NEW SHOWS
The Mandalorian – “The Marshal” (B+) / season premiere
I’m not sure exactly why I’m complaining. That cold open is one of the best things the show has done, and the ultra-widescreen climax is tremendous action TV. But a lot of the show still feels like fan service, and I guess I’m going to have to get used to that.
BINGEING
The Morning Show – Season 1 (B+ average)
It started off a little screamy, and it eventually ran out of ways for Alex (Jennifer Aniston) and Bradley (Reese Witherspoon) to cycle through trust and distrust, but its strong ensemble cast and intricate plotting made for damn good TV, especially in its home stretch.
REWATCH
The Simpsons – Season 7 (A- average)
Another terrific season, featuring two of its all-time best episodes: the Troy McClure showcase “A Fish Called Selma” and the sadly-still-relevant immigration episode “Much Apu About Nothing.”
OLD SHOWS & SPECIALS
Bill Burr: Paper Tiger (A-)
Only Burr can pull off the tricky tonal tightrope of decrying the extreme nature of a constantly outraged culture without looking like an aggrieved white man upset he can’t make unfunny jokes about LGBTQ people anymore. The trick is making himself the butt of the joke and not a martyr or the Last Truth Teller. His bits about anger management, blow-up dolls and Elvis Presley are particularly inspired and amusing.