Ryan Knopp

Reviews

| 2021

Season 2:

This season builds on the foundation laid in the first season, delving deeper into Allison’s story and the world around her. The show’s use of genre-shifting continues to be an excellent feature, as Allison’s reality shifts from 90’s sitcom to drama depending on her mental state. The exploration of trauma and power dynamics adds depth to the characters and themes, and the addition of new characters and plotlines keeps the show feeling fresh and exciting. Annie Murphy’s performance continues to be a standout, delivering both the humor and the emotional weight of her character’s journey.

Season 1:

November 30, 2021

“Kevin Can F*** Himself” is a captivating and inventive show that masterfully blends a nostalgic 90’s sitcom with a bleak and raw drama. The series revolves around Allison, a fed-up wife who dreams of killing her obnoxious and chauvinistic husband, Kevin. The show explores the gender dynamics and societal pressures that impact Allison’s life, all while deftly transitioning between the idyllic and formulaic sitcom world and the grittier and more realistic one. The concept is intriguing and the execution is seamless, thanks to the excellent performances and sharp writing. Season 1 sets the stage for a thrilling and unpredictable ride, leaving viewers eager for more. Overall, “Kevin Can F*** Himself” is a must-watch for those seeking a fresh and provocative take on the sitcom genre.

| 2019

Season 2

Season 2 continues to explore the aftermath of the sexual misconduct scandal and how it has affected the characters. The season introduces a new character, played by Julianna Margulies, who adds an interesting dynamic to the mix. The writing and performances remain strong, and the show continues to tackle relevant issues with nuance and depth. While the second season is not quite as impactful as the first, it is still a worthy continuation of the story.

Season 1

December 3, 2020

This show is a compelling drama series that delves into the aftermath of a “me too” incident involving a high-profile news anchor. The show sheds light on the dynamics of power within the television industry, particularly how the networks’ advertising and ownership can influence the content and direction of their programming. The narrative is well-crafted, presenting the perspectives of both men and women in a nuanced and thought-provoking way. The show is a testament to the complexity of human emotions and relationships, making for a truly dynamic viewing experience. The acting performances are stellar, bringing a sense of authenticity and depth to the characters. Overall, “The Morning Show” is an intriguing and engaging watch.

| 2011-2021

Shameless is a 10-season-long TV show that I loved watching from start to finish. Each season was great in its own way, and I can’t really say that any of them were bad. Watching the Gallagher kids grow up and dealing with their unique problems was like watching a car crash in slow motion - you know it’s not good, but you just can’t look away. The consistency of the cast over the entire 10 seasons was amazing, making it feel like a real family affair. With the perfect balance of humor, drama, and real-life issues, Shameless is a reflection of real life - if real life involved stealing cars, fighting with siblings, and raising a baby at 12 years old. It’s definitely not a show for the young ones, so make sure they’re safely tucked in bed before hitting play.

| 2018

Season 3:

This season of Manifest was a bit better than Season 2 but not as good as Season 1. They went back to the Season 1 style of the show, but it’s still a little slow. I feel like this show could drag on forever now as they still seem to look for clues of the wreck. It’s like they close one storyline but three more pop up. I will probably watch Season 4, it’s still interests me enough to keep going.

Season 1 and 2:

August 17, 2021

This shows premise reminds me a lot like the show Lost and it seems to even follow the train wreck that Lost did in quality. The first season of Manifest was pretty good then the second season showed up and the writers didn’t really seem to know what to do with it. The acting isn’t that great either in this show, some of it is very cringe worthy. Not sure if I’ll watch Season 3 yet, it’s currently not available for me.

| 2015-2020

Schitt’s Creek is a hilarious show that I highly recommend for those who enjoy comedies. The show follows a wealthy family who suddenly lose everything and are forced to move to a small town and live in a hotel. While the show spans 5 seasons, some of the best moments are in the first few seasons. The humor comes from the drastic lifestyle change the family experiences and their interactions with the quirky townspeople. The chemistry between the characters is excellent and the comedic timing is spot on. If you’re looking for a lighthearted and funny show to watch, Schitt’s Creek is definitely worth checking out.

| 2019

Season 2:

The first season starts slow but ended at a pretty good pace. The second season continued this pace throughout the whole season. This season continued the storyline of season one and brought it to the next level. The ending was unexpected and even had me doing internet searches about how they were able to pull it off. I enjoyed it and can’t wait for season 3 to come out. They are hitting this series out of the park.

Season 1:

June 10, 2020

I really like the western theme of this show. The special effects are great and love seeing the old Star Wars environment and themes. I found the series fun to watch and the action sequences were great. The whole series reminded me of the original Star Wars trilogy. The storyline is decent, the episodes seem short but I’m not complaining too much as I feel like most series these days have over hour episodes so it was nice seeing the shorter episodes. The end of season one was wrapped up nicely but left plenty of room to be continued, in which I will probably keep watching.

| 2009-2015

Community is an original and hilarious show that can take some time to fully appreciate. While the first season may be a slow start, viewers can expect to become fully invested in the characters by the end of it. Seasons two and three are where the show really shines with its witty humor and engaging storylines. Unfortunately, season four was a major dumpster fire, taking the series in a different and lackluster direction. However, the fifth and sixth seasons show some improvement, even if they suffer from losing some of the original cast members.

Despite some ups and downs, Community is definitely worth watching for its clever humor and pop culture references. Those who appreciate a show with originality and off-beat humor will find a lot to enjoy. While viewers could stop after the first three seasons without missing too much, the overall series is still a fun and entertaining ride that has garnered a lot of love from its fans.

| 1997-2010

When “King of the Hill” originally aired, I found it quite funny, and after watching all 13 seasons, I can say that it still holds up in many ways. While season one starts off slow, the series picks up around mid to late season two and hits its prime between season two and season six, maybe seven. The episodes in these seasons are hilarious, with moments that had me nearly falling out of my chair laughing (pocket sand!). Unfortunately, the show starts going downhill around season 8 and never quite recovers, with some funny one-liners but nothing like before. The series ends without any real conclusion, almost as if the creators didn’t know they were going to be canceled. If you’re a fan of the show or looking for a good laugh, I would recommend watching it, but I suggest saving yourself some time and stopping after season seven or eight.

| 2020

Set in the 90s, “Little Fires Everywhere” portrays a clash between two mothers leading contrasting lives. Reese Witherspoon portrays Elena, living an entitled life that she feels she has complete control over. Kerry Washington plays Mia, a protective mother who aims to do the right thing. The show’s similarities with “Big Little Lies,” which also stars Witherspoon in a role reminiscent of Elena’s, are noticeable. The acting is superb, and the characters seem to inhabit their roles seamlessly. The story can be emotional at times, touching on sensitive issues like abortion and class entitlement. As the series draws to a close, the plot becomes more gripping, culminating in a satisfying and unexpected finale.

| 2016-2020

I liked the storyline of this show. It’s a wonderful light-hearted comedy that gives you some life lessons along the way. The four-season show didn’t have any low points as it started strong and stayed that way with some twists along the way. It was a very imaginative show that went a different direction than most recent shows tend to take a no crude jokes very innocent humor. It was pleasing to watch. The final two shows closed the series out quite well. While I probably wouldn’t watch the series again, I would recommend it if someone needed a new series to watch.