#SetTheVCR: April 22-28, 2024

Monday, April 22

Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One (Anytime / HBO Max)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: The Anti-Monitor (the Monitor’s evil counterpart) is released in the DC Multiverse and begins to destroy the different Earths that compose it. The Monitor attempts to recruit heroes from across the Multiverse, but is murdered.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HIP-HOP AND THE WHITE HOUSE (ANYTIME / HULU)

Hip-Hop and The White House is a documentary film that unveils the transformative fifty-year history of a world-changing culture, illustrating hip-hop’s journey from outsider status to the pinnacle of power.
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A new documentary anthology series called &360 has been announced by Andscape, the Black multimedia platform from Disney and ESPN. Hip-Hop And The White House directed by Jesse Washington is the first documentary in this anthology. “This documentary showcases the pivotal contributions of artists who created some of the most powerful political songs of all time and explores the experiences of rappers who interacted with presidents and performed inside the world’s most famous residence. Starting from the blighted neighborhoods that created the culture as a result of oppressive presidential policies, Hip-Hop and The White House describes the complex web of influence, culture and celebrity that is now a permanent feature of American politics.” Hip-Hop And The White House features interviews with Jeezy, Common, YG, U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, KRS-One, Roxanne Shante, Bun B, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Grandmaster Caz, Waka Flocka Flame, Chika, and more. Fittingly, it is narrated by Jeezy who released My President of course, about President Barack Obama. So…is &360 the new 30 for 30? Programming Note: Ah…I was getting confused with these two back to back rap documentaries and their similar titles: Hip Hop World on Prime Video dropped on April 16th. That’s DJ Khaled seeking musical inspiration around the world. This recommendation, Hip-Hop and the White House is on Hulu. Narrated by Jeezy about The President’s relationship to hip hop.

Tuesday, April 23

TMZ Presents: Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons (8:00 p.m. / Fox)

A sit down with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone as they discuss for the first time how their once-fierce rivalry led to two Hollywood icons forever being friends and brothers in arms. Programming Note: Streams the next day on Hulu.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE ANTISOCIAL NETWORK: MEMES TO MAYHEM (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

From Rickrolling to viral conspiracy theories, explore how an anonymous website evolved into a hub for real-world chaos in this documentary.
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“What drives user base numbers and revenue is anger. So Facebook or Twitter is making more money as users are getting angrier.” Your anger is a monetizable product. What does that say about you? What does that say about the internet we designed? I get it…sometimes you’ll look cool or you calculate the likes and loves you get for sharing. The dopamine hits are legitimate. But again…this is the internet we have…is this the internet you want? Do you understand how powerful that is? We can have an internet that isn’t a beauty contest. Or filled with fake followers and spambots. We don’t hafta be bonded servants to the algorithms. We can have the internet we want…if we know what we want. Do you know what you want? We can have a social network, not an antisocial network. But…is that what you really, truly want? Your clicks and shares say otherwise.

Wednesday, April 24

The Power of Film: Complete Series (Anytime / HBO Max)

Dives deep into the art of storytelling by examining the defining principles and inner workings of the most popular and memorable American films of all time. A Sammy Suggestion from January 2024 comes to streaming.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: PUPPY LOVE (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO-CANADA)

After a disastrous first date, wild child Nicole and socially anxious Max vow to lose each other’s numbers, until they learn that their dogs found a love match, and now puppies are on the way!
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Lucy Hale’s latest rom-com. This time the boy is Grant Gustin and there are dogs involved. It is what it is. If this doesn’t do it for you well good news: Which Brings Me To You (also Lucy Hale) is on Paramount+ Canada. Also it is what it is.

Thursday, April 25

Velma: Season 2 (Anytime / HBO Max & Crave)

When an even spookier mystery grips Crystal Cove, Velma must find a way to balance her detective work with the demands of her newfound popularity before it’s too late.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: DEAD BOY DETECTIVES (ANYTIME / NETFLIX) 

Dead Boy Detectives is a fresh take on a ghost story that explores loss, grief, and death through the lens of Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland…and their very alive friend, Crystal Palace. It’s a lot like a vintage detective series — only darker and on acid.
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Series Premiere: Have you seen Netflix’s series The Sandman an adaption of the Neil Gaiman comics. (Sandman has been renewed for a second season.) Broadening The Sandman’s world this series features DC Comics super sleuths Dead Boy Detectives. The detective duo of the dead boys Edwin and Charles first appeared in The Sandman #25. (The DC Comics series notably doesn’t fit into James Gunn’s new vision for the DCU, that’s why it’s on Netflix rather than HBO Max.) Instead of crossing over after their deaths, Edwin Payne (died 1916) and Charles Rowland (died 1990) decided to stay on Earth, and together, they’ve become two of the best detectives in England. Their expertise is investigating supernatural crimes, as their work takes them across the world and into the virtual and paranormal. The only case they’ve yet to crack? The mystery of their own deaths. So…are you dying to check out Dead Boy Detectives?

Friday, April 26

Bob Marley: One Love (Anytime / Paramount+)

Celebrate the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love, peace and unity. In this powerful and uplifting film, discover Bob Marley’s incredible story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music that changed the world. Eh? Check out the Marley documentary from 2012.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THANK YOU, GOODNIGHT: THE BON JOVI STORY (ANYTIME / HULU & DISNEY+ CANADA)

The four-part, all access docuseries chronicles the epic past and uncertain future of one of the most recognizable bands in the world and its front-man Jon Bon Jovi.
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I’ll “Always” follow Gotham Chopra; even when he doesn’t make sports docs. (Though, honestly “We Weren’t Born to Follow.”) Bon Jovi, a band perpetually “Livin’ on a Prayer” has scored a Last Dance. “I’ll Be There for You” soon as it’s on Hulu. Together we’ll go out in a “Blaze of Glory.” A list of American Superheroes who “Keep The Faith:” Houdini, Evel Knievel, Michael Jordan, Laird Hamilton, Tony Hawk. Oh and Bon Jovi…he’s wanted dead or alive! This is that story. Surprised it’s not called “It’s My Life.” But then life is rarely a “Bed of Roses.” I’ll “Runaway” now before these music puns get outta hand.

Saturday, April 27

City Hunter (Anytime / Netflix)

An exceptional marksman and hopeless playboy, private eye Ryo Saeba reluctantly forms an alliance with his late partner’s sister to investigate his death. The popular manga gets a live-action adaptation made in Japan.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: FLOAT (ANYTIME / CRAVE)

After she nearly drowns, a young woman unexpectedly falls for the small-town lifeguard who rescued her. Based on the novel by Kate Marchant.
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Float is Sherren Lee’s feature film debut, how dope is that? She also co-wrote this adaptation of the novel by Kate Marchant. (Originally A Wattpad teen-romance story.) As our My Summer Lair conversation unfolds Sherren reveals: “yes, it’s a love story, but it’s also a story about, you know, taking responsibility for your relationships and having the courage to be really honest about how you feel and sort of putting yourself out there in a way that people can really understand you and what you want and how you’re feeling.” The bathing suits are cute, the drama is delightful and the romance is romantic. What’s not to love? Do I get any points for not saying this movie will Float your boat?

Sunday, April 28

Goodbye Earth (Anytime / Netflix)

The world is in utter chaos with only 200 days left until an asteroid collides with Earth, but some remain determined to make the most of each remaining day and their humanity to the very end in this Netflix series.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ANYONE BUT YOU (ANYTIME / CRAVE & NETFLIX-US)

After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben’s fiery attraction turns ice-cold–until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple.
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Move over Lucy Hale: Sydney Sweeney is making rom-coms, now. The boy is Glen Powell and their fiery hot attraction has turned ice cold. Classic Americans: they’re gonna fake it until they make it. In the shower. It Is What It Is.

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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.