It’s a whole new TV week: #SetTheVCR is helpfully here to Reboot your TV choices.
Monday, September 19
Goodnight Mommy (Anytime / Prime Video)
Twin boys move to a new house with their mother after she has face-changing cosmetic surgery, but under the bandages is someone the boys don’t recognize…Female Darkman??
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: A&E’S CULTURESHOCK: SEASON 1 (ANYTIME / HULU)
An in-depth look at the untold stories behind watershed moments in pop culture that have had a lasting impact on society.
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Season 1 (I believe…rather sadly this is the only season) of A&E’s Cultureshock has been added to Hulu. This is their 30 for 30s only…ESPN’s 30 for 30s deal with sports sagas Cultureshock is a pop culture investigation. We got W. Kamau Bell’s doc focused on Chris Rock’s Bring The Pain a seminal comedy special. Cultureshock: Freaks and Geeks: The Documentary focuses on the TV show with creators and stars sharing stories. Michael Jackson’s Final Curtain Call, sigh…still hurts. There’s a couple more; 5 documentaries in total. Check em out; it’s always good to go back…sometimes the past is a more of Cultureshock than the present.
Tuesday, September 20
Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat (Anytime / Hulu)
Exploring the pre-fame years of the celebrated American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, and how New York City, its people, and its tectonically shifting arts culture of the late 1970s and ’80s shaped his vision.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: REBOOT: SEASON 1 (ANYTIME / HULU & DISNEY+ CANADA)
An eight-episode original comedy series from the co-creator of Modern Family Steven Levitan: Hulu reboots an early 2000’s family sitcom, forcing its dysfunctional cast back together. Now they must deal with their unresolved issues in today’s fast-changing world.
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It’s time to Tropic Thunder mock current sitcoms from the corny diversity writing rooms to the goofy problems solved in 20 minutes to the endless (and often unnecessary) reboots. Reboot looks fun and funny; I mean check out this witty cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Judy Greer, Johnny Knoxville, Paul Reiser and more. Programming Note: This premieres today with three episodes; new episodes will stream weekly.
Wednesday, September 21
Meet Cute (Anytime / Peacock)
The movie follows the story of Sheila and Gary. When they meet, it’s love at first sight – until we realize their magical date wasn’t fate at all. Sheila’s got a time machine, and they’ve been falling in love over and over again. A time machine movie? That’s cute!
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: ANDOR: LIMITED SERIES (ANYTIME / DISNEY+)
The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue where Cassian Andor will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.
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The first 12-episode season of Andor debuts today with 3 episodes and if all goes well concludes on November 9. It’ll be followed by a second 12-episode season (currently in development), which will conclude the series and lead into the events of Star Wars: Rogue One. So kind of a Limited Series but not really? This is the TV Guide description: “A thief whose homeworld was destroyed by the Empire. The series begins with Andor as a “revolution-averse” cynic and explores how he becomes “the most passionate person who’s going to give themselves to save the galaxy” in Rogue One.” Look it’s Star Wars; much like The Walking Dead with zombies you’re either in or you’re out. Programming Note: Comic-Con 2022 revealed the 2023 Star Wars TV show is The Acolyte. A mystery-thriller set in the last days of the High Republic. It takes place before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Thursday, September 22
Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter (9 pm / ABC)
Honoring the life and legacy of the remarkable storyteller, activist and philanthropist Norman Lear, ABC will present a one-night-only celebration. The special will pay homage to the man behind some of television’s greatest stories and will feature an impressive lineup of celebrity guests and musical performances to celebrate his 100th birthday. Programming Note: This’ll be added to Hulu following tonight’s broadcast.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: RAVEN’S HOLLOW (ANYTIME / SHUDDER)
West Point cadet Edgar Allan Poe and four other cadets on a training exercise in upstate New York are drawn by a gruesome discovery into a forgotten community.
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Edgar Allan Poe is an excellent way to ease into the “Spirt Halloween.” Check this out: “In director Christopher Hatton’s film, West Point cadet Edgar Allan Poe and four other cadets on a training exercise in upstate New York are drawn by a gruesome discovery into a forgotten community where they find a township guarding a frightening secret.” Poe as a detective in a horror movie a fascinating concept. Programming Note: Netflix’s The Pale Blue Eye also features Edgar Allan Poe and “a series of murders that took place at the United States Military Academy, West Point, in 1830.” That Gothic Thriller is expected on January 6, 2023.
Friday, September 23
Lou (Anytime / Netflix)
A gruff loner living a quiet life with her dog battles the elements and her own dark past when a neighbor’s little girl is kidnapped during a storm.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: SIDNEY (ANYTIME / APPLE TV+)
This documentary honors Sidney Poitier and his legacy as an iconic actor, filmmaker and activist at the center of Hollywood and the Civil Rights Movement.
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Sidney Poitier got a Last Dance! And it’s directed by Reginald Hudlin who wrote one of the best Black Panther runs, directed House Party and produced Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained. That’s the beautiful bookends of the culture right there. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Robert Redford, Lenny Kravitz, Barbra Streisand, Spike Lee and many more. Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner…why…this Sidney documentary.
Saturday, September 24
Netflix Tudum (All Day / Social Media & YouTube)
Tune in for an exciting day of exclusive news, never-before-seen footage, trailers, and first looks, as well as interviews with Netflix’s biggest stars and creators. The free virtual event is a celebration of Netflix fandom and is dedicated to sharing the scoop on over 100 fan favorite shows, films and specials from across the globe.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: PATTON OSWALT: WE ALL SCREAM (ANYTIME / NETFLIX)
Discussing what happens to our bodies as we get older, who he could have been had he just followed the list he created during the lockdown, the Baby Boomer’s last temper tantrum and much more.
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Filmed at Paramount Theatre in Denver Colorado, Patton makes his directorial debut with his fourth Netflix comedy special. You know Patton Oswalt by now…his comedic voice, his nerd references and his storytelling. We all scream for his comedy, right?
Sunday, September 25
The Circus: Inside The Greatest Political Show on Earth – Season 7B (8 p.m. / Showtime & Crave)
Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon, and Jennifer Palmieri hit the ground running as they track the unfolding political drama with control of Congress up for grabs, President Biden’s agenda on the line, and the future of American democracy hanging in the balance.
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SAMMY SUGGESTION: THE SIMPSONS: SEASON 34 (8 P.M. / FOX)
The satiric adventures of a working-class family in the misfit city of Springfield.
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Season 34 is happening because of viewers slash fools like me. I don’t care. I’m in to the end of The Simpsons. One Comic-Con 2022 confirmation was Melissa McCarthy will be a celebrity voice; can’t remember somebody else. Those are whatever. The primary happy happy joy joy Comic-Con announcement was this season will feature two Treehouse of Horror episodes. Two!! The first will be your standard humorous-horror anthology; including a Death Note parody. The second Treehouse of Horror episode is a full length episode: a gleeful 22 minute send up of IT with yes…Krusty the Clown as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Good Gravy!! Milhouse will be dispatched before the first commercial break. So even just for that episode alone; I’m 100% in.
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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.
