User blog:Webly/Summer Binge-Watching: Webly's Guide

Hey guys, I know I haven't really made much of an appearance recently on the wiki but final exams have got me very busy during the weekdays. But, lately I've been trying to catch up on all TV shows before the Emmy Awards (not rated TV-MA... not allowed to xD). Of course, this is totally crazy and only an insane TV watcher would attempt. But, binge-watching is really fun. Feeling depressed or have nothing to do? Most of you watch a season of Survivor. Even though, there are other amazing shows on television. So, I've created a guide for people of all types of amazing TV series. Disclaimer: You must have Netflix to watch some of these seasons of shows... however, it's only $8 a month... some are on Hulu and others are just hidden on the internet like Survivor.

Most of the synopsis come from TV Tropes!!! Don't really know how to appropriately cite them in a blog, but yeah.

Comedy for Quick-Witted People

Arrested Development: Michael Bluth is the Only Sane Man in a family that doesn't know how to live frugally; he is trying to keep the company afloat and the family together, but his siblings live their lives on a whim. His older brother GOB (pronounced "jobe", like the biblical Job) is a mostly incompetent magician who performs illusions. Michael's twin sister Lindsay is a fair-weather activist for whatever cause happens to catch her attention at any given moment; her husband, Tobias, is a former psychiatrist turned aspiring actor (and is in denial about his suggested homosexuality). Michael's younger brother, Buster, is a bizarre Man Child who still lives with his mother, Lucille (who is constantly drinking and critical of everything and everyone). Michael's father, George, is enjoying his time in prison. Michael's well-behaved, but also quite awkward and confused son, George-Michael, and Lindsay's rebellious and Street Smart daughter, Maeby, frequently steal the show; the rest of the family is ignorant of the UST between them.

A movie based on the series, which will involve the show's original cast and many of the same writers and producers, is currently in production. An abbreviated fourth season — consisting of Days in the Limelight which will bring the audience up to speed with the five missing years of the family's lives — will be produced to lead into the movie. In an interesting twist, the fourth season will be exclusive to Netflix. It will consist of 15 episodes, and is set for a May 26, 2013 release date.

Starring: Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth, Will Arnett as GOB Bluth, Portia de Rossi as Lindsay Funke, David Cross as Tobias Funke, Michael Cera as George-Michael Bluth, Jessica Walter as Lucille Bluth, Jeffrey Tambor as George Bluth, Alia Shawkat as Maeby Funke, and Tony Hale as Buster Bluth.

The whole show is 68 episodes. I'm currently watching the first season and it is sooooooo addicting. But, it's more fun to watch it when you are with someone. It's one of those shows that you watch over and over and you still laugh at. Overall I'm loving it so far.

Comedy for People Who Like Funny Stuff

Parks and Recreation: Work Com about small-town government, centering on the employees of the Parks and Recreation Department of the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana (the second most obese city in America). Created by the same people as the U.S. version of The Office and filmed in the same Mockumentary style, it essentially does for the public sector what its sister show does for the private.

The main character is Leslie Knope, played by the amazingly talented Amy Poehler, a Pollyannaish Workaholic who works as Deputy Director of the Parks Department. The very short first season focused almost entirely on Leslie's efforts to cut through the red tape to turn Lot 48, a giant pit created as part of an abandoned construction project, into a park. This storyline was continued in subsequent seasons, but diminished in importance as the show explored other facets of the characters' lives, both professional and personal.

Personally, I believe the show starts out slow and okay... but as the show goes on it becomes better and better. I've seen every episode and I own season three. They have not added to most recent season to Netflix yet, but they will by July probably. And, it is most likely available on Hulu as well. Like Arrested Development, it has one of the best ensembles on television currently. Featuring Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford, Rashida Jones as Ann Perkins, Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson (with a major cult following), Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate, Paul Schneider as Mark Brendanawicz (season 1-2; boring character mostly), Rob Lowe as Chris Traeger (season 3-present), Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt (season 3-present), Jim O'Heir as Jerry, and Retta as Donna.

Simple Comedy with Slow-Moving Hilarious Plot

Raising Hope: Jimmy Chance is a 23-year-old slacker who works for his father Burt grooming lawns and cleaning out pools. His mother Virginia works as a maid for "Knock Knock Knock...Housekeeping." His great-grandmother Maw Maw is nearly always delirious and sometimes believes he's her old dead husband. And he's desperately searching for his place in the world.

So when he meets a young woman one day, he thinks it's fate that he falls in love. Until that young woman turns out to be a serial killer (who kills her boyfriends, natch) and is subsequently arrested and sentenced to the electric chair. Before "dying" (she doesn't really die), however, she gives birth to his baby.

Although his mother wants him to leave the baby outside the fire department, Jimmy is determined to raise her by himself. With a little help from his parents (and the cute girl at the grocery store), he's slowly learning how to raise Hope.

This show is really funny. I have only watched the past two seasons but it's just a great show that helps brighten your day. Very simple, but sometimes simple is all we need. Starring Lucas Neff as Jimmy Chance, Martha Plimpton as Virginia Chance, Shannon Woodward as Sabrina Collins, Garret Dillahunt as Burt Chance, Cloris Leachman as Maw Maw, Gregg Binkley as Barney Hughes, and Baylie/Rylie Cregut as Hope Chance.

Best Drama on Television

Parenthood: The show is probably the most underrated hidden gem on all of television. It's so amazing. You must stick with it, if you start it. If you start watching it from the beginning, it's pretty okay but as the show goes on. You can't leave the show. A family tree with Zeke (Craig T. Nelson) and Camille Braverman (Bonnie Bedelia), serving as the patriarch and matriarch. After forty six years of marriage, they've managed to keep their foundation in tact by burying their problems underneath the surface for the sake of their now, adult children. Adam (Peter Krause) is the first born and the ripest apple the tree has to offer. He runs a sneaker corporation, has a supportive wife, two children (boy and girl) and a beautiful home to share with them. He's a dog short of "The American Dream". Sarah (Lauren Graham), is the unstable daughter returning home at thirty-eight years of age with her rebellious daughter and sensitive son to live with Zeke and Camille. Crosby (Dax Shepard), is a happy-go-lucky bachelor living in the now and on a docked boat. He has no idea that his frivolous life is about to change tremendously. Then there is Julia (Erika Christensen). She is the bread-winning shot calling lawyer, whose husband mans the stay-at-home-dad duties. Each family will face their own challenges, but how they propose to deal with them is what will keep them together or tear them apart.

Starring: All the people mentioned above and... Monica Potter as Kristina Braverman, Sam Jaeger as Joel Graham, Sarah Ramos as Haddie Braverman (season 1-3; recurring thereafter), Max Burkholder as Max Braverman, Mae Whitman as Amber Holt, Miles Heizer as Drew Holt, Joy Bryant as Jasmine Trussell (season 2-present), Tyree Brown as Jabbar Trussell, Savannah Paige Ray as Sydney Graham, and Xolo Mariduena (season 4-present).

This is my favorite show on television.

I will add more soon. I'm totally biased on the ones currently posted, but they are my favorite shows on television. :P