#SetTheVCR: October 27 – November 02, 2025

Monday, October 27

Anne Rice’s Talamasca: The Secret Order: Season 1 (Anytime / AMC+)

Happy Halloween!! Guy Anatole is on the cusp of graduating from law school when he is approached by a representative of the Talamasca, a secret society responsible for tracking and containing the witches, vampires, and other creatures scattered around the globe. When Guy learns that the Talamasca has been tracking him since his childhood, he falls headlong into a world of secret agents and immortal beings who, up to now, have maintained a fragile balance with the mortal world. Programming Note: Two-Episode Series Premiere on Sunday, October 26 on AMC+; new episodes weekly until the Season Finale on November 23.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: COLDWATER: SEASON 1 (ANYTIME / CRAVE)

An unhappy middle-aged man who has moved to an isolated Scottish village strikes up a friendship with his oddball next door neighbour despite his wife’s protestations and suspicions.
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Coldwater debuted in September in the UK on ITV. The six-episode series which stars Andrew Lincoln (the rejected sign guy from Love Actually!) comes to Canada. (Coldwater will get an early 2026 launch on Paramount+ with Showtime in America). This time Lincoln is the Walking Dead, shuffling his way through a bland marriage and boring suburbia. His exposed anxiety issues means this dude runs away from everything. It’s all a bit off kilter with black humour. I was expecting more…British murder…dark people doing dark things in the dark. Coldwater isn’t that. Though oddly the show is TV Guide described as “atmospheric, thrilling and enigmatic.” That fully describes the odd neighbour. Something strange with that fellow. I dunno. I don’t want to throw any Coldwater on your expectations. If you are in the mood for British TV, set out the biscuits and the tea.

Tuesday, October 28

NBA: Coast 2 Coast Tuesday Debuts on Peacock (8:00 p.m. / Peacock)

With Coast 2 Coast Tuesday, NBC/Peacock will present two games on Tuesday nights all season long. On most Tuesdays, an 8:00 p.m. ET game will be presented to NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8:00 p.m. PT game will be presented to NBC stations in the Pacific and Mountain time zones. All Tuesday games will be available on Peacock nationally. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday debuts on October 28 with the Knicks visiting the Bucks (8:00 p.m. ET) and the Warriors hosting the LA Clippers (8:00 p.m. PT).
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MO AMER: WILD WORLD (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

In this timely and fiercely honest hour, the comedian celebrates his Palestinian heritage, relives the birth of his son, takes aim at the TSA and much more.
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Put out the best hummus, it’s Mo’s third Netflix comedy special. His two previous specials, Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas (2021) and Mo Amer: The Vagabond (2018) are also on Netflix. (Plus his 2 season TV series Mo.) I also highly recommend his recent Actors on Actors with Dave Chappelle. It’s rare to hear Dave speak and it almost never happens to have Dave speak with a friend like Mo so treasure these comedy Mo…ments.

Wednesday, October 29

M3GAN 2.0 (Anytime / Peacock & Prime Video-Canada)

Happy Halloween!! When an autonomous android engineered to be the ultimate weapon threatens M3GAN’s beloved Cady, M3GAN convinces her creator, Gemma, to give her a glow-up that makes the original A.I. diva even deadlier. Armed with wild new upgrades and her same iconic attitude, M3GAN claps back against the wannabe techno-terror in a fierce faceoff to crown the baddest bot built for maximum mayhem. Programming Note: Peacock also offers MEGAN 2.0 Unrated as part of The Peacock Halloween 2025 collection which includes a killer lineup of new horror, haunting classics, and family frights to keep you screaming all season long.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

Amid the glittering casinos of Macau, a gambler running from his past — and his debts — becomes fascinated by an enigmatic woman at the baccarat table.
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The small player is Lord Freddy Doyle (Colin Farrell) and he’s in trouble. A reckless high roller, who’s taken up residence in a decadent Chinese casino-hotel. He has three days to settle his HK$145,000 hotel bill, or else. I’m a big fan of “or else…” movies. And that’s when Tilda Swinton a private detective shows up. Turns out Lord Freddy Doyle swindled an old lady to feed his gambling addiction. Oh, Freddy…I hope you’re ready for what’s next. If his luck turns, a couple of good hands…he’s back in business. But if his luck holds…he’ll be out of business. I missed this movie at TIFF but I bet it’s great, even if Netflix can be a crapshoot.

Thursday, October 30

The Witcher: Season 4 (Anytime / Netflix)

After the Continent-altering events of Season Three, Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri find themselves separated by a raging war and countless enemies. As their paths diverge and their goals sharpen, they stumble on unexpected allies eager to join their journeys. And if they can accept these found families, they just might have a chance at reuniting for good…
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO-CANADA & PEACOCK)

Zora Bennett leads a team of skilled operatives to the most dangerous place on Earth, an island research facility for the original Jurassic Park. Their mission is to secure genetic material from dinosaurs whose DNA can provide life-saving benefits to mankind. As the top-secret expedition becomes more and more risky, they soon make a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.
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Shortly after Christmas 2024 Variety published a list of The Most-Anticipated Movies of 2025. And really? These are 2025’s most-anticipated movies?! At the time in frustrated response I swore I wasn’t gonna sit through half of these trainwrecks: Mickey 17, Snow White, Minecraft, Lilo & Stitch, F1, M3GAN 2.0, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Michael, Tron Ares, Predator, Running Man etc. I kept my 2024 promise, go me! And now yet another of those most-anticipated movies arrives on streaming. It’s yet another Jurassic Park movie…I’ve lost count. It Is What It Is. Dr. Ian Malcolm’s famous quote: “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn’t stop to think if they should” no longer applies to the dinosaurs. It’s applicable to this entire film franchise.

Friday, October 31

The White House Effect (Anytime / Netflix-US)

Exploring the dramatic origin story of the climate crisis and how a political battle in the George H.W. Bush administration changed the course of history.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HAPPY HALLOWEEN! FROM MY SUMMER LAIR

Ghostface: “What’s your favorite scary movie?”
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Peacock Halloween 2025 offers Donnie Darko (Director’s Cut), Sleepaway Camp as well as the good Scream movies (1-3!). While Shudder’s Season of Screams programming is mix of modern horror movies and classics such as The Bride of Frankenstein (celebrating its 90th anniversary), When A Stranger Calls (1979) and Psycho (celebrating its 65th anniversary). AMC+ offers FearFest featuring iconic horror franchises like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Friday the 13th, Final Destination and there’s even a Stephen King library including The Shining (celebrating its 45th Anniversary) and Misery (celebrating its 35th Anniversary). Celebrate with a cult classic or discover a new fresh favourite. No matter what ya choose…ignore the sound from the basement and always sleep with your G.I. Joe nightlight. Shout out to all The Final Girls.

Saturday, November 01

Hazbin Hotel: Season 2 (Anytime / Prime Video)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Hazbin Hotel follows Charlie, the princess of Hell, as she pursues her seemingly impossible goal of rehabilitating demons to peacefully reduce overpopulation in her kingdom. After a yearly extermination imposed by angels, she opens a hotel in the hopes that patrons will be “checking out” into Heaven. While most of Hell mock her goal, her devoted partner Vaggie and their first test subject, adult-film star Angel Dust, stick by her side. When a powerful entity known as the “Radio Demon” reaches out to assist Charlie in her endeavors, her crazy dream is given a chance to become a reality.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE LAST FRONTIER: LIMITED SERIES (ANYTIME / APPLE TV+)

The Last Frontier follows Frank Remnick, the lone U.S. marshal in charge of the quiet, rugged barrens of Alaska. Remnick’s jurisdiction is turned upside down when a prison transport plane crashes in the remote wilderness, setting free dozens of violent inmates.
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Oh The Fugitive set in snow (the outskirts of Alaska), only everyone has two arms. And it is a plane crash not a train crash. Other than that…the hunt is on! Will the U.S. Marshal get his man? Programming Note: The 10-episode thriller debuted with the first two episodes on Friday, October 10, 2025, followed by new episodes every Friday through December 5.

Sunday, November 02

Big: If True: Season 2 (8:00 P.M. / TVO)

Misinformation, disinformation, conspiracies, hoaxes and scams: it doesn’t take a digital expert to tell that the information environment is full of fakes. Join us each week on Big [If True] as we separate fact from fiction and give you the tools to spot online manipulation.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ROBIN HOOD: SEASON 1 (ANYTIME / MGM+ & SUPER CHANNEL: FUSE)

Robin Hood brings a modern energy to the classic tale of the roguish outlaw hero who stole from the rich and gave to the poor, and the epic love story between him and a courageous and daring Marian. It is a smart, sweeping, romantic adventure that brings historical authenticity, psychological depth, and a heightened focus on the relationship between Rob and Marian to the beloved story. Following the Norman invasion of England, Rob – a Saxon forester’s son – and Marian, the daughter of a Norman lord – fall in love and work together to fight for justice and freedom. As Rob rises as the leader of a band of rebel outlaws, Marian infiltrates the power at court, as both work together to thwart royal corruption and bring peace to the land.
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So what…Robin Hood is just Game of Thrones with a budget? While it can’t be worse than the recent Canadian Robyn Hood, I dunno about returning to Sherwood Forest. This looks like it’s made for the Outlander viewers. Admittedly, I haven’t checked out Zorro, a Prime Video Spanish TV series…from 2024. Is this the MGM/Amazon mandate? Mine the past for today’s tales? I can do Zorro and I can do Lone Ranger. Robin Hood was never cool. Peter Pan is dumb. Gimme The Shadow and The Phantom in 2025. Let’s pulp it up. For now, enjoy this meet cute between Rob, a Saxon outlaw, and Marian, Norman noblewoman. They have justice in common…will that be enough to overcome their differences? Programming Note: The series premieres Sunday, November 2 at 9:00 p.m. in America with two episodes and new episodes will premiere weekly through the season finale on Sunday, December 28, 2025.

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Sammy Younan is the affable host of My Summer Lair: think NPR’s Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.