Good morning! It’s been a big week for me, but alas, watching TV has not been so easy. I’m currently in Tokyo where the only English language show I had on to watch was The Big Bang Theory. It was brutal. But, through the wonders of the Internet, I did get around to seeing the first episode of new show Abby’s.
The first episode on a sitcom is rough. There is always a lot of exposition to get through on the first (usually 20-22 minute) episode and it always gets in the way of just letting the show be the show that it will eventually become. The first episode of Abby’s felt like it was leaning way too hard into not only the exposition, but also in building up the importance of Abby as a character. The number one lesson in screenwriting is always to ‘show it, don’t say it’. I’ll stick with the show for a few episodes though. I think there’s promise in this, even with a heavily over-written first episode.
NEW & RETURNING
These are the notable new and returning shows that aired this week - meaning you can go right ahead and stream them now…
RETURNING
Jane The Virgin - season 5
Knightful - Season 2
Absentia - Season 2
Happy - Season 2
Santa Clarita Diet - Season 3
On My Block - Season 2
Gomorrah - Season 4
NEW
Osmosis - NETFLIX
Stars: Agathe Bonitzer, Hugo Becker, Gaël Kamilindi
Set in near-future Paris, the science-fiction drama sees a new dating app called "Osmosis" developed that can decode true love, digging deep into its users' brain data to find a perfect match with 100% accuracy. But is there a price to pay when letting an algorithm decide whom you will love, using technology that can access the innermost recesses of your mind and your best-kept secrets?
[ Watch now - Netflix ]
Abbys - NBC
Stars: Natalie Morales, Neil Flynn, Nelson Franklin
The best neighborhood bar in San Diego is also an unlicensed, makeshift establishment in Abby's backyard and the perfect gathering place for locals. New landlord Bill, who recently inherited the house from his deceased aunt, unexpectedly shows up and cites all kinds of reasons why the whole venture is illegal.
[ Watch now - NBC ]
What We Do In The Shadows - FX
Stars: Matt Berry, Kayvan Novak, Harvey Guillén, Natasia Demetriou
A look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of four vampires who've lived together for over 100 years, in Staten Island. Based on the 2014 NZ film.
[ Watch now - FX ]
Tacoma FD - TruTV
Stars: Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme
In a firehouse in one of America's rainiest cities that is light on blazes that need extinguishing, its crew keeps themselves entertained with creative competitions, friendly first responder rivalries, and bizarre emergency calls. This is from two of the Broken Lizard (Super Troopers) team.
[ Watch now - TruTV ]
