Fall 2018 TV – What to Watch

“The north wind doth blow and we shall have snow”…at least that’s the case in many points on the map this time of year and although Downton Abby may be finished and it’s not yet time for Outlander, there is plenty of good television available for a foul weather binge.   And for those old enough to remember shows made popular in the 1980’s, you may enjoy a number of timely come-backs and remakes worth watching. 

Here’s a top 10 list of things to watch once the football game is over, when you just need a break, or if sports aren’t your passion.

1. Murphy Brown – CBS – In light of the deep political division in the United States, Candice Bergen and many of the original cast members return to this ’80s comedy that takes a candid look at current events in a 24-hour news cycle amid an era of social media and “fake news”.   Also making a comeback on CBS is Magnum P.I. joining the fifth season of popular reboot Hawaii Five-O and third season of the MacGyver reboot.
2. The Conners – ABC – Following the disastrous Twitter episode that had Roseanne Barr fired from her own show, The Connors has been reinvented without its matriarch who was killed off as a result of an opioid overdose.  The original cast returns for the spinoff that continues to tackle the day-to-day problems facing a working-class family in America.
3. The Kids Are Alright – ABC – A family sitcom set in 1972 in an Irish-Catholic California home.  A semi-biographical series created by Tim Doyle follows a traditional working-class family of 10 during a rapidly changing time in American history. 
4. The Kominsky Method – Netflix – Chuck Lorre, of The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon and Mom, brings his attention and wit to the subject of aging.  Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin star as two longtime friends; a once-famous actor and his agent, in a comedy that confronts hard truths about getting older with an irreverent sense of humor.
5. The Romanoffs – Amazon – Each of the eight episodes stands on its own, featuring characters who believe they are the decedents of the famous last Russian royal family.  The series is shot in seven different countries with a host of memorable cast members including John Slattery, Diane Lane, Isabelle Huppert and Corey Stoll. 
6. Jane Fonda in Five Acts (HBO) – American Masters producer Susan Lacy is making a series of biographical documentaries for HBO, the first of which was Speilberg.  Jane Fonda’s life is told through her various transformations from actress and activist to aerobic diva and also features the significant men in her life.
7. The Cool Kids – Fox – Set in a retirement home, this sitcom by the creator of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” brings the hilarious cast of Vicki Lawrence, David Alan Grier, Martin Mull and Leslie Jordon together in what is sure to result in a good belly laugh.
8. Native America – PBS – For history and science buffs, the new 4-part PBS series Native America explores the rich and ancient traditions, science, art and writing of Native-American communities across two continents.
9. Salt Fat Acid Heat – Netflix – For those addicted to cooking shows, Salt Fat Acid Heat, is an original documentary series base on the book of the same name by Samin Nosrat.  Nosrat travels the world in search of delicious food and discovers that good cooking is universal and with a little knowledge, “within reach for everyone”. 
10. Amazing Interiors – Netflix – This new Netflix reality series features homes with unique interiors despite often having quite ordinary exteriors.  This series is pure fun and allows the audience to take a peek inside the homes (and minds) of some extraordinary owners.