You know we’re big fans of Rahul Khanna‘s style and sass over here at Team MissMalini; but of late, I’ve also discovered that he has the BEST taste in TV shows too (AND he even listened to that podcast Serial I was momentarily obsessed with). So of course I asked him if he’d share his 10 favourite shows, so you (and I) could add them to our #mustwatch lists, STAT!
Psst! Remember when I caught him spying? Well he’s back! Scroll down to the bottom for deets… xoxo
1. Transparent
One of the most brilliant pieces of writing and acting I’ve seen recently. It’s about a father in his 70s who reveals to his adult children that he is transitioning into a woman. It’s edgy, uplifting and heartwarming without being preachy. You come away realizing that no matter how much society tries to pigeon-hole and divide, the basic human experience is universal — we’re all more similar than different and diversity should be celebrated, not stigmatized. Jeffrey Tambor’s performance is so unimaginably excellent it defies description but the rest of the cast, too, is extraordinary.
2. Episodes
An absolutely hilarious show about a British couple who are hired to move to Hollywood to remake their successful, BAFTA winning sitcom for American TV. Things start to get messy when the network starts making all sorts of ridiculous changes and pressurizes them into casting Matt LeBlanc (he plays an over the top version of himself!). It’s laugh-out-loud funny and I just can’t get enough of it!
3. Veep
I don’t usually like political themed shows but Julia Louis-Dreyfus is one of my favourite actresses and even if she were to just read out a phone book, I would watch it. I’ve just started this and am really enjoying it.
4. The Comeback
I love stories about second chances and Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe from Friends) is amazing as a washed-up actress navigating industry politics after getting another shot at Hollywood stardom. It’s absurd, moving and hilarious all at once (the season 2 finale, in particular, is superb!) The show itself is a comeback of sorts. It premiered all the way back in 2005 and was cancelled after the first season. It was revived for a second season 9 years later in 2014. I have only watched season 2, which is excellent and has lots of fun celebrity cameos.
5. Game of Thrones
Television crack! This sexy, fantastical, special-effects heavy show is dangerously addictive. I have pulled so many all-nighters obsessively immersed in their world of dragons, sword fights, sky cells, dire wolves and moon doors! One of the main draws is the incredible Peter Dinklage who I’ve been in awe of even before this show. Fellow fans of his towering talent on the show will love this hilarious video:
6. Mad Men
Quite simply the most stylish show on TV! It’s set in the New York City advertising world of the 1950s. The mid-century period detailing in the costume and production design is eye-wateringly beautiful and supports the most nuanced and engaging scripts and performances. Plus, it stars my Bollywood/ Hollywood co-star, Jessica Paré! When I grow up I want to be Don Draper. Let’s face it, which guy doesn’t?
7. Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee
OK, not technically a “TV” TV show but, if, like me, you love Top Gear and Seinfeld, this is the show for you. Each episode of Jerry Seinfeld’s hit online chat show features a beautiful classic car and a freewheeling chat with one of his favourite fellow comedians. Whimsical, hilarious and breezy, it often feels like you’re eavesdropping on a really fun conversation at the next table in a coffee shop. comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com
8. Downton Abbey
I loved the first season, I really liked the subsequent few seasons but now I’m mostly just annoyed by the prissy posturing and “rich-people problems” of the aristocratic Crawley Family and their servants as they navigate life on their sprawling estate in post-Edwardian England. Much as I like to mock it, it remains a guilty pleasure and can’t seem to get enough of the manners, period details and, of course, Maggie Smith’s tour de force performance as the outrageous matriarch of the family. Plus, I secretly think having a valet and donning white tie for dinner every night is kind of cool!
9. Louie
Louis CK is my favourite male comedian at the moment. It is written, directed, edited, and produced by him and he also stars in the show as a fictionalized version of himself — a comedian and newly divorced father raising his two daughters in New York City. The show is a series of extended vignettes that revolve around Louie’s life, interspersed with live stand-up performances. Hilarious and poignant at the same time.
10. The Americans
This is the Golden Age of television and The Americans is definitely among the crème de la Kremlin of shows! Disguises, spy gadgets and espionage a’plenty, all set to a deliciously nostalgic 80s soundtrack! Created by former CIA officer, Joe Weisberg, this thrilling and sexy show is about two KGB spies posing as a married couple in Washington DC during the Cold War and I’m so excited to have the opportunity to be a small part of it. At the end of last season (Season 2) my character Yousaf, a high ranking Pakistani intelligence officer was introduced. He’s an Oxford educated, ex-cricketer with a bit of a roving eye who often visits Washington for meetings with the CIA. The KGB had set, what is known as, a “honey trap” for him using one of their assets, Annelise — a sexy Washington socialite (played by the fantastic Gillian Alexy).
They then covertly engineered to have him promoted within the ISI to serve their own purposes. In the premiere of Season 3 (January 28
th
on FX in the US and January 29
th
on Star World Premiere in India) there’s a shocking twist and Yousaf finds himself unexpectedly beholden to the KGB. It’s been such a privilege working with Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell and I got to meet Noah Emmerich, whom I’ve had such an acting crush on ever since I started watching the show. I’ve shot for three episodes so far and will hopefully be back for another couple more before the end of the season. I’ve read quite a few of the scripts and all I can say is, have a shot of vodka and fasten your seatbelts, comrades! You’re in for a bumpy ride!
Well now I know what I’ll be watching on January 29th on Star World Premiere, will you? 🙂