What you SHOULD be watching...

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As a self-proclaimed television enthusiast, I am usually watching an insane amount of TV shows at any given time. Despite my growing list of programs, I am always looking for new series to get caught up in. While I do a lot of my watching on Netflix or HBOgo, it’s nice to have new series on TV where you don’t feel like you have to stay up until 3:00 am binge watching, because obvi I am going to watch the next episode, Netflix. With all that being said, here’s my list of what television I’m getting excited about for the beginning of 2014—new series, returning series, and everything in between.

True Detective-HBO

So if you don’t have HBO, or at least access to someone’s HBOgo account, here’s your reason to get it. True Detective alternates between 1995 and 2012, where two mismatched detectives reflect on their lives during a seventeen year manhunt for a serial killer. Now, I watched the series premiere on Sunday, and it was.. interesting. Really, REALLY good, but nothing like any crime drama I have seen before. This is a show that is going to have like nothing happen and then BAM it’s going to hit you like a ton of bricks; the storyline will definitely continue to develop throughout the season. I loved the pilot and this show has been at the top of every list I have seen for what to watch this year and has gotten great reviews, so I would definitely recommend y’all giving this one a shot. I get that this may not sound like your cup of tea, but you can bet the fact that Texas boys Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson star in this has got me on board. And y’all, it’s set and filmed in Louisiana. Apparently the show is going to use an anthology format (think American Horror Story--each season will be a different storyline/cast of characters). Color me intrigued.

Turn-AMC

For you history buffs: Turn is based on a true story, set in 1778, which tells “the untold story of America’s first spy ring,” formed by a New York farmer and a group of friends, who help turn the tide in America’s fight for independence from Great Britain. TV.com tells me that the premiere date for Turn will be April 6^th, and AMC has already starting airing trailers. Now, I am obsessed with Revolutionary War history, so obviously I am super excited for this show. Even if you’re not a history guru, consider this: AMC has been churning out successful series for the last couple of years (Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead), so you can expect Turn to be a hit. If nothing else, we’ll probably get to see some good looking men in colonial uniforms, and definitely some swoon-worthy British accents. YES PLEASE.

Mixology-ABC

Y’all, it’s from the writers of The Hangover. Done, I’m in. But besides the fact that it’s probably going to be hilarious, Mixology has a really interesting format. The entire season takes place in a Manhattan bar, and chronicles the exploits of ten singles (five guys and five girls) over the course of a single night. Not much to say about this, as it doesn’t premiere until February 26^th, but I think the trailer looks hysterical.

Private Lives of Nashville Wives-TNT

Clearly I wasn’t going to leave out the reality television category. To be honest, I haven’t heard much about this show, but it’s probably consists of Real Housewives-esque southern women with plenty of drama and sass to go around. Private Lives of Nashville Wives premieres on February 24^th on TNT. It features a former soap opera star and a former Hooters girl. So yes, I’ll be watching.

Shows we love returning for new seasons: Game of Thrones (April 6^th on HBO) and Mad Men (AMC-sometime this spring). In the reality TV competition category, American Idol (Jan. 15^th on Fox), The Voice (Feb. 24^th on NBC), and Dancing With The Stars (on ABC in March).

Y’all know I have to give a shout out to my favorite Netflix original series: House of Cards (South Carolina Congressman basically running politics in D.C.) returns for its second season on February 14^th. Looks like I’ll be spending my Valentine’s Day with the diabolical Frank Underwood.

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Moving to a different kind of television... 

NBC is going to be super busy in February. I am definitely looking forward to watching SNL alums Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers take over late night television. With Jimmy Fallon moving to Tonight on February 17^th and Seth Meyers taking over Fallon’s gig on Late Night on February 24^th, look for lots of hilariousness on late night TV. And y’all don’t think I forgot about the Olympics. The opening ceremony coverage is on NBC on February 7^th, and clearly I will be live tweeting this. Look out for more about the Olympics from Modern Magnolias in February—you know we love some figure skating.

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Even if Team USA doesn’t win gold, can I still dress up as one of the blondes for Halloween? Any excuse to wear sequins..

Award Shows

While there are definitely too many award shows to name them all, these are the ones I am most looking forward to:

56^th Annual Grammy Awards-Jan 26^th at 8 pm on CBS—Obvi @ModernMagnolias will be live tweeting this.

86^th Annual Academy Awards (THE OSCARS Y’ALL)-March 2^nd on ABC—Here’s to hoping Jennifer Lawrence is pulling the same shenanigans we saw at the Golden Globes. She’s perf.

23^rd Annual MTV Movie Awards-April 13^th on MTV—We hope Miley shows up and does something cray.

49^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards-in April on CBS—Hunter Hayes, this is my official request to be your date.

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I’ll take that as a yes.

  

Now there was no way to cover all the television I’m excited about for the first part of of 2014, so tweet us @ModernMagnolias with your favorites we left off! And if you need any TV suggestions, I’m your girl: tweet me @LaurenReddeck!

Happy watching!

Mary Lauren