Better Late Than Never: TV shows that aren’t buzzing but are worth your time

If you are a consumer of pop culture like myself, you have likely been hearing a lot about shows like Westworld, Atlanta, and Stranger Things over the past six months. And that’s great, each of those shows has its own redeeming qualities, and it is a pleasure to have watched all three of those debut seasons. However, there’s more to the world out there. (Irony of saying that there is “more to the world” in reference to sitting on a couch and watching TV noted.) There are a glut of great shows that, while they got a bit of buzz when they first came out, have faded from the public popular culture conversation that can drive what so many of us watch. With that being said, here are five shows that deserve your eyeballs:

Angie Tribeca (TBS)

This laugh-a-second comedy from Steve and Nancy Carell was the driving force behind this article, as I recently stumbled on some old episodes of this cop show spoof and was nearly in tears laughing I was laughing so hard. The show stars Rashida Jones (of Parks and Rec and I Love You Man fame) as a detective, but the police procedural setup only acts as a skeleton for a metric ton of jokes every episode. Fans of your classic hard-boiled cop shows will love all the little nods to the genre, but really anyone who enjoys laughing will love this show.

Casual (Hulu)

My personal favorite show on television right now, there are two seasons (23 episodes total) to get into before Season 3 comes out in May. The show centers around a dysfunctional brother and sister who seem to poison each other lives at times, but with whom they can’t actually exist. Michaela Watkins is amazing as the lead, but there are plenty of outstanding supporting actors, including Tara Lynne Barr as Watkins’ daughter who, on the surface, seems to have her shit figured out better than her mom and uncle, but has plenty of shit of her own just below the surface.

New Girl (FOX)

It blows my mind whenever I meet someone who doesn’t watch this Friends-style comedy, but yet I continue to meet these people. As such, I have to go into full New Girl evangelist mode, preaching the good word of Winston Bishop, Nick Miller and the whole crew. The show is currently in its sixth season and is still as hysterical as ever, with each of the five main characters among the funniest on TV, and with an amazing rotating cast of hilarious cameos. The first five seasons are all on Netflix, and it’s scary how fast you can fly through them. Trust me.

Carmichael Show (NBC)

Another half-hour comedy (all four have been so far… maybe we’ve found the blind spot of pop culture criticism… maybe I’m not the first to notice this…), Jerrod Carmichael’s multi-cam sitcom has a bit more meat on its bones than New Girl and Angie Tribeca. Each of the 19 episodes that Carmichael has created in his two seasons tackles a different issue in a nuanced yet funny way. Topics have varied from President Trump to Black Lives Matter to gun control, with each character taking a different view and the show (impressively) holding back from giving its final opinion on the matter. Carmichael is great, as always, in the lead role, but it’s Loretta Devine portraying his mother who truly steals the show.

Review (Comedy Central)

Briefest summary of Review: Area man agrees to review topics given to him over social media.

Little bit more telling summary of Review: Watch Forrest MacNeil (the incomparable Andy Daly) slowly sell his soul as he resolutely refuses to deny any challenge given to him. Murder, divorce, and pancakes await you.