Hope you like super sports because for some odd reason most of my picks are sporty.
Sunday, January 26
Avenue 5: Season 1 (10 p.m. / HBO)
Sammy Suggestion: The Circus: Inside the Craziest Political Campaign on Earth (8 p.m. / Showtime)
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?
Monday, January 27
Justin Bieber: Seasons (12 p.m. / YouTube)
Super Bowl Greatest Commercials 2020 (9 p.m. / CBS)
Sammy Suggestion: Unbanned: The Legend of AJ1 (Anytime / Crave)
I cannot believe Unbanned is on Crave; this is amazing. So in 1984 with the third pick of the NBA draft, the Chicago Bulls selected Michael Jordan. After being dismissed by adidas Jordan signed with Nike and that season debuted the Air Jordan 1. Which…was quickly banned by the NBA because the shoe colours violated the “uniformity of uniform rule.” Meaning they did not match. (The NBA removed all colour restrictions on footwear in August 2018. Players can wear whatever they want now…and thankfully they do.) Of course, marketing 101 dictates that if your shoe is banned the brand will grow. So this documentary explores the man and the myths and the cultural impact that this banned shoe has (present tense) on our pop culture. “Unbanned explores the dynamic life of AJ1 from its unlikely origins to its role in disrupting NBA rules, birthing sneaker culture, and influencing a social and cultural revolution.” So good. Enjoy this one.
Tuesday, January 28
Miracle Workers (Season 2): Dark Ages (10:30 p.m. / TBS)
Sammy Suggestion: American Experience: The Poison Squad (9 p.m. / PBS)
Remember when cocaine was in Coca-Cola? Well, there’s a reason why you can’t buy cocaine laced soft drinks anymore (I think. I know every city has those shady streets where money talks…). The Poison Squad is the latest American Experience episode and it profiles the creation of the Food and Drug Administration. Hint: they used scientists. Remember those guys? Yeah, science!
Wednesday, January 29
Sammy Suggestion: Omniscient (Anytime / Netflix)
A Brazilian thriller about a murder that somehow goes un-surveilled “in a future where each citizen is monitored 24/7 by a drone.” The future? Awkward: I thought that was the present.
Thursday, January 30
The Dead Lands: Season 1 Shudder
Sammy Suggestion: 30 for 30: Vick (9 p.m. / ESPN)
The latest 30 for 30 is something to watch as I impatiently await June’s release of The Last Dance a 10 part Netflix/ESPN doc-series about the Bulls’ 1997–98 season. For now, this 30 for 30 on NFL quarterback Michael Vick is told in two parts. Part 1 is tonight then #SetTheVCR for February 6 for Vick: Part 2.
Friday, January 31
BoJack Horseman (Anytime / Netflix)
Sammy Suggestion: Uncut Gems (Anytime / Netflix)
Yet another key reminder that Adam Sandler continues to not only win but thrive. The Sand Man’s business plan is impeccable. His Netflix deal has allowed him incredible freedom, much success and given us a number of…gems. Yes! It’s no surprise he plays a smooth-talking hustler in this movie. As the kids say it’s got buzz.
Saturday, February 1
Sammy Suggestion: Super Bowl LIV Music Fest (11 p.m. / Fox)
There’s something called a Super Bowl tomorrow which for most Canadians just means an opportunity to enjoy chili and chicken wings. We may not know what a Super Bowl is but we know who Guns N’ Roses are so that’s super, right? Gunners played last night and tonight Maroon 5 plays. Why you need two nights of Super Bowl music I dunno.
Sunday, February 2
Sammy Suggestion: Super Bowl LIV (6:30 p.m. / Fox)
It’s chili and chicken wings O’clock. The Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers battle it out for NFL supremacy and greatness at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. And you know what? This has the potential to be a solid game. I expect the game to be close, the Chiefs to win, the commercials to be memorable and the chili to be spicy.
