Need A Spark Of Creativity? You'll Want To Queue These Shows Up Now
Have you ever felt an impending sense of burnout? Maybe you’ve lost precious time to doom scrolling, which is quite the trend these days. Or, simply, you’re looking for a new show that doesn’t melt your brain cells and leaves you wondering where the last six hours went. Wherever you may be in your life, we could all use a little creativity. You know that feeling when you've gone through a life-changing experience and feel rejuvenated, or maybe a new spark ignites in the pit of your stomach, and you're craving that extra push to do something productive. In other words, queue up that streaming subscription, and be prepared to be blown away by some incredible shows that'll get your creative juices-a-flowin'.
Now, I may be biased because I like what I like, but I believe these shows have left me with wonder, drive, and ambition to push myself to do something new and different. My hope is that if you haven't seen these shows yet, you'll get that sense too.
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If You're A Foodie Who Likes Dessert - Is It Cake?
Hosted by SNL’s very own Mikey Day, cake artists gather together for one reason: to make a cake that looks like an average day item. Of course, there’s a grand prize involved ($50K!), and in each episode, there are usually smaller prizes to be won as well. At the end of each episode, three guest celebrity judges must guess between two to three decoy items and the finished cake product.
Why it’s creative: It probably goes without saying but making a delicious cake AND crafting it into something that could pass as a shoe or a mini fridge is extraordinary and not an easy feat. Just when you think you know which is cake and which isn’t, you’re entirely wrong.
Where to watch it: Netflix
If You’re A Foodie Who Just Likes…Good Grub - Chopped
For 41 seasons, Food Network’s Chopped has ruled the school as one of the best food shows to date. Each season, four new chefs test their skills in front of some of the most renowned people in the restaurant industry. There are three rounds, fostering around an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The catch? They’re provided with very off-the-cuff ingredients to incorporate into each dish. In each round, one contestant is “chopped,” and in the end, the winner goes home with $10k.
Why it’s creative: first off, it’s important to note that the ingredients are very random and not products that usually pair together. Think Coke slushies, pig’s feet, and salted peanuts. Just when we at home think we have nothing in the cupboards to make for dinner, look to this show, and you’ll re-think everything. Also, these chefs are seriously talented, no matter what is thrown their way.
Where to watch it: HBO Max
If You Enjoy A Cocktail/Mocktail Or Two - Drink Masters
I’m always looking for a new, tasty cocktail that I can re-make myself or just drool over from afar. I’m constantly blown away by people’s talent in the restaurant industry, so it goes without saying this new show was immediately in my queue. Hosted by actor and producer Tone Bell, alongside a couple of pros in the bar industry, the show is all about giving a wide arrange of self-proclaimed bar masters a platform to shine.
From bar owners to individuals who make cocktails on social media, each episode dawns a new challenge and new drinks to be made. In the end, the winner takes homes a cash prize of $100K.
Why it’s creative: being able to think on one’s feet and zero in on particular ingredients that’ll blow the best of the best away is a tall order…literally. These contestants aren’t just serving up the atypical ingredients in their concoctions; they’re using techniques and tricks to leave you wanting more.
Where to watch it: Netflix
For The Fashionistas - Next in Fashion
I’m a huge Project Runway fan, and that’s usually the first show to pop up in someone’s mind, but after taking out two seasons of Next in Fashion, I knew I had a new favorite. Season one was hosted by fashion designer/internet personality Alex Chung and Queer Eye’s Tan France, and then when season two rolled around, Chung was replaced by supermodel Gigi Hadid. Each week, aspiring designers are tested to create visionary looks that push the envelope on fashion.
Like any other competition-based television show, each episode revolves around a category in mind. (think Met Gala-inspired looks or thrift finds that’ll turn into trendy threads) And the grand prize? A whopping $250K. The judging panel revolves per episode and invites big names Donatella Versace, Bella Hadid, and Helena Christensen. There’s something fresh about this show, and the hosts don’t take themselves too seriously. Also, it’s evident that they really care about the contestants, which takes the show to a more personal level.
Why it’s creative: anyone who can pick up a piece of fabric or a drab pair of jeans from a thrift shop and make it into something fabulous is freaking talented. It’ll give you the itch to learn how to sew, upcycle an old tee, or catwalk down your hallway.
Where to watch it: Netflix
If You Like Good Food While You Jetset - Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown
From 2013 to 2018, American celebrity chef, author, and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain traveled the world in search of lesser-known territories and explored their culture and cuisine. Anyone familiar with Bourdain was a fan of this show, and if that doesn’t say enough, it won a dozen Emmy Awards of its 30-plus nominations. There’s no right or wrong order to watch each season. While Bourdain encapsulated some of the best cuisines worldwide, he also tackled essential topics such as politics, economics, and any location-specific issues that were important to give a platform to.
Why it’s creative: sometimes we get so comfortable in our bubble that we forget a whole world, along with its delicious food, is out there! Bourdain does a great job of setting the scene, talking with the locals, and giving the viewers a peek behind the curtains of some of the most interesting places on the planet…while eating. What could be better?!
Where to watch it: HBO Max
If You Like Traveling To Uncharted Territory - Dark Tourist
Traveling shows have been all the rage for quite some time, but once you’ve seen Dark Tourist, you’ll realize it’s not one and the same. Led by New Zealand journalist David Farrier, the docu-series sheds like on, you guessed it, dark tourism. Farrier travels to some of the most disconcerting places in the world in search of some of the most macabre practices known.
Even though there’s only one season thus far, the eight available episodes are enough to get viewers wanting more. As of now, it doesn’t seem like another season is in the works, but never say never, right?
Why it’s creative: not all of us have the access or the funds to travel to these offbeat destinations, so viewing it from the comforts of our own home is a treat. It’ll also give you the ambition to step outside your bubble and want to take a risk at something new.
Where to watch it: Netflix
For Those Of You Who Like Special Effects - Face Off
Have you ever watched a sci-fi or horror movie and wondered how the monsters and villains look the way they do? Maybe you haven’t thought about it because you may have desensitization to the (almost always) amazing work of professional special effects artists; either way, Face Off is a must-see for people curious about what goes into making a character behind the scenes.
For 13 seasons, the Syfy Channel debuted new groups of aspiring individuals looking to make a name for themselves in the special effect industry. Each episode features new challenges and a panel of judges who’ve already paved their way in this realm. Think Tim Burton-esque creatures meets Star Trek meets Aliens. Each winner took home $100K plus other life-altering prizes to launch their career.
Why it’s creative: this one kind of goes without saying. People working on movie sets usually have weeks to months to transform a person into something completely different, and the contestants on the show are under extreme pressure to do so in one or two days.
Where to watch: Peacock
If You Like Glitter, Dancing & Drag Queens - RuPaul’s Drag Race
In early 2009, a multi-talented individual named RuPaul Andre Charles created one of the most beloved and well-known shows on television; if you haven’t heard of it, you may be living under a rock. Season 1 premiered with nine individuals who were determined to become the first winner of RuPaul’s show; the rest is history. Fast-forward to today, and the show has 15 seasons under its arsenal and incredibly well-known and well-loved queens who’ve given their all to be the next drag superstar.
Each season brings new talent, and as each season debuts, the pressure is on to be the best of the best and have these four qualities: charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. Each episode brings news challenges, wardrobe changes, endearing conversations and friendships, and a judging panel who know their drag. Need more of a push? RuPaul’s Drag Race has won over 70 awards and has been nominated a total of 114 times. For the first few seasons, the winners took home $100K and other brand-related prizes, but once the show gained more popularity, the cash prize doubled to $200K, and other brands jumped on board to sponsor the lucky queen.
Why it’s creative: there is a lot of talent and well-known faces in the drag race community, so to have what it takes to have that talent, be on television while doing it, and impress the OG drag superstar, RuPaul? The contestants are brave, ambitious and will make you want to get up and dance to your favorite Paula Abdul or Whitney Houston track.
Where to watch it: Hulu
If You Like Hot Art - Blown Away
If you’re craving a show that revolves around fire, contestants getting their hands dirty, and really cool art, then Blown Away is definitely for you. This competition-style show revolves around professional glass-blowers who compete to prove their one of the best in their profession. The twists and turns (literally) of hot AF glass being torched and shaped into something beautiful is a sight to behold and is strangely entrancing. Since Season 1, each winner has received worth $60K, plus an artist residency at the Corning Museum of Glass.
Why it’s creative: glass-blowing isn’t something you see in everything, which makes the process intriguing. After binging the first three seasons, you’ll be drawn in and want to take up the profession yourself.
Where to watch it: Netflix
For Those Who Like The Ins And Outs of Design - Abstract: The Art of Design
Docu-series are all the rage lately, not only because they’re generally interesting but also because they aren’t a huge commitment; after you watch Abstract: The Art of Design, you’ll be glad you have two seasons to dive into. Each episode brings new topics with top-tier professionals covering professions within the art world. Anything from digital product design to footwear design to automotive design is covered, and every episode is fantastic, no matter what you’re into.
Why it’s creative: if you have to ask, you’ll never know. No, seriously, this is a show that can be for anyone, one that’ll inspire anyone to try something new or pick up an old hobby you may have forgotten.
Where to watch it: Netflix
