In my BC (before children) days, there were many a weekend day when we would be too exhausted to go anywhere or plan anything after a long week at work.  Back then I was commuting to Palo Alto and working 10+ hour days, so despite my youth, I relished the occasional lazy afternoon turned into an evening on the couch.  I remember watching episode after episode of the first season of The Sopranos until 4 am, stopping only to get charcuterie and cheese for ourselves. It was just too tempting watching Tony chow down all the time.  Every time we finished one episode, we’d think, just one more!  This was before the days of on-demand or the term “binge-watching” was coined.

Nowadays, it’s rare to be able to sit still for so long much less do it while mindlessly watching TV, but there are so many more shows and so many different outlets — many of my younger friends don’t even own a television.  With one of my favorites, “Mad Men” coming to an end this weekend, I need to find a new show to watch this summer.  Any suggestions?  Please add them to the comments.

Looking for a new show too?  Here are my suggestions for summer watching:

1. The Americans: Married Russian spies posing as American travel agents in the 80’s. Watch for Keri Russel in a very un-Felicity like role.
2. Orphan Black: The premise sounds ridiculous and I’m not a fan of Sci-Fi, but I love this show.  Tatiana Maslany deserves every TV acting award.
3. The Mindy Project:  The antics of a confident, smart female doctor who loves fashion and entertainment gossip, with the men as her sidekicks.  Love Mindy Kaling and her book.
4. The Affair:  This one had a slow start, but this he-said, she-said drama totally sucked me in.  Heartbreaking, but addictive.
5. Friday Night Lights.  Small-town H.S. football in Texas.  None of this would seem to appeal to me, but there is nothing about this show that I don’t love.  Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton are the best TV couple ever.  And unlike the Sopranos (and I’m pretty sure, Mad Men), the series finale gives satisfying closure to fans.

Image courtesy of AMC.