How are you doing lately? Because I'm not so great. I'm haunted by the cries of children separated from their mothers. I'm scared about the Supreme Court. I can't unsee the callous comments on social media in response to news stories that should inspire empathy. I send my kids off in the morning and hope they don't get shot. I'm scared on a lot of fronts. You wrestling with similar despair? Well, we can curl into the fetal position for the foreseeable future, or we can do what we can: Stay engaged and active in our political lives. Keep our real world relationships with positive people vibrant. And nourish ourselves with all the reminders we can that there is good in the world. There is still kindness and wit and community and caring.
It's unlikely a coincidence that in the midst of this year's gruesome deluge of events, there's been a boom in exuberant, affirming entertainment. (And there's always still "The Handmaid's Tale," for when you feel like leaning into it.) It's not escapism — it's work that confronts individual struggles and social issues head on, but does it with great heart. So when you feel your emotional tank running on empty, here's a starter kit for the best, most humane things to come out of 2018 so far.
The hands down feel good/ugly cry hit of the year. Expanding on the original series' imperative to make over straight guys and moving locations from New York to the less metrosexual Georgia, the new Fab Five instantly connected when the first season dropped this past winter. The second season, released earlier this month, hinges on the same winning formula: Getting these five inventive, empathetic men to rally around and help a genuinely nice person who needs a hand. The episode on trans man Skyler is one of the best stand alone pop culture moments of the year, in any genre. A show that boosts LGBTQ visibility on television, that's about the joy of doing service for others? Check and check. A show that will suck you into the "But can Antoni cook?" conspiracy debate? Also check.
Morgan Neville's documentary on children's television legend Fred Rogers is not a treacle-sweet snuggle in a warm cardigan — it's a bracing exploration of the courage it takes to be kind. Rogers, an idiosyncratic, entirely human man, devoted his life to giving kids a safe guiding hand through the dramatic terrain of growing up. And his ideals of respect and thoughtfulness feel even more pertinent now as they were when his show debuted during the turbulent sixties. Bonus: The film includes a now extra poignant cameo with Koko the gorilla.
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Twitter Feed
Perfecting the art of the platform, the "Hamilton" genius mixes random observation, socially conscious retweets, music and the inspiration to light the dark days. "Thanks for existing," he says. "Come back tomorrow." You too, LMM. Please.
Another working class family comedy got more attention this year, but in its second season, the Norman Lear reboot continued to be one of the best shows on television. A show about a traumatized military veteran with an immigrant mother, a recovering addict friend and two teens — one of whom has recently come out — somehow manages to not feel preachy. The entire cast is stellar, but EGOT queen Rita Moreno shows how it's done when it comes to scene stealing.
The blockbuster is the most exciting film of 2018, while also packing a wallop with its exploration of race, colonialism, family and grief. And Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa is the best male superhero, don't @ me.
"RBG"
The world's most notorious Supreme Court judge gets the tribute she deserved in Julie Cohen and Betsy West's documentary. It's a timely lesson in the fight against unjust, discriminatory laws, and it's also a surprising testament to the power of treating your adversaries with dignity. Who knew that Ruth Bader Ginsburg's bench bestie would turn out to be Scalia?
First of all, Earpers are among the best fans in fandom. Second of all, don't you need right now a lot more stuff involving women kicking ass and taking names? The new season of queer-friendly, genre-bending, heartfelt and funny as hell SyFy series starts in July. Get ready.
The spring charmer received well-earned attention as a breakthrough adolescent coming out story. But it's also a plain old great addition to the teen comedy genre, thanks in no small part to its winsome star Nick Robinson. Can a movie be innovative and classic at the same time? This one is.
Janelle Monae: "Dirty Computer"
Political, personal, eclectic, sexy as hell and unlike anything else, Monae's album and arresting, futuristic "emotion picture" has been a standout in a year of standout music releases. Plus, two words: vagina pants.
"Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"
If you're lucky enough to see it in New York or London, you will not regret a moment of the two-part Tony-winning play about the son of the boy who lived. (There's a discount ticket lottery every Friday.) The staging is, in a word, wizardry. But even if you just read the book at home, you'll see the story offers all the heart and spirit of J. K. Rowley's iconic series.
Maybe you would like to briefly take a mental trip to a past administration. Maybe you'd like to revisit it in the present day. Join us then with "West Wing" actor and podcast host Joshua Malina, cohost Hrishikesh Hirway, and an array of show alums. It's an homage to a well-crafted drama and a glimpse into a far more decent White House than the current one.
MJ Hegar's "Doors" campaign video
The Texas democrat's congressional campaign launch is also a compelling short film about a veteran and mom running against a Tea Party opponent that feels like a seventies era political drama. The ending just has yet to be written.
Paul McCartney's Carpool Karaoke
The famous son of Liverpool returns to his roots with James Corden for a nostalgic ride that turns deeply sincere and bittersweet. A cathartic, sob-inducing, truly magical mystery tour.
Honorable mentions
"The Good Place," Childish Gambino: "This Is America," "Alex Strangelove" "Forever 35" podcast, "Vida," "Pod Save America," "The Bold Type," Tayari Jones: "An American Marriage: A Novel," "Mean Girls" original cast album ("I'd Rather Be Me" in particular), "Cobra Kai," "John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous," "Jane the Virgin," Hannah Gadsby: "Nanette"
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