All of these shows have come and gone, but why not review them (real quick) anyway?
Married…Likable characters exploring marriage but each episode feels a little more aimless (and more specific/less realistic) than the last. Grade for Season One: B-
You’re the Worst…Supposedly unlikable characters that I actually liked more than all the you-must-like-me leads in network comedies. Episodes aren’t hilarious really, but it grows on you. Grade for Season One: B
An Honorable Woman…An eight-part miniseries that followed Maggie Gyllenhaal (who is kind-of grating here) as a British born Israeli businesswoman navigating some murky Israel/Palestine relations. The middle episodes are damn near impossible to follow, but the final two really deliver the spy-intrigue goods. Plus, Stephen Rea and Janet McTeer are excellent as cagey British spy masters. Grade for Entire Series: B
The Leftovers…What a flop. It’s a frustrating show because it’s based on such a good book (that knows how to be funny instead of just dreary) and there are intriguing moments right around the edges (like anything involving the fallen prophet-turned-fugitive who, naturally, was one of the few characters that died), but ultimately a disappointment. Grade for Season One: C
The Quest…An unintentionally hilarious fantasy reality series that had me in stitches watching these dorks babble on about a fantasy realm. But the ending sucks because the most unworthy competitor won the whole thing, and then “battles” an evil wizard in some comedically bad CGI sequences (maybe it wasn’t so bad). Favorite players that I actually liked (and there’s not many I did): Jasmine, Leticia, and Shondo–an MMA fighter who seems like the world’s most unlikely D&D fan. Grade for Season One: C (as an actual show) but for guilty pleasure comedy an “A”