#SetTheVCR: March 25-31, 2024

Monday, March 25

The Mentalist Complete Series (Anytime / Hulu)

If you like magic or even Will Trent you’ll dig this. Simon Baker stars as Patrick Jane, an independent consultant with the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) who has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his razor sharp skills of observation. Within the Bureau, Jane is notorious for his blatant lack of protocol and his semi-celebrity past as a psychic medium, whose paranormal abilities he now admits he feigned. Jane’s role in cracking a series of tough high-profile cases is greatly valued by his fellow agents.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: SOMETIMES I THINK ABOUT DYING (ANYTIME / HOOPLA)

Fran, who likes to think about dying, makes the new guy at work laugh, which leads to dating and more. Now the only thing standing in their way is Fran herself.
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Daisy Ridley, who you know from recent Star Wars movies plays Fran and sometimes she thinks about dying. Fran works in a deadpan office although even when she’s at work she’s not always there. She’s in her head a lot. The character study deepens when Dave Merheje shows up. (You know Dave from Ramy.) He plays Robert and he’s excited to join Fran’s office. Their unusual and slightly awkward connection prompts her to sometimes think about life especially as they start dating. A tidy summary: “Lost on the dreary Oregon coast, Fran (Ridley) finds solace in her cubicle, listening to the constant hum of officemates and occasionally daydreaming to pass the time. She is ghosting through life, unable to pop her bubble of isolation, when a friendly new coworker, Robert (Merheje), persistently tries to connect with her. Though it goes against every fiber of her being, she may have to give this guy a chance.” When nothing used to happen now something’s happening. Check out the popular indie as well this recent My Summer Lair interview with Dave Merheje and Rachel Lambert, the director.

Tuesday, March 26

Sherlock: The Full Series (Anytime / Hulu)

In this contemporary version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective stories, Dr. John Watson is a war vet just home from Afghanistan. He meets new flatmate, the brilliant but eccentric Holmes, and almost as soon as Watson moves into the Baker Street flat, they are embroiled in mysteries, and Sherlock’s nemesis, Moriarty, appears to have a hand in the crimes. Will we ever get new episodes of this freshtastic series?
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: GOOD ONE: A SHOW ABOUT JOKES (ANYTIME / PEACOCK)

Mike Birbiglia begins an unpredictable journey developing new material from personal truths. The result is an immersive look at the craft of comedy from the ground up and a unique snapshot of the intersection between process and personal.
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If you know Mike Birbiglia (and can pronounce his last name) you’re excited. If you don’t know who Mike Birbiglia (and like me can’t pronounce his last name) you should check it out. Birbiglia’s stage work is like stand up comedy layered as a one man show in one delicious food. Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Jim Gaffigan etc. are comics…they tell jokes. Mike Birbiglia shares funny stories that have an attractive intimacy. It’s being awkward with none of the angst junk. And he serenely deconstructs his humour and his work on his podcast: Good One: A Podcast About Jokes. This special is an adaptation of his comedy autopsy podcast. The trailer has an incredible hook, he says: “You don’t want to be pretty good. You want to be great!” Exactly. And that’s why this special…is call Good One.

Wednesday, March 27

Testament: The Story of Moses (Anytime / Netflix)

An epic three-episode series exploring the life of Moses and his rise from outcast and murderer to prophet and liberator of the Hebrews. From the banks of the Nile to Mount Sinai to the Red Sea, Testament seamlessly interweaves gripping docudrama and expert interviews, revealing Moses’ intensely personal quest for redemption – setting in motion some of the most inspiring and iconic events in the Bible, Qur’an and Torah. Yup: Moses scored a Last Dance.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: KINGS FROM QUEENS: THE RUN DMC STORY (9 P.M. / THE HISTORY CHANNEL )

The never-been-told story of RUN DMC, a group that met on the streets of Queens and went on to legitimize a criticized genre of music: hip-hop. RUN DMC have earned a Last Dance.
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When this docuseries aired on Peacock it was an impressive pop culture two-fer. Airing on February 1st it effectively kicked off Black History Month and extended #HipHop50 celebrations. Now, near the end of March in Canada it lacks that same cultural punch. Still, RUN DMC rocks! I’m reminded of the My Summer Lair conversation I had with DMC: an MC who’d lost his voice and had to rediscover who he is. It’s one of my favourite MSL conversations because it’s just two dudes sitting around talking about comic books and old school hip hop. And yet there’s so much vulnerability and openness and reflection. Those traits and those stories are stamped on Kings From Queens. This documentary is a story about comic books and about New York City and about rap when it was derided as crap and how big things start real small. You know everyone in this too: from the Beastie Boys to Ice Cube to LL Cool J to Questlove to Ice-T to Chuck D to Tom Morello and oh so much more. This is the Must See story about Kings from Queens. Programming Note: Part 1 is tonight at 9:00 p.m., Part II is at 10:10 p.m. and Part III is at 11:20 p.m. It’s Like That, and That’s the Way It Is.

Thursday, March 28

NCAA March Madness – Sweet 16 (6:30 p.m. / CBS)

Taking place on March 28-29: 4 games each night starting at 6:30 p.m. and according to the NCAA website:“The Sweet 16 is the catchy name for the regional semifinal round of the NCAA tournament. Teams that make it to the Sweet 16 previously won in the second round, or the round of 32, and the winners of Sweet 16 matchups move on to the Elite Eight.”
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: AMERICAN RUST: BROKEN JUSTICE (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)

American Rust: Broken Justice takes viewers back to the fictional small town of Buell, Pennsylvania where a complicated and compromised Pittsburgh detective who is desperately trying to make up for past wrongs but can’t seem to avoid danger at every turn.
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Adapted from Philipp Meyer’s debut novel American Rust premiered on Showtime in September 2021. The nine-episode season told the story of a complicated and compromised chief of police Del Harris (Jeff Daniels) in the fictional small town of Buell, Pennsylvania. Buell is a Rust Belt town in southwest Pennsylvania. Echoing his nuanced portrayal from Newsroom only this time Daniels is investigating a murder not just reporting it. “When the woman he truly loves sees her son accused of murder, Harris is forced to decide what he’s willing to do to protect him.” That was Season 1, though Showtime opted not to renew the series. Season 2 now on Prime Video picks up “with a string of seemingly unrelated murders, hinting at a much larger conspiracy that threatens everyone in this small, tight-knit town.” Well, now even though it’s been many years shall we shake off the American Rust and check out this fresh new season? Programming Note: This is a Binge Release…all ten new episodes of the second season will be available on March 28, 2024,

Friday, March 29

Saw X (Anytime / Starz via Crave)

A sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. How many Saw movies did you Saw?
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: STEVE! (MARTIN) A DOCUMENTARY IN 2 PIECES (ANYTIME / APPLE TV+)

Steve Martin is one of the most beloved and enigmatic figures in entertainment. Dude fully earned This Last Dance.
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“Hanging out with Steve Martin is like Deliverance…it’s all fun and games until the banjos come out.” Classic Martin Short gold. Steve Martin getting a Last Dance is well earned. On Wikipedia written by the public Steve Martin is an: “actor, comedian, writer, producer and musician.” His Bowie like ability to constantly reinvent himself…dude walked away from standup like Bowie walked away from Ziggy…across multiple platforms remains distinct and impressive. So, wisely director Morgan Neville structured this Steve Martin project, less as a docuseries and more like…two different docs: “Neville had different editors working on the two parts, who were not allowed to review each other’s work; the same goes for composers, graphic designers, and other crew—total “church and state,” as he puts it. The goal, executed seamlessly, was to create two movies that could be watched in either order, or one without the other—but that together, complete a singular picture of a singular artist.” Fascinating. So yeah the documentary is in 2 pieces: it smoothly dives into Steve Martin’s Born Standing Up story from two distinct points of view, with companion documentaries that feature your classic never-before-seen footage and raw insights into Martin’s personal and professional trials and triumphs. “Then” chronicles Martin’s early struggles and meteoric rise to revolutionize stand-up before walking away at 35. “Now” focuses on the present day, with Martin in the golden years of his career, retracing the transformation that led to happiness in his art and personal life. Treasure and celebrate this Wild and Crazy Guy #GOATs as long as you have em. The time goes by so fast.

Saturday, March 30

Is It Cake? Season 3 (Anytime / Netflix)

With more stunning cakes and more shocking fakes, the competition is bigger than ever as bakers fool celebrity judges with their delicious deceptions.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: JERROD CARMICHAEL REALITY SHOW (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

The project is a darkly funny documentary series about Jerrod’s tumultuous quest for love, sex, and truth.
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Jerrod Carmichael: 8 is among the Gold Standard of Comedy Specials. The special is invincible. I kinda wanna see this but the “Reality Show” premise is off-putting. HBO labeled Home Videos (2019) & Sermon on the Mount (2019) as documentaries. I’m cool with documentaries. But in this trailer when Jerrod says: I’m trying to self Truman Show myself. I’m like, ew. Why? The dude in the mask in the trailer rightfully says: “This is not truth. This is narrative that will be edited.” Thanks masked man. Vulnerability and honesty have their place in making…music or movies or even comedy. But I’m not willing to be manipulated. I mean have you seen Pete Davidson’s Bupkis? Angst or even trauma has never made anyone special much less unique. It’s so common, it’s boring. Now, in the trailer that sick beat is: Handsome Boy Modeling School! Oh yes…The Truth. Soon as I heard it, I was like oh yes son. Look how fitting this is, the lyrics: “I know you better than you think I do/Don’t worry, dear.. this is why I fell in love with you/The man in the looking glass/Is looking back at you at last/You can’t hide from the truth/Because the truth is all there is.” Yo, son. There it is. That’s the truth, Ruth.

Sunday, March 31

Martin: Seasons 1-5 (Anytime / Netflix-US)

Sassy sitcom centering on radio and television personality Martin Payne. Series focuses on his romantic relationship with girlfriend Gina, her best friend Pam and escapades with best friends Tommy and Cole. This series ran from 1992–1997.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE TRUTH VS. ALEX JONES (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

Chronicles the landmark defamation trials brought by Sandy Hook parents against Alex Jones.
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I don’t believe in deplatforming. I accept that free speech is just that…there are always gonna be individuals who abuse that privilege. Even worse…misinformation wildly spreads online primarily due to the flawed (and often gross) cyber-identities people construct. This documentary chronicles the riveting courtroom drama of two defamation lawsuits brought by Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims’ families against Alex Jones and his website, InfoWars. “While exploring the scope and ripple effects of Jones’ brand of conspiracy-minded media, the documentary follows the families’ legal efforts to hold him accountable for spreading lies about them and their children. The cases culminate in a historic award of nearly $1.5 billion in damages, followed by Jones declaring bankruptcy.” I dunno if that’s justice. That’s something but I dunno if that’s justice. Where do we go from here? What kind of internet do we want?

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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.