Sammy Younan
Girth Radio Presents…
This week has lots of excellent TV recommendations we just sadly end on a somber note with a Chadwick Boseman movie. I mean that whole thing is strange. Thankfully there’s lots of tv to distract and help process that.
Sunday, August 30
Sammy Suggestion: The Circus (8 p.m. / Showtime & Crave)
The Circus this week will nearly recap the Republican National Convention which unfolded all this week. As the Showtime show wonderfully summed up the Democratic National Convention last Sunday. A quick and digestible 30 minutes: I’m not interested in shock or outrage or unmasking liars like a Scooby-Doo villain: just tell me what’s the what. Bonus: this neatly follows the NBA’s recent Vote initiatives.
Monday, August 31
Sammy Suggestion: This Joka with Will Smith (Anytime / Quibi)
Based on the cold reception it’s gotten so far it appears Quibi is the joke. Well, today the new streaming service offers what all the streaming services initially offer: stand up comedy. This one though is hosted by “joka” Will Smith so that’s fresh. The comedy line up is: Baron Vaughn, Megan Gailey, Punkie Johnson, Sean Patton, Rosebud Baker, Shane Torres, Clayton English, Christi Chiello, Vanessa Gonzalez, Martin Urbano, Sam Tallent, David Gborie, Jackie Fabulous, Chris Estrada, Rell Battle, and Daphnique Springs. If you don’t know any of em it’s because this is the “next generation of comics.” Oh, and Will Smith will not be performing stand up; rather he’ll be interviewing the comics as well as hosting the show. Quibi is…trying you know? That’s all we ask.
Tuesday, September 1
Sammy Suggestion: Blue Iguana (Anytime / Crackle)
Small-time crooks (one played by Sam Rockwell…dude is always funny and charming in that order) are on parole when they’re approached with an offer they can’t refuse. You can tell by the length of the movie they accepted the offer to steal a rare jewel called the Blue Iguana. And you can tell from the trailer that this is a comedy which means the heist is not going to go according to plan. It’s September 1…the season has shifted and Summer is coming to a close: do you always wanna be a small-time crook or this fall do you really wanna apply yourself and become a big-time crook? The choice like the motivation is yours to make and take.
Wednesday, September 2
Sammy Suggestion: Freaks (Anytime / Netflix)
And now…a German superhero film! And…it’s about a fry cook named Wendy who discovers she has super strength who finds other super “freaks.” These Germans believe they’re the next evolution. Oh Oh. Should be exciting if you’re currently reading Jonathan Hickman’s outstanding X-Men run…also about another madcap group of freaks.
Thursday, September 3
Raised By Wolves: Season 1 (Anytime / HBO Max)
Bettor Days: Season 1 (Anytime / ESPN+)
Sammy Suggestion: Love, Guaranteed (Anytime / Netflix)
Damon Wayans Jr. is looking for a New Girl. However, his rom-com obstacle is that love is not guaranteed. Frustrated with dating service dregs he hires Rachel Leigh Cook a She’s All That lawyer to sue the service. That works as a how did you meet story right?
Friday, September 4
The Boys: Season 2 (Anytime / Amazon Prime)
A Most Beautiful Thing (Anytime / Peacock)
Away: Season 1 (Anytime / Netflix)
The Way Back (Anytime / Crave)
Mulan (Anytime / Disney+)
Sammy Suggestion: i’m thinking of ending things (Anytime / Netflix)
Like Woody Allen, Charlie Kaufman has become a movie genre. The writer of Being John Malkovich and the sublime Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind shifted to become a writer and director (hence the Woody Allen comparison). His movies are strange; they’re not always linear or adequately based on reality unless you count the genuine emotions. The premise of his latest sounds simple: “a young woman who joins her boyfriend on a road trip to meet his family.” However, it’s a Charlie Kaufman movie so expect the surreal which is the fertile soil of comedy.
Saturday, September 5
Spies in Disguise (9 p.m. / HBO)
Sammy Suggestion: 21 Bridges (9 p.m. / Showtime)
Friday’s sudden passing of Chadwick Boseman blindsided the pop culture community. That’s the thing…thanks to science we can live comfortably well into our 80s and 90s now but that’s not a guarantee. Unfortunately, some people get shorter journeys that others. So in a strange bit of timing Showtime had scheduled what is now one of his final films 21 Bridges a while back. This is a manhunt movie (this generation’s The Fugitive just not as fun as waterfall jumping.) where “Manhattan is completely locked down for the first time in its history – no exit or entry to the island including all 21 bridges.” All you leave behind is the work so make it as good as you can.
