I got the Lowdown on this week’s TV Recommendations so you don’t hafta Go Into The Void all Wayward and lost. Just as The Simpsons keep going, so too does #SetTheVCR.
Monday, September 22
Brilliant Minds: Season 2 (10 p.m. / NBC)
Zachary Quinto returns as the brilliant neurologist Dr. Wolf, who solves puzzling psychological cases by seeing his patients as people first. Dr. Wolf helps an MMA fighter with mysterious symptoms. Dr. Pierce considers a career outside of Bronx General.
~~
SAMMY SUGGESTION: LOVE, GILDA (ANYTIME / CBC GEM)
Diaries, audiotapes, videotapes and testimonies from friends and colleagues offer insight into the life and career of Gilda Radner — the beloved comic and actress who became an icon on SNL.
~~~
Gilda Susan Radner died on May 20, 1989 a date that feels recent yet ancient at the same time. As always with every celebrity death it’s hard to put it into context who they were and what their work was. Hence this documentary: “In her own words, comedienne Gilda Radner reflects on her life and career. Love Gilda weaves together her recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with friends (Chevy Chase, Lorne Michaels, Laraine Newman, Paul Shaffer and Martin Short), rare home movies and diaries read by modern-day comedians inspired by Gilda (Bill Hader, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Cecily Strong).” Just that list of special talents: man you hope they eventually get a special documentary that puts their live and work into context. For now we start with Gilda. At TIFF I saw the John Candy doc which’ll stream on Prime Video and You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution…which features Gilda. Since this doc has been released we’re slowly documenting and owning our Canadian stories. Let’s build on this.
Tuesday, September 23
Doc: Season 2 (9:00 p.m. / Fox)
The series begins its second season of the life-affirming medical drama following the heartbreak and victories of hard-charging, brilliant physician Dr. Amy Larsen (Molly Parker) as she rebuilds her life after a car crash erased eight years of her memory. Amy’s past comes back to haunt her when a desperate father sacrifices everything to secure his daughter’s heart transplant in the Her Heart season premiere.
~~
SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE LOWDOWN: SEASON 1 (ANYTIME / HULU & DISNEY+ CANADA)
The series follows the gritty exploits of citizen journalist Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa “truthstorian” whose obsession with the truth is always getting him into trouble. Lee lives and works in a rare bookstore tucked in the heart of Tulsa – a local refuge and unofficial community hub. While Lee’s no idealist, he’s fiercely committed to exposing corruption and unearthing the city’s hidden rot, even when it puts him at risk. His constant sleuthing pulls him deep into Tulsa’s underbelly.
~~~
The Lowdown is a gritty noir—which is the best kind of noir. Think Hunter S. Thompson set in Chinatown. Well, Tulsa, Oklahoma really. “When the publication of Lee Raybon (Ethan Hawke)’s latest exposé – a deep dive into the powerful Washberg family – is immediately followed by the suspicious suicide of Dale Washberg, Lee knows he’s stumbled onto something big.” Oh, yes. If you enjoy TV shows where somebody gets tossed into a car trunk (my movie love language!) and every (literally) character has a shady agenda (mostly selfish) agenda…bad people doing bad things? Then be like Ethan Hawke and sit down with popcorn and a large pop which is what he did when I saw this at TIFF on the festival’s opening night. “This guy is the real thing. And I can’t wait for you to see the show.” At #TIFF50 Ethan Hawke talking about Sterlin Harjo the dynamic creator of The Lowdown and before that Reservation Dogs. The Lowdown will not let you down. Programming Note: this premieres tonight at 9 p.m. on FX with the first two episodes of the eight-episode season. A new episode will premiere each following Tuesday at 9 p.m. on FX. Episodes will be available the day after the premiere on Hulu and Disney+ Canada.
Wednesday, September 24
Slow Horses: Season 5 (Anytime / Apple TV+)
In season five of Slow Horses, everyone is suspicious when resident tech nerd Roddy Ho has a glamorous new girlfriend. When a series of increasingly bizarre events occurs across the city, it falls to the Slow Horses to work out how everything is connected. After all, Lamb knows that in the world of espionage, the London Rules — cover your back — always apply.
~~
SAMMY SUGGESTION: INTO THE VOID: LIFE, DEATH & HEAVY METAL (ANYTIME / HULU)
Into The Void is a groundbreaking documentary series that explores the epic struggles and the cultural impacts made by Heavy Metal’s most compelling artists. Their intensely personal stories about finding success offer an intoxicating combo of volume and distortion delivered via pulsating tales of murder, addiction, rebellion and redemption.
~~~
Put your metal up! Episode 1: Randy Rhoads, Episode 2: Kurt Struebing of NME, Episode 3: Judas Priest on Trial, Episode 4: Chuck Schuldiner of Death, Episode 5: Wendy O Williams, Episode 6: Confess – Iranian Metal Crusade, Episode 7: Ann Boleyn of Hellion and Episode 8: Dimebag Darrell. I so wanna see Judas Priest on Trial: “In 1985, James Vance survived a dual suicide pact that took the life of his best friend. Months later he blamed the music of Judas Priest for mesmerizing them into despair. The trial that followed threatened the future of heavy metal music.” Long live the 80s, right? Shall we all go Into The Void together? Programming Note: this is a Binge Release, all 8 episodes stream on September 22.
Thursday, September 25
The Guest: Season 1 (Anytime / Netflix)
A couple trying to save their marriage after an affair are thrown into turmoil when a mysterious woman from the wife’s past shows up at their home. This is a thriller series from Colombia. I haven’t watched any Colombian work on Netflix.
~~
SAMMY SUGGESTION: WAYWARD: LIMITED SERIES (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)
Nothing is what it seems in Tall Pines. After an escape attempt from an academy for “troubled teens”, two students join forces with a newly local police officer, unearthing the town’s dark and deeply rooted secrets.
~~~
This comes from Mae Martin, a Toronto kid who created and co-wrote this limited series about the troubled teen industry. Funny enough Wayward was screening at TIFF, same time as the Degrassi documentary which is a TV show all about troubled teens…they’re getting pregnant, having abortions…all kinds of wild shenanigans.) In Wayward rebel rousers are sent to a correctional youth institution fronted by Toni Collette, as the guru/sadistic prison warden Evelyn Wade. Ya don’t hafta be Jewish to know that pickle ain’t kosher. Of course, there is a dark and seedy underbelly. There’s always an underbelly. Though I think this show will be grounded and rooted in ordinary darkness. The punks are dehumanized, stripped of their names, they all wear the same uniform (just like a prison) and ratting out is encouraged and rewarded/.(Currently on MGM+ is The Institute a supernatural horror television about a children’s institution. If you want something creepy rather than the thriller Wayward is offering.) So…who is up for some tough love for Wayward youths? Programming Note: this is a Binge Release, all 8 episodes stream on September 25.
Friday, September 26
All of You (Anytime / Apple TV+)
It’s a recognizable near-future, Simon accompanies his best friend, Laura, as she takes a new test guaranteeing to match anyone with their soulmate. As Laura hurtles towards milestones with her new man, Simon begins to understand how deeply he cares about her, even if he’s not ready to accept it.
~~
SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE SAVANT: LIMITED SERIES (ANYTIME / APPLE TV+)
The tense and thrilling series follows an undercover investigator known as “The Savant” (Jessica Chastain) as she infiltrates online hate groups in an effort to stop domestic extremists before they act.
~~~
Following the heinous 9/11 attacks reports surfaced of airplane student pilots at flight schools who were not interested in taking off and landing. That should have set off an investigative spidey-sense. Similarly, Apple’s The Savant is inspired by a true-life story entitled Is It Possible to Stop a Mass Shooting Before It Happens? featured in Cosmopolitan in August 2019. This is Minority Report but real life? The Cosmo article (is this even real news?!) profiled a woman known as “the Savant” who infiltrates online hate-groups in order to prevent large-scale public attacks. Which is such a fascinating quandary. Enrolling in flight school is not a crime. But what do you when students don’t care about taking off and landing? At what point do they become dangerous? When do you take them down? How much crime can you get them on before they hurt others and damage property and alter the entire destinies of families? I’m not The Savant or even a Savant so like everyone else I’ll push play on this and see where it all goes. Programming Note: The eight-episode thriller will make its debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, September 26, 2025, followed by one new episode every Friday through November 7, 2025.
Saturday, September 27
Marvel Zombies: Limited Series (Anytime / Disney+)
Saturday Morning Cartoons: After a zombie plague overtakes the Avengers, a desperate group of survivors discovers the key to bringing an end to the super-powered undead, racing across a dystopian landscape and risking life and limb to save their world. The four episode series is set in the alternate timeline introduced in the “What If… Zombies?!” episode of the animated series What If…?
~~
SAMMY SUGGESTION: FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA (ANYTIME / STARZ)
Trained in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma, Eve Macarro takes on an army of killers as she seeks revenge against those responsible for the death of her father.
~~~
Can Ana de Armas pull this off? Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron are the entire list…the only chicks with acknowledged body counts that count and would be acceptable to join The Expendables. When it comes to Ruckus many will enter; few will win. Everyone else can hit the bricks. So I’ll probably sit through Ballerina. Why not? Ana de Armas is hella hot. But as a John Wick contribution it’s not as hot. The expansion of the John Wick Universe has netted mixed results. However, a Caine movie, though? The doorbell scene in John Wick 4 was fantastic ruckus loaded with subtle references to Hong Kong flicks. Show me a trailer but, yeah. First let’s dance with the Ballerina.
Sunday, September 28
Billy the Kid: Season 3 (Anytime / MGM+)
Billy the Kid resumes following the end of the Lincoln County War, as both Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett have important issues to resolve — there is a reckoning to come. Billy is still at large, and Garrett is out to capture him, dead or alive. And with a bounty on his head, Billy has the opportunity to quit New Mexico altogether and pursue a future with Dulcinea, the love of his life. But he has unfinished business with Garrett, who has betrayed him, and decides to stay. Meanwhile, Jesse Evans, Billy’s longtime friend, rival, and enemy, also remains in Lincoln, searching for a newfound purpose and perhaps atonement for his sins. As the saga comes to a close, Billy will fight like hell to try to finally find the justice that has long eluded him, even if it means he’ll die trying.
~~
SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE SIMPSONS: SEASON 37 (8:00 P.M. / FOX)
When Lisa starts wearing Marge’s “vintage” clothes from the 90’s, she’s welcomed into the school’s super-elite fashion club. But as they run out of retro looks, the funky fashionistas become obsessed with getting more… by hook or by crook in the all-new Thrifty Ways to Thieve Your Mother 37th season premiere episode of The Simpsons.
~~~
Welcome to Season 37 of The Simpsons. Try to even process that. This charming cartoon started on December 17, 1989. Online you’ll see fools boldly declare the show stopped being funny after…pick any arbitrary season. Ignore them and leave these Stupid Flanders types. They simply don’t count. 37 seasons is unwieldy and difficult to articulate. It’s an institution like SNL. Appreciate it for the moment and as long as it’s here. Oh and yes: Treehouse of Horror XXXVI is on October 19.
–28-
Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.
