#SetTheVCR: January 19-25, 2026

Monday, January 19

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – NBA Games (1:00 p.m. / Peacock)

Each year, the league honors Dr. King’s legacy with a day filled with basketball, as well as reflection, remembering both the change he stood for and the progress he inspired to create in the civil rights movement. For the 2025–26 season, the NBA will showcase nine games on MLK Day, four of which will be broadcast across both NBC and Peacock as part of NBC’s renewed NBA coverage. 1 p.m. ET: Bucks at Hawks (Peacock) | 2:30 p.m. ET: Thunder at Cavs (NBC & Peacock) | 5 p.m. ET: Mavs at Knicks (NBC & Peacock) | 8 p.m. ET: Celtics at Pistons (NBC & Peacock)
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HOOPS, HOPES & DREAMS (ANYTIME / HULU & DISNEY+ CANADA)

Discover the untold story about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a team of civil rights activists took to basketball courts to connect with young voters, creating a political strategy that echoed through history.
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The highlight of every MLK Day is the NBA’s full day schedule. I dunno if any of it inspires civil rights activists or even qualifies as progress but it’s good fun. As such this Hulu offering deploys Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights activists and basketball in one often animated package. So take a break from watchin the NBA’s full day of MLK ball and watch…more…MLK ball. That works! After all civil rights was all about getting established society to play ball with Black folks. (My apologies for recommending yet another sports doc with Jemele Hill. On such a special day, it’s disappointing we’re stuck with her shallow nonsense.)

Tuesday, January 20

Star Search: Season 1 (9:00 p.m. / Netflix)

Bigger talent. Higher stakes. Your vote. Anthony Anderson hosts the iconic competition show for a new generation – live. The search is on. I’m aware it is 2026. However, the Search includes magicians…so maybe it won’t suck that much.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: BLACK PHONE 2 (ANYTIME / PEACOCK)

True evil transcends death and the black phone rings again as The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) torments Finn from beyond the grave by menacing his sister Gwen. Haunted by horrific visions, the teens set out to stop their psychological torture only to uncover a disturbing secret as they confront a killer who has only grown more powerful in death.
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I enjoyed Black Phone! Excellently creepy horror movie. I dunno that I needed a second one but eh…here we are. Cue Scream 2 because I dunno how they are gonna successfully pull of a sequel. Randy: “Stab 2? Who would wanna do that? Sequels suck! Please! By definition alone, sequels are inferior films!” Mickey: “It’s bullshit generalization. Many sequels have surpassed their originals.” Randy: “Oh yeah?” Cici: “Name one.” A Scream 2 quote about Black Phone2? Scream did pull of a decent return (though Scream 4-7 are utter rubbish). I might return as well with the movie now streaming. This time the Black Phone calls are coming from inside your house…

Wednesday, January 21

The Beauty: Season 1 (Anytime / Hulu & Disney+ Canada)

In The Beauty, the world of high fashion turns dark when international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways. FBI Agents are sent to Paris to uncover the truth. As they delve deeper into the case, they uncover a sexually transmitted virus that transforms ordinary people into visions of physical perfection, but with terrifying consequences. Their path leads them directly into the crosshairs of The Corporation, a shadowy tech billionaire who has secretly engineered a miracle drug dubbed The Beauty, who will do anything to protect his trillion-dollar empire. As the epidemic spreads, Jeremy, a desperate outsider, is caught in the chaos, searching for purpose as the agents race across Paris, Venice, Rome, and New York to stop a threat that could alter the future of humanity. The series premiere includes the first three episodes; a new episode of the 11-episode first season will premiere each following Wednesday on Hulu with two episodes in each of the final two weeks.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE RUNNING MAN (ANYTIME / PARAMOUNT+ & MGM+)

Set in an oppressive future where the government controls the media, Ben Richards volunteers to participate in a deadly game show, which will see him hunted by professional killers over 30 days. Should he survive, he’ll win a cash prize that will help save his sick child and lift his family out of a horrid living situation.
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Lemme run something past you: The Running Man is fine however it’s a remake so it should get legit dinged at the box office. (Admittedly, I check it out but thankfully it was a free press screening. And it wasn’t bad. I’m surprised it bombed and struggled to find an audience.) However, Walmart Tom Cruise is another legit issue. Stop trying to make Glen Powell a thing. He’s the new Sam Worthington…remember how that fool was heralded as a new action hero? No!! Glen Powell simply doesn’t have it. Twisters…recycled. Top Gun…recycled. And now, Running Man…recycled. Dude’s movie pipeline sucks which means he sucks. Glen Powell doesn’t have it. He’s gonna up as disappointing and as worthless as The Rock. Who makes a lot of noise, has occasional box office success and yet he just doesn’t count. For now? If you run across across on your streamer, eh…check it out. But just know the OG Arnold one is still there, too.

Thursday, January 22

The Dana Carvey Show: The Complete Series (Anytime / Tubi)

Dana Carvey creates and stars in a sketch show that sends up everything from the 1996 Clinton-Dole presidential race to the state of network television, celebrity news and pop culture. For 8 episodes it aired on March 12 to April 30, 1996; Louis C.K. served as head writer. Look for early Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MEL BROOKS: THE 99 YEAR OLD MAN! (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

Explores the life, career, friendships, and loves of legendary writer, director, producer, and performer, Mel Brooks. One of Hollywood’s most daring satirists from the early years of television sketch comedy through his film and stage hits, Brooks has held a funhouse mirror up to the human condition and used laughter as a path to resilience, connection, and joy for nearly a century.
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In 2025 Mel Brooks turned 99 years old while Dick Van Dyke just turned 100 (on December 13th.). This is where we’re at with the classics. I’m grateful they’re both still with us. (And they both still seem sharp.) Anyways, Mel Brooks earned a Last Dance!! But only two-parts?! Come on! Mel Brooks is a comedy legend, a giant and a rascal: one of the best to ever do it. When he’s gone that’s it…you don’t replace him. He should be getting more than 2 parts: Respect The Work. Appreciate The Talent. We’re talking Young Frankenstein, Spaceballs, Blazing Saddles, The Producers…and I have soft spots for Dracula: Dead and Loving It and High Anxiety. (“Firm Embrace!” Mel also killed in Mad About You.) I get it…I understand he’s 99 so we’re gonna lose him soon. Still, I have a difficult time getting emotionally prepared for that. Alive or not this documentary is a eulogy and a recognition of his work. Mel Brooks made our lives better. And funnier. Mel Brooks made our pop culture better. Programming Note: Part 1 premieres on Thursday, January 22 on HBO (and on Crave) at 8 p.m. followed by Part 2 at the same time on Friday, January 23. Both parts will be available to stream beginning Thursday, January 22 on HBO Max and on Crave.

Friday, January 23

Real Time with Bill Maher: Season 24 (10 p.m. / HBO Max & Crave)

Allowing Maher to offer his unique perspective on contemporary issues, the show continues with its opening monologue, one-on-one interviews with notable guests, roundtable discussions with panelists, and its signature closer New Rules.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: A BIG BOLD BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY (ANYTIME / NETFLIX-US & CRAVE)

Some doors bring you to your past. Some doors lead you to your future. And some doors change everything. Sarah (Margot Robbie) and David (Colin Farrell) are single strangers who meet at a mutual friend’s wedding and soon, through a surprising twist of fate, find themselves on A Big Bold Beautiful Journey – a funny, fantastical, sweeping adventure together where they get to re-live important moments from their respective pasts, illuminating how they got to where they are in the present…and possibly getting a chance to alter their futures.
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Once again: Margot Robbie, ladies and gentlemen. Another (bad) movie, another bomb. It’s a Robert Stack Unsolved Mystery what she and Dakota Johnson offer to studios and especially to movie-goers. There’s no significant value there. They’re the female version of Sam Worthington, remember that chump? I mocked him earlier in the week talking about Glen Powell and The Running Man. This upcoming generation of movie stars sucks. So, #SetTheVCR only if you care. I don’t. Margot Robbie sucks so much and so often. I’ve no desire to go on A Big Bold Beautiful Journey with her.

Saturday, January 24

Endless Cookie (Anytime / Crave)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Two half-brothers, one Indigenous and one white, embark on a journey through time and place. They travel from their remote home in Shamattawa to the vibrant urban landscape of the 1980s.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE SMASHING MACHINE (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & PARAMOUNT+ CANADA)

The true story of mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr, whose obsession with greatness made him a legend — and nearly cost him everything.
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Behold, the Rock’s latest debacle. (Hah, is it Hate Week at #SetTheVCR? I can only do so much here. I can’t and won’t spin suck.) The Smashing Machine had a low box office opening of $5.9 million domestically. Yikes! But Guys!! What about all those silly “The Smashing Machine Gets 15-Minute Venice Standing Ovation” headlines? Utter junk. I’ll never understand ovation headlines for movies…is it cheap clickbait? Maybe it’s just an Oscar wank? It’s subpar marking for sure. Glass are not diamonds. The audience does not and should never care. Scorpion King came out the first time Arnold ran for governor of California. While yes, Arnold started his career with Hercules & Conan, for Dwayne Johnson there was expectations coming out of wrestling. (And knowing Arnold would be retired for a brief window). Action comes with high and hard action…obligations. DJ failed to meet both. He hijacked Fast and Furious in a foolish attempt to get back on track. (I’m grateful Vin Diesel beefed with him.) In sum? The Rock sucks. The Smashing Machine screened at TIFF, which I covered. Only I ignored it. My Central Intelligence says it’s too late for the Rock to make effort. (At that same TIFF I also happily skipped the Sydney Sweeney boxing movie. Nothing she or even Zendaya make gives me Euphoria. They both suck.) Pfft. Even for free I won’t sit through the Rock’s latest debacle. But if my rage against The Smashing Machine failed to convince you, UFC if it’s any good now that it’s streaming.

Sunday, January 25

Memory of a Killer: Season 1 (10 p.m. / Fox)

Inspired by the book and 2003 award-winning Belgian film De Zaak Alzheimer, Memory of A Killer is a dramatic thriller starring Patrick Dempsey as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret. Michael Imperioli stars opposite Dempsey in the role of Dutch, Angelo’s oldest friend and an accomplished chef whose restaurant is a front for criminal enterprise.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ONE LAST ADVENTURE: THE MAKING OF STRANGER THINGS 5 (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

A documentary that will give an inside look at the years of effort and craft that went into the final installment of the Duffer Brothers’ generation-defining series.
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“Growing up in Durham, North Carolina, we dreamed of becoming filmmakers – but Hollywood felt impossibly far away. Everything changed when we watched the behind-the-scenes documentaries for The Lord of the Rings – on-the-ground films that showed the real nuts and bolts of how a massive production actually gets made. We saw how stressed Peter Jackson was and thought: yep, that’s the dream. With the decline of physical media, that kind of behind-the-scenes storytelling has largely disappeared. We wanted to bring it back. One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5 – beautifully captured and directed by Martina Radwan – is our attempt to do just that. If you love Stranger Things, or if you’re simply curious how a major Hollywood production comes to life, this one’s for you.” So says The Duffer Brothers. Bowie’s scintillating We Can Be Heroes doesn’t even remotely apply to the subpar TV writing of Stranger Things 5. This is a LeBron James con job…an attempt to reset and control the narrative. It’s the death rattle of a hype man. And the strangest thing yet.

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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.