Photo Credit: Netflix
With so many TV shows airing over the next few months, what will become the “show of the summer?”
Buckle up, because a lot of great television is on the horizon, and no, I’m not talking about Bachelor In Paradise (although I will, of course, be watching). With Game of Thrones exiting stage left, there is the opportunity for another TV show to claim the “championship belt.” What will be the “show of the summer”? I narrowed it down to five contenders. Let’s go through them and guess the winner.
Black Mirror
Why It Will Win:
If someone were to argue Black Mirror was the best show on television, I wouldn’t think they were crazy at all. Its level of creativity and sophistication sometimes feels unprecedented in the television medium. Not only can one expect season five’s plots to be gripping, the inclusion of Miley Cyrus and Anthony Mackie, among other notable names, will surely get people excited.
Why It Won’t:
Although the episodes are in some ways tied together, each is essentially its own story. I like this about the show, but it makes it difficult for a season as a whole to build in momentum. Shows that have one focus and storyline have an advantage in this regard. Each Black Mirror episode will be viewed individually, and there will likely be some that are received much better than others (this is how its been in past seasons). The season could very well be great, but it’s unlikely to be the “show of the summer.”
Succession
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Why It Will Win:
I’ll be honest; I’m not sure Succession belongs on this list quite yet, but my love for it forced me to put it on the list. The first season started to build a loyal following due to its myriad of captivating characters, and the show’s audience has surely increased since season’s end. With a season under their belts, I expect the show’s writers to come out firing.
Why It Won’t:
It’s pretty simple. Since there’s only been one season, the show hasn’t had the time to build the same following as some of the other contenders.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Why It Will Win:
Handmaid’s has used its two seasons to garner a wide amount of praise and attention. Although it would have likely been popular a decade ago as well, the TV show has benefitted from the current social and political climate. Several parallels have been drawn between the policies of the show’s “Gilead” and certain things going on in the real world. The conversation surrounding this has definitely taken the show’s profile to a whole new level.
Why It Won’t:
Although Hulu has plenty of subscribers (28 million in US), it doesn’t quite compare to Netflix’s 60 million US subscribers. The lower subscriber base inherently gives Netflix shows a higher “popularity” potential. I think the quality of the show itself is definitely “show of the summer” worthy, but will the platform provide it enough exposure?
Big Little Lies
Why It Will Win:
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The number one thing the show has going for it is its incredible cast: Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, and now the huge addition of Meryl Streep. No show on television has a cast that can match this in terms of star-power. Based on personal experience, HBO seems to be investing quite a bit in promotion for this season, which will only help build up the hype.
Why It Won’t:
On the one hand, the end of season one makes one want to see what will happen next. But on the other hand, I would have been satisfied if the entire show had ended there. If others agree with me, could this hurt anticipation for the show? Additionally, despite the great cast, the show felt a little under the radar last season. Will the viewership be there to win the summer competition?
Stranger Things
Why It Will Win:
Stranger Things is coming off a very solid two seasons and has a cast of talented young actors that viewers have fallen in love with. The Netflix platform will provide the show with a huge potential audience, and Netflix has invested a lot in terms of promoting this season.
Why It Won’t:
Season two was solid, but I’m not sure there’s more anticipation for season three than there was for the prior season. I can’t prove this is correct, but if it’s true, it would surely impact viewership. Additionally, the fact the season (like all Netflix TV shows) will be released all at once could limit the show’s popularity. It will probably receive a lot of attention the first week or so following the release, but will likely fade after that. In comparison, weekly shows like Handmaid’s, Big Little Lies, and Succession might have an advantage, as they will have the opportunity to grow in hype and popularity over the course of the whole summer.
Verdict
I have no scientific way to judge what show will ultimately claim the “show of the summer” throne, but I’ll make my prediction anyway. I’m judging what TV show I think will have the largest cultural impact/hype over the course of the summer, and I think the answer is The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s built up a loyal following over the course of two seasons, will drive a lot of conversation with comparisons to the real world, and will receive attention the entire summer due to its weekly episode format. Hulu might not be as large a platform as Netflix, but its plenty big enough to drive Handmaid’s to victory.