It's a defining characteristic of the Millennial Generation that young folks these days are more involved with the world around them than ever, and that's a good thing! It's never too early to become engaged in the conversation, so here are 5 current television talk shows to watch in order to help #GETWOKE:
“Chelsea”, Netflix (new episodes Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
The brash host is back and bolder than ever. Chelsea Handler’s smart snark is now available internationally with her new Netflix show, “Chelsea”. The talker is a departure from her old E! series in that there is less of a focus on celebrities and more of an emphasis on the issues. Handler’s cynical honesty is the refreshing voice we need when it comes to taking on the election, education, and other heavier news topics. It’s also nice to see her famous friends drop by to share their thoughts, such as Pitbull discussing the importance of education.
“The View” - ABC (weekdays at 10am PT)
Although the hosts may change, the conversation never stops. “The View”, which will enter its 20th season this fall, is the original daytime panel show. The beauty of a roundtable discussion is that a variety of viewpoints are on display, and at times are even conflicting. While this may lead to disagreements, it’s important to hear multiple perspectives, and, let’s be real, it can be fun to watch them argue. The show was already interesting, but the fact that stars from our past, such as Raven-Symone (“That’s So Raven”) and Candace Cameron Bure (“Full House”) are hosts, adds in another layer of interest that keeps us watching.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (check your local listings)
Now that Oprah has retired, Ellen Degeneres is the undisputed Queen of Daytime. Not only does she get the biggest celebrities, she also gets them to play fun games that keeps them and the audience chuckling along. Ellen’s personality is also a major factor in the show’s success. She’s like a human soda drink -- bubbly, refreshing, and just what you need to get through the afternoon. Maybe we just like her because she’s iconic to us as Dory in Finding Nemo and we’re way too excited about Finding Dory, but her command of social media and wacky dance moves also keeps us tuning in.
“The Real” (check your local listings)
“The Real” is like a fresher, younger version of “The View”, featuring such throwbacks as Tamera Mowry-Housley (“Sister, Sister”) and Adrienne Bailon (“The Cheetah Girls”) on a panel that tackles lighter topics and is geared toward a more youthful and diverse audience. Its breezy tone makes it an easy watch that can brighten your day. Whether it’s celebrity gossip or just talking about their #MCM, we love watching these ladies, and we know that you will too!
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” - HBO (Sundays at 11pm)
“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” is another show that puts politics and the deeper issues under the harsh light of satire. John Oliver proves that he’s truly the new Jon Stewart as he takes on the complex news stories of the week and breaks them down into a funny and understandable way. We appreciate that the feisty Brit keeps things real while educating us at the same time. The former “Daily Show” correspondent is a great part of the talk show landscape, we’re so glad that he’s here and keeps us laughing and learning!
(Photo via Charlie Steffens/WENN)
- Mike Dolzer, YH Contributing Writer