TV Picks - Week of June 21

Horrible thoughts crossed my mind as I watched the premiere of AMC’s new series Kevin Can F*** Himself. No, I wasn't thinking about getting rid of my spouse. I was thinking… I just don't get this.

The premise of focusing on the dark side of a traditional "sitcom wife" is intriguing. The contrast in visual style between the sitcom and the world outside is provocative. But the show? It just isn't for me.

The performances, led by Schitt's Creek’s Annie Murphy, are good. The writing is fine. The execution is solid. But as I read other critics whom I respect hailing the genius of this show, I kept wondering what am I missing?

Look, I love television. I always have. But I don't love all TV programs, and I accept that every show will not be in my wheelhouse. I do my best to objectively look at what's on my screen.

When you go to a museum, everything is presented as "great art." But as you peruse different exhibits, sometimes it's difficult to appreciate the “greatness” of some of the things you're looking at. Someone explaining why a piece of art is excellent does not make it so if it doesn't appeal to you.

I've watched a ridiculous amount of TV over the years and cannot get enough. I have a discernible palate. Some call me elitist. I like to think it's because I've got almost 50 years of experience watching and, with my Jump the Shark pedigree, I've got a pretty solid idea of what makes a good show.

My expectations are high for any program that makes its way on to the air. It can be as brilliant as Jeopardy! or as dumb as Wipeout, but it needs to be well-made and offer some value to the world. Good writing, appealing characters, sharp premises – that's what I'm looking for. My TV doesn't run in the background – I focus on what's earned the right to appear on my screen.

Maybe I just need to lighten up. Still, I'd love to know what I'm missing from these shows…

Critically Acclaimed Shows I Just Didn't Get

Friends - Everyone seems to love the saga of these six, but not me. My first daughter was born in 1994, so maybe that has something to do with it. It's not a bad show, but certainly not one of the all-time best.

Orange Is The New Black - I tried. I really did. The longer it went on, the less interesting it got. It felt like I was in prison.

Girls - I write this one off to not being in the right demo. Scenes like defending working at McDonald's were brilliant. The rest of the show? Not so much.

Shameless – Excellent actors in this one, but their characters were so unappealing. I’ve never enjoyed shows that rely on how gross you can be.

Shows That Are Ruining Society

Keeping Up With The Kardashians - Getting famous for the sake of being famous and flaunting wealth. I'll never get this one. Started a horrible TV trend. Glad it's over.

The Bachelor - You're never going to find true love here. You will find people succeeding at getting on TV and trying to be famous. No thanks. This applies to most other dating shows as well.

Real Housewives of Fill In The Blank - Terrible combination of deplorable people and manufactured drama. The worst of the worst.

The Masked Singer - Who is under the goofy costume is the top rated show? Really? We can't do better than this?

You may have noticed how all of the programs I listed are extremely popular. I have to respect that.

I also realize my distaste for these shows may say more about me than it does these shows. I'm generally not into watching single people, dating shows, reality television or gross-out entertainment.

Still, everyone on Seinfeld was single (and I loved it). I thought Love On The Spectrum was an excellent dating show. Survivor is one of my favorite programs. And The Walking Dead (a favorite before it jumped the shark) got pretty gnarly.

So maybe it isn't me. Maybe, just maybe, it's the quality.

THIS WEEK’S SPTINAFOBYMB!
(Shows Premiering That I'm Not A Fan Of But You Might Be!)

This Is Pop (NETFLIX) – TV’s nostalgia machine marches on in this eight-part docuseries on the power of pop music. Drops Tuesday.

Too Hot To Handle (NETFLIX) – Back for its second season, it’s the dating show where contestants can look but they can’t touch. Rises Wednesday.

Epstein's Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell (PEACOCK) – Three-part docuseries on Jeffrey Epstein's right hand (pun absolutely intended). Creeps out on Thursday.

When Nature Calls (ABC) – Helen Mirren narrates this comedy of nature footage with human voices telling us what animals are thinking. Read that sentence again. Arrives Thursday.

Sex/Life (NETFLIX) – Steamy love triangle between a stay-at-home mom, her reliable husband and her checkered past. Drips Friday.

SAY GOODBYE
(This Week's Finales)

I'll Be Gone In The Dark (HBO) – One year after the docuseries ended, this special episode closes the chapter on the late Michelle McNamara's research on the Golden State Killer. Airs Monday.

Conan (TBS) – The very funny royally screwed over late night host will still have his podcast. Ends Thursday.

The Kings (SHOWTIME) – This great four-part boxing docuseries on Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran rings its final bell Thursday.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS
University quizzes, legal drama queens, and Hieronymus final trip…

Capital One College Bowl (NBC)
Tuesday June 22nd 8pm

The title sounds like a football game and NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning hosts, but this has nothing to do with the gridiron. It's all about testing the knowledge of college students in this revival of the quiz show from the 60's.

Having cut his teeth on Nationwide ads and SNL hosting, Peyton continues to charm the audience as he hosts battles of wits between university geeks. The Manning brothers (Peyton, Eli and Cooper) are producers, and Capital One paid enough to get its name in the title. Aaron Rodgers will be watching closely.

The Good Fight (PARAMOUNT+)
Thursday, June 24th Season 5 premiere

COVID can claim the fourth season of this top-notch show as another one of its victims, but Season 5 is back at full strength. Mandy Patinkin joins the already fine cast with Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald at the helm.

This season Diane Lockhart wonders if she should be in charge of an African-American law firm after all that's gone down there. Expect major characters to return and the usual plot twists to keep you on edge. I can't help but wonder how CBS let this extension of Alicia Florrick’s world go. 

Bosch (AMAZON)
Friday, June 25th Season 7 premiere

It's the final case for Detective Harry Bosch in this gritty police drama based on the must-read Michael Connelly novels. As Harry likes to say, "everybody counts or nobody counts."

Titus Welliver found his way off the island in LOST into the lead role, and Wire alums Jamie Hector and Lance Reddick are part of the talented cast. Bosch cases are always complicated and deep, just like the life of the lead detective.

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

Get vaccinated. Stay healthy and safe.

TV Picks - Week of June 14

If you’re of a certain age, take a moment and try to remember the video for Olivia Newton John's number one smash "Physical." Too young? Can't recall? That's why there's YouTube. Here you go…

It doesn't get more ‘80s than this. Now let's loosely base a new ten-part series on elements that stand out from this video. Neon outfits, lots of exercise, and a very talented woman from down under leading the way.

Enter Rose Byrne.

She stars in the new dark comedy Physical which premieres on Apple TV+ this Friday. The plot centers around her aerobic transformation in San Diego circa 1981. Rose plays Sheila, a miserable housewife who finds inspiration at the mall. Her husband Danny (Rory Scovel) is an out-of-work teacher who wants to be a politician. Neither of them are particularly endearing.

Unlikable leads are always difficult to pull off, even in the age of anti-hero TV. The audience must care about the fate of the character one way or another. Let's see 'em die or experience some sort of rebirth. Walter White and Don Draper may have been despicable human beings, but we were all wrapped around their respective fingers. Great actors and great writing can make this happen. I don't know how well Rose Byrne can write, but she sure can act.

Many comedic actors have a thirst to do drama, but it’s a two-way street. Dramatic actors also want to get their laughs. Dying is easy, comedy is hard.

To succeed in both arenas is a huge challenge. Hanks and Streep have shown how it's done, but it's a rare feat. Rose Byrne has pulled this off better than most.

She first caught my attention playing Ellen Parsons in the underrated FX drama Damages, going toe-to-toe with co-star Glenn Close. This was a legal battle at its grittiest and Rose got down and dirty. The path to becoming the next great dramatic actress was right there for her to take.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the Oscars… she did comedies. Lots of them. Get Him To The Greek. Bridesmaids. Neighbors. She didn't want to be taken seriously all the time and she did something about it. Rose earns her laughs. To put it in her words, "comedy informs your drama and drama informs your comedy." Now imagine that in her native Australian accent.

Her lead role in Physical combines the best of both worlds. Sheila lies, steals and takes advantage of anyone who can help her achieve her goals. As she pushes forward to her inevitable Jane Fonda type of success, you're right there with her. And you’ve got to love those 80's outfits and that hair.

Physical could be improved with better writing and plot tightening. The backstories are a bit of a reach and Danny's campaign is nowhere near as interesting as Sheila's ascent in the aerobic world.

As for Rose Byrne, no improvement is needed. Totally.

THIS WEEK’S SPTINAFOBYMB!
(Shows Premiering That I'm Not A Fan Of But You Might Be!)

Celebrity Dating Game (ABC) – Zooey Deschanel and Michael Bolton help celebs find love with mere mortals. Premieres Monday.

The Housewife & The Hustler (HULU) – From the streamer that brought you Framing Britney Spears comes this ABC News expose looking at the actual drama of Tom Girardi and Beverly Hills "real" housewife Erika Jayne. Airs Monday.

Revolution Rent (HBO) – The Broadway musical gets produced in Cuba. Tuesday.

Penguin Town (NETFLIX) – Penguins take to the streets of a South African town looking for mates, food and shelter in this Patton Oswalt-narrated docuseries. Splashes Wednesday.

iCarly (PARAMOUNT+) – Revival alert: Carly, Spencer and Freddie return in their twenties. Premieres Thursday.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS
White rap, animated sci-fi adventure, and an eternal battle…

Dave (FXX)
Wednesday June 16th 10pm Season 2 premiere

Dave is a white Jewish guy convinced he’s destined to be the greatest rapper of all time. The first season chronicled Dave's eccentricities, neuroses and his crude climb up the ladder of rap success.

The comedy is based on the real life of Dave Burd aka actor/rapper/model Lil Dicky. In Season 2, having landed a record deal, Dave pushes everything aside as he struggles to create new music. Look for plenty of cameos as Dave's star continues to rise.

Rick & Morty (ADULT SWIM)
Sunday, June 20th Season 5 premiere

This brilliant cartoon from the minds of Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland returns for its fifth season. Rick is a mad scientist who brings his grandson Morty along for sci-fi adventures that defy explanation.

A hit from the start, the episodes are short, sweet, and jam packed with so many jokes and references it's tough to keep up. Guest voices this season include Timothy Olyphant, Alison Brie and Christina Ricci. The animated world remains the perfect place for the minds of Dan and Justin.

Evil (PARAMOUNT+)
Sunday, June 20th Season 2 premiere

So long, CBS. Hello, Paramount+. A Netflix bump proved streaming is the place to be for this mystery that explores the origins of evil in a very unique way.

The team behind The Good Wife and The Good Fight created this epic battle. A skeptical forensic psychologist teams with a priest-in-training to investigate Church mysteries including demonic possession, miracles and hauntings. It’s dark, compelling and makes you think twice about spiritual instances that cannot be easily explained. Plus it features Michael Emerson (Ben Linus from LOST).

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

Get vaccinated. Stay healthy and safe.

TV Picks - Week of June 7

Loki arrives on Disney+ this Wednesday (covered in my weekly picks below), but today my attention is drawn to a returning series that takes place across the pond behind the scenes of the entertainment world. Flack spotlights the ones who get you to pay attention to what you see on your screen while they hide what's really going on in their client's personal lives.

Amazon offers a bunch of quality shows (included with your Prime membership) that somehow fly under the radar. Everyone knows about Fleabag and Jack Ryan, but how about The Wilds or Bosch? Flack is a hidden gem that found its way to the Prime Video lineup earlier this year, and the dark comedy returns for a brand new second season this Friday.

Speaking of hidden gems, Schitt's Creek became all the rage when it became available and bingeable on Netflix. The original U.S. broadcast home of the Canadian sitcom was Pop TV. The next big Pop TV success might've been Flack, but the network got out of the original scripted programming business after producing its second season. Prime Video picked up the series, and now we finally get to see what happened in the London public relations world.

Anna Paquin stars as Robyn, a brilliant publicist who will do anything, and I mean anything, to protect a client. She manages scandals with expertise that any PR exec would envy. When it comes to her personal life, she's a complete disaster after giving all she has to her job.  Her sex and drug issues are emblematic of what she has to deal with at work, but at home, she has no answers.

I've been dealing with publicists for most of my working life. Whether it was marketing at The Princeton Review, promoting Jump The Shark or talking to celebs at SiriusXM, you can spot the publicist a mile away. The job is all about the hustle, relationships, and taking the hit for your client when there's any type of issue. Publicists are charming, savvy, and must be selfless putting the needs of their client first. It's a tough gig.

Flack is risque, entertaining and a scarily accurate portrayal of what publicists do to keep their clients and bosses happy. From the opening minutes of the series, the show establishes how it will go places that most series shy away from. I can't help but wonder how many of these tales are written for the screen or could be actual PR company war stories. Robyn's personal and work lives collide with catastrophic results and the fallout is impossible for anyone in her circle to avoid.

Robyn is an American transplant working for the ruthless Caroline (Sophie Okendo) who has no patience for fools. Co-worker Eve (Lydia Wilson) is a verbal assassin who Robyn literally screws over and must face at the office. Robyn actually does the right thing handling intern Melody (Rebecca Benson), but will find out if that comes back to bite her. And Robyn's older sister Ruth (Genevieve Angelson) is dealing with her not-so-direct husband Mark (Rufus Jones) as she tries to survive as a London mom. The second season picks up from the aftermath of the first season's finale. The show must go on, and so must the crazy work done by Robyn's PR firm.

The actresses call the shots and their performances are very good, but keep in mind that anyone appearing deals with their own publicists and issues that could be all too familiar with their characters. Flack illustrates the price you can pay for doing a very good job and forgetting to take care of yourself thinking you can handle it all.

Flack’s second season lands on Amazon this Friday.

THIS WEEK’S SPTINAFOBYMB!
(Shows Premiering That I'm Not A Fan Of But You Might Be!)

The Bachelorette (ABC) – Season 17 is here. Chris Harrison isn't. Returns Monday.

Starstruck (HBO MAX) – A millennial in London accidentally sleeps with a famous film star. Romance blooms Thursday.

Full Bloom (HBO MAX) – Botanical artists do battle in the second season of this floral competition. Sprouts Thursday.

Home Before Dark (APPLE TV+) – A reporter investigates a mysterious explosion at a local farm. Second season premieres Thursday.

Blindspotting (STARZ) – Adaptation of the feature film, not to be confused with trains. Debuts Sunday.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS
Marvel madness, the return of a French thief, and an angry Alexis…

Loki (DISNEY+)
Wednesday June 9th 

The God of Mischief is heading to Disney+. Now it's time to clean up the mess The Avengers left behind after Endgame. Loki made his mark on the Marvel universe rivaling not only his brother Thor, but the other Avengers as well. It's because Tom Hiddleston is so damn likable doing lots of evil things.

The Loki cast is stacked with Owen Wilson and Gugu Mbatha-Raw along for the ride. WandaVision proved how "minor" Marvel characters can have quite the impact on the streamer. Loki's evil smirk alone should be enough to carry the series and satisfy anyone needing their Marvel fix.

Lupin (NETFLIX)
Friday, June 11th 2nd Season

The pilot was a standalone sensation. Omar Sy entered the next James Bond conversation. The five-episode first season was a tease that moved along at a very brisk pace establishing the life of fictional Arsene Lupin.

Now the honorable French thief continues his quest for revenge against the Pellegrini family whose patriarch framed Lupin's father for a crime that led to his death. The first season ended on a cliffhanger… expect plenty more from this stylish mystery thriller.

Kevin Can F*** Himself (AMC+)
Sunday, June 13th 

Allison McRoberts is the perfect sitcom wife. She's pretty, she can take a joke even if she's the punchline, and she married to a guy that has you wondering "how did he end up with her?!" When she leaves the sitcom world and asks herself that very question, she decides to do something about it.

The premise is intriguing, but this show starts off with two strikes against it. It's nearly impossible to see Annie Murphy as anyone but Alexis Rose which is a credit to her Emmy winning performance on Schitt's Creek.

The second is the title… a play on the Kevin James sitcom Kevin Can Wait, which famously killed off his wife (played by Erinn Hayes) and replaced her with James’ former King of Queens wife, Leah Remini. I get it, but why the curse? The asterisks make it even worse. It feels like a cheap stunt and I haven't watched a single episode yet. This comedy deserves to be viewed with a clean slate, but it's fighting an uphill battle from the get go. Hoping it's f***ing hysterical to watch. (Note that the series premieres on AMC+ this Sunday and lands on AMC proper Sunday June 20th.)

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

Get vaccinated. Stay healthy and safe.

TV Picks - Week of May 31

• Memorial Day has arrived. The calendar flips to June this week. Warm weather, beaches, barbecues and no masks… who isn't excited about the upcoming summer?

  The final Monday in May used to be when new TV shut down and programs were held for fall premieres. Summer reruns are now a thing of the past. Just because it's nice outside doesn't mean you can't watch some quality programming.

  If the weather doesn't hold up or you've ran out of sunscreen, you've come to the right place. Memorial Day weekend means TV marathons, and today is the culmination of the long weekend’s bulk TV offerings.

  I don’t know who started holiday television marathons, but I speak your name. Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's… name a holiday and you can bet there's a marathon to be watched. Easy for the programmers, and fruitful for lazy viewers. The entire binge movement may have the holiday marathon to thank for its very existence.

  My personal marathon staple, The Twilight Zone, is missing from this year's on-air offerings. Sacrilege. There's no better way to pass the time than catching up on these Rod Serling black and white classics.

  Of course if you’ve got Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu or Paramount+, you can create your own Twilight Zone marathon. The same is true of countless other shows on each and every streamer, but there’s something special about the on-air marathon.

  Of the many that are available today, I'd like to focus on three specific ones which deserve your attention:

  War Films (TCM)

  Let's not forget what Memorial Day is really all about. Turner Classic Movies has been featuring military films all weekend long. Battle of the Bulge, Red Badge of Courage and Run Silent, Run Deep are just a few of the films airing today. Pay your respects… we wouldn't be watching TV if it wasn't for these folks.

  Yellowstone (PARAMOUNT NETWORK)

  No more excuses for missing an episode of this excellent Western drama. The Paramount Network has been airing every episode from the first three seasons throughout the long weekend. Peacock — NOT Paramount+ — also streams the series if you want to catch up at your own pace.

  You read that right. Paramount+ does not stream the biggest hit on The Paramount Network because of a pre-existing streaming deal with NBCUniversal. That's why this marathon is so important for non-Peacock subscribers. It also illustrates how confusing the streaming services can be.

  I've written before about this Kevin Costner led drama which chronicles the happenings on the Dutton Ranch. No spoilers here — but you don't want to mess with John Dutton. Today showcases the most current season to get us ready for Season 4, which is due out sometime later this year.

  John Wick (SYFY)

  I'd be remiss if I didn’t mention that all three John Wick movies are airing back to back to back today on SYFY. I'll almost forgive them for skipping The Twilight Zone marathon… almost. Find out what happens when you mess with Keanu's dog.

  THIS WEEK’S SPTINAFOBYMB!
  (Shows Premiering That I'm Not A Fan Of But You Might Be!)

  Housebroken (FOX) – Animated pets and strays work on issues outside of therapy. Arrives Monday.

  America's Got Talent (NBC) – The golden buzzer officially means that summer is here. Season 16 begins on Tuesday.

  Woman In Motion (PARAMOUNT+) – Star Trek geeks rejoice — the Uhura documentary beams up Thursday!

  Why Women Kill (PARAMOUNT+) – Dark comedy, new cast, same concept. Season 2 premieres Thursday.

  Sweet Tooth (NETFLIX) – A half human, half deer boy looks for protection. Yup. Friday.

  THIS WEEK'S PICKS
  Canadian convenience and another Stephen King adaptation…

  Kim's Convenience (NETFLIX)
  Wednesday June 2nd Season 5 premiere

  I stumbled across this funny Canadian gem after Schitt's Creek ended its run. This clever sitcom features a Korean family who own a convenience store and how they interact with customers and the world around them.

  The family of four all have their individual moments, and the show hits the right notes while never taking itself too seriously. The acting is excellent as the Kims handle every imaginable stereotype in a heartwarming, poignant way. The CBC unexpectedly pulled the plug on the series after its original producers stepped aside this winter, which makes Season 5 the series’ last.

  Lisey's Story (APPLE TV+)
  Friday, June 4th

  A small screen drama starring Julianne Moore based on a Stephen King novel? Sign me up. The Oscar winner plays the widow Lisey in this limited horror series from the man who’s provided so many different reasons to stay awake at night.

  Lisey's late husband (Clive Owen) is a wealthy novelist who life was more horrifying than the stories he wrote. Lisey's sisters (Joan Allen and Jennifer Jason Leigh) need her support as she's busy grieving and dealing with plenty of trauma.

  Great actors. Great writer. One scary combo.

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

  Get vaccinated. Stay healthy and safe. Have a great holiday.

TV Picks - Week of May 24

I'm looking forward to seeing some old friends this week, but not the ones you think. Let's set the time machine to 1984, but first we'll make a stop in 1994 along the way.

We've been hearing about the Friends reunion forever, and this Thursday on HBO Max the big six have will finally be together again, joined by a plethora of celebs and old pals. I can understand guest stars Tom Selleck, Reese Witherspoon and Elliott Gould stopping by. But Justin Bieber? Lady Gaga? BTS? WTF?

I thought the point of any cast reuniting was to either build upon what made the show so popular or have those involved reminisce about the good old days. Were the members of BTS even born when Friends was must-see TV?

Full disclosure: I was never a fan. Six young beautiful people hanging out in a nice NYC loft and coffee shop in the 90's didn’t hold my interest. I felt it was the right combination of good young actors in the best location you could find on television – NBC Thursday nights. I couldn't identify with these hip single people on any level.

So many people tell me how I'm supposed to like Friends and recognize that it was one of the best comedies of all time. That's like someone telling you a restaurant has really good food because it's packed every night, but the food doesn't appeal to you or just doesn't taste very good. I’ll be tuning because of the spectacle this reunion has become, but honestly I'm not all that interested.

Let's go back a decade earlier to when Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner were busy romancing the stone. These two back together again on screen? Now we're talking. My wife and I were big fans of the first two seasons of The Kominsky Method which returns for its third and final season this Friday.

Alan Arkin, who shined as Norman Newlander, announced he was not coming back this time around. The trailer indicates that Norman is no longer with us, and Sandy Kominsky has to deal with the loss of his best friend and his own mortality.

Norman will not be easy to replace, but casting Kathleen Turner as Sandy's ex-wife Roz is a brilliant move. That 80's chemistry is still evident between these co-stars who make perfect sense as a formerly married couple. She comes to L.A. to spend time with their daughter Mindy (Sarah Baker) and her older, pony-tailed boyfriend Martin (Paul Reiser), and admirably fills the void Norman has left behind. 

The Kominsky Method is about aging not so gracefully and coming to grips with mortality without losing your sense of humor. Getting old sucks, and this Chuck Lorre comedy expresses the sentiment in a brutally honest way that you can't help but laugh at. Michael Douglas, looking more and more like his late father, puts it out there for all of us to see.

My wife and I are on the tail end of the 25-54 demo. We will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary this summer. We are starting to lose family members and friends near and dear to us. It's refreshing to watch a program that addresses these issues head on with a sly sense of humor. We aren't there yet, but it's nice to have a roadmap for what's ahead.

Enjoy Ross and Rachel. I'll be laughing with Joan Wilder (the novelist) and Jack Colton. 

SPTINAFOBYMB!
(Shows Premiering That I'm Not A Fan Of But You Might Be!)

High On The Hog (NETFLIX) – How African-American cuisine transformed America. Dig in Wednesday.

Press Your Luck/$100,000 Pyramid (ABC) – Things that attract Whammys return Wednesday.

Crime Scene Kitchen (FOX) – Joel McHale hosts a cooking competition. Wednesday reservations.

Ragnarok (NETFLIX) – Magne calls upon the power of Thor in Season 2. Premieres Thursday.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS
Iron Mike, nail bombs and Israeli school problems…

Mike Tyson: The Knockout (ABC)
Tuesday May 25th 8pm

Mike Tyson has lived one heck of a life. There was the unforgettable climb to heavyweight champ, Buster Douglas, reclaiming the title, Robin Givens, prison time for rape, a comeback and so much more. 

This four-hour documentary airing on back-to-back Tuesdays feels like it should be on ESPN. This week's first part chronicles Mike's rough childhood, his ascent to being the baddest man on the planet, and culminates with the Buster Douglas upset. Part two next week deals with the rape, Don King, and the latter part of Tyson's life.

I hosted a panel with Mike Tyson at San Diego Comic Con some years ago. Mike had a great sense of humor and was a pleasure to hang out with amongst fellow geeks. There was one moment though when things got serious and he had "that look" in his eye. It's a look you never forget.

Nail Bomber: Manhunt (NETFLIX)
Wednesday May 26th

A series of nail bomb attacks were carried out in London in the late 1990's. Over 100 people were injured and three were killed in targeted communities. Tracking down this killer was no small feat.

This latest episode in Netflix's Manhunt series is par for the course, telling the story of how the far-right terrorist was eventually apprehended and featuring interviews with many people affected by his attacks.

Blackspace (NETFLIX)
Thursday, May 27th

There's some excellent TV coming out of Israel these days. This eight-part series follows an investigation into the killing of four high school students conducted by anonymous masked figures.

Blackspace is the app that the students used to communicate with one another that parents and faculty could not see. Teen bullying and social dynamics are on full display as Israelis recognize something they've only seen on American TV is happening in their very own backyard. 

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

Get vaccinated. Stay healthy and safe.

TV Picks - Week of May 17

Therapy is deeply personal. So how can it be televised?

Couples Therapy completed its second season on Showtime. Real couples, real problems, a real therapist, and cameras recording every moment. In Treatment, which is based on actual therapy sessions, is returning for a fourth season on HBO. Those who pay for cable want to see people on the couch reveal their most intimate problems.

These shows confound me. If you've ever been to therapy, one of its most treasured aspects is your privacy. You are confiding in a professional who has absolutely nothing to do with your life. They don't know your family, your friends, your work, or even you to a certain extent. It's an objective slate.

This remains true on therapy TV with one important caveat. These intimate moments are right there for anyone who pays for cable to see. Congratulations, you're a reality TV star. At least In Treatment uses actors instead of actual patients.

Therapists helping therapists is another popular theme on these types of shows. Who helps the ones helping us? Watching a doctor fine tune his or her technique is a peek behind the curtain I'd rather not take.

I understand that these sessions aren't televised live and some view them as educational for those who experience similar problems but would never go to therapy. I'm just not buying it.

The only fictional doctors I want to see are on ER or Grey's Anatomy. There have been documentaries and news magazine segments about what goes on in an actual hospital ward, and frankly, they're tough to watch.

Couples Therapy is eerily reminiscent of the celebrity rehab craze. I know Dr. Drew and he's a good man with a big heart, and he'd argue that putting this stuff out there removes the stigma and helped the falling stars who appeared on these shows. I feel that if you were serious about rehab, you wouldn't need the spotlight.

You won't find my doctor or therapist on television. I'd prefer they be superstars in the medical field and more concerned with their patients than camera angles.

As for the couples, do they really think they're going to solve their problems by putting it out there for all to see? Social media encourages us to put all of our lives on display, but for who and why? Even though the cameras are hidden, their presence has to affect the therapist and patients to a certain degree.

Let's compromise here. A fly on the wall situation could be interesting. The therapist and patients would need to be completely unaware. No one playing to the cameras. Raw emotion on display

To the TV therapists out there, focus on being good at your job. Just don't put it on television so I can see it.

SPTINAFOBYMB!
(Shows Premiering That I'm Not A Fan Of But You Might Be!)

Trying (APPLE TV+) – A British couple really wants a baby in this cute comedy. Returns for Season 2 on Friday.

The Bite (SPECTRUM) – COVID creates zombies from the creators of The Good Wife. Debuts Friday.

In Treatment (HBO) – Back for Season 4 after a ten-year break. Sunday appointment.

Master of None (NETFLIX) – Season 3 is all Denise & Alicia with no Dev in sight. Premieres Sunday.

THIS WEEK'S PICKS
70's music, heartwarming sci-fi and 90's financing…

1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything (APPLE TV+)
Friday May 22nd

The Stones. Aretha. Bob Marley. Marvin Gaye. Joni Mitchell. The list goes on and on from a year in music that literally changed the world. This eight-part docuseries recaptures the tunes that shaped the culture and politics of a very turbulent time in history.

I've been writing a lot about music lately. This pandemic helped me realize how music moves me in a variety of ways. It's comforting, stimulating and a huge part of my life. This deep dive into music from 50 years ago makes you realize why these artists have had such staying power.

Apple TV+ has been on a nice roll with its programming. Ted Lasso and For All Mankind were two of my favorites this past year. Once they stop trying to be everything for everyone, Apple TV+ can really be something special.

Solos (AMAZON)
Friday May 22nd

Excellent actors and science fiction are always a powerful combination for any TV series. Solos explores the present and the future of how we are connected through the human experience.

This seven-part series puts a positive spin on Black Mirror-like tales. Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren lead the stacked all-star cast. These character-driven stories are trips worth taking.

Black Monday (SHOWTIME)
Sunday, May 23rd Season 3 premiere 10pm

Financial scheming has never been more fun on this Showtime series. Each season, the characters keep moving forward and the plot continues to evolve.

In Season 3, Mo steps into the music business in the early 90's while Dawn serves her time and Congressman Blair makes his way through the political world. Don Cheadle, Regina Hall, Andrew Rannells and Paul Scheer lead the fantastic cast who change so smoothly with the times.

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

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