The best TV shows to watch with Tweak India right now
Every Monday begins with “What did you watch this weekend?”
After a long day at work, you may literally want to plop your brain out, put it in a jar, and then spend the next three hours bingeing on the best TV shows to watch right now. They could be running as background noise while you work through the insurmountable laundry tower on your bed or maybe, you just need a distraction while waiting for the tomatoes in the chicken curry to soften.
Whatever your mood, the streaming universe has an addictive show for you. Which is great because we’re a diverse bunch here at the Tweak India HQ, and our preferences swing from the true-crime to Bengali classics to Modern Family mania and THAT one that “doesn’t have time for Netflix shenanigans.”
Unknown to the big bosses, our Mondays begin with “what are the best TV shows to watch this week?” Here’s what the Tweak team has been streaming online (while we were supposed to be writing).
Fleabag
Even the Emmys decided this British masterpiece was on top of their list of best TV shows to watch. Created and written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who also stars in the title role, the protagonist is known only as ‘Fleabag’. Her sexual prowess, wit, favours and unfiltered follies make her a flawed and loveable character that is incredibly relatable. Over 2 seasons, Fleabag navigates big city living while grieving the loss of her best friend (rather, avoiding it as much as she can through her antics).
“Fleabag is my comfort watch. I’ve seen it many times, I can just pick an episode at random and it’s still great to watch. Sometimes, I just let it play in the background while working on something and I laugh along because the writing is so funny, you don’t really need to watch along to enjoy it.” – Nikhita Arora, senior digital writer
Watch Fleabag on Amazon Prime.
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
Coming off The Daily Show, Hasan Minhaj now hosts his own Netflix original series which is easily one of the best TV shows to watch right now if you want to get your news with a side of comedy. In each episode, the comedian takes a deep-dive into topics ranging from cricket to Saudi Arabian politics with his signature wit. Tapping into his South Asian heritage for references and relevant pop culture jokes, Minhaj is incredibly relatable to an Indian audience.
“He brings a really interesting perspective because he’s also an outsider, in a way. For me, there were 3 episodes, especially, about Canada, cricket and the Indian elections that were really good to watch because I have a personal connection with all of them. He goes into detail about things you don’t really see in other late-night shows. I’m also curious about his connections and how he manages to interview people like Shashi Tharoor, Lalit Modi and Justin Trudeau.” – Arundhati Chatterjee, lifestyle editor
Watch Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj is on Netflix.
Orange Is The New Black
Jenji Kohan created Orange Is The New Black (OITNB) based on Piper Kerman’s memoir about her time in federal prison. Since its premiere in 2013, the show has caught the fancy of the world for its inside look into American prisons (however realistic or fictionalised it maybe). The show has had a large ensemble cast over the years but their characters have regardless remained memorable through it all. The good ones, like Poussey Washington and the bad, Desi Piscatella, for instance.
“When I started watching, I knew it would be a dark show about prison life, but it has grown into a microcosm where so many relevant and current issues have been represented through its characters, like sexuality, harassment, racism, and in its final season, immigration. However flawed they may be, you can’t help but empathise with the characters. It really makes you think that if this is how prison is in the world’s superpower, then what might the conditions of a women’s prison in India be?” – Chandni Sehgal, copy chief
Watch Orange Is The New Black on Netflix
Barry
Created by Alec Berg and SNL alumnus Bill Hader, Barry is an unusual dark comedy with Hader playing the titular character. Barry is a former marine-turned-hitman who finds himself at an acting class led by Henry Winkler’s character while on a mission to assassinate someone in Los Angeles. Barry realises he wants to give acting a shot, much to the dismay of his handler (and friends), throwing their plans for a toss. The writing is clever and Hader is brilliant – throw in some Chechen mafia bosses and you have a fantastic show.
“Bill Hader plays a marine turned hitman turned actor. That itself is enough for me to stay hooked. Hader for me is like Jim Carrey and Sacha Baron Cohen. They’re known for their comedy and then they come out with these comparatively ‘serious’ roles and blow everyone away. Hader and Henry Winkler are brilliant in this show. The writing and editing, for me, make it a must-watch that is more than deserving of those 30 Emmy nominations.” – Sara Hussain, features editor
Watch Barry on HotStar
Glow
Set in the 80s, Glow follows a group of women as they set out to become wrestlers on a TV show. While slated as a comedy — and there are truly madcap moments that will have you laughing out loud — the frivolity of a wrestling show becomes a mask for addressing larger social issues of the time. Experience the highs and lows of the characters as they navigate the casting couch, fight for equality between the sexes, struggle with their true identity and see their families fall apart. Behind all the glitter and spandex, this group of misfits support, champion and fight each other, both figuratively and literally.
“GLOW is a feminist fever dream filled with enough booty shots and hairspray to lure audiences of all ideological leanings. Come for the fake wrestling (WWE fans, let me hear you), stay for the complex characters dealing with betrayal, disappointment, success and lycra wedgies. The show also stars cynic-with-a-heart-of-salted-caramel Marc Maron, who exemplifies my taste in men. So maybe I’m a little biased…” – Rochelle Pinto, editor
Watch Glow on Netflix