The Dropout is my scammer show of choice

True scam TV is taking over. Plus, my thoughts on six other shows I'm watching.

On every 15th of the month, I share my thoughts on the handful of new shows I’ve been watching in the last month. Read to the end for a list of shows I’m keeping my eye out for in the next month, too. Free subscribers only get access to an excerpt of what’s below—consider becoming a paid subscriber for full access if you haven’t already.

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7. Shining Vale (Starz)
My score: 55/100

Horror television has had a hard time breaking through. Mike Flanagan’s popular Netflix horror series (Haunting of, Midnight Mass) do not get nominated for major awards, and even shows I find spectacularly scary (like Marianne on Netflix or Servant on Apple TV+) get passed over or cancelled. Comedy horror, however, is seemingly more palatable. Ghosts, reviewed below, is one of the biggest shows of 2021-22 and has been a ratings hit for CBS.

That said, I feel like Shining Vale isn’t sure how to straddle between horror and comedy and is missing some stylistic elements that make Servant so entertaining to watch. The show overall feels a bit flimsy, lacking a grounded foundation. But at least Courteney Cox gets to say a lot of swear words and be possessed by a ghost, I guess. I would also probably watch Sherilyn Fenn and Judith Light guest star in any television series. But otherwise, I don’t see why anyone would watch this over Ghosts or Servant.

6. Pam & Tommy (Hulu)