25 feel-good shows to start 2018 off right

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The premise: Miriam Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) is a devoted wife and mother, living in the Upper West Side in the 1950s. She thinks she has the perfect wife, until her anemic aspiring comic of a husband bombs a set at a comedy club and announces he’s leaving her, all in one night. The husband, Joel (Michael Zegan), is sleeping with his dumb-faced secretary, and he walks out on Midge to go play house with her in a life that looks insultingly close to the one he’s leaving.

Why it’s so good: Hands down, this show is so good because Midge. Brosnahan, simply put, has sparkle, and you don’t want to take your eyes off of her. The character, Midge, tries her hand at stand-up comedy, and she’s so charming that you are actively rooting for her when she excels, and actively flinching when she bombs. Midge’s friend and manager, Susie, is played by Alex Borstein, and they are what we wished Lorelai and Rory Gilmore could be. In fact, Mrs. Maisel is produced by Amy Sherman-Palladino, and fans will recognize her signature pacing and whimsy.

It’s also downright gorgeous to look at. The cinematography is playful and light, and tells a story all on it’s own. The costuming features bright, saturated palates, with lots of dainty gloves, full skirts, and graceful hats. The 1950s were  an incredibly oppressive time for women and people of color, but it seems there was a little joy in the way they dressed.

How to watch: The first season is available in its entirety on Amazon Prime.