Even with many of the broadcast TV shows returning after the long hiatus (because of the writers and actors strikes in Hollywood) there are still a lot of empty spaces in my TV watching schedule that need to be filled. For a while there, I was happily ensconced in episodes of the Murder in (France) series, on Hoopla (though seasons 6 and 7 are missing for some reason), but I only have a certain number of monthly views, so I keep having to go back to the other streaming services, like Netflix, to fill the empty hours.
I started, of course, with One Day, the constantly-advertised-on-social-media-limited-British-series about a two-decades-long-bittersweet-love-story. Eh. It was okay. But when I finished watching that, I found a Spanish movie called Diecisiete/Seventeen, about two brothers and a dog and a grandma and a camper. Did I mention that there’s a dog? And that it’s really a love story about brothers finally figuring out how to be there for each other? It was wonderful! There was also a limited series, also from Spain, called Un Cuento Perfecto/A Perfect Story, about the romance between two (gorgeous) people with low self-esteem, who finally realize that in order to find love you have to risk being known for who you really are, with all of your imperfections. It almost ended badly, but Thank God, in the form of a Deus Ex Machina, it all worked out in the end.
Then there was a Korean romantic comedy series, and a Croatian/German movie about mid-life love, and then I went through Chaiflicks, one of the Jewish streaming services, where I watched some episodes of Soon by You, an American show about young orthodox Jewish singles in New York City, and Yidlife Crisis, a Yiddish language show by two comedians from Montreal, and Checkout, an Israeli comedy set in a small supermarket, and The New Black, about misfits at a yeshiva in Israel, and Cupcakes, a silly, sweet movie about a group of friends who are accidentally chosen as Israel’s representatives at a Eurovision-type competition show. I finally landed on Unchained, an Israeli show set in the Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox Jewish) community, about the difficulty of getting a religious divorce if the husband doesn’t want one; it was uncomfortable and enraging to watch at times, and not much of a break from the news, but it was definitely interesting.
The problem with watching all of these foreign language shows, though, is that I can’t get my typing done, or scan social media, or play video games, while the movies are on; I actually have to pay attention and read the subtitles in order to follow what’s happening, so it’s a more intense experience than just watching American broadcast TV. And the fact is, sometimes I just want the TV on in the background to remind me that the world still exists, while I focus on other things.
So, I gave in, and watched a handful of Hallmark-lite movies on The Great American Family Channel, and found myself unable to sit through a bunch of them, even with only half an ear paying attention. It’s as if someone came up with a list of plot points and then forgot to write the actual scenes. There are millions of good, heartwarming, reassuring stories to tell, and I really don’t mind repeating tropes or unreasonably happy endings, but I do care if I can relate to the people in the story, so that I can buy into their romance and live vicariously through them for a couple of hours.
Even if I only have my TV on in the background to remind me that the world still exists, I’ve discovered, some part of me is still paying attention and needs to be respected. It’s the same with junk food; I’m not eating French fries for their nutritional value, but, at the very least, they need to taste good.
So, I’m back to the foreign language films, mixed with some returning broadcast shows like Will Trent (there’s a dog!) and The Rookie and Law & Order SVU. But I’m craving something more hopeful, and believable, that will lift my spirits and block out the news; just for a little while. Oh, and I really think my cable and streaming bills should be covered by my health insurance. Because it’s medicine.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my Young Adult novel, Yeshiva Girl, on Amazon. And if you feel called to write a review of the book, on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?
rachelmankowitz 
I totally agree with the amount of attention one has to pay when watching a foreign show. it cannot be background noise.
thank you for all the new israel shows I will definitely be checking them out.
There are so many more to try! I just watched the first episode of The Fire Dance, set in an ultra orthodox community in Israel and it’s weird but… I kind of want to know what happens next.
Sounds right up my alley! I’m going to start with yidlife crisis! 😊
I absolutely love “Only Murders in the Building!” It’s on Hulu. I agree that the health insurance should cover streaming services! I mean where else would I get the love and support of “Bear in the Big Blue House?” Thank you, Bear!!!
I finally got to see the first season of only murders in the building and it was so much fun!
It really is so great! I love Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez!
The banter between them is awesome!
After two seasons of “Jack Ryan,” I figured that turn about was fair play, so we watched two seasons of “Bridgerton,” which my husband probably wouldn’t admit to enjoying. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about, and I did love watching the costumes and wigs! Right now we’re in the middle of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” and I’m not sure how I feel about it. But we just watch one episode of something each night (with supper); he also watches some portion of some history series with lunch (I read). He also watches a lot of Book TV and History TV on C-SPAN on the weekends, while I mostly just read and watch hardly any TV. But we’re both looking forward to a new season of “Call the Midwife”!
Love Call the midwife!!!!
I don’t watch much TV but the one show I do enjoy is Will Trent. Betty doesn’t have too much screen time, but I love how Will takes such good care of her. Will even has a devoted sitter who watches Betty while he fights crime!
He’s so gentle with Betty; it’s really lovely.
love this! Hey, I’m learning how to write memoir too.
It’s an incredible journey!
I end up listening to documentaries as my background noise while I work. I never realized how interested I was in science and math until I happened across people who could actually explain concepts (unlike my high school teachers.).
Hope you find a good escape!
Thank you! I still haven’t found my inner math enthusiast, but I know what you mean about the relief of finally hearing from people who can make things make sense.
I don’t always have the attention span to watch TV without doing something else at the same time so subtitles are a challenge. We just watched Apples Never Fall which was 7 episodes (in English so no subtitles) but it was really good and I did watch most of the time without distraction.
It’s always so exciting to find a show/movie/book that captures all of my attention.
Exactly! This series was based on a Liane Moriarty book and has an excellent cast so I had high expectations. I paid for a month of Peacock to watch Oppenheimer and The Holdovers before the Oscars and this was on there too so I definitely got my money’s worth.
You should get a little humour in your life and watch any of the seasons of the uk show Taskmaster streaming on YouTube
I’ll look for it! Thank you!
I love Will Trent. I like watching the Gilmore Girls and Suits when I’m just looking for shows that aren’t very intense, but for some reason lately everything that I watch has subtitles that make knitting hard like Tokyo Vice and Shogun.
We really enjoyed ‘Crash Landing on You’. It’s a Korean comedy/drama on Netflix (I think). There are 18 episodes and I love them all.
I’m about eight episodes into it!
Have you seen Young Royals on Netflix? Swedish teen drama, 18 episodes in total.
I’ll have to look for it! Thank you!
I totally agree with the amount of attention one has to pay when watching a foreign show. it cannot be background noise. thank you for all the new israel shows I will definitely be checking them out.
“I really think my cable and streaming bills should be covered by my health insurance. Because it’s medicine.” 🙂 Wouldn’t that be something!
I’d vote for it!
All new to me, as I do not have a subscription TV service of any kind. I do watch a lot of foreign language serial dramas and films, but fortunately they are shown on the BBC channels here. I have never had any issues with subtitiles, and hardly notice that I am reading them.
Best wishes, Pete.
I think you make fine viewing choices, based on what you’re looking for. Sadly, finding offerings that match your good sense is a challenge. I have the TV on for background noise, though in my case it’s in dealing with tinnitis. (See? you’re right–TV services should be covered by medical insurance.) And, you know–I know you know–TV shows need scripts. Which means there needs to be writing. Which make Hallmark movies difficult and movies on the Hallmark-like channels. The last Hall of Fame film I saw was truly disappointing for the (lack of) writing. Sometimes I do all right with the Hallmark mysteries because, well, there are mysteries and they do or should require cogent explanations. Sometimes the movies on the UP channel aren’t so bad. I find Lifetime movies the hardest to sit through.
Agreed.
“I gave in and watched some Hallmark movies”. That made me laugh my head off! I know what you mean. I can get sick of self improvement activities too. I really enjoyed watching Damsel on Netflix.
I’ll have to look for that. Thank you!
I loved seeing the picture of Will Trent. We record it so we don’t miss it. I love Betty. She is cute and smart. We watch The Rookie faithfully also. We use CCaptioning a lot now, what with foreign accents and whispers. It often gives background dialog you’d miss, and sometimes even music credits are listed.
Betty!!!!
I crave intelligent plots and realistic characters. Am a long-time fan of Law & Order, though not the SVU derivative. The sexual trauma was too triggering for me.
I’ve found Olivia’s growing understanding of trauma and growing advocacy for victims on SVU such a relief.
That’s a lot of television! I am still working on finishing The Crown and watching All Creatures Great and Small.
PS : No idea why my comment showed up in Chinese!!
I turn off my television during the season of Lent so it’s 6 weeks of blissful silence. One year I enjoyed it so much I kept the tv off for 9 years. I guess I don’t want to know the world still exists. Sounds like you discovered some good shows though.
Wow! I really need the noise.
Very nice!
I understand I feel the same way with my Bollywood and Hindi serials. I can’t multi-task but have to pay close attention to read the subtitles.
What video games do you play?
There is so much to watch, so many streaming services now, as well as free stuff, its mind blowing!