The 5 Best Shows on Netflix - August 205

As Netflix continues to dominate the streaming landscape, its library of original content has grown to an overwhelming size. With new series dropping seemingly every week, it can be a challenge to figure out what's truly worth your time. From gripping thrillers to heart-wrenching dramas, here are five of the best shows on Netflix right now, counting down to the must-see number one. 

5. Beef 

This darkly comedic limited series masterfully turns a simple road rage incident into an all-consuming feud between two strangers, Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) and Amy Lau (Ali Wong). The show’s brilliance lies in its unflinching exploration of their deep-seated frustrations and personal miseries. Beef isn't just about a rivalry; it's a profound character study of two people teetering on the edge, desperate for a release. The performances by Yeun and Wong are nothing short of phenomenal, making you simultaneously root for and cringe at their self-destructive behavior. 

4. Wednesday 

Tim Burton’s gothic sensibilities and a star-making performance from Jenna Ortega breathe new life into a beloved character in Wednesday. The series follows Wednesday Addams as she navigates life at Nevermore Academy, a school for monstrous outcasts. With a compelling mystery at its core, sharp wit, and a surprisingly emotional depth, the show is a perfect blend of supernatural teen drama and classic whodunit. Ortega's deadpan delivery and iconic dance scene made Wednesday a cultural phenomenon, proving that some characters are timeless. 

3. Baby Reindeer 

Based on the true story of creator and star Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer is a show that defies easy categorization. What begins as a seemingly harmless interaction between a struggling comedian and a lonely woman quickly spirals into a terrifying and complex story of stalking, trauma, and mental health. The series is a brutally honest and unflinching account of the blurred lines between victim and perpetrator. With its raw emotional intensity and masterful storytelling, Baby Reindeer is a difficult but essential watch that will stay with you long after the credits roll. 

2. The Diplomat 

This political thriller is a smart, fast-paced, and endlessly engaging ride. Keri Russell shines as Kate Wyler, a career diplomat unexpectedly appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to the UK. The show expertly blends high-stakes international politics with the messy realities of a marriage under pressure. The Diplomat is a show for those who crave witty dialogue and complex characters. It's a breath of fresh air in the political drama genre, offering both intellectual thrills and genuine heart. 

1. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End 

While not a Netflix original, this anime series has captivated audiences and topped streaming charts worldwide. Frieren: Beyond Journey's End is a fantasy series that subverts expectations by focusing on the aftermath of a great adventure. Frieren, an elven mage with a lifespan of over a thousand years, begins a new journey years after defeating the Demon King, reflecting on her fleeting memories with her human companions. It's a beautiful and poignant meditation on time, grief, and the true meaning of friendship. With stunning animation, a deeply moving narrative, and a quiet, introspective beauty, Frieren is a masterpiece that stands out as the best show you can stream on Netflix right now.

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'Shucked'

A wholesome and earnest satire of small-town life, "Shucked" harvests crops of clever puns for steady chuckles.

The musical, which started in Salt Lake City in 2022 and played on Broaday in 2023 to Tony-nominated acclaim before launching a national tour last year, offers loads of fun doled out by a capable cast. Crackling choreography, informed by country bar routines and old-fashioned square dance, provide a launching pad for a steady flow of cornfed laughs.  

Danielle Wade stars as Maizy, an iconoclastic small-town girl who is engaged to the earnest, if small-minded Beau (Jake Odmark). Desperate to expand her horizons while finding the cure to her town's epiddemic of withering corn crops, Maizy ventures out to Tampa, where she enlists the help of a smooth-talking swindler, Gordy (Quinn Vanvantwerp), to the chagrin of her overbearing cousin, Lulu (Miki Abraham). 

The show springs to life in its solo song-and-dance perofrmances. Wade carries many numbers with earnest charisma, injecting proto-feminist oomph into her lyrics, while Odmark owns his moments in the spotlight with a quiet confidence that wrestles with everpresent self-doubt. Mike Nappi swipes scenes as the wise-cracking Peanut, Beau's simpleton brother who deals out deadpan one-liners worthy of a Jeff Foxworthy album, proving he could easily carry an entire stand-up comedy show.

While the plot stretches distressingly thin the longer it unfurls, the show is so funny and wildly entertaining that it hardly matters. Never losing its sense of momentum, "Shucked" casts a captivating spell over the audience. Small yet resounding gestures from the performers, such as hammy tips of the cap to show appreciation for wild bursts of applause, go a long way toward connecting with the apprecaitive audience. The lead actors and ensemble all revel in the everpresent give-and-take.

An understated joy, "Shucked" is a disarming and joyous comedy that tugs you along on its wild hayride, hardly stopping for rest. It revels in its corniness, and thrives in its goofy yet resounding kernels of human truth.

"Shucked" plays through Aug. 10 at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.

 

Box Break: 2024 Leaf Electrum Football #2 - Jayden Daniel Auto Pulled

Thrilled with this Jayden Daniels autograph.