Sophia’s HBOMax Favorites

One of the most prevalent arguments among my friends centers around one question: What is the best streaming service? Obviously, I won’t waste your time with that silly question because any rational person can conclude that HBOMax is the winner; instead, I can offer you my personalized guide on the streaming service by providing in-depth suggestions for tv shows to watch on any occasion. Each suggestion will include a brief description of the show and a few important factors such as: 

Time Commitment: Is this a quick watch or will it take you 2 years and a stable mindset to finish it? 

Rotten Tomatoes Score: Everyone trusts them so might as well make this one of the factors.

Audience: Should you watch this show during a family gathering or with your group of friends?  

Will you get bored: This is a pretty self-explanatory concept.

(P.S I have watched all of these shows from start to finish so don’t worry, I’m an expert) 

Let’s get started! 

To the left, Hotel Manager Armond, Greets guest arriving to the White Lotus

The White Lotus: The Show to watch when you are in dire need of a vacation or an anxiety attack

General Consensus: The White Lotus is a comedic social satire anthology series that currently holds two seasons on HBOMax. In simple words- the show delves into the lives of a handful of wealthy tourists who are staying at the White Lotus resort. Season one is set at a resort in Hawaii where we are introduced to a pair of newlyweds celebrating their honeymoon, a grieving Jennifer Cooledge looking to spread her mom's ashes across the ocean, and a problematic family hoping to reunite on their vacation. Alongside the guest, we are introduced to a sporadic group of staff, including the vivacious and arguably insane hotel manager, Armond, played by Murray Barlett. The clash of ideologies, relationships, and social backgrounds creates the perfect combination for chaos, making this series one of the most stressful and amusing shows I have ever seen. 

While the first season provides social commentary on cultural appropriation, race, and class, the second season focuses more on morality, masculinity, and privilege. Season two takes place in Sicily, Italy, where we are accompanied by a whole new group of absurd guests, with the exception of Jennifer Coolidge's character, Tanya, who is returning from season one. Similarly to the first season, no character is safe from their own personal flaws and weaknesses. With this, you will finish the series probably hating half of the cast in itself. Without giving too much away, someone dies every season finale and each episode becomes increasingly more suspenseful, uncomfortable, and enjoyable all at the same time. There is currently a lot of argument over which season is better and I personally think that they are both vastly different and that it’s unfair to compare the two. I will say, the first season has much more comedic value, while the second season is darker and more dramatic. 

Stars of season two include: Aubrey Plaza, Theo James, Will Sharpe, and Meghann Fahy.

Time commitment- Since the series only has two seasons so far, it doesn’t take that long to finish all of it. Each episode is around an hour long, with 7 episodes per season. Personally, I did not have a problem getting through this show because each episode leaves you wanting more. 

Rotten Tomatoes score- 89% (it deserves higher) 

Audience- This is the perfect show to watch with your group of friends. My friend group got together every Sunday to watch the latest season and for the season finale, we all screamed like 5 times. This show will keep your group talking about each episode for days on end and if you have Mr. McCown, he is the perfect outlet to rant about the latest episodes. 

Will you get bored? Just no. 

Larry David (Right) plays a version of himself on the improvised series “Curb Your Enthusiasm”

Curb Your Enthusiasm: The show to watch when you need to feel better about yourself

General Consensus: In this cringy comedic sitcom, “Seinfield” co-creator Larry David plays a dramatized version of himself. Throughout each episode Larry finds himself facing an everyday annoyance that gradually gets more dramatized the more you watch. David’s compelling use of satire, ignorance, and storytelling leaves you wanting to binge a whole season in one setting. In the series, Larry David is basically the main antagonist, which creates such an entertaining plot because everyone in his life gets angry with him on any occasion. Although Larry is such a cringy, snobby, and ignorant character in the show, it makes me love his comedic style even more. 

Time commitment: This show is made up of 11 seasons with 110 episodes in total. This show definitely takes a while to get through, but each episode is only around 30 minutes long. Although it might take you a while to get through, this show has a lot of binge-worthy value if that’s how you like watching different series. 

Rotten Tomatoes score- 92%

Audience- This show does not shy away from controversy when it comes to its stylistic humor. Like any sitcom, some scenes may be a bit awkward to watch with your family but from personal experience, I think it’s okay because there is something for everyone in this series. 

Will you get bored- I love the setup of this series because it typically doesn’t follow a huge plot. This makes every episode seem totally unique from the next, and with that reasoning, I think it would be pretty difficult to get tired of this show. 

Succession: The show to watch if you love rich family drama but are bored of “The Real Housewives” of whatever. 

General Consensus: In the shows I have discussed so far there is a common denominator- rich people can be extremely frustrating. Succession delves into the relations of a dysfunctional family in charge of one of the most influential media conglomerates in the world, called Waystar RoyCo. At the head of the family, we have Logan Roy, the founder of the company and the master manipulator of the series. Along with Logan, we are introduced to his four children- Kendall, Shivon, Roman, and Conrad. The brilliance of this show lies behind the character development (or lack thereof). Every single character contrasts the other in wildly different ways but they all share the common goal of wanting the most power and money within the family. 

The stars of “Succession”

Putting aside the Roys, Succession wouldn’t be as entertaining without the unconventional side characters. My absolute favorite character in this series is Cousin Greg. Greg decided to pay a visit to his uncle (The Logan Roy) on his birthday to get help finding a corporate job. This single act leads Greg on a wild goose chase as he is bossed around by basically everyone he encounters which makes for an amusing pilot episode. Although this series looks more dramatic at face value, the humorous and sarcastic undertones reveal how undoubtedly human each character is. With each backstab, plot twist, and viciously curated act of revenge, Succession will have you eagerly waiting to watch the next episode. 

Time commitment- Succession currently has 3 seasons made up of 9-10 episodes with each being around an hour long. While it might take a long time to finish the series, you better start watching now so you can be all caught up for the series’s 4th installment which comes out in the Spring of 2023. 

Rotten Tomatoes score- 94%

Audience- I personally binge-watched this series with my family. Even though there are some questionable scenes that are a bit awkward to view with your loved ones, most of the show is enjoyable to watch with your parents. Out of both shows previously discussed, I think Succession caters to a more mature audience who are willing to listen to adults blabber about money, finance, the stock market, and taxes or whatever. 

Will you get bored- As I mentioned earlier, this series discusses many corporate dilemmas which may come off as boring to some people. I am not very interested in these kinds of topics but the show's sense of humor and family drama is what kept me wildly entertained.

There we have it. I hope you take your time to watch at least one of these incredible shows which you can find on the one and only, HBOMax streaming service. If you don’t have HBOMax, I promise there is someone in your life who is willing to share their password and you need to take advantage of that,  it’s life changing!

*Photo Credit- Warner Media