by Danielle James
Kat Hazelton is a senior screenwriting major who juggles a full course load, membership in a sorority, volunteer work, and writing her thesis. How does she take a break from her crazy life? Netflix, of course.
“I don’t have much of it, but when I do have free time, I watch Netflix: when I’m cooking, while I’m crafting and before bed,” said Hazelton. “It helps me keep up to date on shows that my film professors mention, but it mainly helps me wind down and relax.”
But Netflix isn’t the only way college students can use television to unwind after long days of classes, jobs, internships, and clubs. According to TV Guide, more than thirty new television pilots premiered throughout September and October.
Want some suggestions on what new programs you should tune into when you finally take a break from watch Jim and Pam’s wedding on Netflix for the tenth time?
Check out some of the following shows:
"How to Get Away With Murder”
The newest addition to Shondaland’s show-stopping Thursday night line-up set a record for DVR playback in the three days following its premiere. According to variety.com, with the six million viewers watching on their DVR, the show’s premiere reached more than 20 million viewers.
Starring Viola Davis and Alfie Enoch of Harry Potter fame, this show follows the cutthroat competition between students in Professor Keating’s (Davis) criminal law class. The show uses a framing device to show the first few weeks of Keating’s class, while also flashing three months into the future.
“With the way that they’re framing the show, it will be interesting to see how they make it work for more than one season,” said Sarah Mori, junior public relations and advertising major.
Watch “How to Get Away With Murder” Thursday nights at 10 p.m. on ABC.
“Black-ish”
Described as a cross between “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “Modern Family,” this new comedy starring Anthony Anderson and Laurence Fishburne is a new take on the family sitcom. It raises issues of race and culture in the modern world as it follows a father’s attempt to keep his family black in a predominately white neighborhood.
Viewers see Andre’s (Anderson) struggle to appreciate the changing ways of the world that allow people of all different cultures to coexist while still keeping true to their heritage.
“I loved “Black-ish. It reminds me a lot of ‘Modern Family’ with the quick, witty humor. This show has great writing,” said Mori.
Catch “Black-ish” Wednesday nights on ABC at 9:30 pm.
“Gotham”
This classic tale of good vs. evil has received yet another adaptation, but this time, the show focuses not on Bruce Wayne, but instead on the beginning of Detective James Gordon’s career in Gotham. The show promises to uncover the backstories of some of DC Comics most allusive characters.
The new take on the Batman story stars Ben McKenzie as James Gordon, Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney, and Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald “Penguin” Cobblepot.
“‘Gotham’ is a fresh perspective on the tragic beginning of one of the world’s most tragic heroes. It was fascinating, gripping, and compelling,” said Fullerton College student Tucker Boyes.
You can catch these heroes and villains alike on Monday nights on FOX at 8p.m.
“A to Z”
A romantic comedy, “A to Z” stars Ben Feldman as Andrew and Cristin Milioti as Zelda. The show handles dating in the digital era, with online dating sites and apps playing a significant part in meeting other eligible singles.
Produced by sitcom veteran Rashida Jones the show follows Andrew and Zelda’s eight-month-long relationship as if it’s being reviewed by the online dating company that Andrew works for.
“The two things I like most about this show are a) the chemistry between Andrew and Zelda and b) the timeline, which has already been revealed. It will be interesting to see how that plays out,” said Samantha Engler, a junior history major at the University of California, Irvine.
Mori loved the writing.
“This show needs more press! The writing is fantastic,” said Mori.
You can see “A to Z” on NBC Thursday nights at 9:30 p.m.
If you haven’t seen these shows, you can check out the pilots of all of them on Hulu.
