It’s Easter Sunday and friends are arriving to spend the next few days with us. Hoping to do a little touring, shopping and relaxing with them. Meanwhile Bocce, golf, trivia, fitness activities continue. In the meantime, here are some viewing suggestions for you:
Apple
Palm Royale (10 episodes) An ambitious woman schemes to secure her seat at America’s most exclusive table: Palm Beach high society circa 1969. Stars Kristen Wiig, Ricky Martin, Josh Lucas, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Carole Burnett. Delightful!
Constellation (8 episodes) Jo returns to earth after a disaster in space and discovers that there are missing pieces in her life, so she sets out to expose the truth about the hidden secrets of space travel and recover what she has lost. Stars Noomi Rapace Jonathan Banks, James D’Arcy. Haunting and mesmerizing.
The New Look (10 episodes) Explores the rise of fashion designer Christian Dior as he dethrones Coco Chanel and helps return spirit and life to the world with his iconic imprint of beauty and influence. Stars Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche and Maisie Williams. I love this series!!!
Manhunt (7 episodes) The aftermath of the first American presidential assassination and the fight to preserve and protect the ideals that were the foundation of Lincoln’s Reconstruction plans. Tobias Menzies and Anthony Boyle (Masters of the Air) star. Intriguing first two episodes!
CBS
FBI, FBI International, FBI Most Wanted (Ok, this is all rather formulaic stuff, but I get a hoot out of the incredibly flat acting of all three series, which I think of as Original, Crispy and Extra Crispy). So amazing that the FBI can solve every case within a 1 hr time period. It is the formula that viewers respond so warmly to on the Mother Ship series Law & Order and all its spin-offs.
Elsbeth (10 episodes) Elsbeth Tascioni,, an unconventional attorney, gives her singular point of view to make observations to catch criminals alongside the NYPD. If you loved Carrie Preston on The Good Wife, The Good Fight, etc., you will love her ditzy persona in this. I love her!!!
CBS News Sunday Morning (since 1979, 827 episodes) This is my Sunday morning mainstay as I find its magazine format extremely soothing featuring interviews with actors, political figures, athletes, musicians costume designers, fashion designers, etc. My moment of Zen.
60 Minutes (since 1968, 2198 episodes) Classic prime time TV Investigative news magazine. The hard version of CBS Sunday Morning.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (since 2015). Broadcasts from the Ed Sullivan theatre in New York. I love his monologues!
Comedy Central
The Daily Show (since 1996 with several changes of host and hiatuses) It’s now back with Jon Stewart taking the host duties on Mondays and his regular anchors taking the other nights of the week. Political satire!!
Disney
Renegade Nell (8 episodes) A quick-witted and courageous young woman framed for murder unexpectedly becomes the most notorious outlaw in 18th C England. When a magical spirit called Billy appears, Nell realizes her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined. Delightful! I binged the whole thing!! Probably not for everybody, as you have to be in the mood for a feel-good fantasy.
FX
Shogun (10 episodes) When a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village, Lord Yoshii Toranaga discovers secrets that could tip the scales and devastate his enemies. Stars Cosmo Jarvis. So far, so good as I have watched the first two episodes. Absorbing!
HBO/MAX
The Girls on the Bus (10 episodes) Four female journalists who follow the every move of a parade of flawed presidential candidates, finding friendship, love, and a scandal that could take down not just the presidency but our entire democracy along the way. Stars Melissa Benoist and Carla Gugino. I watched the first two episodes and found it flawed and cliched, but still watchable.
Tokyo Vice (Returns for a second season of 10 episodes) Hired as Meicho Shibun’s first American crime reporter, Jake Edelstein is quickly tasked with covering two cases the initially appear unrelated, but soon stakes his career – and life – on connecting the dots. Ansel Elgort’s Japanese seems pretty good to me!
The Regime (6 episodes) Kate Winslet stars in this limited series as the Chancellor of an unnamed Central European nation that is unraveling being the palace walls.
Curb Your Enthusiasm (10 episodes) Larry David stars as an over-the-top version of himself in this comedy series that shows how seemingly trivial details of day-to-day life can precipitate a catastrophic chain of events. Cringe comedy!
Last Week Tonight with Jon Oliver and Real Time with Bill Maher both continue their runs on HBO satirizing politics and current events.
NBC
Law & Order (892 episodes since 1990) Still solving crimes and bringing criminals to justice!!! Now starring Hugh Dancy and Reid Scott! I never watched this show in its heyday, but now I can’t resist its torn from the headlines plots. Spoiler alert: Sam Waterston has left the show after 30 years in the same role and was replaced by Tony Goldwyn who seems like kind of a snake in his first appearance!!!
Jeopardy (Nightly, 8892 episodes) I just realized that in Naples, this syndicated show appears on NBC! Ken Jennings is back hosting! The Invitational Tournament is now in full swing. Enjoy!!
Netflix
3 Body Problem (8 episodes) A fateful decision made in 1960’s China reverberates in the present where a group of scientists partner with a detective to confront an existential planetary threat. Stars Liam Cunningham. For Science fiction lovers!
Testament: The Story of Moses (3 episodes) Well it is Passover after all. Explore the life of Moses, his journey from outcast and murderer to prophet and liberator of the Hebrews from Egyptian oppression. Not bad. Narrated by Charles Dance.
Black Crab (1 h 54 m) In a post-apocalyptic world, six soldiers on a covert mission must transport a mysterious package across a frozen archipelago. Noomi Rapace stars. So weird. I can’t believe I watched the whole thing.
PBS
Call the Midwife (returning for their fourteenth season) Chronicles the lives of a group of midwives living in East London from the 1950’s to 1960. Tear jerking!!!
Nolly on Masterpiece (3 episodes) Exploring the rise and fall from grace of the inimitable British soap star, Noele Gordon (played by Helena Bonham Carter).
Alice and Jack on Masterpiece (6 episodes) Follows the story of a 16-year relationship between two imperfect lovers and its highs and lows (stars Domhnall Gleeson and Andrea Riseborough) Enjoy!!!
Streaming
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent (10 episodes) Follows a squad of elite investigators who investigate corruption and high-level criminality in the Greter Toronto area. What a hoot! Toronto is playing itself in this one. Look for all the familiar and unfamiliar landmarks and references. The skyline as seen from the RCYC clubhouse, locations in the Kingsway and Rosedale. Aden Young is the most recognizable actor in the lead role, although employment is given to countless Canadian actors in smaller roles.
Prime
Road House (2 h 1 m) Ex-UFC fighter Dalton takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor McGregor, Billy Magnussen, Jessica Williams. Non-stop violence and cartoonish performances from all. I can’t believe I watched the whole thing!
Closing Words
Hoping you all have a peaceful and healthy Easter and Passover!! Special shoutout to all friends who are experiencing health issues at this time.
What's Lorraine watching? 
Thanks, Lorraine. As always, you give me some show to look up and sample. Saw Bill Mahr the other night and really enjoyed some of it. Satire is not my favourite style. I was surprised that it was on one of my limited stations….. perhaps it was an advertising preview.
Best wishes at Passover.
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