2013 Favourites Addendum: TV Shows

I apparently watch SO much TV/Netflix, that I completely forgot about the following three shows that were definitely 2013 favourites.

Screenshots taken from the iPad Netflix app.


The Mind of a Chef (Season 1, David Chang)

The first season of this show is based around Momofuku-empire's David Chang. I find his sense of humour to be so hilarious. The show itself is incredibly funny, smart, and hunger-inducing. There are some really weird segments as well, but I loved watching this show. It is narrated by Anthony Bourdain, so you just know that this show will SOUND good too. MUST SEE if you are into food!!

As a bonus, Aziz Ansari (from Parks and Recreation) appears in a couple of episodes while dining with Chang, and his comments are hilarious too :)

There are 16 half-hour episodes. I wished they were longer! I have yet to see the second season (about a different chef), but am looking forward to it!






Call the Midwife

Summary from Wikipedia: The plot follows newly qualified midwife Jenny Lee and the work of midwives and the nuns of Nonnatus House, a nursing convent, part of an Anglican religious order, coping with the medical problems in the deprived Poplar district of London's desperately poor East End in the 1950s. The Sisters and midwives carry out many nursing duties across the community. However, with between 80 and 100 babies being born each month in Poplar alone, the primary work is to help bring safe childbirth to women in the area and to look after their countless newborns.

Great character growth, interesting plot lines, beautiful sets, and just overall very engaging. Chummy is my favourite character. Highly recommend this show!!





Derek

Summary from Wikipedia: Gervais plays 49-year-old Derek Noakes, a care worker in a home for the elderly who has worked there for three years. He likes watching reality television shows and game shows and is interested in celebrities, fame, YouTube, and above all, talking about animals. He is kind, helpful, and selfless, with good intentions. He is vulnerable because of his childlike naivety and lack of intelligence. He is ridiculed and ostracised, as well as being marginalised by mainstream society because of his social awkwardness, unattractiveness, and lack of inhibitions. Derek says it is more important to be kind than to be clever or good-looking. Many media sources describe him as autistic.[9] Though Gervais himself has always stated that Derek is not mentally disabled, people with high functioning autism are often not actually intellectually impaired.

At first glance, I thought this Ricky Gervais show was going to be embarrassing at best and offensive at worst, but it turned out to be so incredibly heart-warming. I actually cried in the last episode. It's such a sweet show, and some parts had me howling in laughter. If you've been on the fence about trying this one on Netflix, try it!! There are only 7 episodes in this first season, and they are short episodes at ~30 minutes. Apparently there is a second season on the way -- I hope it is as good as the first!





Are you a fan of these shows, or think you might be interested in seeing them?