TV Spotlight – 10 Favorite TV Shows of 2016 – December 2016

The amount of Television I consume is not immense. I mostly only watch series available on HBO, Netflix and FXnow (but, thankfully that is generally where the best stuff can be found). I have indicated my personal favorite with an (*).

Ten Favorite Series of 2016:

Atlanta, season 1 – created by Donald Glover (FX)

BoJack Horseman, season 3 – created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg (Netflix)

The Crown, season 1 – created by Peter Morgan (Netflix)

Daredevil, season 2 – created by Drew Goddard (Netflix)

Game of Thrones, season 6 – created by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss (HBO)*

Girls, season 5 – created by Lena Dunham (HBO)

The Night Of – created by Richard Price & Steven Zaillian (HBO)

Stranger Things, season 1 – created by The Duffer Brothers (Netflix)

Vice Principals, season 1 – created by Jody Hill & Danny McBride (HBO)

Westworld, season 1 – created by Lisa Joy & Jonathan Nolan (HBO)

Ten Favorite TV Performances of 2016:

Will Arnett, leading performance in BoJack Horseman

Millie Bobby Brown, leading performance in Stranger Things

Claire Foy, leading performance in The Crown*

Kimberly Hebert Gregory, supporting performance in Vice Principals

Brian Tyree Henry, supporting performance in Atlanta

Anthony Hopkins, supporting performance in Westworld

Gillian Jacobs, leading performance in Love (Netflix)

Thandie Newton, supporting performance in Westworld

John Turturro, leading performance in The Night Of

Evan Rachel Wood, leading performance in Westworld

Ten Favorite TV Episodes of 2016:

Juneteenth, Atlanta – directed by Janicza Bravo

That’s Too Much Man, BoJack Horseman – directed by J.C. Gonzalez

Assassins, The Crown – directed by Benjamin Caron

Battle of the Bastards, Game of Thrones – directed by Miguel Sapochnik

The Winds of Winter, Game of Thrones – directed by Miguel Sapochnik*

People Persons, Orange Is the New Black – directed by Lev L. Spiro (Netflix)

Kissing Your Sister, VEEP – directed by David Mandel (HBO)

Gin, Vice Principals – directed by Jody Hill

No Way Out, The Walking Dead – directed by Greg Nicotero (AMC)

The Bicameral Mind, Westworld – directed by Jonathan Nolan

Childish Gambino – Because the Internet (2013) – Review

Review: Childish Gambino is back with his second studio album Because the Internet, following up his first Camp – an album that I really liked, but overall saw very mixed reactions. In between, Gambino also released a good mixtape with a few great songs called Royalty.

Because the Internet is highly ambitious musically, again showing off Donald Glover and Ludwig Goransson’s producing ability (something that also really shined on Camp). This album explores a lot of different sounds and rhythmic schemes to great effect. In this way, it does not sound like anything else in hip hop right now (which is a good thing). It is nice to see artists pushing the boundaries of the genre.

Thematically, Glover addresses the phenomenon of the internet in today’s culture – something he seems to have a somewhat negatively skewed perspective of, in that the internet allows for anonymous negativity towards artistic output and ambition on message boards, blogs and so on as well as proper online critical sites (this probably stemming from the harsh reviews his music has received by some, like Pitchfork) – how everything is very public and exploded by clicks-driven media (let us be honest, American media has become abysmal, far beyond embarrassing, just mean spirited, ill-informed, and completely uncaring – as if people ‘in the public’ are no longer human beings afforded the same rights as the rest of us; it is shameful). The album has a dark, angry feel and in many ways feels like a companion piece to Yeezus (a talented artist just fed up with the way the system works).

As a rapper, Glover is very talented. He nimbly navigates his beats with varying tones and flow styles. His voice at times sounds disinterested, as though what he is telling the listener are truths that they should already know, and he is forced to repeat himself over again because people are just not getting it, getting him. But, this is an aesthetic choice, to match his whole persona that he has developed during the year – that of a dejected, misunderstood artist. This choice is probably going to rub some fans and critics the wrong way, but the talent is undeniable.

I have said this in many other reviews of hip hop albums, but I like and respect the fact that Glover has delivered an album that primarily revolves around his own voice. There are no guest verses, with Chance The Rapper, Jhene Aiko, and Azealia Banks featuring in more backing roles. Too often hip hop albums, both good and bad, are overcrowded.

Because the Internet does not completely jump out at the listener with very catchy tracks like Camp did (the singles are good – songs like Crawl, Worldstar, Sweatpants, and 3005 – but the deep tracks are even better). However, it is one of the most ambitious and creative hip hop albums of the year – one very much worth checking out. 4/5

Essential Tracks:

1)     Life: The Biggest Troll (Andrew Auemheimer) – Produced by Donald Glover and Ludwig Goransson

2)     No Exit – Produced by Donald Glover and Ludwig Goransson

3)     Crawl – Produced by Donald Glover and Christian Rich

Available on: Digital Download

Childish Gambino – Camp (2011) – Review

Childish Gambino – Camp

Childish Gambino is the hip hop alter ego of comedy writer and actor Donald Glover (Troy in the fantastic show Community). He previously released three albums for free online, building buzz touring and honing his skills (which became noticeable and started turning heads with Culdesac). Early in 2011, he release an EP (titled EP) featuring the single Freaks and Geeks. The song and EP are brilliant – making Childish Gambino one of the most hyped up-and-comers in the industry and his first commercial release, Camp, a highly anticipated album. The album does not disappoint. Glover’s lyrics are the standout aspect. They are funny, raw, emotional, and personal. Listeners can connect with Glover because he authentically opens himself up. He is funny and boastful yet has a real message that is meaningful and poignant at times, and in this way along with not shying away from his emotions he reminds me of Kanye West (plus his production seems to be influenced by West as well, songs like Fire Fly). But his rawness and almost viscously angry flow at times also reminds me of another great new artist Tyler, The Creator (songs like Bonfire and Backpackers). While the album is probably not musically commercial enough to propel Glover to the top of the game, he is certainly a creative force for the underground (or semi-underground). Production wise, Glover and his production partner Ludwig Goransson have created an album with very interesting and diverse beats, yet maintaining a cohesive sound. The album flows well and works as a story with each track the next chapter. There are no weak moments (something very rare, especially with hip hop it seems). This is a must for fans that like alternative hip hop. 5/5

Editor’s Essential Songs:

1)      Bonfire – Produced by Donald Glover and Ludwig Goransson

2)      Outside – Produced by Donald Glover and Ludwig Goransson

3)      Heartbeat – Produced by Donald Glover and Ludwig Goransson

Available on CD and Digital Download