In a year that was unlike any TV year we’ve had: 2020 started as expected. Little did we know…
January TV Highlights: Sammy’s #MustSeeTV!
Dracula: Season 1 (Netflix)
At The Time: The basic facts that make Dracula must see tv and why you should invite him into your home! Of course, it’s based on Bram Stoker’s novel however this series is by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat our friends over at Sherlock! (And Doctor Who!!). So that makes it a BBC production (well BBC-Netflix production). It’s 3 episodes though as we saw with Sherlock each episode is over an hour. So I am fully 100% in…I doubt this will…wait for it: suck!
Sammy Verdict: Please sir…can I have some more!
Hip-Hop Evolution: Season 4 (Netflix)
At The Time: The fourth and final season of Netflix’s incredible origin of rap docuseries. All 4 seasons hosted by Shad K. To recap:
Season 1 was DJ Kool Herc and rap’s origin story: Block Parties.
Season 2 was gangsta rap and 90s glory: House Parties.
Season 3 is Jay-Z, OutKast, Snoop Dogg, and more: Award Show Parties.
So: what kind of party will Season 4 be?
Sammy Verdict: While the show’s evolution means focusing only on music and not hip hop’s other tenets: all 4 seasons are impressive in capturing the scope and energy of hip hop. This was the fourth and final season: sad to see it go.
The Circus: Inside the Craziest Political Campaign on Earth: Season 5-Part 1 (Showtime)
At The Time: Season 5 of The Circus starts tonight; season 4 concluded on November 10. Hosted by John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon, and Alex Wagner The Circus is a docu-series covering politics which I know is a turn-off for many people. The issue isn’t the debate, it’s the lack of knowledge fueling the conversations and that’s why I’m recommending this show. Each episode is a dynamic civics lesson providing a genuine revelation of how politics in America actually works. Think of the Schoolhouse Rocks‘ classic how a bill becomes a law: didn’t that make you smarter?
Sammy Verdict: As I’m not interested in tribes or identity politics The Circus is super handy: a neat clean 30 minute summary of the political week. I can figure things out from here; anything above my pay grade I can set aside. Season 6 will start on January 10, 2021, and yes it will 100% be appearing in future editions of #SetTheVCR.
January 2020 TV Experiences & Expectations
January 1
Doctor Who: Series 12 (BBC One)
January 4
Dracula: Season 1 (Netflix)
-See Above
January 6
Manifest: Season 2 (10 p.m. / NBC)
-In June 2020 NBC renewed Manifest for a third season set to premiere in 2021.
January 7
Dave Chappelle: The Mark Twain Prize (9 p.m. / PBS)
January 10
Titans: Season 2 (Netflix)
-This was the Netflix debut: Titans Season 2 ran from September 6, 2019-November 29, 2019 on DC Universe
January 12
The Outsider (9 p.m. & 10 p.m. / HBO)
-In November 2020 HBO passed on a second season (with production company MRC to shop the series to other outlets.).
January 15
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez: Docuseries (Netflix)
January 17
Hip-Hop Evolution: Season 4 (Netflix)
-Final season!
Sex Education: Season 2 (Netflix)
-In February 2020 Netflix renewed Sex Education for a third season.
January 19
Avenue 5 (10 p.m. / HBO)
-In February 2020 Netflix renewed Avenue 5 for a second season.
January 21
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: Season 5 (The CW)
-In January 2020 The CW renewed Legends of Tomorrow for a sixth season (which is set to premiere in midseason 2021.).
Project Blue Book: Season 2 (10 p.m. / History)
-Season 3?! #SaveProjectBlueBook
(ESPN nationally televised Zion Williamson’s debut on Wednesday January 22, as the Pelicans host the Spurs at 930PM ET.)
January 23
The Dead Lands: Season 1 (Shudder)
Star Trek: Picard: Season 1 (CBS All Access)
-In January 2020 CBS All Access renewed Star Trek: Picard for a second season.
January 24
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: Season 3 (Netflix)
-The second part of the second season, dubbed Part 4, is set to be released on December 31, 2020.
-In July 2020 Netflix cancelled the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
The Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow (Netflix)
-In September 2020 Netflix renewed The Goop Lab for a second season.
January 26
The Circus: Inside the Craziest Political Campaign on Earth: Season 5-Part 1 (8 p.m. / Showtime)
-Season 6 begins January 2021 according to Showtime: date not confirmed.
January 27
Justin Bieber: Seasons: Miniseries (YouTube Originals)
January 30
The Stranger: Miniseries (Netflix)
30 for 30: Vick: Part 1 (9 p.m. / ESPN)
30 for 30: Vick: Part 2 (concluded on February 6)
