#CouchWorthy: November 2023 TV Highlights

November Highlights

The Curse: Season 1 (Anytime / Paramount+)

Emma Stone and Nathan Fielder are cursed! Will this 10-episode series get an Easy A? Or does the curse trap the happy couple in a Superbad loveless Zombieland? Only way to find out who wins the Battle of the Sexes is to watch and see just how Cruella this curse really is.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: ANYTHING FOR FAME (ANYTIME / PARAMOUNT+ CANADA)

A startling and timely study of contemporary celebrity, Anything for Fame ventures into the virtual Wild West to profile an ambitious-and reckless-new breed of content creator.
~~~

The keyword in the description of this provocative NFB doc is reckless: “A startling and timely study of contemporary celebrity, Anything for Fame ventures into the virtual Wild West to profile an ambitious-and reckless-new breed of content creator.” What would you do for fame? In the doc you’ll meet Ava who went viral for licking an airplane bathroom toilet set. She called it a Coronavirus Challenge. And you’ll meet Jake an Ontario skateboarder who performs Jackass type stunts with nail guns and getting shot at with sharp needle tipped darts. There will be blood. So…what would you do for fame? Remember Hoop Dreams from the mid-90s? It was a doc following two inner city kids and their struggles to make it into professional basketball (NBA). Anything for Fame is Hoop Dreams for influencers. It’s a nuanced looked at going viral and the struggles of influencers to become wealthy and (internet) famous. Programming Note: Currently streaming on Paramount+ Canada; the NFB will steam Anything for Fame for free across Canada on November 8, 2023 via NFB.ca.

November Highlights

Invincible: Season 2 (Anytime / Prime Video)

Based on the groundbreaking comic book by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, the story revolves around 18-year-old Mark Grayson, who’s just like every other guy his age—except his father is (or was) the most powerful superhero on the planet. Still reeling from Nolan’s betrayal in Season One, Mark struggles to rebuild his life as he faces a host of new threats, all while battling his greatest fear – that he might become his father without even knowing it.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: BLACKBERRY: THE LIMITED SERIES (ANYTIME / CBC GEM)

BlackBerry tells the story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone.
~~~

 In Waterloo, 1996, Research in Motion CEO Mike Lazaridis and his best friend and co-founder Douglas Fregin prepare to pitch their “PocketLink” cellular device to businessman. That’s how it all started. An additional 16 minutes was added to the theatrical release hence the TV mini-series. (I’ve seen both: the original theatrical release and now the Limited Series. You’ll have fun with either choice.) It’s got heart and soul and an incredible soundtrack: White Stripes, Moby, Joy Division…MC Hammer. The opening credits montage is remarkable as well. Savour that. So move over Laura Secord and the guys who created Superman…this is an incredible Heritage Minute for Canadians worth capturing. Turns out we can do hubris as well as Americans. Programming Note: For Americans all three episodes was available on AMC+ on November 13. The 90s are slowly being recognized for the profound impact they had on our (pop) culture.

November Highlights

The Lazarus Project: Season 2 (Anytime / Showcase On Demand (via Crave))

The British sci-fi series comes to Canada today: George wakes up one morning and discovers the calendar has been rewound six months, but neither his girlfriend Sarah nor anyone else seems to notice. George has inadvertently stumbled across The Lazarus Project, and as their newest agent, he now lives and works in a world with continuous apocalyptic threats, and faces a life-changing experience. (This has been on Sky TV in the UK since November 15.)
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE KILLER (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

After a fateful near-miss an assassin battles his employers, and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn’t personal.
~~~

It’s David Fincher. That’s it. That’s the entire marketing hook…you’re either in or you’re out. It’s Fincher. Oh and Andrew Kevin Walker. But yeah…Fincher, yo!

November Highlights

For All Mankind: Season 4 (Anytime / Apple TV+)

The 10-episode fourth season opens in 2003 where the focus of the space program has turned to the capture and mining of extremely valuable, mineral-rich asteroids that could change the future of both Earth and Mars. Space Is The Place.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: ALBERT BROOKS: DEFENDING MY LIFE (8 P.M. / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

With testimonials from some of the brightest comedy talents and serious thinkers, as well as family and friends, the film chronicles Al Brooks’ very early work all the way to present day.
~~~

Rob Reiner is Albert Brooks’ BFF. So he decided they should sit down together and turn on the cameras and “explore the origins and evolution of Brooks’ career, the impetus for his creativity, and the impact he has had on the world of comedy.” That works for me! A popular voice on The Simpsons (Jacques…he just came back recently.) to Taxi Driver and more. Brooks is comedy royalty. If you don’t believe me then listen to the funny people in the doc: Chris Rock, Conan O’Brien, Wanda Sykes, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Steven Spielberg, Sarah Silverman, David Letterman, Larry David, Jonah Hill, Judd Apatow, Sharon Stone, Brian Williams, Anthony Jeselnik, Tiffany Haddish, Nikki Glaser, James L. Brooks and Neil deGrasse Tyson. This airs one day after The Killer which is irony since Albert Brooks often killed. However it is Remembrance Day and we should take a moment to remember and appreciate veterans like Albert Brooks for his incredible comedic work.

November Highlights

Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure Of Foggy Mountain (Anytime / Peacock & Prime Video-Canada)

John Goodman narrates the adventure of Ben, Martin, and John, three childhood friends turned deadbeat co-workers. This is Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle only replace White Castle with Foggy Mountain treasure. Toss in hairless bears, desperate park rangers and a hypocritical cult leader oh and Conan O’Brien and you got a wild ride. Do they find the infamous treasure? No clue. But this is comedy gold.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: MONARCH: LEGACY OF MONSTERS (ANYTIME / APPLE TV+)

Set after the battle between Godzilla and the Titans, revealing that monsters are real, follows one family’s journey to uncover its buried secrets and a legacy linking them to Monarch.
~~~

This is the sixth installment and the second television series in the MonsterVerse franchise. It follows the epic battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco. Oh and the shocking revelation that monsters are real so try sleeping at night with your closet door open. Thankfully Kurt Russell is around with both eyes so the Earth should be safe. Still…umm Godzilla is BIG and TV is small. Scale is gonna be a legit issue for a live action Godzilla TV series. This is from executive producer and co-creator Matt Fraction who has written some outstanding (mostly Marvel) comic books. Still want to visit the MonsterVerse? I hear it’s lovely this time of year.

November Highlights

Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man And The Pool (Anytime / Netflix)

This marks the comedian’s fifth Netflix special. But this Broadway Show isn’t like…stand up comedy on the rocks. It’s stand up comedy and one man show in one delicious food. Mike Birbiglia cannonballs into mortality, medical tests, nature’s pillows and an overchlorinated YMCA pool in his typically candid style. If you know Mike Birbiglia (and can pronounce his last name) you’re excited. If you don’t know who Mike Birbiglia (and like me can’t pronounce his last name) you should check it out.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: SLY (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

For nearly 50 years Sylvester Stallone has entertained millions with iconic characters and blockbuster franchises, from Rocky to Rambo to The Expendables. This retrospective documentary offers an intimate look at the Oscar-nominated actor-writer-director-producer, paralleling his inspirational underdog-story with the indelible characters he has brought to life.
~~~

In May we got Last Dance style docs on Michael J. Fox, Donna Summer and Mary Tyler Moore. June gifted us with a three-part docuseries about Arnold Schwarzenegger. And now in November we get Sly a documentary about…of course Sylvester Stallone. Man…we’re all getting older and we’re all looking back. But it’s more than that. Did you see Thom Zimny’s previous Western Stars a Bruce Springsteen documentary? This mirrors that; it’s an emotional check in with Sylvester Stallone. The thing with Sylvester Stallone—Arnold deals with this as well—is he’s a cultural touchstone. Like Mat Damon is a popular actor. But he doesn’t shift the culture, inject fresh phrases into the culture…basically Damon doesn’t really truly create culture. Most actors don’t or if they do…it’s limited. Stallone gave us Rockys…that theme song, Mr. T, overcoming the odds…jogging through Philadelphia. Everybody races up the Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps. That’s what I mean by creates culture. It’s a “Sly” contribution that transcends just being a movie star. Stallone is busy making Expendables but here he pauses and reflects if he is truly an Expendable.

November Highlights

Beacon 23: Season 1 (Anytime / MGM+)

And now a science-fiction mystery thriller. That’s my jam. Plus an Artificial Intelligence humanoid? Oh Yes. Indeed every Beacon is run by one highly trained human and a specialized Artificial Intelligence. Aster is a government agent while Halan is ex-military and the lonely Beacon-keeper. Got it. But how exactly did Aster end up here? Halan is starting to doubt her and question her agenda…paranoia in space is so deadly. Is Aster is friend or foe? I didn’t read the Hugh Howey novel this is all adapted from; have you? So I dunno what to expect except shifting alliances and lots of tension because space comes with so much pressure. Hopefully this is the latest contribution to the flourishing in space no one can hear you scream genre.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE CHOICE IS YOURS (ANYTIME / PARAMOUNT+)

The documentary is the story of rapper and artist Dres, part of the legendary 90’s hip hop duo Black Sheep, and his incredible journey from being on top of the game to struggling with civilian life and staring down the barrel of his last chance at success.
~~~

One of my all time favourite rap lyrics: “Hold your cup, cause I got the container.” Poetry, truly. Though truly and really Black Sheep’s The Choice is Yours is brimming with incredible lines. Verily Black Sheep’s A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (released on October 22, 1991) was an instant hip hop classic. It’s still better than a huge chunk of rap made today. Easily. So to have Dres and J Dilla in one doc? I’m 100% IN. Dres was gifted a hard drive of unreleased Dilla beats and is now tasked with crafting the next Dilla record. The Choice Is Yours…do you stay and earn scorn or do you rise to this incredible challenge and fashion yet another instant hip hop classic. Is that even possible? I’ve made my choice I am so watching this with a cup of tea.

https://youtu.be/nsbApT2DLHo

–28-

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