# Need a new TV series (available on Netflix) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 1, 2013, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705 "2013-09-01T02:48:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/1 "2013-09-01T02:48:17Z")
I’ve got plenty of Great Dramas in my Netflix queue – _Top of the Lake, Ripper Street, Orange Is the New Black_ – but sometimes I just want to veg and be entertained. Think chick flicks in serial form. I’ve liked _Gilmore Girls_ and _Veronica Mars_, plus British period pieces like _Cranford, Lark Rise to Candleford, House of Elliot_. Or non-period, like _Doc Martin_. Recently watched _Drop Dead Diva_, which is a wee bit stupider than I prefer. What do you recommend? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/2 "2013-09-01T03:28:18Z")
I’ve just started watching _Franklin and Bash_, which is a lawyer show slightly less silly, and slightly more sexist, than _Drop Dead Diva_. I also highly recommend _Psych_. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/3 "2013-09-01T03:31:31Z")
[AV Club article on tv shows to watch](http://www.avclub.com/articles/so-whats-good-26-current-tv-series-worth-bingewatc,102266/). If you’ve not seen the _United States of Tara_ yet, you should - but it’s kind of heavy. I thought _Bomb Girls_ was horrible, but it is period drama and it does have the right amount of weight to it. _Call the Midwife_ is good and has the right amount of weight to it. I’ve been told by many, many people that if I gave _Friday Night Lights_ a chance, that I’d love it even though I don’t care at all about football. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/4 "2013-09-01T09:42:01Z")
Football is the vehicle for angst. Lots of angst. It’s good. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/5 "2013-09-01T13:18:08Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > I’ve just started watching _Franklin and Bash_, which is a lawyer show slightly less silly, and slightly more sexist, than _Drop Dead Diva_. > > I also highly recommend _Psych_. I’ve got _Psych_ in the queue – maybe I’ll try that next, thanks for the rec. Sexism tends to irritate me out of my enjoyment, so I dunno about _Franklin and Bash_. > [@amarinth](#): > > [AV Club article on tv shows to watch](http://www.avclub.com/articles/so-whats-good-26-current-tv-series-worth-bingewatc,102266/). > If you’ve not seen the _United States of Tara_ yet, you should - but it’s kind of heavy. > I thought _Bomb Girls_ was horrible, but it is period drama and it does have the right amount of weight to it. _Call the Midwife_ is good and has the right amount of weight to it. I’ve been told by many, many people that if I gave _Friday Night Lights_ a chance, that I’d love it even though I don’t care at all about football. Thanks, **amarinth** – I’d actually seen the AV Club article, but most of the shows on it are not yet available on Netflix streaming, which has enough stuff on it that I don’t want to buy a show on spec. (I definitely want to check out _Orphan Black_ at some point, though – I hear the lead actress is amazing.) I also have _Call the Midwife_ in my queue – and, like you, have had _Friday Night Lights_ recommended too many times to count. Since I like Kyle whatshisface and Connie Britton, though, I may have to succumb at some point. Keep the recs coming, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/6 "2013-09-01T13:47:18Z")
Royal Pains? That’s one I enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/7 "2013-09-01T13:50:11Z")
_Orange is the New Black_ might actually fill what you are looking for. For a prison show it’s surprisingly light and fluffy. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/8 "2013-09-01T14:12:15Z")
Orange Is The New Black was great and since we’re only one season deep you can catch up in, oh, about a week. Also, since you already know you have some interest in it, Psych. It’s a serial/procedural show so understand what’s going on after the first few episodes and then if you catch a rerun on TV you can watch it and not have to worry about missing anything or spoiling too much. There’s a few story arcs that run seasons or the series, but if you spoil them, it’s not the end of the world and the show is so good, it’s still very much worth watching. One of my employees is currently on his 4th run through it. Something really interesting with that show is that you can actually see how much extra money the network is throwing at them each season. The acting gets better. The makeup, hair and wardrobe gets better, all of a sudden one year the transition shots (between scenes) got better (don’t know if they bought them or shot them). Psych really seems to be USA’s baby. They also must spend a ton on editing as the intro changes with almost every episode and the swap up the music for special episodes. I think I might watch it again now that I just talked it up so much. Oh, and if you like 90’s sitcoms, they spend a good chunk of their time referencing them. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/9 "2013-09-01T15:40:26Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > _Orange is the New Black_ might actually fill what you are looking for. For a prison show it’s surprisingly light and fluffy. Did not realize that – I thought it was more angsty. Hm, maybe I’ll check that out. Another thing in my queue is _[Merlin](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1199099/reference)_ – I love love love the character of Merlin in most incarnations. (The Sam Neill miniseries of a dozen years ago is a fave.) Has anyone seen that? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/10 "2013-09-01T15:42:23Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Did not realize that – I thought it was more angsty. Hm, maybe I’ll check that out. No, it’s essentially a comedy/dramedy. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/11 "2013-09-01T16:36:40Z")
I would also recommend _Psych_ and _Royal Pains_. They are both fun. I’ll also add another vote for _Friday Night Lights_. It’s definitely worth watching. There’s one really weak plot arc/season (fans of the show will know what I’m talking about) but overall the show is very good. ---
**Author:** ![Orr\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ee59a6/32.png) [@Orr\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orr_G)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/12 "2013-09-01T16:51:13Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Another thing in my queue is _[Merlin](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1199099/reference)_ – I love love love the character of Merlin in most incarnations. (The Sam Neill miniseries of a dozen years ago is a fave.) Has anyone seen that? Have you seen the series Camelot? Netflix has it on DVD, but not streaming. The Merlin character is, IMO the best thing about it, and I really enjoy the choices they made in bringing the old myths to life. Sadly, they only made one season. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/13 "2013-09-01T17:48:14Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > I would also recommend _Psych_ and _Royal Pains_. They are both fun. > I’ll also add another vote for _Friday Night Lights_. It’s definitely worth watching. There’s one really weak plot arc/season (fans of the show will know what I’m talking about) but overall the show is very good. Yeah, and it was worse than weak. That said, it’s worth pushing through that really bad plot line to get to the very strong later seasons. I’ll pile on with a vote for FNL too. ---
**Author:** ![Jennmonkye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/278dde/32.png) [@Jennmonkye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennmonkye)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/14 "2013-09-01T23:24:14Z")
I’m currently enjoying _Spaced_. Love the cast, love the premise, love the silliness of it all. One of the few shows that has had me laughing out loud recently. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/15 "2013-09-02T00:10:41Z")
> [@Jennmonkye](#): > > I’m currently enjoying _Spaced_. Love the cast, love the premise, love the silliness of it all. One of the few shows that has had me laughing out loud recently. I just finished re-watching this tonight. It’s great too. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/16 "2013-09-02T00:13:38Z")
Have you tried Weeds? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/17 "2013-09-02T00:30:31Z")
No idea if it’s on Netflix or not, but have you seen Foyle’s War? Or how about some Young Ones reruns? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/18 "2013-09-02T02:15:33Z")
Started watching _Psych_ tonight – that’s doing nicely, thanks. I’ll be adding some of these others to the queue, though. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/19 "2013-09-02T02:43:22Z")
I think _Portlandia_ is hilarious, but it’s one of those shows people either love or hate. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705/20 "2013-09-02T03:46:53Z")
I second the Portlandia suggestion. And agree that you’ll either love it or hate it. I love it, my wife hates it. Another funny one is “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Juvenile, crass, crude, sexist, and hilarious. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-new-tv-series-available-on-netflix/667705.md?page=2)