Maggie Wells | Pop Culture Obsession

I admit it, I am a pop culture binger. As an author, I'm pretty focused, so I
don't allow myself many distractions when I'm in work mode, but in between
projects…watch out, I'm watching! There are a couple shows I do make time for
during the week because I have to watch in real time. I can't stand to be left out.

This Is Us

I have watched, and bawled, weekly since episode one. I love my hour with the
Pearson family each week. I have a rather impatient relationship with Kevin.
Most of the time, he aggravates me, but then…there are flashes of greatness. The
pushmi-pullyu nature of Kate and Toby's love affair hits me in all of the feels.
Toby may even be creeping past Jack to compete for second billing in my
affections. But no one can touch Sterling K. Brown as Randall, as far as I'm
concerned. I love him and every one of his neuroses. I love how he loves Beth
and the rest of his family. And I am so grateful that the show runners are still
allowing us glimpses of William.

*sigh* I just love that show.

The Voice

I keep waiting for my interest in this show to wane, but it's still going
strong. It seems the talent pool just keeps getting deeper and deeper. I love
watching people chase their dreams. As amused as I am by Blake, Adam, and the
revolving door of coaches, it's the raw talent of the contestants that lures me
back season after season. And, I never thought I would say this out loud, but I
love Miley Cyrus. Yes, she may be a little out there in some ways, but I am
super impressed with how invested she is in every contestant's improvement. In
my humble opinion, she is one of the best coaches the show has ever had.

The Crown The moment the second season dropped on Netflix, I was glued to the screen. Thankfully, these series have a limited number of episodes. That means I feel less guilty about spending a week binging on the ups and downs of the royal marriage than, say, the five seasons of Friday Night Lights I mainlined one fruitless August. I will miss Claire Foy's portrayal of Elizabeth as the characters age up, but I can't wait to see how the show progresses. Outlander

James Alexander Malcom MacKenzie Fraser. I feel I shouldn't have to say any more
than that, but since you didn't come here to listen to me sigh, I will expound.
I fell in love with Jamie Fraser on the first page. It's been fun to watch Sam
Heughan bring him to life in the series, and I think they are doing a great job
with bringing the stories to the screen, but book Jamie will always be first in
my heart. So much so, that I am indulging in an audiobook reread of the whole
series. If you are a fan of the Outlander books, I highly recommend Davina
Porter's magnificent narration.

BBC on PBS I'm pretty much a sucker for all Masterpiece and Masterpiece Mystery programming. I mourn the loss of Downton Abbey and live for any news of Sherlock series five starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. I'm hooked on Victoria and Grantchester, but I cannot wait for the newest season of Call the Midwife. The holiday special that aired on Christmas Day was just enough of a tease to whet my appetite for more of the midwives and nuns of Nonnatus House. Call the Midwife gives us a bit of nostalgia wrapped up with a sly dose of feminist social commentary. In my opinion, it's a must-see for anyone who needs a reminder of how far women have come in a relatively short span of time.

How about you? What are you obsessing over these days?