Picks of the Week offers Women and Hollywood’s top recommendations — women-driven and women-made movies, series, VOD releases, and more — and tells you why they are worth your time and money.
Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (Series) – Created by Awkwafina and Teresa Hsiao
Nothing can make up for Awkwafina’s Oscars snub, but this new Comedy Central series helps soften the blow. Created by the star of “The Farewell” and Teresa Hsiao, “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens” is a comedy loosely based on Awkwafina’s life. Nora is a 27-year-old who doesn’t have many skills or prospects but, since she still lives with her dad (BD Wong) and grandma (Lori Tan Chinn), at least she doesn’t have to worry about making rent.
And that’s basically the gist of the show. Like its spiritual predecessor “Broad City,” each episode of “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens” offers one adventure in the life of a charismatic slacker. Nora sees friends — most of whom are as lost as she is — tries and fails to make some cash, bickers with her golden child cousin (Bowen Yang), and gets into shenanigans. Because she’s played by Awkwafina, she’s pretty fun to hang out with. Plus, if the granddaughter-grandmother bond in “The Farewell” melted your heart, you’re in luck: one of the most delightful parts of “Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens” is the title character’s close relationship with her grandma. It’s much bawdier and blunter than the one “The Farewell’s” Billi and Nai Nai share, but just as loving. (Rachel Montpelier)
“Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens” premiered January 22 on Comedy Central. New episodes will air Wednesdays.
Shrill (Series) – Created by Aidy Bryant, Alexandra Rushfield, and Lindy West
“Shrill”
“Shrill” Season 2 kicks off with Annie (Aidy Bryant) at a crossroads. She has just quit her full-time job and is now trying to be a freelance writer. To say the journey has been humbling is an understatement. At least she has ambition, which cannot be said of her boyfriend, Ryan (Luka Jones).
Annie confronts her troll, a poser who is frightened when a woman he harassed online actually dares to speak to him in real life. Yet that’s what Annie does, and it makes for a great story — but, as she finds out, writing it is not the key to her success. But her struggle for recognition is real and her commitment to claim her own power on her journey is something that everyone can relate to. As “Shrill” reminds us, life, for the most part, is not an upward trajectory — it’s highs and lows. Even though Annie is floundering, Bryant continues to shine in her lead performance. (Melissa Silverstein)
Season 2 of “Shrill” premieres January 24 on Hulu.
New and Returning TV Shows On Our Radar
The Bold Type – Created by Sarah Watson (Freeform, January 23)
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix, January 24)
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