![]() If you want a crash course in American history, or if you simply want to see why conservatives are all up in arms over the truth, this is a series to watch. “The 1619 Project” reiterates how the Black experience is deeply ingrained in the nation’s fabric. Analyzing the impact of slavery on every aspect of our society, from our government to popular culture, the scholar tackles a variety of themes, including capitalism and fear of the Black body, to music and democracy -even infusing her familial history in the show to showcase all of the beautiful and rotten nuances that make us so uniquely American. Hannah-Jones’ thesis says the actual founding of America began in 1619 when the first Africans stepped on American soil. However, following the successes of the New York Times piece and book, the expansive undertaking was adapted as a six-part series on Hulu. Nikole Hannah-Jones’ brilliant long-form reframing of the Black American experience in “The 1619 Project” was one of the catalysts that reinvigorated the extensive book banning across southern and middle America. Sure, there aren’t any overly sultry scenes or “true” drama, save for the racial violence that Peggy witnesses during her ill-fated trip down South, but sometimes you just want to linger in a show, not be dragged through it. Also, watching Cynthia Nixon transform into Ada Brook, Agnes’ meek spinster, is just delicious television. The contrast between racial violence and oppressive labor against warring Opera Houses and extravagant vacation homes showcases the oft-conflicting societal shifts in America. ![]() Expanding beyond East 61st St., the series also examines the Black experience outside of servitude through journalist Peggy Scott (Denée Benton), the daughter of an affluent Brooklyn pharmacist and a friend to Mrs.Van Rhijn’s niece Marian Brook (Louisa Jacobson). The New York-set series follows an eclectic cast of characters, from Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon), whose railroad tycoon husband, George (Morgan Spector), has launched them into a new stratosphere of wealth, to Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski), a vicious old money socialite with razor-thin patience, there is so much for the viewers to feast their eyes upon. Julian Fellowes’ drama showcases a time when income taxes were non-existent, opulence was aplenty (for a select few) and the old money and nouveau riche were at odds. It’s been said that nothing much happens on “The Gilded Age,” but if you believe that’s the truth, you haven’t been paying attention. Herman’s picks run the gamut from Emmy juggernaut “Succession” to “Scavengers Reign,” an eerie animated adventure that initially slipped under the radar she and Tinubu converged on “Gen V,” the supercharged (pun intended) spinoff of “The Boys.” With so many gems to choose from, these 19 shows remained top of mind in a year unlike any we’ve seen before. For Tinubu, historical series like “Fellow Travelers,” female-led dramas like “A Murder at the End of the World” and queer romances like the joyous YA drama “Heartstopper” exhibit the splendor of television, especially when underrepresented groups are given the reins to tell their stories in the entertainment industry. There’s a good chance you’ve seen some of these shows, and a great chance you haven’t even heard of others. But while the bubble may have burst, there was still a bounty of new and noteworthy programming in 2023 – to the point where Variety TV critics Alison Herman and Aramide Tinubu overlapped with a single show in their picks for the best shows of the year. In the aftermath of this year’s dual strikes, television faces a radically altered landscape, and probably a much smaller one: It’s unlikely we’ll ever revisit the Peak TV production heights of 2022, which boasted nearly 600 original series.
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