Since you like "The Boys", perhaps you should try "Watchmen". it definitely more drama than the Boys but it does have Super Hero types doing bad things.

Try episode 1 of The Last of Us (episode 2 is Sunday night/Monday depending on time zones).

It's not exactly light but judging by what you listed that you liked try True Detective.

You definitely need to give The Wire a go. It's one of the definitive HBO series.

DEADWOOD is another solid classic.

Mare of Easttown might be a good watch for you.

Try Avenue 5. Just a comedy, lots of fun.

Veep is fantastic. It always has a dark edge of cynicism. But it reads very different now due to world events. Still love it though.

But HBO is really known for their big dramas. It’s not everything they do, but it’s a lot of what’s famous.

HBO spent decades cultivating its audience. Yes, some show like GOT reached the wider audience, but like I do have an expectation of what an HBO show just is. I'm not always in the mood for it. But I remember the first time I watched Rome, the Sopranos, and Deadwood I didn't get any of the emotional beats that they were going for me. Everything just seemed super cruel to me and I gave up. Eventually Deadwood did click for, and at the point I could go watch Rome and enjoy it and got more into HBO shows in general. But if it's not for you it isn't for you.

I don't think HBO shows are for you.

Most HBO shows have a a heavy feel to them and feature morally grey main characters.

Try to watch a few first episodes.

If you like comedies, Danny McBride has a few different shows East Bound and Down, Vice Principals and Righteous Gemstones.

Lowkey feel like Avenue 5 isn't coming back. Three years between seasons, not much buzz and hbo is dead quiet about it.

I’m sure Covid was part of that but honestly it wouldn’t surprise me. I think it’s a fun show but it doesn’t seem like it’s been very big for them.

Oh yeah Covid was a huge part I'm sure. It premiered right around the time of the US lock downs if I remember correctly.

It’s really expensive now too.

Ugh you mean that show that pretended to be the watchmen but actually wasn’t at all?

I thought it was confirmed season 2 was the last.

That is heavy which op doesn't like

The Night Of is probably the heaviest show I’ve ever seen on HBO. Sharp Objects and Big Little Lies are also heavy shows. So I’m not sure if we’re on the same page.

Thanks! I’ll check it out

I do! I’ll look at them, thanks

Ok! Thank you.

I’ll check them out! Thanks

Ok! Thanks.

Thank you yea like I feel like I don’t mind heavy things but I think I need spots of lightness or someone to root for? The Night Of, it was so captivating trying to figure out who did it and what would happen to him. I liked the mystery in Big Little Lies as well and the ensemble and the dry humor. Sharp Objects had a similar feel for me.

I’ll check it out!

Mare is someone to root for. She absolutely has flaws. But you want her to succeed. And it’s a great setting. Same with all the others you picked. They’re also great underdog stories.

Thank you for your perspective! I am fairly young (26) but I was always allowed to watch more mature stuff when I was young and I think that if my parents had it and liked it, I would’ve been caught up in the madness but since they didn’t, the first time I head about HBO was for game of thrones and I was like woah what, People pay $15 a month for this channel?

Try Silicon Valley and Barry

I read that as well but then the creator said they had more. The casts contracts expired.

It also doesn't really end imo. It's not a cliffhangers but there's no resolution. If it doesn't come back it's because it wasn't renewed.

HBO is great but i don't think they are necessarily that much better, at least for what i've enjoyed.

Seconding Silicon Valley and Barry. Also check out Joe Pera Talks with You, it's a very light, easy comedy.

Only first season though.

It’s an anthology series and the first season is the only good one

I bet His Dark Materials would be up your alley.

Maybe Euphoria?

Sex in the City?

I'll second the person who recommended the Danny McBride shows, all of them are great! I'd watch them in the order they came out, Eastbound, Vice Principals, then Gemstones

I'm a fan of the original comic and don't care for Zack Snyder's take on it. He really missed the forest for the trees, and I think the tv show was able to capture the spirit of Watchmen while telling an original story. Absolutely loved the show.

No one is mentioning some of their comedies. Check out Righteous Gemstones, Vice Principals, Bored to Death, Curb Your Enthusiasm. Those are all more half hour comedies that might catch your interest. Bored to Death is a really great time if you like Ted Danson or Zach Galifianakis.

In addition to silicon valley and Barry, I'd also recommend the rehearsal, and how to with John Wilson. (I think both of those are HBO)

Read the comic first

I thought the third season was quite solid and a good companion piece to the first

I was also going to mention Peacemaker. It was definitely entertaining.

Lol. It used to be $20 before streaming.

I liked Veep a lot, but like OP I could only watch one or two episodes at a time. It was so stressful to watch

If you liked Seinfeld at all, go with Curb. The middle seasons have a laugh per minute ratio up there with Community. But if you didn't feel Veep, sorta mean humor might not be your cup of tea.

Please

True Blood, The Newsroom, Family Tree, Flight of the Conchords, The Brink, Bored To Death, Entourage, How To Make It in America, High Maintenance, John Adams, Somebody Somewhere, Girls, Olive Kitteridge, The Gilded Age, etc. - plenty of "lighter" fare on HBO, if you're not into heavier shows.

Six Feet Under is an essential classic, and it has a good dose if humor and relatability to balance out the serious and dramatic aspects.

True Detective S1

The Rehearsal

The Wire

Peacemaker

Barry

yes. great call!. heck, just watch the intro over and over again. lol

Give The Comeback a watch. It's a brilliant comedy that doesn't get its due.

Anyone who likes Marvelous Mrs Maisel is my friend.

watch the leftovers

I am kinda confused here on one hand you complain about HBO shows feeling heavy and on the other hand you list Sharp Objects and The Night of as shows you like which are both incredibly heavy shows.

Thank you!!

thanks!

I definitely think it’s well done I just don’t feel the need to binge it if that makes sense? Like shows I really love I am on the edge of my seat for the next episode.

So excited for the last season :)

Those were both super captivating for me because of the mystery and the central characters being seriously stuck in shit situations who you want to see get better on the other side.

I think you will like True detective then season 1 in particular

It sounds like you enjoy sum, but not all of HBO’s catalogue. I’m not sure what you were expecting? Sounds like you watched a decent amount and liked some stuff.

Like I don’t know many people that like everything on HBO no matter what. They have a wide net of shows.

Might I recommend Silicon Valley as a fantastic comedy and also The Rehearsel as a...documentary? Haha The Rehearsel is hard to explain but such amazing television

The UK version of Ghosts is on HBO. There are tons of movies too. Check out some of the Studio Ghibli movies before you lose the service. It’s basically the Japanese Disney.