A couple of recommendations for a diversion from our political woes.

Now into its second season, so you can binge, is “The Old Man,” starring Jeff Bridges and Alia Shawkat. Streaming on Hulu, it’s about a CIA retiree who is “hunted both by the agency he once worked for and his own nightmares.” Great acting, wonderful writing, terrific entertainment. It slows down in spots, but not enough to make a difference. Jeff Bridges, shines.

I also recommend “The Penguin” on Max, formerly HBO. Only one episode in this latest Batman villain Penguin prequel saga has dropped. It blew me away. The acting, production standards and story are all top notch. Colin Farrell, is a tour de force in the lead role. If they can keep it up, this should sweep the Emmys. If there is still a movie god left in Hollywood. In a world where “The Bear” is considered to be a comedy and James Darren gets snubbed on the “In Memorial” look back, nothing makes much sense anymore. That said, this is gritty, gamey, dangerous, violent and great. You have been warned.

I’ll also mention “Slow Horses” on Apple TV. A bunch of leftover, misfit, MI-5 agents who thought their careers were over are thrown back into the limelight and are forced to show their stuff in a world of intrigue and government bureaucracy. Gary Oldman, is both disgusting and wonderful as the lead. Again, this one is pretty gritty, but the acting and the writing are wonderful.

If the occult and spooky are to your liking, check out “A Discovery Of Witches” on Netflix. It has vampires, demons and of course, witches. Outstanding production values and incredible acting. For what it is, it’s really very good. Another scarefest on Netflix comes from the great Michelle and Robert King. It’s titled “Evil,” and it is. Scary stuff with amazing creatures crawling out of a hole in the basement wall. The great Andrea Martin, pops up now and again as a fearless nun for comedic relief.

Also from Michelle and Robert King, are “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight,” with the great Christine Baranski, who is better than good. Law office politics and intrigue reminiscent of “L.A. Law.” Both these series are binge worthy. Both are on Paramount+.

Nothing mentioned here could be considered “light and cheery.” Possibly because there’s almost nothing new out there that makes me laugh anymore. There is “Shrinking” on Apple, with Harrison Ford at his deadpan best. Apart from that, there isn’t any new material that makes me smile or even chuckle. Nothing that’s smart or clever, even though awards for alleged comedies keep going out the door.

Wit, it would seem, is out of fashion. Except for “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which is so razor sharp and L.A.-centric as to be over the heads of much of any potential audience. It’s also possible that the very essence of what humor is considered to be is changing and I’m simply too old to catch up. Or maybe, and this is far more likely to me, they’ve just forgotten what “funny” is.