Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
You know that show that you LOVE but have no one to talk to about it? We get it. And we’ve got plenty of those. These days, aka Peak TV, there is just so much to watch that people spend more time browsing through lists of available programs than actually watching them — hey, it can be soothing and we all know actually choosing is very, very hard.
But there’s a special kind of frustration attached when you tell a close personal pal or a work acquaintance or a stranger in Target about how enthralled you are with a particular show, urging them to watch it, and then they don’t. They just do not get around to it.
We’ve compiled a list of the shows that we’ve been talking about (seemingly to the walls) non-stop for multiple seasons now and just haven’t managed to recruit new groups of fans along the way. Be it the network, the subject matter, the show length or its availability, try as we might, these shows just appear to be too big of an undertaking. Hopefully, starting with you, we’ll convince just a few more eyeballs to tune in, to binge, and to gush about them just as much as we do.
'The Americans'
In 2016, watching a show about the relationship between the U.S. and Russia probably means you’re watching the news (heyo!). But the show you should be watching is The Americans on FX. The insanely tense and smart drama premiered in 2013, and while it’s never been a ratings success really, it’s always been a fave of critics. And there’s a reason for that: the acting from stars Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell is unlike anything you’ve ever seen from these two before, wigs and all, and the depths of these storylines will make you think. Real hard!
Which is why it’s continually so hard to get people on board. Currently in the middle of season 5, telling people they have to start watching an hour-long drama about Russian spies in our country in the 80’s, and that this is a show they have to pay strict attention to, requiring them to leave those tempting cell phones in another room, well, it’s a real feat. But wow is it worth it. The Americans features some of the most dynamic and beautiful storytelling of any TV show, taking viewers on a unique and unexpected ride with each episode. Unfortunately, the show hasn’t been so readily available, yet another hurdle in recruiting new fans. But if you’ve been on the fence about this one, jump in now, while you can.
'Manhattan'
Manhattan is the greatest show you’ve never seen. Seriously. The WGN America show dared to explore the lives and loves of the men and women who worked on the mythic Manhattan project, which means it’s a super serious show about SCIENTISTS. However, it’s not light and bubbly like The Big Bang Theory; it’s tense and taut and full of subtle nuance and twisted mind games. It’s an absolutely gorgeous drama with a smashing ensemble cast and it was literally canceled only because no one watched it! Why didn’t people watch it? I have no clue. It was super good. Maybe because it was called “Manhattan” but it was set in New Mexico? Maybe all the equations scared people? Maybe people just don’t want to be happy?? JUST WATCH IT! (Ugh!) — Meghan O’Keefe
'Jane the Virgin'
People write it off as another silly CW teen drama, but Jane does something that the others don’t — it makes what could easily be a campy soap into a truly great commentary on so many unexpected issues. “But isn’t that the show with the crazy idea that a virgin gets pregnant? That’s ridiculous. I prefer to watch shows grounded in actual reality,” people snarkily lament whilst ignoring my wonderful recommendation. Yes, it is. But, while Jane is one of the most fun and colorful shows currently on the air, there’s no flinching away from the heavy stuff — addiction, motherhood, death, cultural and class divides, and a sassy narrator who has many a political aside about such topics as Russia and immigration abound. If that’s not enough to hook people I usually turn to the “but Gina Rodriguez (Jane herself) is perfect and wonderful and lovely in every way” approach. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but the point remains the same — judging a show based on its network is the modern day judging a book by its cover — it’s largely pointless and affords fewer people the ability to see some of the best content currently available. — Paige Gawley
'Rectify'
'Legion'
Look, I get that Noah Hawley’s X-Men is a weird show, and I also get that some people hate superhero everything. Try to push all your preconceived notions aside. If I’m personally recommending Legion to you, you NEED to watch Legion. For some people, the abstract take on the Marvel universe will be too crazy, complicated, or even cold to enjoy (all complaints I have heard). But for a certain kind of viewer, Legion has the potential to be your next all-time favorite show. I know you don’t know who Legion is and the idea of keeping track of another Marvel mythology sounds exhausting. Just watch five minutes of the show’s first episode. If you still hate it, you can peacefully move on. However, if those first few minutes leave you wide-eyed, get ready for a breath-taking and stunningly gorgeous rollercoaster that takes more narrative, emotional, and tonal risks than any other show currently on TV. — Kayla Cobb
'Fargo'
Weirdly enough, Fargo has been one of the toughest shows for me to sell people. Despite the fact that it is totally changing the game when it comes to TV and its first two seasons are pretty close to flawless, I think there are a lot of movie loyalists out there that are extremely skeptical. I can’t blame them – I was too. If they’d only give the series a chance, though, it would probably become one of their favorites… If the series is good enough for the Coen brothers, it should be good enough for you. — Jade Budowski
'Patriot'
Recently, I’ve found myself struggling trying to sell my friends on Patriot, Amazon’s EXCELLENT new show about … well, what is it about, exactly? It’s a tricky concept to explain. It’s sort of a spy show, but there isn’t much in the way of cool gadgets, exotic locales, or other expected genre trappings that people could latch onto. Much of the show revolves around arcane industrial engineering terminology. There are also occasional subtitles to contend with, folk songs about Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and a surprising number of scenes that take place in a parking lot on the stark, outer edges of Milwaukee. Can you see why I’m struggling to sell this show? Bottom line: Patriot is a show that requires patience, tolerance and engagement from its audience, but if you allow its wholly unique charms to wash over you, you will reap the rewards. It’s one of the richest, most layered television shows in quite some time. — Mark Graham
