My fellow fans of a good story, we have a problem. There are too many series worthy of our time.
It's nearly mid-July, a time that use to be reserved for reruns and cheesy game shows, and yet shows like "Big Little Lies", "The Handmaid's Tale", and "Legion" are still going strong. It's both amazing and incredibly frustrating.
This endless parade of binge-worthy content has me feeling nostalgic for a slightly simpler time before television writers had reasonable rights. It was the mid-00's and shows like "Ugly Betty" and "Pushing Daisies" were braving the writers' strike and paving the way for the onslaught of content we're dealing with today.
These shows and their amazing concepts and writing continue to inspire, which is why I'm taking a look back with an "Ugly Betty" and "Pushing Daisies" appreciation post.
First up, "Ugly Betty" which introduced the world to Betty Suarez (America Ferrera) a Mexican-American, with a non-traditional sense of fashion who works for one of the top fashion magazines in the world. Oh, and in case this wasn't obvious, she's the lead and a woman. If you don't understand why this show was incredible and ahead of its time, might I suggest revisiting some of today's hot-button, social issues. The show accomplished many things, but the greatest was showing someone who was not considered the mainstream ideal not just existing but thriving in and changing a world that was not made for her. Betty was (and is) a force to be reckoned.
Next, we have "Pushing Daisies" which helped clear the way for other truly "out there" stories with a pie maker (Lee Pace) who could wake the dead and had a very complicated relationship with his undeaded (it's a word...now) sweetheart, Chuck (Anna Friel). Add in some mouthwatering, candy store inspired production design, style for days, and the occasional musical number, and you can probably see why this is one of my all-time favorite shows. It was a senseless victim of the writer's strike and it deserved better, but I'm still oh so grateful for the few sweet adventures we were treated to.
Oh, and if you can make it a minute into an episode (or this trailer) without craving pie, I salute you and your freakish (but admirable) self-control.
Okay, that's all I've got for you. Feel free to return to your regularly scheduled programming, but maybe consider taking a glance back at two of the shows that got us to where we are today.
