I kick off 2020 with 2 PBS recommendations and 2 HBO recommendations. This doesn’t mean I am classy or changed just playing the cards I’ve been dealt. Welcome back I’ve been expecting you. Shall we get started?
Sunday, January 5
Sammy Suggestion: Dracula Netlix
Oh I’m still busy watching Dracula. There might be other things on tv right now but I’ve pulled my snuggie up to my chin and have on all the lights in the house.
Monday, January 6
Manifest, Season 2 (Premiere) (10 p.m. / NBC)
Sammy Suggestion: McCarthy: Power Feeds on Fear (9 p.m. / PBS)
The latest episode of PBS’ American Experience documents an individual who has had a profound impact on America and American pop culture: Senator Joseph McCarthy. A profoundly disturbing and modern witch hunt whose goal was to expose and capture subversives. Of course, the problem is that “subversives” is a loosely defined term that led to the harm and destruction of so many lives, families and careers: you throw a rock that big into the water and there will be large and lasting ripple effects. This type of history is eerily prescient; in many ways, we’ve gone full circle. Hopefully, this profile gives us an opportunity to learn from our past mistakes so we can right the future.
Tuesday, January 7
Frontline: Targeting El Paso (10:30 p.m. / PBS)
Sammy Suggestion: Dave Chappelle: The Mark Twain Prize (9 p.m. / PBS)
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is an American award presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts annually since 1998 starting with…Richard Pryor. Well deserved. For tonight’s presentation of the 2019 award to Dave Chappelle, notable performers and storytellers include Neal Brennan, Jon Stewart, Q-Tip, Tiffany Haddish and as you can see from this witty clip, Aziz Ansari:
Wednesday, January 8
Party of Five: Season 1 (9 p.m. Freeform)
Stumptown (10 p.m. ABC)
Sammy Suggestion: Cheer Netflix
I have not watched Last Chance U on Netflix. Have you? Greg Whiteley the creator and co-director of Last Chance U presents Cheer. According to Netflix this new docuseries “follows the cheerleading squad at a community college in a small Texas town as they chase the national title.” America is fascinating because within its borders these surreal sub-cultures flourish. So: let’s Bring It On.
Thursday, January 9
Sammy Suggestion: Titans: Season 1 Netflix
Tomorrow on Netflix Titans: Season 2 will drop. One of #SetTheVCR’s themes is how do you contend with the lengthy gaps between seasons? It’s been about a year since we last saw the Titans. YouTube Videos? Blog recaps? Ask a friend? Watch the whole thing over again? That’s usually what I do.
Friday, January 10
Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector (8 p.m. / NBC)
Bill Burr Presents: The Ringers (11 p.m. / Comedy Central)
One Day at Disney – Episode 106 – “Modern Family: Cast & Crew” (Disney Plus)
Tolkien (Crave)
Sammy Suggestion: Titans: Season 2 Netflix
Back on what according to Titans is the mean streets of Gotham City. Heh. Their Toronto posing as Gotham was better/meaner than Suicide Squad’s Gotham. (Toronto is so not Gotham City, Keystone City for true; Metropolis if it’s Sunny; Philadelphia if it’s Shazam!) When Season 1 ended a mysterious “super-being” designated as Subject 13 escaped the Project Cadmus facility. So… umm. I know you’d suffer a Deathstroke if I share what else we can expect in Season 2.
Saturday, January 11
The Raconteurs and the Black Pumas perform on Austin City Limits. (11:30 p.m. / PBS)
Sammy Suggestion: John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum (8 p.m. / HBO)
I’m suggesting John Wick: Chapter 3 as an ideal Saturday night because hey it’s the weekend. I mean Saturday nights are ideal for getting some action, am I right?
