#SetTheVCR: May 18-24, 2026

Monday, May 18

The Dukes Of Hazzard: The Complete Series (Anytime / Prime Video-Canada)

Just some good old boys, never meaning no harm. But cousins Bo and Luke Duke certainly have a way of finding trouble with the law everywhere they turn. Their adventures as the Robin Hoods of their rural community of Hazzard County lead them to wild escapes, aided by their souped-up Dodge Charger called the General Lee. The boys’ nemesis is Boss Hogg, a corrupt politician who constantly sicks his minion, Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, on the Dukes.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: JOHNNY CASH: THE REDEMPTION OF AN AMERICAN ICON (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO-CANADA)

Depression and drug addiction leave Johnny Cash stumbling at the height of his career, but he rediscovers his faith. The film features never-before-heard conversations with the Man in Black and interviews with country music stars.
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Ben Smallbone’s Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon is a compelling documentary that traces Johnny’s rough yet steady faith and how it guided his life and electrified his music. No road to redemption is linear. And grace is messy like a toddler eating spaghetti. Insights from Cash’s family members like John Carter Cash, his son and his sister Joanne Cash Yates are coupled with Johnny’s own words plucked from over 100 tapes that he recorded for an autobiography that was never published or released. Check out this documentary and for the first time you’ll hear some of Johnny’s own remarkable voice telling much of his life story. Testifying to that special life story is Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw, Alice Cooper, John Schneider from Dukes of Hazzard (Bo Duke!!) are in Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon. And more. Programming Note: Check out my interview with the director of Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon Ben Smallbone, brother of musical duo for King & Country. Ben’s brothers are Joel and Luke Smallbone, that’s who King & Country are: a Christian pop duo. Think Coldplay meets Hillsong. Joel and Luke make music and Ben directs and helps make their music videos. Which is where we start this My Summer Lair conversation.

Tuesday, May 19

You’re Killing Me: Limited Series (Anytime / Acorn TV)

Set in a quaint New England town, bestselling novelist, Allie (Brooke Shields!!) forms an unlikely alliance with an aspiring writer and podcaster Andi, to find the killer of a close friend. Meanwhile, Jack is the new lead detective of the local Police Department and a former city slicker who is trying to acclimate to the quirks of small-town life. Programming Note: The Original Series premiered Monday, May 18; episodes continue weekly until the Season Finale on June 22.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: WANDA SYKES: LEGACY (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

Wanda Sykes returns to her alma mater with a fearlessly funny takedown of everything from the state of the world to the cultural clash over washcloths.
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I was so excited for fresh Wanda Sykes and…then I watched the trailer. She talks like Twitter. Sigh. You know how corny people issue a caveat “sorry to share this even though the world is on fire…” that kind of silly nonsense? (The world isn’t on fire. This isn’t WWII. Take a deep breath.) Aw man. I hope it gets better. As President Trump is terrible for comedy. It’s hard to make it funny. So a lot of comics end up preaching or worse spoon feeding the audience. Which is just gross. That repelling telegraphing is mostly what doomed Stephen Colbert. I’m not a child; I don’t need or want your politics to align with mine. Your gig is to be funny. So, make with the funny. Funny above all. Funny above politics. Funny above the audience needs. Funny over everything. If you’re funny then you have created a Legacy.

Wednesday, May 20

Jack Ryan: Ghost War (Anytime / Prime Video)

In this new movie, Jack Ryan is reluctantly thrust back into the world of espionage when an international covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy, forcing him to confront a rogue black-ops unit, and the clock is ticking. Operating in real time with lives on the line and the threat escalating at every turn, Jack reunites with battle-tested CIA operative Mike November (Michael Kelly) and former CIA boss James Greer (Wendell Pierce), their combined experience the only edge they have against an enemy who knows their every move. Backed by an unlikely new partner – razor-sharp MI6 officer Emma Marlowe (Sienna Miller) – Jack and the team navigate a treacherous web of betrayal, facing a past they thought was long put to rest – making this the most personal, high-stakes mission any of them have ever faced.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ORWELL: 2+2=5 (ANYTIME / HULU)

An investigation into the life, work, and enduring influence of the writer George Orwell, connecting his ideas to the contemporary world.
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“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” 1984 was published on June 8, 1949 by Secker & Warburg as Orwell’s ninth and final completed book. It continues to be one of these most banned books in America, Canada and across the world. Which means 75 years later the novel is still deeply relevant and wildly popular. My hope is this doc sparks a significant reading resurgence. Read it before “They” take it away. George Orwell was The Simpsons in 1949; dude predicted so much correctly. It’s all scary. “Acclaimed director Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro) interweaves clips, readings from Orwell’s diary, cinematic references, and modern-day footage to craft not only a portrait of the writer, but a fresh take on how prophetic his work has become.” Outstanding novel and remarkable Radiohead song.

Thursday, May 21

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed: Season 1 (Anytime / Apple TV)

The series follows newly divorced mom Paula as she falls down a dangerous rabbit hole of blackmail, murder, and youth soccer. Convinced she witnessed a crime – while simultaneously struggling through a custody battle and an identity crisis – Paula begins her own investigation, one that could unravel a greater conspiracy while also holding the keys to rebuilding her family and sense of self. Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed looks (and smells) like low-rent Rear Window meets SMILF. There’s no Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed in that weak pitch. I’ll watch one episode outta respect for Jake Johnson.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT (LAST TIME / CBS)

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an American late-night talk and variety show hosted by Stephen Colbert, featuring satire, monologue-driven comedy, and celebrity interviews, broadcasting weeknights from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. Change the is to was: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was an American late-night talk and variety show hosted by Stephen Colbert.
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David Letterman is thriving post-late night. So is Conan. In March 2025 Conan O’Brien accepted the Mark Twain Prize. He’s probably the one recipient (the only one?) who can speak eloquently about Twain’s cultural contributions. Conan is on fire—post-late night he’s become the new Martin Short. He explodes like a comedy grenade and so much of it is raw gold. He probably stayed on TV too long but his current media empire is impressive. Specials on HBO, Conan O’Brien Radio on SiriusXM and appearing in documentaries ranging from Elvis to John Candy. Conan effortlessly evolved from classic late night host to basically Howard Stern. It works! All this to say that yeah…it’s a defective narrative Stephen Colbert is “losing” late night to politics.
There’s another valid narrative worth examining: he’s not good at it. We’ve known since January 27, 2026 that The Late Show will end on Thursday, May 21st. And it’s difficult to make a compelling Trump censorship without overlooking Colbert’s mediocrity. He spoonfed his audience with safe and lazy politics. He didn’t say anything new. And he failed to over a distinct perspective that would either challenge his audience or gently rewrite the lousy cultural assumptions. I’m not willing to co-sign the popular narrative that this is all 1984 censorship or President Trump blah blah blah. All those lazy liberal talking points are junk and worse they obliterate all nuance.

Focusing on Trump is weird but it again overlooks just how devastating this is to Letterman’s incredible TV legacy. Trump is a smokescreen to avoid admitting Colbert struggled; some of the blame for these current circumstances must be directly assigned to him. Some of this is also a legit commentary about the value of Late Night. The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and Letterman’s last Late Show were heartbreaking final episodes. Tears for Letterman, anger over Conan’s shabby treatment. Outside of lazily blaming Trump, Colbert has failed to establish any strong sentiments. Will his Late Night legacy be notable? Or just…there?? In the end? Set him free to dream up better fitting work. There’s no need to read the room if the room isn’t well read. The bigger unresolved issue is what happens to Late Night? For Rip Damon/Affleck visited every podcast ever. Is this the future we want?

Friday, May 22

The Bride! (Anytime / HBO Max & Crave)

A lonely Frankenstein travels to 1930s Chicago to ask groundbreaking scientist Dr. Euphronious to create a companion for him. The two revive a murdered young woman and The Bride is born. But what ensues is beyond what either of them imagined.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THIS IS NOT A TEST (ANYTIME / SHUDDER)

Sloane and four classmates take cover in Cortege High to escape a world plagued by the infected. As danger relentlessly pounds on the doors, Sloane begins to see the world through the eyes of those who actually want to live and takes matters into her own hands.
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“May is officially recognized as Zombie Awareness Month, established in 2007 by the Zombie Research Society to promote, educate, and prepare the public for a potential, albeit fictional, zombie apocalypse. It often highlights disaster preparedness, utilizes a gray ribbon for awareness, and celebrates zombie-themed media.” I don’t make up this stuff, however, I do eagerly share it. So since May is all about the zombies, here is a fun zombie recommendation. Olivia Holt plays Sloane Price and she’s introduced with a soft desire to kill herself in the bathtub. This is how the movie starts. Sloane isn’t trying to survive, rather she’s attempting to escape pain. She’s haunted, depressed and suicidal. But then—there’s always a but—the dead rise and ironically her fight for survival becomes a valid reason to live. Just as we’ve witnessed in every single zombie movie Sloane is forced to reclaim the will to live and it helps that she’s now part of a group of fellow teen survivors. Fluent in horror writer/director Adam MacDonald offers all the classic zombie hits: zombies pounding at doors, a barricaded high school, existential dread, “did you get bit?” safety checks. You know these popular tunes. I’ve written about This is Not A Test in this space before. And you can enjoy my conversation with the movie’s writer/director Adam MacDonald. Sweet Ear Candy to enjoy as you wear your grey ribbon designated for Zombie Awareness Month.

Saturday, May 23

Mating Season: Season 1 (Anytime / Netflix)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: In the search for love, we’re all animals. From the creators of Big Mouth comes Mating Season, a new adult animated comedy – set in the animal world – about love, sex, relationships, and the universal need to find a partner. Starring horny, lovable forest critters – a bear named Josh, a raccoon named Ray (voiced by Nick Kroll), a deer named Fawn and a fox named Penelope.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: JOSH JOHNSON: SYMPHONY (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

Josh Johnson debuts original material about our shared human experiences – tackling topics like family, religion, and relationships through his unique point of view and signature creativity. Viewers can expect a truly original and unforgettable experience. The special was filmed at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.
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Ugh. I can’t honestly tell if he Josh Johnson is funny. Or not. I can’t decide if he’s irritating in that throat punching sorta way that Hannah Einbinder grates or if he’s cool. Comics are binary creators because comedy is binary. Was it funny? Was it good? Yes or no. So I’ll watch but it’s only to issue a verdict. The is a trial and so far? I don’t think Josh Johnson is a killer.

Sunday, May 24

Ladies First (Anytime / Netflix)

A male chauvinist finds himself in an alternate world where the power dynamics of society are altered. It Is What It Is.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR (ANYTIME / PEACOCK)

Quentin Tarantino’s complete cut combining Kill Bill: Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 follows The Bride, a former assassin who awakens from a four-year coma after being shot by her mentor and lover, Bill. She embarks on a vengeful quest to eliminate Bill and the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad who betrayed her.
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Team Ruckus Reporting for Duty! Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair is now streaming. (At least in America.) Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece returns with even more balls to the wall #CouchWorthy delight. Phenomenal soundtrack.
Outstanding violence. And utterly fantastic revenge. Well cast, well written and…well executed. (A bloody cool pun!) Uma Thurman did her best work with QT, though…it still didn’t erase the repulsive stench of Batman and Robin. That wretchedness is with her forever but man, Tarantino made her good. Outstanding ruckus, top shelf mayhem: Let’s Go!!

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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.