#SetTheVCR: March 16-22, 2026

Monday, March 16

Clairtone (Anytime / Crave)

Acclaimed director Ron Mann delves into the captivating rise and fall of Clairtone Sound Corporation, an audacious Canadian electronics company founded by Peter Munk and David Gilmour during the vibrant 1960s. I actually don’t know this story, so a documentary is most useful.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T (ANYTIME / STARZ)

The Four Horsemen return along with a new generation of illusionists performing mind-melding twists, turns, surprises, and magic unlike anything ever captured on film.
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Do you believe in magic? If you dig Mission Impossible trickery and Fast & Furious’ emphasis on family (with a blatant disregard for all physics) Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is satisfying. Though! What’s up with the loser youths added to this third entry? I’m not invested in their careers or their characters. No Hand-Off Movies! My primary concern going into Now You See Me 3 was it was gonna be a hand-off movie. I despise the studio hand-off; like it’s Hollywood charity. Let’s give these youthful losers a venerable movie franchise (see last Die Hard, Indiana Jones 4, Bad Boys etc.). Hell no: No Hand-Off Movies! Back in April 2025 Lionsgate confirmed Now You See Me 4 is coming soon. (Whatever soon means.) Let’s see if they wisely remain with the OG Four Horsemen. It’s not an illusion; the new cast of youthful magicians do suck. (I didn’t like Lizzy Caplan replacing Isla Fisher who was on baby time and couldn’t film 2.) The youths are as lame as Scream 7 controversial casting. They can’t make magic happen.

Tuesday, March 17

Odd Thomas (Anytime / Prime Video-Canada)

In a California desert town, a short-order cook with clairvoyant abilities encounters a mysterious man with a link to dark, threatening forces. A rare Dean Koontz adaptation. Considering how many Stephen King movies we’ve had (like even in the last 2 years) how come we don’t get that many Dean Koontz? And is this any good? It came out in 2013.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MARK NORMAND: NONE TOO PLEASED (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

Mark Normand turns married life, fatherhood and hot-button topics into rapid-fire punchlines in this witty free-for-all where nothing is off limits.
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As it’s appropriately titled, Mark makes insightful comedic observations on everything from Soup to Nuts. That was his 2023 comedy special on Netflix. Do you know Mark? He’s super dry, been on Conan a bunch of times when Conan was on TV and his other comedy special (also food named!) is Out to Lunch. That’s a YouTube link so you can check that out; get a sense of his comedy. I’m ecstatic he’s returned to Netflix and going to connect with a wider audience. His comedy style is relentlessly punchy, like an edgy yet dry Jerry Seinfeld. He’s an excellent joke writer and one of our best modern day comics. Sit back, you’re gonna enjoy this. I expect you’ll be Too Pleased.

Wednesday, March 18

Agatha Christie Library (Anytime / Hulu)

The Queen of Mystery comes to Hulu. Series adaptations of the world’s best-selling author arriving on the service include Agatha Christie’s Marple, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Partners in Crime, The Seven Dials Mystery (1981, and more.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ANNIVERSARY (ANYTIME / HULU)

When Ellen and Paul’s son introduces his new girlfriend one lovely afternoon at their 25th anniversary party, no one suspects that it is the beginning of the end for this happy family. The new girlfriend is Liz, Ellen’s former student expelled from the university some years before for her radical views.
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I suppose this is a cautionary tale about politics. White people often say don’t talk politics over the dinner table so I totally get why this movie edges into the horror genre. That is scary for em. (Look at how wretched political discourse is on social media. Great! You said all the right things and you’re not a racist. Here’s a cookie.) Wanna create tension with white people? Reject the established narrative and you know…think for yourself. Read books. Watch documentaries. Question as much as you can. When you can…even if it’s not your Anniversary.

Thursday, March 19

Melania (Anytime / Prime Video)

Melania offers unprecedented access to the 20 days leading up to the 2025 Presidential Inauguration – through the eyes of the First Lady herself. Step inside Melania Trump’s world as she orchestrates inauguration plans, navigates the complexities of the White House transition, and moves her family back to the Nation’s Capital. With exclusive footage capturing critical meetings, private conversations, and never-before-seen environments, Melania showcases Mrs. Trump’s return to one of the world’s most powerful roles. It Is What It Is.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MEAL TICKET (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)

Jordan, Kobe, Candace, and Shaq—before these legends made it big, they had to prove themselves on the same parquet floor: the magical McDonald’s All American Games. Since 1977, basketball’s most famous annual exhibitions of next-generation talent have catapulted high school seniors into the NBA and WNBA, and, for many, turned their dreams of superstardom into reality.
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Often, the way to know if someone is a true fan is if they’re rocking an NBA player’s McDonald’s All American Game jersey. Anyone can wear a Jordan-Bulls jersey or a Kobe-Lakers jersey. That don’t make you special; that makes you common. This game is special. “Meal Ticket tells the story of this epic cultural phenomenon through the eyes of the legends it’s created, the lives it’s changed, and the communities it’s transformed.” The McDonald’s All American Game is high school basketball’s most prestigious showcase, serving as the definitive proving ground for future NBA stars since 1977. For Michael Jordan, the 1981 game served as a critical bridge between his high school days at Laney and his legendary career at UNC (and later of course…in the NBA.). That game, played during his senior year of high school, transformed him into a highly touted recruit. It was the start of the Jordan legend, following being cut by his high school coach. (Jordan scored 30 points in his 1981 game. Yes he’s a high school senior. Jordan was always…Jordan.) So yes, this is an important basketball documentary. “Interviews include McDonald’s All Americans Blake Griffin, JJ Redick, Grant Hill, Flau’jae Johnson, Jalen Rose, Patrick Ewing, Dereck Lively II, Candace Parker, Dominique Wilkins, Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce, Breanna Stewart, Alonzo Mourning, A’ja Wilson, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Chris Mullin, among others. The film celebrates the contributions of legendary coaches John Wooden and Morgan Wootten, who helped bring the concept of the country’s premier high school all-star game to life.” Play well during this game and you can earn a tasty Meal Ticket.

Friday, March 20

Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (Anytime / Prime Video)

Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat is a documentary-style comedy that captures a corporate offsite event at a family-owned hot sauce company from the perspective of Anthony, a recently hired temporary worker. Unbeknownst to Anthony, the entire experience is staged, every colleague around him is performing a role, and each moment – whether in conference rooms or during downtime – has been meticulously orchestrated. As the founder prepares to step down, the getaway becomes a clash between big corporate ambitions and small-business values, with the company’s control hanging in the balance.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE RISE OF THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: OUR BROTHER, HILLEL (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

An in-depth look at the formative years of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the profound influence of original guitarist, Hillel Slovak. The film explores the band’s early evolution in LA and the deep bonds forged through their friendship.
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Wow, there’s a lot going on here. 1: Is the first ever Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary? A band that big doesn’t have any docs? How? Why? 2: Hillel Slovak was great. However, his tragic death opened the door for John Frusciante who is Good. The band got better after Slovak. 3: “We had nothing to do with it creatively. We have yet to make a Red Hot Chili Peppers documentary.” Yes! I dig this tension. That’s a band quote from this Variety article. How do you honour Hillel Slovak without making a doc-puff piece? How much input from the Chili Peppers is too much input? Who controls the narrative? That’s on the documentary side of the house. As for the band issues…well that’s mostly common knowledge. Hillel Slovak died at home in Los Angeles on June 25, 1988; as the result of an heroin overdose. Born in Haifa, Israel, Hillel moved to America when he was just four years old. Slovak met Anthony Kiedis, Flea and Jack Irons while attending Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. It Begins. Hillel Slovak was 26 years old when he died. For now…we pay respects Hillel Slovak. Who sadly, wasn’t long for this world. By The Way, until we see him on the Otherside, we remain with his high school Friends.

Saturday, March 21

Invincible: Season 4 (Anytime / Prime Video)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: While the world recovers from catastrophe, a changed Mark fights to protect his home and the people he loves, setting him on a collision course with a threat that could alter the fate of humanity forever.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE UK
(ANYTIME / CRAVE & PEACOCK & SKY)

Featuring an ensemble cast of sketch comedy performers, musical performances, and a special celebrity guest each week, it is created and executive produced by Lorne Michaels, who also created and executive produces the American version.
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“Live From London…it’s Saturday Night…” sounds so weird. UK SNL; is an eight-episode series…so like Saturday Night Live just with real UK accents. “SNL UK marks the first-ever UK version of the legendary format, bringing the show’s signature live, fast-paced energy to British audiences. The series will follow the same beloved structure as the original, introducing a new generation of comedy players in a core cast, alongside a rotating slate of guest hosts and live musical performances.” The inaugural show will be hosted by Tina Fey, with musical guest Wet Leg. March 28 will be hosted by Jamie Dornan, with musical guest Wolf Alice. The April 4 show will be hosted by Riz Ahmed, with musical guest Kasabian. I’ll check out an episode or two…I dunno who any of these funny people are, though. I dunno how to feel about all of this. I’ve been with US-SNL for decades so UK-SNL feels like stepping out with a younger, hotter girlfriend. Best I can hope for…is that this isn’t a midlife crisis. Programming Note: Lorne is an upcoming documentary on well…Lorne Michaels and it opens on April 17.

Sunday, March 22

The Comeback: Season 3 (Anytime / HBO Max & Crave)

A decade after season two, the HBO Original comedy series The Comeback, from Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow, will return again for a third and final season. More chaotic attempts at relevance.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: 1000 WOMEN IN HORROR (ANYTIME / SHUDDER)

This documentary offers a deep dive into how women pioneers revolutionized horror cinema through their groundbreaking work as directors, actors, and creators since 1895, leaving an indelible mark on the genre’s evolution. A deep dive into how women pioneers revolutionized horror cinema through their groundbreaking work as directors, actors, and creators since 1895, leaving an indelible mark on the genre’s evolution. Featuring interviews with Roxanne Benjamin, Akela Cooper, Mary Harron, Cerise Howard, Kier-La Janisse, Nikyatu Jusu, Roseanne Liang, Annalise Lockhart, Toby Poser, Sara Risher, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Kate Siegel, Jenn Wexler, and more.
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Yo: Spit on that Grave. “Is horror a man’s world? You might assume so – but you won’t be thinking that way for long once you investigate the vast contribution women have made to horror movies for well over a century. In 2020, award-winning Australian critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas released the definitive book on the subject: 1000 Women in Horror, 1895–2018, an encyclopedic work celebrating the many women – filmmakers, actors, producers and technicians – who have shaped the genre since the moment cinema’s light first flickered.” 1000 Women in Horror is directed by Donna Davies and written by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. It features Roxanne Benjamin, Akela Cooper, Mary Harron, Cerise Howard, Kier-La Janisse, Nikyatu Jusu, Roseanne Liang, Annalise Lockhart, Toby Poser, Sara Risher, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Kate Siegel and Jenn Wexler. Always a big fan of Shudder’s documentaries and docuseries. And this one should be fun; woman of ill repute…which is the best kind.

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