What's On? Jungle Reds Bingewatch

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:  Of course we watched THE CROWN. And I was riveted, The personalities the history. The clothes. The lipstick. Phillip the pill. Margaret the wacko spoiled one, Elizabeth trying so hard but she can't help it, she's got to be the Queen.  And I was doubly riveted because it felt like I was learning history at the same time.

Turns out, sadly, I wasn't, necessarily. So many articles are now revealing so many things that did happen at all the way they are portrayed in the series. Which is really too bad, but I don't want to list them because I don't want to spoil--if it would be spoiling--the show if you haven't seen it. I mean, it's STILL good, but you kind of have to google as you go. (Well, Rhys doesn't have to.)

But on to happier TV stuff.  Well, not exactly happier. We just finished watching Ozark, which is so incredibly suspenseful I watched the first episode curled up in a chair, saying to Jonathan--I CAN'T WATCH THIS!! And then proceeded to to be glued.

We are also--and I hesitate to reveal how behind we are--watching Breaking Bad. So now you are laughing, because that's pitiful. But wow. It's incredible. (I know, I know, I don't have to tell you.) And Mrs. Maisel, hilarious.  And my private secret treat: Project Runway. Though it's better with Tim and Heidi.

So, Reds are readers, catch us up. Point us in the right direction. What are you watching?  

HALLIE EPHRON: J'adore The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The first episode is so brilliant, and it just keeps going to a fantastic finish. Can you even imagine trying to break out as a stand-up comedian? 

I'm catching up on Vera which happily I missed. And just watched the last episode of The Detectorists and looking forward to the new season about to drop. Sadly, apparently the last. Love those sad sacks so much.

My guilty pleasure is watching (again) the episodes of Sherlock. I saw them but can't believe how much I forgot. I wonder if there will be any more. And can't wait for the new episodes of GLOW. Who knew I'd love ladies' wrestling.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Hallie, I rewatch Sherlock, too. They are just so brilliant!!! And I love The Detectorists but am way behind. Where are you getting that?

JENN McKINLAY: I just started watching Game of Thrones a few months ago. Ack! I know! WAY behind but I had to work up to it. And now, I am desperately crushing on Jon Snow. Also I am addicted to YOUNGER, which is the greatest show ever!!! (A forty year old woman can't get a job in publishing because she's been out of the loop, raising her daughter in the suburbs, so she pretends she's 26 and gets hired - SO GOOD)! And now I am going to have to watch The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel because it sounds wonderful and I trust you and Hallie implicitly! 

INGRID THOFT: "Mrs. Maisel" is definitely going on the list, but I can’t do “Game of Thrones", which is too complicated and too violent.  I think I was the only person on the planet who couldn’t get into “Breaking Bad,” and that’s worse than being late to the show, Hank!  I just watched “Loch Ness” on Acorn, which I enjoyed, and I’m planning on tuning in to “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.”  I’m caught up on “This is Us,” one of the few network shows I watch, and I’m definitely in love with Sterling K. Brown.  There.  I admitted it.

DEBS: Ingrid, who isn't in love with Sterling K. Brown??? 

HANK: Me. No This Is Us for me. Too sad.  And Ingrid,  it took me two attempts to like Breaking Bad. But when I feel, I fell hard.

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Jenn, I've been thinking about watching YOUNGER, and you've sold me on it. Besides, who doesn't like to fantasize she could pass as fourteen years younger? Like everyone else, I've got "Mrs. Maisel" on my list, and I'm also excited about the Philip K. Dick-based series ELECTRIC DREAMS which just went up on Amazon.

Youngest and I both adore THE GOOD PLACE, and if you haven't been watching, you need to see it right now. Original and oh-so-funny. I've also been enjoying THE EXPANSE, from the SyFy (sic) network. In fact, I liked the first season so much I've put the second on hold while I finish the novels upon which the series is based. Coming up later this year, Harlan Coben has a series titles SAFE that sounds great, and very Coben-esque: a thriller set in a gated suburban community. And of course, I will keep on watching anything from HGTV. Drew and Linda's Nursery Addition? Yes. Rehab Addict Rehab? Sure. Flip or Flop Poughkeepsie? Bring it on.

LUCY BURDETTE: I barely watch TV so I'm not much use. John is the resident expert. But even he quit on BREAKING BAD, because it was too scary. (His golf buddies tease him relentlessly about admitting this.) We are in the second season of THE CROWN, though I think the first was more compelling. Now will have to watch Mrs. Maisel!

RHYS BOWEN: I regret to say I'm with Lucy. I don't watch much TV. I devoured the Crown. I'm now into the second season of Victoria although I don't find that as compelling for some reason. I am a sports nut and currently watching the Australian Open tennis from which I will go straight into the Winter Olympics. I do confess to a secret pleasure in Project Runway and the Amazing Race. And I must watch Mrs. Maisel. I've heard so much about it.

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Can I even admit that I haven't watched The Crown? Ack! I will, I will. I just haven't got to it yet. Rick watched Breaking Bad but I just couldn't work up to it. We did the first season of Game of Thrones, and now I'm wondering if we should pick it up where we left off. What say, GOT fans?

HANK: Yes, yes! I even love hearing the Game of Thrones theme music. Don't stop!

DEBS: I've just started re-watching Vera from the beginning, because it is so good, and I've missed episodes or parts of episodes here and there. And I've only seen Shetland intermittently, so would like to watch all those from the beginning, too. And I am totally in love with an old series from the mid-nineties that's been running on my PBS station, called Pie in the Sky, starring Richard Griffiths as a police detective turned chef. I adore it! Haven't missed an episode since I discovered it.

Our big couple thing lately has been Star Trek: Discovery, the new series that takes place time-wise ten years before the original Star Trek. It is SO good!!! Sonequa Martin-Green, who plays Michael Burnham, the first black female first officer in the Star Trek canon, is just riveting. And Jason Issacs as the captain? What's not to like?

HANK: SO, reds and readers, point us in the right direction! Are you liking The Alienist? (SUCH a great book! But the TV show? Hmmm.)  What are you watching?