People were wildin’ out with their puffy leg-of-mutton sleeves in 1894, part of the decade called the “Gay Nineties” to the song, “Little Lost Child.”

We have the ’60s and ’70s to thank for advancing us from the methods of the “Naughty Nineties.” These are real names for the 1890s. Let that sink in.

Due to its namesake, it didn’t take long before film and TV became the special sauce in crafting some visual masterpieces.

Over the years, that trend has only grown, with artists of countless genres jumping on the bandwagon.

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From shows like Friends and Sex and The City to films like Legally Blonde and Death Becomes Her, music videos are the perfect love child between music and film/TV.

And let’s be honest. We eat it up! Oh, we love seeing references to the movies and shows we can’t get enough of.

Obviously, we can’t have a list of culturally impactful music videos without kicking it off with one of the most iconic and legendary music videos of all time.

Prepare to revisit some timeless classics and discover a hidden gem or two!

Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982)

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

If you haven’t rewatched this masterpiece, I definitely suggest giving it another go. It absolutely feels like a mini-movie! And at thirteen minutes, with a few more, it could be an episode of some musical horror anthology show.

Think American Horror Story meets Glee. Actually, that might not be that hard to imagine since Glee did a whole Thriller segment.

It doesn’t matter because this song is a timeless bop! Now, I’ve never learned the dance because I am as coordinated as Bambi on ice, so if you have the choreography on lock, give us a flex in the comments!

One thing I did not know about this video is that it was inspired by the 1981 cult classic An American Werewolf in London.

If you’re like this TV Fanatic, you’re likely scratching your head because zombies, right?

Granted, I was just a kid when this video came out, but I forgot it was a video within a video.

There’s the first part with Wolfy Jackson, the movie he and his date are watching.

Then we get Michael Jackson ready to chomp on his lady friend. Classic!

Watch An American Werewolf in London Online

Madonna – Material Girl (1984)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Fun fact about this video: I have never seen it. What was the point, right? Everyone knew the song long before seeing a still of the video.

The idea for this music video was born from Madonna’s love and admiration of Marilyn Monroe. A rich, blonde, famous woman relating to another rich, blonde, famous woman? Groundbreaking.

This was a massive surprise because, according to RuPaul, “Madonna is only a fan of Madonna.” At least she has good taste in movies.

I’ve never met Madonna, but the grapevine tells me I may be better off just loving her music. Never meet your idols, right?

As for the music video, it is a timeless classic. It continues to live on in one form or another, such as in Birds of Prey when Harley Quinn hallucinates a dance sequence.

Side note: does Madonna’s video feel like the intersection between the Marylin Monroe and Margot Robbie versions? Just me?

It’s wild to think that Madonna was inspired by a movie over thirty years old at the time, but that’s the power of film and TV. The stories stir something within us. Something deeply human that rises up when we feel that spark.

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, and gentlemen may prefer blondes, but inspiration never goes out of style.

Watch Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Online

Beastie Boys – Sabotage (1994)

Hawaii Five-0 (1968 – 1980), The Streets of San Francisco (1972 – 1977), S.W.A.T. (1975 – 1976), Baretta (1975 – 1978), Starsky and Hutch (1975 – 1979)

You guys, I’m mind-blown! I had no idea this song was by the Beastie Boys!

This is some kind of weird coincidence because I only know this song from films.

Specifically, the song is heard early in 2009’s Star Trek, played on a car stereo by an adolescent Kirk.

However, if you check the song’s cultural impact, it has been used A LOT.

Considering all the shows that inspired the music video, it’s no wonder it’s been used in various media, including comics.

That’s right. This song plays in the background of a club in X-Force Vol 1 #43. I guess the artist was a fan.

Interestingly, the song itself is about how terrible their producer was. There’s a lot to unpack there, but that’s what Wikipedia is for.

Fun fact: I had a blonde moment when I was reading the list of TV show influences and thought, “They based it off Shemar Moore’s S.W.A.T.?” Nope — one point for the S.W.A.T. franchise and zero points for this TV Fanatic.

Watch S.W.A.T. Online

Weezer – Buddy Holly (1994)

Happy Days (1974 – 1984)

I clearly need to expand my musical horizons because I thought Weezer was Foo Fighters.

I’m just happy I found it out before I embarrassed myself. You all aren’t going to say anything, right?

The music video itself was a trip!

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There is so much history behind this video, but what is likely the most impressive fact is that it was made without computer graphics.

All it took was clever camera work and editing!

That is bonkers because the music video looks and feels EXACTLY like an episode of the ABC series Happy Days, except for the song.

If you’ve seen Happy Days, you know that tune was a little out of place, but that was the point.

I’m more familiar with the show that inspired the video than the song itself, but it had a vibe!

The music video rose to prominence because it was included with the Windows 95 installation CD-ROM. That is some next-level marketing.

Watch Happy Days Online

Outkast – Hey Ya (2003)

The Ed Sullivan Show (1948 – 1971)

Now you know when you hear that “1, 2, 3, my baby…” you hit that dancefloor with neither the speed nor grace of a gazelle because you’re too busy shouting, “This is my song!”

Girl, you are not wrong. It’s all our song! Grab that red solo cup and shake your ass like a Polaroid picture!

I had no idea this music video was based on The Beatle’s famous performance on the CBS variety show, The Ed Sullivan Show!

However, I was fourteen when this song came out with the attention span of a goldfish. All I knew was this was a bop that guaranteed people on the dancefloor.

It wasn’t a middle school dance or lock-in if no one was dancing to, “My baby don’t mess around because she loves me so.” I mean, that’s poetry right there.

Outkast had been prominent for years before this single, but this is the one that made EVERYONE pay attention.

The music video slaps in every possible way, down to the girl fainting from excitement. People really used to lose it over celebrities!

This is probably why the video took two days to film, with Andre 3000 performing the song twenty-three times.

Watch The Ed Sullivan Show Online

Destiny’s Child – Girl (2005)

Sex and The City (1998 – 2004)

Am I the last person on the planet to find out about this song? I had no idea it even existed!

For those who haven’t seen the music video, it’s a total recreation of Sex and The City.

But don’t expect anything meaningful to happen. Like the show, Destiny’s Child spends the video walking down the sidewalk and eating lunch.

That’s it.

Oh, and the real Destiny’s Child members are all watching the show with the cringiest expressions of shock and awe. To be fair, Beyonce had yet to truly dip her toe in the acting world.

Like the video, HBO‘s Sex and The City perfectly captured the late ‘90s and early 2000s vibe.

From the fashion, hair, and all-around casual energy, you can really tell that no one saw COVID-19 coming. Sorry, but that’s where my mind goes!

The song is amazing and has some really sweet and poignant lyrics.

Excuse me while I unzip my CD book and bust out my five-disk stereo with speaker attachments. How did we ever survive without phones and the internet at the ready?

Watch Sex and The City Online

U2 – Song for Someone (2014)

Rectify (2013 – 2016)

If you’ve seen this music video or heard this song, you may be asking yourself, “What is it doing on this list?” That is a very fair question.

For one thing, I was unfamiliar with the SundanceTV show Rectify, so I had no idea this video was based on a TV show.

However, Woody Harrelson and his daughter act their butt off! This is such an emotionally charged song and video.

It’s about a man struggling to adjust outside of prison. I wonder where they got the idea.

All joking aside, this music video feels more like a movie or show than any other music video on this list.

Sure, you won’t shake it to the melody, but it’ll still move you.

Grab the tissues because this one is all heart!

Watch Rectify Online

Iggy Azalea – Fancy (2014)

Clueless (1995)

Now, here is a movie that defined a generation!

Oh my god, I love Clueless so much. It is timeless, with issues that are no longer relatable. And that’s the best part!

I feel like I’m time-traveling any time I watch Clueless. A young Paul Rudd can steal the remote from me whenever he wants. He still looks so good on Only Murders in the Building.

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However you feel about Iggy Azalea, you have to give it up to her.

That song doesn’t just slap. It’s a straight-up K.O.

And the music video?! It’s almost as classic as the movie itself.

From the choreography to the perfectly chosen scenes from the film, I could watch this music video over and over again.

Considering this was only Alicia Silverstone’s fourth movie, it’s no wonder she was THE it girl of the ‘90s. She was already on her rise, but this movie skyrocketed her fame.

Side note: Don’t play a drinking game to Clueless.

The rules always say to drink whenever you hear “as if.” Don’t do it. You’ll be wasted before Tai gets the red dye out of her hair.

Unfortunately, the music video is currently unavailable for viewing.

Watch Clueless Online

Bruno Mars – Finesse (2016)

In Living Color (1990 – 1994)

Do people know about this music video?! I was instantly transported back to the ‘90s, and I had never heard this song before or seen the music video.

Good for them for correcting the fashion faux pas of the ’90s because it was ROUGH. I was so entranced that I barely heard the lyrics.

So, I was too young to enjoy In Living Color, being only a few years old at the time.

However, I must ask: How did this show not stand the test of time?

It was quality comedic writing coupled with an exceptionally iconic costuming. Thankfully, the music video for “Finesse” color-corrected some of the “choices.”

Either way, between the song and the choreography, this music video will get you in the groove!

I’ll be binge-watching In Living Color from beginning to end because I feel I missed out on a culturally relevant event.

I mean, Jim Carrey and Keenen Ivory Wayans, the latter of which will be returning to TV with Poppa’s House? Legends.

Watch In Living Color Online

Jay-Z – Moonlight

Friends (1994 – 2004)

If you ever thought Friends would be a better show with an African American cast, you should’ve watched Living Single. I mean, Queen Latifah?!

However, this music video can still scratch that itch.

It recasts the making of one of the most memorable episodes from Friends with some of the best comedic actors of color.

I’m not going to go on a whole rant, but you need to see these names in the music video: Issa Rae (Insecure), Tessa Thompson (Westworld), Tiffany Haddish (The Afterparty), Lil Rel Howery (Poker Face), Lakeith Stanfield (Atlanta), and Jerrod Carmichael (Ramy).

I’ll let you figure out which character these tremendously talented actors play.

Personally, I don’t think I need to discuss Friends’ cultural impact. If you’ve been alive for the last two decades, you already know.

People LOVE this show. Yes, I am one of them.

However, growing up, I was not allowed to watch Friends — only Living Single. So, ten points to my clueless parents.

They had no idea what a gift they gave me. As an adult, both Living Single and Friends still hold up.

Watch Friends Online

Ariana Grande – Thank You, Next (2019)

Mean Girls (2004), Bring It On (2000), Legally Blonde (2001), 13 Going on 30 (2004)

Listen, you can dislike Miss Grande all you want, but honey-kitty-boo-boo-child, you will give this music video the respect it deserves!

Ariana absolutely ate in Thank You, Next. She served ponytail and blonde bombshell realness throughout that whole damn video.

The girl already had a banger on her hands when she made this video and decided to slay the music industry.

Mama, I swear the whole world lost their minds over this music video. And why wouldn’t they?

Ariana used not ONE, but FOUR of the most iconic movies of the 2000s.

As far as I’m concerned, that was the only acceptable Mean Girls remake. Don’t even get me started.

Not only did she perfectly recreate the movie scenes, but she also brought in so many stars, like Jennifer Coolidge and her castmates from her Nickelodeon show, Victorious.

This ridiculously iconic music video even had a Kris Jenner cameo. Say what you want, but she was feeling herself.

Watch Mean Girls Online

The Jonas Brothers – What a Man Gotta Do? (2020)

Risky Business (1983), Grease (1978), Say Anything… (1989)

Okay, so I thought this was the music video for “Sucker” because of the wives being in it.

I had no idea they gave it another go.

And even though I don’t consider myself a Jonas Brothers fan, this music video was chock full of chemistry!

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Granted, it’s three married couples (yes, I know about Joe and Sophie), but they seem to be having genuine fun! Which is great because the song is a bit mid.

So, in that regard, “What a Man Gotta Do?” wins when it comes to the video, but “Sucker” is way catchier.

The movies they chose are some legit classics, but I did have a favorite sequence.

Sophie Turner in the Grease reenactment was UH-mazing! I loved that she played Sandy and her version of “Cha-Cha.”

Also, I’m just going to throw this out there: The character “Cha-Cha” in the film is categorized as a student. Did you know that? Because all I see is a grown-ass woman.

The entire cast was adults, but “Cha-Cha” looked like she taught Spanish class. Come on, now.

Watch Grease Online

Sabrina Carpenter – Taste (2024)

Death Becomes Her (1992), Psycho (1960), Addams Family Values (1993), Ginger Snaps (2000), Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

If you thought I went crazy for “Thank You, Next,” you are not ready to hear me talk about this unbelievable music video!

Granted, I don’t take to new music easily. I am very much that person who still listens to a playlist of songs they made ten years ago. However, I get curious now and then.

This time, curiosity killed this cat and brought me back to life with references to cinematic gold. First, Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega were painted for the gods!

Honey, the hair and make-up on those girls were unreal. Actually, they might be if A.I. was used.

It doesn’t matter because I would forgive anything for that Death Becomes Her reference.

I know “Taste” encompasses multiple movies as inspiration, but that video was dripping with Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp’s fabulous pettiness.

From the voodoo dolls to the Kill Bill eye patch and the lingerie with feather boas, this music video will leave you as plucked as the iconic films that inspired it.

I know filming has wrapped on Wednesday Season 2, but how great would it be if Sabrina Carpenter flexed her acting skills again and made one little cameo?

I mean, with those eyes and that voice, she’s a siren all the way.

All I know is that I love many of these legendary films and TV shows. So, seeing them paired with bangers and bops is a memorable and uplifting experience.

Which was your favorite video from the list?

What film or show would you like to see referenced in a music video?

Please comment below to share your thoughts, and join me again when I bring you another list of impactful films and TV shows.

Watch Death Becomes Her Online

The post 13 Music Videos That Sizzle With Cinematic Glory 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.

Disney+ today announced a Season 2 renewal for the basketball dramedy, Big Shot, led by John Stamos.

Created by David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies), Dean Lorey (My Wife and Kids) and Brad Garrett (Single Parents) and executive-produced by Kelley, Lorey, Garrett and Bill D'Elia (Chicago Hope), the second season will resume production in 2022.

"We are thrilled to be returning with Big Shot. The show has touched so many hearts -John Stamos' brilliance especially as Coach Marvyn Korn- we look forward to season two and beyond," said co-creator and executive producer David E. Kelley.

"This show represents everything Disney is to me – family, inclusion, and unity. But at its core, @BigShotSeries is about guts and heart, and that is what Disney + demonstrated by giving us a second season," said Stamos.

"I am sending lots of love to the critics and fans that got up on their feet and cheered for us from the sidelines."

"I'm so grateful to continue to play Coach Korn, a man who learns to let go of pre-conceived judgements and learns from an incredible group of women, helping him to evolve and grow. And yet, he still has so much more to learn… thankfully he'll get that chance in season two. #grateful."

The series centers around Marvyn Korn (Stamos) after he is ousted from his position as head coach for an NCAA basketball team.

He is given a chance at redemption with a coaching position at Westbrook, an elite private high school for girls and soon learns that the teenage players require empathy and vulnerability – foreign concepts for the stoic Coach Korn."

By learning to connect with his players and his daughter, Marvyn starts to grow into the person he's always hoped to be.

The girls learn to take themselves more seriously, finding their footing both on and off the court.

Over on HBO, The Emmy®-winning comedy series INSECURE will return for its fifth and final season Sunday, October 24 (10:00-10:30 pm ET/PT).

The final ten episodes will debut weekly on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.

Starring NAACP Image Award winner and six-time Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award nominee Issa Rae, the series continues to follow our favorite characters as they evaluate their relationships, both new and old, in an effort to figure out who and what comes with them in this next phase of their lives.

The fifth season also stars series regulars Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales and Courtney Taylor.

The series was created by Issa Rae & Larry Wilmore; executive produced by Issa Rae, Prentice Penny, Melina Matsoukas, Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky, Jonathan Berry, Amy Aniobi and Jim Kleverweis.

Check out the trailer below.

Meanwhile, Vanderpump Rules is finally returning to Bravo, and it looks like the major cast exits will give some of the other cast members the time to shine.

"As one of LA's most successful restaurateurs, Lisa Vanderpump spent the pandemic keeping her many businesses afloat. With her restaurants finally reopened, she continues to serve as a mentor and mother figure for many of her employees, both current and former," reads the logline. 

"After working at TomTom alongside boss and mentor Lisa, Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz have come up with the concept for their own bar and have spent the last few months seeking financing, working with a designer, and creating the cocktail menu of their dreams."

"When Katie Maloney- Schwartz's input clashes with Sandoval's beloved ideas, Schwartz must decide which of his life partners to support and which to leave out in the cold," the synopsis continues. 

"With a brand new baby girl and the relationship she has always wanted, Scheana Shay appears to have it all. But when her fiancé and child's father, Brock Davies reveals a startling truth about his past, Scheana's friends start to question whether he's truly the fairytale prince of her dreams."

"Independence has always come naturally to Ariana Madix, who has funneled her energy into working on her own professional projects during quarantine."

"She finds herself caught in the middle of the drama when Sandoval's outsized opinions put him at odds with the rest of the group."

"A new working mom, Lala Kent is busy promoting her new book, working on her makeup company, and managing the staff of her house."

"Friendships are put to the test when she finds herself at odds with Scheana and Ariana. With nearly two years of sobriety under his belt, James Kennedy is doing better than ever – his music career is skyrocketing and he's planning to propose to the love of his life, Raquel Leviss. "

"But sobriety hasn't cured all of James' demons and when he continues to struggle with controlling his emotions, the group worries that Raquel might be marrying into a nightmare."

"In addition to working at SUR, Charli Burnett is studying to be an aesthetician. Friendship means the world to her and she has become extremely close to Scheana and Raquel."

"She even puts her modeling skills to the test to help raise money for a friend's botched plastic surgery. But questions about loyalty arise when one of her closest friends fails to take her side."

Check out the trailer below.

Elsewhere, MTV has confirmed Jersey Shore: Family Vacation will be back for a fifth season.

The upcoming fifth season marks the official return of reality TV icon Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi to the cast.

The series continues to be a powerhouse for MTV, owning the #1 spot across key demos in its time period and pacing a whopping +9% on L+3 share from last season, further cementing MTV as the dominant network Thursday nights.

On tonight's highly anticipated finale episode, Snooki's left to clean up the mess made by Dren as the trip comes to an end.

Meanwhile, Mike plans a second gender reveal even though everyone knows he's having a boy. But, the real surprise is what happens when Angelina "accidentally" shoots off a gender reveal powder cannon in her husband's face.

What are your thoughts on all this news?

Hit the comments.

The post Fanatic Feed: Vanderpump Rules Return Date, Fate of Big Shot, & More! appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The Emmy®-winning HBO comedy series Insecure will conclude with its upcoming fifth season, it was announced today by Amy Gravitt, Executive Vice President, HBO Programming.

“Issa has turned insecurity into an iconic form of comedy,” said Gravitt.

“The show is as incisive as it is heartfelt, and it has resonated strongly with its audience because of the deeply personal work that Issa, Prentice, Melina, the cast and the writers have put into it."

"This talented team has conceived a brilliant final season for INSECURE and we look forward to having many more stories to tell with this singular group of collaborators.”

The series stars Emmy®, Golden Globe and NAACP Image Award nominee Issa Rae who heads the ensemble cast, and the new season will continue to follow our favorite characters as they evaluate their relationships, both new and old, in an effort to figure out who and what comes with them in this next phase of their lives.

The fifth and final season is scheduled to begin production later this month and is set to debut later this year.

The fourth season received nine Emmy® nominations including for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Issa Rae) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Yvonne Orji).

The series won an Emmy® for Single-Camera Picture Editing For a Comedy Series.

The cast also includes Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, and Alexander Hodge.

While Rae did not release a statement on the HBO press release, she did speak about the decision to end the series to Deadline.

“Prentice and I are so grateful that HBO believed in our show from the beginning and kept faith in us to see our vision through the end,” Rae told the outlet.

“We always planned to tell this story through five seasons, but we couldn’t have made it this far without the tremendous support of our audience. I feel blessed beyond measure to bring our characters’ stories to an end, on-screen at least.”

What are your thoughts on the show coming to a close?

Hit the comments below.

The post Insecure Coming to an End at HBO appeared first on TV Fanatic.

That is how long Issa Rae made us wait between seasons three and four of Insecure.

It was such a long time, and fans were getting antsy while Issa pursued other projects. 

Luckily for us, it was definitely worth the wait! Issa gave us, arguably, the best season by far. The show is usually a comedy full of awkward moments, but this season we delved much deeper into the characters and their growth. Here are just a few reasons why it's a favorite.

Issa Got her Life Together (Mostly)

Let's be real. In the first couple of seasons, Issa was kind of a mess. 

She was in a dead-end job. She cheated on Lawrence. Then ended up sleeping on the couch of the guy with which she cheated. Sis had a 425 credit score. It was not looking good.

In season three, however, we started to see things turn around. She got a new job and her own apartment. She left Daniel and Lawrence behind (momentarily) and started seeing someone new. She then found her passion project.

After some encouragement from New Boo Nathan, Issa started to pursue throwing a block party showcasing Black talent in LA. We finally got to see this dream come to fruition, and it was a success (until that ending). Unfortunately for Issa, everyone in your circle won't support you. 

Issa and Molly Bump Heads

From the very beginning of the season, it seemed Issa and Molly were in a sort of cold war. As Issa told her in 4×03, "I feel like you've been coming for me."

And the attitude Molly had towards her for the majority of the season seemed to come out of nowhere. Why are you so bothered that Issa is working with Condola just because Condola's dating Lawrence now? This is business!

In the past, Issa has always been available for Molly's every beck and call whenever she needed her. It seems as if Molly isn't used to Issa having something going on for herself. 

Molly knew how much this block party meant to Issa. When Schoolboy Q dropped out as headliner, Issa asked Molly to reach out to Andrew for a new headliner since he works at Live Nation. Molly refused, saying she didn't want to complicate her relationship with Andrew.

Sure, Molly, had a right to say no. But also, if this is your best friend, why wouldn't you want to help her? Even Andrew wondered himself why Molly just didn't ask him. 

Issa took matters into her own hands and just asked Nathan to ask Andrew. Andrew did it, and he didn't mind. And yet, Molly still had the nerve to get mad and cause a scene at the block party, which subsequently caused it to end. Did she WANT her best friend to fail?

Issa eventually invited Molly to brunch to talk, and it seemed like things were getting back to normal. However, the episode ended with Molly suggesting they just grew apart. Issa agreed, and Molly got mad. I'm sorry, were you wanting Issa to beg? 

The girls had so much drama, and a lot of young women can relate. Sometimes you and your friends grow at different rates. Some friends struggle to balance friendships with their new relationship.

And sure enough, as soon as Molly and Andrew hit a rough patch, she went running back to Issa. If only that was a surprise.

Whether you're Team Issa or Team Molly in this war, we can all acknowledge their friendship is the true love story of this show. Their reunion was inevitable. Fingers crossed they actually work through their issues instead of sweeping them under the rug again.

Nathan Mystery Solved

In season three, Issa picked a young man up in her Lyft.

They went skinny dipping in a random person's backyard pool while taking a tour of LA. Eventually, they hooked up at Coachella. Thus began the romance of Nathan and Issa.

Nathan was a good guy who seemed really into Issa. That is until he ghosted her. He went missing out of nowhere for a month until he showed up in the season three finale, saying he was "in a bad place."

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Many fans suspected it was mental illness, and it turns out that was exactly the case. In this season's penultimate episode, Nathan admits to Issa he didn't just disappear, but rather he received a bipolar diagnosis. 

Nathan's apology was sincere, and many viewers felt for him. Kendrick Sampson played the role well and really conveyed Nathan's agony at having lost Issa due to his illness.

Postpartum Depression

Nathan isn't the only one battling mental illness this season. At the beginning of the season, we see Tiffany and Derek had their baby. We soon learn it is not all happy endings after the baby arrives.

There were signs early on in the season that Tiffany was struggling. At Issa's block party, Derek was ready to get home to the baby, but Tiffany blew him off and decided to stay. This alone may not be a big deal, but it's obvious Tiffany was having issues.

In the finale, Tiffany went missing, causing Issa, Molly, Kelly, and Derek to go on a goose chase. This storyline actually fell kind of flat, ending with them finding her in a hotel room. It would have been nice to see Tiffany's breakdown on screen, but not all mental illnesses present that way.

Lawrence and Issa 2.0

Lawrence and Issa have been through a lot over the years. They had a tumultuous breakup after Issa cheated on him with Daniel, dividing fans into #TeamLawrence and #TeamIssa.

Post-Condola, we see the two have a real conversation about their relationship and what went wrong. They both admitted what they did wrong and addressed the real problems they had. 

We got a blissful, albeit short-lived reunion. Lawrence got a new job, and they agreed to make the long-distance relationship work. It was all supposed to work out.

Then here comes Condolences. Sorry, Condola. Something had to have been up when she was so pressed to meet up and talk to Lawrence. Sure enough, the girl is pregnant, telling Lawrence he "can be as involved as [he] wants to."

The scene revealing the pregnancy was so well done. Executive Producer, Prentice Penny, said on Twitter, "I wanted Jay to be more empathetic to Issa and more angry with Condola." Jay Ellis definitely delivered.

The Social Media Conversation

One of the best things about watching Insecure is debating it on social media. The writers have done such a good job of portraying the black experience, which is why viewers take to their social media to talk about it for the whole week after a new episode airs.

It's not a black experience rooted in trauma, simply black people living their black lives. In a Q&A with Fast Company in 2016, Issa Rae said black people "don't get to just be boring" in most TV shows.

Issa Rae was completely right about that, and she has made excellent strides at making that change.

This season is further proof of that.

Over to you Fanatics! Do you think Issa will be a stepmom? Will she go back to Nathan? What's going to happen with Molly and Issa?

Share your thoughts about this season in the comments.

The post Insecure Season 4: We just Got Their Best Season So Far appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It's an episode of introspection as well as questioning for both of them, which I hope leads to a fascinating season 4. It's not the most action-packed episode and ends on a very unsatisfying note, but otherwise, it's a solid 30 minutes.

It's so satisfying to see Issa finally pursue the music nonprofit after so many episodes waiting for her to just realize that it was the right choice for her. The block party plot is interesting, but Issa would do incredibly well in a team-based environment like that.

I'm glad that Issa turned away Nathan — it finally means that she's learning (or that she's learning from Molly!). It's interesting to see Issa taking dating advice from Molly considering Molly's situation, but Molly has a different kind of issue than Issa does — trust.

Issa's too trusting, while Molly doesn't trust enough. However, Molly went on a great romantic redemption arc when she gives Andrew another shot — and that's big for Molly.

Lawrence: You rockin’ a purse?

Chad: It’s my fiancé purse!

_{🔗 permalink: You rockin’ a purse?}

It's interesting to continue seeing Lawrence's side of the story even after a few episodes without him. I wasn't completely sold on his conversation with his father, given that we don't have that precedent for that kind of scene.

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Similarly, it'll be interesting to see where the show takes Lawrence's storyline with Condola. How will Issa react? She's bound to find out. Issa definitely won't take that well at all, given that she and Lawrence still have some chemistry (don't deny it!).

Issa: You trying to Annalise Keaton your coworkers seems stressful as fuck, but good for you, girl!

_{🔗 permalink: You trying to Annalise Keaton your coworkers seems stressful as fuck, but good for you, girl!}

I'm almost starting to think that Molly's storyline is the most interesting to me, but we get little to no development. Molly has spent the majority of the season trying to find her place at the firm, and she never heeds Issa's advice but still succeeds.

It would be a wild dynamic if Issa were to feel financially secure for once and Molly was out of work, just to flip the script. Molly seems to be due for a reckoning from her firm, while I'm hoping that Issa gets her new job.

Lawrence's story isn't as interesting as I'm hoping — so many episodes without him and I'm no longer in tune with his story. It was interesting when we understood his relationship to Issa, but now it just feels distant.

Issa: We ARE dating! You guys, this is my girlfriend!

Molly: Nope, nope, nope, Issa, get off me, my man might be here!

_{🔗 permalink: We ARE dating! You guys, this is my girlfriend!}

He seems like a nice guy, but he doesn't really have that much of an engaging story. Unless his story ties back in with Issa's like Molly's outside of chance meetings, he doesn't seem to be worth keeping on the show.

Besides, I was hoping that there would be some drama between Issa and Lawrence (I kept waiting and waiting!), but nothing came of it. It's nice to see them moving on, but it's as if they're taunting viewers a bit.

It was almost a little bizarre to see Jared back — it brought back a part of Molly that occasionally feels out of place. Although she has a heightened sense of insecurity with men, it was jarring to see her jump to Jared being gay in order to reassure herself.

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She did this in the first season, but it's a little disheartening to see her try and defend herself using this argument — and on a show like this. Ultimately, maybe it's realistic, but it definitely brought back some rough things with Molly's character.

Where is Molly's therapist? Is she still going? She's still having trust issues with her relationships — maybe she should look into that. It was nice to see her seeking help and at least some sort of outlet, but maybe that's not happening anymore.

Issa: You’re taking me to real-ass Mexico for real-ass Mexican food?

Molly: No girl, I’m not your man.

Issa: That’s just what a shady bitch would say.

_{🔗 permalink: That’s just what a shady bitch would say.}

She's pushing her way through work trying to rise to the top — and sooner or later that's going to catch up to her. Without a doubt, something's going to happen that will force her to reconsider her approach to work and relationships.

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I was hoping that moment was with Andrew, but maybe it wasn't. He reminded her that she slept with Dro even when she knew about Candice, and she was offended. Maybe it was stepping over the line, but he was being real with her.

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And I'm glad that Molly acknowledged that. Their potential relationship feels like it could grow — but only if Molly just lets go of her insecurities.

And hence, Insecure.

Make sure to watch Insecure online and finish the season finale!

What did you think of this season? How do you think Issa will treat single life? Do you think Molly and Andrew will work out? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Insecure Season 3 Episode 8 Review: Ghost-Like appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Lawrence meets with his father and tries to work out some of his feelings. His new church and the woman he's been seeing at the church aren't really working out.

Molly takes Issa on a birthday outing to see a film in a park. They run into Molly's ex, Jared, who Molly thinks is gay. However, he's there with his new girlfriend. Issa also runs into Lawrence, and they hit it off in a friendly manner.

Issa sets up a coffee meeting with Condola, the movie night organizer who she met at Tiffany's baby shower. They hit it off and discuss new ideas for Issa's block party. Condola leaves to go on a doubt, which Issa endorses.

However, it's revealed that Condola is actually going on a date with Lawrence, and they seem very close.

Back at her apartment, she finds flowers from Nathan. She agrees to meet with him, and he claims that he went back to Houston to deal with some emotions but he's back for good now. Later, Issa happily settles into her new home, not having accepted Nathan back. She sits down on her couch, seemingly content.

The post Insecure Season 3 Episode 8 Recap: Ghost-Like appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It's one of those frustrating things in life. Why do men do that? Nathan has literally disappeared off the face of the Earth. However, it seems like Issa really did care about him, or at least minded enough to see where he went.

Issa is put into a bit of a frenzy that we've never seen previously, which becomes both amusing and a little obnoxious. We know that Issa is better than this and yet she's put back into bad patterns.

Issa: Girl, what is so crazy about buying fake desserts to bring to Andrew so I can see if Nathan’s home?

_{🔗 permalink: Girl, what is so crazy about buying fake desserts to bring to Andrew?}

Similarly, Molly falls into her same old traps as she self-sabotages opportunities that are going so well for her. After hitting it off with Andrew, she just has to make sure that she's not happy.

In many ways, it seems like she's simply just not over Dro — which is understandable. However, this remains undiagnosed and Molly thus falls again and again into the same situations. 

Her work life isn't helping either, even if she did well on the presentation. With Molly, it's often one step forward, two steps back. She's absolutely amazing but habits and self-critical behavior launch her into a position of denial and doubt.

With Issa, it's the opposite problem — she's too forward. Issa going as far as trying to break into Nathan's computer honestly feels on-brand with Issa's level of commitment and passion.

Issa: Or what about when you told Nathan all those weird facts about camels? Damn, I forgot about that.

_{🔗 permalink: Damn, I forgot about that.}

It's a bit of a bizarre move, but all things considered, she's desperate for anything on Nathan at all.

Now let's consider Lawrence. Lawrence and Issa had a five-year relationship, but so much is brewing underneath the surface that it's nearly incomprehensible. 

Every moment they have together feels so alive and so full of untapped potential that even a second without them interacting beyond cordial behavior feels wrong.

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Something drives me to want them back together even if that's dangerous. Maybe it's the dynamic that was forged in previous seasons, or maybe it's just something about their two characters.

They're both strong, likeable characters, even if they have flaws. They work well together and they had for a long time. 

Issa: I hope we didn’t wake you guys up!

Andrew: At 6 pm?

_{🔗 permalink: I hope we didn’t wake you guys up!}

But more often than not, Insecure takes the reality of life and slaps it on everything. It's not always going to be happy, and Insecure has shown that. Issa and Lawrence may never end up together.

Similarly, Molly may never get her happy ending with her job (but let's hope she does with her love life). It's all a complicated path, full of twists and turns, and Insecure displays it to its fullest.

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Even seeing Lawrence attempt to go to church and find himself is a bit heartwarming, even if he can't enjoy or get anything out of it. Attempting to reflect is a solid first step.

Issa, however, is not on the same page. As she obsesses over Nathan, it grows increasingly unhealthy (the tooth dream, anyone?) and to a point somewhat agitating to the viewer.

However, in viewers of the same age range, maybe this is a common behavior and a relatable one, too. Insecure has the unique ability to hit us all in the face with what we don't want to see about ourselves and young adult life.

Lawrence: That was actually my last meeting.

Issa: You have time for coffee?

_{🔗 permalink: You have time for coffee?}

I also feel bad for Andrew. He's a nice guy, trying his best and really hitting it off with Molly. He ends up getting the short end of the stick in more ways than one when Molly is upset and Issa tries to find out Nathan's whereabouts.

Hopefully Andrew gets a bit of redemption and Nathan gets a bit of a punishment for his behaviors this episode. Even though Issa cut him out, it's likely that they'll meet again or something else will happen.

Related: Get Comic Con HQ via Prime Video Channels to Stream Original Series, Past Comic-Con Panels & More!

Besides, Lawrence and Issa still aren't back together, and who knows if they consciously want to. Lawrence is still recovering from a long line of lovers in the recent past, and Issa is trying to make it through Nathan.

Maybe what they need is each other and they just don't know it yet. I'm holding out for this hypothesis in the season finale next week, but who knows if it'll come true.

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Make sure to watch Insecure online as well as the season finale next week!

What did you think of this episode? Do you think Issa and Lawrence will get together? Will Molly finally get some stabillity in her life? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Insecure Season 3 Episode 7 Review: Obsessed-Like appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Issa keeps waking up and having dreams about her teeth falling out. She continues to hope that Nathan will call her and keeps her phone close to her. Molly decides to self-sabotage by saying that she needs to work.

Lawrence decides that he wants to go to church to reform, but the only person who gets something out of it is Chad. Lawrence feels uncomfortable and doesn't know what to think about it.

Issa convinces Molly to go to Andrew's house to see if Nathan is there. Nathan isn't there, but instead, Issa snoops around his stuff and tries to hack into his computer.

Taurean is unable to make the law presentation so Molly gives it herself and nails it. However, ths spells trouble for her and her partnership with Taurean later.

Issa attends an entrepreneurial workshop for her blcok party and runs into Lawrence there. They chat cordially and get along quite well, sharing thoughts, hopes, and dreams.

The post Insecure Season 3 Episode 7 Recap: Obsessed-Like appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Insecure really did just successfully pull off one of the greatest tricks of all time — making us all think Lawrence was gone for good and throwing him back into the fray!

I hope you were surprised by the end of Insecure Season 3 Episode 5 because I sure was. I didn't see it coming at all and was honestly a little disappointed that he wasn't coming back, but there he was!

It's little tricks that these that retain my faith in Insecure, especially these recurring plot points that mimic life in a "life-imitates-art-imitates-life" kind of situation.

I even thought Dro was gone for good without a trace, but of course, he's at Tiffany's baby shower, and Molly must deal with the consequences.

Issa: Ooh! what if I did a New Orleans theme! You think the city would just turn a blind eye to people drinking in the street?


Moly: No girl. That’s how you get arrested.

_{🔗 permalink: No girl. That’s how you get arrested.}

It's great to even see other characters like Chad and Issa's brother thrown into the mix, even as comedic relief. It's nice to see Keli finally get a bit of plot, especially with her cupcakes and emotional relationship with Tiffany, but the other characters can afford to be tossed in from time to time.

Kelli: Do these cupcakes say “Congratulations on your light-skinned baby”? Right? Cause it’s all light. Every layer is light.

_{🔗 permalink: Do these cupcakes say “Congratulations on your light-skinned baby”?}

Issa and Lawrence's conversations have felt extremely genuine, even if neither of them is really telling the truth about how they're doing. It definitely seems like there's something brewing down inside.

Did anyone catch the comment about Issa loving Lawrence forever? It still seems like Lawrence has similar feelings.

Now, the fact that Nathan is no longer messaging seems too suspicious to be coincidental. It's possible that something happened with Lyft, or Nathan isn't everything that he seems. It doesn't seem to be tied with Lawrence at all, although it's still possible.

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It would be nice to see Molly work out her issues with her therapist or other people like she was supposed to this season instead of going around in the same circles as the last one.

Kelli: The point is, you are single. You are VERY single. You are so single that a tumbleweed just rolled out of your pussy.

_{🔗 permalink: You are so single that a tumbleweed just rolled out of your pussy.}

Molly is still struggling, and although her story continues to be compelling, it's getting lazier and lazier. She falls into the same traps with Dro and refuses to date out of a bounded box despite encouragement.

It's also nice to see her workplace storyline still ever so slightly touched on even if it's in passing. It's also interesting to see a more humanized side of the girls in this episode instead of just humorous scenes.

Centering the episode around one major event helped to focus the plot even when there are many characters at play. There wasn't too much switching between locations or themes, which avoided messiness in a 30-minute episode.

Related: Get Comic Con HQ via Prime Video Channels to Stream Original Series, Past Comic-Con Panels & More!

Tiffany's confrontation with Molly, Issa, and Kelli, is extremely emotionally raw and almost frightening at times. Considering the close friendship of the friends, it was a harsh moment of reality that cut deeper than much of the entire season.

Issa: Kelli, shut up! You dont even go to church.

Kelli: I go on important days! Like when I come back from Miami—the Lord knows I get turnt!

_{🔗 permalink: Like when I come back from Miami—the Lord knows I get turnt!}

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Now, the fact that Lawrence's side of the story was shown makes me think that Lawrence is potentially back in Issa's life. The cold open montage was utterly priceless, and Lawrence at his core is a fascinating, empathetic character.

However, goading from his friends could also potentially bar a reunion with Issa even if he does want it. Issa's friends would also 100% dissuade her from getting back together.

Yet, her hesitation with Nathan makes me think that her connection with Lawrence (five years is a long time!) is not something that can be unbroken, and something like this should be honored.

Issa: I don’t know what you just said, but do you know who does? God.

_{🔗 permalink: I don’t know what you just said, but do you know who does? God.}

Right when we think that Insecure is going down a comfortable path, the show throws a wrench in the entire system — and that comes in the form of Lawrence.

It's brilliant and crafty and completely unexpected, but also makes total sense — something that a show should do and a great show does. I'm still reeling from the fact that HBO hid this so well from essentially everyone.

The fact that the show largely hinges upon romantic relationships to create twists and turns, it's almost impossible to imagine where a new Lawrence plot will go. However, I have faith in the Insecure writers to come up with something fresh. 

Related: Get Showtime via Prime Video Channels for Award-Winning Original Series, Hit Movies, Sports & More!

Lawrence also cut ties with all the other women he slept with, which means that he might even be ready for something serious. Whether this will be impeded by other factors or not — only time will tell.

Make sure to watch Insecure online and catch up on Issa, Molly, and Lawrence!

Do you think Issa and Lawrence are really done for good? How do you think Molly will react to Candice's pregnancy? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Insecure Season 3 Episode 6 Review: Ready-Like appeared first on TV Fanatic.