Clockwise from top left: Kevin Iso and Dan Perlman in Flatbush Misdemeanors (Photo: Grace Rivera/Showtime), Mithila Palkar in Little Things (Photo: Netflix), Rose Matafeo in Starstruck (Photo: Mark Johnson/HBO Max), Dug Days (Image: Disney Plus/Pixar)Graphic: Natalie Peeples
Despite our best efforts, some of the most promising shows still manage to slip through the cracks—even those of us who consume TV for a living find ourselves catching up at the end of the year with everyone else. Before the wave of superlatives begins, The A.V. Club is highlighting some of TV’s hidden gems, including quietly great shows that have flown under the radar, and shows whose greatness can’t be ignored.
Wellington Paranormal (The CW; streaming on HBO Max)
Sure, within the expanded universe, the courageous officers of Wellington Paranormal may not have the most otherworldly powers. But what they lack in supernatural abilities, they more than make up for with a vigorous can-do attitude. Does this mean they’re competent and inspiring heroes? Not in the least. The show operates at a quieter emotional register than its American counterpart, and somehow manages to maintain a dry and understated sense of humor in the face of terrifying and ghoulish foes, such as zombies, a sea monster, and even the officers’ own sinister clones. Officers Minogue (Mike Minogue) and O’Leary (Karen O’Leary) are quite often overwhelmed by their opponents, and it’s usually only by sheer chance—and occasionally a collection of weaponized slugs—that they survive to fight another day. But once you’re attuned to the frequency the show operates at, it’s an incredibly solid sitcom, with abundant long-running jokes (Minogue will tase himself multiple times each season) and a cast of misfits who are drawn with a clear affection for their bumbling ways. They’re not ever going to solve a crime well, but darn it, that thing is getting solved one way or another—and possibly because their nemesis accidentally defeats itself. [Lisa Weidenfeld]
Wellington Paranormal is OUTSTANDING, with some subtle but glorious humour below the pseudo-slapstick – and so bloody, wonderfully dry and straightfaced…
Big Leap. Just finished its season Monday night. Way funnier than we thought it’d be. We had it on a short leash but it was a revelation. Now we’re sad it’s over.
“The complete series fits together into a charming and elegiac portrait
of a tired old man (voiced by Ed Asher in one of his final performances)…”Please correct the typo/Mr. Asner’s name.
I really liked Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. It wasn’t edgy or groundbreaking or even original. But it managed to combine a pretty outlandish premise with intrigue, mystery and violence without going overboard on any of them. Sometimes you just want a fun hour of TV, and I thought it was pretty good at delivering that.And bravo for including Dug Days. Watching that was like finding a 100 dollar bill in the pocket of a jacket you haven’t worn in years. Even with Ed Asner gone, I hope they can find a way to make more. Not many things manage to be both absurdly cute and genuinely funny at the same time.
Megalobox is a fantastic anime. Highly recommended! Unfortunately the 2nd season isn’t on Netflix yet (at least in the US). It is currently on Funimation though.
Due to the compressed run time, I’m guessing the montages that reduce grown-ups to tears at the start of each episode of “Dug Days” is only 10 seconds.
I watched all the Pixar specials on Disney+ that was available as of about a year ago. Was hoping for something to grab me like Bao, or even like half as much as Bao did. Nothing did. The Forky stuff is pretty insufferable. I don’t remember the Dug Days, so presumably it’s relatively recent. Sounds like it might be worth a watch.
You mean “site” instead of “show”, right? I’ve kept my expectations low here but they have talked about Star Wars: Visions (great) and Wonder Egg Priority (downhill bad).
Yeah, sorry. lol I mean site. I guess I wasn’t counting Star Wars since it’s based on a massive American property and is on Disney+ but it’s fair to bring it up (and I definitely consider it an anime). I missed their review of Wonder Egg Priority but gave up on it after a few episodes too…
I liked WEP’s first seven episodes. But then the show’s story and animation careened in quality step by step. There’s some good stuff about trans rep but that’s marred by shock-value assault (silhouetted but still). I also recommend Ranking of Kings, with the caveat that it’s still airing into next year so who knows if it’ll continue to be great or not. *knock on wood*
I just started watching Ranking of Kings though I came a bit late to it. Seems to have a nice Ghibli vibe.
Speaking of a historical novel that Isao Takahata long wanted to adapt was The Heike Story from Naoko Yamada. I know some people found it a bit cold (style over substancer some said) but I loved it—at least once I managed to keep all the character relationships clear. It may be a hard sell for some, but is worth it—or was for me.
I’ve heard praise for this series but I was worried it might be esoteric. Someone calling it “the Japanese equivalent of adapting the Iliad” made it sound even more daunting. That being said, I did like one of the studio’s other works (Eizouken) so they’ve got the unique character designs down pat. So I’ll give Heike a three-episode shot.
I’d be interested to hear what you think! I get the Illiad comparison to an extent, but I think they manage to give it a very human/relatable element due to the protagonist, as well as some nice humour (something I haven’t found as much with the various anime adaptations of Tale of Genji, which is a novel from around the same era I believe). The only concern, as I mentioned, is in the early episodes I really did have to mentally work to make sure I realized how each character was related to one another.
Sure thing–I mostly use it for obscure anime and manga things anyway. @ehgsuperstar (I was in a production of JCSuperstar at the time I created it so it seemed less dumb 😛 )
I guess I’ll be the lone voice in the wilderness beating the drum for “Ghosts” on HBOMax (Not the CBS remake). A very funny and very sweet brit-com made by the same crew who made “Horrible Histories”.
Of all the Indian streaming shows to pick, I have to say that Little Things is the most boring and formless choice. What about Made in Heaven, Paatal Lok, The Family Man, Mismatched? All of these are stories with…plots.
The Nevers on HBO is excellent. Covid shortened the first season production, so the first six episodes are basically a good intro/prelude, entertaining in their own right and promising something cool to come. Yes, Joss Whedon is a terrible person, but he can still have good ideas for shows, and he’s been kicked off this one, so don’t miss out on a compelling, inventive series.
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Does Dug Days embody the spirit of its movie by having a fantastic first episode before floundering aimlessly for the rest?
It leans on comedy with Doug. But also shows his kind spirit shining through, throughout. Also, Up was great through and through.
When I first saw that upper left image I thought it was Dave Chappelle and Supa DJ Dmitry from Deee-lite (or maybe Clifton Collins, Jr.).
Wellington Paranormal is OUTSTANDING, with some subtle but glorious humour below the pseudo-slapstick – and so bloody, wonderfully dry and straightfaced…
Big Leap. Just finished its season Monday night. Way funnier than we thought it’d be. We had it on a short leash but it was a revelation. Now we’re sad it’s over.
Loved Starstruck, it’s hilarious and adorable.Love the low-key charms of Wellington Paranormal.
Ah yes, the legendary ED ASHER…
doesn’t “Matafeo” mean “Killugly”?Man, hollywood keeps getting harsher
It would be if she were Latina, but she’s Samoan (but she does often make that exact name joke in her stand-up, though).
awww cuddlamano!
“The complete series fits together into a charming and elegiac portrait
of a tired old man (voiced by Ed Asher in one of his final performances)…”Please correct the typo/Mr. Asner’s name.
If you’re gonna be copyediting we’re gonna need ya to relocate to LA or tender your resignation immediately please.
The Sex Lives of College Girls is some of the funniest tv of 2021, worth the catch up.
It is. I’m finding it somewhat Kimmie Schmidt-ish, in the sense that the jokes come fast and loose and often transcend the situation.
I really liked Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol. It wasn’t edgy or groundbreaking or even original. But it managed to combine a pretty outlandish premise with intrigue, mystery and violence without going overboard on any of them. Sometimes you just want a fun hour of TV, and I thought it was pretty good at delivering that.And bravo for including Dug Days. Watching that was like finding a 100 dollar bill in the pocket of a jacket you haven’t worn in years. Even with Ed Asner gone, I hope they can find a way to make more. Not many things manage to be both absurdly cute and genuinely funny at the same time.
Megalobox is a fantastic anime. Highly recommended! Unfortunately the 2nd season isn’t on Netflix yet (at least in the US). It is currently on Funimation though.
Yeah I wouldn’t have given it a shot except for the Ashita no Jo connection (I’m a Dezaki fanboy) but even on its own terms it’s terrific.
Y : The Last Man (FX on hulu).
Due to the compressed run time, I’m guessing the montages that reduce grown-ups to tears at the start of each episode of “Dug Days” is only 10 seconds.
Shout out to Indian shows Little Things and Made in Heaven (Prime)
I watched all the Pixar specials on Disney+ that was available as of about a year ago. Was hoping for something to grab me like Bao, or even like half as much as Bao did. Nothing did. The Forky stuff is pretty insufferable. I don’t remember the Dug Days, so presumably it’s relatively recent. Sounds like it might be worth a watch.
Odd Taxi. It looks like a furry series, but it has Coen-level dialogue.
One of the best anime series in a while. But does this show ever touch anime series that aren’t on Netflix?
You mean “site” instead of “show”, right? I’ve kept my expectations low here but they have talked about Star Wars: Visions (great) and Wonder Egg Priority (downhill bad).
Yeah, sorry. lol I mean site. I guess I wasn’t counting Star Wars since it’s based on a massive American property and is on Disney+ but it’s fair to bring it up (and I definitely consider it an anime). I missed their review of Wonder Egg Priority but gave up on it after a few episodes too…
I liked WEP’s first seven episodes. But then the show’s story and animation careened in quality step by step. There’s some good stuff about trans rep but that’s marred by shock-value assault (silhouetted but still).
I also recommend Ranking of Kings, with the caveat that it’s still airing into next year so who knows if it’ll continue to be great or not. *knock on wood*
I just started watching Ranking of Kings though I came a bit late to it. Seems to have a nice Ghibli vibe.
Speaking of a historical novel that Isao Takahata long wanted to adapt was The Heike Story from Naoko Yamada. I know some people found it a bit cold (style over substancer some said) but I loved it—at least once I managed to keep all the character relationships clear. It may be a hard sell for some, but is worth it—or was for me.
I’ve heard praise for this series but I was worried it might be esoteric. Someone calling it “the Japanese equivalent of adapting the Iliad” made it sound even more daunting.
That being said, I did like one of the studio’s other works (Eizouken) so they’ve got the unique character designs down pat. So I’ll give Heike a three-episode shot.
I’d be interested to hear what you think! I get the Illiad comparison to an extent, but I think they manage to give it a very human/relatable element due to the protagonist, as well as some nice humour (something I haven’t found as much with the various anime adaptations of Tale of Genji, which is a novel from around the same era I believe). The only concern, as I mentioned, is in the early episodes I really did have to mentally work to make sure I realized how each character was related to one another.
I’m watching an awful lot on my queue (both prior and current series) so I imagine I’ll get to watch three episodes of Heike by the end of January.
Do you happen to have Twitter? I can follow you and get to share my thoughts when I make the time.
Sure thing–I mostly use it for obscure anime and manga things anyway. @ehgsuperstar (I was in a production of JCSuperstar at the time I created it so it seemed less dumb 😛 )
And done. My handle is different from my Kinja one so don’t be too surprised. At the very least they’re both cat-related.
I guess I’ll be the lone voice in the wilderness beating the drum for “Ghosts” on HBOMax (Not the CBS remake). A very funny and very sweet brit-com made by the same crew who made “Horrible Histories”.
SOUTH SIDE
Of all the Indian streaming shows to pick, I have to say that Little Things is the most boring and formless choice. What about Made in Heaven, Paatal Lok, The Family Man, Mismatched? All of these are stories with…plots.
The Nevers on HBO is excellent. Covid shortened the first season production, so the first six episodes are basically a good intro/prelude, entertaining in their own right and promising something cool to come. Yes, Joss Whedon is a terrible person, but he can still have good ideas for shows, and he’s been kicked off this one, so don’t miss out on a compelling, inventive series.