Hello Everyone! This is Greasyback, Host of WOCR’s The Greasy Review.
This week, I spent a lot of time working on the list of my top 5 T.V. Shows. However, after a long process of elimination and comparisons, I couldn't make a proper list. So, I instead created something just for my audience. I created a list of 5 Binge-worthy Shows. As this quarantine continues I want to be able to provide a fresh take on T.V. And films as I want to help my audience find new shows or new films to enjoy. So, I plan on making different lists for the different genres as it's hard to simply make a top 5 list of all genres without seeming entirely opinionated.
My criteria for these lists and for what makes a show binge worthy is that it captivates your attention and a personal rule that the show has at least 10 episodes (making it an actual binge watching session.)
In today's list the shows are labeled under the genre “Sit-com”. (For those who may not know, “sit-com” is short for situational comedy.) So, my criteria for a sit-com to be binge worthy is very low. For most Sit-Coms, it's important to pay attention to the characters. If you can find relations with a character, then the show will have a higher chance of captivating a viewers interest. However, I focus on the comedy, “If a Sit-Com is unable to make me laugh, then why would I bother watching it?”, and if there is a story-line to the series rather than random events that occur to characters. I like to argue that a sit-com is the best when it can have a main goal for it’s season, but will include many events that seem random. Series such as The Office or Parks and Recreation are key examples of that type of Sit-Coms. Now, I understand that my list will differ from many others but that is a subject of taste. That is why I am publishing this from my personal blog as it is not necessary for me to be completely unbiased when discussing personal rankings.
So, here’s the list:
Number 1. Mr. Iglesias
Year: 2019
Seasons: 1
Overall Plot:
Stand-up comic Gabriel Iglesias stars in this series as a good-natured high school history teacher who tries to help gifted misfits.
Review:
I placed this series as number one because it has top tier comedy, strong character connections and because the overall plot of the series did not constrict the situational events that were created in the show to make comedy for the views. It was an overall great season and I am excited to see season 2.
Number 2. Superior Donuts
Year: 2017 - 2018
Seasons: 2
Overall Plot:
Donut shop owner Arthur is a gruff Chicagoan who refuses to move into the 20th century by updating the menu with trendy items or renovating the space -- which has remained unchanged since it's opening in 1969. Things start to change when enterprising go-getter Franco talks his way into a job at the shop and convinces Arthur that he can modernize the business, allowing it to remain competitive in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. The two get support from Arthur's loyal customers, as they work to remain profitable and fend off the efforts of aspiring real estate capitalist Fawz, who is constantly pressuring Arthur to sell him the building.
Review:
Superior Donuts is currently my favorite show. It was going to be number one but after comparing the comedic value with the story base for each show, it was bested by Mr. Iglesias. That being said, Superior donuts had a more personal connection with its audience as it would constantly focus its jokes on the characters, Chicago, or donuts unless a certain event was taking place. Considering these were the most told jokes, it is only safe to believe that a person who would understand and laugh at these jokes will have the strongest connection to the show's characters.
Number 3. Everybody Loves Raymond
Year: 1996 - 2005
Seasons:
Overall Plot:
Ray Barone is a successful sports writer and family man who deals with a brother and parents, who happen to live across the street. Mom Marie loves to meddle in his life, while older brother Robert sometimes resents his success, and Dad Frank just makes comments and raids the fridge. Nevertheless, Ray manages to keep a bright outlook and a sense of humor, leaving the hard issues to his more-practical wife, Debra.\
Review:
Everybody Loves Raymond was the show I grew up watching. It made its way to number three because despite the fact that it’s main story happens to just be daily life for Ray Barone, it’s comedy is almost timeless. I have rewatched this series so many times, I've lost count and I've enjoyed the jokes every time. Even when I knew the joke, it would still make me laugh.
Number 4. Disjointed
Year: 2017 - 2018
Seasons: 2
Overall Plot:
Ruth is a longtime advocate for the legalization of marijuana, and she gets a chance to live her dream when she becomes the owner of a Los Angeles cannabis dispensary. Helping her run Ruth's Alternative Caring are her charismatic "budtenders", her entrepreneurial 20-something son and a troubled security guard. As one might expect, the group of employees, and Ruth, are constantly high while working
Review:
I found Disjointed to be a strong comedy. It would have many pieces that connected each episode and made all of the jokes better as the show would begin to make fun of its own character later in the season. It brought on a more personal connection that is only achievable when the audience is able to watch a series in a shorter amount of time. Thus letting the audience understand an “inside” joke that started in episode 3 and lasted the rest of the season.
Number 5. How I Met Your Mother
Year: 2005 - 2014
Seasons: 9
Overall Plot:
Ted has fallen in love. It all started when his best friend, Marshall, drops the bombshell that he plans to propose to longtime girlfriend Lily, a kindergarten teacher. Suddenly, Ted realizes that he had better get a move on if he hopes to find true love. Helping him in the quest is Barney, a friend with endless and often outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and a foolproof way to meet women. When Ted meets Robin, he is sure it's love at first sight, but the affair fizzles into friendship.
Review:
How I Met Your Mother used to be one of my all time favorite Sit-Coms as it has on-going jokes, relatable characters and a main story-line that encompassed the entire series while also being nonrestrictive to the amount of comedic events that could take place. However, after the finale that I can only describe as a let down for a fan like me, the show fell out of my liking.