It’s almost September, and you know what that means!
The Internet has once again FLUNG itself to the ground in its annual tantrum over whether it IS or is NOT ethically, morally, legally, and spiritually too early for Pumpkin Spice Lattes. [Reader, I do not care!!! Is it perhaps a little too hot out for warm anything, YES, but as we will discuss later, stop yucking people’s yum! Let people live!]
It also means that it’s TV Season! Despite the fact that streaming services have upended the normal TV cycle, Fall is still the time when a ton of new shows and returning seasons hit our collective screens. So, in honor of the coming Fall season of TV, this post will be almost entirely TV-focused, sorry to anyone who hates TV [please tell me who you are and how you exist in this world].
But first, I would like to address the fact that the world is heavy right now. I mean, it always is, and that’s honestly one of the main reasons I need humor and pop culture in my life. Joy matters, too. It’s what gives me the will to continue caring.
But first I thought I’d just take a minute to share some helpful resources that others have sourced and shared with me.
Afghanistan: This post by a friend provides a deeply articulate letter you can write to your representatives asking them to protect Afghan refugees. You can find more ways to help here.
Haiti: Ways to help.
Hurricane Ida: Hopefully this will NOT be another horrible news story, but my family in New Orleans is currently evacuating and I have a good ol’ Catholic prayer candle lit for all of you down there. <3
Okay, if you’re ready for some distraction from the heaviness, let’s carry on!
In the News
Larry David has been in Martha’s Vineyard for the summer and on his absolute best/worst bullshit, proving that his life is an IRL episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Scene 1: Larry David screams at reviled lawyer Alan Dershowitz who then “takes off his T-shirt to reveal another T-shirt that says ‘It’s the Constitution, Stupid!’” What?? Scene 2: Larry David is invited to Obama’s birthday party, misses a call from Obama’s assistant, stresses thinking he’s being asked to do comedy, finally calls back only to find out he’s uninvited because of Covid—and is thoroughly relieved.
The trailer for the new Princess Diana movie—Spencer—dropped and it looks INTENSE!!!! I am now ALL IN on Kristen Stewart playing Princess Di. The poster is dramatic!!! [It also looks like they photoshopped short hair on that moment when Jennifer Lawrence fell at the Oscars?] Readers, are you in or out on the Kristen Stewart casting choice?
“Vax That Thang Up” by Juvenile (featuring fellow NOLA artists Mannie Fresh and Mia X) is making me so happy today. Yes, it is a rewrite of his ‘99 hit “Back That Thang Up” and yes it’s just as good as you’re thinking. This came out in early July but I didn’t hear about it until my NPR podcast told me about it this week which is the most embarrassingly white-girl thing I’ve ever said but this is a space of honesty so I’m telling you the whole truth!
BTS and Megan Thee Stallion remixed “Butter.” [It’s fine.] Y’all make that money! Also, BTS has a spraaaaaawling profile in Billboard and the FA$$$HION!!!!
Watching — It’s TV-Time!
Like I said, it’s TV season and there’s WAY too much new stuff coming out to cover it all. So I’m going to share the ones I’m excited about, both out now and upcoming. I’ll give a deeper dive into the one that’s top of mind and then skim through the others. Scan through for the ones you want to hear about!
I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments! What are you most excited about watching in the next couple months??
Out Now:
Nine Perfect Strangers [Hulu] - Nine Perfect Strangers is a perfectly watchable show. Which, to be fair, for $100 million dollars, is kind of a letdown.
Everyone is comparing it to The White Lotus and, friends, let’s just say it is not a flattering contrast. Where White Lotus is smart, Strangers is predictable, where White Lotus is funny, Strangers is schmaltzy, where White Lotus is incisive, Strangers is cliche.
But honestly, I somehow don’t care! It’s entertaining, glossy, has a great cast, and is TV! Also, when it comes to “rich white people on rich white vacations” projects, Nine Perfect Strangers is actually giving me more Old vibes than White Lotus. Both are a tad self-serious, rely on cliches, and have characters spat out of an algorithm titled “Why This White Person Is Signing Up for Therapy.” I know all of those seem like reasons to NOT watch either, but somehow I like both?? Again, they’re fine!
I quit shows all the time, so I’m not going to say “I’ll watch every episode,” but so far I’m still with it, even if just for Manny Jacinto’s jawline.
Other Shows Out Now:
The Chair [Netflix] — The new Sandra Oh show! I haven’t watched this one yet. Sandra Oh plays the new chair of an English Department at a fictional Ivy school and she has to sort out tenure battles, Nazi controversies, and her love life with the guy in the Nazi controversy. It’s a comedy about academia, cancel culture, etc. I’ve heard that the cons are that it’s not saying anything super new, but the pros are an excellent cast, funny script, and sharp production. Also, even though I missed the Grey’s Anatomy wave, Sandra Oh is an absolute MUST-SEE always!! The Queen is coming!
Physical [HBO] — I have sworn my first-born child to Rose Byrne and her glorious 80s wig. This is her Sistine Chapel, a dark comedy/drama about a repressed housewife with a shitbag husband, and then she discovers aerobics! But it’s really about self-hatred, self-doubt, gender politics, mental health, jealousy, and greed. Rose Byrne is incredible in this. But, full disclosure, Ben and I have watched 7 of 10 episodes and just can’t seem to get around to the final three…. But I promise it’s REALLY GOOD. But it’s also depressing as hell. And trigger warning for very serious content about disordered eating. Like, that’s basically what this show is about.
Ted Lasso [Apple TV+] — Like I already mentioned, I thought Season 2 of Ted Lasso got off to a bad start. And of course, there’s been an internet backlash against it because nothing can stay pure, and a backlash to the backlash, and the eternal cycle. But—either because 1) it was a slow burn all along, or 2) my expectations were so lowered I could be happy with anything, or 3) I will stan anything with a syrupy Christmas episode in the smack middle of summer—I am thoroughly enjoying it now! Bye, Scrooges!! My overall takeaway is if Ted Lasso gives you a small bit of joy in this desolate world, please continue enjoying it. If you think Ted Lasso is cloying garbage, just don’t yuck someone else’s yum, okay? Protect the vibe.
Schmigadoon [AppleTV+] — I have not yet watched this but it is on my list! I have heard great things, even from grumps who hate musicals! The premise of this show is that Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key are a couple who go on a hike to fix their relationship. [Coach Hannah here, never use a hike to fix A N Y T H I N G. I shouldn’t even have to say this.] Instead, they stumble upon some magical town that’s trapped in a 1950’s musical and they can’t escape until they sing and chorus line their way to the mystery at the center of the town—or something like that. It’s possible that Kristin Chenoweth is an evil mayor? I did not fact-check that. Honestly, they had me at Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key.
Gossip Girl Season 2 [HBO] — With a critics’ score of 38% and an audience score of 69% (nice), this show is absolutely absurd and has not lost me yet, and that in itself is a triumph. XOXO.
Reservation Dogs [Hulu] — A+ so far. You can read my thoughts here.
The White Lotus [HBO]— And I gush about this best show of 2021 here.
NEW Shows Coming Up:
American Crime Story: Impeachment — I know this as “the show where Billy Eichner plays Matt Drudge.” But you may know it as the show dramatizing Bill Clinton’s impeachment. It might be the next “The People vs. OJ Simpson” or it might just be really uncomfortable because Beanie Feldstein (of Booksmart and Ladybird) plays Monica Lewinski but still looks 12!?!? Hhm! Coming September 7th.
The Morning Show, Season 2 — I did not watch the first season because of reasons like it looked boring. Readers, should I!?? The only thing I know about this is Reese has blonde hair again which I didn’t even know she stopped having! Coming September 17th.
Dopesick — The new miniseries about America’s opioid crisis and the big pharma companies that conspired to create it, based on the book of the same name. I REALLY hope this is good. Michael Keaton is in it! And Rosario Dawson! And a Sarsgaard, who I just put together for the first time isn’t a Skarsgard! [Which one is the family?? Or is it both???] Coming October 13th.
Succession, Season 3 — YAAAAAAAS!!!!! Our favorite assholes are back!!!!!!! This cannot come soon enough!!!!!!!! Get your Kendall Roy collectibles ready!!!!! L TO THE O-G!!!!!!!! Coming in October.
Wellp, that’s it for this week, folks! If you can find a knockoff of this $340-dollar blue dress that Zoe Kravitz wore while schmoozing around NYC with her new boyfriend Channing Tatum, HIT YOUR GIRL UP.
Driving away from Ida and reading this! I don’t always yuck people’s yum, but sometimes I do! 🙈 I must stop! Currently I think Ted Lasso is a bit like luke warm soup, but I’m still watching it! Keep that candle lit for our home and the city of New Orleans 🙏
It’s all about Succession, and only Succession, for me!