As sports commentators might say, the first half of 2024 has been a “rebuilding year” for TV. The Hollywood actor and writer strike left big gaps in the schedule. Streaming platforms now face a chaotic shift. Companies are cutting costs, often by canceling shows. They’re trying to boost revenue. That’s why Sex and the City is now on both Netflix and Max. Paramount and AMC Networks, among smaller players, are facing challenges in staying competitive. We’re seeing a shift back to a broadcast-like model, which could benefit consumers. Many new shows have fallen flat. A few standouts, like a 17th-century Japanese epic and a hit Netflix crime thriller, amuse us. Even with the industry’s changes, there will still be plenty of TV content for sports betting enthusiasts.
Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
I’ve seen a lot of shows, but none quite compare to Baby Reindeer. Baby Reindeer is a dark British crime dramedy. The creator and lead actor, Richard Gadd, turns his one-man Fringe show into a bold, insightful series. It’s based on his real-life experiences as a survivor of rape and stalking. The plot centers around Donny, a bartender trying to make it as a comedian. His life changes after meeting Martha, a lonely woman who becomes his stalker. This encounter forces Donny to confront the painful truths he’s been avoiding. Some, like Piers Morgan, focus on the show’s real-life events. They’re controversial. Others value its discussion of men as victims of sexual violence.
The Big Cigar (Apple TV+)
The Big Cigar shows this complex relationship. It also cleverly acknowledges its place in it. The series concerns fugitive Black Panther co-founder Huey P. Newton (André Holland). It depicts his 1974 escape from the U.S. with help from Easy Rider’s producer, Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivola). It is a stylish action thriller and a dark, odd-couple comedy. It also offers a nuanced view of a misunderstood radical. It explores a movement torn apart by infighting and government persecution.
Expats (Amazon)The Farewell filmmaker
Lulu Wang delivers a remarkable debut in the world of television. Her adaptation of Janice Y.K. Lee’s novel The Expatriates is perceptive and poignant. Nicole Kidman, a headline star, fronts an impressive ensemble cast. She plays a wealthy American mother in Hong Kong. She’s unraveling after her son’s year-old disappearance. Ji-young Yoo gives a standout performance as a lost young woman. Her aimlessness puts her on a collision course with Kidman’s character. Expats is a stunning film. It explores the politics of its setting. It tells the story of Westerners abroad. They never forget the people and policies that enable their charmed lives.
Hacks (Max)
Imagine landing your dream job as most people are preparing to retire. This dilemma haunts Deborah Vance, a comedy legend played by Jean Smart. It’s in the best season of the great show, Hacks. A camp icon, Deborah was once a wealthy Vegas and QVC star. Now, she’s stand-up’s hottest ticket. A comedy writer, decades her junior pushed her. That writer is Hannah Einbinder’s Ava. A lifetime’s worth of regrets dilutes her triumph. Meanwhile, Ava seems to be thriving. She has a starlet girlfriend and a job on a late-night show. Yet, deep down, she longs for the chance to collaborate with Deborah once more. Their reunion, funny and prickly, is sneakily tender. Their reunion drives a season that uses the great chemistry between Smart and Einbinder.
The Sympathizer (HBO)
A wave of literary adaptations has turned TV into an uninspired bookshelf. It’s now an audiovisual collection of books. HBO’s The Sympathizer brings Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel to life. It is a faithful adaptation. It is set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. The story follows our lead character, Hoa Xuande. He is a communist double agent of mixed heritage. He follows a South Vietnamese general he has been surveilling to the U.S. The general is in exile there. Director and executive producer Park Chan-wook masterfully brings the novel to the screen. It has violence, suspense, and satire. He adds surreal touches. They don’t drown out its themes about identity, politics, and the futility of war. The series made a daring choice. It cast Robert Downey Jr. in many roles. Each showed a different facet of American imperialism.
Final Thoughts
In a year of uncertainty for TV, a few shows have shone. They are Baby Reindeer, The Big Cigar, Expats, Hacks, and The Sympathizer. The landscape may shift, but quality content still matters. It keeps viewers engaged despite challenges in the industry.
