If you missed the series called Pen15 - head over to Hulu and start watching. There are two seasons and 25 episodes to catch up on. I’m middle-aged and I don’t know why but I got hooked. It’s about two girls, Maya and Anna, in junior high and all the awkwardness of that age- thirteen, and the first season is focused on the two of them entering seventh grade.
The actresses in the series, Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, who are also the co-creators are actually playing themselves in a sort of ode to their teenage years. Let’s be clear- this show is not for teenagers- it’s raw, funny, and real. Made for adults. It’s not ‘real’ in the sense that it is based on a true story of themselves, although they probably pull from similar life experiences from that age and period in time. The other actors in the show are children of that actual age.
The weird part is Anna and Maya are so much older in reality (I’m guessing late twenties) and are not convincing physically as 13-year-old girls- but honestly, I was sold after episode two. In the first episode, you’ll probably be asking why the hell are these two grown women playing 13-year-old girls. Keep watching. You’ll get past the odd casting of themselves and be laughing and remembering your junior high moments while overlooking their tallness. I’m not sure why I even liked this series. It takes place in the early 2000s and none of the culture, music, or jargon of the period is relatable to my junior high days- which was the mid-1980s. Like, totally . . . not!
I did not even know what Pen15 meant and had to look it up. Despite this, I laughed uncontrollably in so many episodes. Maya and Anna succeeded in transcending time and still make the show relatable to every human that had to suffer through pimples, periods, and early crushes.
A few other streaming series (mostly for the ladies) that you might like:
Fakes
Dead To Me
There’s Something About Pam
The Politician
Life & Beth
Yellowjackets
Why Women Kill
Julia
Right now, I have started watching The Serpent Queen on Starz. It is well written, edgy and so far addictive. If you liked the movie, The Favourite, this new period TV series might be for you.
I am also watching The Devil In Ohio on Netflix. It’s probably not for everyone but truthfully, I love horror and can’t get enough of it (the horror genre, not this show). It’s so made for TV with campy dialog and a few cast members that seem to be reading lines, rather than acting. Yet, I can’t stop watching it. I am almost to the last episode and it is dragging slowly to the climax of what I presume will be a letdown. Maybe?
Finally, the third season of War Of The Worlds on Epix has started and if you missed the first two seasons, definitely catch up.
Tell me what you are watching in the comments. I am always looking for more TV to fill up the time that I should be reading.