As midterms loom closer and closer each day, students are turning to screen time for relief. Nowadays, TV lacks inventive, thoughtful and entertaining shows. Aside from a select number of creative shows — such as “Atlanta” and others that are past a fifth season and too late to hop on the hype train — TV has nothing that’s remotely interesting to me.

I’m not alone.

According to the Pew Research Center, 61 percent of young adults ages 18-29 use streaming services instead of cable TV. A lot of this is likely due to cable networks deciding what you can watch at what times. With streaming services, users have more control over when and how much TV they want to watch.

Another reason streaming is dethroning network TV is because many of the originals on streaming services are more ambitious, with fewer language and content restrictions. Culture evolves, so if you solely base your creativity on what made you money in previous years, you’re doing it all wrong.

With shows such as “The Code” and “FBI” premiering this fall, it appears that networks have given up on trying to win over millennials. Instead, they are just giving more fuel to their base — which consists of an older audience — who just want to come home from work and watch a show that’s predictable.

So, here I am, on a new search for new shows that I can stream:

1. “The First” now on Hulu

This space exploration-based series stars the Academy Award-winning Sean Penn as Captain Tom Hagerty, who is training and leading the first crewed mission to Mars. I’m a huge fan of Penn, and I can’t wait to see where he takes his character. The supporting cast is fairly strong, as well. Natascha McElhone, known for roles in “Solaris” and “The Truman Show,” plays the head of NASA as she struggles with regrets from past mistakes and the public spotlight. There’s also a moving father-daughter relationship between Hagerty and his daughter, played by Anna Jacoby-Heron. I’ve seen the first three episodes, and I’m itching to start the fourth, right after I finish writing this article.

2. “Maniac” now on Netflix

This Netflix Original starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill is fascinating. The two characters enter a drug trial testing the characters’ perceptions of reality. It comes from the mind of Cary Joji Fukunaga, best known for the highly acclaimed “Beasts of No Nation.” The visuals and direction from the trailer look stunning. There’s so much potential here, and I also really love Hill.

3. “The Romanoffs” on Amazon Oct. 12

This Amazon Prime Original comes from the mind behind the award-winning series “Mad Men.” With an ensemble cast of familiar faces, the series tells eight separate stories in eight different countries spanning three continents, with the only common factor in each being that the people believe themselves to be descendants of the powerful Russian family. I love intertwining stories, so this is a must-watch for me — especially when said stories involve a Russian dynasty that lasted 300 years.

There are also a lot of strong returning shows:

1. “Shameless” (Season 9) now on Showtime

I’m a part of the minority that has not watched Shameless. The show is entering its ninth season, which is very impressive, because of its strong fanbase. The show is about a family of six kids who struggle financially because of their alcoholic father, played by William H. Macy of “Fargo.”

2. “The Deuce” (Season 2) now on HBO

This is a show that takes a look at Manhattan during the 1970s and 80s when drugs, sex and music were symbols of American culture. This show screams nostalgia and stars James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal. As of Sept. 23, season two of “The Deuce” had a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. I’m a big fan of music from that era, so I’ll be starting season one shortly.

3. “American Vandal” (Season 2) now on Netflix

This series is a very innovative mockumentary centered around a high school prank and two students acting as documentarians as they try to uncover the truth. The first season was good, but I must admit that it probably isn’t for everyone — some of the jokes can be a little cringy. However, the first season also does a good job with suspense and plot twists. I really hope season two innovates more upon the genre, but I’d be fine with more of the same.

Published on September 24, 2018 at 1:09 am