#SetTheVCR: May 12-18, 2025

Monday, May 12

Love Hurts (Anytime / Peacock)

Marvin Gable, a realtor working in the Milwaukee suburbs, receives a crimson envelope from Rose, a former partner-in-crime he had left for dead. Thrust back into a world of double-crosse and ruthless hitmen. Wth his brother Knuckles, a volatile crime lord, hunting him, Marvin must confront the choices haunting him and the history he never truly buried.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HEART EYES (ANYTIME / NETFLIX-US)

A masked maniac with glowing, red eyes returns every Valentine’s Day to slaughter unsuspecting couples. When a cynical ad executive and her hopelessly romantic colleague become the next target, they decide to fight back and end the reign of terror.
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And now…a rom-com slasher. Chances are if you’re a long time #SetTheVCR reader you enjoy at least one of those movie genres…so here ya go. It’s snuggle time! “My love language is a masked maniac.”

Tuesday, May 13

Bad Thoughts: Season 1 (Anytime / Netflix)

Series Premiere: In this six-episode dark comedic series, Tom Segura navigates unthinkable situations and fantasies within a cinematic world. Step into Tom Segura’s twisted world, where he spins his signature dark humor into wildly unexpected and laugh-out-loud tales – and lets his intrusive thoughts win.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE SEXIEST MAN IN WINNIPEG (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO-CANADA)

When a polite robber carries out a series of odd bank heists, the police investigation takes a sharp turn—pointing to Steve Vogelsang, a garrulous former broadcaster once known as “The Sexiest Man in Winnipeg.” Set against Winnipeg’s frozen streets and familiar faces, Vogelsang’s fall echoes like a news story you can’t quite forget. As the case deepens, a more complex story emerges—one about identity, ego, and the slow unraveling of a man who once had it all.
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In the 1990s Steve Vogelsang was known as the “sexiest man in Winnipeg.” What an honour…I suppose. Dude was a sportscaster, college instructor and executive with True North Sports and Entertainment. And yet he was arrested in 2017 for robbing banks in Saskatchewan and Alberta. So…what happened? How do he go from a sports reporter to a bank robber? You don’t see that often with people who no longer work at ESPN. Yes, once again this is cheap CanCon so the streamers play nice in Canada. (Honestly, guessing Reacher locations should qualify as CanCon.) However, there’s some talent involved in this strange documentary. It’s directed by Charlie Siskel (who made Finding Vivian Maier. You ever see that?) and it’s narrated and co-produced by Will Arnett. You’ll hear the voice and know watching this documentary will make you Smartless.

Wednesday, May 14

A Deadly American Marriage (Anytime / Netflix)

A chilling 911 call. A gruesome scene. What is the real story behind Jason Corbett’s brutal death? In this documentary, Jason’s wife and children reflect on the elusive truths behind their seemingly fairytale life.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: FRED AND ROSE WEST: A BRITISH HORROR STORY (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)

Recently discovered police recordings and first-person accounts tell the story of Fred and Rose West, two of the UK’s most prolific murderers.
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True Crime! “Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story is a definitive documentary series revealing the lives and crimes of Britain’s most notorious and prolific husband and wife serial killers. With exclusive access to previously unseen police video and unheard audio recordings, the three part series will show how the Gloucestershire police were able to unearth the remains of the West’s 12 victims to build a case against them that would bring closure for the families of the victims.” I dunno that any of these grisly docs we consume like culture vultures offers closure to all involved. And the why they killed is stupid question best left for future episodes of Mindhunter. Both TV recommendations (both on Netflix, no less) offer love at first kill couples. In a week I kicked off with Heart Eyes. That’s what is “out there” if you are single…

Thursday, May 15

Duster: Season 1 (Anytime / HBO Max & Crave)

Series Premiere: Set in the 1970s Southwest, the series explores the life of a gutsy getaway driver for a growing crime syndicate that goes from dangerous to wildly, stupidly dangerous when a tenacious young agent comes into town hellbent on taking his crime family down. Technically the drama debuts on Thursday, May 15 at 9:00 p.m. on HBO Max. The eight-episode season will debut new episodes weekly through the season finale on July 3.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: OVERCOMPENSATING: SEASON 1 (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)

A closeted former football player and homecoming king who befriends Carmen, who took a very different high school journey as an outsider and now aims to fit in at college at any cost.
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Series Premiere: “Overcompensating is a college-set ensemble comedy about the wild, chaotic journey of Benny, a closeted former football player and homecoming king, as he becomes fast friends with Carmen, a high school outsider on a mission to fit in at all costs. With guidance from Benny’s older sister and her campus-legend boyfriend, Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka, and fake IDs. Deeply funny and personal, the show explores the lengths to which we all overcompensate while on the path to finding out who we really are.” Huh. Truly this sounds…Superbad. Though I might just be…Overcompensating. Programming Note: this is a Binge Release…it premiere with all eight episodes today.

Friday, May 16

Super Team Canada: Season 1 (Anytime / Crave)

Canadian Series Premiere: Crave’s first-ever original animated series debuts with two episodes on Friday, May 16, just ahead of Victoria Day weekend. The 10-part, half-hour comedy series follows six lesser known and underrated Canadian superheroes, tasked with saving the world from giant evil robots, an unemployed octopus, and a seriously needy hardware store clerk. When the world’s other heroes are trapped and killed, these wanna-be benchwarmers become Earth’s last and most maple-syrup-powered hope. Starring an all-Canadian cast including Will Arnett and Cobie Smulders.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MURDERBOT: SEASON 1 (ANYTIME / APPLE TV+)

Based on Martha Wells’ bestselling book series The Murderbot Diaries: Murderbot is a sci-fi thriller/comedy about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients…simultaneously drawn to humans and appalled at their weakness.
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Series Premiere: I’m a terrible nerd; I’ve never read the Martha Wells Murderbot Diaries novels. So TV show it is. (The Murderbot Diaries kicked off with All Systems Red published on May 2, 2017. The seventh and latest book, System Collapse, was released on November 14, 2023. So yeah…7 novels is a lot to catch up on.) As this isn’t my world I didn’t know what to expect. I recently talked to Tamara Podemski who plays Bharadwa for hints but she was all coy. (This is technically my world. Murderbot was mostly shot in Toronto. Heh.) Tamara Podemski revealed: “I’m allowed to say that I met Martha Wells. Martha Wells came to set. So…Martha Wells is the author, celebrated award-winning sci-fi writer. I’m on book six now of The Murderbot Diaries. It is an incredible, fascinating, beautiful, really…I love the world so much. Even though people call Outer Range sci-fi, it’s not like outer space sci-fi. This is my first real sci-fi genre TV show. I’m in love with it. I love everyone in it. We have an incredible group of actors. Chris and Paul Weitz are the show’s creators. They are a gift to storytelling and it’s been an incredible experience.” And so from the trailer? Gotta say this echoes Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy sarcasm. That works for me. Plus I’m a big fan of Murderbots. (I enjoyed Chopping Mall!) So yeah. I’m in the mood for yummy sci-fi. Programming Note: 10 episodes for Season 1. It premieres with the first two episodes on Friday May 16 followed by new episodes every Friday through July 11.

Saturday, May 17

Love Death + Robots: Season 4 (Anytime / Netflix)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Dinosaur gladiators, messianic cats, string-puppet rock stars — it can only be Love, Death + Robots. The fourth volume, presented by Tim Miller and David Fincher, sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson return as supervising director for ten startling shorts showcasing the series’ signature, award-winning style of bleeding-edge animation, horror, sci-fi, and humor. Buckle up.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: TWO FOR ONE: JOHN CARPENTER (8:00 P.M. / TCM)

Each week, host Ben Mankiewicz will be joined by legendary guests to introduce the two films of their choice, offering commentary on the pairing’s cultural significance, its influence on other films, behind-the-scenes stories, and their own personal reflections.
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On Saturday, May 3 Turner Classic Movies’ Original Series Two for One returned for Round 2 with classic double features curated by celebrated filmmakers. (Last week, May 10 was Jamie Lee Curtis presenting The Manchurian Candidate and Sweet Smell of Success. Decent double bill.) However today is a freshtastic horror treat! John Carpenter offers Frankenstein and The Curse of Frankenstein. Who is in the mood for Hammer Horror? And with John Carpenter as our host…even though it’s May we can all pretend it’s Halloween.

Sunday, May 18

Tucci in Italy (8:00 p.m. / Nat Geo Channel)

More than just a travelogue, this five-part series is a rich, narrative-driven exploration that delves deep into the heart of Italy’s culinary traditions. It follows Tucci on a visually stunning and deeply personal exploration of the country’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and the complex connections with its food that have shaped each region’s distinct culture and, of course, their iconic pasta. Tucci in Italy premieres May 18 at 8:00 p.m. on National Geographic and all episodes stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: NOVOCAINE (ANYTIME / PARAMOUNT+)

When the girl of his dreams gets kidnapped, a man turns his inability to feel pain into an unexpected advantage as he fights a bunch of thugs to get her back.
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Nathan Caine was born with the rare disorder CIPA (Congenital Insensitivity to Pain), which means he does not feel physical pain. That means he never chews solid foods — to avoid accidentally biting off his own tongue. He’s installed a temperature mark on his shower handle, since he can’t feel water hot enough to scald. He lives timid but that’s because he has to. Until now…of course. When his bank is robbed and his new love is taken hostage, his affliction becomes his greatest strength as he sets out to rescue her. Thankfully, this “Nobody” is not numb to pain.

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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.