procrastinationchronicles.com – Page 5 – how television rules my life…

new and noteworthy tv: 2/27-3/12

February 25, 2023 No Comments

I missed my personal deadline for top tv of 2022 but stay tuned, my new plan is to get it out this next week. I spent a little time working through The Dropout (Hulu) which while I don’t normally really enjoy based on true events was kind of fascinating and Seyfried in particular was really good. I also made my way through White Lotus (HBOM)and while I was not as enamored as many I could definitely appreciate the characters and watching things unfold, and yes I would enjoy an expensive vacation (without murder obvs).

I’ve also been catching some of the midseason shows to decide what to add to my repertoire. I’ve been enjoying Will Trent (ABC/Hulu) as one of those particular and successful detectives but the characters are all really good (ABC/Hulu), Accused (Fox/Hulu) with a what happened legal case of the week/anthology, Not Dead Yet (ABC/Hulu) a cute comedy where the woman writing obituaries sees the people she’s writing about. One episode of The Company You Keep has me intrigued with its Romeo and Juliet cons vs CIA, and willing to see if Night Court (NBC/Peacock) and Animal Control (Fox/Hulu) find their comedic groove.

Wreck (Hulu) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/1 – A drama set in the world of a cruise ship as a guy tries to uncover what happened to his sister who disappeared.
True Lies (CBS) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/1, 10pm – I was just looking to see when this was scheduled as I had an earlier date, a series take on the secret spy husband movie.
Daisy Jones & The Six (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 3/3 – Based on the book by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a musical-drama series on the rise and fall of a rock band.
Next in Fashion (Net) Season Premiere, Friday 3/3 – I tend to catch these fashion competitions but I think I missed this the first time around (either that or it was just unmemorable).
Grand Crew (NBC) Season Premiere, Friday 3/3, 8:30pm – I enjoyed this sort of friends hang show from last season and hope it keeps its mojo.
The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist (MTV) Series Premiere, Friday 3/3, 10pm – Speaking of reality competitions, I might be interested in art.
Act Your Age (Bounce) Series Premiere, Saturday 3/4, 8pm – I might need to double check what Bounce TV is but they’ve got a new comedy about 3 ‘vibrant’ women in their 50s, with Kym Whitley, Tisha Campbell, and Yvette Nicole Brown
History of the World, Part II (Hulu) Series Premiere, Monday 3/6 – After 40 years they’re doing a sequel to the Mel Brooks film with various history sketches, Brooks EPs with Ike Barinholts, Nick Kroll, and Wanda Sykes as cast.
Rain Dogs (HBO) Series Premiere, Monday 3/6, 10pm – This dark comedy brings an ‘unconventional love story’ about a single mom, her 10-year-old daughter, and a privileged gay man.
You (Net) Thursday 3/9 – The second half of the season drops, I’ll probably tune into this after I crank out my 2022 tv list.
Unprisoned (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 3/10 – Kerry Washington stars as a therapist and single mom whose dad gets out of prison and moves in with her.
Luther: The Fallen Sun (Net) Premiere, Friday 3/10 – I knew they were making this Luther movie but had lost track, do I still have time for a series rewatch?
The Oscars (ABC) Sunday 3/12 – I’ve been ticking through a few of these but have some ‘in theaters only’ to catch up on.

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.

lifestyle

wine country

February 21, 2023 No Comments

You know I love a good vacation. For various reasons big trips haven’t been as much on my radar, so one of the things I decided is to take more long weekends away. One of my traditions is to do a spa visit for my birthday so this year I decided to combine the two.

First up wine tasting! A stop at Domaine Carneros was the perfect way to toast the weekend, I am a fan of sparkling. Next with sandwiches on hand was Gun Bun, my friend is a member so free tasting yes please (it turns out they no longer allow outside food so that became a sort of picnic). And whilst kicking around Napa it seemed like a good time to check out the outlets. Spending didn’t go crazy but I picked up a few basics.

Checking in at Southbridge in St Helena, I was able to snag an easy walk-in on a busy night to the casual Pizzeria Tra Vigne which is basically the same property (my room overlooked their Bacci court). I am limited to sourdough only for my pizza so I was delighted.

The next day’s complimentary breakfast allowed for a slow start before a walk along downtown St. Helena. It’s a small area but very charming stores and restaurants. Particularly Elyse Walker (cute though outside my price range), New West KnifeWorks (also outside my price range but the magnetic knife holders were gorgeous), some cute housewares stores, and yes I love that $27k painting (too bad it’s too big for my wall).

The wine tastings were all booked but I lucked into too gorgeous of a day not to sit outside with a glass of wine. And Farmstead offered the most picturesque location (the restaurant is also supposed to be very good). Next stop Health Spa Napa Valley for a massage. Even if I hadn’t booked a spa treatment would have been a good stop for the outdoor pool and jacuzzi with access from my hotel right across the courtyard.

Birthday dinner was Michelin starred Press which was overall very enjoyable. I did not opt for the tasting menu but had a lovely selection. The pink bay scallops were fabulous as was the dry-aged beef tartare (yes I like the occasional tartare). Also good (but not quite as exceptional) was the truffle-glazed chicken and chocolate creme. The atmosphere was also lovely and the service while incredibly friendly was a little disjointed with too many people.

On the drive back the next day a stop into downtown Napa. A brief stroll through Oxbow Public Market made a tough lunch call but ended up heading toward the river for the charming Angele to enjoy some sole and broccoli. A stroll through the first street shopping area felt a little lacking in adult targetted stores but enjoyed the Insta-worthy Wine Girl Napa Valley.

It’s really a relatively quick jaunt from SF so glad to enjoy being away for the long weekend. Happy birthday to me.

new and noteworthy: 2/13-2/26

February 11, 2023 No Comments

Wrapping a few more things, the very well done if not a bit odd Atlanta. I also did Fleishman is in Trouble which was pretty good but I was a little too annoyed by everyone to fully appreciate. And I Love That For You before my Showtime wraps up which was kind of amusing but very personality driven with Vanesssa Bayer and Molly Shannon. Also checked out Mo the dramedy of Palestinian refugee from Mohammed Amer and Ramy Youssef which I liked but it didn’t quite stick with me.

Red Rose (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/15 – Teens are in terror from an app, in this British drama, early reviews seem to say the cast elevates it.
Animal Control (Fox) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/16, 9pm – Joel McHale heads up a workplace comedy with lots of Animal Control hijinks.
Hello Tomorrow! (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 2/17 – Starring and EP’d by Billy Crudup, as a salesman selling lunar timeshares in this futuristic comedy.
The Company You Keep (ABC) Series Premiere, Sunday 2/19, 10pm – A con man and an undercover CIA operative kick off a little passion that can only lead to complications.
Black Snow (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/23 – A small-town murder never solved kicks up again when a time capsule is opened.
The Consultant (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 2/24 – Christoph Waltz in this comedic thriller based on the novel.
Liaison (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 2/24 – A French/English thriller, will the mistakes of their past destroy their future?
Party Down (Starz) Series Premiere, Friday 2/24, 9pm – This is billed as Season 3 but we’re picking up ten years later with our fave caterers, excited they got the gang back together headed up by Adam Scott, the original series was funny.

And for anyone on the lookout for Magnum PI it’s moving from CBS to NBC on 2/19.

i don’t want to wait

February 4, 2023 No Comments

I know that streaming shows use a few different models but I am tired of waiting for shows to be released weekly.

Like a drug dealer, they give you a few upfront. The first four episodes of Poker Face sure you can have them. But after that, you need to wait a week for a single episode. This early release of some for me seems to counter the argument that you should space them out. Though I will admit rewatching early broadcast shows tends to give me a bit of a disconnect with time.

I’m honestly not a huge binger. I’m not going to be up until 4 am watching a series. But I do often like to watch them quicker than one a week. With Poker Face even two a week would feel better. I just finished Leverage: Redemption and skipped a week so I could do two together.

And yes I know we used to do this all the time. Part of the problem is that I’ve gotten soft with a DVR. I no longer even know what time and day some shows are on. My TiVo grabs it when it’s on and then I check in and there is a queue of stuff that I have selected. The streaming services just don’t have a great interface for that.

And don’t get me started on a new season. Some shows are in my “watch again” list when I haven’t even caught the final season. Also because streaming seasons tend to be shorter and you do watch them more quickly it can be a full year or more between seasons. I honestly don’t remember what happened. I really would have it all there, even if it takes me forever (from a modern perspective) to get through Better Call Saul or Lucifer.

Now there is a little bit of a water cooler component about some shows. I find that Stranger Things for example is something that people watch right away. So if I want to stay up on things I have to jump on it. But for the most part, everyone is watching something different, there are just too many shows to be immediately up to date on everything.

So if I’m not being cutting edge I could just wait until the entire series is completed. But if everyone did that everything would get canceled because no one would be watching. I get it, it’s a business. Another reason for them to string you out a bit.

Overall I tend to do a mix of catch-up on the full series I’ve missed, a slight delay so I don’t have to wait between episodes, and real-time viewing. Has anyone solved this?

new and noteworthy tv: 1/30-2/12

January 29, 2023 No Comments

Cranking through a few streaming items with the latest season of Ramy which is still good and odd, Girl From Plainville which left me a little unsatisfied with its take on the real scenario, and the latest season of Leverage: Redemption which I find fun. I also started Poker Face on Peacock and my only complaint is the weekly spacing out of episodes.

Over the next couple of weeks I’ll check out Not Dead Yet and of course the latest season of You, though I may delay a bit on that while I catch up with 2022 shows to do my Top Tv post.

The Watchful Eye (Free) Series Premiere, Monday 1/30, 9/10pm – Everyone has secrets including a new live-in nanny at an affluent NY family.
The Great British Baking Show: The Professionals (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/1 – I don’t particularly dig cooking shows, but I feel like people are into these ones.
Gunther’s Millions (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/1 – We follow the rich and famous in reality why not a wealthy dog?
The Ark (Syfy) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/1, 10pm – In the future when we’re trying to colonize other planets damage to a ship tests their mission.
Freeridge (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/2 – I didn’t stick with On My Block, but this is a spinoff in some way.
Dear Edward (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 2/3 – Based on the book a story of a kid who survives a plane crash that kills his family.
State of the Union (Various) Tuesday 2/7, 6pm pacific.
Not Dead Yet (ABC) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/8, 8:30/9:30pm – Gina Rodriguez stars as a broke and newly single obituary column writer.
You (Net) Season Premiere, Thursday 2/9 – Our favorite obsessive gets a new chapter, let’s see what the body count looks like this time.
Superbowl (Fox) Sunday 2/12, 3:30pm pacific – Sportsball and related content.

best, books

procrastinator’s best books of 2022

January 22, 2023 No Comments

As usual, I’ll just share all the books I read last year since the list isn’t much longer than ten. And as usual, most of them are book club books*. I didn’t get a ton of outside reading in and I also somehow mostly stopped reading nonfiction which I’ll take a look at this year. And though I’m at least a year behind due to holding for paperbacks, you can check out the critic’s best of 2022 here.

The First Bad Man by Miranda July* – My review was ‘it’s not not weird.’ Book club overall was amused and we had a great discussion, overall it wasn’t my fave.
Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry* – Two ‘old’ dudes reminiscing as they wait for a daughter, meh, book club may have liked this more than I did.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid* – I missed book club for this one but thought this older starlet telling her story to a writer was fun.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro* – Generally favorable discussion of a unique narrator and her intriguing perspective with limited POV.
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda M. Morris* – This was a fun book club in that we enjoyed talking about all the things we hated about this book including the so dumb protagonist.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – A between book club book took me a bit to wrap up around reading, not for lack of interest, a compelling journey with our two main characters during the Nazi occupation of France.
Severance by Ling Ma* – For me this was a little ‘too soon’ with the pandemic parallels but I also found the office humor more real than humorous, book club enjoyed it.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers* – A somewhat interesting setup of different aliens but not enough story or character, etc. mostly I am totally over the first of a trilogy, make a book a book even if there’s more.
The Idiot by Elif Batuman* – Some appreciated the book more than others (me less so), decent moments but could have used more editing and story, amused but no LOL for me.
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead* – I enjoyed this tale of a man looking at how to live an honest life in 1960s NY, or is he?
(March by Geraldine Brooks*) – I actually read this book ages ago but honestly didn’t remember, and decided my not remembering wasn’t a sign to reread.
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates* – I truthfully finally finished this today, at 738 pages it’s hard for me not to suggest some culling, an interesting look but for a fictionalized version felt like more Marilyn insight was warranted.
The Netanyahus An Account of a Minor and Ultimatelyeven Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family by Joshua Cohen* – I was sick for this book club but think the gist which I agree with was that it was a fun fictionalized look into 1950s upstate New York college though at times got a bit academic.
Breath by James Nestor – My dentist recommended this and while interesting and jam-packed with history more intrigued by trying some of the breathing exercises in the appendix, which I didn’t really follow through with.
Essentialism by Greg McKeown – Very readable and pretty in sync with the Less is More philosophy I work with so many of my clients on, and of course, continue to try to focus on myself.
Negotiating with Your Kids by Alice Shikina – A fun addition to the negotiating class, a short book about negotiating with the younger set, with illustrations by her mom.

What were your faves last year?

technology, tv

HBO has landed!

January 17, 2023 No Comments

I finally got HBO. Technically HBO Max. With this statement there seem to be two responses. 1) Really you didn’t have HBO? 2) It’s about $%^& time.

Clearly, my fine pchron readers know I’m a big fan of tv. So why didn’t I have HBO, the home to some of the greatest tv?

It was a little bit about money but it was mostly the principle of the thing. I pay for cable, not the premium channel version obviously but the version below that. And it is not cheap. And I pay for Netflix. And I pay for Hulu. And I pay for Amazon Prime.

Now I actually first threw down for Amazon Prime because they had a backlog of shows from HBO. The Wire, you bet! So I had done a basic pass over all the old greats. And I think I watched some things live with various friends and family.

But there was still so much TV to watch. I constantly have a backlog of tv. And so I didn’t need more shows. I didn’t want to get hooked on even more shows. I had already started dabbling with having a streaming option for a bit to watch shows and then cancel it. AppleTV and Paramount+ filled the gap on a few things. But I felt like if I got HBO it would be hard to cancel and just dip back in for a few things.

And to be honest I am planning to do some research into tv options. I think with everything I pay for it’s somewhat duplicative and probably too expensive. So maybe I’ll switch to Hulu Live or YouTube TV or whatever. And whenever I got around to that I was going to reevaluate everything.

Well, that ‘whenever’ has dragged on for a while.

And Saturday I sat down to watch a movie and really didn’t want to watch anything available. I’m trying to catch up on some of the ‘best of 2022.’ And I used to go to the movies a good amount. But since the pandemic, I’ve never quite gotten back to the in-person theater. I’m not saying I’m done for good but I definitely have moved to more streaming. And last year even paid for a few flicks.

So getting HBOMax doesn’t seem like that big of an investment. Done.

So I’m starting with the more current options. Saturday night I watched The Banshees of Inisherin (odd but good) and The Menu (a sweet and savory sendup). And have started in on The White Lotus and Barry. So far it’s worth the investment.

I’ll also get to catch additional seasons of a few shows that moved to HBO Max like The Other Two, Search Party, and Harley Quinn (this might have just been a tease on non-HBO).

What should I watch next?

new and noteworthy tv: 1/16-1/29

January 13, 2023 No Comments

When I was sick I gave myself permission to binge through the latest season of Emily in Paris which continues to be trash but entertaining trash. I also cranked through the sweet Heartstopper. I typically save half-hour streaming comedies for when I exercise with my in-apartment bike pedals. Once I got that back in action I wrapped up the final season of Derry Girls, which was definitely a fun series. And a few new things hitting the radar.

Night Court (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 1/17, 8/8:30pm – The early version of this show had charm and sounds like this might need a beat but has potential.
That ’90s Show (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 1/19 – Continuing the reboot trend, That ’70s Show characters return this time with Kitty and Red dealing with their grandkid and supposedly everyone (not currently facing rape charges) is reprising their role as guest appearances, again the original had some charm so we’ll see.
Accused (Fox) Series Premiere, Sunday 1/22, 9pm – This anthology series brings a different crime told from the defendant’s POV.
Extraordinary (Hulu) Series Premiere, Wednesday 1/25 – If everyone develops a superpower when they turn 18, what happens if yours doesn’t show, a look at a world with and without powers.
Poker Face (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 1/26 – Natasha Lyonne going from place to place solving crimes, yes please.
Wolf Pack (Para+) Series Premiere, Thursday 1/26 – Sarah Michelle Geller in a werewolf tv show, sure I’ll check it out.
Shrinking (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 1/27 – Jason Segel plays a grieving therapist who actually starts telling his patients what he thinks.
Lockwood & Co (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 1/27 – A small ghost-hunting agency in London made up of some gifted teens.

midseason fun

January 8, 2023 No Comments

While I think we’ve all become accustomed to less official tv seasons, the networks do still have a slate of offerings that roll out in the new year. Here are a few things to keep your eye out for. Along with a few returning shows including a couple I watch, 911: Lone Star (Fox, 1/17) which is super random but somehow I got hooked, and American Auto (NBC, 1/24) which had some potential last year but hadn’t quite found its footing yet.

Will Trent (ABC) Tuesday 1/3, 10pm – Based on Karin Slaughter’s book series we follow a Georgia Special Agent who brings his own upbringing baggage for good and for bad, I caught the first one of these and thought the cast had promise.
Alert (Fox) Sunday 1/8, 8pm – This focuses on a missing person’s unit with a woman whose son is missing and early buzz is not good but we’ll see.
Night Court (NBC) Tuesday 1/17, 8pm – If you remember the old Night Court, it’s back, and John Larroquette reprises his role alongside Melissa Rauch who will play judge Harry Stone’s daughter.
Accused (Fox) Sunday 1/22, 9pm – A look at defendants in criminal trials as an anthology series, based on the British series.
Not Dead Yet (ABC) Wednesday 2/8, 8:30/9:30 – Gina Rodriguez plays an obituary writer trying to restart her life and I think talking to the dead.
Animal Control (Fox) Thursday 2/16, 9pm – Joel McHale heads up a cast focusing on the people, and animals, that animal control has to deal with.
Found (NBC) Sunday 2/19, 10pm – I guess this is like Alert in its focus on missing persons, this one features a person who was once missing. (Update: This is apparently being held until fall)
The Company You Keep (ABC) Sunday 2/19, 10pm – Can a con man and undercover office find love?
True Lies (CBS) Thursday 2/23, 9pm – A series adaptation of the film where a suburban wife finds out her hubs is a spy and she gets in on the game.

There are also some new reality/gameshow options: The Parent Test (ABC, 12/15), America’s Got Talent: All Stars (NBC, 1/2), Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test (Fox, 1/4), Lingo (CBS, 1/11).

Stay tuned to New & Noteworthy posts for biweekly updates and check your local listings.

new and noteworthy tv: 1/2-1/15

December 30, 2022 No Comments

I have been playing catchup and was on the brink of wrapping up a few series… This Fool on Hulu (mildly amusing but not my thing), Killing It on Peacock (dumb but pretty funny), HighSchool on Freevee (I liked the idea of the twins’ story more than I felt compelled by the execution though would come back), and Evil (still too creepy but good) and The Good Fight (sad to say goodbye to these peeps) on Paramount+. I’m poking around for a minute on Paramount+ before canceling that subscription. I’m also adding a few other shows from best of 2022 lists before switching to movies. And of course, midseason is officially kicking off.

Will Trent (ABC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 1/3, 10pm – Based on a book series this agent in the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (huh?) uses his unique POV to clear cases.
Ginny & Georgia (Net) Season Premiere, Thursday 1/5 – I was surprisingly engaged with the first season of this family looking for new beginnings that find more than a few complications, it’s sweet and a little edgy.
The Rig (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 1/6 – A supernatural mist comes to an oil rig.
Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches (AMC & others) Series Premiere, Sunday 1/8, 9pm – Based on the books, a woman discovers she’s part of a witch fam and of course, there’s some drama.
Alert (Fox) Series Premiere, Sunday 1/8, 9pm – A new missing person drama set in Philly.
Velma (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 1/12 – Mindy Kaling voices the key member of the Scooby gang in this adult animated comedy.
The Last of Us (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 1/15, 9pm – A futuristic look at a man and girl trying to survive after the collapse of modern civilization.
The Way Home (Hall) Series Premiere, Sunday 1/15, 9pm – I don’t follow any of Hallmark’s series but assuming they’re relatively formulaic, this is a multigenerational family drama.

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