On the {Must-watch} List

For my second installation of On The List, I thought I'd talk about one of my true loves...television.
I am an unashamedly big fan of TV.  I can see myself being the teacher that knows way too much about all the popular teen shows that my students watch.
Anyway, I thought I'd share some of the new shows I've been enjoying lately. Some of these are Netflix finds, and some are on tv now!

Ok, I hate that I am loving this, mostly because the concept of 25 girls trying to date one guy is just nuts to me.
So, this season is the first time I've ever watched The Bachelor, and I really just watched the first episode to see what it was like. And then I kept watching. And then I started to actually care about who got sent home.
My point is: it's addictive. If you watch, you have to tell me who you're rooting for! AshLee is my favorite right now!

Lipstick Jungle is my most recent Netflix find. If you're a fan of Sex and the City, this show is based off of the book "Lipstick Jungle" by Candace Bushnell, who wrote the book that inspired Sex and the City. So the vibe is very similar--- powerful, beautiful women living and loving in New York City.  It's a fun, sexy show with a lot of heart. I actually find these characters a little more well-rounded than some of the characters on SATC.  Definitely check it out if you enjoy that kind of show. It only has 20 episodes, but it's really entertaining. The book is also really good, I read it a few years back!

Emily Owens MD has been one of my favorite shows this year. I'm so disappointed that it's only going to finish out one season. Anyway, if you haven't been watching I'd catch up on Hulu because it's really good. It's like Grey's Anatomy (my absolute favorite show ever) but lighter and a little more awkward. Also, less doctors die, haha. Mamie Gummer (Meryl Streep's daughter!) is absolutely great as the quirky, dorky, good-hearted Emily Owens. Just check it out! 

Scandal is definitely one of the best shows on TV right now. If you're not watching, get your butt to Netflix and watch the first season, then catch up on the rest on Hulu because it is AMAZING. Created by Shonda Rhimes (the genius behind Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice) Scandal follows professional fixer Olivia Pope and her team of "Gladiators in Suits" as they handle the major scandals in DC. From a pregnant White House intern to the delicious affair between Olivia and The President, this show is wonderfully scandalous. Kerry Washington is incredible as Olivia Pope and my jaw is on the floor at the end of every episode. I am always surprised by this show, and I love it.

What's on your must-watch list? I have a pretty long list (whoops) but I wanted to share 4 shows that have surprised me this year. Share your favorite shows with me!

Also, sorry if things have been a little inconsistent on the blog lately--- I've been dealing with a lot personally.

Hope you're happy and healthy! 

-Hannah 

My Favorite Show- Parenthood

If you listen to any recommendations that I give you (outside of my beauty recommendations, obviously) let it be this one.

Watch Parenthood. 

Pick up the DVDs and watch the first two seasons if you're super eager, but really just get started watching season 3 because it needs viewers and it's an amazing show.
I've never cried so often, laughed so hard or related so much to a show--- and I'm not a parent. If you're a part of a family---big, small, crazy, normal, whatever--- you will get it.
This show is my family, it's your family, it's every family.

The show centers around the boisterous Braverman family, headed by Grandparents Zeke and Camille. Their four children and their children all live in the surrounding area and their lives and personalities mesh in hilarious and heartbreaking ways. For a better synopsis click here.

The writing is beautiful, real and hilarious. The cast is amazing--- if you watched Gilmore Girls you'll recognize Lauren Graham or Lorelei (the reason I got hooked on Parenthood!) Not to mention the rest of the brilliant cast including Mae Whitman, Craig T. Nelson, Erika Cristensen, Dax Shepard, Joy Bryant, Peter Krause, Sarah Ramos, Bonnie Bedelia, and many more!

I find that everyone I know who watches the show will have a character or at least a storyline that they really relate to personally. I find that I'm a mini Julia Braverman-Graham--- type-A personality, rule following and workaholic. My friends and family laugh at how much  I remind them of her!

Erika Christensen explains the Braverman family dynamic with some great Julia Braverman clips from Season 1.

The season premiere was tonight and I'm so excited that it's back! Start watching with me, it's on NBC every Tuesday at 10 pm!

Let me know if you watch, I love talking about it.

Summer Television

Summer TV is... well, sub par at best, usually. This summer is shaping up to be so much better than most though!
Here are the three shows I'm tuning in for.

The Voice: The format changes every few weeks, so it's never stale, plus you've got steamy judges like Mr. Adam Levine! Add weekly performances like this amazing cover of Kanye West's Heartless by one of my favorite contestants Dia Frampton, and I'm totally addicted!!!

Pretty Little Liars- I'm such a girly girl for loving this show, but it's just so good. I tried to read the books but found them a little too easy and middle-school-esque, but the show is definitely steamy. It's the perfect guilty pleasure, if you'll allow yourself one ;) Fun little trivia fact, many summers ago Miss Lucy Hale (who plays Aria) was on the short lived summer show American Idol Juniors competing for a spot in the group! Too cute...! Another fun fact, Tori and Taylor Thompson from American Idol Juniors are competing on The Voice this summer. Summer Television is a small world, isn't it?!

So You Think You Can Dance- Well, I don't think I can dance, but I love this show! It's too early to have a real favorite in the competition but I'm LOVING every minute. I would die to be able to do anything these dancers could do. It's amazing!! Here are the top ten girls doing a fabulous geisha routine choreographed by Sonya Tayeh. So cool!