Pretty Engaging: antidotes to endless vapid twoddle

[BostonFernGreen]

A Sali Hughes adjacent thread.

Recommendations for articles, books, podcasts, documentaries etc., etc.

Inspired by the millions of times we’ve been gobsmacked at what passes for paid copy.

Hopefully here we can create a hub of alternatives to dive into!

 

[Originalnuttah]

More recently I loved An American Marriage by Tayari Jones and Russian Doll on Netflix. Always on the look out for good book and tv series recommendations

 

[Jelly Bean]

Such a good idea.
I'm after a series to watch in the vein of Detectorists. I love it so much and need alternatives!

 

[BostonFernGreen]

I will add that to my reading list @Originalnuttah

Best book I’ve read recently is Joyce Carol Oates My Sister, My Love. It’s a fictionalised version of the Jon-Benet Ramsey case told from the older brother’s perspective.

Podcast: https://overcast.fm/+UZX0mFGmE
Dolly Parton’s America
Unexpectedly takes on many different subjects whilst exploring the woman and her past.

TV show: Succession (Now TV or Sky)
Really dark, really funny and really well observed. Amazingly rich characters with flawed and funny relationships. The creator was behind Peep Show and has contributed to Veep.

Non Fiction book - Bad Blood by John Carreyrou about the Theranos/Elizabeth Holmes scandal which is an incredible lesson in Emporers New Clothes and how even the most successful are victim.

@Jelly Bean i haven’t seen the Detectorists, is it worth a watch then?

 

[Originalnuttah]

Seconding Detectorists and just finished watching Succession and can’t wait for the next series. Thanks for the book recs, added onto the kindle.

Schitt’s Creek is light-hearted and easy to watch. Also, This Country which is similar vibe to Detectorists. Nothing much happens, but makes for a compelling watch regardless.

 

[BostonFernGreen]

I literally just started Schitts Creek and I loved it! It’s lighthearted but enough going on to not be boring.

 

[Doobots]

More recently I loved An American Marriage by Tayari Jones and Russian Doll on Netflix. Always on the look out for good book and tv series recommendations

If you liked Russian Doll then you might enjoy the book The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. Similarly plays with time loops but I'm a completely different setting. I adored it and Russian Doll.

 

[Chickentikka]

This is going to hurt by Adam Kay - absolutely hilarious insight into the realities of being a junior doctor.

 

[Aude]

I mentioned on the SH thread the High Low podcast by Pandora Sykes and Dolly Alderton. It's about culture and current affairs (the lighter end of current affairs) and usually just the two of them talking about books/films/tv/podcasts/articles they've enjoyed over the past week.

I wouldn't have expected it to be my cup of tea - for a start they're much younger than me - but I like their self-awareness and readiness to consider other points of view.

Btw, isn't 'twoddle' spelt 'twaddle'?

 

[Raker]

Another vote for both Succession and Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.

And thanks for the Dolly podcast recommendation - we have a long half-term drive areas of us, so I’ll be sticking that on for a bit!

I’m currently on an All Killa No Filla podcast binge, which I love but it may not appeal to all (serial killers, funny women)

 

[BostonFernGreen]

@Aude errrrm yeah, I knew that . I don’t think I can edit it now! Sorry about that

 

[SharksSharksSharks]

Seconding Schitts Creek and This Country
I'd also like to recommend Whimsically Volatile - ostensibly about Rupaul's Drag Race, it goes really deep on mental health, addiction, trauma, but also fun pop culture. The best episode is the John Grant interview (pretty NSFW), but all the ones I've listened to have been interesting, even if I hadn't heard of the guest.
Adam Buxton's podcast

 

[Doobots]

Other podcast recommendations:

Dear Joan and Jericha - a comedy agony aunt programme. It's been mentioned a lot on the High Low (a podcast I generally enjoy but do find it a bit middle class London media centric at times, although they do try not to be). Anyway, it's very funny.

Hollywood Crime Scene - an American true crime / celebrity crime podcast. The presenters are vulgar in a way I enjoy. My favourite podcast.

 

[Jelly Bean]

Seconding Detectorists and just finished watching Succession and can’t wait for the next series. Thanks for the book recs, added onto the kindle.

Schitt’s Creek is light-hearted and easy to watch. Also, This Country which is similar vibe to Detectorists. Nothing much happens, but makes for a compelling watch regardless.

Oh god I love This Country. I've watched it so many times. It makes me so happy. New series has been made thank goodness. I trust the Coopers so much that it will keep being brilliant.
@Carryonnursing detectorists is just wonderful and totally worth a go. Just one of those programmes that makes you happy and think about stuff. As an aside the music and look of it is just lovely.

 

[bubbletea123]

Books:
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid
Becoming - Michelle Obama
The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
The Finishing School - Joanna Goodman
The Tattooist of Auschwitz - Heather Morris
Everything All At Once - Katrina Leno
The Woman In The Window - AJ Finn
When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi
Firefly Lane - Kristin Hannah
A Dog's Purpose - W. Bruce Cameron
Into Thin Air

TV shows (Netflix)
Schitt's Creek
Bates Motel
You
Jane The Virgin
Homeland
Greys
Dead To Me
Sex Education
Pretty Little Liars
Derry Girls
Ted Bundy Tapes
Grace and Frankie
The Politician
The Good Place
Big Mouth
It's Bruno
Stranger Things
After Life
Bodyguard
When They See US

 

[hrh89]

Such a good idea.
I'm after a series to watch in the vein of Detectorists. I love it so much and need alternatives!

Cant quite think of something like Detectorists but a few that may be of interest and along similar lines..I would suggest shows like The Trip, Rev, The Great Outdoors, Car Share, Flowers. I mean I would have said This Country but clearly you’re a big fan already

 

[Doobots]

Cant quite think of something like Detectorists but a few that may be of interest and along similar lines..I would suggest shows like The Trip, Rev, The Great Outdoors, Car Share, Flowers. I mean I would have said This Country but clearly you’re a big fan already

The first series of Flowers was brilliant.

 

[Lars Guinard]

This is going to hurt by Adam Kay - absolutely hilarious insight into the realities of being a junior doctor.

T’was the night shift before Christmas by Adam Kay is equally hilarious.
Recently rewatched Schitts Creek, sad this will be the last series but interested to see what Daniel Levy does next.
Just started the second series of Casa de la flores on Netflix, it’s a Spanish comedy in English and I have enjoyed it, it’s an easy watch.

 

[Jelly Bean]

What did people think of 'State of the Union' if they watched it? I really wanted to like it but didn't. I found it witty rather than funny if that makes sense.
I liked 'Ghosts' which I binged on i-player. Quite silly but I did laugh which is all I really require tbh! (It has 'Garfunkle' from detectorists in it).

 

[Doobots]

What did people think of 'State of the Union' if they watched it? I really wanted to like it but didn't. I found it witty rather than funny if that makes sense.
I liked 'Ghosts' which I binged on i-player. Quite silly but I did laugh which is all I really require tbh! (It has 'Garfunkle' from detectorists in it).

I agree about State of the Union. It felt quite contrived in bits. Like when they hadn't discussed Brexit nor how many times she cheated until they were in that pub. I gave up after four.