There is something to be said for a good television show. When a comedy or drama is well written with thoughtful and engaging characters, it’s easy to fall in love with them because either you know someone similar or the situations they find themselves are familiar.
Take “The Cosby Show” for instance; who didn’t wish they lived in that brownstone in Brooklyn, N.Y.? The family atmosphere was always fun and lively with important life lessons intertwined. More than anything, the Huxtable’s were entertaining and that is what a good television show should do. While there are no classic “Cosby” shows on the small screen, there are several programs you should be watching.
“American Horror Story”
FX Wednesdays, 10 p.m.
A horror-drama television series created and produced by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, “American Horror Story” centers on the Harmon family: Ben, Vivien and their daughter Violet, who move from Boston to Los Angeles after Vivien has a miscarriage and Ben has an affair. They move into a restored mansion, unaware that the home is haunted. It’s an intriguing and scary show; you never know what is going to happen next, which is why it has been named one of the best new shows on television.
“Modern Family”
ABC Wednesdays, 9 p.m.
“Modern Family” has won an Emmy award for best comedy the last two years. It is laugh-out-loud funny thanks to talented actors who each bring their own enthusiasm to the show. It centers around three uniquely different families: a married couple with three children, an older man married to a much younger woman and her adolescent son, and a male gay couple who adopted a girl from Vietnam. Each character brings a different level of funny to the show, which makes it impossible not to DVR.
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”
Bravo Sundays, 9 p.m.
If you’re not into drama induced reality shows, “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”ā is definitely not for you. However, drama – especially real, but sort of fake – is what makes viewers come back for more. RHOA, a spin off of Bravo’s successful “Housewives” franchise, premiered its fourth season Nov. 5 to catfights, excesses, bravado and name-calling. What makes the show unique from other “Housewives” like Orange County or New Jersey is the women are Black in a city swarming with African-Americans. It’s a great show to watch and gossip about with your girlfriends.
“Mike & Molly”
CBS Mondays, 9:30 p.m.
This show is absolutely hilarious and lead actress Melissa McCarthy was very deserving of her outstanding lead actress Emmy. “Mike & Molly” stars McCarthy as Molly Flynn who is engaged to Mike Biggs played by Billy Gardell. What makes the show significant is that Mike and Molly are overweight and unafraid to address their weight issues with humor. The two actually met in an Overeaters Anonymous group. It’s pleasing to see a television show address weight in a respectful, funny and classy way.
“Reed Between the Lines”
BET Mondays, 10 p.m.
If you watched the series premiere of BET’s latest original program, “Reed Between the Lines,” it would be understood if you haven’t tuned back in. It was kind of corny, a little stuffy and the storylines were pretty bland. The good news is the show has gotten better, actually a lot better. It stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm Jamal Warner as married doctors Carla and Alex Reed as they share the ups and downs of being working parents raising three children. It’s not the funniest show on television, but it’s refreshing to turn on the tube and finally see an African-American family handling the challenges of life with dignity and common sense.
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