In a year that was unlike any TV year we’ve had: May I continue with a 2020 TV Recap?
May TV Highlights: Sammy’s #MustSeeTV!
Into The Night: Season 1 (Netflix)
At The Time: It’s Netflix’s first Belgian original series (based on the Polish science fiction novel The Old Axolotl by Jacek Dukaj). Yo. I don’t have any references for any of those things. Still the premise is corny yet wonderful: People are on the run…from the sun. Sold: I’m in! (Netflix has been so good to me with international sci-fi. That German show Dark not only lives up to its name but good gravy that show is hardcore sci-fi. So good. Easily one of the greatest sci-fi tv shows…of all time. Think I’m exaggerating? Check it out.)
Sammy Verdict: While I enjoy Stranger Things Netflix has struck gold with international TV Shows: add this to the list with Dark. I can’t wait for Season 2.
Magic For Humans: Season 3 (Netflix)
At The Time: One of my favourite Netflix TV shows returns for a third season! So why not use that as an excuse to catch up on Seasons 1 and 2? The premise is simple and wonderful: comedian and magician Justin Willman performs magic tricks for people on the street. You think you’ve seen this before right? You think you know where this is going right? Let this show surprise and delight you; inject some wonder back into your life.
Sammy Verdict: This is one of my all time bestest most favourite most special Top Dog #1 Netflix TV show. It’s got comedy and it’s got magic and it’s got discovery as Justin Willman learns what it means to be…human. You know what it doesn’t have? Camera or editing tricks because that is not magic. So…how is he doing what he’s doing? Or a better question: why is he doing what he is doing?
Ramy: Season 2 (Hulu)
At The Time: The gang is all here! I described Ramy: Season 1 as Atlanta but like set in New Jersey and with Muslims. The official description is: “Ramy Hassan is a first-generation Egyptian-American who is on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighborhood. He becomes caught between a Muslim community that thinks life is a moral test and a millennial generation that believes life has no consequences.” Oh that’s much better. Season 2 should be stronger now that everybody’s settled into their roles and knows what to do. I’m expecting bigger laughs and more cultural landmines. It is not easy navigating two cultures. (Technically: 3 cultures. I’m Canadian and I’m Egyptian but also I’m steeped in pop “culture” with has its own rituals and street codes and semiotics.)
Sammy Verdict: Not as many laughs for Season 2 but lots more cultural landmines. Are we getting a third season? So IN for that.
The Vast of Night (Amazon Prime)
At The Time: The Vast of Night is a popular sci-fi movie that made the festival rounds in 2019. Been wanting to check this out for a year and finally it’s time to throw the snuggie into the dryer for 30 seconds. A switchboard operator begins hearing a unique audio frequency coming through the radio. But here’s the movie’s hook and what sold me: “The film takes place over the course of one night in the 1950s, with the story framed as an episode of Paradox Theatre, a Twilight Zone-style anthology television series.” Oh Yes! This is Andrew Patterson’s debut film so let’s see what he’s got to offer. We might make a new friend here.
Sammy Verdict: Outstanding and satisfying sci-fi movie. Not quite as dark as X-Files but it’s comforting to know people are still out there searching…for the truth.
May 2020 TV Experiences & Expectations
May 1
Cracked Up: The Darrell Hammond Story (Netflix)
Bruce Springsteen: Western Stars (8 p.m. / HBO)
Into the Night (Netflix)
-In July 2020 Netflix renewed Into the Night for a second season.
The Half of It (Netflix)
Upload: Season 1 (Amazon Prime)
-In May 2020 Amazon Prime renewed Upload for a second season.
Betty (HBO)
-In June 2020 HBO renewed Betty for a second season.
May 4
Creepshow: Season 1 (9 p.m. / AMC)
-The series premiered on September 26, 2019 on Shudder
-On October 30, 2019 Shudder renewed Creepshow for a second season.
-On October 30, 2020, an animated special titled A Creepshow Animated Special was released. -On December 18, 2020 A Creepshow Holiday Special was released.
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian (Disney+)
May 5
Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind (HBO)
Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill (Netflix)
May 6
Becoming (Netflix)
May 8
Jimmy O. Yang: Good Deal (Amazon Prime)
Spaceship Earth: Documentary (Hulu)
Dead To Me: Season 2 (Netflix)
-In July 2020, Netflix renewed Dead To Me for a third and final season.
May 10
I Know This Much Is True: Miniseries (HBO)
May 11
Trial By Media (Netflix)
Have A Good Trip: Adventures In Psychedelics (Netflix)
Dude Perfect: Backstage Pass (YouTube Originals)
May 13
The Wrong Missy (Netflix)
May 15
Basketball County: In The Water (9 p.m. / Showtime)
Magic For Humans: Season 3 (Netflix)
May 17
Snowpiercer: Season 1 (TNT)
-The second season is set to premiere on January 25, 2021.
Hightown: Season 1 (Starz)
-In June 2020 Starz renewed Hightown for a second season.
May 18
Stargirl (DC Universe/The CW)
-In July 2020 The CW renewed Stargirl for a second season.
Blackballed (Quibi)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s “Create Together #WithMe (YouTube Originals)
May 19
Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything (Netflix)
May 22
Homecoming: Season 2 (Amazon Prime)
The Lovebirds (Netflix)
May 24
30 for 30: Lance (9 p.m. / ESPN)
-Part 2 on May 31
May 27
HBO Max Launched
Love Life: Season 1 (HBO Max)
-In June 2020 HBO Max renewed Love Life for a second season.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Season 7 (10 p.m. / ABC)
May 29
Ramy: Season 2 (Hulu)
-In July 2020 Hulu renewed Ramy for a third season.
Space Force: Season 1 (Netflix)
-In November 2020 Netflix renewed Space Force for a second season.
Jesus Trejo: Stay At Home Son (Showtime)
The Vast of Night (Amazon Prime)
May 31
Laurel Canyon (Epix)
-It premiered in two parts on Epix on May 31, 2020 and June 7, 2020.
