It’s been so long since I’ve written anything on here but then you probably don’t need me to tell you that. Truth be told, I’ve been suffering a bit from writer’s block which has a number of things at its core:

1. I’ve not done anything blog-worthy
2. No one wants to read about a holiday that they can’t go on (hello lockdown)
3. I am feeling the pressure to write something positive but struggling to think of anything that falls into that category
4. The world just feels a bit ‘heavy’ right now
5. I’m not sure I have any readers left!

So yeah, that’s it in a nutshell.

Something I have been doing a lot of lately, which I’m hazarding a guess many of you (if of course I *do* have any readers left) have been doing too, is watching TV. I mean, what else is there to do in lockdown?

We’ve been utterly spoilt for choice. Remember the innocent days of 3 channels? Now we’ve got Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sky and new to the party is Britbox. I can’t keep up!

I thought it might be fun to chat about some of our favourites over the last couple of months (I can’t think much further back than that I’m afraid) so here are mine, in no particular order…

Best Things on TV in Lockdown

This is Us Seasons 4 & 5 – Amazon Prime

I was a season behind on This is Us but over the last month, I caught up on the whole of season 4 and have just embarked on season 5. If you haven’t come across it yet, This is Us is the story of one family and how their past has helped shape them into the people they are today and who they will be in the future.

It’s so cleverly done and has you on an emotional rollercoaster every episode. Season 5 has me gripped already but they are only releasing an episode one week at a time so I’m having to wait for the next one. Something none of us are used to these days!

This season they have expertly woven in some topical subjects, namely Coronavirus and Black Lives Matter. I won’t give any more away, but please give it a go if you haven’t already!

Emily in Paris – Netflix

If you’re looking for something light-hearted that will fulfil your need for total escapism, this fits the bill. It’s a short series that makes you cringe and smile in equal measure, but the fashion is a delight and there’s Parisian charm in every scene.

It follows the story of Emily who has moved from Chicago to Paris, to begin working as a trainee in a french marketing agency. She can’t speak a word of french and gets herself into an awful lot of ridiculous scrapes but it’s fun.

I watched it with my youngest daughter and we both loved it. The OH hated it of course!

The Undoing – Sky Atlantic

Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman seem an unlikely pairing in this exciting rollercoaster. Initially, I thought Hugh Grant lacked something in his acting but as the weeks went on, he grew on me. Nicole Kidman is of course brilliant, although her face doesn’t move much thanks to Botox!

This psychological thriller kept us guessing right until the very end. You must watch it!

The Crown Season 4 – Netflix

I started and finished season 4 in one week. Some of it I found a bit ‘hammed up’ but it was a compelling watch and probably more so in this season because I remember most of the content actually happening in real life. Of course that didn’t stop me from checking facts on Wikipedia (and yes, I know this isn’t necessarily a reliable source) every 5 minutes!

I was shocked and disappointed when it came to an abrupt end. I do wonder if the next series will be vetoed by the Royal Family altogether. What do you think?

Gogglebox – Channel 4

When this show was first advertised all those years ago, I thought it was a ridiculous idea – watching other people watch TV? How absurd!

It’s honestly my favourite thing to watch and brightens up a Friday evening in lockdown, no end. I still can’t decide who my favourites are but Giles and Mary are up there, along with the hilarious brother and sister duo – Pete and Sophie. Who are your favourites?

The Queen’s Gambit – Netflix 

This 7-part mini series set in the 1950s and through to the 60s is an absolute triumph! It follows an orphaned chess prodigy on her rise to becoming the world’s greatest chess player while struggling with emotional problems and drug and alcohol dependency.

It wasn’t at all what I (or my daughter who bemoaned yet another programme about the Queen) were expecting and even the OH enjoyed it. This was probably my favourite TV discovery in lockdown.

So go on then, tell me what I should be watching next because I’m all out of ideas and we’re heading into Tier 3 tomorrow…