BUCS’ EMMY-WORTHY BINGE LISTTHIS YEAR’S MUST-WATCH TV

By Kymani Phillips

For Barry Buccaneers, our semester begins unraveling in late August. For those who love to binge-watch while snacking, or need a little background noise to help get some sleep, you’re just in luck: the annual Emmy Awards are here to crown television's finest productions of the year! For the busy Bucs trying to find their next “go-to” show, this year’s Emmy ceremony highlighted a diverse lineup of shows — from sobering dramas to comedies that’ll keep you entertained for weeks! Below are eight Emmy-winning shows everyone should have on their radar, and just as importantly: where you can watch them.

Photo Credit to Pexels

Winning the Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series Award, and three additional awards for cast members, Netflix’s "Adolescence" drops viewers into the fractured family of thirteen-year-old Jamie Miller, who’s abruptly arrested by police for the murder of one of his classmates. The series thrives on uncertainty, forcing viewers to wrestle with the doubt of whether the young boy is truly the monster he’s accused of being. "Adolescence" is less about crime and more about the weight of guilt, toxic masculinity, and how children are shaped by influencers who profit from hate.

If you’re in the mood for something just as thought-provoking but rooted in science fiction, Apple TV+’s "Severance" is the next stop. "Severance" is a carefully crafted series that blends sci-fi, drama, and dark comedy into the perfect satire of corporate culture. While its first few episodes were criticized for strange pacing, it all pays off with the show’s characters and its sharp criticism of the modern-day workplace. Backed by a stellar cast with surprise favorite Tramell Tillman, this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you thinking!

HBO Max, however, has been on a real roll — sweeping up wins in Comedy, Drama, and Lead Actress. Leading the charge in Comedy is "Hacks." Jean Smart once again took home Lead Actress in a Comedy for her role as Deborah Vance, an aging standup comedian who needs to shake up her routine. What makes "Hacks" essential viewing is its balance between comedy and emotional depth — making you truly care about the cast (for all their messiness). Its latest season carries a perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, and viewership has jumped 48% according to Luminate Data, making it a worthwhile watch.

"Noah Wyle" Photo Credit to Wikimedia Commons

In Outstanding Drama Series was "The Pitt," a medical procedural drama that throws viewers directly into the nonstop pressure of Pittsburgh Hospital. Healthcare workers must juggle the life-or-death emergencies that come every day while trying to keep themselves together. Every moment brims with urgency, showing the real, physical demands of the job along with the emotional toll of carrying so many lives in their hands.

Then there’s "The Penguin." It brought Gotham’s underworld to the Emmy stage, with Colin Farrell’s chilling return as Oz Cobb and Cristin Milioti’s award-winning performance as Sofia “Gigante” Falcone. This gritty crime-drama spin-off of "The Batman" follows Oz’s ruthless climb to power after Gotham is left in chaos by the seawall collapse and the death of Carmine Falcone. With no Batman to stop him, the exploration of Gotham’s criminal politics earned HBO over 17 million viewers on its first episode alone, according to Deadline. Its Rotten Tomatoes score sits in the mid-80s, and strangers to the Batman fandom and diehard fans alike will be able to enjoy the show.

"Colin Farrell" Photo Credit to Wikimedia Commons

Together, these five Emmy winners offer a buffet of options for Barry students: heavy dramas that mirror life’s chaos, comedies that lighten the load, and reality TV that doubles as a social experiment. Whether you stream them on Netflix, Apple TV+, or HBO Max, there has never been a better time to let award-winning television become the backdrop to your semester!