No, I don't want no notes, a note is a thing that can't get no love from me
Welcome back to streaming variability, a newsletter all about tv and what’s worth watching written by some random idiot on the internet!
Quick Thoughts
Bill Hader is doing something truly special with Barry. If the rest of S4 carries on in a similar fashion to the first two episodes and they nail the landing, it will probably go down as my favorite show. Ever. Period. Sounds crazt, but it has just been that good and credit due for wrapping up in a timely fashion and not extending something for 18 seasons just because they can. I thought S3 was an all-time great season of television and with Bill Hader taking over directing duties for the entirety of S4, it appears we are in for a ride. They are clearly trying to push the envelope with the shots and emotion they are pulling at and I’m eating it all up. I’m sad that this is the last season, but I can’t wait to see what Hader does next, now that he has this under his belt (and yes, I know I’m getting ahead of myself).
Both Mando and Picard are wrapping up this week. I’m not up-to-date on Trek, but I know a lot of people are out on Mando at this point. And I get it. Especially after episode six, which was a complete disaster. But I still think it’s a fun, pulpy, comic book-like show that is good to have in the rotation when everything is trying to be taken seriously with series-long plot threads—I think people have forgotten how to just have fun with a show and Mando has been my antidote to that.
New Stuff
Mrs. Davis (Peacock) S1
This was one of my most anticipated shows of 2023 given the talent behind it as Damon Lindelof’s first TV project since the fantastic Watchmen limited series on HBO with Betty Gilpin starring in front of the camera. This and Poker Face were big reasons I was bullish on Peacock’s content so hopefully it can deliver in the same way Johnson/Lyonne and co. did with Poker Face. Dropping on 4/20.
Dead Ringers (Amazon) S1
Not hearing terrific things about this… but Rachel Weisz stars in this Amazon series, which drops all six episodes on 4/21, so I figure I’ll give an episode or two a shot to see how it goes.
Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni & Tupac Shakur (FX)
Docuseries on Tupac feels like a much watch, in my opinion. Nothing else needs to be said.
From (MGM) S2
S1 of this show has been on my watchlist to check out, but I still haven’t gotten around to it, unfortunately. General consensus from critics is positive and so are the audience scores so it’s worth giving a shot—whenever you can find the time (schedule is suuupppperr crowded right now…).
Somebody Somewhere (HBO) S2
Another show I’ve been slacking on. 100% critic score on Rotten Tomato’s though so it feels like required watching for those of us who have been slacking and need to catch up…
The Schedule
Monday
🎩 Perry Mason (HBO) 2:7
Tuesday
🎩 Ted Lasso (Apple) 3:6
Wednesday
The Mandalorian (Disney) 3:8
The Big Door Prize (Apple) 1:6
Thursday
Star Trek: Picard (Paramount) 3:10
Digman! (Comedy Central ) 1:5
Dave (Hulu) 3:4
🌟 Mrs. Davis (Peacock) 1:1-4
Friday
🌟 Yellowjackets (Showtime) 2:5
The Power (Amazon) 1:6
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon) 5:4
The Last Thing He Told Me (Apple) 1:3
Dead Ringers (Amazon) S1
Dear Mama (FX) 1:1-2
Sunday
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) 10:9
Lucky Hank (AMC) 1:6
Rabbit Hole (Paramount) 1:6
Great Expectations (Hulu) 1:5
🌟 Succession (HBO) 4:5
Royal Crackers (Adult Swim) 1:6
Waco: The Aftermath (Showtime) 1:2
🌟 Barry (HBO) 4:3
From (MGM) 2:1
Somebody Somewhere (HBO) 2:1
Legend
Season/Series Premier: bold
Season/Series Finale: italic
Highly Anticipated: 🌟
Top Notch Viewing: 🎩
Elsewhere
I’ve been firing off trailers (and other news) that’s less timely over at The Independent Variable in case you are interested in things that are in the future pipeline at some of the streamers and want to check out the trailers:
Fired on Mars (animated show starring Luke Wilson)
The Continental (in the John Wick world)
The Sympathizer (based on the novel)
The Regime (Kate Winslet’s HBO follow-up to Mare of Easttown)
As always, stay sane.
-humdrum