#SetTheVCR: May 13-19, 2024

Stop Making Sense of complex TV recommendations. And even these Outer Range #SetTheVCR Sammy Suggestions which are fit for a Queen.

Monday, May 13

Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story (10 p.m. / PBS)

Using his camera as a ‘weapon against injustice,’ Chinese American photographer Corky Lee’s art is his activism. His unforgettable images of Asian American life empowered generations. This film’s intimate portrait reveals the triumphs and tragedies of the man behind the lens.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: STOP MAKING SENSE (ANYTIME / HBO MAX & CRAVE)

Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 film was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme.
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You’d hafta be a Psycho Killer to overlook this Once In A Lifetime suggestion. This live performance, shot over three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December 1983, features some of Talking Heads’ most memorable songs. The film was directed by Jonathan Demme. So happy it’s getting its Flowers. Make some tea and enjoy this Wild Wild Life.

Tuesday, May 14

The Killing Kind: Limited Series (Anytime / Hulu)

Based on Jane Casey’s best-selling book of the same name. Nobody understands the dark gap between justice and the law better than Ingrid Lewis. As a successful barrister, Ingrid is used to dealing with tricky clients, but no-one rivals John Webster. Fueled by a need to find out the truth and locked in a game of ‘cat and mouse’ Ingrid must decide if Webster is Friend or Foe, Murderer or Protector. Stalker or Savior? And can Ingrid discover the truth before it is too late?
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: HOLLYWOOD CON QUEEN (ANYTIME / APPLE TV+)

The three-part documentary explores the incredible story of an international con artist impersonating the entertainment industry’s most powerful women.
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“A mysterious figure dubbed the ‘Con Queen’ impersonates the industry’s most powerful women, luring unsuspecting victims to Indonesia with the promise of a life-changing career opportunity.” Okay stop right there. It sucks to be scammed, and it’s happened to all of us…that’s life. Thankfully it hasn’t happened at this level, though. But here’s the thing…if these people did get scammed, why are they in this docuseries? Why would you put your shame on the record?? Unless the impetus for fame and glory wasn’t dimmed by this experience. If you can’t be Hollywood famous then maybe you can be infamous for being a victim of this con. Like, really? Eventually we really need to stop making stupid people famous. That’s the real con.

Wednesday, May 15

The Beatles: Let It Be (Anytime / Disney+)

This documentary from 1970 has been restored and captures the writing and recording of The Beatles penultimate album, Let It Be. The film includes the classic rooftop concert in London, which was the last live show from the group.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL (ANYTIME / DISNEY+)

Queen Rock Montreal presents Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon at their most exciting and exhilarating.
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Ironically Queen is King! Fantastic band and I never got to see em live. The original concerts, which took place on November 24 and 25, 1981, were arranged specifically to be filmed for a full-length concert film to document their live show. No doubt Fat Bottomed Girls will enjoy this Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

Thursday, May 16

Bridgerton: Season 3 – Volume 1 (Anytime / Netflix)

As a new crop of debutantes yearns to become the brightest of the ball, a wallflower with a double life finds her light amid secrets and surprises.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: OUTER RANGE SEASON 2 (ANYTIME / PRIME VIDEO)

Season 2 of Outer Range propels its characters deeper into the void at the edge of Wyoming’s wilderness.
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Josh Brolin plays Royal Abbott “a rancher fighting for his land and family, who discovers an unfathomable supernatural mystery at the edge of Wyoming’s wilderness.” How does a cattle rancher process that? This is the TV Guide description of Outer Range: “Royal Abbott is a Wyoming rancher, fighting for his land and family, who discovers a mysterious black void in the pasture, following the arrival of Autumn, a drifter with a connection to Abbott’s ranch. While the Abbott family copes with the disappearance of their daughter-in-law Rebecca, they are pushed further to the brink when a rival family, the Tillersons, try to take over their land.” Welcome back to the wild, wild west…gather the herd, it’s time for the second season of Outer Range. And welcome back to MSL: actor Tamara Podemski who plays a time travelling sheriff. Programming Note: This is a Binge Drop…all 7 episodes stream today.

Friday, May 17

Pluto TV Icons Movie Marathons: Bruce Lee (8:00 p.m. / Pluto TV)

The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Way of the Dragon, Game of Death. All Bruce Lee! Now that’s how you kick off a weekend.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: MADAME WEB (ANYTIME / NETFLIX-US)

Madame Web tells the standalone origin story of one of Marvel’s most enigmatic heroines. Dakota Johnson badly plays Cassandra Webb, a paramedic in Manhattan who develops the power to see the future… and realizes she can use that insight to change it. Forced to confront revelations about her past, she forges a relationship with three young women bound for powerful destinies…if they can all survive a deadly present. Whatever, dude.
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Madame Web got rightfully bullied like an `80s loser on a school playground. Ironically they couldn’t see that coming considering they cast Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney. They’re not exactly synonymous with talent, or quality or even being good. #SetTheVCR if you wanna sit through this Crap Carnival. Think it’ll “suck” like Morbius? The next Sony-Spider-Man debacle comes out on October 25, 2024 with the third Venom movie: The Last Dance (terrible subtitle! lousy franchise). That Crap Carnival is followed by Kraven the Hunter on December 13, 2024. May God have mercy on your soul.

Saturday, May 18

Thelma the Unicorn (Anytime / Netflix)

Saturday Morning Cartoons: A singing pony who dreams of stardom finds instant fame when she transforms into a sparkly unicorn — but becoming a celebrity is one wild ride.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: BRONX ZOO ’90: CRIME, CHAOS AND BASEBALL (ANYTIME / PEACOCK)

This is is the astonishing true story of the 1990 New York Yankees, chronicling the team at a crossroads in their storied history.
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I’m an NBA guy so I dunno this story. However the last time of the TV Guide description is what sells me: “The season went on record as one of the worst and was made even more infamous by the drama that ensued off the field. Based on a series of articles from New York Post columnist Joel Sherman, the docuseries covers team owner George Steinbrenner’s removal from baseball for trying to buy information on Dave Winfield from a notorious gambler. Adding to the chaos, beloved team captain Don Mattingly was caught in a contentious contract dispute, a top free agent signee went missing, rookie Deion Sanders wavered between two sports and a controversial outfielder pursued a relationship with a local high school girl. Despite it all, the 1990 Yankees laid the groundwork for one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.” Ah, yes…how do you build a dynasty?

Sunday, May 19

Mother of the Bride (Anytime / Netflix)

In this Brooke Shields rom-com, a tropical island wedding teeters on the brink of disaster after the mother of the bride discovers the groom’s father is her ex. It is what it is.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE SIMPSONS (8:00 P.M. / FOX)

The longest-running primetime scripted show in television history, The Simpsons exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world.
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Season 35 is in the books! Due to the 2023 Hollywood disputes, the 35th season has only 18 episodes, making it the second shortest season of the series (after the first season). So even 35 seasons later The Simpsons continues to make notable contributions. This season Marge experienced nightmares about young Bart’s childhood coming to an end; Homer’s latest job is being a school crossing guard; sixty years in the future, Lisa recounts the story of how Homer was scapegoated for a power outage that plunged Springfield into darkness days before Thanksgiving; and a fine and wonderful tradition: the annual bone chilling trilogy Treehouse of Horror XXXIV. Good, bad…indifferent these just don’t apply anymore. 35 season is a lot to process. It’s an impressive body of comedic work. Onto Season 36 this fall. There’s no legit reason to stop now.