In June we said Smell Ya Later to Tokyo Vice on HBO Max. That was the only big name to hit the bricks TV show. Here are the hits and blockbusters we enjoyed in June 2024. Some TV highlights that are #CouchWorthy. Maybe you missed em or didn’t hear about em.
June Highlights
The Boys: Season 4 (Anytime / Prime Video)
The world is on the brink. Victoria Neuman is closer than ever to the Oval Office and under the muscly thumb of Homelander, who is consolidating his power. Butcher, with only months to live, has lost Becca’s son as well as his job as The Boys’ leader. The rest of the team is fed up with his lies. With the stakes higher than ever, they have to find a way to work together and save the world before it’s too late. At the risk of losing my nerd street credit, I haven’t watched a single episode The Boys. (Ironically, I’ve watched and thoroughly enjoyed To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. It’s a whole choice, I regret nothing.)
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: BRATS (ANYTIME / HULU)
Looks at the iconic films of the 1980s that shaped a generation and the narrative that took hold when their young stars were branded the Brat Pack.
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In 1983 we scored The Outsiders a freshtastic Francis Ford Coppola movie (adapted from S.E. Hinton’s phenomenal novel.). The Outsiders was a trailer: a stunning big bang of all that was to come. Including The Brat Pack. Director and Brat-Packer Andrew McCarthy, who rose to stardom in such movie as Pretty in Pink (John Hughes!), St. Elmo’s Fire (eh…) and Less Than Zero (Robert Downey Jr.!) and wrote the bestselling memoir Brat: An ‘80s Story, goes right to the source, reuniting with his fellow Brat-Packers — friends, colleagues and former foes, many of whom he had not seen for over 30 years — to answer the question: What did it mean to be part of the Brat Pack? We’re talking about Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez, Jon Cryer, Lea Thompson and Timothy Hutton. Is that really the entire Brat Pack? I was never really sure who was a Brat Packer. Rat Pack I know forwards and backwards. This is one of those you hadda be there things. Programming Note: Hulu’s goodness typically ends up on Disney+ Canada, sometimes there is a delay though. At the risk of sounding like a Brat, it’s sooooo annoying.
June Highlights
Sweet Tooth: Season 3 (Anytime / Netflix)
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.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: I’M JUST HERE FOR THE RIOT (ANYTIME / 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.
June Highlights
Hit Man (Anytime / Netflix-US)
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?
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HART TO HEART: SEASON 4 (ANYTIME / PEACOCK)
In a series of conversations, A-list talent will join Kevin to reveal their honest, unfiltered, and unexpected true selves. It’s a place where the public will see the human side of our most well-known celebrities and world influencers. Each episode will be packed with meaningful conversation, open-dialogue, and a lot of heart.
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A return to Kevin Hart’s wine cellar and intimate conversations with celebrities. Season 4 guests include Ben Affleck, George Lopez, Cynthia Erivo, Andy Samberg, Judd Apatow and Niecy Nash. Think of this as Peacock’s version of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. (Here’s a Hart to Heart confession: I don’t find Season 4’s lineup all that compelling. Andy Samberg is a highlight.)
June Highlights
Camden (Anytime / Hulu & Disney+ Canada)
Hah, shout out to Camden, NJ which should get a docuseries. Any this is yet another music documentary: this four-part docuseries “focuses on the untold stories of how the lives and careers of some of the world’s most iconic artists were influenced by this corner of the city.” If you haven’t heard of Camden in London, then you for sure have heard of: Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Noel Gallagher, Questlove, Pete Doherty and Carl Barat of The Libertines, Mark Ronson, Nile Rodgers, Boy George, Black Eyed Peas, Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, Chuck D and the standard issue lots more. “It’s got a heartbeat, it’s got a vibe, it’s got an energy to it,” so says Noel Gallagher. Documentaries are the cheapest way to travel all without pants and from the comfort of your home.
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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!
June Highlights
Billy the Kid Season 2 (Part 2) (Anytime / MGM+)
More action and more gunfights: the show continues to build towards the Lincoln County War of 1878: “a murderous conflict driven by money, greed and corruption.” It’s always fun to ride with an outlaw even though the first episode of Season 2 is called The Road To Hell. William H. Bonney’s road to Billy The Kid is notoriously mysterious…especially his earliest years before becoming a prominent criminal. So this show continues to blend fictional and historical characters to fill in the blanks while telling its story. Cowboys and gun fights, ambushes, law-and-order…that’s enough to “draw” my attention.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MARLON WAYANS: GOOD GRIEF (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)
They say comedy is the best therapy.
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Good Grief, Charlie Brown! Shot at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem, the material for Marlon’s comedy special is all grief. Wayans sarcastically works through his grief after recently losing both of his parents. In his new hour, he meditates on how his father taught him to be a man, the requirements to join the “Dead Mama Club,” the surprises you encounter when changing your aging parents’ diapers, who is the funniest Wayans, and more. Marlon cracks me up, so I’m totally IN for this. I miss In Living Color.
June Highlights
Cyndi Lauper: Let the Canary Sing (Anytime / Paramount+)
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.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HOW MUSIC GOT FREE (ANYTIME / PARAMOUNT+)
Uncover the secrets behind the crime we all committed: Produced by Eminem and Lebron James, How Music Got Free details the series of fateful, isolated steps in the mid-’90s that nearly killed the music industry as file-sharing moved from underground to a global phenomenon.
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Long live Napster! The two-part documentary “details the fascinating, and often funny, inside story of the technology-driven disruption that changed music during the late-’90s and early-2000s. File sharing technology, combined with the insatiable demand for new music, created both the means and the motive for millions of young people to participate in outright theft — and be celebrated for it.” It’s…odd to return to that era in 2024, I wonder what fresh insights that return yields. How Music Got Free features interviews with the likes of Eminem, 50 Cent, Timbaland, Jimmy Iovine, Rocsi Diaz, Rhymefest and Steve Stoute, among others. (Would it be irony if you saw this for free instead of having a Paramount+ subscription?) Well, let’s go back to the ’90s shall we?
June Highlights
Under Paris (Anytime / Netflix)
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.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: DISCO: SOUNDTRACK OF A REVOLUTION (ANYTIME / PBS)
The definitive story of a new form of music and dance.
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Lotta disco lately, I know pop culture flows and goes in cycles but it’s a notable trend. PBS and the BBC have co-produced a docuseries about the classic rise and fall of disco: “co-opted by the commercial mainstream, the genre dominated and flooded the market – the airwaves and record shops – leading to a subsequent hate-fueled backlash. As a result, the music and its ethos went back underground, where it evolved into an electronic dance sound that laid the foundations for contemporary dance culture.” PBS also has the ironically titled American Experience featuring The War on Disco broadcast in 2023. (That can be seen online at PBS.) This is a fascinating docuseries, highly recommended. As with all things PBS, check your local listings to confirm dates and times. However Episode 1: Rock the Boat premieres on Tuesday, June 18 at 9 p.m. on PBS. Episode 2: Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now is on Tuesday, June 25, 9 p.m. on PBS while Episode 3: Stayin’ Alive can be seen on Tuesday, July 2, 9 p.m. on PBS. #SetTheVCR for all 3 dates if you wanna groove with this.
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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.
