new and noteworthy tv: 6/7-6/20

Kevin Can F**K Himself

When Younger moved to Paramount+ it also started airing on Hulu but I’ve yet to check in on this final season which wraps June 10, overall it was a fun series. Flack (Am), Evil (Para+), and Tuca and Bertie (Ad Sw) have all been picked up but on different networks giving them another go; I liked each enough to check out but not going to pay more at this point to check out my fave of those Evil. Also looking forward to the return of Dave (Fxx, 6/16) which shifted over time from a crass show to one with some nuance and Lupin to see how he gets out of the latest and what else he gets into.

  • French Open (Tennis/NBCSN/NBC) – Airing through the week on various channels up to the finals over the weekend.
  • Street Legal (Ova) Series Premiere, Tuesday 6/8 – Based on a previous version of the long running Canadian series, follows the personal and professional lives of partners in a boutique Toronto law firm.
  • Loki (Dis+) Series Premiere, Wednesday 6/9 – Tom Hiddleston returns for adventures as the God of Mischief, following the events of Avengers: Endgame.
  • Starstruck (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 6/10 – A millennial living in London sleeps with someone famous.
  • Timewasters (IMDB) Series Premiere, Friday 6/11 – A half-hour comedy about a South London jass band that travels through time, sounds random but nominated for Best Comedy Series BAFTA.
  • Kevin Can F**K Himself (AMC+) Series Premiere, Saturday 6/12 – Some early buzz about this dark comedy’s unconventional take on the stereotypical sitcom wife played by Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy, also on AMC 6/20.
  • Blindspotting (Starz) Series Premiere, Sunday 6/13 – Comedy series based on the film, picking up six months after, centering on Ashley after her partner and baby daddy is incarcerated.
  • The Republic of Sarah (CW) Series Premiere, Monday 6/14 – When a town is threatened to be wiped out they declare independence and form their own country, what now?
  • Rurangi (Hulu) Series Premiere, Monday 6/14 – Transgender activist returns home after a decade in this New Zealand drama.
  • Physical (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 6/18 – Rose Bryne stars as a wife finding the world of aerobics in the ’80s.
  • Us (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 6/20 – This four-part drama based on the David Nicholls book follows a couple on a grand tour of Europe.

More streaming:

  • Moloch (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 6/10 – In this French language fantasy thriller where people spontaneously combust, a journalist and a psychiatrist investigate.
  • Katla (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 6/17 – A volcano eruption turns a community upside down as mysteries emerge from the ice in this Scandanavian drama.
  • So Not Worth It (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 6/18 – A Korean college dorm finds a mix of people and experiences in this comedy.

Returning streaming: Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries (Acorn, 6/7), Trolls (Hulu, 6/10), Full Bloom (HBOM, 6/10), Flack (Am, 6/11), Home Before Dark (App+, 6/11), Love, Victor (Hulu, 6/11), Lupin (Net, 6/11), Zenimation (Dis+, 6/11), Love (Ft. Marriage and Divorce) (Net, 6/12), Workin’ Moms (Net, 6/15), Black Summer (Net, 6/17), Hospital Playlist (Net, 6/17), Intelligence (Pea, 6/17), Summer Camp Island (HBOM, 6/17), El Corazon de Sergio Ramos (Am, 6/18), Elite (Net, 6/18), Evil (Para+, 6/20).

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.

Continue Reading

new and noteworthy tv: 5/24-6/6

Lisey’s Story

Excited for the return of odd Mr Inbetween, the start of what is sadly the final season of The Bold Type, am going to wrap up Kominsky, and I was worried they weren’t going to release the final season of Kim’s Convenience before I got there but I’m only on season 2. I’ve also been recording Pose but have yet to watch, um any of them, and it’s scheduled to wrap, is this worth it?

  • Whitstable Pearl (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 5/24 – Based on the novels this six-part series will look at 16th century English seaside town and what might be under the picturesque surface.
  • Panic (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 5/28 – Based on the novel, each graduating class in this small Texas town competes for a chance out, this year the rules change.
  • Housebroken (Fox) Series Premiere, Monday 5/31 – A new addition to the animation lineup, focusing on pets who gather for a therapy group.
  • We Are Lady Parts (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 6/3 – A music comedy following a Muslim female punk band.
  • Lisey’s Story (Ap+) Series Premiere, Friday 6/4 – Based on the Stephen King book, this was around the time I stopped trying to keep up with him, but Julianne More plays the lead wherein a series of unsettling events follow the death of her husband, played by Clive Owen.
  • Little Birds (Starz) Series Premiere, Sunday 6/6 – Based on Anais Nin’s short stories a New York heiress arrives in Tangier in 1955 ad finds excitement in the city.
  • Domina (Epix) Series Premiere, Sunday 6/6 – Caesar’s third wife, something tells me things aren’t simple.

More streaming:

  • Mad for Each Other (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 5/24 – This Korean romantic comedy finds neighbors’ lives entwined as they see the same psychiatrist.
  • Black Space (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 5/27 – A rogue detective investigates a massacre in this Israeli thriller.
  • Parot (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 5/28 – A Spanish police thriller about the killing of former inmates after the annulment of the Parot doctrine.
  • Racket Boys (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 5/31 – A city kid is brought to the countryside when his father comes to coach a badminton team in this Korean drama.
  • Dom (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 6/4 – The story of a boy from Rio on the path to becoming the leader of a criminal gang.

Returning streaming: Madagascar (Hulu, 5/27), Bruh (BET+, 5/27), Ragnarok (Net, 5/27), Kominsky Method (Net, 5/28), The Ultimate Fighter (ESPN+, 6/1), Kim’s Convenience (Net, 6/2), The Fungies (HBOM, 6/3), The Gulf (SundN, 6/3), Summertime (Net, 6/3), Why Women Kill (Para+, 6/3), Feel Good (Net, 6/4).

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.

Continue Reading

new and noteworthy tv: 5/10-5/23

The Upshaws

I knocked out the very fun French Lupin, which thankfully is coming back this summer. I’m intrigued by The Upshaws, The Underground Railroad, Halston, and the return of Master of None. Also intrigued by a new In Treatment but my lack of HBO will cause that intrigue to be suppressed.

  • The Upshaws (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 5/12 – This comedy brings back Wanda Sykes in a working-class African American family in Indiana.
  • Hacks (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 5/13 – Jean Smart stars as a comedian who has a ‘dark mentorship’ with a youngster.
  • Intergalactic (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 5/13 – A wrongly accused cop and pilot is forced to team up with the convicts who mutiny on the spaceship she’s being transferred on.
  • The Underground Railroad (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 5/14 – This limited dramatic series is based on the book following a slave who escaped to find that the underground railroad is in fact a railroad and follows her journey.
  • Halston (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/14 – Ryan Murphy’s latest has Ewan McGregor as Halston following his rise to fame and spin out of control.
  • Death and Nightingales (Starz) Series Premiere, Sunday 5/16, 10pm – This three-part limited series based on the Irish book set in 1885 covers love, betrayal, deception, and revenge, with Matthey Rhys among the cast.
  • Too Close (AMC+) Series Premiere, Thursday 5/20 – A three-part psychological thriller follows a forensic psychologist getting into the mind of a criminal suspect but who’s playing who?
  • Solos (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 5/21 – Seven-part anthology series with an excellent cast in scenes from present and future that convey human connection.
  • The Bite (Spec) Series Premiere, Friday 5/21 – From the Kings comes a satirical drama that tries another take at life in a pandemic, could Covid lead to Zombies, fictionally speaking?
  • In Treatment (HBO) Season Premiere, Sunday 5/23, 10pm – They’re technically calling this a season premiere, but the series is back with a new therapist played by Uzo Aduba, one can only hope it’s as good as the first.

More streaming

  • Blinded – Those Who Kill (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 5/10 – A spinoff of Darkness – Those Who Kill, this Danish language series follows a criminal profiler.
  • Move to Heaven (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/14 – This Korean drama delivers the stories of the departed to loved ones.

Returning streaming: Rich and Ruthless (BET+, 5/13), Haunted (Net, 5/14), High School Musical (Dis+, 5/14), Love, Death & Robots (Net, 5/14), Who Killed Sara? (Net, 5/19), Going From Broke (Crack, 5/20), Gomorrah (HBOM, 5/20), Trying (app+, 5/21), Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous (Net, 5/21), Master of None (Net, 5/23).

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.

Continue Reading

new and noteworthy tv: 4/26-5/9

GIRLS5EVA

I’ve been chipping away at a few shows and caught Cruel Summer, which was a little disjointed with the multiple timelines but I’ll check again. And the combo of The Parker Andersons and Amelia Parker which was sweet but not something I need right now. I’ve been sticking with L&O: OC, Rebel, Home Economics, The Equalizer, Clarice, and Kung Fu to see where things lead and barely hanging in with Debris, which is an interesting premise but I can’t seem to care. Sometimes I do just want to watch tv rather than yet another streaming show for some reason. Dropped Chad as I can’t take another cringeworthy coming of age comedy. Looking ahead I’ll go back in with Mythic Quest while I still have Apple TV. I’ve never started Handmaid’s Tale, I feel like I heard great things about the first season and then never heard about it again.

  • Exposure (Hulu) Series Premiere, Monday 4/26 – Reality spotlight on a photography competition series.
  • The Bad Seed (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/29 – Two brothers’ lives fall apart when one is accused of murder.
  • The Mosquito Coast (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 4/20 – Based on the novel Justin Theroux and Melissa George head the cast who are on the run and uproot their family for Mexico.
  • The Drowning (Acorn/SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 5/6 – A woman believes she spots her son who she lost eight years ago in this British four-part drama.
  • GILRS5EVA (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 5/6 – A one-hit-wonder girl group from the ’90s tries to give it another go in this comedy with Busy Philipps, Sara Bareilles, and others.
  • Jupiter’s Legacy (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 5/7 – A group of superheroes look to pass the torch to their children in this sci-fi drama.

More streaming:

  • Backstrom (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 4/26 – Dark noir from Sweden based on a Leif GW Persson novel shows the detective tries to get to the bottom of a murder.
  • Fatma (Net) Series Premiere, Tuesday 4/27 – A house cleaner embarks on a murderous streak in this Turkish drama.
  • Sexify (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/28 – A student explores sexuality to build an app in this Polish dramedy.
  • The Innocent (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 4/30 – An accidental killing brings a man into a nightmare in this Spanish crime drama.
  • Uri and Ella (HBOM) Series Premiere, Sunday 5/2 – An unconventional rom-com this Israeli series follows the rich-people problems of a father and daughter.

Returning streaming: Go! Go! Cory Carson (Net, 4/27), The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu, 4/28), Creepshow (Shud, 4/29), The Unremarkable Juanquini (Net, 4/30), Trash Truck (Net, 5/4), Legendary (HBOM, 5/6), Stuck With You (Allblk, 5/6), Mythic Quest (App+, 5/7), Girl from Nowhere (Net, 5/7), Top Gear America (Moto, 5/7).

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.

Continue Reading

new and noteworthy tv: 4/12-4/25

Cruel Summer

I caught up on much-recommended Derry Girls on Netflix which was cute. And though Younger returns this week on Paramount+ I’m going to hold out until it’s found elsewhere (should come back to TV Land later this year) and will tune in for the special ep from Mythic Quest though may hold out until the second season is here. And apparently, the series finale for Queen Sugar is coming down but I have the whole season so far saved, busy busy..

  • Dad Stop Embarrassing Me! (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/14 – A single dad’s teen daughter moves in with him, starring Jamie Foxx and David Alan Grier among others.
  • Spy City (AMC+) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/15 – Six-part series has Dominic Cooper playing an English spy sent to Berlin in the Cold War in this espionage thriller.
  • Frank of Ireland (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 4/16 – Brian Gleeson stars in this comedy as a newly single musician who hasn’t written a song or played a gig in years and lives at home with his mom.
  • Big Shot (Dis+) Series Premiere, Friday 4/16 – John Stamos plays a men’s NCAA basketball coach who moves to girls high school in this David E Kelley drama series.
  • Why Are You Like This (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 4/16 – Three Australian 20-something best friends hijinks.
  • Mare of Easttown (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 4/18, 10pm – Kate Winslet stars as a small-town detective in this seven-part series where she investigates a murder as her life is falling apart.
  • The Parker Andersons/Amelia Parker (BYUTV) Series Premiere, Monday 4/19.7/7:30pm – Like Brady Bunch but with 2 kids each, followed by a focus on one of the daughters.
  • Cruel Summer (Free) Series Premiere, Tuesday 4/20, 10pm – When the popular girl goes missing is it wrong to look at the nerdy wannabe turned cool kid?
  • Rutherford Falls (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/22 – Two best friends at a crossroads in this comedic look at the residents of a small town and neighboring Native American reservation.
  • The Oscars (ABC) Sunday 4/25, 5pm – Have finally given up on watching even this, though I may tune in for some of the fashion.

Returning streaming: Keeping Faith (Acorn, 4/12), Mighty Express (Net, 4/13), The Circle (Net, 4/14), Earth at Night in Color (App+, 4/16), Tony World (App+, 4/16), Fast & Furious Spy Racers (Net, 4/16), Ghost Brothers (Disc+, 4/17), Midsummer Murders (Acorn, 4/19), Deadliest Catch (Disc+, 4/20), Izzy Koala’s World (Net, 4/20), Bigger (BET+, 4/22). Archibald’s Next Big Thing is Here (Pea, 4/22).

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.

Continue Reading

new and noteworthy tv: 3/29-4/11

Law & Order: Organized Crime

I finished up the Netflix limited series The Eddy, and I enjoyed its odd jazzy setting and storytelling. Excited for the return of the cute ABCFamily series Everything’s Going to Be Ok and will be tuning in for the series finale of Wynonna Earp. In addition to streaming options, there are a few broadcast series hitting.

  • Pooch Perfect (ABC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 3/30, 8pm – Reality spotlight on this Rebel Wilson hosted dog grooming competition show.
  • Made for Love (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/1 – Based on the novel following a 30-something woman, played by Cristin Milioti, who tries to flee a marriage to find that her husband planted a monitoring device in her brain, some early positive if not raving reviews.
  • United States of Al (CBS) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/1, 8:30pm – Already generating some controversy the premise of this latest Chuck Lorre comedy focuses on a Marine adjusting to civilian life in Ohio and his Interpreter from Afghanistan.
  • L&O: Organized Crime (NBC) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/1, 10pm – Stabler’s back and heading up an elite task force in this latest addition to Dick Wolf’s world.
  • Atlantic Crossing (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 4/4, 9pm – An epic limited drama based on the WWII relationship of FDR and Norwegian Crown Princess Martha.
  • Chad (TBS) Series Premiere, Tuesday 4/6, 10:30pm – Nasim Pedrad plays a 14-year-old Persian boy navigating his first year in high school.
  • Kung Fu (CW) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/7 – Inspired by the ’70s series, this gets the CW twist as a young Chinese-American woman returns to her hometown of San Francisco after life in an isolated monastery in China and uses her skills to bring criminals to justice.
  • Home Economics (ABC) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/7 – Three adult siblings in differing economic classes as their lives come together in this comedy.
  • Rebel (ABC) Series Premiere, Thursday 4/8, 10pm – Inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich, Katey Sagal takes the lead as the messy, fearless woman who fights for what she believes in.
  • Them (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 4/9 – A horror anthology series where the first season takes a look at a black family moving into an all-white LA neighborhood and face human and supernatural threats.
  • The Nevers (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 4/11 – Victorian London is hit by a supernatural event that gives people, mostly women new abilities that put them in danger.

More streaming:

  • The Serpent (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 4/2 – The Bikini killer preys on Western tourists in Southeast Asia in the ’70s in this dramatic thriller.
  • Snabba Cash (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 4/7 – The lives of a businesswoman, a gang enforcer, and a teen collide in this Swedish crime show.

Returning streaming: The Brokenwood Mysteries (Acorn, 3/29), Back (IFC, 4/1), Creepshow (Shudder, 4/1), The Great Pottery Throw Down (HBOM, 4/1), Family Reunion (Net, 4/5), The Big Day (Net, 4/7), No Activity (Para+, 4/8), El Corazon de Sergio Ramos (Am, 4/9), Evil Lives Here (Disc+, 4/11).

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.

Continue Reading

new and noteworthy tv: 3/15-3/28

Country Comfort

This week I wrapped both Devs (Fx/Hulu) which was a pretty intriguing offering. Also Defending Jacob which I made an Apple+ exception since it was a limited series and it kept me engaged to the end. Coming up Superstore is wrapping up its run and I’ve enjoyed my run with that wacky crew.

  • Bloodlands (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 3/15 – This BBC One drama follows an Irish detective connecting to a cold case.
  • Zero Chill (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 3/15 – British family comedy about a teen figure skater who is forced to go with her family when her two brother goes to a prestigious hockey academy.
  • Calls (App+) Series Premiere, 3/19 – Characters on phone calls connect to a larger, mysterious event, good cast including Aubrey Plaza, Judy Greer, and Mark Duplass.
  • Country Comfort (Net) Series Premiere Friday 3/19 – An aspiring country singer played by Katherine McPhee becomes a nanny for a widower played by Eddie Cibrian and his five kids.
  • Cypher (Roku) Series Premiere, Friday 3/19 -FBI cryptanalyst discovers a coded hit list and gets himself in deep.
  • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Dis+) Series Premiere, Friday 3/19 – Continuing the MCU following the Avengers: Endgame for those on board.
  • The Gloaming (Starz) Series Premiere, Sunday 3/21, 8pm – Two detectives investigate a woman found brutally killed, and apparently ‘gloaming’ is the space between life and death.
  • Invincible (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 3/26 – An adult animated superhero show centering on the son (Stephen Yeun) of the most powerful superhero (J.K. Simmons).
  • The Irregulars (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 3/26 – A crew of misfits investigates supernatural crimes for Sherlock Holmes and Watson.
  • The Mighty Ducks (Dis+) Series Premiere, Friday 3/26 – A new scrappy hockey team breaks off to challenge the now competitive Ducks aka the show that conflicted with Lauren Graham being on Zoey.

More streaming:

  • Sky Rojo (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 3/19 – This Spanish language drama follows three women on the run from their pimp.
  • Navillera (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 3/22 – This Korean drama follows a 70 and a 23-year-old to becoming ballerinos.
  • The Attache (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 3/22 – The turbulent impact of a family’s move from Tel Aviv to Paris, in Hebrew and French.
  • Who Killed Sara? (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/24 – A man sets out to prove he was framed for his sister’s murder in this Mexican mystery.
  • The Restaurant (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/25 – A family-run restaurant in Stockholm is in turmoil when an affair is rekindled.
  • La Templanza (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 3/26 – Based on the novel a romantic drama set in 1860 in this Spanish drama.

Returning streaming: Staged (Hulu, 3/16), Back (IFC/AMC+, 4/1), Shtisel (Net, 3/25), Solar Opposites (Hulu, 3/26).

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.

Continue Reading

new and noteworthy tv: 3/1-3/14

Debris

I wrapped up the final season of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, a series I always wanted to like more than I did, but clearly stuck with. And Mrs America which had great performances in a non feels like I’m watching a history lesson version of the movement to pass the ERA. CBS All Access is rebranding as Paramount+ (because all streaming versions are apparently using the +) so you’ll start to see that, and I’ll have to consider how to manage still not subscribing when they bring back favorite Ink Master (I have purchased seasons of The Good Fight after they hooked me with the free first season).

  • Debris (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday 3/1 – Mixed reviews for this debris from an alien spacecraft hits the planet and messes with our world.
  • Delilah (OWN) Series Premiere, Tuesday 3/9 – A lawyer has struck out on her own to handles cases the big firms don’t while raising her family.
  • Cold Courage (AMC+) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/11 – Based on Finnish novels two women collide during a series of London murders.
  • Genera+ion (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 3/11 – A ‘dark yet playful’ comedy series follows a diverse group of high school students.
  • The One (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 3/12 – A DNA researcher helps discover a new way to find the perfect partner in this British drama.

More streaming:

  • Bombay Begums (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 3/8 – This Hindi language set in modern Mumbai shows five ambitious women navigating life.
  • Dealer (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 3/10 – This French-language crime drama shows two filmmakers shoot a rapper’s music video in an area ruled by gangs.
  • Isabel (HBOM) Series Premiere, Friday 3/12 – This three-part miniseries based on the life of author Isabel Allende.

Returning streaming: Race Across the World (Disc+, 3/2), Word Party (Net, 3/2), Pokemon Journeys (Net, 3/4), Tooning Out the News (Para+, 3/4), Peyton’s Places (ESPN+, 3/7), Web of Lies (Disc+, 3/8), Starbeam (Net, 3/9), Battlebots (Disc+, 3/11), Love Alarm (Net, 3/12), Paradise PD (Net, 3/12).

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.

Continue Reading

procrastinator’s top tv of 2020

High Fidelity

And we’re back to trying to see enough things that I feel like I have at least a representative sample to throw down. And while I still don’t have premium cable and I’m not in with every streaming service I feel like I’m ready for a good selection. For a look at what the critics picked you can try Metacritic.

  • Bojack Horseman (Net))/The Good Place (NBC)/Schitts Creek (Pop) – Ok so yes this one is a cheat but honestly I’m not sure if the final seasons of these series were the best but they are three of my top series so if you haven’t seen them you’re missing out.
  • High Fidelity (Hulu) – I am surprised by how much I enjoyed this show, I was a big fan of the original book, and thought the movie version did a good job capturing the spirit, and was thoroughly along for this ride on this latest take with Zoe Kravitz in the lead and another round of good friends, they were dumb dumbs to cancel after one season.
  • Ted Lasso (App+) – I got a free round of Apple TV+ with the iPad I bought last year but wasn’t really diving into series because 1) I can’t figure out how to play it on my tv and 2) I didn’t want to get hooked on anything because I am for sure not paying for another streaming series, but I had heard so many good things about Jason Sudeikis’s take on fish out of water that I dove in and it really is the type of positive tv we all need these days.
  • The Great (Hulu) – This ‘genre-bending, anti-historical’ look into Catherine the Great gives quite a fun journey along with Elle Fanning in the title role and her education into taking her position in history.
  • Better Things (FX) – I’m impressed each season with Pamela Adlon’s ability to create both powerful half hours of her fictionalized life as well as the overall characters and story arcs.
  • Queens Gambit (Net) – Watching Anya Taylor-Joy grow into and up as a chess prodigy is worth it for her fashion looks and her withering looks alone, but the chess and personal tension really kept me hooked.
  • Brockmire (IFC) – I watched all of this last year so this is more of a series than a season review but this show was sure willing to take risks in creating and following Hank Azaria as this self-destructive baseball announcer through an unusual personal and professional journey.
  • Dead to Me (Net) – Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini sure know how to get themselves into trouble, and while the show is ridiculous as it follows their friendship and their foibles I for sure couldn’t look away.
  • The Boys (Prime) – Another show I couldn’t look away from, what happens when Superheroes become an industry and what happens when they go rogue, is defeating them at all costs worth it, or possible, the character development has been good to keep things a little nuanced in the midst of all the insanity.
  • Teenage Bounty Hunters (Net) – Ok I had something else in this last slot but this show was honestly one that I enjoyed a lot last year so… the interplay between these twin sisters and their new boss as they get caught up in bounty hunting while navigating relationships and high school brings us another terrible call on cancelling after the first season.

I also finished a few old series that would likely have made the list if I had been any where near timely: Counterpart, Downton Abbey, The Shield, and Veep.

Honorable mentions: Dave (Fxx), Devs* (Fx), The Eddy* (Net), Everything’s Gonna Be Okay (Free), Evil (CBS), The Good Fight (CBSAA), Killing Eve (BBCA), Little America (App+), Mrs. America (Hulu), Mythic Quest (App+), One Day at a Time (Pop), Ozark (Net), Sex Education (Net), Trinkets (Net), Unorthodox (Net), Upload (Prime), Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC) – (*not done yet).

What were some of your favorites? What’s next on your list?

Continue Reading

new and noteworthy tv: 2/15-2/28

Superman & Lois

I wrapped Little America (Ap+) and Unorthodox (Net) for some great looks at experiences inside and outside of America. Doing a little more dabbling before I wrap up my top tv list but stay tuned.

  • The Crew (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 2/15 – Kevin James stars as a Nascar crew chief who clashes with the new owner.
  • Young Rock/Kenan (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 2/16 – Likable enough characters/actors and an ongoing need for funny will have me checking these out.
  • Behind Her Eyes (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/17 – Based on a novel a woman is sleeping with therapist’s boss and befriending his wife in this thriller.
  • It’s a Sin (HBOM) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/18 – Good early reviews for this five-part miniseries about five friends in ’80s London impacted by HIV/AIDS.
  • Tell Me Your Secrets (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 2/19 – Three characters with mysterious and troubling pasts starring Lily Rabe, Amy Brenneman, and Hamish Linklater.
  • Australian Open (ESPN/2) – Women’s championships at 12:30am Saturday, and Men’s on Sunday, thank gawd for TiVo.
  • Superman & Lois (CW) Series Premiere, Tuesday 2/23 – The next chapter of superman as he and Lois balance their work and raising two sons.
  • Canine Intervention (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/24 – Reality highlight, following an Oakland dog trainer.
  • Ginny & Georgia (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/24 – Free-spirited mom moves with her two kids for a fresh start in this romantic dramedy.
  • Millennials (ALLBLK) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/25 – Streaming service rebranded from UMC brings a comedy about 4 20-something roommates.
  • Punky Brewster (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 2/25 – Soleil Moon Frye reprising her role from the 80s series as a now single mother of three.

More streaming:

  • Hello, me! (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/17 – Korean romantic comedy where a woman sees her younger self demanding change.
  • Sisyphus (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday 2/17 – Korean thriller about dangerous secrets and threats from the future.
  • El Internado: Las Cumbres (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 2/19 – Spanish language thriller about a boarding school for problem kids.
  • Wir Kinder Vom Bahnhof Zoo (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 2/19 – German coming of age epic based on the book.
  • Tribes of Europa (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 2/19 – German sci-fi look at post-apocalyptic Europe.
  • Cincenzo (Net) Series Premiere, Saturday 2/20 – A Korean drama takes on Korean-Italian mafia.

Returning streaming: House Hunters Comedians On Couches (Disc+, 2/17), Good Eats (Disc+, 2/18), Playing for Keeps (SundN, 2/18), For All Mankind (App+, 2/19), Ride with Norman Reedus (AMC+, 2/28).

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.

Continue Reading