#SetTheVCR: April 06 – 12, 2026

Monday, April 06

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (Anytime / Netflix-US)

Expanding upon the world created by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland in 28 Years Later but turning that world on its head – Nia DaCosta directs 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. In a continuation of the epic story, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) finds himself in a shocking new relationship – with consequences that could change the world as they know it – and Spike’s encounter with Jimmy Crystal becomes a nightmare he can’t escape. In the world of The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the greatest threat to survival – the inhumanity of the survivors can be stranger and more terrifying.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: SPORTS HEAVEN: THE BIRTH OF ESPN (8:30 P.M. / ESPN)

The documentary tells the remarkable story behind the creation of the network that would transform sports media, following Bill Rasmussen, his son Scott Rasmussen, and their early partners as they set out to build a cable television network dedicated entirely to sports – an idea widely viewed as improbable at the time.
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During Ron Burgundy’s infamous ESPN audition he was confused: “Sports? All around the clock? Sports all the time? That’s never gonna work.” He starts laughing, adding: “That’s ridiculous. Seriously, this thing is going to be a financial and cultural disaster. Sportscenter. Think about that. That’s just dumb.” Before hot takes, before scroll culture, before sports became content and featured betting odds—there was a crazy idea nobody believed in: 24 hours a day of sports. Sports Heaven: The Birth of ESPN is like a 30 for 30 about ESPN. The documentary tells the story of how ESPN went from “this will never work” to “it used to be better back in my day.” From scrappy beginnings, zero money and a 24-hour sports channel that sounded like an Anchorman punchline in 1979. This isn’t about glory days nostalgia rather it’s a recognition of the delightful delusion required to change culture. Interviews with lifers like Chris Berman and Bob Ley give Sports Heaven texture, but the real hook is watching what is now a media empire get duct-taped together in real time. Sports Heaven wasn’t a slogan—it was a mad gamble. And the sports are all about faith and an undaunted belief in the possible.

Tuesday, April 07

The Testament of Ann Lee (Anytime / Hulu & Disney+ Canada)

An epic fable about religious leader Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shaker Movement, who was proclaimed by her followers as the female Christ and went on to build one of the largest utopian societies in American history. Lee — one of the rare female religious leaders at the time —and her followers worshipped through exuberant song and dance.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE HOUSEMAID (ANYTIME / STARZ & CRAVE)

Millie is a struggling woman who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to Nina and Andrew, an upscale, wealthy couple. She soon learns that the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own.
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If you wanna see Sydney Sweeney naked or complain about her MAGA status for dollar store likes (or both?) you can see The Housemaid in your home. Watch and you’ll quickly see: Sydney Sweeney has great jeans. I’m sure this Housemaid will clean up on streaming.

Wednesday, April 08

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

An evolution of The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments is based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name and is a dramatic coming-of-age story set in Gilead. The series follows young teens Agnes, dutiful and pious, and Daisy, a new arrival and convert from beyond Gilead’s borders. As they navigate the gilded halls of Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, a place where obedience is instilled brutally and always with divine justification, their bond becomes the catalyst that will upend their past, their present, and their future. The Testaments premieres on April 8 with three episodes, then weekly thereafter.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE BOYS: SEASON 5 (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)

In the fifth and final season, it’s Homelander’s world, completely subject to his erratic, egomaniacal whims. Hughie, Mother’s Milk, and Frenchie are imprisoned in a “Freedom Camp.” Annie struggles to mount a resistance against the overwhelming Supe force. Kimiko is nowhere to be found. But when Butcher reappears, ready and willing to use a virus that will wipe all Supes off the map, he sets in motion a chain of events that will forever change the world and everyone in it. It’s the climax, people. Big stuff’s gonna happen.
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Smell Ya Later. This is the fifth and final season of the American satirical superhero television series (based on comic books by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. I point out the comics as they are published all before Donald Trump. If your take away of The Boys is simply this is so Trump…you’re lazy and should consider historical context before speaking online or in public.) Are you sad to see The Boys go?

Thursday, April 09

Dangerous Truth: Limited Series (Anytime / Viaplay-US)

Inspired by real events surrounding the faulty intelligence that helped justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the six-part German thriller Dangerous Truth explores a deadly conspiracy buried within European intelligence services. Alex Jaromin (Noah Saavedra, Naked) is a young photographer who has spent most of his life hiding under a false identity in Athens as part of a witness protection program. Twenty years earlier, he survived a brutal attack that killed his father – a German army sniper – and his sister. When Alex’s mother suddenly dies, long-buried secrets begin to surface. He learns that the attack on his family may not have been the work of Serbian extremists, as he was always told. Instead, his father may have been involved in a covert mission tied to a mysterious Iraqi informant known as “Curveball” whose claims about weapons of mass destruction helped push the world toward war. As Alex follows a trail from Athens to the corridors of power in Berlin, he uncovers a political scandal that powerful figures would rather keep buried. The closer he gets to the truth, the more dangerous his search becomes.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: BIG MISTAKES (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

Blackmailed into working for gangsters, two deeply incapable siblings become the most disorganized duo in organized crime.
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Dan Levy is still up Schitt’s Creek. Levy keeps his signature family dysfunction (he is playing a New Jersey pastor) but he swaps cozy for criminals when he drags his sister into a shady organization. Turns out the title: Big Mistakes applies to the mafia as (no surprise) Dan Levy is a major (comedic) liability. It’s hard to find good help to blackmail these days, isn’t it?

Friday, April 10

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair: Limited Series (Anytime / Hulu & Disney+ Canada)

After shielding himself and his daughter from his family for over a decade, Malcolm is dragged back into their orbit when Hal and Lois demand his presence at their 40th anniversary party.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THRASH (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

When a catastrophic hurricane slams a coastal town, stranded residents must survive rapidly rising waters swarming with ravenous sharks.
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Sharks are still a whole genre. I haven’t watched Under Paris (a giant shark appears in the Seine), No Way Up, Deep Water, Dangerous Animals and much more Shark offerings. This is Jaws’ legit legacy. Also? This has enough ruckus…yeah okay I’m in. Or in this case…I’m “fin.”

Saturday, April 11

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord: Season 1 (Anytime / Disney+)

Set after the events of The Clone Wars, Maul plots to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan, who could be the apprentice he is seeking, that will aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: OUTCOME (ANYTIME / APPLE TV)

Outcome is a dark comedy that centers on Reef Hawk (Keanu Reeves), a beloved Hollywood star who must dive into the depths of his hidden demons after he is extorted with a mysterious video that’s sure to shatter his image and end his career. With the support of his lifelong besties Kyle (Cameron Diaz) and Xander (Matt Bomer), along with his crisis lawyer Ira (Jonah Hill), Reef embarks on a soul-searching journey to make amends with anyone he could have possibly wronged in hopes of identifying the blackmailer.
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Keanu Reeves has spent a Hollywood career dodging bullets. This time? He’s dodging Hollywood cancellation. This is opposite John Wick: Reeves sets out to make amends with those whom he has wronged in the past. But like peacefully, not via murder. He’s got to figure out who his blackmailer is. More than just Keanu Reeves, this quirky cast includes David Spade and Roy Wood Jr. and Martin Scorsese and Drew Barrymore and Van Jones (the CNN dude, yes….). Like, woah: when were those people ever in the same room? Despite the chaos Outcome feels like a therapy session disguised as a dark comedy. Still, you gotta ask: is Outcome Out of the question or simply Outstanding?

Sunday, April 12

Euphoria: Season 3 (9:00 p.m. / HBO Max & Crave)

A group of childhood friends wrestles with the virtue of faith, the possibility of redemption, and the problem of evil.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: CRIME 101 (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)

Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose high-stakes heists unfolding along the iconic 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads, forcing the two to collaborate. Determined to crack the case, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher. As the multimillion-dollar heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are forced to confront the cost of their choices–and the realization that there’s no turning back.
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I wasn’t sure about seeing Crime 101 at the movies. Was it #PantsWorthy? I mean I enjoy heists. And a relentless detective closing in, always raises the stakes. It’s Chris Hemsworth though. I ain’t totally sold on him yet. Beyond Thors? As a movie star what does he offer me? What can I/should I expect, you know? Still here we are on streaming. Crime 101 is now in session; welcome to the school of hard knocks. (Outta all the major movies streaming in April: The Housemaid, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Deathstalker, Christy, Marty Supreme and even Greenland 2…Crime 101 is the clear winner. But it actually dropped on April 1st, no joke: and then we’re mostly done for the month.)

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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.