Skip to content
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • PodBean
  • Subscribe To My Pal Sammy Newsletter
  • ABOUT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

My Summer Lair

Think NPR's Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: My Summer Lair with host Sammy Younan: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

  • Home
  • Podcast
    • My Summer Lair
    • Space Station Oddity
  • Set The VCR
  • New Book Alert
  • True Sammy Stories
  • Toggle search form

#SetTheVCR: January 16 – 22, 2023

Posted on January 16, 2023May 17, 2024 By Sammy Younan No Comments on #SetTheVCR: January 16 – 22, 2023

Two Canadians: one esteemed, one disgraced, Al Pacino is hunting Hitler and The Daily Show host is regenerating…kinda. It’s not strange if it’s on TV; it’s #SetTheVCR!

Monday, January 16

The Calling: Season 1 (9 p.m. / Showcase)

Canadian Broadcast Premiere (aired November 10, 2022 on Peacock): The Calling is your classic NYPD TV show; an investigative drama unfolding over 8 episodes. The series tells the story of NYPD Detective Avraham Avraham, whose belief in mankind is his superpower when it comes to uncovering the truth.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: HALLELUJAH: LEONARD COHEN, A JOURNEY, A SONG (ANYTIME / CRAVE)

This feature-length documentary explores the life of singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen as seen through the prism of his internationally renowned hymn, Hallelujah.
~~~

Hallelujah another Leonard Cohen documentary! “This feature-length documentary weaves together three creative strands: The songwriter and his times. The song’s dramatic journey from record label reject to chart-topping hit. And moving testimonies from major recording artists for whom Hallelujah has become a personal touchtone.” Indeed if you’re a creative individual this documentary is inspiring for how Cohen crafts his work. And for recognizing the legacy he is going to leave behind (well left behind…he was alive when production on this doc began, he’s been dead since 2016). This is the scintillating origin of the hit song on the Shrek soundtrack. Programming Note: The AGO’s (in Toronto) Leonard Cohen exhibition (on now!) is magnificent. Don your Famous Blue Raincoat and go because Closing Time is in The Future and Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye. Everybody Knows you should go today.

Tuesday, January 17

Truth & Lies (9 p.m. / TVO)

Each episode of Truth & Lies unpacks the fascinating—and often infuriating—details of history’s greatest deceits, from falsifying justifications for war to spreading conspiracy theories to engaging in scandalous corruption. Episode 1: Conspiracy – Conspiracy theories feed on insecurity and have the potential for incredible destruction.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE DAILY SHOW (11 P.M. / COMEDY CENTRAL)

The Daily Show unpacks urgent issues in a compelling way, helping audiences make sense of the world around them.
~~~

In Doctor Who when an actor’s time as the Doctor is up it prompts a golden regeneration scene. This is the audience’s cue that a new Doctor…with a different fashion style, odd personality quirks is taking over. After 7 years Trevor Noah wrapped up his Daily Show run in early December. It is time for the Comedy Central “Fake News” show host to regenerate yet again as we witnessed with Trevor Noah who followed Jon Stewart. But before a new host with a different fashion style, odd personality quirks sits behind the desk “Comedy Greats and All-Star Correspondents” will kick off the next chapter as Guest Hosts starting tonight. The witty line up includes: Al Franken, Chelsea Handler, D. L. Hughley, John Leguizamo, Hasan Minhaj, Kal Penn, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes, Marlon Wayans who’ll all be joined with classic correspondents and contributors. First up is Leslie Jones tonight. I dunno if he wants the gig but I’m rooting for Roy Wood Jr. to become the new host; he’s outstanding.

Wednesday, January 18

Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (Anytime / HBO Max)

The 46th installment in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies and the first fully-CGI animated film from DC Entertainment comes to HBO Max today. Yes indeed; based on the popular comic book series Super Sons. (Highly Recommended Reading.)
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE HUNTERS: SEASON 2 (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)

After an accident derails their exploits in Europe, the Hunters must band back together to hunt down history’s most infamous Nazi, Adolf Hitler, who’s hiding in South America.
~~~

The debut season of Hunters followed a diverse band of Nazi hunters including Al Pacino living in 1977 New York City. The Hunters have discovered that hundreds of Nazi officials are living among us and conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the United States. Replace Eliot Ness with Al Pacino, the Untouchables with Hunters and substitute booze for Nazis and you get this Prime TV show. For this second (and final) season The Nazi is still alive: Hitler. (So…yeah Al Capone.) Though beyond that revelation is Al Pacino nurturing a secret? The entire season is now out; this is a binge release. Programming Note: The Hunters released an official six-episode companion podcast series Chutzpah: Hunters Presents True Stories of Resistance on December 13 if you want to Hunt that down.

Thursday, January 19

The Undeclared War: Season 1 (9 p.m. / Showcase)

Canadian Broadcast Premiere (aired June 30, 2022 on Peacock): Simon Pegg stars in this cyber thriller: You Got Mail meets…Sneakers I guess? Set in 2024, The Undeclared War tracks a leading team of analysts buried in the heart of GCHQ, secretly working to ward off a series of cyber-attacks on the UK in the run up to a general election.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: SICK (ANYTIME / PEACOCK)

As the pandemic steadily brings the world to a halt, Parker and her best friend Miri decide to quarantine at the family lake house alone – or so they think.
~~~

Kevin Williamson’s latest…you know the dude who wrote Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer is Sick, now streaming on Peacock. Parker and her best friend Miri decide to quarantine at the family lake house alone…yeah we all know how that is gonna go. Remember the classic Scream opening? Poor Drew Barrymore thought she was all alone in the house…turns out, she wasn’t. So who will survive this movie? Parker or her best friend Miri?

Friday, January 20

HBO Max TV Talk Premieres: Real Time with Bill Maher: Season 21 (10 p.m.)
Game Theory With Bomani Jones: Season 2 (11 p.m. / HBO Max)

Dealer’s Choice: Bill Maher talking politics & Bomani Jones talking sports returns for your Ear Joy.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: AMBULANCE (ANYTIME / CRAVE)

Needing money to cover his wife’s medical bills, a decorated veteran teams up with his adoptive brother to steal $32 million from a Los Angeles bank.
~~~

Michael Bay + the biggest bank heist in Los Angeles history: $32 million + their getaway goes spectacularly wrong = Ambulance. That totally adds up.

Saturday, January 21

Amber: The Girl Behind The Alert (Anytime / Peacock)

This is the story of Amber Hagerman, the girl whose abduction and murder inspired the Amber Alert – which has since saved over 1000 kids. Amber’s case remains unsolved.
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: SHADOWLAND: DOCUSERIES (9 P.M. & 10 P.M. / HISTORY CHANNEL CANADA)

A shocking wakeup call about the dangerous influence of conspiracy thinking on the functioning of our democracy, as families, friends, and the nation are increasingly being torn apart.
~~~

The past September Peacock ran a virtual DocFest featuring 6 documentaries. The first one aired on September 14: a COVID doc on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Not particularly compelling. However their second documentary in that TV film festival, Shadowland is gripping. Here’s the description: “Shadowland, a deeply immersive six-part docuseries, reveals how conspiracy theories have moved from the margins to the mainstream, exploring how people come to their beliefs, and what makes these theories so alluring. The series is a shocking wakeup call about the dangerous influence of conspiracy thinking on the functioning of our democracy, as families, friends, and the nation are increasingly being torn apart.” Should be much better than Daredevil’s 2010 crossover event Shadowland. Programming Note: all 6 episodes of this docuseries are on Peacock. This is the Canadian Broadcast Premiere with the first two episodes tonight.

Sunday, January 22

Mayor of Kingstown: Season 2 (Anytime / Paramount+)

The series follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Kingstown, Michigan, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. (Godspeed Jeremy Renner)
~~

SAMMY SUGGESTION: OFFSIDE: THE HAROLD BALLARD STORY (8 P.M. / CBC & CBC GEM)

The tragic and true story of the Toronto Make Me Laughs…
~~~

Jason Priestley’s pandemic project debuts today on CBC; it had its world premiere at the Whistler Film Festival back in December. Priestley’s documentary focuses on Harold Ballard who owned the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1972 until his death in 1990. Basically? Ballard was a Canadian Donald Sterling who drove the Original Six hockey team into the ground; he fired 13 coaches and six general managers during his reign. He was misogynistic, homophobic and racist all on the record too; though many of his comments with aligned with past societal values. (Documentaries like this are great because they reveal how far we’ve come while underscoring many of the common values we hold today will be super cringey to future generations; thankfully we’ll all be dead.) So those are the basic bio beats of Harold Ballard but who was he really? This is what Priestley will unpack in this decidedly unCanadian heritage minute. Programming Note: The Leafs won their last championship in 1967. Their 48-season drought between championships is currently the longest in the NHL. And yet with an estimated worth of US$1.3 billion, the Leafs are the most valuable franchise in the NHL. So that’s where they are these days.

–28-

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

Set The VCR Tags:#SetTheVCR, Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, Streaming TV

Post navigation

Previous Post: #SetTheVCR: January 09 – 15, 2023
Next Post: #SetTheVCR: January 23 – 29, 2023

More Related Articles

#SetTheVCR: April 11 – 17, 2022 Set The VCR
#SetTheVCR: May 17-23, 2021 Set The VCR
#SetTheVCR: November 8-14, 2020 Set The VCR
#SetTheVCR: September 09-15, 2024 Set The VCR
#SetTheVCR: July 5-11, 2020 Set The VCR
#SetTheVCR: October 23-29, 2023 Set The VCR

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • #SetTheVCR: May 12-18, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Do you have Heart Eyes for fresh TV Recommendations without all the Overcompensating puns? The puns are here to stay that’s what makes it #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: May 05-11, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Even with your Poker Face I can tell you’re seeking TV Recommendations for your Safe House. No worries with this week’s #SetTheVCR I got it in The Black Bag.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 28 – May 04, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    April showers bring May TV listings: these TV recommendations cover all Four Seasons. It’s #SetTheVCR where I put the On in Conan.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 21-27, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    TV Recommendations can be Havoc; You need help. Well Babygirl: I got you; it's your TV Companion: #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 14-20, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    I hope you're a light Nightsleeper because the NBA Playoffs start this week. Will a new champion be Minted? Only way to know is to #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 07-13, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    For this week's TV Recommendations we stare into The Abyss and a Black Mirror stares back. Welcome to #SetTheVCR which is about as comfortable and as cool as Morningside.
  • #SetTheVCR: March 31 – April 06, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Secrets and Serial Killers pepper this week’s TV Recommendations. A combo like that can only mean it’s #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: March 24-30, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    You'll wanna Bogart these fantastic TV Recommendations: they go from Holland to MobLand. Of course it's not a Complete Unknown, why yes it's #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: March 17-23, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    These TV Recommendations will make you don a Happy Face: from magic of David Blaine to the Madness of March. It's #SetTheVCR here for all of Your Tomorrow TV needs.
  • #SetTheVCR: March 10-16, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    From an Electric State to a Beach party these TV Recommendations will make you a Better Man. It maybe Cold outside but #SetTheVCR is warm and just what you are Kraven.
  • #CouchWorthy: 2025 Key Midseason & Premiere Dates – April 2025March 28, 2025
    #SetTheVCR is your weekly TV Guide by Sammy Younan to help you plan a fantastic TV schedule from must-watch TV shows to fun discoveries.
  • #CouchWorthy: 2025 Key Midseason & Premiere Dates – March 2025February 28, 2025
    #SetTheVCR is your weekly TV Guide by Sammy Younan to help you plan a fantastic TV schedule from must-watch TV shows to fun discoveries.
  • Morning Tea: The Rocky III-Peat…February 9, 2025
    What's popping in popular culture? My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan steeps some seriously serious tea which prompts reflections.
  • #CouchWorthy: 2025 Key Midseason & Premiere Dates – February 2025January 31, 2025
    #SetTheVCR is your weekly TV Guide by Sammy Younan to help you plan a fantastic TV schedule from must-watch TV shows to fun discoveries.
  • #CouchWorthy: Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-ManJanuary 28, 2025
    Following Peter Parker on his way to becoming a hero. Or is is "Peter Parker?" The stand alone vs continuity debate.
  • #CouchWorthy: The Countdown to NBA Saturday Primetime on ABCJanuary 22, 2025
    NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC– the marquee, national NBA game of the week kicks off on January 25 with a classic Tripleheader.

  • Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    Under-Review: Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    by Sammy Younan
    My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan reviews Batman - Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: OvertureL Volume 1,
  • New Book Alert: California Bear
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Music Was Just Getting Good
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Ascent
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: Fantastic Four by Ryan North Volume 2
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?

Copyright © 2025 My Summer Lair.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme