I can guarantee you right now that there is going to be a second part to this post. Being a Media Princess and all, you would think that I watch a lot of TV. YOU ARE 10000% CORRECT. I am currently watching 22 shows and counting and somehow finishing all of my schoolwork (it's truly a miracle). I am very protective and fierce about my TV. I will argue with you to the death over them. Seriously. There is a mix of comedies and dramas (but mostly comedies because I like feeling happy after watching a show). They are all amazing to me and definitely worth watching. Sooo let's begin!
1.) "Jane the Virgin": This show is heart--warming, hilarious, and full of characters to get too attached to (I'm not kidding). The show follows Jane Villanueva (played by the EPIC AND STUNNING GINA RODRIGUEZ), a virgin (hence the title) who's engaged to the detective Michael and studying to be a teacher. However, her life is flipped upside down when she is accidentally artificially inseminated during a checkup. I know. Wild. It gets even crazier from there. Why I like the show so much is because: 1.) The narrator (who was VERY close to being my favorite character -- you'll see who is in a sec) and 2.) How the show mirrors telenovelas -- insanely dramatic and full of twists. I HIGHLY recommend this show. It's just the best.
My Favorite Character: Petra. Played by Yael Grobglas, I don't want to give away her role in the show, but her outfits and one-liners have me dead every episode. Definitely look out for her.
2.) "New Girl": If you are looking for a comedy that is easy to follow with a talented cast, then this is the show for you. "New Girl" tells the story of Jess (played by the fantastic Zooey Deschanel), an extremely awkward woman who after breaking up with her long term boyfriend moves into a loft with three other guys. Chaos ensues. The show is hilarious especially when the gender differences clash (ex. Jess' first shower at the loft) and they aren't just loft mates anymore -- they are best friends. It is a really funny show but it also has emotional moments that you DON'T SEE COMING. It will make you die laughing and get teary-eyed in the same episode.
My Favorite Character: Schmidt. Played by Max Greenfield, he is ridiculous in the best way. He is a germaphobe, a giant douche (literally has a "Douche Jar" where he puts money in every time he acts this way), and has the best one-liners in the show. However, he also has a heart of gold -- and a crush on Jess' best friend. I LOVE his character.
3.) "This is Us": Let me start by saying...I do not cry easily. You would have to get me REALLY upset for me to cry. People were sobbing when I went to see "Me Before You" and I was real--life sitting there completely emotionless. BUT THIS SHOW??? IT BROKE ME. BRO THIS SHOW WILL RIP YOUR HEART OUT AND CURB STOMP IT. It's insanely emotional but it's SOOOO good. I would go as far to say it's easily one of the best shows that came out in 2016. I can't really say what the show is about without mentioning details that come as giant surprises in the pilot episode but trust me on this. If you are up for a show about a dysfunctional family that not just survives but thrives despite all the odds against them, then watch this show. Don't say I didn't warn you about the emotion thing though. It's gonna wreck you in the best way possible.
My Favorite Character: Randall. Played by Sterling K. Brown, his story is crazy intense but he still becomes extremely successful in a world that at first seemed like it wanted nothing to do with him. He is a gem. The ultimate dad and husband. GOALS.
4.) "EMPIRE." DUDEEEE.: EVERYTHING IN THIS SHOW IS AMAZING. THE CHARACTERS ARE WILD. THE OUTFITS ARE WILD. THE DRAMA AND PLOT TWISTS??? THEY WILL LEAVE YOU BALD. IT'S FUNNY AT SOME POINTS BUT IT IS MOSTLY A DRAMA ABOUT A FAMILY WHO ROSE TO THE TOP AND WILL DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO STAY THERE (EVEN IF IT'S ILLEGAL). I KNOW THIS WHOLE PARAGRAPH IS IN CAPS BUT I'M JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS SHOW. IT'S GREAT. WATCH IT. I PROMISE YOU WON'T REGRET IT.
My Favorite Character: A tie between Andre and Cookie. Played by Trai Byers and the ICONIC Taraji P. Henson, they are to me the wildest characters on the show. They do what they have to do to keep the "Empire" from falling and absolutely lose it when things don't go their way (Andre DEFINITELY has a temper problem). I adore them.
5.) "Scandal": ...There is so much to be said about this show. Like the emotional rollercoaster this show has had me on since last summer has just been ridiculous. However, it has also been amazing. The show follows Olivia Pope (played by Kerry Washington), a POWERFUL woman who owns a crisis-management firm. However, she was formerly the media consultant to the President of the United States. Sounds like a dream come true, right?? Just wait. The show has the WILDEST plot twists and characters that you will love to hate. This is a show that I have definitely gotten legitimately angry about. Like thrown furniture angry. It gets that intense in some episodes. Be prepared.
My Favorite Character: Olivia's Dad. THIS. DUDE. IS. CRAZY. EASILY THE CRAZIEST CHARACTER I HAVE EVER SEEN. JOE MORTON IS A GENIUS.
6.) "Pretty Little Liars": I have truly watched this show since middle school. The last season airs this April (insert sobbing GIF) but watch this show anyway. It tells the story of a group of friends who wake up the morning after a sleepover and realize that the leader of their group, Allison (played by Sasha Pieterse), is missing. From then on, the girls' lives are never the same. They go from teenagers to basically criminals overnight, doing things that people wouldn't dream of to find their friend (ex. breaking into a hospital to get files). The show is spectacular and always catches you off guard. The season finales are always EPIC. This is a show you don't want to miss.
My Favorite Character: Mona. Played by Janel Parrish, she is messy and lives for drama and I love her for it.
7.) "UNBREAKABLE. KIMMY. SCHMIDT.": I'M ABOUT TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS AGAIN (SORRY NOT SORRY ABOUT IT). THIS SHOW IS THE FUNNIEST SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN. IT'S SO STUPIDLY FUNNY AND HAS ME CRYING LAUGHING EVERY SINGLE EPISODE. LIKE THE PLOT FROM THE JUMP IS RIDICULOUS BUT IT WORKS SOOO WELL. THE SHOW TELLS THE STORY OF KIMMY, (PLAYED BY ELLIE KEMPER) WHO, AFTER 15 YEARS, IS RESCUED FROM A CULT AND MOVES TO NEW YORK CITY. TINA FEY MADE THE SHOW SO YOU ALREADY KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE. IF YOU WANT A SHOW THAT IS GOING TO HAVE YOU LEGIT BUST A GUT FROM LAUGHING, HERE YOU GO.
My Favorite Character: TITUS. Played by Titus Burgess, he is just incredible. He has a background on Broadway and plays a aspiring actor on the show, so almost every episode he is singing the most absurd songs. Also his facial expressions (see GIF above) and everything he says has me actually gasping for air. I seriously want to be best friends with him.
8.) "American Crime": This show truly made me want to produce my own TV shows and movies. It focuses on a different controversial subject each season (ex. Season One focuses on the murder of a veteran and the assault of his wife) and is just shot and edited SO BEAUTIFULLY. It showcases the errors and triumphs we have as human beings and how the results of our actions not only impact us, but everyone around us. Everything about this show is just breath--taking and it DEFINITELY needs more recognition.
My Favorite Character: EVERYONE. WATCH THIS SHOW.
9.) Survivor's Remorse: Warning: This show is definitely at times inappropriate. You are going to be greeted with a sex scene literally in the first five minutes of the pilot. However, it is SO FUNNY and has heart. It tells the story of Cam Calloway (played by Jessie Usher), an amazing basketball player who is now loaded after signing a contract with a Atlanta basketball team. He moves his entire family out to Atlanta to help him achieve his biggest dreams. However, all his family does is give him his biggest problems. They all stick together though and face the new world of fame and stardom with their sarcasm and biting humor. You will easily fall in love with this show.
My Favorite Character: M--Chuck. Played by Erica Ash, she is Cam's lesbian sister. She is INSANELY inappropriate but loves and protects her family fiercely.
10.) The Walking Dead: LET ME JUST START OFF BY SAYING...IF YOU AREN'T WATCHING THIS SHOW WHY ARE YOU PLAYING YOURSELF??? SERIOUSLY??? IT'S ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS ON TELEVISION. The show focuses on a group of survivors who try to survive and thrive while in the midst of the zombie apocalypse. There are bad guys at every turn and the apocalypse definitely seems like something that's gonna be here for awhile. However, they do what they have to do. The deaths on this show will rock your world. I remember one character dying and me crying for three hours. You will get attached QUICK to these characters, especially the young ones. There are some light-hearted and funny moments, but how funny and light-hearted can you be surrounded by rotting zombies?? It's a fantastic show. If you don't watch this then you are seriously making a BIG mistake.
My Favorite Character: Michonne. Played by Danai Gurira, she has a FREAKING SAMURAI SWORD to defend herself with. She is easily one of the coolest characters on the show. She's really awesome, but the fact that she is able to thrive and work for a better life after surviving what she went through makes her my favorite character. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Let me know what y'all think of the shows and make sure to subscribe in the "Contact" section! I am already making a second part to this post and will recommend my other favorite shows soon.
Peace Out Girl Scout,
Maddie the Media Princess