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Togetherness (2015)
Hilarious and touching.
I love it. Each episode leaves me wanting more (and wishing the episodes were a full hour).
The creators juggle a wonderful mix of laugh-out-loud moments interspersed with poignant, authentic drama. It seems effortless, but I can't think of anything else on television that pulls it off so expertly.
All four leads are fantastic. Peet deserves a special shout out. Her character is so fully realized - flaws and all - you can't take your eyes off of her.
Definitely worth checking out!
Transparent (2014)
Mesmerizing
A truly fantastic show. It is raw, painful, heartbreaking...and yet it manages to warm the heart. This show is currently at 7.1 on this site, but I am certain that rating will rise as more people see it.
All the of the performers shine. I won't go down the list - the cast is truly top-notch. The obvious mention, though: Jeffrey Tambor. He is a revelation (can an acclaimed actor be a revelation?). While he could have resorted to overplaying moments, he instead keeps the character grounded and real throughout. His monologue in the pilot is a masterclass in acting. Judith Light really gets to shine in the later part of the season - balancing humor and pathos perfectly.
If I have one complaint, the season seems to lag near the end. Not in quality, just in tone. While the series starts with a healthy dose of humor and warmth, we're offered less in the last few episodes. The action drifts away from Morty/Maura and, as a result, the the show loses some of its heartfelt center. Personally, I would have preferred wrapping up the season with the focus on Maura.
I feel confident (knock on wood) that we will get more of the Pfeffermans. I certainly hope so -- this series has been a rare treat. I think Amazon has a home run with Transparent - and they really hit this one out of the park.
Getting On (2013)
Highly recommended; a hidden gem.
I rarely contribute reviews. I felt compelled to add to the (mere!) 11 reviews posted.
This show is such a gem. It is genuinely funny, the cast is spot-on stellar, and it has a a heartfelt center (without being sentimental). Niecy Nash is a stand-out. She steels many of her scenes. I only know Alex Borstein from MadTV and family guy; she surprises here with really great acting chops. Her dead-pan delivery takes the humor up a level. Laurie Metcald is a hoot as the neurotic doctor. Her characterization is eerily cemented in reality (unfortunately).
I can't recommend this enough. I hope it gets a strong following and continues for a few more seasons.
Veep (2012)
Reopened my account just to score the show high.
Why are people voting on a show before it's aired? There is no way this deserves a 4.9; however, I'm sure it will go up as actual viewers chime in. I've seen the first episode and I'm hooked already.
Short and sweet: Louis-Dreyfus is best at characters with an edge. She had me laughing out loud and re-watching line deliveries ("Selena. Hi. I'm melting, I'm melting."). The entire cast is great. Tony Hale does what he does best -- meek, a little dim -- but it works great. Anna Chlumsky holds her own next to Dreyfus. The writing snappy and natural. The direction slick.
I hope this show sticks around for a bit!