Macall B. Polay/HBO
Peter Dinklage plays Tyrion Lannister on HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” which returns April 24.
It seems like only yesterday that I started writing about television for Isthmus. But in reality, the return of spring marks my delightful one-year anniversary. And I couldn’t have a better roster of TV premieres to share than this month’s slate. From Inside Amy Schumer to Game of Thrones, April will have you laughing, crying and probably rubbing your eyes a lot because, you know, pollen.
Catastrophe
Amazon, returns April 8
Everyone’s favorite profound Twitterer Rob Delaney is back for a second season of this British series. The Amazon original program centers on an American man and an Irish woman who find out they’re expecting a child after a business-trip fling. Sure, the premise is a nod to comedies like Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up, but Catastrophe really does have its own distinct flavor. The comedy is smart, sharp and weird, and it has the raunch Delaney displays on his Twitter account. Co-star and co-creator Sharon Horgan is a perfect counterpart to Delaney, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the six-episode second season has in store.
The Mindy Project
Hulu, returns April 12
While the current season of The Mindy Project started back in September, it got lost in the shuffle. Now with its midseason premiere after a four-month hiatus, I want to correct that oversight. The overall quality of plotlines and jokes has really increased since the show moved to Hulu in 2015. I always enjoyed The Mindy Project when it was on Fox, but creator and star Mindy Kaling is no longer bound by traditional network constraints as she and her team explore new artistic avenues. The character of Mindy is finally living her best life as an OBGYN, business owner and mom. However, she feels torn between staying a doctor and giving in to fiancé Danny’s pressures to become a stay-at-home mom to their son, Leo. This plotline is a major source of conflict, and I appreciate the show giving Mindy more substance. That said, the program hasn’t lost its delightful and biting sense of humor and it is better for it.
Orphan Black
BBC America, returns April 14
Next to foxy Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the music of Alanis Morissette and Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, Orphan Black is my favorite thing straight outta Canada. OB is a great thriller drama, and it recently received some of the critical acclaim it deserves, with award show acknowledgment of star Tatiana Maslany. She plays several roles on the program, starting with a woman who finds out she is a clone and realizes that whoever created her and her genetic matches is killing them off one by one. Maslany’s acting range and ability is astounding. If you love a dark sci-fi drama, you need to check out Orphan Black — but start at the beginning!
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Netflix, returns April 15
I am over the moon that a new season of Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is headed our way. The first season delighted me no end, with nods to 30 Rock in terms of the style of jokes, cutaways and playful music by Jeff Richmond. But don’t be fooled — Schmidt is a power player in its own right. It has a female heroine (expertly played by Ellie Kemper) who is equal parts cheery and naïve, and the supporting cast is pitch-perfect, with sitcom veteran Carol Kane (Taxi) crushing every scene and Broadway actor Tituss Burgess breaking out and being recognized (finally!) for the star that he is. Of course, Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) is a dynamo, and the writing on this show is usually tighter than the crank in the show’s bunker. I’m very excited for this next season, as this show is one of very few on television that makes me feel good. (Damn you, critically acclaimed dramas.) Get a glass of pinot noir and get ready, ’cause females are strong as hell!
Inside Amy Schumer
Comedy Central, returns April 21
In the promos for the new season of Inside Amy Schumer, Schumer comes right out and addresses the elephant in the room. With her burst of success and notoriety in 2015, are people sick of her? Not me. I am completely ready for new episodes of her Comedy Central juggernaut. Last season boasted some fantastic sketches about the unrealistic beauty standards women in Hollywood and everywhere else must live up to (“Last F******* Day,” “12 Angry Men”). While I love a lot of things about Amy Schumer, perhaps my favorite is that she always has her feet on the ground. Fame and fortune ruin a lot of comedians’ careers because they get ideas about what sort of work they should and shouldn’t be doing. I believe Schumer will stay true to herself and keep producing great work.
Game of Thrones + Veep + Silicon Valley
HBO, return April 24
Holy HBO! They know what they’re doing over there, showing season premieres of Game of Thrones, Veep and Silicon Valley on the same night. Last year, I felt GOT had one of its more unbalanced seasons. The show also reached new heights in upsetting audiences with various spoilery moments that I will not mention here. However, the creators and many cast members contend that this is the best season yet. I am hopeful and, as always, filled with nervous anticipation.
When it comes to Veep, I am a serial binge watcher. I like to wait ’til they pile up on my DVR then plow through multiple episodes, as they can almost read like a film. This show has one of the strongest comedic ensemble casts in TV, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus leads the pack with ferocious hilarity. This show is just another instance proving the Seinfeld curse is reserved only for George and Kramer.
Silicon Valley is HBO’s nerdy bro show for the ages. This is one I pop in and out of periodically — I enjoy it, but the tech industry is not a hot button for me (though I know many people who are fascinated by it). Silicon Valley has all the elements of a classic HBO program: strong writing, an intelligent premise and colorful characters — nerds and anti-heroes alike.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
HBO, premieres April 30
Okay, let me explain myself here. Typically, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a bloated parade of self-appreciation. Baby boomer rock ’n’ rollers are honored but often are barely speaking to their former bandmates. However, HBO has been broadcasting the annual induction ceremony for a few years now and it has refreshed my memory on some great ensembles from the past. Two years ago, several artists put on a splendid tribute to one of my favorites, Linda Ronstadt. Plus, this ceremony is the ultimate Behind the Music epilogue, filling in fans new and old on whether the bandmates are getting along and whether they can still play well. It’s almost like a train wreck — you can’t look away.
