#and ella purnell is a fantastic actress

[theribbajack]

do you think todd saw amazon designing the coolest dude in the wasteland and was like "sick. now give him my last name."

[comfortablynumb]

Actress for Genderswapped Steve Harrington?

I’ve always had multiple headcanons of who I think would play Steve Harrington in a gender swapped Stranger Things. I think Emmy Rossum could be a fantastic choice. Not only did she prove on Shameless that she’s a hot badass, but she’s really good at giving off older sister/mamma bear energy. I also think Renée Rapp could be amazing. Not only was she incredible as Regina George in the new Mean Girls (so we know she can play the rich, bitchy popular girl that you can’t help but fall in love with) but she’s also amazing as Leighton in The Sex Lives of College Girls (so we know she can play the ex-mean girl who’s growing and learning to find herself). And then I think Ella Purnell could be a really good younger/high school Steve Harrington. I think her character in Yellowjackets reminds me so much of Steve in the earlier seasons. She’s self-absorbed and entitled but is also a badass, a team leader, and at the end of the day is just a scared, insecure girl who wants to be loved. What do other people think? Who do you all imagine as Stephanie/Steph/Stevie Harrington? I’d love to know, I’m really curious.

[loganwritesprobably]

If you could recast your favourite movie with any actors from 3 shows that you're currently watching, what movie is it and who would play which characters?

(You don't have to do the full cast if that's too many, just the main 6 at least.)

I fuckin love questions like this

Rather than favourite movie, since I struggle picking favourites for that sort of thing (whoops sozzles) I'm gonna cast Monster High because I've done that before and it was SO much fun

Nicola Coughlan from Bridgerton would be so incredibly cute as Draculaura, and I love that G3 made Draculaura a curvier character, so I'd want to keep that, and yes here you lose the new heritage that they gave her in the reboot, but I'm not casting G3 in particular, I just like the body update they gave her

Now initially I thought of this actress for Abbey until I saw this particular image of her, at which point I present: Emily Rudd from OPLA as Lagoona Blue. I think she could do it, and I mean just look at her dude - yes she's a bit old, but she plays Nami quite well so I think we're okay

Next we have best they/them in the cast, Frankie Stein played by Ella Purnell from the Fallout TV show. I picked this image in particular because the outfit screams Frankie, but it's her character Lucy in Fallout that makes me think she'd body this role

Now I think anyone who's familiar with MH saw this coming from the start, but I have to cast the wonderful Simone Ashley as Cleo! The three shows I've picked have kind of restricted me, but they are in fact my three most recent watches, but miss Simone would excel in this role, I think. This met gala look also just screamed Cleo to me

Next up we have Queen Charlotte's Arséma Thomas as Clawdeen! (I know it's not technically Bridgerton but let me have this). I don't think it's a huge stretch for an actor to go from Lady Danbury to the fierce Clawdeen Wolf, and I mean look at her here - she's clearly a fashion icon

Rounding out our core Ghouls, we've got Hannah Dodd from Bridgerton as Ghoulia. I was determined to include Ghoulia but I was STRUGGLING, until my friend made a suggestion based on nothing but vibes - and she didn't do too bad

Given her appearance in OPLA, I can't get this idea out of my head - Celeste Loots as Spectra! There's also just a certain something about her that I cannot put my finger on that just tells me.. this is a good idea. Couldn't tell you what

Now let's cast some guys! One Piece's Morgan Davies as the beautiful Deuce, but in particular G3 Deuce. I like the deeper personality that they've given to Deuce more recently and I think Morgan would do a fantastic job in this role - though I think I'd still want him with Cleo..

Enter another of OPLA's wonderful actors - Jacob Gibson as Clawd! They've both (Usopp and Clawd) got that himbo energy about them, with a silliness that's so core to them. Clawd also dotes on Draculaura, with far less harsh edges than his sister, and I think Jacob would be perfect for that

And to round us out, our final boyfriend, Gil (who I never liked but hey ho) played by Dave Register from Fallout! These pictures are both low res, my apologies. I acc hadn't seen the Gil redesign for G3 and I love him? Much better than before anyhow. I do think, given his performance as Chet, that Dave would do a good job here. He's maybe a little older than I'd like but it's what I have!

That makes 4/10 Bridgerton, 4/10 OPLA, and 2/10 Fallout. I love doing this sort of thing, so I was more than happy to spend upward of an hour of my afternoon having fun with this

[grigori77]

Celebrating International Women’s Day this year, I thought I’d just give a shout-out to some more of the awesome ladies who I can’t stop thinking about.  Both fictional and real, new and longterm, these woman live rent free in my head and I think they’re just fantastic.

BOBBIE DRAPER, the tough-as-hell Mars Navy marine corps gunnery sergeant who DOMINATES my favourite literary sci-fi series, The Expanse, from author duo James S.A. Corey.  Essentially EMBODIES badassery for me. Wonderfully played by the phenomenal Frankie Adams in the TV series adaptation.

CHRISTINA HODSON, rising star screenwriter.  After breaking onto the scene with her game-changing script for Bumblebee (the film that FINALLY brought the live-action Transformers movies some genuine quality), she’s now helping craft some of the best new stuff for the DCEU (Birds of Prey & the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, The Flash, Batgirl), and she’s still just GETTING STARTED ...

CAITLYN KIRAMMAN & VI, from Netflix’ Arcane.  (Voiced by Katie Leung and Hailee Steinfeld)  This show is just BURSTING with phenomenally well-written characters, but the two characters I am BY FAR the most invested in are these two.  Along with ...

JINX, also from Netflix’ Arcane.  (Voice by Ella Purnell)  Vi’s sister, and one of the most spectacularly chaotic characters I’ve ever come across.

LUPITA NYONG’O, one of the most exciting and incredible “new” actors I’ve come across in quite some time, I’ve been watching her developing career with great interest these past ten years.  Thee days best known for Jordan Peele’s Us and the MCU’s Black Panther, but she’s also amazing in 12 Years A Slave (which won her a best supporting actress Oscar), Star Wars, Little Monsters and, currently, The 355.

JESSICA CHASTAIN, Lupita’s co-star in The 355, but she’s also already been on my radar for a while thanks to the likes of It Chapter 2, Zero Dark Thirty, Ava, Miss Sloane, Molly’s Game, The Martian and Take Shelter.

FERRO MALJINN, one of the rich ensemble of main protagonists from The First Law trilogy by one of my very favourite authors of all time, Joe Abercrombie.  A spiky, moody, foul-mouthed and thoroughly vicious little fighter who remains unrepentantly immune to character development throughout the entire trilogy, and I love her for it.

NADJA OF ANTIPAXOS, from the FX’s What We Do In the Shadows.  (Played by Natasia Demetriou)  One of the lead quartet of vampires in the show, and the only person in the show capable of stealing scenes from Matt Berry’s irrepressible Laszlo ...

ZOE KRAVITZ, one of my favourite actors out there right now.  Currently setting the world alight as THE BEST SELINA KYLE/CATWOMAN EVER, but I’ve been a fan since she was in X-Men: First Class, and she’s also great in High Fidelity, the Divergent series, Fantastic Beasts: the Crimes of Grindelwald, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dope and, most recently, Kimi.

HARLEY QUINN, one of my very favourite ever agents of chaos.  At her very best brought to life by Margot Robbie in the DCEU, particularly in Birds of Prey and James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.  Irreverent, irrepressible, irresponsible and irresistable ...

LADY SHIVA, the deadliest woman in the world according to the DC Universe, and one of the only people that Batman genuinely fears.  Sadly, she has yet to be truly realised in live action, but if she ever is I think it’s a crime if she’s not played by Michelle Yeoh ...

GRACE, from Terminator: Dark Fate.  (Played by Mackenzie Davies)  A cybernatically-enhance supersoldier sent back from the future to protect the latest target of a dark machine-driven future, fully capable of wiping out a Terminator in hand-to-hand combat and the only person I’ve ever seen stand up to Sarah Connor ...

SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO, an incredible actress you’ve probably since in a whole bunch of pretty heavyweight stuff, although for a while now she’s been the living embodiment of take-no-shit boss lady maximum intimidation as Krisjen Avasarala, the deliciously foul-mouthed UN secretary general in the TV adaptation of The Expanse.

CLEO CAZO/RATCATCHER 2, from The Suicide Squad.  (Played by Daniela Melchior)  My biggest takeaway from the movie was this adorable reluctant “hero” with the ability to control rats, who burrowed effortlessly into my heart last summer ...

GRANNY WEATHERWAX, one of the best and most enduring creators of the late master of fantasy literature, Terry Pratchett.  One of the indomitable Lancre Witches, the level-headed people-shepherds who ply their dilligent trade in Pratchett’s legendary Discworld, she’s one of the most stoic and immovably forthright characters in literature.  Whenever I find myself baffled by a moral quandary, I’ll simply asks myself:  “What would Granny Weatherwax do?”

LEIA ORGANA/SKYWALKER, the undeniable QUEEN of the Star Wars Universe, brought to splendid, empowering and truly immortal life by the indomitable Carrie Fisher.  Forget all those other Disney princesses, this is the only one I’ve ever needed ...

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Yellowjackets

A wildly talented high school girls' soccer team becomes the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the Canadian wilderness.

From beginning to end I was completely enthralled by Showtimes survival drama, Yellowjackets. For the 90s flashbacks, it's clear that the series draws heavy inspiration from William Golding's classic, "Lord of the Flies", but with a modern feminine twist to it. While the present is a masterful character study on survivors' guilt and the midlife crisis. Both of these stories perfectly balance and complement one another. The writing is witty and each character is given an insane amount of depth and characterization. Yellowjackets also hold no punches back when it comes to the series gore. The series opens up with one of the girls being hunted and bled like a pig to be prepared for a cannibalistic feast. Talk about a messed-up opening.

With the series' enthralling storying, you must also have some fantastic acting involved as well, in this case, some Emmy-nominated acting. Melanie Lynskey proves yet again that she is one of the most underrated actresses in Hollywood with her captivating performance. She masterfully portrays women having a mid-life crisis, but with some horrifying undertones. She definitely earned her Emmy nomination. Her younger counterpart, played by Sophie Nelisse also does a fantastic job. Nelisse's acting never tries to impersonate Lynskey, but you can clearly tell they are the same person. Ella Purnell and Juliette Lewis are also two big standouts in the series. My favorite performance easily has to be from Christina Ricci. She earned her Emmy nomination by playing someone who is harmless at first but is a sociopath under her unsettling smile. Overall, this series does a fantastic job with its acting.

The series is hauntingly beautiful. They masterfully create an unsettling atmosphere with their camera work. Furthermore, the series uses atmospheric female whispers for the score further adds to the series' unsettling nature. With half of this series taking place in the mid-90s, it has a great soundtrack filled with female rockers of the 90s. My only real problem with this series is that some of the VFX look really rough at points. Secondly, some of the survival decisions and situations they make are unrealistic. For example, one character gets mauled by a wolf in the flashback and she comes out relatively unscathed. Obviously, she is deformed but there is no infection or anything like that present. Given how it also takes her over 24 hours to get some form of medical attention, I am surprised that no infection had begun. Other than that, I greatly enjoyed this series, and it's definitely the most underrated of this year's Emmy nominations. I highly recommend it to all. (First two episodes are free on YouTube).

I am giving Yellowjackets (Season 1), an A-.

[thequlturecritic]

QULTURE’S TOP 20 SERIES OF 2018

20.  BUSY TONIGHT

You guys! Good energy is, like, totally in right now. And it’s never going away. You may know her from Freaks and Geeks, but I know her from Cougar Town as CC’s fun-loving, super-supportive sidekick. When you watch Busy Phillips on her cheeky, positive-vibes only E! talk show, a sense of “we’re all in this together” and “being kind to one another” is definitely a recipe for demolishing disaster. Remember how major Chelsea’s career became because of what so many probably considered a silly little talk show… well. I’m not a fortune teller or anything, but I could totally see Ms. Phillips taking over the universe. I want to be one of her minions. Cheers to another leading lady of late night! 

19. THE VOICE

I’ve always been anti-reality competition shows when it comes to singing, only because I’m a total snob when it comes to what I subject my ears to. My musical tastes are versed and varied, but I still am pretty picky about who I let in to my drums, mostly because I need it to stimulate an eargasm and coincide with my life’s soundtrack. When American Idol launched, I definitely was enamored with Kelly Clarkson’s powerful vocals, but I still kept the close mind that an artist is discovered naturally, not “created” by producers with the backdrop and illusion that AMERICA gets to vote and pick the winner. Ah, who knows, maybe they do… I would just never take the time out to vote. HOWEVER. When I found out Kelly was going to be a judge on The Voice, which is a whole separate animal than Idol, I was shitting my pants with glee, because she really is such a goddamn force of fucking nature. Her spirit is overwhelmingly angelic and I simply love everything about watching her. Last season’s competition was magical, at least for me, perhaps because it was the first time I really got to experience the message and place the show has in the universe. It really is inspiring and lovely to see how much these artists themselves care for the teams they build and the individuals they want to see grow – regardless of whether or not it leads to fame. Alicia Keys and Kelly Clarkson’s dynamic was really something special that inspired me in so many ways.

18. COMEDIANS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE

I love nothing more than a loose format, sans makeup, realistic conversation between famous people. Talk shows rock and all, but there’s something to be said for two people we all know and (often) admire, getting together and doing something that, ya know, regular people do! Like… go out to breakfast. I was never a fan of the Seinfeld sitcom, mostly because when it was popular it was kinda over my head and nothing that interested me. I’d probably be more inclined to watch and enjoy it now because of how much Veep has made me adore Julia-Louis Dreyfus and now much Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix series about him… getting coffee… with comedians… has made me adore his admiration for vintage cars, honesty in humanity and one of the most important things we all seem to forget sometimes – which is to LAUGH! We live in such politically charged times, and while I get how important it is to talk about the very things we were always brainwashed to believe were impolite to talk about, we also need to be able to make jokes and not be so sensitive about everything. Ya heard?

17. AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL

Oh how I love me some Tyra, but it seems the future is all about Ashley Graham. Yet again – another fucking beautiful superhuman. I am really starting to hate that people even think of someone as “plus size”, but hey, it’s the world we live in. All I see when I look at her is someone with a whole lot of personality, gorgeous features and a personality that you’d be crazy to not gravitate toward. She is living proof that good vibes, energy and kindness (in the fashion industry?! How dare you!) go a long way. Tyra and Co. are doing such a bang-up job sending young women empowering messages about feeling safe in their own skin by infusing all shapes, sizes, colors and archetypes. This cycle was full of hilarious moments and was totally unpredictable. Despite her Trump-loving, Republican ways and complaining about being transformed into a “fire-crotch”, I was rooting for Liberty, Rio and Jeana to compete in the Top 3. That certainly evolved as the season went on, mainly because Jeana’s insecurities were getting the best of her (she had alopecia and they convinced her to be the alien-like, bald beauty – which she looked 10X better as vs. wearing wigs) and Rio had the most off-putting temper tantrum that had me and my bestie Carlee yelling at the the TV, “Who da fuck you think you talkin’ to?!” as if we were speaking for Tyra. Be humble, girls! Beauty ain’t just skin deep. At the end of the day, I loved seeing Kyla take the crown, because her activism, big heart and growth really was something special at the end of the day. Keep up the good work! I want 1000 more cycles.

16. SWEETBITTER

Starz’s adaptation of the best-selling novel by Stephanie Danler is short, but bittersweet. Ella Purnell is a breakout star, headlining the cast of unknowns who are all as equally as fantastic. I think that’s one of my favorite things about it (Caitlin Fitzgerald, in particular, who definitely has that thing) – how naturally gifted the entire cast is. Purnell stars as Tess, an All-American girl from bumfuck who makes her way to New York City to chase the dream, even if she has no idea what it is yet. Any of you who have worked in the service industry as a waiter or waitress will appreciate the authenticity of how intimidating, grueling and chaotic the industry can be… but how much fun it can be once your shift is over.

15. MANIAC

What is Netflix’s limited, vivid, disturbing, funny, emotional rollercoaster about? My brain is exploding from trying to analyze. Typically, in each episode, I get so lost in the perfection that is Emma Stone, I’m completely enthralled by how inspiring it is to watch one of our most exceptional young talents only seem to get better and better. It’s also always a pleasant surprise to see someone like Jonah Hill continue to prove himself as truly versatile. Remember when these two were just getting into stoner cinema and taking over the shelves at Blockbuster, during their Superbad days? Justin Theroux, plus. Sally Field, super-plus. Julia Garner (also of Ozark), a star on the rise! It might make you feel a little crazy while watching, but hey, we all go a little mad sometimes.

14. SHARP OBJECTS

Gillian Flynn’s book to big screen success with Gone Girl made a lot of us anxious to see what would be translated next. Following the trend of mini-series, binge-worthy greatness and big stars coming to the “small” screen, HBO announced Amy Adams would star in Sharp Objects, a dark, sultry murder mystery set in the swampy south that co-stars the amazing Patricia Clarkson – one of my absolute favorite actors. I’ll never forget when I “discovered” her, in Lisa Cholodenko’s High Art, one of my all-time faves. There’s a similar hypnotism with the limited series which also features a deliciously naked Chris Messina, and, of course, the direction of the man I’d say is pretty much cinematic perfection these days – Jean Marc Valee. If you have not yet seen Dallas Buyers Club, and another all-time favorite of mine, Wild, you are missing out. I’m assuming you have watched all of Big Little Lies once or twice, and can’t wait for season two next year. Neither can I. These are the people doing AWESOME awesome things in Hollywood.

13. AMERICAN HORROR STORY: APOCALYPSE

So, I’m always back and forth with AHS. I always love how visually stunning it is, but some seasons either lack substance or are literally just too fucking freaky for me to engage. I can not even set my eyes on Freak Show, thought Cults was too gory and scattered (although fresh off of the Trump presidency was a possible prediction of the future if we don’t all get our shit together) and definitely didn’t even give that Roanoke one a chance. The first two seasons rocked, and Gaga slayed in Hotel, but being that I love witches (Hocus Pocus, Witches of Eastwick) I have to say Coven is my favorite season. I love every Farmiga in life, Precious’ Gaborey Sidibe always makes me laugh and Emma Roberts is a rock star. How gorgeous?! She’s also such a little asshole in the best way. She’s someone I can picture punching me in the face, and I’d invite her to. Apocalypse is the best infusion of boy/girl magic and the ultimate comradery casting wise – as what could make for a perfect finale for the series ties all of Ryan Murphy’s brilliance together. That’s just my opinion – because I think a great series needs to know when to wrap it up, but these days everything is all about milking everything to the last drop, so… idk.

12. THE CONNERS

Roseanne returning was definitely the best of the best in reboot land, until her big mouth got her fired from ABC and launched The Conners, which features the entire cast minus a dead mother. I still respect her as an artist and will always love when TV wasn’t so linked to the Twitterverse, but these days I guess everyone really does have to be super careful about the shit they say – especially when we should know better that racism isn’t cool. It’s such an odd thing, because Roseanne was always so controversial, brave with their material, and was one of the first shows to have an out lesbian comedian/actress and character (the great Sandra Bernhard)… so… idk. That Sarah Gilbert though… she’s somethin’ special.

11. THE GOOD PLACE

Kristen Bell!!!!!!! That’s all. Ok, well, that’s not all… because Ted Danson is equally as amazing. Who wouldn’t love someone married to a dame like Mary Steenburgen?! I’ve been a fan of his since Three Men (and a Little Lady!). The diversity, quick wit, modern spin on the classic sitcom and concept behind this hit NBC series reminds us of why the network is always killing it when it comes to delivering quality, quantity and maintaining its colorful edge. I’m surprised I didn’t get into this show when it premiered, as season 4 approaches and the Globes, and surely the Emmy’s now are getting into recognizing genius when they see it. This show is filled with all the good feels! Maybe Heaven really is a place on Earth.

10. WILL & GRACE

When the reboot of W&G first returned to NBC, I was a bit underwhelmed by some of the writing. It seemed forced and a bit insecure – but it just took a few episodes for them to really get back in the swing of things and season 2 of the return is really on point. Debra Messing is better than ever (congrats on a Globe nomination!), as are Eric, Megan and Sean Hayes – who I’ve always greatly admired because of, what I like to consider his “big break” – the film, Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss. Growing up gay, Will and Grace was a trailblazing, extremely important and relevant show to so many of us because there wasn’t much of that on TV. But I’ll always remember that adorable indie of Sean’s. He should make more movies! I love him in Pieces of April too!

9. I LOVE YOU AMERICA: with SARAH SILVERMAN

Sarah has always been my absolute favorite comedian. Jesus is Magic is probably one of the most brilliant stand-up comedy feature films I’ve ever seen (are there many of those) combining music, comedy, political satire, sexually inappropriate and explicit linguistics… nothing is off limits. From jokes about AIDS, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Holocaust, to her dead grandmother’s rape to pussy jokes about child lesbians she’s related to. On her new Hulu series, Silverman takes a tour of the great country we live in, United States of A, talking to Trump supporters, men and women of all colors, shapes and sizes and makes an honest, unbiased, non-judgmental effort to deliver an intellectual perspective on all things current and heated in the minds of many. I love her condescending approach, ability to keep her cool, remain true to herself and do something important with her career. It’s a humbled and divine dose of reality that I think we all need, as at the end of the day she’s basically trying to unite us and get people to understand that despite our differences, respect and kindness can truly inspire change.

8. POSE

First of all – watch Paris is Burning, if you’ve never seen it.

I remember when I worked for the super cool East-coast indie video chain, TLA Video, it was one of the most popular rentals in our Gay and Lesbian section, as it should be. It’s a classic documentary that captures the heart, sole and strut of African American LGBTQ culture during the AIDS epidemic, when being a queen and going to the balls would begin to define what FIERCE meant for a generation. (Play: Azealia Banks, Fierce). It’s one of RuPaul’s favorite movies and certainly inspiration for Ryan Murphy’s vivid and heartfelt FX series starring Evan Peters, James Van Der Beek, Kate Mara and a wonderful assortment of newcomers including the fetch, fierce, versatile and gorgeous MJ Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson and (MY FAVE) Indya Moore.

7. CAMPING

Ever since 13 Going on 30, I’ve known Jennifer Garner was a unicorn. She has that innate ability to charm, impress and entertain us with charisma and natural comedic talent. When it comes to the American adaptation of the Brit series Camping, developed for HBO (in part with Girls’ master Lena Dunham), the team surely arranged the most perfect blend of talent for both behind and in front of the camera. Garner brings the most complicated and hilarious nuances to her character and proves she is more than capable of leading a most diverse and perfectly perfect blend of talent.

6. OZARK

Janet McTeer!! OMG! This woman is amazing and really the force that makes the sophomore season of the hit Netflix drug smuggling/money laundering/gangsta livin’ series all the more bombastic. Sure, Jason Bateman continues to be awesome in every way, but the women on the latest season (even the creepy old meth lady who wants a baby at 99) really slay and own the show, keeping us on the edges of our seats and beyond impressed with how hard anyone with a vagina is proving that they are taking over the world these days. As if we needed more reasons to be obsessed with Laura Linney – she takes her character to new heights, getting more screen time and really being thrust into a more evolved dynamic – sort of how Robin Wright does on House of Cards. As though the audience was more drawn to the female than the male lead the series was built around. But Janet McTeer?! Holy fuck, Janet McTeer. She’ll make your skin crawl and keep you up at night… binge-watching.

5. THE AFFAIR

Showtime’s scandalous, suspenseful and intricate portrait of love, marriage and infidelity has been one of my must-see series since its debut. The entire cast is pure magic, especially the four leads – Dominic West, Ruth Wilson, Maura Tierney and Joshua Jackson. I’m constantly lobbying for Tierney, who continues to blow my mind with everything from those perfect, pouty lips to the way she can make my heart melt with a single tear. Last season, the twists and turns were so unexpected – something so refreshing these days when it comes to storytelling – that none of us could’ve ever seen coming what we now have to go into season five knowing (and grieving with, in my case). This is one of of those shows that stands tall from start to finish, and continues to inspire the way character and perspective is conveyed, as well as how we process it ourselves as an audience. I’ve always been fascinated by the same story being told through different goggles – kind of like in The Rules of Attraction, or Go. I can’t wait to see how this show wraps up, as I am pretty certain we move into the final act, which in itself is always a great quality for a series to know when to wrap it up.

4. HERE & NOW

Alan Ball, oh how I love thee. In the evidence of his brilliance, my affection toward Ball’s beautiful writing and ability to conduct such a beautiful cinematic symphony began with Six Feet Under, as it did most. If ever there were a perfect start to finish series… Rare is the artistic bird who can take such a celebrated drama and weave the social and political issues into a horror series – which is what he did with the addictive True Blood, a show that I would find myself equally hypnotized and aroused by. Ball’s latest gem is yet again a celebration of why we love HBO, his observant mind and heart, and ability to recognize genius when he sees it, in regard to casting. The always wonderful Holly Hunter and Tim Robbins headline a cast of brave, beautiful talents – including the tiny miracle that is the birth-child of Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, Sosie, who is one of my favorite actors/characters in this captivating new drama that celebrates all the feels of our current reality. It’s a mixed blend of understanding the human condition and how people of all walks relate to one another while truggling with matters of the heart and psychological warfare.

3. RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE

For ten seasons now, Queen of Drag, RuPaul Charles has been taking her dynasty and giving it a royal upgrade every season with eye-popping elements that consistently allow this groundbreaking competition series to be one of queer and pop culture’s most celebrated. From the guest judges (Season X premiered with a Farrah Moan-esque Christina Aguilera dolled up for all the queens to gag over, which they did – myself included) to Michelle Visage’s dazzling eyewear collection to the costumes to the casting and the challenges – which get more and more innovative – Rupaul’s Drag Race has become a small empire that has the promise to spinning into so many different types of series and assure celebrity drag careers are a thing of the future, now more than ever. I loved the queens this season, especially my future husband Kameron Michaels (beautiful inside and out, boy or girl) and the well-deserved winner Aquaria. This was the second season in a row for me (I haven’t seen a lot of the previous seasons) where Ru got it absolutely perfect. I’m also a huge fan of Vice’s The Trixie and Katya Show which you should get into as well!

2. THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL

All of the hype surrounding the Golden Globe & Emmy winning Amazon Prime series starring the incomparable Rachel Brosnahan as Mrs. Maisel, is the type of perfection that isn’t all-talk. Everything you’ve heard about this hilarious gem of a binge-worthy comedy is true: the costumes, the production design, the brilliant performances, directing and top-notch writing is on trend with celebrating everything we love about women in the world right now, and the time capsule reminds us of how far everyone has come marching to the beat of optimism and fighting for equality. I’m so happy the great Alex Borstein has been honored and been receiving praise for her work, and rightfully so, as she steals scenes from the great Maisel herself in the latest season. It’s truly one of the best watches out there, so get into it!

1. SCHITT’S CREEK

What started out as a little Canadian sitcom from a then unknown Pop TV, has since become a pop culture phenomenon and one of the small screen’s most celebrated, quoted and adored comedies out there. In Season four, we continue to follow the Rose’s on their journey of personal growth, going from riches to rags in a small bumfuck town where they clearly stick out like a redneck tooth fairy for plenty of good reasons. We already knew Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy were totes brilliant, but every season I grow more and more enamored with how crazy talented Dan Levy & Annie Murphy are. Their nuances, the way the arcs of their characters have evolved… it’s like their learning from two comic legends and its working for them every step of the way. This is truly already an iconic, feel good show that is spreading such messages of love and beauty throughout society. Loves it!