We’re only a couple of weeks away from what should be the start of the fall premiere of television shows. Thanks to COVID-19, which halted filming for many of the shows, who knows when—or if—the fall season will happen? If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a great show to enjoy, and since many of us have decided we’re still safer at home, you might find yourself with some extra time. Here are a few of my favs for you to binge in case you’re looking for a new-to-you show or something new with which to fall in love. Most are available on IMDB TV, Tubi, Hulu, Netflix or Amazon Prime.
The Good Wife
When a very public sex and political-corruption scandal lands her husband, Peter, in prison, Alicia Florrick, played by Emmy winner Julianna Margulies, must get past the humiliation and betrayal and assume responsibility for her family. She resumes her career as a defense attorney, shedding her persona as the embarrassed wife of a politician, and takes charge of her destiny. Years later, after Peter wins the gubernatorial election, Alicia must balance her evolving career and family responsibilities with her new position as first lady of Illinois.
The Good Fight
The CBS All Access series picks up one year after the events in the final episode of The Good Wife. After a financial scam destroys the reputation of young lawyer Maia Rindell and wipes out her mentor and godmother Diane Lockhart’s savings, the two are forced out of Lockhart & Lee and join forces with Lucca Quinn at one of Chicago’s pre-eminent law firms. At Reddick, Boseman & Kolstad, Diane finds familiar faces, including Colin Morrello, who is a rising star in the state’s attorney’s office, and Marissa Gold. Though starting at the bottom, Diane and Maia are determined to rebuild their careers and lives at the new firm.
Law and Order: SVU
Although it might take a minute to binge all 21 seasons of this show, it’s definitely worth a look. There’s a reason why it’s the longest running primetime live-action series of all time. Created by Emmy Award-winning Producer Dick Wolf, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit chronicles the lives of the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department, an elite squad of detectives who investigate crimes of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence.
The Chicago Franchise
Whether it’s Chicago Fire, Chicago Med or Chicago P.D., I watch them all. It’s not surprising that Dick Wolf of Law and Order: SVU is the creator and executive producer of the franchise. Although the shows stand on their own just fine, a lot of times they do crossover episodes. The Chicago franchise focuses on the professional and private lives of the firefighters, police officers, emergency medical personnel, and legal professionals who serve the city of Chicago. A recurring and unifying theme of the shows is Molly’s, a small bar owned by three firefighters, which has been frequented by characters from all the shows.
The Neighborhood
The Neighborhood is a nod to my childhood because it reminds me of the show All in the Family—in reverse. The series follows a white midwestern family as they adjust to moving into a predominantly African-American neighborhood in Los Angeles. It stars Cedric the Entertainer and Tichina Arnold.
This Is Us
If you’re anywhere near Facebook on Tuesday nights, then chances are high that someone on your friends list is posting about This Is Us. The story of the Pearson family across the decades tugs at the heartstrings and stars Sterling K. Brown and Susan Kelechi Watson who portray married couple Randall and Beth Pearson who are #couplegoals.
A Million Little Things
I watched commercials for A Million Little Things for the entire season last year before I finally decided to give it a try this summer. I binge-watched the entire series in two days. Based on the premise that friendship isn’t one big thing, it’s a million little things, the show follows a group of friends after one of them dies unexpectedly. It’s just the wake-up call the others need to finally start living. Along the way they discover that friends may be the one thing to save them from themselves.
The Good Doctor
I had watched an entire season of The Good Doctor before I realized the main character, Freddie Highmore who plays autistic surgeon Shaun Murphy was the kid from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Shaun relocates from a quiet country life to join the surgical unit at the prestigious San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital — a move strongly supported by his mentor, Dr. Aaron Glassman. Having survived a troubled childhood, Shaun is alone in the world and unable to personally connect with those around him, but he finds his niche using his extraordinary medical skill and intuition to save lives and challenge the skepticism of his colleagues.
The Resident
I can’t remember how I stumbled across this gem of a show, but I do know I was hooked after the first five minutes of the first episode. The show revolves around the staff of Chastain Park Memorial Hospital and has an amazing cast, including my childhood crush Malcolm-Jamal Warner and my forever crush Morris Chestnut.
9-1-1
You can’t go wrong with a show that’s headlined by Angela Bassett. The series follows the lives and loves of Los Angeles first responders: police officers, paramedics, firefighters and dispatchers.
Little House on the Prairie
This is probably one of my favorite shows ever. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s series of Little House books, this drama revolved around the 1870s adventures of the Ingalls family—father Charles, mother Caroline, eldest daughter Mary, middle daughter/narrator Laura and youngest daughter Carrie — who owned a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, during the late 1800s, and the daughters all attended school where they were annoyed by bratty Nellie Oleson.
A Different World
This is also one of my favorite shows of all time. I know my daughter and I have binged it at least once since we’ve been quarantined. This popular Cosby Show spinoff explores the lives of loves of students at the fictitious Historically Black College and University Hillman College. Its students include Whitley, a Southern belle full of attitude; Dwayne, a math major, and his best friend, Ron. FYI: We typically skip season one and head straight to season two where the entire feel and direction of the show changes.
Army Wives
I was looking for something to binge, and this show was on a list on recommendations, so I decided to check it out and ended up watching the entire series. After a whirlwind courtship, bartender and single mom Roxy marries Army Pfc. Trevor LeBlanc and moves with him and her two children to an Army base in Charleston, S.C. There, she soon becomes close friends with other wives on the base, including Denise Sherwood and psychiatrist Roland Burton (played by Sterling K. Brown) who plays a male Army wife.
