raparperi11
There’s so much low-hanging fruit regarding topics and themes TV could be written about, but those are all “mundane” and not glamorous. The Pitt might be the closest thing to seeing normal people in a prestige show (not sure if it’s considered prestige but at least it’s getting a lot of attention).
For example, you could write a great drama or comedy about people moving away from a big city to work remotely from home in a small town.
Many have said things that are more immersive sounds or almost soundscapes like rain on roof, but I have a clear favourite short and snappy sound and that is the sound of when a basketball goes clean through the hoop without touching the rim, the so called swish.
I went to an isolation float tank once where you get to choose the sounds/music you hear at the beginning and end of the session. I chose “Alpine meadows” that had bees buzzing, light wind moving in trees and grass and little bells chiming and it was my favourite part of the experience, I could have listened to that the whole hour. What you described is very similar and would make a great soundscape for situations like that!
Someone just reminded me of Marienhof theme the other day and damn it still slaps even if the show is just a German soap opera.
The penguin meeples from Ark Nova Sea World expansion are so cute, I always play with black colour just so I get the penguins!
Finnish tv shows are probably not widely available, but I’ll list some nonetheless. Most what I’m going to recommend are comedies and Finnish humour might be weird for someone who has not grown in Finland (even dark and absurd at times, second-hand embarrassment is also very common) but I feel like comedy series are the most authenic we have, dramas often try to imitate international series and by doing that they don’t feel as authentic. I’ve also only chosen to list shows that I feel like would have some appeal even for a non-Finn and shows that are unique, not everyday shows that have a very basic premise.
Queen of Fucking Everything (2024) Real estate agent’s husband disappears with all their money and leaves her with a 3 million euro worth of debt. She gets mixed into illegal drug business and shady renovating practices to get the money to pay her debt. Absurd characters and twists and turns.
Toinen tuleminen / Money Shot (2024) Sari is a 40-year old porn star that gets fired because she’s too old. She starts her own porn film company, hires a film school reject Linnea as writer and together they start to make feminist porn. Absurd characters, twists and turns.
Poromafia / Reindeer Mafia (2023) One family has ruled a little town in Lappland. The matriarch of the family dies and her testament causes the remaining family to start fighting. There’s a snowmobile gang, a Norwegian druglord, paid off authorities etc. Mostly drama but at times dark or absurd humour sprinkled in.
M/S Romantic (2019) Miniseries about a cruise ship journey and what happens during that. Characters include both tourists and staff, there are a lot of hilarious situations. This is what White Lotus would be like if it was written about Finnish people who are not rich by any means.
The Pitt on Max, such a great show and the last two episodes especially have left me staring at my TV with my mouth open, the hour goes by too fast!
Thanks for this! I’ve been meaning to ask for recommendations for European podcasts about different topics (news, politics, sports, culture, tv…) so this seems like a good start.