Yes, You Should Turn on the TV

by Valerie Mayhew

I think television is getting ignored these days, and that's tragic.

Look, I know it can be hard to figure out what to watch because there are too many choices, and just reading the titles can be exhausting and drive you back to the safety of your friend's TikTok.

But unlike your average influencer or Instagram shorts, television has the unique ability to transport you to someplace else from the comfort of your own home.

You enter another world and experience things you never could in your own life. It's cathartic, which means it might even be good for you! So, to help you narrow things down, I've listed my 9 mostly current top shows for every mood:

1. What to watch when you hate everyone: YELLOWJACKETS (Netflix and several other streamers). This psychological horror series is not for the faint of heart. It tells the story of a talented high-school girls' soccer team who survive a plane crash deep in the wilderness. By the time they're rescued 19 months later, they've descended into warring, cannibalistic clans. The show takes place in 1998 when the plane crashed and 25 years later when the survivors are adults struggling to deal with the truth of what happened to them.

   
   

2. What to watch when you want to laugh: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (ABC, Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., then streaming on several services). This comedy is told mockumentary-style and follows a young, idealistic 2nd-grade teacher as she struggles to navigate a very underfunded Philadelphia school. Doesn't sound very uplifting, but trust me, it's laugh-out-loud funny, and creator-star Quinta Brunson is delightful.

   
   

3. What to watch if you need an ugly cry: THIS IS US (NBC.com and many streaming services). Okay, this show is no longer on the air, but that doesn't lessen its impact. There are six seasons for you to binge. The story of the multi-generational Pearson family, this show leaps around through time to explore their struggles and triumphs. Be warned, it's addictive, and you'll need Kleenex.

   
   

4. What to watch when you need cute animals and a gentle world: ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL (PBS, Sunday nights, then on streaming). This is a show to watch while you sip cocoa in your softest jammies. It's an engrossing story based on the memoirs of veterinary surgeon James Herriot, who moved from Glasgow, Scotland, to the English countryside in 1939 to become a vet. Watch it not just for the beautiful pastoral landscapes (yes, these really still exist!) and the examination of exactly what makes a family, but for the lambs, puppies, and ponies.

   
   

5. What to watch if you play video games: THE LAST OF US (HBO, then on streamers). This show, based on the wildly popular game of the same name, tells the story of 14-year-old orphan Ellie, who for some unknown reason is immune to the fungal infection that is ravaging humanity, turning most everyone into zombie-like creatures. Ellie's only hope is smuggler Joel, who is charged with getting the teenager safely across the post-apocalyptic United States. Part thriller and part moving drama, it is truly a compelling television experience. And the good news is that Season Two will be released on April 13th.

   
   

6. What to watch if you believe in true love: BRIDGERTON (Netflix and Roku). My husband mocked me the first time I turned this on. By the second episode, he had wandered by and watched from the doorway. But by the third episode, he rushed into the room and plopped down into a chair. You can't help but fall in love with this series from TV goddess Shonda Rhimes' Shondaland productions (GREY'S ANATOMY, SCANDAL, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER). Based on Julia Quinn's books, this series is gorgeous to look at, with emotionally involving characters and lots of hot sex scenes. What could be bad about that? Each season tells the story of a different Bridgerton sibling (there are 8) finding unexpected true love... but it's never easy.

   
   

   NOTE: Some episodes are definitely R-rated.

   
   

7. What to watch if you want to be scared: AMERICAN HORROR STORY and THE BLACK MIRROR (FX and Netflix, respectively). Both of these are anthology series, which means you don't have to worry about having to start at the beginning. AMERICAN HORROR STORY is about to launch into its 13th season of utter terror, with every season set in a different world with a different story (season titles include "Murder House," "Asylum," "Coven," and "Freak Show"). While AHS is pure horror with a new story every season, THE BLACK MIRROR is composed of stand-alone dramas, each episode of various genres including dystopia and sci-fi. If you're looking to not invest much time but still want a jolt of adrenaline, these are the shows for you.

   
   

8. What to watch if you like to solve mysteries: POKER FACE (Peacock). POKER FACE stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a woman who has the extraordinary ability to tell when someone is lying. While it is in the familiar mystery-of-the-week format, the show is actually not a whodunit, but rather a how-catch-em – in other words, we see the crime at the beginning of the episode, and the fun is watching how Charlie solves it, all the while being on the run from a casino owner who wants to kill her. It's a fun ride, and I warn you, like potato chips, you may not be able to consume just one.

   
   

9. What to watch when you're feeling sporty: ALL AMERICAN (The CW and Netflix). This show follows a talented high school football player at South Crenshaw High who is recruited by a top coach to play for his team in Beverly Hills. It's about the wins, losses, and struggles of two families from vastly different worlds. Inspired by the true story of pro football player Spencer Paysinger, the show has won praise for its strong performances by an outstanding ensemble cast and realistic football sequences. (Added viewing bonus: it's filmed in and around Los Angeles, so you may see familiar places!)

   
   

In the end, no matter what your mood or interests are, there's a show for everyone to enjoy, so grab some popcorn and settle in for an unforgettable television experience!