Beef: series 2
This anthology show's new season has an excellent cast and a gripping narrative that builds to a frankly astonishing final episode. Expertly shot and edited, it stars Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny as two couples who get into a tangled mess connected to the exclusive golf club where they work and a new Korean owner (the great Youn Yuh-Jung) who's more than a little shady. The way the interpersonal relationships spiral and weave is breathtaking, with a continual stream of surprises, shifting loyalties and ratcheting tension. In the end, the show has profound things to say about love and loyalty, and also takes a startlingly astute swipe at where the world is right now. (Netflix)
Company Retreat
The astonishing improv comedy is back, this time set around a small family business' getaway at which everyone is an actor except one person who has no idea they're on a sitcom. Like the first season, this is hilariously outrageous television, expertly set up and assembled to hone in on how Anthony responds to the absurd things thrown at him, including several moral dilemmas. So it's funny but also very sharply pointed, commenting on the changing landscape for small companies while also offering provocative "what would you do?" scenarios. This one sometimes feels a bit sillier than the first courtroom series, but it is packed with terrific moments. And as before, the casting is genius. (Prime)
Diving back into this colourful period fantasia is such a delight that we never want it to end. So of course Netflix divides the series into chapters to further torment us. Things are both spicy and comforting, as another Bridgerton sibling, wild child Benedict (Luke Thompson), is tamed by the feisty Sophie (Yerin Ha). Meanwhile, there are more antics for Nicola Coughlan's Penelope, Adjoa Andoh's Lady Danbury and Golda Rosheuvel's Queen Charlotte, plus a parallel romance for Lady Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and her swarthy Lord Marcus (Daniel Francis). There's never much doubt where these plot threads are headed, but this kind of frothy/steamy nonsense is simply delicious. (Netflix)
This season opens outside the city-in-a-bunker with a superb Graceland-set narrative featuring a new role for Shailene Woodley. Then Sterling K Brown arrives and we're off on a steely cross-country adventure. The show splinters in now-typical second-season style between a sometimes bewildering range of story threads in timelines that inside, outside and before the bunker. The writing feels a little heavy-handed, pushing apocalyptic themes while searching for signs of humanity. But the expanding cast is solid (including puppet-master Julianne Nicholson), and the plotlines are involving enough to keep us hooked. Where this season ends up is properly brain-bending, which bodes well for series 3. (Hulu)
Carrying on with its various narrative strands, which are even-more fragmented than before, this show is packed with fascinating scenes that seem to exist in isolation, even as some of the threads vaguely begin to merge. With all of this jumping around in both place and time, we are never quite sure which events are happening concurrently with others. But it doesn't really matter yet. This season is largely set around New Vegas, and the nutty mayhem offers particularly strong moments for Ella Purnell, Kyle MacLachlan, Aaron Moten, Moises Arias and of course Walton Goggins. With added Justin Theroux as a pre-apocalypse brainiac and Macauley Culkin as a cos-playing Roman general. (Prime)
Jon Hamm is back for some more somewhat far fetched criminality, as a wealthy investment manager who turns to robbing his neighbours to make ends meet. His character's relationship with his ex-wife (Amanda Peet) and ex-girlfriend (Olivia Munn) are far more complicated now, as are his friendships and work connections. As a billionaire who moves into the community, James Marsden stirs everything up exponentially, further straining the credibility. But it's entertaining to watch these obscenely privileged people get taken down a peg or two (or more), even if the splintered plot feels a bit deliberately structured simply to make space for another season. (Apple)
From Belgium, this show wallows in compelling melodrama between wildly wealthy and working class families in a rural seaside town. The first season centred on the teens, then the wonderfully overwrought soap-style stories spread to the parents too. Most of the characters bullheadedly charge through each situation without listening to anyone else, with a storm of alcohol, sex, drugs and violence. Even the few likeable or sympathetic people continually do awful things to each other, mainly because of the barrage of trauma they are all carrying around. But even if it's all faintly ridiculous, it's impossible to look away, partly because the European cast goes for it in ways American actors would never dare. (Netflix)
S O M E T H I N G N E W
It's nice to see a Star Trek series that is actually trying something new that fits within its remit, even if some of these episodes reach perhaps a bit too far thematically, and the direction is sometimes shockingly inept. Set in the officer training school, the show features a collection of hot young cadets who improbably find themselves in a momentously urgent situation every single week. But because their teachers include Holly Hunter, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro and Gina Yashere, plus Paul Giamatti as a recurring baddie, the show also has wonderfully offhanded gravitas. And students Sandro Rosta, Karim Diane, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins and Bella Shepard have star-making presence. (Paramount)
Riz Ahmed created and stars in this comedy about a British actor with Pakistani heritage who auditions to play James Bond, setting off a barrage of online hatred from all sides (is he too Asian or a sell-out?), and unfiltered excitement from his colourful friends and family. Ahmed is extraordinary in the meta-role, finding all kinds of layers as his character becomes increasingly unlikeable but somehow holds on to our sympathy. Sheeba Chadda is especially strong as his mother, and Guz Khan and Aasiya Shah add wonderful layers as his cousin and sister. There are also terrific guest roles for Himesh Patel, Nabhaan Rizwan, Rafe Spall and even a wonderfully absurd turn from Patrick Stewart. (Prime)
A TV series about grief may seem like it'll be heavy-going, but writer Taylor Sheridan includes plenty of brittle humour and a riveting focal performance by Michelle Pfeiffer as a woman dealing with loss while trying to manage her messy adult daughters (Beau Garrett and Elle Chapman). The expansive Montana scenery is another key character here, and Sheridan weaves in several powerful narrative kicks over the course of six intensely emotive episodes. A side role for Rebecca Spence is complex and engaging. And there are meaty male characters too for Kurt Russell, Patrick J Adams, Ben Schnetzer, Kevin Zegers and Matthew Fox. It may get a bit mopey, but it's well worth a look. (Paramount)
Steve Carell ably anchors this warm-hearted comedy in which he plays a blockbuster novelist (the title refers to his repeating lead character) who takes a job teaching at the university where his estranged daughter (Charly Clive) works. Their relationship is fun to watch, even if both of the characters are sometimes hard to like. They share rather complex broken-marriage issues (with Connie Britton and Phil Dunster as their respective exes), which add layers of connection to the spiralling silliness. And everything is grounded by the astute writing and earthy performances. Terrific support from Danielle Deadwyler and John C McGinley in roles that will benefit from more development in series 2. (HBO)
From Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee comes another riotously astute Irish comedy, although this one is rather a lot darker, mixing the jagged humour with thriller elements as three old friends (Roisin Gallagher, Sinead Keenan and Caoilfhionn Dunne) reunite 20 years after a traumatic event to solve a mystery centred around their fourth classmate (Natasha O'Keeffe). Snappy dialog and hilarious characters keep us chuckling even as things get increasingly nasty. The plot veers in directions that are contrived, absurd and properly punchy. And there are terrific roles for Darragh Hand (as a dreamy garda), MobLand's Emmet J Scanlan and the always fantastic Bronagh Gallagher and Michelle Fairley. (Netflix)
Straining for that wry Fleabag-style to-camera vibe, this comedy-drama instead becomes rather arch as Rachel Weisz's English professor narrates her own fantastical crush on her new colleague Vladimir, played with offhanded dreaminess by Leo Woodall. Complications include her husband (John Slattery), their open marriage and accusations against him of sexual impropriety. And then there's Vladimir's wife (Jessica Henwick), who ends up in the thick of it as well. Where the story goes is foreshadowed right from the start, so it's not hugely surprising. But the show manages to drum up some terrific lustiness, highlighting female sexuality in an unusually complex way. (Netflix)
From Germany, this cartoonish comedy is relentlessly silly, with one of those plots in which everything continually goes wrong at the worst possible time. Amid the amusing stupidity, there are quite a few genuinely witty gags, plus some pointed satire about both German society and the global music industry, as the plot centres on loser Toni (Anton Schneider) dealing with both his big break to become a rap star and the discovery that he has a teen son (Sky Arndt). While the performances are deliberately way over the top, there are moments of real emotion that keep us watching. And one of the most enjoyably ridiculous touches is a running gag about the 1998 classic Armageddon. (Netflix)
J U S T F O R V A R I E T Y
With just one half-hour episode, this proves to be the show we need right now. Even 50 years later, the format feels fresh and engaging, with Kermit, Piggy and friends spiralling into their own delightful brand of chaos as they try to revive their theatre show. Guest star Sabrina Carpenter offers plenty of musical and comical fun, with added goofy cameos from Maya Rudolph and Seth Rogen as themselves. It's such an engaging mix of songs, sketches and generally silly mayhem that we can't help but fall in love with these characters all over again. And the all new cast of Muppet performers beautifully captures the souls of these iconic characters. Surely this proves that we need more of this. (Disney)
While the original version is in the midst of its 51st season, a UK clone has taken to the airwaves slightly earlier on Saturday nights from London. The fresh cast of comics is very strong, diving headlong into the topical silliness, with the usual collection of sketches that are alternately inspired or oddly flat-footed. But the cheeky energy keeps things afloat. The most notable emerging star is Jack Shep, who has an innate gift for characterisations, from Princess Diana to the former Prince Andrew. The odd thing about the show is how it already feels like it's been around for too long. More variation from the US formula could help make this feel like something new. So let's hope it develops its own personality. (Sky)
GUILTY PLEASURES: The Traitors Ireland, Celebrity Race Across the World, Britain's Got Talent.
NOW WATCHING: Big Mistakes, The Testaments, Euphoria 3, Hacks 5, The Boys 5, Scrubs 8.
COMING SOON: Half Man, Margot's Got Money Problems, Man on Fire, The House of the Spirits, Alpha Males 4.
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