4 HBO Max Shows We've Loved Recently
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With the Emmy nominations being released last week, and HBO leading all the networks with 130 nominations, I thought it would be fun to share some of the shows we’ve been watching lately on HBO Max, which has quickly become one of our favorite streaming services. Here are our favorites based on what type of mood you’re in, and feel free to click on the show to watch the trailer for it:
If you’re in the mood for: A comedy that will make you laugh the entire episode but tug at your heartstrings the whole time:
Hacks
We just finished this show the other night and already miss it. It’s been decided (decades ago): Jean Smart is an icon and can do no wrong. She is absolutely heartbreaking in Hacks, a comedy about legendary stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, who has had a Las Vegas residency for years but whose career is not exactly what it used to be. To try to revive it, her team hires a 20-something down-on-her-luck comedy writer Ava to help make make her hip and cool again. It’s the perfect blend of comedy with heartfelt life lessons, and the dynamic/relationship between Deborah and Ava make them the best onscreen duo we’ve seen in years. We can’t wait for season two!
Wikipedia summary: “Deborah Vance is a legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedy diva, trying to maintain relevance as the venue manager tries to pare down on her performance dates. Ava is a Gen Z comedy writer who is unable to find work due to being "canceled" over an insensitive tweet. The two reluctantly team up to freshen up Vance's material and learn to respect each other's differences.”
If you’re in the mood for: A riveting mystery with a deep character study and a career-best performance from Kate Winslet:
Mare of Easttown
Everyone needs to know who Mare is. I want to be friends with Mare. I miss her. This show’s portrayal of a woman who has had a rough life but who cares so deeply about her work, her family, and doing the right thing (even if she always feels like she isn't) is so real and raw that I sometimes forgot it was a cop show. But that’s probably because its so much more than just a cop show. It’s a family drama, a character study, and a mystery all expertly wrapped into one show. And don’t even get me started on her Delco accent. Pure genius. Expect this one to win all the Emmy’s.
Wikipedia summary: “In a suburb of Philadelphia, a detective named Mare Sheehan investigates the recent murder of a teenage mother while trying to keep her own life from falling apart. Mare is a local hero, having been the star of a high-school basketball championship game 25 years ago. She has also been unable to solve the case of another missing young girl for a year, leading many in the community to doubt her detective skills. Her personal troubles include a divorce, a son lost to suicide, and a custody battle with her ex-heroin addict former daughter-in-law over Mare's grandson”
If you’re in the mood for: A Euphoria-like show to tide you over until the second season comes out but then you realize it stands alone and is just as good:
Genera+ion
At first glance, I assumed this would be a Euphoria knock-off, but after watching the first episode I quickly realized that couldn’t be further from the truth. Generation stands on its own and carves its path as a unique teen drama filled with dialogue that sounds like it was actually written by a teenager. Set in Orange County, California, the characters behave like high schoolers behave and nothing feels force or contrived. The performances are out of this world good, and like Mare, I often forgot we were watching a television series at all; it felt more like a documentary of modern day teens going through all the drama teens go through. Yes, there is partying, drugs, nudity and some heartbreaking scenes, but isn’t that what being a teenager trying to figure out who they are and going through all the emotions is all about?
Wikipedia summary: “Featuring an ensemble cast, the story centers on a group of high school students in Orange County, California who explore their sexuality in a modern world. This tests their deeply entrenched beliefs about life, love and the nature of family in their conservative community.”
If you’re in the mood for: A female-led supernatural thrill ride filled with magic, whimsy, action, and steampunk vibes that will leave you guessing at every turn:
The Nevers
This show!!! It’s so good. The perfect show for fall, if you can hold off watching it until then. Laura Donnelly as Amalia True is one of the greatest female characters ever written for the screen. She’s complex, daring, brave, vulnerable, intimidating, and will stop at nothing to uncover the truth, all while running and trying to hide from her own dark and twisted past. The series is set in 1800’s London, so the feel of it is spooky, mysterious, and haunting. If you’re a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you’ll love this show (both were created by Joss Whedon). It’s action-packed and filled with the most amazing set design. There’s a big mystery to uncover at the end, which is always the best kind of TV, isn’t it?
Wikipedia summary: “An epic science fiction drama about a gang of Victorians who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world."
Plus, two shows we want to start watching: Starstruck and I May Destroy You.
What about you? What have you been into lately? Any recommendations for what we should watch next?
