We’re already a month into the official summer season, and there’s so much to watch but never enough time. That’s why, this week, I bring you a list of watchables with a dash of legendary history, a police procedural, some silliness, and a sprinkle of horror, since we are, you know, crawling towards the spooky season.
These are the five Paramount+ shows you need to binge this week, July 7.
5
Detroiters
Release Year
2017
Seasons
2
Episodes
20
Starring
Sam Richardson, Tim Robinson, Jason Sudeikis
Status
Ended
Executive produced by Lorne Michaels and SNL alum (and Ted Lasso, himself) Jason Sudeikis, this is one of those buddy sitcoms to watch if you’re looking for a good laugh.
Sam Duvet (Sam Richardson) and Tim Cramblin (Tim Robinson) are best friends and local advertisers in Detroit, Michigan. Together, they run a fledgling advertising agency called Cramblin-Duvet, which Tim inherited from his legendary, albeit struggling, father.
Detroiters revolves around Sam and Tim’s attempts to land clients, create (really bad) low-budget commercials for local businesses, and build their advertising empire, despite their lack of talent, connection, or money. Their ambition is unwavering, though, and that’s what carries this silly little series.
The show is full of irreverent humor, with most of the comedic chemistry coming from Sam and Tim. Detroiters offers a heartwarming look at friendship while celebrating the city of Detroit. Each episode explores its own world, so don’t expect anything linear, but overall, the overarching goal is to get the guys to the next level.
4
George & Tammy
Release Year
2022
Seasons
1
Episodes
6
Starring
Jessica Chastain, Michael Shannon
Status
Ended
Even if country music isn’t your thing, you should still watch George & Tammy. It’s a powerfully outstanding historical account of the lives of country superstars Tammy Wynette and George Jones
Starring Jessica Chastain as Wynette and Michael Shannon as Jones, the limited series chronicles their tumultuous relationship. The couple shared iconic musical collaborations that incited a powerful chemistry between them. Everyone felt it, and everyone heard it in their music … but then it all came crashing down in tragedy.
George & Tammy delves into the lives and careers of two of country music’s most famous and tragic figures. Jones was a known alcoholic who was emotionally volatile, and Tammy was addicted to pain medication, thanks to complications from her many pregnancies. Both battled mental health issues as well.
Their story is one of passion, love, hate, and dysfunction, detailing the creation of iconic music amidst personal chaos. The series covers a significant portion of their lives and careers, from the 1960s to the 1990s. It’ll exhilarate you, take your breath away, and leave you shattered.
3
Penny Dreadful
Release Year
2014
Seasons
3
Episodes
27
Starring
Eva Green, Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton, Rory Kinnear
Status
Ended
This Victoria-era psychological thriller weaves together classic horror characters into a fresh narrative that hooks you from the get-go. It’s one of those series that belongs on the list of acclaimed shows canceled way too soon, though.
Penny Dreadful is set in London, where classic literary characters like Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and Dracula leap from the pages of the inexpensive, sensational novels known as penny dreadfuls. The series follows the clairvoyant Vanessa Ives (Eva Green), American sharpshooter Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), and explorer Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton) as they confront and combat supernatural threats and personal demons.
What makes this series work so well is its weaving together of classic fictional monsters with original characters, who all face the dark mysteries of Gothic horror and the even darker aspects of human nature. The production value is impressive, as are the character-driven performances. Careful with this one, though: Penny Dreadful is full of twists and turns you won’t see coming but will keep you glued to the screen.
2
The Stand
Release Year
2020
Seasons
1
Episodes
9
Starring
James Marsden, Whoopi Goldberg, Alexander Skarsgård, Greg Kinnear
Status
Ended
Based on the hit 1978 novel by Stephen King and featuring a new coda written by the author, The Stand depicts an apocalyptic struggle between good and evil after a devastating epidemic wipes out most of the world’s population.
When a super flu is accidentally released from a military lab, it decimates 99% of the global population. The few immune survivors soon begin experiencing dreams with one of two people in them: Mother Abagail (Whoopi Goldberg), a frail 108-year-old woman representing good, and Randall Flagg (Alexander Skarsgård), an unspeakably powerful being with a lethal smile embodying evil. Survivors align themselves with one of the two followers, setting the stage for a climactic battle for the soul of the world.
Despite the series’ issue with pacing and narrative structure, The Stand features a star-studded cast in a modern take on a horror classic. It also features a whole new expanded ending of the 1990 version of the book, making this adaptation the third variation of the story’s conclusion.
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And here we go again.
1
Hawaii Five-0
Release Year
2010
Seasons
10
Episodes
239
Starring
Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park
Status
Ended
A modern reimagining of the 1968 Hawaii Five-O TV series, this reboot takes place in the same fictional universe as fellow reboot series MacGyver and Magnum P.I.—all of which were developed by Peter M. Lenkov, making all three shows components of the Lenkov-verse.
Hawaii Five-0 centers on a fictional special police major crimes task force operating at the behest of the governor of Hawaii. The classic crime drama follows a special task force led by former U.S. Navy officer Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin), who is tasked by the Governor to investigate and prosecute serious crimes across the island.
The elite team, known as “Five-0” tackles all kinds of threats, from terrorism to kidnapping to murder, operating with full immunity and backed by the Governor.
In addition to the stunning landscapes of Hawaii that add a unique visual appeal to this crime-centric narrative, this cast of characters share a great chemistry that feels real in this fictional world of high-stakes, action, and mystery.
Whether you’re traveling this summer, hanging out at home, or are enjoying some much-needed vacation time, Paramount+ has plenty of bingeworthy series for you to dive into and swim around in until you’re ready to surface for air. There are even upcoming Paramount+ series you’ll want to immerse yourself in. Happy viewing!
