In the current peak time of streaming services, we are constantly surrounded by an abundance of new releases and season after season of internationally hyped-up binging material. So, it´s no wonder that there are a few gems in the television treasure box that easily get overshadowed by all the other big sparkly stuff. Despite the rapidly increasing quantity of entertainment options, good writing is still not a naturally given component. But the following underrated shows definitely get it right.
Miracle Workers
From a sweatpants-wearing God that threatens to destroy earth, to a strong minded shitshoveler´s daughter that convinces a naïve prince to question his father´s ways, to a reverend and an outlaw guiding a doomed town across the Oregon Trail. Each season of this parodic comedy takes place in an entirely different setting. Whereas the core fife – Daniel Radcliff, Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Karan Soni and Jon Bass – remain as central part of the story, merely changing roles without losing their brilliant chemistry. In that way it´s almost theatrical. Especially the first seven episodes demonstrate the show´s humorous originality – Buscemi portrays a somewhat childlike and bored version of the creator, who dreams of opening a space-restaurant – which makes up for the occasional joke below the belt.
Valeria
This story about four best friends in their late twenties to early thirties living in Madrid, might come close to a Spanish Sex and the City. What is based on a best-selling book series by Elísabet Benavent centres around Valeria, Lola, Carmen and Nerea, who in spite of their completely different personalities can always rely on each other, for whatever curveball life might throw at them. While Val tries to cope with her crumbling marriage, writer´s block and meeting an interesting new guy, Nerea still works in her parents´ law firm, but has not yet brought herself to tell them about her queerness. On the other hand, Carmen has a secret crush on one of her co-workers and Lola is involved in a complicated affair. However, the most eye-catching aspect of this show is the colour scheme of the fashion and the interior design, which makes you long for a spontaneous summer vacation right in the heart of Spain.
The Middle
Somewhere in the midst of nowhere – or fictional smalltown Orson Indiana – live the Hecks: a middle-class family on the lower end of the income spectrum, with three children, a laidback attitude and occasional dysfunctionality. There is slightly dumb Axl, who is lazy and immature, but athletic and popular in high school. Followed by sunny and enthusiastic Sue, who tends to be overlooked by her classmates and despite her lacking talents never gives up on trying out new activities. Brick, intelligent but a bit odd, is the youngest one, who is obsessed with books, fonts and unintentionally whispering words to himself. His only similarity to his father is their common anti-social streak. Other then that, Mike is a walking stereotype of a man – he doesn´t easily express emotions, doesn´t always know the right thing to say and is happiest when watching sport. Nonetheless, TV loving, semi-motivated, chatty Frankie holds them all together. It´s a hilarious and surprisingly relatable comedy about a not quiet average American family.
Superstore
Although this show has its own BuzzFeed personality quiz, it doesn´t seem to be as talked about as it could be. The sitcom is a witty exploration of the daily highs and lows of a retail worker. Over six seasons it follows the employees of the Walmart-like superstore ´Cloud 9´, led by religious and naively amiable Glenn. His innocent softness wonderfully collides with the harsh and straightforward nature of assistant manager Dina. They tackle everything from annoying customers and Black Friday insanity, to lost animals and even the pandemic. But, in spite of its workplace focus, at its core Superstore is – much like the Office or Scrubs– about interpersonal connections and the entertaining quirks of all the different characters. Amy, played by America Ferrera and Ben Feldman´s Jonah for instance, undergo a classical teasing-to-love story arch as the central ´will they won´t they´ couple. However, it wouldn´t hold its charm without Mateo and Cheyenne´s regular gossip sessions, Garrett´s chilled coolness or Myrtle´s shockingly inappropriate comments, which are sure to trigger a laugh.
Vanity Fair
And lastly, a period drama. For all those who have been swept up by regency-mania and fallen into bleak nothingness after Lady Whistledown uttered her final words. The seven-episode long adaptation of Thackeray´s classic novel is brought to life by promising talents such as Olivia Cooke, soon to star in the much anticipated GOT prequel, Bridgerton´s Claudia Jessie and Mr. Knightly aka Johnny Flynn – what more is there to say? Vanity Fair is filled with intrigue, love and prejudices, featuring an unscrupulous protagonist who is determined to reach the top of the social ladder and leave her impoverished upbringing behind. With its modern soundtrack, light colours and complex characters, it is far from the slow dullness that is usually associated with corset-era storytelling. As Thackeray himself puts it, in the beautifully created introductory sequence displaying an illuminated fairground, the viewer is invited into a “world where everyone is striving for what is not worth having”.
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