It’s National Nerd Noise Week…Comic-Con went off in San Diego this past weekend and we’re all sorting through the news trying to secure what’s the what and when’s the when.
(As most people either obviously know or logically grasp the San Diego Comic-Con in 2020 and later on in 2021 were canceled in terms of physical participation due to the COVID pandemic. There were a number of Zoom/online events standardly called Comic-Con@Home, which of course were not the same thing or the same vibe. They certainly didn’t have the same Comic-Con B.O.)
Thankfully: the B.O and Comic-Con are back, post-pandemic…the timeline has been restored.
I’ve slowly begun Avengers Assembling some of the hyperbolic hot hype even though I’m not a hands-on human this is helpful. (I’ve actually never been to Comic-Con a sad fact that harms my nerd street cred.)
Here’s a number of the announcements from the past 4 days, especially Hall H. Though you can imagine with all the news coming out of there, it’s more like “Haul H.”
I’ma focus on what you can expect on TV in 2022…there’s TV shows coming out in 2023, 2024 and beyond but that’s like those stores that put out Christmas decorations before Halloween is over. We’re not doing that.
The movies you can decide if you want to go to or not…they involve pants while watching TV is a good times activity that doesn’t require pants. #DownWithPants
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July 29:
Paper Girls: Season 1: Prime Video
-8 episodes; binge release
Are you sad Stranger Things is over? Try this. Set in 1988 but not really; there’s lots of time jumps. This is the story of how four paper girls ended up in the war between time-travelers. Where Stranger Things is more horror; this is more science-fiction. Here’s a shovel; you’ll dig it. Paper Girls really…delivers. (Pun aside I’ve seen the first season…excellent soundtrack.)
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August 10:
I Am Groot: Disney+
-5 shorts; binge release
Each short follows Baby Groot as he grows up in the galaxy, going on adventures with new and unusual characters that get him into trouble. (Yes: that’s Bradley Cooper as Rocket.) Bonus Fun: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 comes out May 5, 2023.
Resident Alien: Season 2: 10 p.m. SYFY & CTV Sci-Fi (broadcast) & Peacock (stream)
–Second half of Season 2: 8 episodes; weekly release
The joyful Comic-Con news was this show was renewed: Season 3 will be 12 episodes. Right now though we gotta wrap up Season 2. This is one of my favourite nerd shows since it’s 2021 debut. The comedy is fantastic and the sci-fi is witty. The show follows Harry, an alien who lands on Earth and passes himself off as a small-town human doctor. Arriving with a secret mission to kill all humans, Harry starts off living a simple life…but things get a bit rocky when he’s roped into solving a local murder and realizes he needs to assimilate into his new human world. And humans…are weirder than aliens. This show is out of this world fun. The sheriff and his long-suffering deputy kill me every time. #Gold
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August 14:
Tales of the Walking Dead: Season 1: 9 p.m. AMC
-6 episodes; weekly release
The fourth series within The Walking Dead franchise; I stopped shuffling along like a zombie with the primary series back in Season 2? 3? Somewhere around there. (They’re onto Season 11 though the final 8 episodes begin on October 2nd. I might come back for that; curious to see how they wrap that mother up. I stuck with Robert Kirkman’s outstanding Dead comics all the way to the final issue #193.) Tales of the Walking Dead consists of six original one-hour standalone episodes focused on both new and established characters within the zombie apocalypse. Short movies with zombies: Oh! Yes. Terry Crews, Anthony Edwards, Olivia Munn…lots of fun. This sounds like a…Thriller.
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August 17:
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Disney+
-9 episodes; weekly release
The next Marvel TV show following Moon Knight and Ms. Marvel. She-Hulk is Jennifer Walters, a lawyer who specializes in superhuman-oriented legal cases in the MCU. “Hi my name is She-Hulk…I’m looking for viewers who like law shows mixed with superhero drama. My hobbies include wearing spandex and breaking the 4th wall…and even though I have a totally famous cousin; I want to be liked for me…for who I am and the woman I am becoming.” Captain Kirk is a fan of hot green girls; I’ve no doubt he’ll eagerly recommend this MCU TV show.
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August 31:
Andor: Limited Series: Disney+
-12 episodes (premieres with the first 2 episodes); weekly release
The first 12-episode season of Andor debuts on August 31st with 2 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 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.)
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September 2:
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 1: Prime Video
-8 episodes (premieres with the first 3 episodes); weekly release
Like Star Wars TV; this is Lord of the Rings so you’re either in or you’re out. “This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged…” Yes Middle-earth nerds…this is the forging of the rings (plural!), the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Look. It’s Lord of the Rings; Prime Video’s Game of Thrones. And I dig this news: they’ve already renewed it for a second season so there’s no “oh Lord!” pressure to watch it or else. The fate of the rings is not in your hand. Whew.
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September 25:
The Simpsons: Season 34: 8pm Fox (broadcast) & Disney+ (stream)
-22 episodes; weekly release
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 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.
And since the John Wick 4 trailer was released during Comic-Con (that’s so opening weekend money!! Wow.) here is The Simpsons send-up of the Wick Universe. Really clever.
There’s lots more TV to pantslessly enjoy.
National Treasure: Edge of History based on the Nic Cage movies will be “streaming soon” on Disney+. Also based on the movies is Interview with the Vampire on AMC on October 2nd. Then 3 days later Chucky: Season 2 returns. While BRZRKR is a Netflix anime series with Keanu Reeves. Peacock’s The End is Nye is Bill Nye presenting a scientific blueprint for surviving 6 world ending scenarios. That’s kind of him.
2023 brings 5 Marvel TV shows on Disney+, 3 new Walking Deads, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai and a new Star Wars TV show: The Acolyte. Whew.
As always I write a weekly #SetTheVCR post; it comes out every Monday. Should you need reminders, suggestions or even hints; I got you covered like a Snuggie. (My TV recommendation for this week is Paper Girls.)
What are you currently watching on TV you highly recommend other humans should totally check out?
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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.
