You probably know that mostly (almost always) I watch British television, and that my love for it started when I was a young one, with Forsyte Saga and Family At War and Peter Wimsey and on and on. And that love has never dimmed. But I have watched American TV and enjoyed it. Grey’s for a while, Bones - every episode, Rizzoli & Isles, Grace and Frankie, and others. I watched the first season of This Is Us, but honestly I couldn't stay with a show in which Milo Ventimiglia dies? Really?
When I first read of a new series created by Mindy Kaling about an Indian American teen in California, I thought, no I knew, it would be for me. And it is. I love Never Have I Ever. It is one of the best teen shows I’ve ever seen. In fact, the only other one close to it would be My So-Called Life.
The title is part of the name of each episode. Never Have I Ever … felt super Indian; been a big, fat liar; pissed off everyone I know. The shows are excellent, and I don’t say that too often. Devi is a fifteen-year-old living in the San Fernando Valley, wanting the things we all want as teens - to be popular, to have a boyfriend, to fit in. She is a really smart kid, with two close girlfriends. But to most of the school she is only known as the girl whose father died, and who became paralyzed for a time. The writing is warm and witty. The characters are real people for whom the viewer truly cares. There is a brilliant touch of a narration by John McEnroe. And best of all, for me, there is a big multi-cultural cast. It makes me so happy to see all colors and persuasions of people in a television show. I love this show, as did my almost thirty-eight-year-old daughter. I can’t recommend it highly enough. The first season (and I hope there will be more) is on Netflix.
There is an excellent review of the show you may read here.
I will give that show a try. One US show I like is Life in Pieces, upbeat and likeable characters. I love British, Canadian and Australian TV too, and subscribe to BritBox and AcornTV to watch it, here in California.
ReplyDeleteIf you love it, then I know I will too! "Thoughtful and terrific" is the review headline and you know that is very rare these days in TV shows. Thanks very much for telling me about it. I would never have thought to watch it, it would seem like a show for young people only! :-) And JOHN McEnroe involved with it too? Interesting!
ReplyDeleteMy Netflix subscription is only a month old, and I have already found quite a few series I enjoyed much more than most of what is on standard TV in this country. Thank you for the recommendation; like with many of the books you read and review, it sounds like something I would also enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHello Nan - just popping on to say enjoy your summer, and what a lovely pic you've chosen for your header! I'm having a wee problem at the moment with my sister, 21 years older than me and terminally ill - but as she says "at 94 something's got to kill me!"...... but she's a 100 mile round trip away and we are doing that several times a week at the mo. I fit in my reading currently in the car. If you have not come across it, I can recommend The Sealwoman's gift, Sally Magnusson, suggested by a real event in 1629 - slavery of a different colour, but then slavery is always the same, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI usually/never like to watch movies centered around teens but because you liked it I'll try it. I just watched a Polish series (1 so far) that had teens in it but it was a flashback to the adult characters. It was interesting as I'd never watched anything from Polish television. But I think I'm beginning to run out of available British drama shows.
ReplyDeleteI will watch it, Nan....I will also tell my dd Alice whose oldest son is just going to be a sophomore about it...I like to hear about new things. And I am also a Bones fan.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this recommendation, Nan. I watched the whole thing and wanted more. I do have to say that you might give This is Us another try. I did and was very glad to have done so. Even though Milo dies, he is still there throughout, much in the way we still always have the people we lose.
ReplyDeleteHi Nan,
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely in love with the scent of your rugosa roses in this wonderful header photo. No rose had a better scent, to my mind. Interested in your recommendation. Will try it out!