Florida is experiencing relatively low temperatures today (low 40’s F) but we have been assured that we will be back in the 80’s F later this week. There is currently a wind chill advisory and a warning that frozen iguanas will be falling from trees. I’m bundling up this afternoon to see an actual live play at the Gulfshore Playhouse. More on that below. Meanwhile, here are some viewing suggestions for you:
Live on Stage: Higher – one man show starring and written by Jeffrey Binder
I am actually dreading this one a little. It is a one-man show, perhaps my least favourite genre of entertainment. The blurb for this describes it as a moving story of faith, healing and hope. Two separate timelines begin to intersect in strange and mysterious ways as two men grapple with their faith, families, and identities in this powerful story.
Streaming
Yellowjackets (Hulu/Crave, 11 episodes) A wildly talented high school girl soccer team become the (un) lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the Canadian wilderness. Stars Melanie Lynskey, Ella Purnell. Oh the viciousness you will see! High school girls are very scary.
1883 (Paramount +, 11 episodes) The prequel to Yellowstone. Follows the Dutton family on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. Stars Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill. Beautiful and totally cinematic!! Gorgeous musical score.
**Billions (12 episodes, Season 6) It returns for a new season with a new star replacing Damian Lewis. New money means no mercy as Mike Prince takes the Axe Capital throne. Chuck Rhoades is convinced no one should have that much wealth – or power. As all the players seek out new alliances only one thing’s for certain – wealth means war. It’s a whole new ballgame with Corey Stoll in the lead role, still doing battle with Paul Giamatti.
How I met your Father (10 episodes – canned laughter alert) Full disclosure: I was never a fan of the original series How I met your Mother. Sophie and her close-knit group of friends are in the midst of figuring out who they are, what they want out of life, and how to fall in love in the age of dating apps and limitless options. Starring Hilary Duff. I watched the first episode mirthlessly and may never return for more. I hate canned laugh tracks (also inane dialogue and charmless characters).
Apple +
The After Party (8 episodes) I so wanted to love this series. When a high school reunion’s afterparty ends in a death, everyone is a suspect. A detective grills the former classmates one by one uncovering potential motives as each tells their version of the story – culminating in the shocking truth. I watched the first two episodes and then gave up as I found it incredibly silly and not funny. I may not have been in the right frame of mind and may return to it when I feel the need to watch something incredibly silly. The great cast includes Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, Zoe Chao, Ike Barinholtz, etc .
Disney+
The Book of Boba Fett (7 episodes) Bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand navigate the underworld when they return to Tatooine to claim Jabba the Hutt’s old turf. For Star Wars fans only, I’m afraid. The utterly charmless Temuera Morrison stars in this one with Ming-Na Wen as his sidekick. Totally lacking in the mystique of The Mandalorian, and, of course, there is no Baby Yoda to delight in. My children are Star Wars fans and have encouraged me to watch this but I am honestly finding it painful to sit through.
HBO
Real Time with Bill Maher (587 episodes) Returned for its 20th season this past Friday. Comedian and political satirist Bill Maher discusses topical events with guests from various backgrounds. He is the sneeriest, snarkiest comedian on TV today! You either like him or hate him.
Somebody, Somewhere (7 episodes) Sam is a true Kansan on the surface, but beneath it all, struggles to fit the hometown mold. Grappling with loss and acceptance, she discovers herself and a community of outsiders who don’t fit in but don’t give up. Stars cabaret performer Bridget Everett. I loved the first episode of this. No one who is cast in this looks like anything but a real person. Very touching.
Euphoria (Season 2, 8 episodes) A nightmarish look at life for a group of high school students as they grapple with issues of drugs, sex, and violence. You may have to look away at various points of this alarming look at adolescence.
The Gilded Age (10 episodes) A wide-eyed young scion of a conservative family embarks on a mission to infiltrate the wealthy neighbouring clan dominated by ruthless railroad tycoon George Russell, his rakish son, Larry, and his ambitious wife, Bertha. Stars Cynthia Nixon, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Taissa Farjmiga, Christine Baranski, Donna Murphy, Morgan Spector, Blake Ritson, Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, etc. Ooh, I can’t wait for this latest Julian Fellowes production! Rumours of a possible future crossover with Downton Abbey have been heard. I watched the first episode, found it a little stilted, but
beautiful to look at, and am willing to continue.
HBO Max
Peacemaker (8 episodes) The origin of the DC superhero so dedicated to world peace that his is prepared to use force of arms to achieve it. Utterly ridiculous! I can’t look away. Love the music, especially the opening credits dance number. John Cena is the bomb!
The Sex Lives of College Girls (11 episodes) Four 18-year-old freshman roommates at Essix College in Vermont. A bundle of contradictions and hormones, these sexually active college girls are equal parts lovable and infuriating. Loved it and binged all episodes in 1 day! From Mindy Kaling’s production team.
Beforeigners (from Norway with English subtitles, 12 episodes) HBO Nordic’s first original series from Norway. Beforeigners is about two persons who mysteriously appear in Oslo. They are the first of many from the past to seek refuge in present time. Seven years later, the community is transformed. Tobias Santelmann (Olav Haraldsson) and Stig Henrik Hoff (Thorir Hund) may both be familiar to you from Welcome to Utmark. Loving this very high concept science fiction show. I have finished watching all 12 episodes and am longing for a third season.
The Fallout (1 h 32 m) High schooler Vada navigates the emotional fallout she experiences in the wake of a school tragedy. Relationships with her family, friends and view of the world are forever altered. Kind of a kinder, gentler Euphoria. The great cast includes Julie Bowen as the mom.
Gosta (from Sweden with English subtitles, 12 episodes) Gosta is a 28-year-old psychologist who gets his first job in a small rural area. He moves from Stockholm and rents a cabin in the middle of the forest. Gosta wants to be the nicest person in the world and helps everyone he meets. Sometimes things go well, but not always… So Swedish!
NBC
New Amsterdam (69 episodes) I only watch this incredibly ridiculous medical disease of the week show for star Ryan Eggold’s big blue eyes. If you were wondering how he is going to come back to NYC after fleeing to London, this past week’s episode answers the question with a deus ex machina plot twist at the end. Sorry about the spoiler, but you have to keep up!
That’s My Jam (game show,10 episodes) In each episode hosted by Jimmy Fallon, two teams of two celebrities compete in a series of music, dance, and trivia-based games and musical performances for a charity of their choice OK, not exactly Jeopardy territory here, but some of the celebrities do surprise you with their talent! The performers include Ariana Grande, Taika Waititi, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Blake Shelton, Rita Ora, Chance the Rapper, Kelly Clarkson, Alessia Cara, John Legend, Tara P. Henson, Josh Groban, etc. I was entertained, for the most part.
TBS
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (188 episodes) It returned for its seventh season this past weekend. Comedian Samantha Bee (Canadian!!!) gives her own wry commentary to the contemporary issues of the day.
Peacock
Wolf Like Me (6 episodes) I meant to watch this last week, and never quite got around to it. Gary is an emotional wreck and struggles to provide for his daughter since the death of his wife. Mary has a secret she can’t bring herself to share with anyone. The universe brought these two together for a reason. The cast includes Isla Fisher and Josh Gad.
Meddling (documentary, 4 episodes) Explores the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic pairs figure skating scandal. Absolutely fabulous! The French judge will break your heart! Canadians should be very proud of this one. A very suspenseful documentary that views like a true crime series.
PBS
All Creatures Great and Small (Season 2, 7 episodes) The numerous adventures of the friendly staff at a country veterinarian practice in 1930’s to 1940’s Yorkshire. Delightful nostalgia! I love every minute of this gentle and sweet series.
Vienna Blood (Season 2, 3 episodes) Max Liebermann, a student of Sigmund Freud, helps Detective Rheinhardt in the investigation of a series of disturbing murders around the grand cafes and opera houses of 1900’s Vienna. So gloriously stilted and old fashioned, this is the perfect accompaniment to a Sunday afternoon nap.
Netflix
Ozark (Season 4, shown in two halves, 7 episodes at a time) This final season continues as Marty and Wendy wrestle with a problematic offer. Ruth goes out on her own. Jonah rebels, and Omar’s nephew makes his presence known. Definitely dark and not for everyone, but if you’re a fan, this season doesn’t disappoint.
Archive 81 (8 episodes) an archivist hired to restore a collection of tapes finds himself reconstructing the work of a filmmaker and her investigation into a dangerous cult. I absolutely hate “found footage genre anything” (e.g. The Blair Witch Project), so I am forcing myself to watch this homage to Rosemary’s Baby.
The Woman in the House across the Street from the Girl in the Window (8 episodes binged in 1 day) Seriously funny spoof of damsel in distress suspense films and novels with unreliable narrators. When a handsome neighbour moves in across the street, Anna, a heartbroken woman for who, every day is the same, starts to see a light at the end of the tunnel. That is until she witnesses a gruesome murder – Or did she? Kristen Bell, Tom Riley, Michael Ealy star. Very amusing.
In From the Cold (8 episodes) Be very afraid of this awful action series. Exposed as an ex-Russian spy, an American single mom must juggle family life and unique shape-shifting skills in a battle against an insidious enemy. It’s as terrible as it sounds. I didn’t make it through the first episode and I love the espionage genre and thought this might be a little like The Americans, which it in no way resembles.
Cheer (Season 2, 9 episodes) A most unlikely successful reality series: In the small town of Corsicana, Texas, hard-driving head cheer coach Monica Aldama demands perfection from her team of competitive college athletes. Strangely compelling and addictive! Just watched the heartbreaking episode where one of the series’ stars is charged with child abuse.
Fox
The Cleaning Lady (11 episodes) A whip-start Cambodian doctor comes to the US for a medical treatment to save her son, but when the system fails and pushes her into hiding, she uses her cunning and intelligence to fight back, breaking the law for all the right reasons. Loving this suspenseful series so far.
The CW
Naomi (13 episodes) Didn’t quite make it through the first episode yet, but I will persevere. Follows a young woman and her hero’s journey.
Superman and Lois (Season 2, 3 episodes) Follow the world’s most famous super hero and comic books’ most famous journalist as they deal with all the stress, pressures, and complexities that come with being working parents in today’s society. I get a huge kick out of this show which normalizes the lives of Clark and Lois as average parents of two teenage boys.
Special Mention
Jeopardy (8484 episodes) This nightly venerable game show, now hosted by Greatest of All Time Contestant, Ken Jennings, continues to amuse, entertain and inform. Amy Schneider is now the most successful female contestant ever and was just knocked out of the game by a very sweet librarian. Amy is a trans woman and is delightful in every way. I was rooting for her and can’t wait to see her face-off in the Tournament of Champions with my very favourite contestant, Matt Amodio. These two brilliant and very self-effacing people should be fun to watch.
Also, my husband reminds me that I no longer mention my Sunday morning ritual of watching CBS Sunday Morning, the most enjoyable newsmagazine show on the air which has been airing since 1979. Now hosted by Jane Pauley, this venerable series never ceases to delight, inform and entertain with its stories about current events, celebrities, and human interest. I feel better each Sunday for having watched it.
Link to Hot and Streamy
In the meantime, here is another entertainment blog that you might like to subscribe to as it’s really entertaining, has great graphics and gives you a very comprehensive look at new programming being released:
https://mailchi.mp/hotandstreamy/issue-140-pumpkin-house?e=1638a32a0b
Despite the Hot and Streamy name, it’s not anything porn-related, but it’s narrated in a breezy style that I very much admire. Enjoy!
Closing Words
Bundle up wherever you are, and particularly in the north, stay off those slippery sidewalks. Sending my warmest regards to friends and family in Ontario who are still experiencing the Groundhog Day sameness of life in lockdown. Hopefully, those Omicron numbers will continue to go down and life will gradually return to normal. I know folks who are still not doing their own shopping and who are now doubly confined because of the subzero temperatures. Hugs to you all and sending you a little polar bomb humour:
And now this:
What's Lorraine watching? 