What to Watch on TV this Weekend: Jenn's Guide

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April 8 – April 14, 2016

This week, I want to address an epidemic that is sweeping the nation, affecting viewers of all ages, races and ethnicities: binge watching.

My first brush with binge watching occurred back in 2001, when I received Season 1 of The Golden Girls on DVD for Christmas. Popping in the disc on a Saturday morning would begin as an innocent way to drink my coffee. The next time I’d check the clock, the big hand would be on the 4, and I’d realize an entire day had been spent watching episodes of The Golden Girls that I already had seen about 300 times.

I think that today’s definition of binge watching is a little different. It’s not so accidental and “by chance.” It is, instead, completely purposeful and calculated, and it typically means watching a show the viewer hasn’t before seen. Binge watching is a modern-day tool for catching up on programming that you may have resisted at first, but on which you now want to be an expert. It’s a way not to be totally lost during conversations around the water cooler at the office. And, it’s your chance to investigate all the hype.

But, perhaps, the best thing about binge watching is that it’s a fantastic way to skip that anxiety-inducing episode ending, followed by an entire week between you and your next fix. The first time I used binge watching to completely indulge myself was in 2007. I spent my entire 35th birthday watching back-to-back episodes of The Sopranos. I almost felt guilty being able to push a couple of buttons on the remote and simply bypass that “week of wait” felt by so many true and loyal viewers a couple of years before.

Next on my list of binge-watchable shows are The Walking Dead (AMC) and Younger (TV Land). Full disclosure: I once spent an entire weekend binge watching Curb Your Enthusiasm, and I haven’t an ounce of regret.

Here are a few suggestions for the upcoming week of April 8 – April 14.

The Amazing Race

Friday, April 8 – CBS – 8 p.m.

I nearly fainted when I realized that this show first aired in 2001! A few Emmys later, it’s still running strong. Unfortunately, I’d never seen a single episode – until last week. Eleven teams start in California and trot the globe, completing a series of challenges at each scheduled stop. The challenges are both physical and mental, and the prize is $1 million. It’s a fairly straightforward format, but as always, there’s no shortage of drama among the contestants. I like!

Grimm

Friday, April 8 – NBC – 9 p.m.

This show stems from the mythology of the Brothers Grimm. So, here’s the situation: Homicide detective Nick Burkhardt discovers from his aunt that he’s actually a “Grimm.” As a Grimm, he sees people a little “differently” than we do. Quite frankly, it freaks me out. This particular episode, “The Believer,” will feature a friend of mine from my publishing past, Ben Blair, who will guest star. At least I can say I knew him when he was a PR guy who was going to be an actor.

Awakenings

Saturday, April 9 – KDOC – 8 p.m.

What a great movie – and here’s your chance to watch it again, or for the first time. A true story, the flick was directed by Penny Marshall and stars Robert De Niro and Robin Williams. A 1960s doctor (Williams) attempts to treat catatonic patients who had survived encephalitis lethargica with the Parkinson’s drug L-dopa. Leonard Lowe (De Niro) “awakens” from years of catatonia to a life that is much different than he remembers. You also may recognize the hospital orderly who, at the time, wasn’t credited – Vin Diesel. And, we get to see Robin Williams – who we all miss – at his best.

I Am Cait

Sunday, April 10 – E! – 9 p.m.

Total fascination is what I experience each week, when I watch this docuseries spotlighting the former Bruce Jenner’s life as now-transwoman, Caitlyn Marie Jenner. I am of the ilk who truly believes that a person can be born one gender, but have the body of another. Many of you don’t agree, which is another reason to watch Cait navigate her way through this uncharted territory. I learn a lot each week about what it means to be transgender. It’s plain to see that “Bruce” was unhappy, and “Cait” is who she was meant to be for the first 65 years of her life. We also gain insight to this entire culture of transwomen (and, sometimes, transmen) in America. It’s an uphill climb worth watching.

Once Upon A Time

Sunday, April 10 – ABC – 8 p.m.

This fairy tale-themed dramatic series takes place in imaginary Storybrooke, Maine. The residents are characters from various fairy tales who have been transported to a real-time town with none of their memories, due to an awful curse. The allure is in how the characters address their immediate problems as they sort out modern living from confusion about the past.

WWE Monday Night Raw

Monday, April 11 – USA – 8 p.m.

As a child of the ‘70s, my love of professional wrestling runs deep. My south Georgia roots are intertwined with all that is the theatrics and – dare I say – talents of the wrestlers who captivate and entertain us today. Tonight’s competitions will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles – proof that professional wrestling truly does spread its tentacles into all areas of the country, from the lowest of echelons to the upperist of crusts. Can I get a “Hell yeah?”

The Eighties

Thursday, April 14 – CNN – 9 p.m.

This documentary series from Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman's Playtone is original content for CNN. The Eighties explores the influences and effects that this decade truly had on those of us who survived it. From culture and fashion to politics and technology, there’s no denying the power of this 10-year timeframe. Tonight’s episode, The Reagan Revolution, is a must watch for me – if not for the tidbits of information I never knew, then in honor of my dad, who was Reagan’s biggest fan.

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