The court didn’t clear him of wrongdoing but instead ruled that Smollett should never have been prosecuted after Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office initially dropped the charges in a deal.

The 5-0 decision emphasized the importance of honoring legal agreements, regardless of public outcry.

As a Chicagoan, I remember this case vividly, and it still infuriates me.

Smollett’s story about being attacked in Streeterville by two men hurling racial and homophobic slurs, tossing a noose around his neck, and shouting “MAGA country” was horrifying when it first broke.

But as the police investigation unfolded, the narrative shifted dramatically.

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Authorities claimed Smollett staged the attack, recruiting two brothers, extras from Empire, to pull off the hoax in an attempt to gain public sympathy and attention.

Despite his repeated denials, the evidence — including a $3,500 check made out to the brothers — painted a damning picture.

Smollett was convicted on five counts of felony disorderly conduct in 2021 and sentenced to 150 days in jail. He served just six days before being released on appeal.

Now, the state’s highest court has ruled that the special prosecutor who brought the charges back shouldn’t have been allowed to step in after Foxx’s office dropped the case.

While Justice Elizabeth Rochford acknowledged the public’s frustration with the original resolution, she argued that the state must uphold its agreements.

In her opinion, she stated, “What would be more unjust than the resolution of any one criminal case would be a holding from this court that the state was not bound to honor agreements upon which people have detrimentally relied.”

It’s a technicality, plain and simple. The court didn’t declare Smollett innocent — it determined that Foxx’s office made a deal, which should have been honored.

This is why we have our courts: to hold even the prosecutors accountable. If Kim Foxx’s office botched the case, that’s on her.

Smollett’s rise and fall is forever tied to his role on Empire.

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As Jamal Lyon, he portrayed a groundbreaking character, but the controversy surrounding this case overshadowed his contributions to the show and ended his career in the series.

Watching this unfold from Chicago, where the case became a national embarrassment, it’s hard not to feel anger over how it was handled from start to finish.

Now that his conviction has been overturned, Smollett is likely feeling vindicated. But public perception? That’s another story.

The court’s decision doesn’t erase the cloud of suspicion hanging over him or undo the damage caused to the city and those who initially believed his story.

As frustrating as this outcome may be, it’s a reminder that our legal system prioritizes procedure and fairness — even when it doesn’t feel fair.

Whether Smollett’s story is over or he attempts a comeback remains to be seen, but for Chicagoans like me, this saga will always leave a bitter taste.

What do you think about the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision?

Does it feel like justice was served, or does this ruling make the entire saga even more frustrating?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This case may be over, but the debate is far from settled.

The post Jussie Smollett’s Conviction Reversed: A Shocking Twist in the 2019 Staged Attack Case appeared first on TV Fanatic.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

It’s why you typically hear those same TV series when people talk about the greatest of all time.

Breaking Bad, The Wire, The Sopranos, Seinfeld, and Mad Men — these series stayed consistent and kept audiences engrossed from start to finish.

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case across the board.

More than likely, a series never finds its footing or lives up to its potential. Or it’s inconsistent at best, with a sluggish start and better finish.

And sometimes a show starts wonderfully, with acclaim and devotion from fans, only to stumble somewhere along the way and never truly recover.

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There are several series like that, and we’ve compiled a list of a few of the most egregious. Those shows that were so good until they just weren’t.

Please look at our list below, and make sure you drop your thoughts in the comment section! There are lots of shows out there, so let us know if we missed any!

Empire

There’s a joke that everyone missed an Empire episode and never returned. And the funniest thing about that joke is that it’s true.

When Empire premiered on FOX, it was one of the biggest hits of its time. They had movie star leads in Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, alongside a talented cast of up-and-comers who gave credence to a dysfunctional family knee-deep in the toxicity of the music business.

The series peaked in its first season with compelling storylines that touched on abuse, homophobia, mental health, and many other topics.

They also had an exhilarating soundtrack of songs, and some cast members even went on the road to perform for the fans. (Think of those Glee concerts that used to take place but on a smaller stage.)

The bottom line is Empire was a cultural phenomenon, but they struggled to keep that first season momentum up through the rest of their run.

Cast turnover in subsequent seasons didn’t help, and the real issues began during Season 3 when the magic ran out. The shocking stories that were once a staple became predictable and cringeworthy.

By the time Empire limped to the finish line in Season 6 amidst a scandal with one of its cast members, ratings were nowhere near what they once were, and many people weren’t even aware the series was still on.

If you stopped watching after one of the earlier seasons, you saw the best Empire had to offer.

True Blood

Based on the Charlaine Harris book series, True Blood was a damn good show when it first premiered.

Sookie, Bill, Eric, Jason, Tara, Sam, Lafayette, and so many others created an entertaining look at life in the Deep South, where vampires roamed free and existed on synthetic blood called, you guessed it, true blood.

The best seasons of the series had the best villains, and the first three had tremendous villains, from Rene Lenier to Maryann and Russell Edington.

But Season 4 was the beginning of the end, and if we’re being honest, the series just got a little bit worse each season.

Season 4 had a weird time jump, Eric with amnesia and only concerned about Sookie, Bill as the King of Louisiana, and a bunch of side plots that weren’t interesting.

Each season got more convoluted than the last, and even the Sookie/Bill/Eric/Alcide love square couldn’t save it. The various time jumps didn’t help, especially during Season 6, which saw Sookie committed to Alcide without us seeing any of the buildup to that decision. We were just dropped into their relationship. 

Seasons 1-3 are solid and easily some of the best fantasy horror television you’ll see, but from there, things took a nosedive, leaving fans to wonder what the hell happened.

Elite

Now, you could say this one doesn’t belong on the list because it’s still airing, but it’s impossible to imagine this series ever reaching the heights of its first three, and for that reason alone, it deserves a spot on the list.

The first season of Elite is almost perfect. The cast had tremendous chemistry, and the mystery of who killed Marina and the various relationships and clash of personalities and lifestyles made the season a must-watch.

From there, with increased popularity, the series continued to cruise for two more seasons, losing some cast members and gaining new ones but keeping the early seasons’ mysteries, surprises, and lively personalities intact.

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But Season 3 saw the core group of students start to fracture, with Polo dead and Carla and Lu moving on.

The new crop of characters brought in is a phenomenon that continues each season, but they’ve never been able to capture the essence of what made that first season so memorable.

Scandal

Scandal started red-hot with a promising premise, a strong cast, and positive word of mouth. The Shondaland series rolled out fascinating episodes weekly, with shocking developments and steamy scenes that had everyone talking.

The series may have peaked in its second season with the stunning reveal that Olivia Pope and a group of wily politicians stole the presidential election for Fitzgerald Grant.

The series was never hotter than during this time, before Jake, B613, Eli becoming the big bad, and the monotony of Olivia and Fitz’s off-on relationship.

Everything from Season 3 onward never reached the heights of the second season. It’s almost as if they bit off more than they could chew.  

While the series continued to provide entertainment, each passing season became mudded and often confusing, resulting in a final season that many fans would like to forget.

To this day, the series finale remains an unfortunate coda to what was once the most talk-about show on television. 

L.A. Law

For those of you who missed this legal juggernaut in the ’80s (so, almost all of you), it’s now available on Hulu.

It’s a great experience and well worth the watch — to a point. Watching the show on streaming is an excellent reminder of how different TV was when streaming was unavailable.

The first five seasons of LA Law could be included in the best TV ever produced. Complex characters handled the biggest legal challenges of the day and were put through emotional and moral wringers.

Unfortunately, the contracts of its most valued stars — Harry Hamlin, Susan Dey, and Jimmy Smits — were up at the end of Season 5. Although they were wrapped up in significant storylines that closed it out, those stories collapsed in on themselves that summer.

Watching it on Hulu gives you whiplash. Nothing makes sense, as Season 6 premieres without much (unwelcome) exposition. Now, that’s not to say there isn’t some value in continuing the show, but it is remarkable how quickly a show can pivot quality-wise to something based on cast alone.

New Amsterdam

It feels like every decade, there’s that one medical series that is critically acclaimed and a fan favorite, too. When New Amsterdam debuted, it fit the bill, providing saccharine storytelling that left you misty-eyed and feeling fuzzy.

Its premise tapped into something that resonated with viewers at large, particularly with the general malaise, frustration, and distrust toward the U.S. Healthcare system.

New Amsterdam fed us what, more often than not, feels like a delusion about a system that can change within many doctors led by the optimistic Max Goodwin.

The first season was wonderful because of that, so much so that the series got an automatic three-year reveal. It was as if there was a deep understanding of this series’s importance, its long-lasting impact, and so forth.

And while the sophomore season had some bumps here and there, it was still a solid offering. However, the transparent attempt to cover every conceivable “hot button” issue via some form of healthcare had Max’s idealism venturing into toxic positivity and unrealism.

Attempts to cover things like the Black Lives Matter movement, and poorly, made the series political for the sake of it without actually having anything of value to say.

The nail in the coffin was the series finally putting fan-favorite couple Sharpwin together and then utterly ruining their relationship by having them take off to London for some unfathomable reason.

Their relationship fell apart as Max got stood up at the altar of their surprise wedding in New Amsterdam, on the rooftop, during a hurricane. 

By the time we got the complete denigration they did to Helen Sharpe in the fifth season and the horrendous storytelling of the fifth season that had most of the actors phoning it in, it was torturous to continue the series. 

In the Dark

When In the Dark broke onto the scene it felt like something refreshing and new for The CW. Led by an impossibly gorgeous Perry Mattfeld as the polarizing hot mess that is Murphy Mason, the series was truly unique in concept and execution.

The first season was great. We followed a blind Murphy and her trusty seeing-eye dog, Pretzel, through a murder investigation into one of the few characters we’d come to learn who genuinely loved the complex woman.

In the Dark was a dark comedy throughout, wading into crooked cops, the criminal underbelly of drug dealing, and murder. It was a fascinating look at how relatively decent people could descend into immorality.

By the third season, the shenanigans Murphy and the gang got into were getting so insanely ridiculous that one was well past having to suspend belief. Things fell apart when Murphy’s best friend, roommate/enabler, and hater, Jessica, disappeared.

By the time the truth behind Jessica’s disappearance was brought to light, the series had reached a point of insufferable, and the final season was nothing short of an unbearable shit show leading to one of the worst series finales in existence. 

Nashville

When Nashville premiered on ABC, it captured hearts with well-acted storylines and soulful songs.

It appealed to many viewers because, with three main couples (Deacon/Reyna, Gunnar/Scarlett, and Juliette/Avery), one of their stories appealed to them.

Whether it was the star-crossed lovers trying to reunite, the screw-ups trying to bond, or the couple who bonded over tragedies, there was something for everyone.

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While the drama was the pull, the duets on the show also drew viewers in. Initially, we were crushed when ABC canceled the series and relieved when CMT saved it, but now we wish it ended in Season 4.

If it had, we wouldn’t have had to endure Rayna’s death, Scarlett’s miscarriage, or Juliette joining a cult. Only Deacon received layered storylines in the last two seasons.

Game of Thrones

This may be a controversial entry because Game of Thrones is a must-watch series that some will say is one of the best of the 2010s.

HBO series have a history of being really good, and the first seasons of Game of Thrones are genuinely excellent. From Ned’s death to the mother of dragons and ultimately one of the most shocking episodes of all time in Season 3’s The Rain of Castamere, the series was appointment television.

While death was rampant, cast members were coming and going, and storylines were constantly in flux, the series remained relevant and intriguing.

Long breaks between seasons didn’t deter fans from salivating for new seasons. And even now, some five-plus years after it ended, starting a re-watch or diving into the series for the first time will result in long binge sessions because the series is just that addictive.

But the final season, which came out nearly two years after Season 7, felt rushed from the jump and just got increasingly worse as the season went on.

The battle at Winterfell has its moments, but the lighting of the episode is still mocked to this day, and the White Walker conflict failed to live up to the years of buildup.

From there, Daenerys’ destruction of King’s Landing was unsatisfying at best, and Jon then subsequently stabbing Daenerys felt like a stab to all of our hearts, even if she was a far cry from the character we’d come to know at that point.

Perhaps, the icing on the crap cake was Bran becoming the king of the Seven Kingdoms. No shade to Bran, but it just was not the ending anyone wanted.

Game of Thrones will always remain a good show, but it lost its claim to great when it put out those final six episodes to close things out.

Picket Fences

This show aired in the early 1990s and was the first major show produced by David E. Kelley, fresh from his writing for L.A. Law. It’s often unfairly compared to Twin Peaks because it takes place in a small town where strange things happen.

However, it’s more of a lawyer/family drama, and some of the drama comes from weirdness, especially in the first season.

The idea is that Rome, Wisconsin, is a small, Midwestern town that seems idyllic on the surface, but all sorts of crime and unethical activity are happening behind closed doors.

The show addressed social issues of the time and was ahead of its time in many ways until it was ruined in the final season.

Picket Fences was always on the bubble, and the third season finale felt like a series finale (ironically, it aired on CBS in the spot that Blue Bloods has dominated for 14 years).

The town was in shock after the priest was murdered in the confessional after resisting a mugger’s demands, and the episode ended with a pageant where the characters celebrated the unique nature of their town.

Fans were thrilled to learn it was coming back until it did. Season 4 was written by entirely new writers, who turned it into a generic, boring, and disappointing family drama that was more like a soap opera than anything else.

The series wrapped up with a stupid, unnecessary series of weddings (and Tom Skerritt’s character having liver cancer).

It should have ended the season before, which would have been a brilliant and uplifting ending that actually fit the show and its premise.

The post These Shows Are Excellent — As Long As You Don’t Finish Them appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Some of TV’s dysfunctional families are so messed up that we probably wouldn’t want to join their family tree, while others are chaotic, love hard, and are often entertaining.

Here is TV Fanatic’s list of the 13 TV most dysfunctional families.

The Bunkers (All in the Family)

When All in the Family came out, dysfunctional families on TV didn’t exist.

Sitcoms were almost always portraying “typical” families, which really weren’t. Every family has some degree of conflict or dysfunction.

Related: Nine Monumental TV Episodes That Changed TV Forever

Archie Bunker took that to another level because he ignored his wife, Edith.

Meanwhile, he treated his adult daughter Gloria like a child, causing both of them to walk on eggshells around him more often than not.

Then, there was all the verbal sparring he did with Gloria’s husband, whom he always called “Meathead.”

The Bundys (Married…With Children)

Archie Bunker may have pioneered the dysfunctional TV dad, but Married with Children had four willing participants in the dysfunctional antics, which gave it an entirely different feel.

The parents, Peg and Al, and their teenage kids, Bud and Kelly, mostly agreed that they hated their lives. They were always short on cash, bickering, insulting, and even ignoring each other.

Related: TV Characters Defined by Their Sense of Humor

There was very little actual decent parenting involved.

That whole combination of Peg’s stripper-like outfits, Al practically living on the sofa when he wasn’t at work, and Bud and Kelly constantly making up stupid, unsupervised schemes made the show hilarious.

It also helped put FOX on the map back in the day.

The Sopranos (The Sopranos)

It really can’t get more dysfunctional than a crime boss and his family.

Tony Soprano, the dad, was always trying to balance his actual family life with his crime family life, which was full of violence and created even more of a mess, especially due to his bad temper. 

He even had to see a therapist because his stress levels got so high while he was trying to balance his crime boss duties with family issues.

The Bristows (Alias)

So much of the early part of Alias focused on repairing the strained relationship between Jack and Sydney and learning to work together.

Once they finally made some progress, Irina Derevko resurfaced and attempted to kill Sydney in their first meeting.

Sydney was reluctant to trust her mother, but both her parents strived to protect her from the other. This opens a new can of family secrets that were solved with angst, threats, and drama.

This family put the fun in dysfunction, and it was disappointing that Irina (Lena Olin) was only a series regular in Season 2. Storylines were so much more dramatic and entertaining when she was around.

Related: Alias Cast: Where Are They Now?

The Luthors (Smallville)

The Luthors brought entertainment to Smallville, but they were sometimes downright evil.

They were all capable of murder, as Lex learned during Season 3 that Lionel had killed his own parents, Elza and Lachlan Luthor. He had Lionel sent to prison so he could take over LuthorCorp.

Lionel and Lex always played cat and mouse for power and information, especially about Clark’s secrets.

Father and son kept information on each other’s heads and sent each other to prison and Belle Reve numerous times.

In a final showdown, Lionel fell out the mansion window and died. In Season 8, Lex tried to train a new protégé and his half-sister, Tess Mercer, to follow his ways until Lana warned Tess about Lex. Tess eventually joined the superheroes, and Lex killed her, too.

The Roys (Succession)

Money can make life easier, but it can also complicate relationships. The Roy family of HBO’s Succession is a prime example of this phenomenon.

Maybe if he’d worked in a steel mill, Logan Roy would’ve been the perfect dad. Instead, he founded a media empire and used his power almost exclusively for evil.

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Logan particularly delighted in pitting his kids against each other, a situation that resulted in at least three and a half very damaged psyches.

His decision to move out West might have saved actual “oldest boy” and sourdough enthusiast Conor Roy from being completely destroyed by his father’s machinations.

The Bluths (Arrested Development)

It’s possible that no family represents as many different types of dysfunctions as the Bluths of Arrested Development. Sure, with the possible exceptions of Michael and his son, George Michael, they’re all absurdly out of touch, but each Bluth is delusional differently.

 Take Buster and Gob, for example:  One thinks the world is out to get him, and the other thinks the world is his playground. Somehow, they’re both right. We learned many important lessons from the Bluths.

There’s always money in the banana stand; loose seals can be surprisingly vicious, and, of course, there’s no limit to how bad parenting and childhood trauma can mess someone up for life.

The Lannisters (Game of Thrones)

 A Lannister always pays his debts. Unless he owes his kids a debt for how horribly he messed them up.

Like the Roys and the Bluths, the Lannisters are never short of cash but deeply lacking in the humanity department.

To be fair, Tyrion is a good dude despite being overly fond of wine and prostitutes, and Jaime experiences flashes of humanity.

Related: Game of Thrones Fans Are Still Divided Over These Controversial Storylines (Why Did They Do That to Daenerys?)

But they both turned out okay despite Tywin’s dictatorial parenting, not because of it.

While her love for her kids might be her saving grace, Cersei is so broken by the family dynamic, so eager to please her father by amassing power, that she ultimately proves incapable of protecting her offspring.

The Targaryens (House of the Dragon)

You’d expect to find a lot of fiery tempers in a family that keeps dragons as pets. But even by Westerosi standards, the Targaryens are a very angry bunch.

And because they control the medieval equivalent of nuclear weapons, they’re capable of doing a whole lot of damage — both to themselves and to the world around them.

Viewers who were confused by Daenerys Targaryen’s sudden heel turn in the final season of Game of Thrones might feel that House of the Dragon has provided some crucial context.

The war of succession depicted on HotD took place nearly 200 years before the Khaleesi was born, but generational dysfunction can be as resilient as a giant flying lizard.

The Duttons (Yellowstone)

Why are the wealthiest families always the most screwed up? When we think of emotionally unstable rich people, we usually imagine them sweating through their Armani suits, like Kendall Roy.

But the Duttons of Yellowstone prove that neuroses can also exist in wide open spaces.

The Duttons’ story has yet to wrap up.

Related: With Horizon Poised to Flop, Should Kevin Costner Have Stuck With Yellowstone?

Still, we know that the climactic battles will not involve family patriarch John Dutton, as Kevin Costner has left the ranch for good, partly due to tension between himself and showrunner Taylor Sheridan.

We guess all that family drama boiled over into real life!

The Tejadas (Power Book II: Ghost)

 One of the most powerful drug-dealing families in New York also happens to be the most dysfunctional in a series filled with less-than-stellar familial dynamics.

With her husband Lorenzo in jail, Monet held down the fort, but her family began to fall apart while the business prospered.

While some of the kids have resisted falling in line and not pursuing their dreams, others have done what Monet asked, which has caused a lot of resentment and pain.

Monet orchestrating Lorenzo’s eventual death has created a chasm in the family that may not ever be fixed.

The Lyons (Empire)

With great power clearly comes family discord and drama, and the Lyons understand this well.

The matriarch and patriarch of this family have one of the most convoluted dynamics ever, both straddling two different worlds, a street life full of secrecy and violence and a drug dealing past with the wheeling and dealing fast life of managing the most dynamic entertainment agency.

Lucious’s conniving demeanor often stokes family issues. He pits his very different sons against one another while dangling the family empire above them to determine which is worthy of upholding the family legacy and taking over.

Related: FOX Unveils Fall 2024 Premiere Dates

Meanwhile, Cookie, the Brains behind everything who never got her just desserts, often volleys between trying to keep her sons together and weaponizing them against Lucious.

The Lyons drama is pure Shakespearean levels of dysfunction; rightly so, it’s inspired by King Lear, after all.

The Gallaghers (Shameless)

When you think of dysfunctional families, you think of the Gallaghers from Shameless. The series focused primarily on the chaotic and alcoholic patriarch Frank Gallagher and his many offspring.

The eldest, Fiona, suffered the most from her dad’s alcoholism and neglect and her mom’s outright abandonment and raising her younger siblings from the time she was a child. She finally was granted legal guardianship of them, but Frank still had custody, too.

Most of the children suffered the effects of not getting enough parental attention. Ian struggled with bipolar depression, Debbie became a teen mom, and Carl had issues with drugs before going to military school.

These were only a few of the dysfunctional TV families. Did we cover your favorite? Who else would you have included?

Let us know in the comments below.

The post 13 of TV’s Most Dysfunctional Families appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Eva Longoria is not only a talented actress who chooses projects that speak not just to her amazing acting talent but resonate with her heart in a way that shows in her performances.

She may have gotten recognition from her role on a drama-dripping soap opera with a cast of actors who have no right to be as attractive as they are talented, but Longoria has proven she is so much more than a pretty face and a smile that could melt steel.

With wins from the Screen Actors Guild and the People’s Choice, the actress is a familiar face who has been entertaining folks since the start of the millennium.

If this fantastic woman hasn’t won you over yet, do a quick search of her to see how she brings thousands of dollars to charities and foundations that help impoverished communities and immigrants worldwide.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Riley Keough Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Now, get ready to put a smile on that face because Eva Longoria has a whole lot of heart and humor coming your way with some of her best work to date, including a little upcoming role that we at TV Fanatic are at the edge of our seats to watch!

Overboard (2018)

Role: Theresa. Available for rent or purchase.

While the original Overboard with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn has become somewhat problematic, somehow switching the gender roles of the story and adding Anna Faris made the film more relatable while pushing the comedy past what the original achieved.

Kate is a single, working-class mother of three hired to clean a luxury yacht that belongs to Leonardo, a selfish, spoiled, and wealthy Mexican playboy.

After unjustly firing Kate, Leonardo falls off the boat and wakes up without remembering who he is. To get payback, Kate shows up at the hospital and convinces the confused amnesiac that they’re married.

As Leonardo gets used to manual labor and his new family, Kate wonders how long she can keep fooling her fake husband.

Despite what critics might have you believe with the movie’s low RT score, this is still a story worth watching with some timeless themes and messages.

Eva Longoria takes a backseat as a wise-cracking sidekick friend willing to throw herself under the bus to save Anna Faris’s character, and the film is all the better for her performance, which grounds the otherwise zany Faris.

Cast: Eugenio Derbez (Acapulco), Anna Faris (Mom), Mel Rodriguez (The Afterparty), Alyvia Alyn Lind (Chucky), John Hannah (Transplant), Swoosie Kurtz (Mike & Molly), Josh Segarra (Abbott Elementary)

For more physical comedy and lies with a countdown till the truth bomb, check out the hilarious and lovable character stuck in the afterlife on The Good Place, streaming on Netflix.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Joel Edgerton Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Dog Days (2018)

Role: Grace. Available to watch on The CW.

Honestly, this movie looks like every television network got together and dropped in an actor from each of their respective shows because I can’t remember the last time I saw a cast list with so many familiar small screen faces.

Elizabeth is a charming anchorwoman who seeks advice from her dog’s therapist. Tara is a spunky barista who dreams of a life beyond the coffee shop.

Daisy is a dog walker who’s enamored with a client. Garrett pines for a woman while trying to keep his adopt-a-dog business afloat.

The beloved canines in their lives soon start to influence their careers, friendships, and romantic relationships in funny and unexpected ways.

Sure, it’s a romantic comedy, but there’s one thing even critics can’t deny, and that’s the power of a pooch, which may be why this movie received some solid reviews. I’m sure the actors were great, too, but we’re really here for the canine companions.

Eva Longoria deviates from comedy to play Grace, a mother who serves up heart in heaps with more love for her child than she can sometimes handle.

Cast: Vanessa Hudgens (Powerless), Michael Cassidy (Good Trouble), Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries), Tone Bell (Truth Be Told), Adam Pally (Happy Endings), Thomas Lennon (Santa Clarita Diet), Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Tig Notaro (Star Trek: Discovery)

You don’t need to trek to the theater to get your romantic comedy fix, as Netflix has got you covered with the hilarious and sweet series Emily in Paris starring Lily Collins.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Jessica Biel Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)

Role: Elena Marquez. Available to watch on Paramount+.

You’re probably wondering why we would include a movie clearly intended for kids on a list of titles geared toward adults, and all that can be said is that you answered your own question. We’re here to serve up a little something for everyone.

Even though it’s based on a popular children’s animated show, this live-action adaptation bridges the generational gap. Anyone of any age will love this wild ride of Hispanic proportions.

Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle, nothing could prepare Dora for her most dangerous adventure yet — high school.

Accompanied by a ragtag group of teens and Boots the Monkey, Dora embarks on a quest to save her parents while trying to solve the seemingly impossible mystery behind a lost Incan civilization.

If you need the critic’s input before landing on whether to watch something, you may be in for a surprise to find out that this movie is just as beloved by reviewers as it is by the audience that left the theaters likely with smiles still on their faces from this certified fresh film.

Elena checks all the boxes of the stereotypical loving mother, offering compassion and solid advice while whipping up baked goods, but then again, her character is based on a cartoon.

Cast: Isabela Merced (The Last of Us), Eugenio (Acapulco), Michael Pena (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), Jeff Wahlberg (The Girl from Plainville), Madeleine Madden (The Wheel of Time), Temuera Morrison (Ahsoka), Danny Trejo (RZR), Benicio del Toro (Escape at Dannemora)

For more precocious children in the most obscure and unexpected situations, catch up with the Baudelaire children in Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events, streaming on Netflix.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Olivia Munn Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Unplugging (2022)

Role: Jeanine Dewerson. Available to watch on Hulu.

Listen, we are all for reconnecting with nature and your loved ones as much as possible, but for God’s sake, have some backup plan, like a life alert.

To revive their marriage and reconnect, a couple takes a self-prescribed digital detox weekend to a remote mountain town. What starts as a perfect weekend getaway without technology quickly spirals out of control.

Sure, not every project can be a hit, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t genuine laughs to be had in this comedy, especially when you bring together a few faces known for their funny film and television performances.

The best way to describe Jeanine is by saying she is a workaholic wound so tightly that if you placed a rock squarely between her cheeks, you’d have a diamond by the morning because this type A character truly needs unplugging.

Cast: Matt Walsh (Veep), Lea Thompson (The Spencer Sisters), Keith David (From Scratch), Nicole Byer (Velma), Al Madrigal (Lopez vs. Lopez), Johnny Pemberton (Fallout), Hala Finley (Magnum PI), Morgan Walsh (Games People Play)

Technology certainly has a way of embedding itself into our lives, and to see how it can carry on with us into the afterlife, catch Robbie Amell in the fresh take on virtual in Upload, available on  Amazon Prime Video.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Josh Charles Movies and TV Show You Must See

The Young and the Restless (2001-2003)

Role: Isabella Brana. Available to stream on Paramount+.

Soap opera actors must have excellent medical insurance because it has to be murder on the neck to whip your head around dramatically, but how else are they supposed to get across how serious they’re being on The Young and The Restless?

I guess they could always shoot someone. That seems to be a popular plot device in these drama-drenched series with actors so handsome and beautiful — it’s like looking into the sun.

The Newmans and the Abbotts represent Genoa City’s upper class. Powerful Businessman Victor Newman runs Newman Enterprises and has never stopped loving his former flame and wife, Nikki Reed Newman.

Jack Abbott and his sister, Ashley, are closely connected with the Newman family, personally and professionally.

The battle for supremacy in Genoa City has been going on for years. Katherine Chancellor and Jill Foster Abbott, the Winters family, the Williams family, and recent newcomers round out the socially and ethnically diverse town.

Can you believe this series is still airing? It’s hard to fathom, but the show is still going strong over fifty years after its debut. There are shows that are lifers, and there are some that seem downright immortal.

Cast: Peter Bergman (The King of Queens), Eric Braeden (How I Met Your Mother), Sharon Case (Poor Paul), Sean Dominic (Makeup X Breakup), Melissa Claire Egan (Misguided), Hayley Erin (General Hospital), Camryn Grimes (NCIS), Amelia Heinle (Ghost Whisperer)

Do you ever notice that Soap Operas usually have show titles that are just as extra and dramatic as the stories they depict? For example, The Bold and The Beautiful is still going as strong as this series decades later and streaming on Paramount+.

Related: Essential Viewing: 13 Colin Farrell Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Desperate Housewives (2004-2012)

Role: Gabrielle Solis. Available to stream on Hulu.

It seems odd to have to inform people about this one-of-a-kind show, but if you can believe it, there are still people who haven’t tuned in to see the residents of Wysteria Lane on Desperate Housewives. That’s just crazy talk.

Behind the facade of a postcard-perfect subdivision live four women whose lives are anything but idyllic. Klutzy Susan is divorced and the mother of teenage Julie.

Lynette is married to Tom and the frazzled mother of four rambunctious children. Bree is the neighborhood’s Martha Stewart, whose perfection masks significant dysfunction.

Ex-model Gabrielle, married to handsome and successful Carlos, wants to have her cake and eat it too. Looking down on it all is Mary Alice, who took her own life but comments on the lives of her former neighbors.

Coming straight from her role on a soap opera, we can’t imagine it was that hard for Longoria to slip into the heels of an ex-model who married for love and especially money while having an affair with the soap opera hot teenager who mows their lawn.

That might’ve been a tough sell to any actress, but Eva Longoria was clearly having fun playing the part, considering she shines as Gabrielle Solis.

Cast: Teri Hatcher (Fantasy Island), Felicity Huffman (Get Shorty), Marcia Cross (Monarch), Nicollette Sheridan (Dynasty), Ricardo Chavira (Selena: The Series), Brenda Strong (Supergirl), James Denton (Good Witch), Vanessa Williams (Girls5eva)

It’s hard to imagine any show could come close to capturing the perfect balance of comedy, drama, and characters that remain likable while having questionable intentions, but why try to imagine when you can just stream Why Women Kill on Paramount+?

Related: Essential Viewing: 13 Jennifer Morrison Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Devious Maids (2016)

Role: Herself. Available to stream on Hulu.

If there’s one person you never want to mess with, it’s a maid. People forget how seamlessly these hospitality providers move behind the scenes and how much they can learn about a person from very little. And these are definitely some Devious Maids.

In Beverly Hills, whoever ‘has the dirt’ holds the power. In some of the city’s wealthiest families, the power belongs to the close-knit group of maids with ambitions and dreams.

The maids are brought together by their jobs, life struggles, and their employers’ upstairs-downstairs universe. Rosie, who left Mexico after her husband’s death, works for a pair of self-absorbed actors.

Aspiring singer Carmen hopes her pop-star employer can help get her career off the ground. Still, her boss, Odessa, will do whatever it takes to stand in her way, and Zoila works beside her teenage daughter, Valentina, for an emotionally unstable woman.

The maids, along with newcomer Marisol, turn to one another for support when fellow maid Flora is murdered in her employer’s home. Then, a loved one gets wrapped up in the murder, and Marisol searches for the truth.

It was inevitable that Eva Longoria would find her way onto this series, considering she was an executive producer. Even though she technically plays herself, it’s very obvious that performs as a caricature of herself—an amalgamation of all her previous characters, really.

Cast: Ana Ortiz (Love, Victor), Dania Ramirez (Sweet Tooth), Roselyn Sanchez (Home Economics), Judy Reyes (Dr. Death), Edy Ganem (9-1-1), Rebecca Wisocky (Ghosts), Drew Van Acker (Titans), Cristian de la Fuente (Manchild)

If there is one thing that many entries on this list prove, it’s that an all-female ensemble series is a hit with audiences, which is why so many people love Good Girls, currently streaming on Netflix.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Anya Taylor-Joy Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Decline and Fall (2017)

Role: Margot Beste-Chetwynde. Available to stream on Acorn TV.

This was certainly a treat for fans of Eva Longoria. Although she is not an actress who takes on period projects, it’s clear that the comedic opportunity spoke to her wheelhouse. Plus, they don’t make fashion and headwear like on Decline and Fall anymore.

Based on Evelyn Waugh’s 1028 novel of the same name, Oxford University student Paul Pennyfeather is wrongly expelled for indecent exposure after falling victim to an ill-conceived prank, triggering a rather unfortunate and unexpected series of events.

After his expulsion, Paul moves to Wales and takes up a teaching position. He immediately falls head over heels for the Honorable Mrs. Margot Beste-Chetwynde, the mother of one of his students.

After agreeing to tutor her son over the summer, Paul becomes wrapped up in far more than he could have ever bargained for.

As Margot, Eva plays a woman who is used to getting what she wants. When she sets her eyes on Pennyfeather, it isn’t long before the wedding bells ring.

Cast: Jack Whitehall (Bad Education), David Suchet (His Dark Materials), Douglas Hodge (The Great), Vincent Franklin (Happy Valley), Stephen Graham (Bodies), Matthew Beard (Funny Woman), Oscar Kennedy (Wreck), Katy Wix (Ted Lasso)

Brits know how to bring a special kind of dry humor that’s surprisingly refreshing with so much goofy comedy on the broadcast airways. However, Fleabag toes the line closely while keeping itself grounded, available for chuckles on Amazon Prime Video.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Jensen Ackles Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Empire (2017)

Role: Charlotte Frost. Available to stream on Hulu.

Every so often, a show comes along that is so incredibly written and acted that TV viewers who don’t frequent that particular genre find themselves tuning into a show that they can get enough of even though they probably never would’ve normally watched it.

Just speaking from experience here. This show is incredible, and it’s no wonder that Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels has called Empire the “Black Dynasty.”

Hip-hop artist and CEO of Empire Entertainment, Lucious Lyon, has always ruled unchallenged. Still, a medical diagnosis predicts he will be incapacitated in three years, which prompts the sharks to circle.

Without further damaging his family, he must decide which of his three sons will take over. His favorite, young Hakeem, is a gifted musician but values fame over hard work. His middle son, Jamal, is talented and shy but gay, embarrassing to Lyon.

The oldest, Andre, is business-minded but lacks charisma. The reappearance of Cookie, his ex-wife, complicates things since she says he owes her for taking the fall for the drug-running that financed his early career.

Eva plays Charlotte Frost, the head of the Las Vegas Gaming Commission, who holds the keys to Lucious entering Vegas. Because she doesn’t drink due to being a conservative Mormon, Lucious’s usual tactics of wining and dining are dead on arrival.

Cast: Terrence Howard (The Best Man: The Final Chapters), Taraji P. Henson (Abbott Elementary), Bryshere Y. Gray (The New Edition Story), Jussie Smollett (Star), Trai Byers (Harlem), Grace Byers (Phoenix), Malik Yoba (Blue Bloods), Tasha Smith (First Wives Club)

There is no drama like the music industry, and while many times, these stories seem too grand and elaborate to be based on reality, the more we see shows like Star streaming on Hulu, the more we believe the possibility.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Melissa Roxburgh Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Land of Women (2024)

Role: Gala. Available to stream on Apple TV+.

First, if you haven’t ventured over to Apple TV+ for some of its incredible original programming, I highly recommend Land of Women because even critics can’t get enough of this fantastic series.

A New York socialite is forced to flee to a charming Spanish wine town with her mother and daughter. She navigates small-town quirks while confronting her deepest family secrets and a pair of bumbling hitmen.

Seriously, this show has barely gotten off the ground, but it packs so much into just one episode yet seems to effortlessly balance humor, heart, and heated arguments.

As for Eva Longoria’s Gala, I previously said in my review of the premiere that her character is like if Gabrielle Solis left Carlos, moved to NYC, and landed herself another Mr. Money-bags, and I fully stand by that characterization.

Cast: Santiago Cabrera (Star Trek: Picard), Victoria Bazua, Carmen Maura (Limbo), Amaury Nolasco (Hightown), Gloria Munoz (Dangerous Moms)

A fabulous-looking woman on the run in stilettos after having her entire life turned upside down? Are you sure we aren’t discussing the Kaley Cuoco-led Max series The Flight Attendant?

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Keegan-Michael Key Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Only Murders in the Building (2024)

Role: Herself. Available to stream on Hulu.

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. Eva will be joining fellow Latina actress Selena Gomez in the absolute phenomenon of a show, Only Murders in the Building. Considering the all-star cast that has already made its way over to the Hulu hit, we are currently chomping at the bit.

Three strangers share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one.

When a horrible death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their precise knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth. Perhaps even more explosive are the lies they tell one another.

Soon, the endangered trio comes to realize a killer might be living among them as they race to decipher the mounting clues before it’s too late.

There is no news yet about who Eva Longoria’s character is or how she will be involved in the mystery comedy drama’s story, but if you’ve kept up with the show, you know it will be amazing no matter what. And how crazy was that Meryl Streep reveal from the third season?! 

No wonder the most recent season, which premiered with 719 million viewers, came in ninth on the Nielsen overall streaming charts and third among streaming originals.

Cast: Steve Martin (The Downer Channel), Martin Short (Schmigadoon!), Selena Gomez (Inside Amy Schumer), Aaron Dominguez (Gossip Girl), Amy Ryan (Sugar), Cara Delevingne (American Horror Story), Adina Verson (And Just Like That…)

True crime is almost everywhere in every genre of storytelling right now, from comedic to dramatic to thrilling. Still, in the Peacock series Poker Face, Natasha Lyonne delivers all that and more in this exciting show about a woman with a sixth sense to sniff out liars.

Eva Longoria is as talented as she is a beautiful soul who works hard to give back to the less fortunate and has managed to remain grounded despite years of acclaim and success.

Wherever her career takes her, we will gladly be along for the ride while laughing all the way.

Related: Essential Viewing: 11 Elisabeth Moss Movies and TV Shows You Must See

Which of Eva Longoria’s previous works is your favorite?

Will you be tuning in like the rest of us to her exciting new Apple TV+ series and again when she joins the cast of Only Murders in the Building?

Drop a comment below to let us know, and join us again when we break down the must-watch movies and television shows of your favorite actors!

The post Essential Viewing: 11 Eva Longoria Movies and TV Shows You Must See appeared first on TV Fanatic.

On Thursday, the former Empire star was told by a judge that he would be given 30 months of felony probation, five months behind bars, and a fine of $25,000.

He was also told he would have to pay over $120,000 in restitution

News of the sentencing comes months after he was found guilty on five of six felony charges linked to a false police report filed in 2019.

At the time, the actor and musician claimed that he had been beaten up by two white men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him.

He alleged the attackers tied a rope around his neck and poured an "unknown substance" over him, all while saying he was in a "MAGA country."

He also alleged that he had received a threatening letter days before the alleged attack, including racist and homophobic phrases.

Judge James Linn denied a motion on Thursday to reconsider Smollett's sentence or temporarily stay his jail sentence while his counsel filed an appeal.

"Let me tell you Mr. Smollett, I know that there is nothing that I will do here today that can come close to the damage you've already done to your own life," Linn said.

"You've turned your life upside down by your misconduct and shenanigans, you've destroyed your life as you knew it, and there's nothing that any sentencing judge could do to you that can compare to the damage you've already caused yourself."

While exiting the courtroom, Smollett had his fist held high, saying the following to the judge:

If I did this, then it means that I stuck my fist in the fears of Black Americans in this country for over 400 years and the fears of the LGBT community.

Your honor, I respect you and I respect the jury. But I did not do this, and I am not suicidal — and if anything happens to me when I go in there, I did not do it to myself.

And you must all know that. I respect you, your honor, and I respect your decision.

The post Jussie Smollett: Former Empire Star Sentenced to Five Months in Jail for Hate Crime Hoax appeared first on TV Fanatic.

On Wednesday, the case went to the jury, weeks after a trial began on November 29.

Smollett claimed in January 2019 that he had been beaten up by two white men who yelled racist and homophobic slurs at him.

He alleged the attackers tied a rope around his neck and poured an "unknown substance" over him, all while saying he was in a "MAGA country."

The actor also said that he had received a threatening letter days before the alleged attack, including racist and homophobic phrases.

The following weeks were eye-opening when it emerged that Smollett had been charged with filing a false police report.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said that Smollett staged the attack in an effort to get publicity after being unhappy with his salary on Empire.

He was accused of paying two brothers to help stage the attack.

Ultimately, those charges were dropped, but the tide changed last year when the star was indicted on six new charges.

Jussie's defense has maintained the star was the victim of a real hate crime and called the brothers “sophisticated liars and criminals."

“He’s dumb enough to go into Obama’s city and pretend there’s Trump supporters running around with MAGA hats? Give me a break,” defense attorney Nenye Uche told jurors in his closing arguments.

“The brothers were like wolves disguised as sheep in the hen house.”

Prosecutors argued that Smollett exploited race relations for his own gain.

“It’s clearly a violation of the law to go to the police and report to police a fake crime and tell police it’s a real crime,” special prosecutor Dan Webb told the jury.

“To outright denigrate something as serious, as heinous, as a real hate crime, to denigrate it and then make sure it involved words and symbols that have such horrible historical significance in our country was just plain wrong to do it and he did.”

Smollett is best known for playing Jamal Lyon on Empire.

He was written out of the series after he reported the attack, but there was an option for him to return.

Ultimately, the show decided against bringing him back and survived one more season before FOX pulled the plug.

Jussie Smollett Case: A Timeline of Destruction

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The post Jussie Smollett Found Guilty on Five Felony Charges Stemming From False Attack Report appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Variety has confirmed that FOX has nixed plans for a potential spinoff featuring Taraji P. Henson.

First announced in July when Henson signed a first-look deal, the spinoff would have been a sequel to Empire's events, taking Cookie to Miami to start a new life.

News of the spinoff came months after FOX decided against filming the last-ever episodes of the series after it was shut down due to COVID-19.

The news was a bit of a slap in the face to fans who invested six years in the series, which was once a ratings juggernaut for the network.

At its peak, Empire scaled stratospheric heights, but the series never broke out beyond the U.S., meaning it was difficult to monetize the show internationally.

Even though ratings sagged in the final season, a Cookie-centric spinoff would have probably been a draw for some fans who bailed on the series.

While FOX has passed on the project, it is being shopped around, and Deadline is reporting that Hulu and ABC could be home to the project.

In all honesty, Empire Season 6's ratings would have been cancellable on ABC, so we can probably take them out of the running.

Hulu could be interested since the streamer has the second-window rights to the original.

Many variables need to be taken into consideration before any network would decide to move forward.

Empire's end was announced shortly after the Jussie Smollett scandal, which probably contributed to losing millions of viewers.

From a creative standpoint, fans deserve closure, but the show was circling the drain with meandering plots in those final seasons.

What are your hopes for the spinoff?

Does it deserve to be picked up?

Hit the comments below.

The post Empire Spinoff Dead at FOX appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Per TV Line, Nicole Ari Parker is set to recur on Chicago PD as Superintendent Samantha Miller. 

The deputy superintendent hails from Atlanta and is described as “a progressive, ardent proponent of police reform.” 

“She wants to help Voight and Intelligence adapt to the new reality, but will not tolerate breaches of the new police guidelines and protocols.”

Parker will first appear on Chicago PD Season 8 Episode 1, which is currently set to return Wednesday, November 11, in its usual 10/9c slot. 

Parker has appeared on a string of hit TV shows, including Soul Food and, of course, Empire. 

Parker first appeared on Empire Season 4 in a recurring role as Giselle Barker, but the character was a big hit with viewers. 

She was promoted to series regular for Empire Season 5 and remained with the series for its sixth and final season. 

However, her character did not get much of a goodbye after FOX scrapped the final two episodes of the series due to COVID-19. 

The series finale didn't resolve any lingering plots, but still, the network appears to be moving ahead with a Cookie-centric spinoff. 

The casting news comes a little over a week after it was announced that Lisseth Chavez was stepping away from the series after one season in the role of Vanessa Rojas. 

Her exit coincided with the news that she had landed a series regular role on The CW's DC's Legends of Tomorrow. 

Chicago PD Season 7 was cut short by the pandemic that scuppered Empire's finale plans, meaning that several episodes were unproduced. 

The series is set to return to production in the coming days on a 15-episode Season 8, meaning that fans will finally have fresh episodes to look forward to in November. 

What are your thoughts on this latest casting scoop? 

Hit the comments below. 

Remember you can watch Chicago PD online right here via TV Fanatic. 

17 Satisfying Moments of Iconic LGBTQ+ Happiness on TV

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The post Chicago PD Fills Vacancy With Nicole Ari Parker: Who Will She Play? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

And while Empire Season 6 was cut short because of COVID-19, we left the characters in a good place. 

Cookie and Lucious were finally on good terms, and their sons were all moving on with their lives in a way that felt natural. 

Unfortunately, we didn't find out who killed Cookie or Lucious, but are we sure that actually happened?

Empire had all the soapy conventions you would expect from a primetime sudser, so my theory is that the deaths were a nightmare. 

If you watch Empire online, you know that the Lyons had many enemies throughout the series. 

People were coming at them from all angles, so it was inevitable that one of them would meet their maker. 

With the news that Taraji P. Henson is working on an Empire spinoff at FOX, it's a good idea to assess whether a spinoff would actually work. 

Would There be a Worthy Storyline?

Cookie developed a lot throughout Empire, but one of the most emotional moments involving her was when she realized she was having an identity crisis. 

She had put a certain aspect of her life to bed and was essentially living up to a persona. With a different Cookie, it could work. 

Then again, Cookie was one of few reasons to tune into the show in the latter seasons. It really fell away from what fans loved in those initial seasons. 

Early reports indicate that the potential spinoff would take Cookie to Los Angeles. Cookie in a new place is something that would be fun. 

Taking her away from New York, Lucious, and most of the people who inhabited her world on the original series could present some decent storylines. 

Even more intriguing is that the series would be made under Henson's new overall deal with 20th Century Fox TV.

Henson will serve as an Executive Producer should the project go to series. Giving Taraji creative control would be something interesting to see. 

Nobody knows the character as well as the woman who portrayed her for six years, so this could actually be a good thing. 

Should Lucious be Alive in the Spinoff?

This is a tough one. The love story between Cookie and Lucious was well and truly exhausted by the time the final season concluded. 

But, do we really see Cookie moving to another coast and not having Lucious begging her to take him back?

Not a chance. 

That's why, unless Terrence Howard is going to appear, it's likely that his supposed death in the flash-forwards on Empire Season 6 might just stick. 

The death of Lucious would be enough to make Cookie leave New York behind and embark on a journey somewhere very different. 

It would be a ballsy move, for sure, but one that fans might welcome with open arms if it actually progresses the plot. 

If Lucious is appearing, then it might as well be billed Empire Season 7. 

Which Other Characters Could Pop Up?

The beauty of a show like Empire is that it had a lot of cast members throughout its run, but not all of them got the time to shine. 

For example, Tiana was relegated to a glorified guest star. There was simply not enough of Serayah's alter ego in those later years. 

A single mother battling the pitfalls of the music industry would have translated well on the main series, and there's a good chance that Cookie taking Tiana under her wing would work on this potential spinoff. 

Beyond Tiana, Cookie's sons could pop up here and there. It's hard to imagine Jussie Smollet reprising his Jamal role, but he could be talked about, or even recast. 

Then again, we're supposed to believe he's a happily married father in London with Kai, so that's a definite enough ending for me. 

Hakeem was on the cusp of greatness on Empire Season 6 after playing his father in a biopic. That should propel his career to new heights. 

He could be a busy young star, traveling the world, but having him pop up to check on his mom would work well. 

As for Andre, well, if Lucious dies, he's going to crumble. Sure, there were times he hated his father and wanted to kill him, but the death of Lucious would have a profound effect on him. 

Additionally, Andre never repaired his relationship with Teri after his mental breakdown. It's hard to imagine him bailing on New York and his son. 

Like Hakeem, however, he could pop up here and there. 

I'm also here for any and all of Cookie's sisters following her to Los Angeles. They were a hoot!

Would a Los Angeles-Set Cookie Spinoff Actually Work?

Yes. Cookie carried Empire for much of its run. The exciting storylines dried up after a few seasons, but Taraji's awards-worthy performance was the true constant throughout. 

A spinoff with Cookie as the lead character could also be music to the ears of the fans who bailed on the show. 

Let's not forget Empire was reaching almost 20 million viewers in its first two seasons. People know who Cookie is, and I dare say they would tune in out of curiosity to check in with her. 

The biggest hurdle for the series would be whether the writers could craft a plausible story that keeps Cookie as one of the most badass characters on all of TV. 

On top of that, they would need to avoid the stunt casting that made the original series suffer. 

Okay, Empire fans!

I'll leave it over to you. 

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Should a spinoff be made?

Hit the comments. 

The post Empire: Do We Really Need a Cookie Spinoff? appeared first on TV Fanatic.