from something fraught like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But Curb dove headlong into it with a memorable Season 8 plot. 

Larry and Jeff (Jeff Garlin) discover a Palestinian restaurant that serves fantastic chicken. Larry soon embarks on an affair with a woman who works there and invokes the conflict while in bed with him.

Soon, Larry must choose between the Jewish community and his beloved chicken.

Jewish humor is a big part of what Curb is about, and this episode, among many others, showed just how adept David was at leveraging Judaism for comedy. Larry's then-friend, Alan Dershowitz, even once proposed trying to get the episode to the leaders of Israel and Palestine. 

"Mister Softee" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 8 Episode 9) 

The best of the run of Season 8 episodes that had the characters in New York, this one features a redemptive cameo from Boston Red Sox World Series goat Bill Buckner, buried memories of the titular ice cream truck, and a supporting role from longtime comedy stalwart Robert Smigel.

Smigel, very memorably, plays his part with the same voice as his Triumph the Insult Comic Dog character, another touchstone of the Jewish comedy of the mid-20th century. 

This one showed that whether it was a non-actor like Buckner or a longtime pro like Smigel, Curb can bring just about anyone into its universe and leverage them in hilarious ways. 

"The Anonymous Donor" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 6 Episode 2)

Part of Curb's genius is that it can find relatable comedy in the problems and activities of the very rich. One of the better examples is this one, in which Larry and his friend Ted Danson donate to an environmental charity.

But while Larry put his name on the wall, Danson donated "anonymously," even though he told everyone he was doing it.

Their argument would be priceless, even if it didn't come right in front of Senator Barbara Boxer in one of the series' better cameos by a non-actor.

This episode made excellent use of Danson, reputedly a nice guy but who has consistently appeared on Curb as a much more smug and irritable version of himself. 

"Krazee-Eyez Killa" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 3 Episode 8) 

This episode, from early in the series run, had Larry interacting with Krazee-Eyez Killa (Chris Williams), a famous rapper who, at the time, was engaged to his friend Wanda Sykes.

Larry gives him lyrical advice, leading to the coining of the catchphrase "Are you my Caucasian," although the two later end up at odds.

This one finds Larry out of his element with a hip-hop guy when we know he behaves awkwardly enough when he's in his element. 

"Foisted!" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 9 Episode 1) 

After Curb went six years without a new episode, it returned in 2017 with an arc involving Larry writing a play about the Iranian Ayatollah's fatwa against Salman Rushdie, which leads to another fatwa against David himself.

Once again, a foreign death decree isn't often played for comedy, but Larry David found a way. 

But this episode is most memorable for an exchange between Larry and his longtime friend Richard Lewis, who objects when Larry texts him after the death of his parakeet ("Sorry about your bird- the good news is, I'm still alive.")

Whether it's a guest star like Martin Short or a cast mainstay like Bob Einstein or Lewis, Curb has always found great moments in Larry arguing with one other person- even if it's someone who's his lifelong friend. 

The Grand Opening" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 3 Episode 10)

Many different seasons of Curb set up a year-long arc in which Larry pursues a new business opportunity, and in Season 3, it was a new restaurant that he and his friends had invested in. 

The episode ends with the restaurant hiring a chef who has Tourette's Syndrome, leading to a final scene in which everyone in the restaurant screams creative curse words at one another.

Being on HBO certainly helped, but having the entire cast yell bad words at each other was something no other TV series had ever attempted. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the restaurant is never mentioned in the series again after this episode, just as most of the projects, from TV pilots to the "spite store," never come to fruition. 

"Meet the Blacks" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 6 Episode 1) 

The episode introduced the family, with the last name Black, whom Larry and his then-wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines) took in after a hurricane, although Leon (JB Smoove) wouldn't show up until later.

Once again, taking in hurricane refugees is the furthest thing imaginable from a traditional sitcom plot, but Curb pulled it off.  

But the episode is best known when Larry discovers the cake he's been enjoying had been purchased from an erotic bakery. It's another of Curb's trademarks: a plot that builds itself up before paying off gloriously. 

"Beloved Aunt" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 1 Episode 8) 

This is another one that would never work on network TV, especially the language. 

This episode from the first season is built around the worst typo imaginable: Larry submits an obituary to a newspaper for his wife's aunt, only for the word "aunt" to be misspelled, with a "c" instead of an "a." (I'm just glad you weren't in charge of the headstone!")

Larry and Cheryl have been divorced since relatively early in the run, although Larry's clashes with her family were a big part of the show in its early days. 

"Shaq" (Season 2 Episode 8) 

Sitcoms have always made frequent use of cameos from sports stars. But Curb did something unique with Shaquille O'Neal, making Larry responsible for his injury. 

Larry ends up drawing the ire of the entire city of Los Angeles when putting his feet out while sitting in Jeff's courtside seats; he inadvertently causes an injury to Shaq, a Lakers superstar at the time. 

It's a rare episode when Larry makes things right when he gifts Shaq an entire Seinfeld box set- and gets the team doctor fired for cheating at Scattergories.

It's another example of the show's delicate touch with guest stars, even counterintuitive ones. As for Shaq, he proved a compelling on-camera presence, foreshadowing his long TV career to come. 

"The Table Read" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 7 Episode 9)

This is another episode that takes advantage of HBO's allowance for dirty words. 

This is from the season when the Seinfeld cast reunited. Its most famous moment is undoubtedly when Larry's friend Marty Funkhauser (Bob Einstein) has a chance to meet Jerry Seinfeld and tells him a long, filthy joke.

The clip of the joke was shared very widely after Einstein died in 2019 and was funny on multiple levels: The joke itself, the idea that Marty is meeting a famous comedian and telling him THAT joke, and Larry's exacerbated reaction. 

"Igor, Gregor and Timor" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 11 Episode 9) 

One of the show's best latter-day episodes, featuring Larry and Jeff trying to do an errand in downtown Los Angeles and having to repeatedly deal with a trio of heavily-accented men, played by Bill Hader, who keep using the word "shplendid."

Why is "shplendind" so funny? Because that's how this show rolls.

It's something else Curb does very well, sketching out an absurd premise and asking the audience to go with it. 

"The Lefty Call" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 6 Episode 4) 

Another one that powerfully uses the native-HBO ability to use foul language.

Probably the best Larry-and-Leon moment of the series is when Leon gives Larry advice on how best to deal with a man who dropped slurs on him.

"You spraypaint 'Larry was here,'" as well as much more vulgar advice. "That's how you handle people." 

"Larry vs. Michael J. Fox" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 9 Episode 8) 

Not many shows would take the risk of putting its protagonist up against a beloved entertainer like Michael J. Fox, much less one with Parkinson's Disease. But Curb showed no such hesitation. 

The legendary actor guest-stars as himself, getting into a series of skirmishes with Larry.

The episode also has multiple references to Hitler and swastikas, as well as the flamboyant son of Larry's girlfriend (Ana Gasteyer).

"The Freak Book" (Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 6 Episode 5) 

This episode highlights the unique, bickering friendship between Larry and Ted and Larry doing a nontraditional job. 

Larry gifts Ted a book called "Mondo Freaks," which is the source of much humor, even though Larry and Jeff find it much funnier than Ted. Meanwhile, a drunken limo driver (Toby Huss) breaks into Ted's party ("Happy birthday, Becker!")

This leads to Larry having to step in and become a limo driver, once again drawing humor from taking him out of his element. 

The post Curb Your Enthusiasm Episodes That Define Its Signature Humor appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Peacock is headed back to the treacherous Scottish castle for another season of The Traitors.

The streaming service announced that the second season will debut Thursday, January 12, 2024.

As a new crop of celebrities enter the competition, there's one significant change.

Instead of releasing all of the episodes on day one, we're getting a weekly release, which is sure to up the tension considerably.

The series was a big success for Peacock, so it makes sense that the network would want that conversation for weeks on end.

The Challenge Battle For a New Champion is the Latest Sign Producers No Longer Know What Fans Want

We're getting three new episodes on the premiere date, followed by one a week through its season finale.

The cast includes:

– Carsten “Bergie” Bergersen (Love Island USA)

– Chris 'C.T.' Tamburello (The Challenge)

– Dan Gheesling (Big Brother)

– Deontay Wilder (FMR Boxing Heavyweight Champion)

– Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu (Love Island UK)

– Janelle Pierzina (Big Brother)

– Johnny "Bananas" Devenanzio (The Challenge)

– John Bercow (FMR Speaker of the UK House of Commons)

– Kevin Kreider (Bling Empire)

– Larsa Pippen (The Real Housewives of Miami)

– Marcus Jordan (Fashion Entrepreneur)

– Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Dancing with the Stars) 

– Mercedes "MJ" Javid (Shahs of Sunset) 

– Parvati Shallow (Survivor)

– Peppermint (RuPaul's Drag Race)

– Peter Weber (The Bachelor)

– Phaedra Parks (Married to Medicine)

– Sandra Diaz-Twine (Survivor)

– Shereé Whitfield (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)

After One of the Worst Seasons of Big Brother, Can Reindeer Games Reinvigorate the Franchise?

– Tamra Judge (The Real Housewives of Orange County)

– Trishelle Cannatella (The Challenge)

As if that isn't enough information, we also have the trailer below.

Netflix is ready to take viewers back to the hilarious world of Girls5Eva.

The streaming service has revealed the third season — its first as a Netflix original — will hit the air on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Six new episodes will be available on premiere date, but the show's future beyond that is up in the air.

The comedy-drama spent two seasons as a Peacock original before it was announced the show would be headed to Netflix.

"The members of the late '90s girl-group Girls5eva – Dawn, Wickie, Summer, and Gloria – have reunited and recorded a new album, Returnity, so it's time for the next logical step: a comeback tour," the logline for Season 3 teases. 

"With no plan, tour manager, or venues secured, the ladies pile into a van and hit the great unknown, doing their damnedest to promote their album and get back on top.

Stranger Things Season 5: Everything We Know

"In the process, Girls5eva will grapple with life on the road, see their relationships tested, play a billionaire's birthday party, sow their oats, confront parents they believe held them back, cross paths with the biggest pop star on the planet, and question if they really want "the big time" again.

"Will Girls5eva fast-track their comeback and sell their tour documentary in the process? Or will the road destroy them?"

Girls5eva stars Grammy® Award-winner and Tony® and Emmy® Award-nominated singer Sara Bareilles (Dawn); Grammy® and Tony® Award-winning actress and singer Renée Elise Goldsberry (Wickie); Emmy® Award-winning Saturday Night Live mainstay and comedy icon Paula Pell (Gloria); and New York Times Best-Selling author, actor, activist, writer and host Busy Philipps (Summer).

Over in the world of Apple TV+, the streaming service has narrowed down another 2024 premiere.

Manhunt, the seven-part true crime limited series starring Emmy Award-winning actor Tobias Menzies (The Crown, Game of Thrones, Outlander), and created by Emmy nominee Monica Beletsky (Fargo, The Leftovers, Friday Night Lights), who also serves as showrunner and executive producer.

Emmy nominee Carl Franklin (Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, One False Move, Devil in a Blue Dress) directed the first two episodes and is also an executive producer on the series.

Manhunt is set to make its global debut on Apple TV+, with the first two episodes airing on Friday, March 15, 2024, and episodes will debut weekly on Fridays through April 19, 2024.

Based on The New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning non-fiction book from author James L. Swanson, Manhunt is a conspiracy thriller about one of the best-known but least understood crimes in history, the astonishing story of the hunt for John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln's assassination.

Starring alongside Menzies are Anthony Boyle (Tetris, The Plot Against America), Lovie Simone (Greenleaf), Will Harrison (Daisy Jones & The Six), Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), Damian O'Hare (Hatfields & McCoys), Glenn Morshower (The Resident), Patton Oswalt (A.P. Bio), Matt Walsh (Veep), and Hamish Linklater (The Big Short).

The Night Agent Season 2: Everything We Know

Over in the world of HBO, we have some news to report about Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The highly-anticipated 12th season of the award-winning drama will premiere Sunday, February 4, at 10 p.m. ET/PT… but there's a catch.

The series will end with its upcoming season, with the series finale set for April 7.

There has been speculation in recent months that the show was reaching its end, and now, we know it is.

"As CURB comes to an end, I will now have the opportunity to finally shed this 'Larry David' persona and become the person God intended me to be – the thoughtful, kind, caring, considerate human being I was until I got derailed by portraying this malignant character," Larry David said in a statement.

"And so 'Larry David,' I bid you farewell."

"Your misanthropy will not be missed. And for those of you who would like to get in touch with me, you can reach me at Doctors Without Borders."

What are your thoughts on all this news?

Hit the comments.

Cliffhangers That Made Our Jaws Drop to The Floor

Open List

The post Fanatic Feed: The Traitors Season 2 Trailer, Curb Your Enthusiasm Shocker, and More appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It's hard to imagine that TV once featured a landscape without HBO, considering its impact on the television landscape. HBO boasts some of the best talents in television; this can be seen in the number of awards they have been nominated for and won throughout the years.

They have delivered many iconic TV shows with significant cultural impact. Their one-time slogan of "It's not TV, it's HBO" said it all, and their success can be attributed to delivering a solid roster of well-written, acted and produced shows.

We have compiled a list in reverse alphabetical order of 50 of the network's best shows that everyone should watch in their lifetime. It can be a starting point when deciding the next thing to watch or gathering knowledge in the case of an HBO trivia event coming your way.

The Young Pope and The New Pope

One would think that the Vatican is the most boring place on earth. I mean, nuns and priests?

These two shows prove them wrong. In the Young Pope, the Vatican gets a new young American pope. With his age and where he grew up, he has modern and fresh ideas on how to drag the papacy into the 21^st century.

The shows give a fresh perspective on one of the world's oldest institutions and humanize it by showing it as another human establishment with its own set of challenges.

On The New Pope, a sequel to The Young Pope, there's a new pope in town, as the title suggests.

This pope doesn't really want to be here, so he does things without care after the Young Pope goes into a coma.

The show's beauty is found in the final episodes when the Young Pope wakes up and gives a speech that resonates with everyone in St Peter's square.

The shows are largely successful, with creator Paolo Sorrentino and talents such as Jude Law and John Malkovich behind them.

The Wire

Some people hail this as the best HBO and best show ever. It might be true.

Set in Baltimore, the show follows everyone associated with the drug culture of the early 2000s. From the dealers and the cops who arrest them to their families and lovers who die because of them, it leaves no stone unturned.

It captures the 2000s, from fashion and music to the politics and social-economic state of the world then. It is a tale that will take the viewer on an unforgettable journey.

The White Lotus

This was a surprise hit for HBO. They had initially planned it as a limited series, but after it was a hit with audiences and critics alike, they decided to make it an anthology series.

The show follows rich people on vacation in the prestigious White Lotus resorts worldwide.

It has great writing and acting, but the sticking point is its characters.

The characters search for an escape on vacation, but their baggage follows them and the people they are with. Everything starts easy, but things come to a head when it all becomes too much. Each season ends with a murder.

Westworld

This ambitious show is set in the near future and dives into the rise of artificial intelligence and consciousness.

Seasons vary in setting, but it is mainly focused on a theme park where humans indulge their darkest fantasies with intelligent machines.

The best thing about it is the care that goes into every detail.

It has some insane plot twists that have the viewer questioning what they are watching and even their reality.

We Are Who We Are

This limited series comes from the director of the critically acclaimed film Call Me by Your Name.

Luca Guadanigno's style usually focuses on identity and coming of age. The show is not any different.

It follows Fraser and his military upbringing coming into the teenage hood and figuring out his sexuality. It has some outrageous scenes, but overall it is a nice commentary on growing up while being an outsider.

Watchmen

Everyone loves a good superhero show. Many of them toy with the idea of fighting evil, but they do so broadly. Watchmen is based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

It follows Angela Bar, played by Regina King. Angela is a black superhero who dresses up as Sister Night and fights racists while still grappling with the legacy of former vigilantes in her niche.

It is a limited series that will leave you begging for more.

The Vow

It might not be believable, but even in the 2020s, cults are still a thing.

The Vow follows a documentary-style narrative as it chronicles the experiences of people in the inner circle of the group NXIVM, which featured Smallville's Allison Mack walking in tandem with its leader, Keith Raniere.

This group outdid itself when it was charged with a myriad of charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, brought on its top-ranking members, including Keith Raniere, its founder.

Veep

Politics are a dirty game, and when you are one of the first female Americans to get to sit in one of the highest offices in the land, it's even messier.

Premiering in 2012, Veep follows Selina Meyers, a Vice President of the United States. Julia Louis-Dreyfus plays Selina

Veep received critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards, with its cast also being nominated for several during its seven-year run. Selina and her team get sidetracked by the day-to-day politics as they try to make a mark and leave a legacy.

True Detective

True Detective is an anthology series that features a new storyline every season, all following detectives as they investigate crimes spanning decades.

The series is known for bringing movie starts to TV with incredible pairings, most notably Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson for True Detective Season 1.

The series received critical acclaim, was nominated for multiple awards, and earned high ratings for HBO.

It premiered in 2014 and has been renewed for a fourth season as of 2023.

True Blood

Alan Ball's vampire drama is one not to miss.

It is adapted from a series of novels about Sookie Stackhouse, a human girl who falls in love with a vampire.

The show does a great job of imagining a world where vampires are real and walk into society. It tackles all the drama and politics that might arise from such a society.

The best thing about it is that it presents vampires in the classic sense, where they are bloodthirsty, cold-blooded killers who make no apologies — mostly — for what they are.

Succession

This hit show follows a mega-rich media conglomerate family and all their issues.

It breeds great drama due to its unfiltered nature and has spawned many arguments about whether it's truly a drama, a dark comedy, or something fresh merging the two. We go with the latter.

The writing and acting are stellar, but it's the characters, their souls laid bare for everyone to see, that have led to Succession's critical success, often dominating during awards season.

The Sopranos

Some people hail this as the most popular HBO show. This, too, might be true.

It follows mob boss Tony Soprano who, apart from the stress of being a boss, also suffers from mental and family problems.

It is a saga that spans many seasons and storylines. Despite continuing the previous, each season feels like a fresh one.

The best thing about it is how it makes subtle or not-so-subtle commentary on 2000s America and American culture in general.

Six Feet Under

Alan Ball kept the lights on at HBO in the early 2000s. Six feet under is a creation of his that premiered in 2001 and ran for five seasons.

It follows the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles. It also looks at the lives of the Fisher family's friends, lovers, and clients.

It has been lauded by critics and audiences for its story, writing, and acting. It was nominated for multiple awards and is regarded as one of the greatest television series of all time, with arguably one of the best finales ever produced.

Sex and the City

Before HBO was the giant it is today, it was relatively unknown. This changed in 1998 when Sex and the City premiered, following the lives of four women in New York City as they navigated myriad issues, some uncommon for the time. It helped popularize HBO as a network.

It ran for six seasons and received widespread acclaim and criticism alike. It was nominated for many awards throughout its run and cemented itself as a culture-defining moment being referenced later in shows set in the time, like 2019's Pose.

It spun a sequel called And Just Like That… that premiered in 2021 and follows three of its four central characters.

Real Time with Bill Maher

America's late-night and commentary shows are divided along political sides, with objectivity almost impossible to attain. Not on Real Time with Bill Maher.

With 22 seasons in as of 2024, Real Time sets itself apart by having informed people on all sides of the political spectrum debate current issues in front of a live studio audience.

It is hosted by comedian Bill Maher and is genuinely one of the funniest political shows. Guests don't have to censor themselves, this being HBO, so it sometimes gets heated.

Real Sex

The name gives it away. Before street interviews became a thing during the social media age, Real Sex did it first.

It is a documentary-style show that features honest and uncensored depictions of sex over multiple segments per episode.

For those of us who happened to wander past the channel without knowing what was on tap, it proved to be a stunning education in short order but quite moving, as well.

The show began in 1990 and concluded in 2009, having aired thirty-three episodes.

The Plot Against America

Sometimes, we all wonder what could have been. And David Simmons, most known for The Wire, also did.

The Plot Against America is an alternate history mini-series that premiered on HBO in 2020 and followed a Jewish working family as they watched the rise of a xenophobic populist to becoming president.

It is based on Philip Roth's novel and stars Winona Ryder, among others.

Perry Mason

This is a remake of a hit 80's show about a lawyer who uses unorthodox methods to find evidence for cases he's working on.

Many of the cases he takes are not as straightforward as they appear, and his ultimate goal is to uncover the truth no matter who it might end up hurting.

It starts slow but culminates in big reveals towards the season's end.

OZ

Prison is some people's worst nightmare, and with good reason. It is a place of torture and suffering instead of correction and penance. OZ tried to portray the latter but ended up with the former.

OZ is set in an experimental prison unit that aims to correct how prison serves its occupants.

The series launched many careers with its no-holds-barred exploration of a life behind bars and of the people tasked with keeping the prison functioning and on track.

It premiered in 1997 and concluded in 2003 after six seasons.

The Night Of

An accusation can alter the course of someone's life and usually for the worst. Such was the case for Nasir when he was accused of murdering a woman.

The Night Of premiered in 2016 and concluded after eight episodes. It received eight nominations for the Emmys and was critically acclaimed.

Although its run was short, it was talked about for a long time afterward and remains one of HBO's best explorations of the human psyche.

The Newsroom

A lot of work goes into any news production before and after viewers have a chance to view it.

The Newsroom looks into the behind-the-scenes workings of the fictional ACN — a news channel. It mixes real-world events in the background amidst the news crew's personal drama.

It was written by Aaron Sorkin and ran for three seasons and twenty-five episodes, and led to numerous awards nominations and wins, especially for its lead, Jeff Daniels.

Mildred Pierce

Mildred Pierce ran for a single five-episode season. It was adapted from James M. Cain's novel of a similar name.

It premiered in 2011.

It stars Kate Winslet as the titular Mildred, an overprotective mother during The Great Depression. She finds herself separated from her husband, opening a restaurant on her own, and falling in love with another man while trying to earn her narcissistic daughter's love and respect.

McMillions

Every day, fraudsters find new and ingenious ways to scam money out of unsuspecting people. Such was the case in McDonald's Monopoly game between 1989 and 2001.

McMillions is documentary miniseries that chronicles the promotion scam associated with the fast-food giant. In the scam, the company's head of security orchestrated a fake game and recruited other people, making $24 million.

The docuseries is told with incredible wit, making it incredibly entertaining.

It premiered in 2020 and aired all six episodes.

Lovecraft Country

Lovecraft Country premiered in 2020 and was canceled by HBO, sparking an outcry from viewers.

It follows Atticus, Letitia, and George as they travel across America to find his missing father in the 1950s.

They encounter the horrors of the racist white middle America and monsters that could be pulled from a Lovecraft paperback.

The show featured a strong narrative with great performances and visual effects.

Looking

Very few shows focus exclusively on the lives of Queer men and women. Looking is a show that does.

It is an unfiltered look into the gay men living in San Francisco in the 2010s.

The show portrays its characters as regular people while not sacrificing the authenticity of queer experiences.

The Leftovers

In a global phenomenon, 2% of the population disappeared. That was the premise of The Leftovers, which picked up three years after the events.

The show began airing in 2014 and ran for three seasons earning critical acclaim from critics and viewers alike.

It explored the whole emotional range of the human experience, taking viewers on an unforgettable journey to its brilliant conclusion.

Some regard it as one of the greatest series of all time.

The Larry Sanders Show

The Larry Sanders Show is a sitcom set in the office and studio of a fictional late-night talk show.

It premiered in 1992 and ran for six seasons. It featured celebrities playing exaggerated versions of themselves.

It is regarded as one of the best shows ever and has influenced other sitcoms in the same genre, and was nominated for various awards during its run.

The Jinx

The Jinx is a six-episode documentary mini-series that premiered in 2015.

It follows the New York real estate heir Robert Durst, who was suspected of multiple murders and convicted of one. A day before its finale aired, Robert was arrested for first-degree murder.

The show is expansive, featuring a lot of supplementary material such as video footage, interviews, and dramatic re-enactments.

It featured one of the craziest self-confessions ever caught on TV when Durst walked out of the interview room with a hot mike, and while behind closed doors, laid his fears on the table.

Insecure

Insecure is a comedy-drama starring Issa Rae that premiered in 2016, running for five seasons and forty-four episodes.

It follows the lives of two black women from their perspectives as black women. It was highly rated during its run and received critical acclaim.

It was nominated for and won multiple awards.

Industry

Industry focuses on young 20-somethings in the world of finance.

In the 2020s, everyone knows something about money and investments, but even if they don't, the drama is too good to pass up. Sex and drugs are part of this universe, but they are handled in a better way than many shows do.

Every episode is tenser than the last one, culminating in an epic season finale.

In Treatment

A patient walks into a therapist's office and starts to go off. A therapist walks into his therapist's office and starts going off about his patients.

If the first premise isn't interesting enough, the second one is bound to be. The show goes into the psychology of patients, exposing the nature of people and what motivates them to do or not do some things.

The show originally ran for several seasons and got a limited reboot.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark

In this true crime documentary series, Michelle McNamara spends her nights researching and writing a book about the serial killer she coined as The Golden State Killer.

McNamara put so much of herself into the investigation that she required medical attention, and she died of an overdose of various drugs in her search for sleep before she finished the book.

I'll Be Gone In the Dark the series follows Michelle's history, from childhood through her death, showing how she was on the only path that would have ever satisfied her longing to understand the mind of a killer.

The series premiered in 2020 and ran for six episodes, with a final special episode in 2021.

I May Destroy You

Michaela Coel stars in this show as a millennial pseudo-famous social media star. The character she plays is raped, but the full weight of its effects doesn't settle in until later.

In an age where consent is crucial to a sexual encounter, the show dives into how complicated sexual situations can be and does it with unabashed honesty and emotions.

I May Destroy You also touches on race, gender, and sexual orientation and how all they play into consent and sexual assault.

Girls

Inspired by HBO's Sex and the City, Girls also follows four young women who navigate life in New York as young people. It was inspired by the creator Lena Dunham's life after her parents cut off their financial support.

It began airing in 2011 and ran for six seasons and sixty-two episodes.

The show received critical acclaim throughout its run. It was nominated for and won many awards.

Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

These epic shows are some of HBO's most popular.

Based on books by George RR Martin, they're expansive shows with an incredible narrative breadth. They extensively cover stories from many characters without losing a beat.

Incorporating fantasy, drama, war, and politics in a single show, they offer the best in genre programming.

House of the Dragon is the prequel to Game of Thrones, depicting events long before its predecessor and has quickly found a vast audience.

Euphoria

All Gen-Z routes converge at Euphoria.

Euphoria tackles life as a young person in today's world fuelled by drugs, sex, relationships, and social media.

It centers on Rue, a drug addict, and those close to her. It deals heavily with addiction and drugs in general.

Its biggest charm is its well-written characters, who are so unbelievable. It has inspired memes, quotes, and fashion trends bigger than any show.

Entourage

The show focuses on an up-and-coming actor in 2000's Los Angeles.

The show's biggest charm is its unfiltered characters, especially Ari Gold, who wins viewers over with his flawlessly flawed manner of speaking.

It is a product of its time, but it is overall a great show to watch when reminiscing about the 2000s

The Deuce

For many, it is easy to dismiss porn as immoral and a guilty pleasure. For some, it might be the worst evil.

The Deuce portrays pornography as art. The show details the rise of porn in 1970s New York. It features a myriad of storylines, all of which form a greater narrative.

From the pretty girls with dreams that die upon arriving in New York, family men and women looking to feed their children, entrepreneurs, artists, and the mob, to the misguided, The Deuce gives weight to all of their experiences.

The series never stands in place if it can elevate the conversation. It could have easily turned into a sexually gratuitous show, but instead, it chose a more sophisticated direction.

Deadwood

It is a western drama set in the 1870s.

It began airing in 2004 and ran for three seasons and thirty-six episodes.

It chronicles the growth of Deadwood from camp to town and features the appearance of real historical figures against the backdrop of fiction.

The show was critically acclaimed, having been nominated for and winning numerous awards, and returned with a movie to wrap up unfinished storylines.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

The show is a sitcom created by Larry David and follows a semi-fictionalized version of himself.

It premiered in 2000 and is twelve seasons in, as of 2023. It occasionally features celebrity appearances, each playing a fictionalized version of themselves.

Most of the dialogue is improvised, with David only outlining the plot and subplot.

The show has received many nominations and awards throughout its run.

The Comeback

Ever wondered what the entertainment television industry looks like from the inside? This show portrays a satirical look into the environment.

It ran for a thirteen-episode season in 2005 before being canceled nine years later. It was later revived for a second season in 2014.

The Comeback suffered ratings because of the time it found itself when sitcoms all featured the same formula.

Chernobyl

One of the worst nuclear accidents happened in Chernobyl in 1986. The show follows the events that lead to the moment and what happened afterward.

It focused on the lesser-known stories, including firefighters and volunteers, and the horror they suffered in the aftermath of a tragedy that could have been averted if government officials had been properly doing their jobs.

All aspects of the show were lauded by audiences and critics alike.

It premiered in 2019 with five episodes and was nominated for and won multiple awards.

The Case Against Adnan Syed

In a now vacated verdict, this docuseries portrayed the events that led to the conviction of Adnan Syed for the killing of Hae Min Lee.

The series aimed to show how the facts of the case were never simple and questioned the conviction.

The Case Against Adnan Syed premiered in 2019 and was broadcast in four episodes.

As of 2023, HBO is following the events of the case with a follow-up documentary planned to look at life after his release.

Boardwalk Empire

This period drama transports viewers to prohibition-era America.

It primarily centers on Nucky Thompson, a businessman and politician who is as evil as they come.

The show stars include Steve Buscemi, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Michael Pitt.

Big Love

Among some of the hotly contested issues in Mormonism is the practice of polygamy. Big Love follows the patriarch of a fundamentalist Mormon family and his three wives.

It premiered in 2006 and ran for five seasons after fifty-three episodes.

It received wide critical acclaim and won several awards.

Big Little Lies

In a quiet coastal town that presents as a calm and peaceful place to raise a family, it's a façade to hide the dysfunctional relationships in certain spaces.

The show brings together some of Hollywood's best female talent and uses them to great effect.

Big Little Lies maintains a tense atmosphere that draws in the viewer, allowing them to connect intimately with the characters.

Barry

A hitman faces a career crisis when he travels to Los Angeles to kill someone and finds himself wanting to become an actor.

Barry premiered in 2018 and stars Bill Hader as the titular character and bolstered by a strong supporting cast that often steals his thunder on screen.

In its third season as of 2023, the series received acclaim for its acting and originality, among others.

It has been nominated for and won multiple awards in different categories.

Band of Brothers/The Pacific

It is a war drama miniseries adapted from a book of the same name.

Premiering in 2001, the show was one of the most expensive miniseries of the time, having cost around $125 million to make.

Its characters were based on the "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. Effectively, it featured a huge cast ensemble.

Band of Brother and The Pacific are regarded as two of the best portrayals of war ever made.

Autopsy

This documentary series follows a real-life forensic pathologist called Dr. Michael Baden. 

It explores the world of forensic science through case studies and photos.

It premiered in 1993 and ran for nine seasons.

Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children

Statistics show that when many African American children are lost, those responsible for finding them never usually bother.

This documentary series looks into new evidence that comes to light in the abduction and murder of approximately thirty African American children over the span of two years in Atlanta in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

It premiered in 2020, and viewers learned about the unrelenting child murders as broadcast over five heartbreaking episodes.

•••••

We always want to hear your thoughts, so don't hesitate to drop below to leave a comment about your favorite HBO series.

The post HBO at 50: Fifty Shows Everyone Should Watch In Their Lifetime appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The Emmy® and Golden Globe-winning comedy series, starring Larry David, returns for its ten-episode, eleventh season Sunday, October 24 (10:40-11:20 p.m. ET/PT), with new episodes airing subsequent Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET.

As previously reported, Insecure's fifth — and final — season will air in the 10 p.m. slot, so HBO Sundays will look like the following:

– Succession

– Insecure

– Curb Your Enthusiasm

A decent night of TV, right?

Originally debuting on HBO in 2001 and presenting 100 episodes to date, the beloved series stars Seinfeld co-creator David as an over-the-top version of himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his fictionalized life.

The series also stars Susie Essman (Broad City), Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs), Cheryl Hines (Suburgatory), J.B. Smoove (Mapleworth Murders), Ted Danson (The Good Place), and Richard Lewis (Anything But Love).

"The comedy series continues to prove how seemingly trivial details of one's day-to-day life – a cold cup of coffee, a stained shirt, a missing toothbrush – can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events," according to HBO.

To keep the narrative spontaneous, the series is shot without a script and cast members are given scene outlines and improvise lines as they go.

News of the Season 11 renewal came to light over a year ago.

“This past season tapped into the zeitgeist in such an uncomfortably delightful way,” HBO Programming EVP Amy Gravitt said in a statement.

“Larry is already busy writing, and we can’t wait to see what he has in store.”

Added David, “Believe me, I’m as upset about this as you are. One day I can only hope that HBO will come to their senses and grant me the cancellation I so richly deserve.”

The series continues to reinvent itself, but it's surprising we're getting another season so soon after the last.

There were three years between Season 9 and Season 10, and six between the 8th and 9th.

What are your thoughts on the return?

Check out the trailer below.

The post Curb Your Enthusiasm: HBO Sets Season 11 Premiere Date appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The premium cable network today confirmed the series is returning for a tenth season of laughs. 

“We are thrilled that Larry will be back with his uniquely acerbic wit and comedic sensibility,” Casey Bloys, President of HBO programming, said in a statement.

Added Larry David, “As I’ve said many times, when one has the opportunity to annoy someone, one should do so.”

Curb Your Enthusiasm famously went on a six-year hiatus between Seasons 8 and 9, so this news is relatively quick when you consider the show only wrapped Season 9 a few weeks ago. 

It's unclear when, exactly, the show is slated to return, but it will kick off production in 2018, meaning there will not be a long wait in store for fans who are waiting for more episodes. 

The show remained a hoot with the most recent season which was as funny as ever and took the characters to fresh and exciting places. 

Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 9 concluded with Larry on the run when someone did not know his fatwa had been revoked. It was supposed to function as a series finale in the event the show did not continue. 

Curb stars Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman and J. B. Smoove. 

Over to you, Curb Your Enthusiasm Fanatics!

What do you think of the renewal?

Are you happy you won't have to wait as long?

Hit the comments!

19 Times Laughter Got the Best of Us

Open List

The post Curb Your Enthusiasm: Renewed for Season 10!!! appeared first on TV Fanatic.