Living in a TV world - I know the one for me

It has been years since I listened to the Pop Culture Happy Hour (I don’t remember why I dropped away from it… I should add it back to my feed). But, I was interested in this frothy topic from this weeks show: “The TV show I’d like to live in.”

I haven’t yet listened to the segment - I just stumbled upon the NPR post for the segment. It is a topic I think a lot about with regularity.

My immediate impulse is to consider Mad Men. Every time I watch that show, especially once it reaches the mid-60s in season five, I am always drawn into the warmth, vibrance, and total horniness of the vibe of the show. But… would I want to live there? It seems that working at Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce was only a great experience if you were a name partner or Don Draper’s protege. And even then, they didn’t seem to be enjoying themselves a whole lot.

So, maybe not Mad Men.

Ultimately, you want to choose a show where the characters feel like they’re living a good life. A bit of affluence would be nice. I’m not sure I want a Fresh Prince of Bel Air life, if only because I’d be stuck living with Carlton. No thank you.

So, affluence… but also characters you want to actually spend time with. I’m not a high drama kind of person. And I want some stability in my world, so I’m not living in a TV show that is too much like a soap opera. I’d also like some downtime, where work isn’t my only concern - so a workplace show probably isn’t what I’m after either.

That rules out Cheers, Newsradio, again Mad Men, The West Wing, and The Muppet Show.

I keep coming back to Seinfeld. They’re characters I could very easily hang out with on the regular and they’re all living pretty good lives (especially in the final seasons of the show). But, is the show wish-fulfilment-y enough for me?

That leads me to Curb Your Enthusiasm. If you’re living in Larry David’s world, you’re living in a world of comfort. Plus, it also seems like there’s opportunities to work every couple of seasons (either working on a TV show, running a restaurant, launching spite stores, etc). I’m up for all of that.

What TV show would you want to live in? Drop me an email and I’ll include some of them in an upcoming newsletter.

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News Desk

• Blue Peter has been running for 67 years in the UK and will undergo a format revamp, shifting to be a pre-recorded show. Read: BBC

None of these hosts are named ‘Peter”

• Here’s a list of “13 sitcom moments that were shockingly dark” that somehow neglects the bike shop molestation from Diff’rent Strokes and the complete annihilation of all of the dinosaurs in the final episode of Dinosaurs. Read: Screencrush

• Canada’s CBC has renewed five series ahead of a promised funding boost from the Government. CBC entertainment chief Sally Catto vowed the pubcaster would “continue to showcase homegrown storytelling”. Read: Deadline

• If you’re interested to know what Prime Video is pushing for Emmy nominations, know that their NYC For Your Consideration activation is focused on Étoile, The Boys and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Read: THR

• Baby Reindeer, Ripley, and Shogun were among the winners of the 85th annual Peabody Awards. Read: Variety

• Worth a listen is this interview with HBO programming chief Casey Bloys on The Town podcast.

• Steve Doocy has been with Fox News since the beginning and with breakfast show Fox & Friends since 1998. He has just announced his departure from the couch as he moves from New York to Florida. He will still be involved with the show, however. Read: THR

• Who enjoys car crash TV? Former Parks & Recreation guest star Joe Biden will appear alongside wife Jill Biden (also a former Parks & Rec guest star) on The View next week. Read: TV Insider

• Roku will acquire subscription streaming service Frndly TV for $185 million. Read: World Screen

• ANNT: Cineastes. A dirtier edit of the classic Norm Macdonald film Dirty Work is now available to buy (the released version was a PG movie, but it was filmed as an R-rated film). I guess I’m once again buying physical media… Read: Indiewire

• Foxtel has announced its new executive structure. Read: Mediaweek

• The best of the Marvel TV shows on Disney+ was the Hawkeye show. But why no second season? Well, it turns out they offered star Jeremy Renner only half the money he was paid for season one. Read: Variety

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Trailer Park

The Guilded Age returns for season 3 on June 22 on Max.

Wylde Pak debuts on Nickeoldeon June 6.

"Wylde Pak" explores the dynamics of a multigenerational and multicultural blended family as half siblings Lily and Jack learn to navigate new family dynamics under one roof for the first time.

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That’s the newsletter for today.

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