21 Bingeworthy Shows for Winter Watching

Good news TV Bingers, We're Not Alone!
According to Netflix it's OK to binge on TV shows and entertainment!  Whew, I thought I was the only one!
Who needs DVD's?! Leveraging the power of my beloved Roku box, Verizon Fios on Demand, and Chromecast combined with my amazing Amazon Prime Instant Streaming account (AP) ,  Netflix (N)  (streaming only account) and ACORN MEDIA (AM) TV, there are hundreds of awesome bingeworthy TV shows with no commercials out there waiting for you!
Are you an Anglophile? Do you LOVE British TV?
Me, too! Then AcornMedia TV might just be for you! With new shows added every month and the most extensive catalog of all my favourite series and documentaries all streamed handily though my Roku box, this is a brilliant addition to my steaming addiction! (Sign up for a 30 day Free Trial to give it a go then 4.99 a month)
Here are my 21 picks of great bingeworthy TV!

So, once you finish with Breaking Bad and the 2.2 days it would take to watch ALL of Mad Men, what then? Here's my list of Netflix (N) & Amazon Prime (AP) and British TV Acorn Media (AM) golden nuggets of pop culture entertainment that can liven up your Winter Break! Get out your fuzzy socks & why not cook up the Drunken Sugared Nuts & Brie recipe below to enjoy with or take to that New Year's Eve Party!
Murder, Mystery, & Mayhem...
Add These to Your Watchlists!
American Horror Story Season 1 Murder House & Season 2 Asylum
"Darling? There's a latex covered geek crawling around the house"..."Can't hear you dear I'm seducing the maid who is ancient yet looks oh so tasty, let's chat later"  "Oh right, later then"
These series are not for the faint of heart but are kick butt awesome! Jessica Lange's acting chops can't be beat!  It's hard to believe the same mind that brought us Glee brings us this excellent ensemble series that are shockingly horrific and breaks ALL kinds of boundaries. NOT for the kiddos. TV-MA (A) (N)
The Walking Dead - Missed a few seasons? Didn't see the first one? Want to see how Carl went from an annoying little kid to a kick ass Zombie killer? Yes, I quite thought so! Catch up NOW before the second half of this seasons game changer starts! I love this show but it's VERY tense! NOT for the kiddos! TV-MA 3 seasons on Netflix but costs $ on Amazon. 

Torchwood  Do you like Doctor Who but wish it was edgier? Maybe a little sexier? How about a whole LOT sexier? Try Torchwood! I've been a fan since 2009, when I wanted to Save the Coffeeboy!  Torchwood (2006-2011) is a spinoff of the iconic Doctor Who that was intended to be (and is) sexier, scarier, more adult, and literally down to Earth. It's about an elite, secret task force, based in Cardiff Wales, that investigates alien activity, led by the rather amazing omnisexual Captain Jack Harkness (super sexy John Barrowman). Torchwood is the reason I finally started watching Doctor Who. That's the geeky cart before the horse in a great big way, isn't it? I had to catch up and fill in Dr. Who as I went along and Matt Smith was my first full time LIVE episode Doctor which answers a lot about my devotion to the raggedy man.
Torchwood ran for two seasons and two miniseries, Children of Earth (outstanding) and Miracle Day (sort of sucked, unfortunately). Although there has been no official announcement, it is unlikely that there will be more Torchwood. Although you never can tell. One can always hope! DO NOT watch with the kiddos I did say sexier, right? (A) (N)
 
The Fall - Gillian Anderson stars as an expert MET detective searching for a serial killer in this gripping thriller set in Belfast. Seen from both perspectives,  this one will have you guessing - how can it end? Short commitment, only 5 episodes! (N only!)



Sherlock - Oh Benedict Cumberbatch - how did we live without you and your frenetic version of a modern day functioning sociopath Sherlock Holmes?! And how did we survive without the Otter-Cumberbatch, meme? [shakes her head wonderingly]
Please, if you haven't watched this - go now! Short commitment only 3 epsisodes per season - 6 total. The long awaited 3rd season starts on PBS on Jan 19th (A) (N)
Midsomer Murders - My favourite long running British mystery series! 80 awesome episodes of small English villages, beautiful scenery, scandal, and murder! Even catch a young Orlando Bloom showing up with a bare bum on the episode Judgement Day!  Looking for a particular episode or want to vote for your favourite? Visit the awesome but "old school" Midsomer Fan Site & follow the show on Twitter.  Netflix! Amazon used to carry it, then one day it was GONE! This is the show that made me join Netflix! (AM) Acorn Media Only for the LATEST Episodes!

Foyle's War - British murder & mayhem set in WWII Hastings, England.  A set down from Michael Kitchen is a thing of restrained beauty!  (AP) (N) (AM)


Agatha Christie's - Poirot - my favourite little Belgian detective with his ever so active little grey cells! Add in gorgeous Art Deco stylings and exotic locales and you have classic brilliant TV worth watching! Alas, the end is near after 25 years of solving crimes David Suchet retires. [snif] The clip above makes me cry every stinkin time! (AP) (N) (AM)
Miss Marple Whether you like classic Joan Hickson or perky (and sometimes scandalous) new versions starring Geraldine McEwan, Miss Marple doesn't let you down! Just don't visit St. Mary Meade unless you want to get knocked off. (AP) (N) (AM)

Haven  Based on the Stephen King short story "The Colorado Kid," this is just super cool freaky deeky! Plus I fancy rotten! First 3 seasons are the best!  FREE on Netflix but $ on Amazon)

Grimm A homicide detective discovers he is a descendant of hunters who fight supernatural forces. On this show, it's who I find crushworthy! S1 & S2 Not avail on Netflix but included FREE with Amazon Prime
Inspector Lewis - More British murder mysteries set in beautiful Oxford with all kinds of classical references! And super sexy Lawrence Fox (who is joyfully married in RL to Rose aka Billie Piper!) is quite easy on the old eyes, eh wot? [hums angelically] (A) (N)
Twin Peaks - Before American Horror Story and LOST there was Twin Peaks. Cherry Pie, quotable quips, murder, sex, sins, small town scandals, and damn good coffee. You're welcome. (A) (N)
Vikings  - Think Game of Thrones without the dragons. NOT for the kids. (Amazon Prime only)
Sons of Anarchy Seasons 1-5
I was slavishly devoted during the first few seasons, then I sorta got lost. But it's great TV! (A) (N)

X Files - The Truth is Out There....yeah, it's a CLASSIC.  (A) (N)

Just for FUN!
Psych - This show makes me LOL! It's chock full of pop culture references that make geeks like me super happy! Oh and hello...this year they made a 2 hour musical! Yes, that's AWESOME! All seasons FREE on Netflix - they cost $ on Amazon
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy - Groundbreaking and heartwarming! (N)
Orange is the New Black - umm awkward, uncomfortable, & hilarious. Created by Netflix - brilliant, right?
Archer - TVMA Think sexy animated Bond meets Mad Men (N)


Spoil Yourself: TV Worth the Money$
Bates Motel $1.60 an episode Amazon SD  
This one snuck up on me - my friend Sondra insisted it was good so I added it to my DVR but didn't watch it right away. When I did, it was like WOAH!  The acting is amazing!  Critically acclaimed performances by Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore I can't wait to see where this series goes next.
Sleepy Hollow  OhMyWord! - British actor Tom Mison really sells Ichabod Crane! - His acting, earnest delivery, and swoonworthy good looks (see blue eyes penetrating below)  are mesmerizing! Oh, and errr....the show is pretty awesomely campy and fun, too! Ahem! $1.99 an episode or 19.99 to buy the whole first season. OR set your DVR to record them - they may even do a marathon!

Ooops! Did I Just Write That?
Umm re-reading this post it sounds very TMI Tiger Beat to me now! Shamelessly sharing my twitterpated celebrity crushes with all you dear readers - do forgive me!  Heh heh...ah well, tis the season to be swooning, tra la la la la!  

I want to hear from YOU!
What TV shows or series did I miss? 
What shows would you add to this list?
What shows are you currently binging on? 
Do you have a Roku box, Chromecast, or Apple TV?
 Netflix or Amazon Prime? What's your fav?  Would love to hear from you in the comments and thank you as always for your readership!

Catch it Whilst You Can! 
Oh and the Titanic,  Saturday Night Live and lots of movies and shows will expire on Netflix on New Years Eve - so you may wanna get on this right away!

Drunken Sugared Nuts & Brie
Great for a New Year's Eve party or just for binge watching!
  
Ingredients:
14-ounce round of Brie
1/4 cup of brandy
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts or pecans or better yet, a mix of the two! (see photo)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Prep:
Mix the sugar, nuts, and cover with the brandy all together in a covered container and chill in the fridge for at least 24 hours up to a week (or 2!)

Cook:
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
Place the brie on an ovenproof dish or pie plate. Bake for 4 or 5 minutes or until the brie is slightly softened. Spread the sugar mixture in an even layer on top of the warm brie and bake for 2 to 3 minutes longer, or until the sugar melts and gets all awesome bubbly!
Serve on Town House Crackers or with apple or pear wedges. Enjoy! 
Adapted from a Paula Deen recipe
Later Additions from the Comments, Discoveries, & Tweets
David Tennant as Casanova. Need I say more!? OK...you know I will. This is the part that got him the role as The Doctor. It's sassy, saucy, cheeky  - he even mugs to the camera and it has an AliG dressing sequence that just can't be missed....OK, check it out below! Available only on Netflix
Mariela is binging, too! And she recommends Arrow! (N)

Jennifer Northrup likes Sleepy Hollow, too! 
 
Squee! AcornMedia RT'd me! 
And my MOST RT'd Tweet to Date: 
How did I embed the Tweets? See the next blog post! 

Credits & Resources:
Most all TV related graphics from IMDB, mirrored on my Flickr to avoid bandwidth hogging.

Post inspired by this article: 
All Of The Shows You Should Be Binge-Watching RIGHT NOW
The 22 most binge-worthy shows in TV history

Comments

  1. @educatoralDecember 30, 2013 at 1:15 AM

    Great shows! We watch most of them! :)

    As big fans of Torchwood we didn't appreciate Miracle Day, we watched it all but it wasn't our favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  2. @GwynethJones - The Daring LibrarianDecember 30, 2013 at 2:29 AM

    Thanks for the comment! W00t!
    I so agree! We didn't like Miracle Day, either. There were flashes, moments of awesome - but too many tiresome stretches where we wished the original series with the same formula was still being created.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Linda J DoughertyDecember 30, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    *Waves* I need a few "snow days" to catch up on all the good stuff! Add the first season "Orange is the New Black" from Netflix to your viewing fun. Season Two comes out some time this spring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @GwynethJones - The Daring LibrarianDecember 31, 2013 at 2:25 AM

      [waves back] Hello darlin! Yes, I included Orange is the New Black! ...because it was indeed Just for Fun and well, it was also surprisingly great! But I also found it a bit awkward, too! LOL Like yelling at the TV to shut up already awkward!

      Delete
  4. Mary Reilley ClarkDecember 30, 2013 at 8:13 PM

    My two more weeks of holiday suddenly seem a lot shorter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @GwynethJones - The Daring LibrarianDecember 31, 2013 at 2:26 AM

      Two More WEEKS!???....is suddenly VERY jealous! I've only got 2 more days!!!! EEP..hence why my sleep hours are all mixed up! Happy New Year, sweetie!

      Delete
    2. Mary Reilley ClarkJanuary 2, 2014 at 11:36 PM

      Two weeks! And to make you even more jealous, our first day back is a non-student day, so I have an entire day to do things in my library uninterrupted!

      Delete
  5. M. SiegertJanuary 1, 2014 at 12:11 PM

    I have either seen or plan to see many of these shows! I am just about done with Sleepy Hollow and will then move on to Grimm, but I had to start my holiday binge watching with Arrow! You should put that on your list! Arrow is in its second season, which was being stored on my wonderful Tivo, but the first season is on Netflix. Even if you are not familiar with the superhero genre, it is the origin story so it does not matter, but if you are into that stuff all the name dropping and characters that 'flash' by are geektastic! If nothing else, you can stare at your Captain Jack Harness. Barrowman plays Malcolm Merlyn a psychotic, murderous, billionaire!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @GwynethJones - The Daring LibrarianJanuary 1, 2014 at 7:34 PM

      Wait! John Barrowman is on Arrow!!? DONE! Thank you for your comment, Mariela!!
      ~G

      Delete
  6. Mrs. StanleyMarch 30, 2014 at 2:59 PM

    Dear Daring,
    I am so glad I found your blog in my bookmarks and clicked on it. I forgot what fun it is to read with you. I am recently retired, and my husband and I have been finding time to sit up a bit late and watch British shows that we never had the time or energy to follow before. I did subscribe to Acorn TV just to catch the second season of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, set in Australia in 1928 or so. They are absolutely marvelous - witty and clever and beautiful sets. If I were thinner, I'd kill for her wardrobe. It is a MUST WATCH - simply delightful. Friney is truly a woman ahead of her time.
    Then, I must also recommend The Murdock Mysteries, set in Toronto, Canada at the turn of the century. We had watched three seasons on Netflix, and when I discovered that there were 3 more seasons on Acorn, it was the decision maker. Murdock is not only a detective but also a creative inventor. It is such fun to see how they play with the dialogue with his inventions and the supposition of what might be "in the future - aka, now!)
    They filmed another season in 2013, but that is currently not available. However, we have been able to view many of the "making of" shorts for each of the episodes.
    I hope to hear from you and others.
    I'm still having a hard time with retirement - missing the kids and teachers and all, but these serials certainly do please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @GwynethJones - The Daring LibrarianApril 3, 2014 at 9:59 PM

      Thanks Mrs. Stanley for your comment! I also like both Miss Fisher's and Murdoch's mysteries! Murdoch's is also STEAMPUNK! So many great things on Acorn! Happy Retirement! My Daddy just retired a couple weeks ago - he's driving my Mamma crazy! Cheers!
      ~Miss Jones
      PS. Now don't be nagging me about replying to blog comments! LOL I've been cra cra busy since Palm Springs & went right into standardized testing!

      Delete

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