TAGGED AS: HBO, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime
The year is officially half over, but summer is just getting warmed up — quite literally — and we know some of you would rather stay home than venture into the heat. If you need something to pass the time while you’re holed up indoors, we’ve got a solid list of TV series that’ll do you nicely. Read on for the full list.
What it is: Elliot (Rami Malek), a young computer programmer with mental health issues, is recruited by a group of revolutionary hackers to help them bring upon the destruction of some of the world’s largest corporations. But as the stakes are raised, our hero discovers that nothing is as it first seemed.
Why you should watch it: Plenty of shows — even very good ones — can be enjoyed on a surface level. Mr. Robot, on the other hand, demands your undivided attention. Everything — everything — about this show feels precise and premeditated; it draws you into a paranoid mindset, one that embodies the old conspiracist’s adage that there are no coincidences. Hallucinatory, insanely topical, and blessed with one of the best soundtracks (and undoubtably the best title screens) of any show on television, Mr. Robot will reward obsessives with plenty of unsettling layers to uncover. Season two of this acclaimed show premieres on July 13, so get caught up now!
Where to watch: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, USANetwork.com (with cable subscription), and Vudu.
Commitment: 8 hours
What it is: Will Arnett stars as the voice of a washed-up former sitcom star — who happens to be an anthropomorphic horse — attempting to make a comeback and dealing with various personal issues.
Why you should watch it: BoJack Horseman is unique among irreverent comedies in that it offers up as many genuine emotions as it does laughs. The characters grow and change and confront hard truths amidst the unmerciful ironies of ruthless showbiz life and 90s nostalgia. Season three premieres on July 22nd, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch up.
Where to watch: Netflix
Commitment: About 10 hours
What it is: Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner star as struggling performers in New York who hate just about everyone, except each other.
Why you should watch it: Critics say the show succeeds in making the unlikable likable with mean-spirited, unhappy characters who can’t help but amuse. A talented supporting cast and an impressive array of guest spots and cameos keep the laughs up and the cringes to a minimum. Plus, its first season is Certified Fresh at 85 percent on the Tomatometer, so it should be an enjoyable binge before season two premieres on July 12.
Where to watch: Hulu
Commitment: About 3 hours
What it is: Three gay men ride the turbulent waves of the San Francisco dating scene while maintaining their friendships and careers.
Why you should watch it: Its honest depiction of sexual and emotional issues grabbed critics’ attention with season one, which is Certified Fresh at 89 percent, and continued to impress critics and fans throughout its short run. Though canceled after season two, HBO ordered a feature-length special to serve as the series finale and tie up loose ends. That special airs on July 23, which leaves you plenty of time to run through the entire series.
Where to watch: Amazon, Google Play, HBO Go, iTunes, and Vudu
Commitment: About 9 hours
What it is: A hilarious PBS UK import starring Sirs Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi as a bitter, senior couple in a long-term relationship.
Why you should watch it: Two reasons: Sir Ian McKellan and Derek Jacobi. And if you need more motivation than that, add in some Frances De La Tour, who is consistently hysterical as the homely, single, best friend. Vicious is a bit of a throwback to the classic English sitcom, but with such immensely experienced talent aboard, you will find yourself laughing at each rude insult hurled at each cast member throughout every episode. The final episode, a series finale special, just aired recently, so you can catch up on the whole thing now.
Where to watch: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, PBS, and Vudu
Commitment: About 5.5 hours
What it is: In the shadow of the Jack the Ripper killings, this BBC drama follows the residents of the notorious Whitechapel District during that era, and the detectives that police its violent streets.
Why you should watch it: Despite treading some familiar territory, its gritty subject matter and good acting has won over a fiercely loyal following. In the wake of its announced cancellation during season two, there was a fan uprising that won it not just a third, but a fourth and fifth season. Want to know what all the bloody fuss is about? With season four premiering on July 28th, you have all month to get caught up.
Where to watch: Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft, PlayStation Video, and Vudu
Commitment: About 24 hours
What it is: A group of young space cadets on Earth stumble upon a robotic lion and become wrapped up in a centuries-old galactic war, uniting to pilot a giant robot warrior known as Voltron.
Why you should watch it: This isn’t the same Voltron you (or your parents) grew up on, but it’s pretty close. Dreamworks and Netflix partnered up to rejuvenate the popular 1980s cartoon, and they brought on Lauren Montgomery and Joaquim Dos Santos (Avatar: The Last Airbender) to oversee the whole thing. On top of that, they nabbed a top notch cast with a healthy mix of voice actors from shows like Adventure Time and Tiny Toon Adventures and hit series like The Walking Dead and The Killing. The whole series is currently available on Netflix, and it’s at 100 percent on the Tomatometer, so check it out for a well-made dose of nostalgia.
Where to watch: Netflix
Commitment: About 5 hours
What it is: This documentary retraces the “trial of the century,” offering new perspectives on the murder case that forever changed America’s perception of one of its heroes.
Why you should watch it: You think you’ve seen it all already, but this 5 part miniseries/10 hour film produced as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series goes beyond the Bronco and the O.J. trial headlines. You will meet folks who were close with Simpson, you’ll see footage that you probably haven’t seen before, and you’ll draw your own conclusions as to how — or if — America and the times created the controversial entity itself.
Where to watch: Amazon, iTunes, and ESPN (with cable subscription)
Commitment: 10 hours
