Monday, April 25, 2022

TV Picks - Week of April 25

All the ingredients are right there for some great television. David Simon running the show with co-creator George Pelecanos. An adaptation of a non-fiction book by a Baltimore Sun journalist. The Baltimore police department at the center of it all.

Sound familiar?

There's a natural inclination to compare We Own This City, which premieres tonight at 9pm on HBO and HBO Max, to David Simon's masterpiece The Wire. I've always stood by my decades old claim that The Wire is the best drama to ever air on TV (Breaking Bad comes in second). Those two series had lots of bandwagon jumpers claiming to have been there all along, but the ratings say otherwise. Consider me OG on both.

Further fueling the flames of comparison will be the presence of many actors from The Wire who appear in We Own This City, albeit in different roles. These talented actors are often confused with the parts that they play. If you're a fan of The Wire, you'll be grinning throughout this six-part series seeing those faces back in Baltimore.

David Simon knows this comparison is coming, and my guess is that he doesn't really care. The Wire came from the six-part drama The Corner, which profiled what was really happening on the Baltimore streets. Simon is all about nailing the details and highlighting flaws to reveal who the "good guys" and "bad guys" really are. He takes a no-holds barred look at the police, and his television truly makes a difference.

We Own This City tells the true tale of the Baltimore PD's Gun Trace Task Force. The city of Baltimore should be credited as a co-star of the show. Since Homicide, this city continues to be the most powerful backdrop for any police corruption scandal and an illustration of "life in the streets." All the Law & Orders and similar knockoffs feel like they're shot on a set. Baltimore oozes through the screen and takes the stories being told to a different level.

The casting is top notch. Sergeant Wayne Jenkins, played by tailor-made for a David Simon project Jon Bernthal, has risen through the ranks by any means necessary. Baltimore's most hated cop Daniel Hersl is played by Josh Charles who brings a wicked smirk to a nasty role. Jamie Hector (The Wire’s Marlo) is back in Baltimore as detective Sean Suiter who contemplates testifying against his fellow police.

The task force had tremendous success taking guns, drugs and criminals off the streets. Their methods, however, were anything but scrupulous, and the final destination of what they removed often ended up in the task force members pockets. If the police were getting results, why would anyone care about how they were doing it? This fundamental flaw in the Baltimore PD is the sweet spot for David Simon and George Pelacanos.

The corruption of the task force leads to a federal investigation which gets down and dirty. The series is filled with examples of the task force taking things too far while being lauded for boosting the crime stats. This is a hard story to tell, and you're right in the middle of it. Once again, you're left wondering who is keeping the police in check.

It's exciting to see David Simon return to his city to produce more provocative television. If you haven't seen The Corner or The Wire, it’s past time that you jumped on the bandwagon. We Own This City is another worthy chapter in his Baltimore TV canon.

Here's what else is worth watching this week…

SEASON PREMIERES

2022 NFL Draft (ABC, ESPN, NFL Network)
Thursday, April 28th – Saturday April 30th

I've written before about growing up with the NFL Draft and the impact it's had on my life. What used to be a weekday sports fan's precious secret has become a three-day primetime extravaganza with plenty of hype and a little bit of substance.

The first round of the draft takes place Thursday at 8pm on ABC as 32 picks will be stretched out for three hours. Rounds two and three happen Friday night, and the remaining four rounds take place on Saturday.

The Offer (Paramount+)
Thursday, April 28th

The Godfather rightfully sits atop most lists of the best films ever made. The 70's classic still has an impact on current pop culture as evidenced by this new show about the making of Coppola’s masterpiece.

Miles Teller stars as Albert S. Ruddy who is hired to produce an adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel. Assembling the creative team provides plenty of conflict and the involvement of the mob itself. We've all seen the final product, and this 10-part series shows everything it took to get it on the big screen. Watch trailer.

Ozark (Netflix)
Friday, April 29th Season 4, Part 2

The Byrdes are running out of options as this series comes to an end. The final season picks up right where it left off in the aftermath of some major characters meeting their demise. Marty and Wendy continue to search for a way out of their circumstances and find inevitable trouble with family and friends along the way.

Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and Julia Garner continue their acting clinic doing bad things while believing their intentions are good. There's plenty of nostalgia and callbacks as the series draws to a close in the mighty Midwest. Raising a family of four is never easy with secrets as extensive as this family has. Breaking Bad comparisons are unfair, but Ozark stands on its own as an entertaining dark drama that leaves you questioning your own morals. Watch trailer.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Bang Bang Baby (Amazon) – Based on the true story of the youngest female member of the Milanese mob in Italy. Thursday.

THIS WEEK’S STIHTGT!
(Shows That I Hope To Get To!)

David Spade: Nothing Personal (Netflix) – First Netflix stand-up special for the very funny comedian with fresh takes on everything around us. Tuesday.

Under The Banner Of Heaven (Hulu) – Adaptation of the Krakauer novel about a murder in Utah and questioning Mormon faith. Thursday.

Made For Love (HBO Max) – Cristin Miloti returns for a second season with a chip in her head battling love and technology. Thursday.

Shining Girls (Apple TV+) – Reporter Elisabeth Moss teams with Wagner Moura following a string of murders that mirror her own assault from six years ago. Friday.

I Love That For You (Showtime) – Vanessa Bayer finds her calling as a new spokesperson for a QVC channel where Molly Shannon is the reigning queen. Sunday at 8:30pm.

GREATEST HITS
(Really Good Shows You May Have Missed)

This Week's Pick: Magic City (Peacock) – Underrated drama centered around a Miami Beach hotel in the 1950s as things are getting interesting with Cuba. Jeffrey Dean Morgan stars as former cabana boy turned hotel owner Ike Evans who charms his way through a rough crowd in the hippest hotel on the beach.

Previous Picks:
Imposters (Netflix)
Episodes (Showtime/Hulu)
For All Mankind (Apple TV+)
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Damages (Hulu)
Luther (HBO Max)
Downton Abbey (Netflix)
Justified (Hulu)
The Good Wife (Paramount+)
Freaks & Geeks (Hulu)
Patriot (Amazon Prime Video)
Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)
The Split (Amazon Prime Video)
Bordertown (Netflix)
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)

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If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Get a booster. Stay healthy and safe!

Monday, April 18, 2022

TV Picks - Week of April 18

I'm not ready to say so long to Saul Goodman.

Better Call Saul is not Breaking Bad. But it's the best drama on TV right now. The tale of Jimmy McGill's transformation to Saul Goodman has gotten better every season. And now its end is approaching… even though we know exactly where the flashy lawyer will end up once Walter White enters his office with his Badger concerns.

Some people haven't bothered with Saul. They think Bob Odenkirk was just the comic relief of the show's predecessor. We know who's going to live and who's going to die. It doesn't have Bryan Cranston or Aaron Paul. None of those thoughts could be further from the truth.

It's only natural to compare the two series. Saul is a prequel to Breaking Bad and they share the same Albuquerque universe. The creators and many of the writers, directors and performers live in both worlds. BB is rightfully hailed as one of the best dramas ever to air on television. Saul gets critical love but hasn't reached that level of acclaim… but should it? Let's break it down…

Transformation - Breaking Bad transformed high school chemistry teacher Walter White into meth mogul Heisenberg. Better Call Saul transforms Chicago con man Slippin' Jimmy McGill into low-rent lawyer Saul Goodman who becomes Cinnabon manager Gene Takovic. Walter White devolved into a bad guy who did bad things with no apologies. Saul Goodman does bad things but seems to have more regret than Walt ever did. Both compelling premises.

Family - On BB, Walt put his wife Skyler, son Walter Jr, and in-laws Hank and Marie through the ringer lying about his double life. Saul fails to hide his sinister side from his partner Kim while being tortured by the shadow of his late brother Chuck. Family issues all around.

Mike - On BB, Mike Ehrmantraut was a breakout character as Gus Fring's cleaner and Walt & Jesse's eventual partner which leads to his demise. Mike is a co-star on Saul as his Nacho and Gus problems align with Saul's world. Their loose co-dependence carries the early Saul seasons.

Gus - Of the many "bad guys" on BB, Gus Fring stood above all others. The chicken man was Walter White's most formidable foe. On Saul, Gus is introduced to the Albuquerque world of drugs and forms an early bond with Mike that carries over. The next prequel has got to be the story of Gus Fring - can't wait.

Male Lead - Bryan Cranston won a bunch of Emmys playing Walter White/Heisenberg. Bob Odenkirk has been nominated for multiple Emmys playing Jimmy McGill/Saul Goodman/Gene Takovic. Bob is overdue.

Female Lead - Anna Gunn won two Emmys playing Walt's wife, Skyler. Rhea Seehorn has never been nominated for her stellar performance as Kim Wexler. Emmy voters, wake up! She has been knocking it out of the park for years, and her character's fate should lead to a deserved Emmy win.

Directing - Breaking Bad was a marvel to look at, even if you muted the sound. Better Call Saul is an extension of that New Mexican visual beauty.

Supporting Cast - Badger and Skinny Pete. The cousins. Tuco. Tio. Lalo. Howard. It's an endless list of quirky characters who more than hold their own. The perfect complement to a compelling universe.

The Details - The painstaking attention to the little things is what puts these shows above all others. There's a reason for everything. It all lines up. As crazy as the premises might get, there's always logic behind them with a clever approach. The challenge of having any plot development in Saul lead into its outcome on BB while maintaining suspense has not only been met but exceeded.

Both shows are stellar. I will be rewatching Breaking Bad after writing this column. And I can't wait to devour the final Better Call Saul season (divided into two parts) on AMC.

Time and COVID have slowed momentum from past seasons, but it truly doesn't matter. This creative team knows what they're doing and will have us immersed in Jimmy/Saul's world before we know it. They are masterful at tying up loose ends without having it feel like a reach.

I didn't want to say goodbye to Walt and Jesse, but I loved how they wrapped things up on Breaking Bad. I'm confident Jimmy/Saul/Gene will get the same fond farewell.

Here's what else is worth watching this week…

SEASON PREMIERES

Russian Doll (Netflix)
Tuesday, April 19th Season 2

It's hard to believe that three years have passed since Natasha Lyonne relived her 36th birthday over and over again. The Groundhog Day premise with a NYC twist was a quirky idea and Netflix sensation during its initial run.

Nadia is now back with her story picking up four years later under spoiler-free different circumstances. Prepare for more time leaps and wrinkles along with the same sense of humor in this seven-episode second season. 

Barry (HBO)
Sunday, April 24th 9pm Season 3

Bill Hader is not your typical lead actor, and Barry is not your typical show. The Emmy winning dark tale is back for a third season picking up right where things left off. Bill Hader, Henry Winkler, Anthony Carrigan and Stephen Root give acting clinics every time they're on the screen.

Barry sticks with you. The staging of a chase between Barry and the athletic daughter of a victim from previous seasons has stayed with me. Barry doesn't want to be a killer, but he's just so good at it. Not really sure what to expect this season, but I know it will be different, dark and entertaining.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

A Very British Scandal (Amazon) – This time it's the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and one heck of a divorce. Friday.

THIS WEEK’S STIHTGT!
(Shows That I Hope To Get To!)

The Flight Attendant (HBO Max) – Kaley Cuoco continues her craziness in the second season of this fun tale. Thursday.

Oprah + Viola (Netflix) – Viola Davis has a memoir, and Oprah has another network to chat on. Friday.

They Call Me Magic (Apple TV+) – Winning Time is fun fiction - this four-part documentary chronicles the real life of Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Friday.

Gaslit (Starz) – Sam Esmail retells the Watergate story based on the Slow Burn podcast. Sunday.

The Man Who Fell To Earth (Showtime) – Chewetel Ojiofor takes David Bowie's role in this loose remake of a visiting alien. Sunday at 10pm.

GREATEST HITS
(Really Good Shows You May Have Missed)

This Week's Pick: Imposters (Netflix) – You've married the girl of your dreams, only to find out that she is too good to be true and heading out the door. This dark comedy is about tracking down that dream girl in a unique way that I don't want to spoil. Good acting and lots of cons are spread over two solid seasons.

Previous Picks:
Episodes (Showtime/Hulu)
For All Mankind (Apple TV+)
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Damages (Hulu)
Luther (HBO Max)
Downton Abbey (Netflix)
Justified (Hulu)
The Good Wife (Paramount+)
Freaks & Geeks (Hulu)
Patriot (Amazon Prime Video)
Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)
The Split (Amazon Prime Video)
Bordertown (Netflix)
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)

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If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Get a booster. Stay healthy and safe!


Tuesday, April 12, 2022

TV Picks - Week of April 11

I'm in a Presidential mood, and it has nothing to do with our nation's recent state of affairs. And I'm certainly not referring to the cable news channels which are all about entertainment instead of actual news when it comes to American politics.

The past few weeks in the world of TV have offered Mount Rushmore-esque programming for our consumption. An Abe Lincoln biography. A Ken Burns breakdown of founding father Ben Franklin. This week, we've got two more Presidential offerings that couldn't be more different.

First up is Our Great National Parks, a five-part documentary series premiering this Wednesday on Netflix that’s hosted by Barack Obama. The focus is on the greatest national parks on the planet, not just in the United States.

I've always been a sucker for the eye candy contained in this type of documentary. The creators of Blue Planet II don't disappoint with incredible shots of beautiful locations and unique animals. Obama's voice is on par with Sir David Attenborough and the perfect accompaniment to the gorgeous footage.

This week ends with The First Lady premiering on Sunday at 9pm on Showtime. The star-powered series profiles the ladies in the Oval Office who were true difference makers.

Try this acting triumvirate on for size – Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt. O-T Fagbenie, Aaron Eckhart and Kiefer Sutherland play their respective husbands and leaders of the free world.

I typically prefer a documentary to any fictionalized version, but The Crown has proven that if it's done well, the TV series can be much more entertaining while still being informative. Gillian Anderson's Emmy-winning performance as Margaret Thatcher bodes well for her take on Eleanor Roosevelt. Viola Davis and Michelle Pfeiffer always deliver, and we know what the subject material is going to be.

The challenge with any series such as this is to maintain the illusion that we are watching the real first families as the drama unfolds. The moment it feels like a History Channel reenactment, it loses its gravitas (which happens to be Kiefer's favorite word).

I double-majored in Communications and History at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), so maybe that's why this type of programming holds such great appeal for me. There's no better TV drama than the history of this planet if it's presented the right way. It's more entertaining and accurate than what's on the real "news" channels these days.

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Here's what else is worth watching this week…

SERIES PREMIERES

Anatomy of a Scandal (Netflix)
Friday, April 15th

Welcome the start of David E. Kelley's anthology series on Netflix. Yes, another David E. Kelley series. There's a scandal in the British government where a scoundrel in Parliament has an affair and the tabloids can't get enough of it.

Lady Mary of Downton (Michelle Dockery) is the barrister on a mission to take down Peter Quinn of Homeland (Rupert Friend) for cheating on Sienna Miller who is trying to hang on to the life they've built. But as with all Kelley stories, things may not be as simple as they seem. Watch trailer.

Outer Range (Amazon)
Friday, April 15th

Something strange is going on out on the Wyoming prairie. And it's not Josh Brolin who's amazingly natural playing the lead in this new Amazon series. Close Encounters vibes persist throughout the Abbott ranch, and a giant hole is summoning strangers for a visit.

This is not the next Yellowstone despite a similar location, an enigmatic male movie star lead doffing a cowboy hat, and the always creepy Will Patton moseying over from Montana. The supernatural persists and mysterious trouble is certain to follow. Watch trailer.

CHOICE REBOOT

The Garcias (HBO Max) – The next chapter for The Brothers Garcia which was the first English-language sitcom with an all-Latino cast and creative team. Thursday. Watch trailer.

THIS WEEK’S STIHTGT!
(Shows That I Hope To Get To!)

Hard Cell (Netflix) – A mockumentary film crew shoots inside a women's prison. Tuesday.

The Kardashians (Hulu) – They're back. I won’t be watching, but lots of others will. Thursday.

Killing It (Peacock) – Craig Robinson plays a prison guard willing to do anything to buy a home of his own in this comedy. Friday.

Bill Maher #Adulting (HBO) – A new stand-up special – and you know exactly what's coming. Friday at 10pm.

Roar (Apple TV+) – 8 dark funny stories from the creators of GLOW featuring Emmy-award winning actresses. Friday.

GREATEST HITS
(Really Good Shows You May Have Missed)

This Week's Pick: Episodes (Showtime/Hulu) – A happily married British couple heads to the States to remake their hit TV show for an American audience. The guy who played Joey on Friends is going to be the lead… and everything goes completely wrong. Matt LeBlanc gives his finest performance as… Matt LeBlanc in this underrated comedy.

Previous Picks:
For All Mankind (Apple TV+)
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Damages (Hulu)
Luther (HBO Max)
Downton Abbey (Netflix)
Justified (Hulu)
The Good Wife (Paramount+)
Freaks & Geeks (Hulu)
Patriot (Amazon Prime Video)
Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)
The Split (Amazon Prime Video)
Bordertown (Netflix)
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)

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If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Get a booster. Stay healthy and safe!

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

TV Picks - Week of April 4

Not too long ago I was a panelist on MLB Live discussing the national pastime with host Brian Kenny, reporter Joel Sherman, and former Major Leaguer Pedro Martinez. My appearances on MLB Network were a dream come true – talking baseball with pros who actually respected my opinion.

At the end of this particular show, baseball super fan and Emmy winning director Ken Burns came on to discuss his latest film and his beloved Boston Red Sox. When it comes to TV documentaries, there's no one better. I was in TV/baseball heaven.

This week, baseball returns marking the start of spring, and Ken Burns has a new documentary about Benjamin Franklin. As Sammy Hagar famously sang, you get the best of both worlds.

Two of my greatest passions are TV and baseball. I've made an actual career out of commenting on both along with other facets of pop culture. I attribute this to my late father who lived and breathed the Dodgers (Brooklyn, then LA) and broke the parental rule of sitting your child in front of the TV.

I admit these staples aren't what they once were. There's never been more TV to choose from, but the staleness of network programming and proliferation of "housewives" to exploit, "nature versus" to battle, and "reality dating" situations gets tedious. (Those quotes are deliberate - these shows are scripted yet presented as "real.") Streamers and pay cable manage to keep the creative spirit alive.

As for baseball, it has done all it can to alienate its dwindling fan base. Billionaire owners locking out millionaire players this year could not have been more tone deaf. The game's pace is slow, the season is long, and the teams with the big money are left standing at the end.

But I keep coming back for more, and nostalgia is what's tugging at my heartstrings. There's so much rich history in television and baseball to devour as both continue to evolve. The best example of these worlds colliding is Ken Burns award winning documentary Baseball. It'll pop up on your local PBS affiliate when they're looking for donations, or MLB Network airs it to eat up programming hours. It's top-notch documentary filmmaking telling the story of the game.

Ken Burns is as close to a sure thing that there is when it comes to new programming. This Monday, his latest project Benjamin Franklin premieres at 8pm on PBS. It's a four-hour look at the ultimate multitasker who earned his place on the hundred-dollar bill.

Benjamin Franklin has all the Ken Burns staples. The music, photography, insight, storytelling, and subtle humor are all there. You'll learn more about Ben Franklin watching this than you did in all your years of schooling. This guy made flying a kite interesting!

As for baseball, it needs to win its fans back after haggling over millions of dollars and shortening spring training. Opening Day is a magical time when spring has sprung as your favorite team takes the field. Sunday Night Baseball returns on ESPN with, surprise, the New York Yankees playing the Boston Red Sox.

Ken Burns might be happy seeing this matchup, but I don't need to see these two high-payroll rivals again. If the former national pastime wants to inject some energy into the sport, showcase some new stars and different teams on a national level. Get out of the same-old-game trap.

A new Ken Burns documentary. Baseball is back. Now all we need is the weather to cooperate.

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Here's what else is worth watching this week...

SERIES PREMIERES

Tokyo Vice (HBO Max)
Thursday, April 7th

Michael Mann has come back to the small screen. This ten-part drama from the acclaimed director chronicles an American reporter covering the police in Tokyo. I don't expect a Japanese Crockett and Tubbs.

There's no doubt that this will be visually stunning, and Japanese crime stories are often layered with notable twists and turns. I can't wait to see how Mann's cinematic storytelling translates to a different medium with Ansel Elgort in his first TV role. Watch trailer.

61st Street (AMC)
Sunday, April 10th 10pm

A black high school athlete is the target of Chicago cops and lawyers who seek revenge from a drug bust gone wrong and the death of a policeman. The Chicago criminal justice system is always fertile ground for complicated cases which often send the wrong people to jail.

AMC has already picked up the show for a second season. It features a powerhouse cast with Courtney B. Vance and Aunjanue Ellis at the helm. Watch trailer.

INTERNATIONAL PICK

Jimmy Saville - A British Horror Story (Netflix) – One of the UK’s most beloved TV personalities passes away leading to an investigation of hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse and very young victims. Wednesday. Watch trailer.

THIS WEEK’S STIHTGT!
(Shows That I Hope To Get To!)

The Invisible Pilot (HBO) – A pilot commits suicide and there's a government conspiracy about drug smuggling and gun running. Monday at 9pm.

A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO) – The critically acclaimed late nighter returns for its third season. Friday at 11pm.

Kids Choice Awards (Nickelodeon) – See which movie star is willing to get slimed to promote their new project. Saturday at 7:30pm.

GREATEST HITS
(Really Good Shows You May Have Missed)

This Week's Pick: For All Mankind (Apple TV+) – Apple TV+'s biggest problem is its programming - and not being able to find it. The Morning Show was overrated and overhyped. Meanwhile, this space epic somehow got lost in the Apple shuffle. The premise is simple - what if the Russians got to the moon first? The cast, writing and effects are top notch and pull off the tricky premise of NASA playing catch up.

Previous Picks:
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Damages (Hulu)
Luther (HBO Max)
Downton Abbey (Netflix)
Justified (Hulu)
The Good Wife (Paramount+)
Freaks & Geeks (Hulu)
Patriot (Amazon Prime Video)
Battlestar Galactica (Peacock)
The Split (Amazon Prime Video)
Bordertown (Netflix)
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)

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If you love or hate my picks, I'd love to hear from you.

Get vaccinated. Get a booster. Stay healthy and safe!