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Comedies usually reward cynicism. Then came 鈥楾ed Lasso.鈥�As 鈥淭ed Lasso鈥� returns for a second season, culture watchers reflect on what has made a comedy show that aims for optimism and kindness a sleeper hit.
First Look'I felt seen': First trans actress nominated for EmmyMj Rodriguez stars in 鈥淧ose,鈥� a period drama about New York City鈥檚 drag ballroom culture. Critics say she has raised the bar for trans representation in media, while LGBTQ rights activists say聽her historic Emmy nomination is 鈥渓ong overdue.鈥�
Looking at slavery without looking away. The challenge of 鈥楿nderground Railroad.鈥�A question raised in the TV version of the novel 鈥淭he Underground Railroad,鈥� a Monitor reviewer says, is apropos now: Where can Black people be free?
Too much trowel and error? These gardening shows could help.From the long-running 鈥淕ardeners鈥� World鈥� to lockdown-inspired 鈥淢artha Knows Best,鈥� there鈥檚 something relaxing about watching garden masters at work.
Food shows offer all of the fun, none of the cleanupThese food shows entertain, educate, and inspire. Between talking puppets and a culinary tour of Italy, they鈥檒l whet your appetite.
What鈥檚 streaming? Documentaries with a point of view.These documentaries, two of which were shortlisted for an Oscar, consider forgiveness, voting rights, and the economy.
Watch these shows to get smarter about everything from equality to mollusksAmong these Netflix offerings are two documentaries shortlisted for Oscars:聽鈥淐rip Camp鈥� and聽鈥淢y Octopus Teacher.鈥澛�
鈥楳asterpiece鈥� at 50: How has the PBS staple influenced US culture?As PBS鈥檚 鈥淢asterpiece鈥� celebrates its golden anniversary, we ask an author and aficionado聽about its appeal and influence.聽
Holiday TV shows bring the comfy and cozy 鈥� and better reflect societyBesides cheerful decor and happy endings, diversity and acceptance have become part of the message of this year鈥檚 holiday TV fare.
Your move: 鈥楺ueen鈥檚 Gambit鈥� offers viewers more than good chessBeyond its exhilarating chess scenes, popular drama 鈥淭he Queen鈥檚 Gambit鈥� asks an important question: How much sacrifice is success worth?
First LookThe beloved host of 'Jeopardy!'? Who is Alex Trebek.Alex Trebek presided over the television trivia quiz show 鈥淛eopardy!鈥� for more than 35 years, and won five Emmy Awards with his dapper charm.聽
First LookWhy diversity still lags in American TV industryOn-screen diversity has slowly, if imperfectly, increased across the U.S. television industry in recent years. But from the C-suite to the writers' room, people of color are still underrepresented, a new study finds.聽
Grab the remote and watch how TV is changing this fallTV production is still catching up from pandemic lockdowns in the spring. What does that mean for shows now 鈥� and in the coming year?
Put the kettle on and settle in with a fresh batch of British TV showsWhat鈥檚 new in British TV? This fall, culinary, political, and detective offerings aim to match the appeal of 鈥淒ownton Abbey.鈥澛�
First Look'Schitt's Creek' and 'Watchmen' are big Emmy winners鈥淪chitt's Creek鈥� swept the 2020 Emmy Awards for comedy. HBO's "Succession" and "Watchmen" were also winners of multiple awards.聽
First LookDiversity at the Emmys: Lasting change or one-time gesture?A record number of people of color have received 2020 Emmy nominations, highlighting the works of such actors as Kerry Washington, Sandra Oh, Regina King, Billy Porter, and Sterling K. Brown. But聽Latino talent is still largely overlooked at the Emmys, critics say.
First LookRegis Philbin: TV's charming, self-deprecating, and durable hostRegis Philbin, the genial host who shared his life with television viewers for decades, passed on Friday. 'Is that your final answer' became a trademark.聽
Why Canadians see themselves in 鈥楽chitt鈥檚 Creek鈥�Fans are heartbroken by the finale of the sitcom that, beneath its double-entendre title,聽embraces tolerance and community.聽聽
First Look'Molly of Denali': an indigenous cartoon series by AlaskansA new cartoon show on PBS Kids uses indigenous input at all levels of production and centers on a young Alaska Native as the lead character.
TV that takes you from an alternate Oxford to a galaxy far, far awayDisney Plus debuted 鈥淭he Mandalorian鈥� Nov. 12, and HBO is offering 鈥淲atchmen鈥� and 鈥淗is Dark Materials.鈥� Which are worth viewers鈥� time?聽