#SetTheVCR: June 03-09, 2024

Hope you have a Sweet Tooth for TV Recommendations because this week’s #SetTheVCR takes you Under Paris to Brooklyn to a riot in Vancouver. Here’s your Hit…man.

Monday, June 03

I.S.S. (Anytime / Paramount+)

A team of American and Russian astronauts stationed on the I.S.S. witness a nuclear war unfold on Earth and receive orders to take control of the station. As suspicion and tensions rise, they struggle to survive aboard the malfunctioning station. Whatever: It Is What It Is. Programming Note: This crap carnival will be added to Prime Video-Canada on June 10th.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ACTORS ON ACTORS (ANYTIME / VARIETY.COM)

The biggest awards season franchise is back with the frontrunners of this fall’s Emmys.
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There’s a bevy of disappointingly cringey and subpar names with this season’s Actors on Actors (i.e. Brie Larson, Kim Kardashian (??), Jon Hamm etc.) however this is the stand out episode: Jodie Foster & Robert Downey Jr. Recently they both slummed it and did TV: she in True Detective: Night Country and he in The Sympathizer. I wonder if that’ll come up; going to TV while being a movie star. As for how to watch: one conversation a day will air on Variety.com for 12 consecutive days, starting on June 3 through June 14. Programming Note: Wanna watch Actors on Actors on TV? Four broadcast episodes will air on PBS SoCal June 13 from 8 to 10 p.m., followed by encores on public television stations across the country (check local listings).

Tuesday, June 04

Star Wars: The Acolyte (Anytime / Disney+)

In The Acolyte, an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: I’M JUST HERE FOR THE RIOT (7:30 P.M. / ESPN)

A game seven Stanley Cup finals loss to the Boston Bruins sparked a massive riot in downtown Vancouver. Police cars were overturned and burned, windows shattered, stores were looted, and waves of young people were caught in the mayhem.
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ESPN Films unveiled their upcoming 30 for 30 Summer Slate. (Dude Perfect got a 30 for 30. That’s a bit much.) The Summer Slate kicks off tonight. Kathleen Jayme and Asia Youngman’s I’m Just Here for the Riot is about the infamous 2011 Vancouver riot following a Canucks loss to the Boston Bruins during the Stanley Cup final. It’s our first smart phone riot. Big win for humanity, right? The documentary chronicles the event (which was bad) and its aftermath (which was worse than the event!) while also raising deeper questions about fandom, violence, and the shocking power of an angry crowd. I’ve talked to the filmmakers and covered it in a My Pal Sammy: 30 for 30: Shame On You! Programming Note: It’ll stream on ESPN+ as well. In Canada, TSN does (gratefully) broadcast 30 for 30s but this one has yet to be scheduled. No need to riot, just stay tuned and check your local listings.

Wednesday, June 05

An Audience with Kylie (Anytime / Hulu)

Kylie Minogue takes center stage at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in her very own musical extravaganza.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: LET THE CANARY SING (ANYTIME / PARAMOUNT+)

The feature-length documentary explores the remarkable life and career of Cyndi Lauper.
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Director Alison Ellwood follows up her 2020 documentary The Go-Go’s with another artist from that same sonic era: Cyndi Lauper. (Ellwood’s documentary work seems to be all about Girls Just Want to Have Fun. She also directed Women of Troy a female basketball movie. It’s decent.) Let the Canary Sing “chronicles Lauper’s meteoric ascent to stardom and her profound impact on generations through her music, ever-evolving punk style, unwavering feminism and tireless advocacy. The documentary takes the audience on an engaging exploration of a renowned and pioneering artist who has left a remarkable legacy with her art.” Honestly, I don’t know anything about Cyndi Lauper. Time After Time she’s always been there but I dunno anything about her advocacy or where the title of this doc comes from…nothing. Madonna was just more, fun and had better hits. Those are my True Colors. Bonus Fun? You can see Cyndi Lauper in Netflix’s documentary The Greatest Night in Pop (about the making of the landmark charity single We Are the World) as it’s now streaming. Programming Note: Additionally, a companion album of the same name will be released, like a greatest hits album: Girls Just Want to Have Fun, to True Colors and I Drove All Night.

Thursday, June 06

Clipped: Limited Series (Anytime / Hulu & Disney+ Canada)

Clipped takes you behind the scenes of a notorious NBA owner’s racist remarks, captured on a tape heard around the world. Based on the hit ESPN 30 for 30 podcast The Sterling Affairs, this limited series charts the collision between a dysfunctional basketball organization and even less functional marriage, and the precipitating tape’s impact on an ensemble of characters striving to win against the backdrop of the most cursed team in the league.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: SWEET TOOTH: SEASON 3 (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

Having defeated General Abbot in the battle at Pubba’s Cabin, Gus, Jepperd, Becky, and Wendy embark on a journey to Alaska in search of Gus’s mother, Birdie, who has been working to uncover the mysterious origins of the deadly Sick.
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I haven’t watched Sweet Tooth and that’s the Tooth! Executive produced by Robert Downey Jr. this the final season of the DC fantasy adaptation. “In this final chapter, Gus and his friends embark on a harrowing journey in hopes of curing the Sick – and finally discovering the truth about hybrids.” Hopefully, this final season will satisfy your Sweet Tooth cravings. Do check out the outstanding Jeff Lemire comics. Due to the wonky nature of streaming, I haven’t watched any of these episodes. Rather, I was waiting for the end: the original comic book run was 40 issues. So I didn’t expect a bevy of TV seasons. Sometimes, with these types of shows I wait until it’s all done before sitting down to watch em. (Psst: I haven’t seen Invincible, either! But I have had fun watching The Umbrella Academy and I look forward to the final season on August 8, 2024.)

Friday, June 07

Power Book II: Ghost Season 4 (Anytime / Starz)

The final season promises to be explosive, with high-adrenaline twists and turns as everyone is on the hunt for revenge. Each character’s respective motivations fuel their power of choice to dive deeper into the game, fight their way out, or walk a blurry line between the two.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HIT MAN (ANYTIME / NETFLIX-US)

A professor moonlighting as a hit man of sorts for his city police department, descends into dangerous, dubious territory when he finds himself attracted to a woman who enlists his services.
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Sparks fly between a fake hit man (Glen Powell) and his potential client (Adria Arjona) in Richard Linklater’s noir comedy inspired by a wild true story. The latest Big Name Netflix movie: “Inspired by an unbelievable true story, a straight-laced professor discovers he has a hidden talent as a fake hit man. He meets his match in a client who steals his heart and ignites a powder keg of deception, delight, and mixed-up identities.” Good goofy goodness from Netflix and Richard Linklater. Sometimes you see a trailer and you’re like eh…I dunno if that’s worth pants; seems more #CouchWorthy. But to have a movie like this beamed directly in your home well that truly is #CouchWorthy. So, shall we Hit this…Man? Programming Note: Well, isn’t this poop in the pool. Hit Man isn’t on Canadian Netflix, they’ve opted to release it here, theatrically due to some dumb rights thing. Anyways it’s been added to Hoopla.

Saturday, June 08

Transformers: EarthSpark: Season 2 (Anytime / Paramount+)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Transformers: EarthSpark introduces a new generation of Transformers robots – the first to be born on Earth – and together with the humans who welcome them and care for them, they’ll redefine what it means to be a family. In season two, the Emberstone has shattered, and it’s a race against the Decepticons to find all the pieces.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: UNDER PARIS (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

In order to save Paris from an international bloodbath, a grieving scientist is forced to face her tragic past when a giant shark appears in the Seine.
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There’s a bloodthirsty shark threatening an event in Paris. Oh, yo: this is much better than Emily In Paris…there’s A Shark In Paris. That’s enough of a hook for me. I’m IN. Let’s do this Le Jaws. Programming Note: More shark week: No Way Up is now streaming on AMC+ as well: “an airliner crashes into the Pacific Ocean and comes to rest perilously close to the edge of a deep ravine, leaving the surviving passengers and crew trapped in an air pocket.” Cue sharks.

Sunday, June 09

The Lazarus Project: Season 2 (9:00 p.m. / TNT)

In the new (and final) season, resolute Lazarus agent George has been left in disgrace after betraying the organization in the name of love. He is determined to redeem himself and win back the trust of his friends, colleagues, and the love of his life. But when he discovers that the cause he is fighting for is more sinister than it appears, George suspects that the only person he can really trust is himself. Programming Note: The series was cancelled after two seasons. The second season was broadcast across the pond on November 15, 2023.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: JO KOY: LIVE FROM BROOKLYN (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

Jo Koy in typical style, shares his unfiltered opinions on social media, aging and moving into a new stage of his life – his zaddy phase.
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Lots of truly specials this month: Marlon Wayans: Good Grief (June 4th) on Prime Video that deals with grief. While another special that’s #SetTheVCR worthy is Keith Robinson: Different Strokes (June 11) on Netflix. However since Marlon Wayans is dealing with grief and Keith Robinson is dealing with disabilities I’ll recommend a universal comedy subject for tonight: getting older. “Jo Koy returns to Netflix in typical style, sharing his unfiltered opinions on social media, aging, and moving into a new phase of his life: his zaddy phase.” Filmed at the historic King’s Theatre in Brooklyn, NY last November. This will be Jo Koy’s fifth Netflix special: Live from Seattle (2017), Comin’ in Hot (2019), the variety special In His Elements (2020) and Live from the Los Angeles Forum (2022). It’s been a run, yo!