I know, I usually post poems and sermons and other churchy things. But sometimes it’s fun to take a break and share about my other obsession: shows. This post was inspired by a question by a church member, who asked for suggestions of 30 minute shows on Hulu or Netflix. I’ve been meaning to do a shows suggestion post for a while…so….why not now?!
Thirty minute shows can really hit the spot. Low commitment. Fast pace. With comediies, you get a quick fix of joy and laughter. And the rare 30 minute drama often means a quick fix of brilliant editing and focus. There are tons of great 30 minute shows to watch right now, but here are 15 that I really love, all currently streaming on Netflix or Hulu.
- Atypical (3 Seasons, 1 to go, Netflix) Even though technically the main character is neuro-atypical young adult Sam, I love every character on this show. It’s a beautiful, funny, heart-wrenching story of familly, marriage, and growing up.
2. Atlanta (2 Seasons, FX on Hulu) Everything about this show is brilliant! The story centers on Earn, who is a little lost, but is trying to make a go as a manager for his cousin Paper Boi after he has a sudden big hit. But really, it’s a story of race and America, of what it means to be a man in America, a Black man. It’s subtle, and innovative and brilliantly funny. Seriously, watch it.
3. The Good Place (4 Seasons, Netflix) An extremely Unitarian Universalist take on the after life. The truth of this won’t become clear until a few seasons in, so you’ll have to trust me. It’s funny, smart, and surprisingly wholesome. Best series finale in my memory.
4. Schitt’s Creek (5 Seasons, Netflix) A bratty, superficial rich family loses all their money and ends up in a dead-end town living in a motel. Yes, it starts with some old tropes and some extremely unlikable characters, but this is a redemption story wrapped in a love story held together by dry humor and bananas costume design. Second best series finale I can remember.
5. Dear White People (3 Seasons, 1 to go, Netflix) I’ve written about this show before (in one of my post-sabbatical reflections). It’s a sharp, fun, easy to watch story of Sam, a biracial college student who hosts a radio show called, “Dear White People.” Sam’s story is at the center, but along the way it offers a compelling look into identity and race on college campuses (and across America) today.
6. Russian Doll (1 Season so far, Netflix) Natasha Lyonne is back! TBH I’d watch her in anything. But this just happens to be an awesome, trippy, smart show, that is also a little groundhog’s day throwback. I’m not sure I totally buy the ending, but the way there is totally worth it, I promise.
7. Pen15 (2 Seasons so far, Hulu) Speaking of weird shows. This Hulu gem is non stop cringe, but in the best way! Mostly because the (adult) actors – Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle – are all in for a real and hard telling of middle school life in the late 90s/early 2000s. Erskine is so fearless in her acting, I can’t look away. One of the best stories of tween/teen best friends and how so much can be survived if you just have a best friend to turn to.
8. GLOW (3 Seasons, Netflix) Did you watch women’s wrestling in the 1980s? No?? Don’t worry it’s not a requirement to enjoy this funny, smart re-telling of the strange and amazing world of women’s wrestling (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling to be exact). I have read so many reviews about how people love Betty Gilpin, but I’m here for Alison Brie who plays the determined main character Ruth. I’m only bummed that we won’t get to see where she and the ladies all end up because GLOW won’t get the last season it had planned. Stupid COVID!
9. Grace & Frankie (6 Seasons, Netflix) I was a little skeptical of this show when it first started because I so don’t buy the connection between Sol and Robert, but by the end of the second season I was hooked. I’m so glad I stuck with hit because it ended up being a singular portrayal of female friendship, older adult sexuality, and older adulthood period. Not to mention Jane Fonda is stunning and vulnerable and I ❤ Grace more than maybe any other character ever. It almost makes me forget how unbelievable I still find the chemistry between Sol and Robert….almost…
10. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (4 Seasons, Netflix) Funny and smart with also a twinge of tragic – if you like Tina Fey’s sense of humor you’ll probably love this show about a 29 year old who was rescued from a kidnapper/cult leader after 15 years believing the world had ended. Supposedly it’s a story of Kimmy’s growth and self-discovery, but ultimately it’s a story of how it’s never late for any of us to find and claim our own path of joy and meaning. All that sounds pretty serious – really it’s mostly justa fun, silly enjoyable show.
11. Gentefied (1 Season so far – Netflix) I gobbled up this funny, real show about Boyle Heights, a neighborhood in east LA becoming gentrified, and the Mexican American residents who are trying to figure out whether and how to embrace the changes to their community. I found the whole complex portrayal of gentrification really honest, and so appreciated the representation of the Latinx community.
12. Shrill (2 Seasons so far – Hulu) I debated about whether to leave this show on the list or not because there are some things about it that leave me a little mixed. But ultimately, Aidy Bryant’s performance as Annie Easton, as she tries to gain the confidence and self-understanding to see herself as worthy of love and respect keeps me coming back. It’s why the second season wasn’t quite as compelling for me – because it was that early journey that really hooked me. But still, I kept with it because it remained fun and Bryant is fun….we’ll see about a third season.
13. Younger (6 Seasons, 1 to go – Hulu) Don’t judge me for loving this show until you try it! The premise is unbelievable – a 40something (Liza) who can’t get a job passes herself off as 20something. And also it’s genuinely annoying how clueless they make Liza about social media, while on the other hand saying can drink with the 20somethings without gaining weight…..but other than that – this is a really fun show with charismatic acting all around. It’s a show that feels like the actors really love working together, and love making the show.
14. Better Things (4 Seasons, 1 to go – Hulu) – Sidenote, this is the third show on my list with a main character Sam! Weird. Anyway, this Sam is totally different than the others, and different than a lot of the characters on TV. She’s a single mom to three girls, and she struggles in normal, honest, complex ways. But also she’s a lifelong actress in her fifties who is insecure, headstrong, anxious, and clear. This show started off as a collaboration between the lead acress – Pamela Adlon – and her good friend Louis CK. But then CK had the awful #MeToo moment, and Adlon took the whole thing over on her own. Which feels really fitting for this feminist, determined, headstrong show that tells about women’s lives.
15. Fresh Off the Boat (6 Seasons, Hulu) – If you didn’t catch this show when it was running on ABC, you can catch up now on Hulu. Our family watched it together – making it the rare show that held all of our attention! It’s the story of the Huang family who are all clueless and dorky in ways we could relate to, and also who had the particular challenges of moving from Chinatown to Orlando and suddenly being the only Taiwanese American family around. Like all middle aged white queer women I know, I am 100% in love with Constance Wu (who plays mom Jessica) and Louis (Randall Park) is so endearing in his love for his BBQ steakhouse. We also all loved Eddie (oldest child, played by Hudson Yang) who loves hip hop and struggles the most to comply with his mother’s traditional Taiwanese expectations. The whole series is charming, smart, and entertaining. Not to mention a rare telling of Asian American immigrants on mainstream TV.
Another Possibility 