My favorite shows and movies in 2020
I’ll admit it – I watched a LOT of tv this year. Most of the time I’m just rewatching shows I’ve seen a million times, like Friends, because it’s just on in the background while I’m knitting or working on mugs. However, I did find a bunch of new shows (or at least new-to-me) that I really enjoyed.
The shows:
The Last Dance – I was in high school in the 90’s, and didn’t follow basketball, so I didn’t really know anything about Michael Jordan or the Bulls. I remember him being everywhere and that they won a bunch of championships, and that Dennis Rodman was the wild one one who was married to Carmen Electra. This documentary sucked me in almost instantly. I couldn’t believe it. I think I put it on initially because everyone was talking about it and I was curious, but I really was surprised how much I ended up enjoying it.
Unsolved Mysteries – I don’t usually get excited for a reboot, but I couldn’t wait for this one. The very first episode sucked me in immediately, and not just because it happened right next to the parking lot where I used to park my car every day at my old job. The format is a little different than the old show, with just one mystery per episode. I miss Robert Stack as the host, and there could be a little more of a variety of mysteries besides murders. Bonus- I just discovered you can watch all the episodes of the old show on Amazon Prime AND now you have Google to look up all the crimes to see how they turned out. One of the murders in season 2 was solved and the killer was convicted JUST LAST YEAR!
Lenox Hill – I really hope there’s a second season of this show because I LOVED it. It follows 4 doctors (2 women & 2 men) at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC, and they are just incredible people. Two work in neurosurgery, one is an OBGYN, and one is an ER doctor. Unlike most of the reality medical shows, this one really gets into the reasons why these doctors went into medicine, their families, their daily motivation, etc and it adds a lot to the story. It’s a beautiful documentary. That’s the only way I can describe it.
Schitt’s Creek – I was late to the party on this one too, mostly because I tried watching the first season twice and couldn’t get into it. So I skipped to season 2 and suddenly, BEST SHOW EVER. So funny, literally zero mean spiritedness, and just beautiful love stories. I didn’t want it to end, and when it did, I laughed and cried all the way through the last episode. It’s probably my favorite show of all time now.
The movies:
Other Music – This is one of those documentaries that I think you can only appreciate if you’re of a certain age. If you remember NYC before all the independent hole in the wall type stores all started disappearing and you had to really hunt for gems in stores instead of just going online, then you’ll get super nostalgic watching this. The soundtrack is great, which used to be on Spotify but currently is not. (Related-ish: 80’s playlist here and 90’s playlist here)
Class Action Park – If you are from New Jersey AND of a certain age, you will remember Action Park. If you didn’t go there, you’ll still remember the commercials for the alpine slide (you basically sit on one of those little wooden gym class scooters and flying down this steep cement track). When I was a kid they called it Traction Park, and when you watch this you’ll see why. Super dangerous rides, all the employees were teenagers, tons of broken bones, and a few people even died. This place was BONKERS.
Time to look for some new stuff to watch in 2021. What’s on your list of must see tv?
