10 Amazing Female Driven Television Shows
Let’s get real, the state of women and minorities in the entertainment industry is laughable, and there are depressing statistics to back that up. According to the Geena Davis Institute, only 12% of protagonists were female in 2014 in both television and film.
These bleak statistics make it even more important and worthwhile to note shows that are doing right by women and minorities, and to celebrate performances from women and the television shows they’re in, from comedy to drama, and everything in between. So without further adieu, here are 10 amazing female driven television shows to celebrate.
1. 30 Rock
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30 Rock’s final episode aired slightly over two years ago, but it remains one of the best female driven sitcoms put out in the past decade. Liz Lemon’s character regularly grapples with the real life, important dilemma of food vs sex, and usually makes the right choice (food). May we all one day have our own Crisspoints system as a means to reward our partners for referring to us as Khaleesi.
2. Grey’s Anatomy
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Grey’s Anatomy is in it’s 11th season, and is almost impossible to summarize. I think most fans could write a novel about their feelings toward this show, as Shonda Rhimes has really put her fans through the ringer over the past ten years. I mean, you know the show is intense when the actors regularly warn the viewers to get the tissues ready.
3. The Mindy Project
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The Mindy Project follows an obstetrician and her challenges balancing her love life and the challenges of her practice. Basically, watch this show if you ever want to feel less embarrassed about that time you got too drunk at your ex-boyfriend’s wedding and made a regrettable speech about how he promised to marry you first. She’s one upped you by riding her bicycle into a pool and getting arrested.
4. New Girl
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The show centres around Jess, a quirky middle school teacher in her early 30’s, and her small group of friends and roommates. Throughout the show’s four seasons we’ve seen them encounter unwanted potential threesomes with their landlord, drink absinthe in a cabin, get poisoned on Thanksgiving, play True American (which I have since played and do not recommend if you like living), and watch Dirty Dancing 12 times a day. Sounds like my weekend, right?
5. Scandal
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It should be well known by now that watching ABC on Thursday nights is bad for your mental health. Scandal is a white house drama that follows Olivia Pope, a political “fixer” with a knack for making political scandals disappear. Warning: do not watch unless there are multiple bottles of wine at your disposal. Without that you need an Olivia pope in your life to come by and “fix” you.
6. Parks and Recreation
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Is it too soon to talk about Parks and Rec? Are the wounds still too new? All I have to say is Leslie knope is literally the most beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful musk ox that has ever existed on television (see what I did there?). But seriously, if you find fault in any of the characters off the show, all I have to say to you is “SHUT UP, LARRY.”
7. How to Get Away With Murder
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How to Get Away With Murder is another Shondaland drama (why do we do this to ourselves) which follows Annalise Keating and four of her students who become entwined in a murder plot. If you’re emotionally ready for more twists and turns after two hours of Shondaland, this is highly recommended. If you’re not ready, it’s probably time to open that second bottle of wine.
8. Broad City
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Broad City is the funniest show on television today. This is an objective fact. The show follows best friends Ilanan and Abbi and their lives in New York City. This is the most honest, and hilarious portrayal of life as a woman in their early 20’s I have ever seen. Okay, well maybe not the parts where they Skype while having sex, but you get what I’m saying. Broad city hits home. Thanks for that, ladies.
9. Orange is the New Black
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Orange is the New Black easily boasts the most diverse cast on television. The dramedy mainly follows the story of Piper Chapman, but throughout the series we get a peek at her fellow inmate’s stories as well. Without giving away too many spoilers, my first ever noise complaint at my apartment was submitted after the Season 2 finale. So try to keep your expletives at a low level while watching.
10. The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
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Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a brand spankin’ new show produced and written by Tina Fey. It has been hailed as a darker version of Tina Fey’s NBC hit, 30 Rock. Ellie Kemper’s sunny disposition lends itself well for the dark comedy, which the presence for is absolutely ridiculous. If you’ve been sleeping on this one, you’re missing one of the catchiest theme songs of the century, as well as an instant cult classic, pun intended.
