STREAM QUEEN: NETFLIX
A Queen is never late…to the viewing party.
Need some streaming suggestions to soothe you? A blast from the past to bask in?
Off the air? The Queen doesn’t care. Whether it’s old or new, she’s got the reviews that include your mood.
2019-2022
Luckily this begins with A, cause it’s at the absolute top of my recommendation list. I have never witnessed mental health so accurately depicted in art. Whatever your opinion on Gervais, he has outdone himself, proving to be one of the most brilliant creatives of our time. It delivers his cleverness along with some truly laugh-out-loud moments and one of the most honest and heart-wrenching monologues on how life after experiencing loss is. The bleakness of his emotional landscape and self-destructive spiraling resonate in a way that other comedies and dramas ever had.
Mood: Seriously Somber.
Rating: Welcome to the list of top shows.
2023-
This joint is filled with profanities, violence, drugs and a psychotic chimp. Although it takes a moment to jump into, the visuals of the animation is a great distraction. A surprisingly all-star cast is at the helm of voicing the characters and even Priscilla herself has given her stamp of approval as she plays herself. We love to see it.
Mood: When you have the time to get adjusted.
Rating: Worth checking in for the aesthetics.
2020-2020
Bring it back!! I put this on because I love this comedian and her style. Different, yet comparable to Ali Wong’s no-holds-barred comedic style. Her love life is in shambles but she’s a badass mom who legit puts her kid first, and doesn’t care what shit (humorously) unfolds because of it. It’s fun and fabulous in an outlandish way while still having heart. Also, her fashion style is that of my greatest dreams.
Mood: Wanting to be a bad mamma-jamma and crush the patriarchy.
Rating: Hidden Gem.
2017-2020
A Witty Comedy writer exposed her own growing pains and neurosis while tackling parenthood.
It’s Andrea Savage. Enough said.
Mood: Smart irreverent laughs with impeccable timing and situations.
Rating: Pretty much how I see my parenthood style working out.
2014-2019
I blasted through this delightful series and happy I randomly dipped in its waters. The writing & performances both contain the absurdity of the telenovelas it playfully mocks, yet lead with the heart and depth of timeless shows. It’s fun, bright and colorful in both character and style.
Mood: All. Extra perk-you can even skip a few moments or watch episodes without paying proper attention and still getting the gist. AND, the narrator catches you up each episodes (in a fun and non-annoying way!)
Rating: Lives up to popularity.
2023-
Never have I been transported into a world where there was zero adjustment period. The opening credits set the stage and catapult you into the narrative and the grounded acting keeps you there. I never once pressed skip intro. They do blow past many of their rules of ghost-hunting particular to the world built, but the audience is eager to pick up the clues to keep up. The three main characters carry great performances, even if liberties were taken with their characters. This one really took me by surprise and delighted me from the moment I pressed play. I even watched it over several nights in order to fully soak in the whimsical spookiness.
Mood: Spooky
Rating: A slow flowing stream.
2023-
Basically Virgin River with the added steam of Sex/Life. The Mediterranean background will keep you visually stimulated-and so will the scandalous romances. Chemistry on point.
Mood: Steamy.
Rating: Don’t come for the plot.
2020-
This became my old roomate’s and my obsession the summer it came out. I even had a troublesomely steamy streamy dream about the lead and had to immediately google the actor when I woke up to ensure he wasn’t actually in high school. It’s okay, he’s like mid-20s.
Mood: When you wanna get further in Mindy’s head and experience.
Rating: Sweet Dreams :)
2017-2020
Okay, so I normally don’t like multi-cam sitcoms with a laugh track, but this shit is worth the hype. It has the heart of Fresh Prince and the comedic timing and writing on par with Arrested Development at times. Incredibly topical without being preachy or forced. Also, Lin Manuel loves it. Plus EGOT Queen Rita Moreno remains a goddess in her late 80s. Overall, an incredibly important show and one I would love to watch with my family.
Mood: Can stomach canned laughter and desire depth and heart to your humor.
Rating: Pleasantly surprised.
2021-
I had to pause to write down a few phrases and one-liners. Thanks, Sean Hayes for this irreverent yet sadly realistic take on WeHo. So fun, I had it on repeat like a favorite record.
Mood: Archer meets Queer Eye.
Rating: Nothing short of Fab.
2020-2020
Far from a hidden gem as you’ve probably got this checked, but I had to include a fellow queen as this show reigns and ranks high on the list. You’ve gotta pay attention for this one, but overall it’s genuinely one of the best shows I’ve seen in quite some time. Who knew chess was could be sexy?? Seriously, was I supposed to know that??
Mood: Triumph over self-sabotage.
Rating: Best of the Best.
2023-
Noah C proves he can constantly charm while on the screen and I couldn’t be happier about it. There’s time where the action is edge-of-your-seat and the plot keeps you engaged in between. The writing grounds the convoluted plot making it an easy watch.
Mood: Needing a lighter and more humorous Jack Ryan.
Rating: Charm + Action = A pretty good time.
2021-
This is how you hit the ground running as a fantasy series. The world-building is sub-par, but overall a good adaptation of the books and worth a watch. Even if my main motive was Ben Barnes-who delivers his dialogue with ease. A bit muddled and lackluster at points, making it easy to travel in and out of if ya need chores done with a beautiful backdrop. Season 2 is pretty supersized in comparison and the ensemble brings it, along with a more developed Alina.
Mood: Light Fantasy
Rating: Worth a peek.
2023-
At first glance I was really confused it wasn’t a series made from one of my fav superhero movies, but I digress. My disappointment was soon subsided, mostly due to Carolina Yuste’s electrifying performance. Plus, who doesn’t want a great heist? While I haven’t seen the source material, this hits all the right notes for a heist series. Fans of the film complain it that it’s more of the same, just stretched into seven episodes, but having watched the series first I can say the writing is solid, character development on point and watch out for those double crosses.
Mood: When you want more Money Heist.
Rating: Go ahead and let it stream.
2023-
Fair warning: I wasn’t a fan of the 70’s version. I didn’t dislike it, I just never went out of my way to watch it, although I did admire it from afar-perhaps I could just sense the problematic cast members?! I will say the appearances from the former cast causes nostalgia as their characters don’t skip a beat from the original show. As far as the new cast, they are delightful, yet the writing doesn’t seem to fully utilize them. It gets off to a bumpy start, yet finds itself grounded. There’s nothing revolutionary about the plots-not just compared to the original, but compared to every other teen show out there.
Mood: Need a nostalgia attack
Rating: Don’t expect the wheel to be reinvented.
2023-
Equally as excited to review this show as I was to watch it. Dare I say Tim has found the perfect amount of “Burton” to add to the equation? I do dare and declare.
Mood: Solace in Somber.
Rating: Good to see you back in the game, Netflix.
