17
Sep

Emmy Predictions 2021: Limited/Anthology Series and Movies

LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES
I May Destroy You (HBO)
Mare of Easttown (HBO)
The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
The Underground Railroad (Prime)
WandaVision (Disney+)

Will and should win: Mare of Easttown
Could win: The Queen’s Gambit
Should have been here: Fargo (FX)

The skinny: It’s a coin-flip for which series will steamroll these awards. I’m hedging my bets a bit (as you’ll see later). It felt like Mare of Easttown had all the momentum. It aired more recently, actually grew its viewership, and is generally well-regarded by everyone. But if last week’s Creative Arts Emmys are any indication, The Queen’s Gambit is coming for everything. It’s allegedly the most-watched Netflix show of all time, and features a star-making turn by Anya Taylor-Joy. I’m still going with Mare, but that might just be my preference talking.

ACTOR IN A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Paul Bettany, WandaVision
Hugh Grant, The Undoing
Ewan McGregor, Halston
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hamilton
Leslie Odom Jr, Hamilton

Will win: Leslie Odom, Jr.
Could win: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Should win: Hugh Grant
Should have been here: Ethan Hawke, The Good Lord Bird

The skinny: Here’s where I say for as great as Hamilton is, its time for awards is over. This is literally a filmed performance of the same cast that won a Grammy, a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize. They should not be eligible for TV acting awards. But that doesn’t mean it’s not winning some major categories. But if there are enough voters who feel like me, then it’s anyone’s game.

ACTRESS IN A LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
Michaela Coel, I May Destroy You
Cynthia Erivo, Genius: Aretha
Elizabeth Olsen, WandaVision
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit
Kate Winslet, Mare of Easttown

Will and should win: Kate Winslet
Could win: Anya Taylor-Joy
Should have been here: N/A

The skinny: This is the closest an Emmy race has maybe ever been? I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a Hepburn/Streisand-esque tie on our hands.

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16
Sep

The List: Top 10 ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ Episodes

Everybody Loves Raymond premiered 25 years ago this week. While it didn’t have the most auspicious start, it only grew sharper in later seasons, becoming a top-rated Emmy powerhouse. Each person in the main cast won at least won award (except for the late Peter Boyle, who was robbed), and it’s played in syndication for years. It’s the last great multi-cam sitcom. Though others may claim that – heavy sigh – The Big Bang Theory or Last Man Standing hold that distinction, nothing was quite so good for so long as the saga of the Barones. Below are my 10 favorite episodes, and you may notice quite a few overlapping themes.

10. “Halloween Candy” (Season 3, Episode 6)
For a show as family friendly as this, sex was a frequent topic of discussion. Unlike Married with Children (which was still on the air at the time Raymond debuted) or future knock-offs, sex between husband and wife was never presented as a chore or something to be avoided. In this episode, Debra tasks Ray with being in charge of contraception (“the stuff”). He brings home a colorful variety pack for Halloween, hoping to rush through trick-or-treating to use them. But mistaking them for candy, Frank (as Frankenstein) hands them out to eager kids, creating multiple disasters.

9. “Cookies” (Season 6, Episode 15)
When Ray attempts to help Ally sell her (not quite) Girl Scout Cookies, it ignites a turf war with the leader of the troop (guest star Amy Aquino). While the episodes focusing on the kids weren’t always the best, this one stands above, as the parents devolve into territorial children.

8. “No Fat” (Season 3, Episode 10)
No show was as obsessed with food as this one. So when Marie goes on a health kick just in time for Thanksgiving, everyone is understandably upset about the lack of a traditional feast. The big scene at the dinner table delivers the show’s best physical comedy, as each family member takes turns trying the wobbly vegan “turkey.”

7. “Marie’s Meatballs” (Season 2, Episode 15)
The show was able to mine so much humor out of mundane situations because its characters took those things way too seriously. That gave the show just enough stakes for every episode, but kept things from ever getting dire. (Thank God this show never attempted a “very special episode.”) But few betrayals were as shocking, unexpected and hilarious as this one. After getting some of Marie’s beloved recipes, Debra’s attempts to recreate them go horribly awry. That’s because Marie has secretly sabotaged her culinary efforts, leading to a priceless confrontation.

6. “Marie’s Sculpture” (Season 6, Episode 5)
I still can’t believe they got away with this one. While there’s an outdated joke or two, this is one of the most uproarious half-hours. Marie unveils the artwork she’s been toiling away at for months. And while it’s undoubtedly good work, its appearance is a little, well, you know. While Frank fixates on it, the rest of the family looks for a way to get rid of it, all while hoping not to avoid the artist’s feelings.

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11
Sep

What I Watched This Week: 5 Sep 2021

NEW SHOWS
Reservation Dogs – “Hunting” (A)
Another standout episode that focuses on one character, deepening our understanding appreciation of that one, while expanding the world and its complex emotions.

What We Do in the Shadows – “Gail” (A-)
The first half feels a little choppy, but once we get to the big reveal about the secret identity of Gail (guest star Aida Turturro), the show takes flight – literally for some characters – and features one of the best parodies ever.

Ted Lasso – “Man City” (A)
Now that’s more like it. This is an episode all about vulnerability. And while it can lead to deeper relationships and emotional growth, at first it really fucking hurts. Thankfully, this show doesn’t gloss over that.

CURRENT SHOWS
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
“Game of Boyles” (A)
“Renewal” (A-)
Once again, the show is at its strongest when it’s not trying to make up for seven seasons of saying “Not all cops.” But these are otherwise two hilarious episodes that play to its silly strengths.

Ted Lasso – “Headspace” (B)
Part of the joy of this show is how nice its characters are, even in conflicts. So why is everyone suddenly acting like a prick?

What We Do in the Shadows
“The Prisoner” (B+) / season premiere
“The Cloak of Duplication” (A-)
The premiere has to spend a lot of time reminding everyone of what happened last season, since it feels like it’s been an eternity. That means we get fewer jokes. But the addition of Kristen Schaal is a welcome one, and the second episode is right back to being as demented as ever.

BINGEING
A.P. Bio – Season 4 (A- average)
As a season-long arc – one in which Jack loses a lot – it’s a remarkably touching bit of television, though in the finale itself, his emotional epiphany is a bit rushed. Still, I hope this show gets at least one more season, or keeps running forever. I’ll be happy either way, especially if it keeps pulling off such inspired silliness as “Tornado!” and the utter devastation of “Tons of Rue.”

Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (A average)
For nearly 15 years, I’ve heard of the great, inspired lunacy of this British comedy, a sci-fi/horror parody of hospital dramas and self-involved creatives. Somehow, it lived up to the hype. This is one of the absolute funniest things I’ve ever seen on television.

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7
Sep

What I Watched This Week: 29 Aug 2021

NEW SHOWS
Reservation Dogs – “Come and Get Your Love” (A)
Zach McClarnon shines in another wonderfully aimless episode. Taking Cheese on a ride-along, he endures bullying from local (white) police, busts the rival gang and generally tries to be a good person, which isn’t always easy.

BINGEING
Birdgirl – Season 1 (B average)
Started strong in its first half, but kind of petered out. While Paget Brewster’s voicework is phenomenal, and the new characters are just as wildly out there, the show still lives in the shadow of Harvey Birdman. If the show comes back for another season, episodes should be half their length.

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1
Sep

Streaming Picks: September 2021

FILMS
Top Picks
The Evil Dead and Evil Dead 2 – HBO Max 9/1
Grosse Pointe Blank – Hulu 9/1
Heist – Prime 9/1
Worth – Netflix 9/3
You can get spooky season started early with Sam Raimi’s horror masterpieces. The original is terrifying, especially considering its low budget. The sequel is even better because it tells the same story but with a lot more laughs.

Too few people have seen John Cusack’s hitman comedy, but it’s a hidden 90s gem with an absolutely killer soundtrack.

David Mamet’s excellent heist movie celebrates its 20th anniversary. Featuring one of the last performances by Gene Hackman, Mamet’s dialogue crackles, as double and triple crosses unravel a group of criminals.

Finally, Worth is Netflix’s first big Oscar play. Premiering at Sundance 2020, they held it back from the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Michael Keaton plays attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who was put in charge of determining payouts for victims who died in the terrorist attacks. The cast also includes Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan.

Recent Selections
Bodas de Oro – HBO Max 9/1
A Feeling Home – Prime 9/1
I Am Duran – Prime 9/1
Inheritance – HBO Max 9/1
Dark Phoenix – Disney+ 9/2
Death in Texas – Hulu 9/2
The Unthinkable – Hulu 9/2
Amaraica – HBO Max 9/3
At Last – HBO Max 9/3
Bittu – HBO Max 9/3
Bolden – Hulu 9/3
Coffee Shop Names – HBO Max 9/3
Undine – Hulu 9/3
News of the World – HBO Max 9/4
Nasciturus – HBO Max 9/8
Mortal Kombat – HBO Max 9/9
The Killing of Two Lovers – Hulu 9/10
High Ground – Hulu 9/11
A La Calle – HBO Max 9/15
Riders of Justice – Hulu 9/16
American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally – Prime 9/17
Funhouse – Hulu 9/23
Felix and the Hidden Treasure – Hulu 9/28
Minor Premise – Hulu 9/29
New Order – Hulu 9/30
Those Who Wish Me Dead – HBO Max 9/30

Originals
Cinderella – Prime 9/3
JJ+E – Netflix 9/8
Kate – Netflix 9/10
Malignant – HBO Max 9/10
Prey – Netflix 9/10
The Voyeurs – Prime 9/10
Nightbooks – Netflix 9/15
Ankahi Kahaniya – Netflix 9/17
Cry Macho – HBO Max 9/17
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Prime 9/17
The Father Who Moves Mountains – Netflix 9/17
The Mad Women’s Ball – Prime 9/17
The Stronghold – Netflix 9/17
Confessions of an Invisible Girl – Netflix 9/22
Intrusion – Netflix 9/22
Je Suis Karl – Netflix 9/23
The Starling – Netflix 9/24
Friendzone – Netflix 9/29
No One Gets Out Alive – Netflix 9/29
Sounds Like Love – Netflix 9/29

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28
Aug

What I Watched This Week: 22 Aug 2021

NEW SHOWS
Reservation Dogs – “What About Your Dad” (B+)
The show gives the spotlight to Rita (the radiant Sarah Podemski) as she navigates a possible new love interest and the return of her ex. The latter gives the show a chance to riff on the classic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode “Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse.” That the show can still be so emotionally resonant amidst dick jokes and internal monologues about whether sex can be good enough to ignore a Confederate flag tattoo is a testament to its writing and performances.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine
“PB&J” (B+)
“The Set Up” (A-)
Jake and the Pontiac Bandit’s final adventure is hardly their best, but it’s a more-than-acceptable form of fan service. The latter is a really sharp, clockwork-like episode that’s nearly derailed by Holt’s big speech about how cops should face consequences for their actions.

Ted Lasso – “The Signal” (B+)
The show’s breezing along at this point, but allows some characters to finally get out of neutral (Jamie and Nate), while delivering some interesting new wrinkles (Ted’s anxiety, Beard’s unhealthy relationship with Jane, the reveal that Sam is the one texting Rebecca).

BINGEING
Grace and Frankie – Season 7, Part 1 (B+ average)
Felt a little bit long in the tooth, and of course ends somewhat abruptly due to COVID-related production delays, but it’s still capable of turning out a classic like “The Bunny.”

The X-Files – Season 6 (B+ average)
Started out with the potential to be my favorite season yet, but there are quite a few duds in its back half. Still, those last three episodes are terrific.

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23
Aug

What I Watched This Week: 15 Aug 2021

NEW SHOWS
Reservation Dogs – “Uncle Brownie” (B+)
Gary Farmer stakes an early claim for the Guest Actor in a Comedy Series trophy, playing the titular role as a recluse whose journey to sell some homegrown weed gives him a chance to enjoy other people again.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine
“Blue Flu” (B+)
“Balancing” (B+)
The show’s second attempt at addressing police corruption goes much better than its first, because it’s both funnier and it’s just a plot beat, not a grand statement. The juggling-being-parents episode is very cliche, but very sweet and has a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, including Holt uttering the phrase “digital phallus portrait.”

Ted Lasso – “Rainbow” (B+)
It seems as if every week the show has defied you to turn on it, to get tired of its delightfulness, and every week it proves you wrong.

BINGEING
The White Lotus – Season 1 (A- average)
Mike White’s vicious satire of vacationing rich whites and the minority staff they take advantage of sometimes was a bit too on-the-nose. But it was often ferociously funny, and then terribly sad in its finale. It managed to thread the needle between outlandish and realistic. One of the best shows of the year.

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16
Aug

What I Watched This Week: 8 Aug 2021

NEW SHOWS
Reservation Dogs
“Fuckin’ Rez Dogs” (B+) / series premiere
“NDN Clinic” (A)
One of the strongest debuts of the year. This is a show with a deep sense of place, its own sense of humor and actors who truly seem to know their characters.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine
“The Good Ones” (B-) / season premiere
“The Lake House” (A)
The premiere is so heavy-handed in its attempts to overcorrect after years of letting the audience think the crew at the 99 are the “good ones.” But its Holt-Amy story is sincere in the right way. The follow-up is a classic, as Jake tries to Parent Trap Holt and Kevin.

Ted Lasso – “Carol of the Bells” (A)
I knew I was being pandered to the entire time, but I didn’t care. This was exactly what a Christmas episode should be.

BINGEING
The Pursuit of Love (B+)
This limited series got mostly bad reviews from American press, but I’m not sure what more they could have wanted. This is a frothy adaptation with enough emotional grounding to keep us caring about our main pair. And yes, Emily Mortimer’s directorial style nicks from Wes Anderson and Sofia Coppola, but what style!

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9
Aug

What I Watched This Week: 1 Aug 2021

NEW SHOWS
Kevin Can F**k Himself – “Fixed” (B+) / season finale
While initially disappointed in this finale, the more I think about it, the sharper it gets. Alison went from vaguely sympathetic to a full on antiheroine, doing stuff just as abhorrent and selfish as Walter White or Tony Soprano. It’s a somewhat radical shift over the course of just eight episodes, but it was ultimately a successful experiment. We already knew how great Annie Murphy was, but this show also introduced me to Mary Hollis Inboden.

Ted Lasso – “Do the Right-est Thing” (A-)
The show addresses athlete protests in a way that feels natural, and not like a “very special episode.” There are bound to be serious consequences for taking a stand, and it will be interesting to see if a show with this much heart puts that up against a cold and cynical world.

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2
Aug

What I Watched This Week: 25 Jul 2021

NEW SHOWS
Kevin Can F**k Himself – “Broken” (B+)
I’m definitely tired of in medias res openings, but the show pulls off a Breaking Bad-style “paint yourself into a corner and then find your way out” plotting, which should make for an explosive season finale.

Ted Lasso – “Lavender” (A)
The show pulls off one of the most unexpected and hilarious jokes of all time when it’s revealed what Keeley is actually looking at on her phone. But the show continues to soar because of its deep relationships, even between people who don’t exactly care for each other (yet).

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