When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.
People are just as likely to ask what you’re watching on TV as what you’re reading. TV is exploding and binge watching is the only acceptable thing to binge on. I actually watch some programs on my phone under the covers, the way I used to read as a kid. My favorites are Luther, THe Killing, Happy Valley, and Transparent.
What are yours?
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Betsy Lerner 
The Killing, Bloodline, Walking Dead.
I watch the same shit- Except Transparent as it seems to be on something other than Netflix. Which I don’t have. And probably do not need to have. Betsy- This is my second comment on your blog. I think my first was a reaction to something you said about killing yourself and somehow I could relate to … whoa pedaiii who.. see I am French and I don’t express my feelings in the same words….whooop peeped iddd you…. sounds right? In any case, I have to say that I have read your shit for some time now, and being neither a writer or/nor a bridge player, I feel the need to say thank you, as you have been a big part of my evenings and I thank you for that. So, can you please you keep it going and say a few words here and there, as you have been.
Best, MG.
Orange Is the New Black, Call the Midwife, The Affair, and I’m with you on Luther. I still miss Fashion Police with Joan Rivers. Such glorious trash. Who could “Starlet or Streetwalker?” or “Guess Me From Behind”? When I had a week from hell, I’d think, Well at least I have Fashion Police to look forward to.
I’ve just come off an unexpected binge pleasure: Silicon Valley.
Other faves: The Wire, Treme, Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax, Call the Midwive.
I’m all out of good shows. Send suggestions!
Yes yes, Silicon Valley!
Suggestion for all you magnificently weird people here: The Strange Calls. And to think I almost stopped after one episode. Give it two episodes.
And for some reason I can’t understand: Detectorists. It is SO slow, the characters frustrate me with their inertia. And yet, brilliant and beautiful, somehow. A perfect writing lesson for those of us who lack patience, methinks.
And Deadwood. Fuck yes, Deadwood. David Milch, true genius.
I agree with you about Detectorists – the frustration and the slowness, but it is so good. I want to see where their quirky lives take them.
Game of Thrones, Poldark, House of Cards, Luther, The Newsroom, Veep, In Treatment, House of Lies… I also love nerdy shows like Nova, Genius, Brain Games, Real Time, and anything Anthony Bourdain. Good Girls Revolt looks good, too, though it’s too new to binge on.
Yes — In Treatment is awesome! And Veep is so spot-on.
also: Sensitive Skin, Better Call Saul . . .
I love Luther, and love the dynamic duo DCI John Luther and Alice Morgan! Priceless!
OMG Kenneth Branagh in Wallander!!!
YES!
Last year Mr. Robot, this year…
I got nothin’.
Yikes. What does it say about me that the TV programs most of you list – I know nothing about? The only ones familiar were House of Cards, and…Orange is the New Black. That said, all my favorites came from HBO, or FX, etc. Shows like The Knick (please come back for Season 3! Although Dr. Thackery, played by Clive Owen killing himself on the operating table will certainly change up the story line), Fargo, and recently, we were enthralled by a docu-series called The Making of The Mob. It was very well done.
I’ve got a question, when do you all have time to binge-watch?
I barely have time to catch the news and we all know how depressing that is.
Hahahaha, Carolynn, I’m binge-watching Deadwood right now! I started about four months ago, and I’m up to episode 5.
I must add that the twenty years I went without watching or reading the news was a relatively happy twenty years. Stop watching that shit and start binge-watching Deadwood. Or The Strange Calls. Or anything that’s not the news! Here, I’ll help — “Today, the news was pretty bad, but life goes on.” Just read that line to yourself every evening, and spend the time you save more enjoyably.
I love a good binge watch session, esp. if it involves a beautiful glass of wine, a pasta dish and a stormy night. I mostly binge watch movies, both old and new. Some favorites: Everest, Henry & June, Woody Allen movies, Clouds of Sils Maria…
As far as TV: Girls & House Hunters International are on my list. I also like Homeland and am looking forward to The Divorce.
Happy viewing all.
I don’t have any favorites. I don’t watch TV shows. Susan and I watch two or three Netflix a week, then there’s the Internet and keeping up with the crazies, that takes a lot of time. Plus there’s the money-grubbing and the actual creative work and, I guess if I didn’t spend forty hours or more a week being paid to do something other than watch TV shows, then I would find time for the telly. I can see from the sidelines there’s some really good shit out there — but hey, who’s gonna live forever, you know? And china white is still smack, ain’t it?
Ray Donovan, Halt and Catch Fire, Longmire, The Knick, and True Detective if it comes back. The Killing is one my all time favorites.
The Night Of. The Affair.
Rectify! The Night of, Luke Cage, The Knick.
But especially Rectify, a series that redefines pacing and character development for television. I got so tied up I had to pause it for days. Season 2 is coming.
The Killing – my favorite. Grace and Frankie – more please. My dirty little secret – The Voice. Don’t judge.
I don’t watch too much TV, some sports and Jeopardy as often as I can. My true indulgence is a late night PBS music show that used to be called Bluegrass Underground but now might just be Underground. It broadcasts concerts that are recorded in a cave in Tennessee. Last week I listened/watched a band called Hurray for the Riff Raff. The setting is gorgeous and it’s a place I’d like to visit. Robert Earl Keen was on one night and he sang a song with the refrain: “The road goes on forever and the party never ends.” Yeah.
I watch transparent for the intro song, anymore, just like I used to watch M.A.S.H. for the intro song, when I was supposed to be going to sleep. Luther never lasts long and it’s pretty much done and eaten. Westworld has great potential. Off to a great start. Reflecting the human question well. Anthony Hopkins. Does anyone remember Magic? He’s still at it. P.S. Wife loved The Bridge Ladies. She’s not into book-hype so I guess you’ll need to make it into a sitcom. I, two nights ago, watched a rerun of Barney Miller. The Bridge Ladies would fly. For Sure.