February 2022 – procrastinationchronicles.com

new and noteworthy tv: 2/28-3/13

February 25, 2022 No Comments

Well I finally kicked out my Top TV list so now back to the riff raff. I am excited for the return of Better Things on Monday for its final season. The returning Canadian show Transplant is still on my season pass. And the fun Upload is returning to Amazon.

The Dropout (Hulu) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/3 – The latest limited series focuses on Amanda Seyfried as Elizabeth Holmes a tale of ambition gone wrong.
Joe vs. Carole (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/3/ – More nonsense about these big cat shenanigan, with Kate McKinnon as Carole curious the tone they’ll go for.
Our Flag Means Death (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/3 – This original comedy series is loosely based on the 18th century pirate Stede Bonnet and their hijinks.
The Tourist (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/3 – A man loses his memory after an epic cat and mouse car chase and the pursuit is not over.
The Boys Presents (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 3/4 – I normally pay limited attention to animation but this is set in The Boys universe which is a show I enjoy so maybe a look.
Pieces of Her (Net) Series Premiere, – Toni Collette stars as a mother with a dark past whose daughter starts to question after an attack.
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/6 – A dramatic retelling about the Lakers in the ’80s.
Shining Vale (Starz) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/6 – A couple whose marriage is at its breaking point move with their kids from Brooklyn to Connecticut buying an old house in this Ghosts-esque comedy, except the ghost might be a murderer trying to possess the wife.
The Chelsea Detective (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 3/7 – A detective investigates murders with the usual suspects in supporting roles.
The Thing About Pam (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 3/8 – Drama based on a real life murder and the involvement of Pam, the main think I know is that Renee Zellweger stars but people are not happy she’s in a fat suit to do it.
Queer Eye Germany (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/9 – In a foreign/reality highlight a local Fab 5 gives this show a go.
Bust Down (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/10 – Four casino employees making a mess out of their lives in this comedy.
That Dirty Black Bag (AMC+) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/10 – A spaghetti western of a series covers bounty hunters, bandits, vendettas and more.
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 3/11 – Limited series with Samuel L. Jackson among others as an old man with dementia is assigned to the care of a teenager they find a treatment to restore memories.

More streaming (foreign/foreign language) – The global streaming situation is out of control so I’m going to stop trying to detail all of these. For now will list them in case you want them on your radar. Usually if there’s a hidden gem it’ll start to get buzz with some of the critics I follow and I can highlight it at a later date.

Business Proposal (Korean – Net, 2/28)
Savage Rhythm (Colombian – Net, 3/2)
Echos (German – SundN, 3/3)
Midnight at Pera Palace (Turkish – Net, 3/3)
Lies and Deceit (Spanish – Net, 3/4)
Love, Life & Everything in Between (Saudi – Net, 3/10)
Once Upon a Time… Happily Never After (Spanish – Net, 3/11)

Returning streaming: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (Net, 3/3), A House Divided (Allblk, 3/3), Little Ellen (HBOM, 3/3), The Parisian Agency (Net, 3/3), Power Rangers Dino Fury (Net, 3/3), Star Trek: Picard (Para+, 3/3), Central Park (App+, 3/4) , Dear… (App+, 3/4), An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts (Net, 3/8), Chip and Potato (Net, 3/8), The Last Kingdom (Net, 3/9), Karma’s World (Net, 3/10), Ruthless (BET+, 3/10), The Snoopy Show (App+, 3/11), Upload (Am, 3/11).

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.

best, tv

procrastinator’s top tv of 2021

February 21, 2022 No Comments

For those who have lost track I am dealing with basic+ cable plus Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. So I am mostly limited from the HBOs and whatnots as well as some other streamers. I did have a free apple+ subscription that I held onto (aka paid for) long enough to finish the second season of Ted Lasso but specifically kept myself from getting into any of their dramas. I am also plotting a quick subscription to Paramount+ to catch up on Evil and The Good Fight since I’ve enjoyed earlier seasons of those (doing some math on just buying various seasons). Oh and I watched Breaking Bad, so you know that took up some time.

So yes I could watch TV for much longer to see all the shows that people proclaim were the best of 2021 but here’s where I ended up. For critic’s picks check out metacritic.

Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – This was just the perfect tone and content for where I was at when I got to this, great star power with Steven Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, and it both poked fun at and told a conveying murder tale with fun twists, can’t wait for another season.
The Great (Hulu) – The occasionally true retelling of Catherine the Great did a fun job of taking us into the second season, lots of hilarity and hijinks here and love/hate people and relationships.
Ted Lasso (App+) – Although I heard some of the rumblings I thought overall they really took the show in a direction that worked as it evolved, will revisit App+ when we get around to another.
Mythic Quest (App+) – The other show I let myself enjoy while I had the subscription, they really mastered the ongoing odd work environment and characters with killer standalone episodes, don’t be put off by the setting of a video game company.
Resident Alien (Syfy) – Alan Tudyk is really such a winner in this role but the whole cast has great charm as we watch this alien become more human and it might even stop him from destroying the world.
Ghosts (CBS) – I’ve appreciated Rose McIver since iZombie and she’s got herself a fun new role in seeing ghosts and translating to her husband, the ghosts themselves do a great job of bringing good characters from different time periods and living pretty full lives.
Big Leap (Fox) – While this isn’t a show for everyone the behind the scenes of a reality dance competition was for me a great balance of looking at the machinations of stirring up reality drama with a sweet side both in front of and behind the cameras, hoping for another season.
Squid Game (Net) – Whatever you want to say about this it sure was compelling, brutal, but compelling, and I’m very curious as to what they’re going to do in a second season.
Sex Education (Net) – I still enjoy my time with these students and their families dealing with sex and relationships.
Lupin (Net) – A good caper can’t be beat and I was happy to take another jaunt in this somewhat ridiculous next chapter.

Honorable: Bo Burnham: Inside (Net), Bridgerton (Net), Everything’s Going to Be Okay (Free), Girls5eva (Pea), Kim’s Convenience (CBC/Net), Leverage: Redemption (IMDB), Reservation Dogs (Fx/Hulu), The Underground Railroad (Prime), What We Do In the Shadows (Fx), We Are Lady Parts (Pea), You (Net).

What were your faves last year?

new and noteworthy tv: 2/14-2/27

February 13, 2022 No Comments

Other than the return of Killing Eve, which I’m always excited about I’ll likely to check out The Endgame and Law & Order. I wrapped up Reservation Dogs which was a fun watch and am about ready to call it on as much tv as I can watch to put out my best of 2021 list.

Severance (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 2/18 – Adam Scott plays a man whose company has surgically divided their work and personal memories, and you know there are implications, good early buzz.
From (Epix) Series Premiere, Sunday 2/20 – The mystery of a nightmarish town that traps all who enter in this sci-fi horror series.
All American: Homecoming (CW) Series Premiere, Monday 2/21 – A spinoff of All American, this one follows students at HBCU looking for sports excellence.
The Endgame (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday 2/21 – Heist drama with Morena Baccarin, in!
Take Note (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/24 – A fictional look at a reality singing competition.
Law & Order (NBC) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/24, 8pm – The mothership returns for its 21st season, with some familiar faces.
Vikings: Valhalla (Net)Series Premiere, Friday 2/25 – I have heard good things about Vikings but didn’t stick with it, this is a take about 100 years later.

More streaming

Aftertaste (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 2/14 – Set in Australia, chef turned pariah tries to usher in his pastry chef niece’s glory.
Devotion, A Story of Love and Desire (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 2/14 – Spouses tempted by other desires in this Italian romantic drama.
Fishbowl Wives (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 2/14 – Six different women in a luxury apartment tower give infidelity a go, this Japanese romantic drama is based on a manga series.
Thirty-Nine (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/16 – A trio of besties deal with all things in this Korean romantic drama.
Conviction The Case of Stephen Lawrence (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 2/21 – The case of the racially motivated murder of an 18-year-old Black student in this three part miniseries.
Back to 15 (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 2/25 – A very 13 going on 30 take in this Brazilian teen drama.
The Fame Game (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 2/25 – India’s most famous actress goes missing and the truth of her life comes out.in this Hindi language mystery.
Juvenile Justice (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 2/25 – A judge balances cases in the juvenile court in this Korean crime show.
Merli Sapere Aude (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 225 – This Spanish teen show introduces a new philosophy student.

Returning Streaming: State of the Union (SundN, 2/14), Ridley Jones (Net, 2/15), Swap Shop (Net, 2/16), Trolls (Hulu, 2/17), Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs (HBOM, 2/17) Young Wallander (Net, 2/17), The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (Am, 2/18), Space Force (Net, 2/18), Killing Eve (AMC+, 2/20/BBCA, 2/27), Agatha Raisin (Acorn, 2/21), Reno 911! (Roku, 2/25), Van Go (Disc+, 2/25).

best, books

procrastinator’s best books of 2021

February 6, 2022 No Comments

I can’t help calling this best books even though in fact I just list all the books I read last year. I guess that makes them the best. My reading seems to have dwindled a bit though I have been reading more nonfiction which I’ve included as well. Those marked with * are book club reads. I also put off doing this list because honestly I can’t remember what I thought about a couple of them. I had intended to update this list with each book I read so it would be fresh but well, the best laid plans. Maybe for 2022.

The Good Lord Bird by James McBride* – We might have read this because everyone wanted to read Deacon King Kong which was only in Hardback, I now own it in paperback but haven’t gotten to it (we make exceptions but for the most part do paperbacks), I also don’t get Showtime but heard that at least Ethan Hawke was good in the series (I honestly can’t recall overall reviews) ok so this book as I recall had a good voice and journey of the characters and battle against slavery.
Mostly Dead Things by Kristen Arnett* – Book club overall was not a fan of this one though I thought it definitely had some fun elements and humor in the world of a not so typical family that owns a taxidermy shop.
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub – A fun little romp looking at former bandmates living in Brooklyn as they try to move forward and look back.
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones* – I think book club liked this a bit more than I did, I was a little hung up on some of the logistics of the horror tale but appreciated the writing, characters, and American Indian culture.
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu* – Overall a real crown pleaser, the format of this book was really so much of the story (for good and for bad) but enjoyed the light and heavy take on pop culture and Asian American experience.
Chances Are… by Richard Russo – I’m generally a big Russo fan, Empire Falls one of my all-time faves, and this visit with three old friends reuniting and stirring up the past with a little mystery was an enjoyable one.
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel* – Book club and I loved Station Eleven, so happy to revisit Mandel, though this didn’t garner quite the same raves lots to enjoy, and my limited cable also kept the well reviewed Station 11 series off my radar.
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha* – Really interesting perspective from various South Korean women on the pursuits of beauty and life.
Fool by Christopher Moore – We had picked this for book club at one point and dismissed for some reason, but I had bought it and hadn’t read any others from Moore, and while this retelling of Lear going for funny wasn’t my fave, I’m curious to dabble in his other sort of genre approaches.
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich* – I’ve read and appreciated much of Erdrich’s earlier works and while this also strong Native American experience with rich characters was much more expansive in scope which it benefitted and suffered from.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune* – I thought this slightly YA feeling story of a man observing a school for the ‘gifted’ was a heartwarming delight.
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong* – Better in some parts than others but this less direct narrative style brought some powerful moments and kept me engaged.
Ways to Disappear by Idra Novey – Can’t recall who loaned/gave this to me (let me know if you want it back) but thought this translator going to Brazil to find her missing author was a fun endeavor.
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole* – Gentrification just got a little more serious, had a few quibbles but overall loved following these two protagonists on their unreal journey trying to keep a neighborhood together.
Writers & Lovers by Lily King* – I don’t normally love when writers write about writers but totally enjoyed this look at a woman trying to get her life and her writing career together, also a fan of author’s Euphoria.
White Tears by Hari Kunzru – This book was weird though compelling as we start with two friends and their passion for music and head into a surreal psychological look at race, music, class, history and maybe a ghost story of sorts.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett* – Big fans of Ann Patchett and this didn’t disappoint, a few quibbles on plot but rich characters and a great place created for these siblings and their relationship to this home.

And for nonfiction:

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo – One of my various attempts to focus on topics like race and raise my knowledge and vocabulary, appreciated her approach and personal perspective.
The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier – I heard MBS speak and really liked his approach, this book was a helpful list of seven questions that mainly managers could use to coach their employees to greater success, very in sync with the coaching I do and great to see those skills being embraced.
Atomic Habits by James Clear – I’m a huge habit fan and had been following Clear for a while, finally going through his deeper look which was much appreciated, lots to revisit here as I work on my own habits and with my clients.
High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard – A different take on habits, in this he breaks down the six habits that make people a success, lots of info here to revisit.
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks – This had been recco’d by a few and while not all of this resonated with me I appreciated the approach to upper limit problems and getting in your zone of genius, not just excellence.
Decoding Greatness by Ron Friedman – Another person I follow and appreciate, this book ends up being a good take on how not to reinvent the wheel and tips and info on what to do instead.

For critics faves of actual 2021 check here. What were your faves last year?

sports, tv

winter olympics

February 4, 2022 No Comments

Not quite as much buzz around this. It’s a triple hit because a) I don’t think people are ever as into the winter version b) we’re in a diplomatic boycott because China (human rights abuses, ethnic cleansing, etc.) c) we’re in a pandemic and China isn’t messing around (serious isolation and testing for both athletes and various staff).

So do we let it slide? I mean no. We’re still the most obnoxious country about our team spirit and athletic dominance. So we will continue to give it an eye.

How to watch: All the NBC channels will have pretty serious coverage. NBC, Peacock, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Olympics channel, nbcolympics.com. Sounds like nbcolympics.com will give you the schedule and coverage and you can drill down to any favorites. For most people tuning into primetime and seeing what they want us to see meets the mark.

When to watch: It’s happening! We’ve started competition and the Opening Ceremonies were Friday morning and being telecast tonight at 8pm. Closing will hit Sunday, February 20 at 8pm.

What to watch: I feel like figure skating is the gymnastics of winter. Apparently this year we’ve got a serious contender on the men’s side (though women could reportedly be shutout by all Russians). I still have a soft spot for both the Snowboarding Halfpipe and ‘old guy’ Shaun White trying to keep up with the kids. Who doesn’t want to gander some curling? And do you consider the various bobsleds or speed skating the swimming of the winter?

New competitions: Each Olympics gets to mix it up a bit and this year. Bobsled – Women’s Monobob, Freestyle Skiing – Men’s and Women’s Big Air + Mixed Team Aerials, Short Track – Mixed Team Relay, Ski Jumping – Mixed Team, Snowboarding – Mixed Team Snowboard Cross.

I mean honestly I don’t have time for this so I will admittedly dabble and then catch up on a couple best tv of 2021 candidates before I get that list together.

Are you in?