Screen: April TV Roundup

I'm always amazed at how watching an episode or two every now and then adds up so quickly: these are the shows I saw over the past few months in between the movies and stage shows. I use TV as an amuse bouche to reset my brain between work, which is why I won't watch anything based around death (I avoid shows about detectives, doctors, lawyers or cops). I'm also not a huge genre fan, but I do get into some fan series now and then...

W H A T   A   D R A M A

The Mandalorian: series 3
Folding this show's narrative in line with other series is showing some strain, as writers abandon what made it so special to begin with. No longer a series of little adventures, it's now a big, overly complicated mega-plot with random action beats and far too much murky conspiracy-mongering. Plus stunt cameos. There are still small joys to be found, thankfully. And it does eventually bring story threads together in a meaningful, even exciting way. But Disney's cinematic universe-building has snuffed out this show's charm. (Disney). 

Star Trek - Picard: series 3 
This show gets bigger with each season, and this one sends Patrick Stewart's ageing admiral on an epic adventure as he takes on old but newly fearsome foes, all while being a fugitive from Starfleet justice. Over these episodes, he reassembles virtually the entire cast of The Next Generation (as well as the score), which is thrilling even without the enormous action set-pieces they are thrown into. The plots are properly mind-bending, which may make us long for more simplicity. But the show's ambition is impressive and hugely satisfying. (Paramount)

His Dark Materials: series 3
Philip Pullman's trilogy of novels come to their on-screen conclusion with a remarkable faithfulness to the material. Impressively produced to a high standard, this fantastical story reaches a powerful, startling conclusion. The excellent ensemble cast is led by the terrific Dafne Keen and Will Parry, as two young people pulled into a parallel-world adventure. And where it goes is remarkably mature, never speaking down to teens in the audience. It of course helps to have the likes of James McAvoy and Ruth Wilson on board. (BBC)

Welcome to Chippendales
Skilfully written by Robert Siegel, this series centres on the pioneering male-stripping venue and its shocking history of murders and suicides. It boldly takes on the American dream with complex, surprising results. And it features stellar performances from Kumail Nanjiani as businessman-founder Steve Bannerjee, Murray Bartlett as his creative genius cohort Nick Dei Noia and Annaleigh Ashford as Steve's brilliant wife Irene, plus ace support from the likes of Juliette Lewis, Robin de Jesus and Andrew Rannells. The show also cleverly mixes pitch-black elements with 1980s glitter. (Hulu)

Extrapolations
Ambitious and smart, this show challenges the viewer to think about the future as the episodes skip years ahead in time, from the 2030s to 2070. Loose connections along the way are clever, as are observations and conjecture. Although there are some undercooked elements, most notably the tech (clear glass screens look cool but are ludicrously impractical) and fashion. And some of the science sounds a bit iffy. But the stories have a strong kick to them, and the terrific A-list cast finds moving emotions along the way. (Apple)

Pretty Baby:
Brooke Shields
There's an astonishing honesty to this two-part documentary. A model virtually from birth, Shields was sexualised by the media from a very young age, treated as either a slut or a goody-goody, and never allowed to be either a complex person in her own right. She speaks openly throughout, accompanied by interviews with family and friends and an excellent archive of photos and footage. Through all of this, Shields is articulate and never afraid to explore even the darkest chapters of her life, from rape to postpartum depression. Which leads to a powerfully insightful conversation with her daughters. (ABC)

I T ' S   C O M I C A L

Beef
Steven Yeun and Ali Wong star in this pitch-black comedy about two angry people whose road rage incident blossoms into a full-on family feud. As it gets messier and messier, the show is sometimes very hard to watch, but the characters are so vivid that we can't look away. The writers sometimes push things into cartoonish territory, but the terrific cast keeps it grounded, including ace supporting players Joseph Lee, Young Mazino, David Choe and Maria Bello. Watching this is a harrowing experience, but it's packed with insight into human nature. (Netflix)

Shrinking 
Jason Segel brings his hangdog brand of comedy to this smart sitcom about psychologists who take their personal issues to work. As a recent widower with a sparky teen daughter (Lukita Maxwell), Segel is as likeable as ever. And his banter with colleagues Harrison Ford (who's hilarious) and Jessica Williams is a lot of fun. Coming from the team behind Ted Lasso, the tone is warm and gentle, which can leave scenes feeling like they need some edge. But the characters get increasingly endearing over the course of these 10 episodes. So it's good news that more are coming. (Apple)

That 90s Show
Rebooting That 70s Show with a new era of nostalgia, the writers cleverly bring back most of the original cast in cameo appearances, but centre around returning scene-stealers Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, now dealing with the antics of their granddaugher (Callie Haverda), who makes charming idiot friends while visiting for the summer. Most jokes and sight gags are the same, but by shifting everything by two decades there's a whole new perspective, plus an endless supply of things to make fun of. And the new characters are great. (Netflix)

History of the World: Part II 
Mel Brooks' 1981 movie History of the World: Part I finally gets a sequel. And it's as uneven as ever. Once again, all-star cameos populate the sketches, which usually simply take a historical event and overlay it with jokes based on either Jewishness, social media or both. It's not particularly clever, and some sequences are too silly to elicit a laugh, but it does have enough witty moments to make it worth a look. And some recurring performances are memorable, from Wanda Sykes as a sassy Shirley Chisholm to Jay Ellis as a super-cool Jesus. (Disney)

Unstable 
Rob Lowe teams up with his son John Owen Lowe to play, yes, father and son in this over-goofy sitcom set in a biotech company. Written by Lowe Jr, the script cleverly and mercilessly pokes fun at Lowe Sr, who plays a handsome-genius scientist who, working with his nutty scientists, might be able to save the planet from climate change. Each character is so broadly ridiculous that they're not particularly believable, but they're fairly hilarious, and well-played by Sian Clifford, Aaron Branch, Rachel Marsh, Emma Derreira and Frank Gallegos. (Netflix)

Young Rock:
series 3
Dwayne Johnson continues mining his childhood for amusing anecdotes, and it's beginning to look like he will never run out of material. Not only is he a lot of fun in the framing scenes with Randall Park (and Dawnn Lewis in this season), but the actors playing his younger self (Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant and Uli Latukefu) continue to grow on us. They also continue to grow up, which adds an extra zing to the overall narrative arcs. The little sermons tucked inside each episode are corny, but they add to the charm. (NBC)

Abbott Elementary: series 2
This sitcom is never as sharp or original as it could be, but it's hugely watchable thanks to its smart setting in an underfunded state school populated by teachers who love their jobs. The chemistry between the cast members keeps it engaging, even if the will-they-won't-they situation between Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams never quite builds up steam. And some token characters feel oddly underdeveloped. But Janelle James is hilarious as the scene-stealing principal, and Sheryl Lee Ralph is a national treasure. (ABC)

The Conners:
series 5 
This extremely long-running sitcom, which began as Roseanne in 1988, continues to take on current issues with unapologetic honesty, finding earthy humour in unexpected places while deeply developing each of its lively characters. The ensemble cast is as strong as ever, and it's a rare series that has allowed the shape of the family to grow and change over the years, reflecting real life through an astute and refreshingly amusing perspective. Which allows comments about things like fractured politics and the rising cost of living to have real bite. (ABC)

I   G I V E   U P

Poker Face: This is a very well-made show, with clever writing and a terrific cast made largely of scene-stealing guest stars. But I'm simply not a fan of series that hinge around murders, and barely made it through three episodes. (Peacock)

Marie-Antoinette: Sharply written and produced, this show struggles to feel like anything new amid a sea of more inventive period costume dramas. It has terrific wit, and a solid Euro-cast, but it never quite held my interest. (BBC)

CURRENTLY WATCHING: Mrs Davis, Schmigadoon (2), Ted Lasso (3), Dave (3), Succession (4), The Marvelous Mrs Maisel (5).
COMING SOON: Citadel, Bupkis, White House Plumbers, The Afterparty (2), The Other Two (3).

Previous roundup: DECEMBER 2022 >

Screen: August TV Roundup

After the disruption of the pandemic, we're finally getting to see several delayed series (with more still to come). These long gaps between seasons continue the shift in the way TV shows roll out, so the old network schedule of launching new episodes every autumn feels like it's becoming rare. There's been plenty for me to watch in between my film and theatre work, both enjoyable returning shows, original series and several that are adaptations, spinoffs, reboots or based on existing properties. And that's definitely a trend that is continuing...

Stranger Things: series 4 
With its epic-sized episodes and ramped-up plot, this series powers straight through to set things up for the final fifth season. Since the actors have all aged significantly, they perhaps seem a bit older on-screen than written, but this allows for intriguing nuances in the evolving relationships between them, superbly played by a tremendous cast. Splintering the story into three main strands is sometimes annoying, especially as the Russian plotline, as wildly entertaining as it is, clings to several coincidences. Otherwise, various set pieces produce proper thrills as everything builds to an enormously cathartic intake of breath, then leaves us gasping for more. (Netflix) 

Hacks: series 2  
Pushing these characters further into their rather tense working relationship, this series feels like it gets stronger with each episode. And this is largely due to the towering performance from Jean Smart as Joan Rivers-style comic Deborah, straining to kickstart her career with the help of messy writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder). This series also spirals out to follow Deborah's assistant Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins), which isn't strongly enough developed yet to be involving. But this season's central idea, putting the characters on the road for a series of warmup gigs, is inspired. And having Laurie Metcalf turn up (too briefly) is a stroke of genius. (HBO)

The Umbrella Academy: series 3
This rather madcap action show continues to play with both alternate realities and the end of the world, as the Umbrellas have returned to the present and find themselves replaced by the Sparrows. Clashes, romances and lots of mayhem ensue, as reality begins collapsing in on itself and these oddly supercharged antiheroes need to once again rescue humanity. The actors are what makes this unmissable, as each character is such a bundle of nutty quirks that it's a wonder they get anything done at all. There isn't a weak link in the excellent ensemble, and the writers make sure each gets plenty of chaotic development along the way. Bring on a fourth season. (Netflix)

Physical: series 2 
Carrying on with the story, this new season continues the extremely slow evolution of Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne), an intelligent wife and mother who keeps her personal demons secret, then punishes herself by becoming a fearsome 1980s aerobics expert. The narrative focusses on tiny shifts rather than momentous changes, and the cast goes all-in to each twist and turn, most notably Rory Scovel, Paul Sparks and Murray Bartlett, who arrives with a lot of promise but never gets to fully deliver on it. That's kind of how the whole show feels, as so little seems to happen. But the underlying thoughts and feelings make it entertaining and even important. (Apple)

The Boys: series 3 
Things continue to escalate for the rather awful people who populate this show, and this time the eponymous superhero-battling team dabble with their own temporary powers, ramping up clashes enormously. The writers cleverly put key characters in real danger, although we have to wait quite a while to see if they'll bump anyone off. It's a rare show in which both the good and bad guys are abrasive and often unlikeable, and most of them have the ability to kill someone without trying too hard. So it's violent and nasty, but also wry and knowing. And all of the lead actors are terrific at layering vulnerabilities and emotions in unexpected ways. (Prime)

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel: series 4 
A huge step up from the uneven third season, this new series is much more sharply focussed on both the characters and the overarching themes. So Rachel Brosnahan is able to both broaden and deepen Midge, while also remaining genuinely hilarious in her stand-up performances. Meanwhile, the side roles aren't merely spiralling aimlessly this time around: each narrative thread weaves together cleverly to offer meaty scenes for the actors while pushing this extended family further forward. And Alex Borstein just gets more intriguing with each episode, building her business on hilariously fragile foundations. And you can never go wrong with the fabulous Jane Lynch. (Netflix)

M O S T L Y   N E W

Ms Marvel 
Lively and engaging, this Marvel origin series has Pakistani culture and history engagingly woven through it, similar to Moon Knight's Egyptian connection. But this one's an American high school sitcom, as lively junior Kamala (Iman Vellani) engages in banter with her goofy friends and hilariously insistent Pakistani parents. Then a bangle taps into her grandmother's ancestral power, sending Kamala on an odyssey as she realises that she's a superhero connected to ancient folklore. The comical vibe helps make the more violent plot elements easier to take, and the characters are so vivid that we can't wait to see more of them on either big or small screens. (Disney) 

Obi-Wan Kenobi 
Filling in a gap in the Star Wars timeline, this six-episode series returns Ewan McGregor to his eponymous role as the now-jaded Jedi, while Hayden Christensen's Darth Vader marauds across the galaxy trying to finish him off. It feels oddly ill-imagined from the start, focussing on edgy action scenes that are bereft of tension due to the usual prequel issue: we know none of the main characters is in any real danger. A more dramatic approach and some more central (expendable) new characters would have given the series a much stronger sense of intrigue. Still, it's produced to a gloriously high standard, and McGregor and his ensemble of costars are excellent. (Disney)

Uncoupled
Essentially writer-creator Darren Star has created an out-gay remake of his earlier show, Sex and the City, this time starring three New York men grappling with love-life issues. It's equally underwritten and over-designed, but it's also hugely likeable, thank to the up-for-it Neil Patrick Harris as Michael, newly single after a 17-year relationship. His pals (Tisha Campbell, Emerson Brooks and Brooks Ashmanskas) offer the usual mix of good and bad advice/support, mainly for comical effect. Plus the great Marcia Gay Harden as another new singleton who worms her way into Michael's life. It's also actually funny, even if the humorous edges are superficial. (Netflix)

Loot 
Maya Rudolph is terrific in this comedy about a pampered, newly single billionaire who hasn't a clue how to engage with the real world, but wants to try by getting involved in her foundation. Many of the jokes are rather ridiculous, but the Rudolph is so good at playing endearingly naive that we can't help but love her, especially as she begins to connect with others. The wonderful Michaela Jae Rodriguez is terrific as her main foil, plus the absurdly endearing Joel Kim Booster as her hyperactive assistant and Adam Scott as her smarmy ex. The range of subplots are a bit uneven, but if one isn't working the attention quickly shifts to one that is simply genius. (HBO)

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 
Now that Discovery has leapt into the distant future, this spin-off reverts to the past to follow Captain Pike (Anson Mount) in the years before the original series, complete with a younger Spock (Ethan Peck) and a rookie Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding). The idea here is to mimic the first series' exploratory episodic style, although the showrunners can't resist wallowing in those murky over-arching plot threads. This allows for some character depth, but it also makes the show feel a bit gimmicky, never fully diving in to the adventure of the week because everyone is preoccupied with their larger stories. Thankfully it's sharply well made, and very watchable. (Paramount)

Queer as Folk
Russell T Davies' landmark show gets a second reboot, this time set in New Orleans. The writing cleverly captures present-day attitudes, as sexuality is much blurrier than it was in the 1999 British original or 2000 American remake. Even as characters echo earlier versions, the plot strikes out in new directions, with a group of people whose lives are entangled in the wake of a nightclub shooting. The cast has a sparky freshness, anchored by the Devin Way as likeable disaster Brodie. The range of characters around him feels a bit overly curated, but each one engages with their messy decisions as they try to both fit in and find someone to love. (Peacock)

T H A T ’ S   A   W R A P

Love, Victor: series 3 
With its final season, this warm-hearted teen sitcom carries on with the likeable Victor (Michael Cimino) and friends. In these episodes, Victor ping-pongs between three smart, adorable guys -- Benji (George Sear), Rahim (Anthony Keyvan) and Nick (Nico Greetham) -- as he faces the usual foibles of the dating scene. It ends in the expected bearhug, but along the way, the story veers through some remarkably open-handed themes. Each cast member is particularly strong at playing vulnerability, especially in the face of genuine obstacles, so the pointed explorations of religion (both Catholicism and Islam) and sexuality feel inspiring and important. (Hulu) 

NOW WATCHING: Surface, Black Bird, Only Murders in the Building (2), Kevin Can F**** Himself (2), Never Have I Ever (3), What We Do in the Shadows (4).
COMING SOON: Andor, House of the Dragon, The Rings of Power, Reboot, She-Hulk, The Handmaid's Tale (5).

Screen: September TV Roundup

There have been some great shows on lately to offer some distractions when I'm not watching movies or getting outside to enjoy the sunshine. I continue to avoid any shows centring on murder or injury - just not what I want to watch, aside from the movies I have to see for work. Give me comedy, social satire, edgy drama or something original that combines all of that....

The White Lotus
From writer-director Mike White, this series cleverly slices through middle-class respectability with its edgy soap-style plot threads about wealthy people on vacation at a Hawaiian resort. Everyone has secrets, and the breadth of the approach is impressive, with a wonderful array of vivid characters ranging in age from teens to retirees. It's easy to get lost in the various stories, as each person is fully fleshed-out by a terrific cast that includes Steve Zahn, Jennifer Coolidge, Murray Bartlett, Fred Hechinger, Jake Lacey and Alexandra Daddario. The show's astute social satire is bracingly pitch-black, and it's so complex that getting to the end feels a lot like finishing a particularly satisfying novel. (HBO)

The Chair 
Sandra Oh is terrific as the lead in this wry comedy about faculty and students at an Ivy League university in New England. Both political and personal issues rear their heads along the way, as characters clash and unite in unexpected ways, while the tide of cancel culture swells ominously and the university's administrators fail to grasp what's happening or even begin to know how deal with it. There are also wonderful roles for Jay Duplass, David Morse and the always fabulous Holland Taylor. So while the over-arching narrative seemed to stumble along the way, future seasons might be able to bring some more focus to the larger issues and resonant interpersonal drama. (Netflix)

Schmigadoon! 
Keegan-Michael Key and Cecily Strong have a lot of fun as a happy couple whose relationship is put through the wringer when they're trapped in a mystical realm that's overrun by the trappings of a stage musical. The exaggerated Victoriana is hilarious in the design, dialog and morality, while the musical numbers hilariously riff on a variety of classics. In addition, the starry cast includes musical-comedy theatre superstars like Jane Krakowski, Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming. So even if it all feels a little corny and obvious, and if each song is a bit too much of a pastiche for its own good, it's a terrific show for clicking off your brain for a silly laugh. (Apple)

Brand New Cherry Flavor
Refreshingly audacious, this crazed series takes the audience on a freaky odyssey that has strong echoes of Lynch and Cronenberg. Set in the early 1990s, it follows aspiring filmmaker Lisa (the superb Rosa Salazar) as she encounters a slimy director (Eric Lange) long before #MeToo and sets about getting revenge with the help of the mystical, shamanic Boro (Catherine Keener). What this costs Lisa is deeply twisted, as is pretty much everything about this show, which dives into the nastiness without hesitation. The boldness of the writing and directing feels like a tonic when most shows are trying so hard to please. This is challenging, disturbing and absolutely riveting television. (Netflix)

Physical 
Rose Byrne shines as a 1980s housewife emerging from the shadow of her underachieving (and thankfully never villified) husband as she finds that she has what it takes to become an aerobics star. The series takes its time to build this foundation, expertly layering in details that are both funny and rather bleakly chilling. While several of the side roles feel like rather random dimwitted TV series cliches, Sheila is a stunningly complex character, a woman who finally realises that she she will need to break the rules to achieve anything at all in a man's world. Her every move is transgressive and dangerous, but we can't help but root for her. And where the show goes is boldly unexpected. (Apple)

Kevin Can F**k Himself 
After Schitt's Creek, Annie Murphy cleverly adapts her wonderfully perky screen persona to this gimmicky series that combines brightly overlit sitcom silliness with darkly shaded drama. It's a daring experiment that pays off in unexpected ways, revealing shades of suburban angst beneath the chuckleheaded idiocy. And as the lead character's journey to self-discovery and independence gets increasingly intense, Murphy helps us identify with how it feels to continually be underestimated as the ditsy wife to a relentlessly cruel husband everyone sees as a dopey nice guy. The overall series pacing is a little uneven, and the final episodes pay off in a way that's unexpectedly provocative. (AMC)

The North Water
This is a big swerve for Andrew Haigh (Looking, 45 Years), set on a 19th century whaling ship in the Arctic where bristle-haired men are up to all manner of shady grisliness. It's gorgeously designed and shot in spectacular locations, although the relentlessly underlit cinematography can get somewhat annoying on the small screen. The first-rate cast is led by Jack O'Connell, Colin Farrell (against type as a seriously nasty piece of work) and Sam Spruell, with added Stephen Graham and Tom Courtenay. So even if the moral lines are a bit too clear, there's plenty of gristle in the story's riveting depiction of masculinity and control. It also leaves us feeling like we need a bath. (BBC)

Q-Force
Zippy and extremely ridiculous, this animated spy comedy adventure takes in serious themes as it goes along, playing with issues and stereotypes without making pointed comments. This carefree approach adds a provocative angle to the rampant bigotry that swirls around a group of queer spies who have been sidelined for a decade but are now taking their shot at the big time in an international mission that has unexpected repercussions. It's riotously sexy and violent, and animated with a properly adult sensibility, which means the humour is more ironic than expected. And the voice cast is first-rate, including Sean Hayes, Wanda Sykes, Jane Lynch and Stephanie Beatriz. (Netflix)

M O R E    M O R E    M O R E

Dave: series 2 
Continuing his intriguingly blurred autobiographical adventures, Dave Burd goes much darker this season, often dipping into pitch-black comedy and even darker emotions to skewer the show business industry in ways that continually take the breath away. There's a bleakness that makes these episodes less exhilaratingly enjoyable than the first series, but the ideas in the mix are even stronger. And Burd digs into his own offhanded personality to explore some properly pungent feelings as an unlikely rising star who is shaken by interaction with his colleagues, idols, family and friends. His oblivious confidence takes on a whole new meaning this time around. (FX)

Never Have I Ever: series 2
Inspired by Mindy Kaling's childhood, this series continues the adventures of Devi (the fabulous Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), a character who is bravely written and played in ways that aren't always likeable, mainly because we're watching her create most of her own problems. Her various relationships evolve in unexpected directions this season, including with two boyfriends, her best pal and her family members. The female roles are particularly well-written this season, including Devi's mother, cousin, closest friend and a rival Indian teen at her school. And John McInroe's witty voiceover adds such a random perspective that it brings everything to unusual life. (Netflix)

I Think You Should Leave: series 2
It's difficult to describe this sketch show starring Tim Robinson as a comedy, since the scenarios it sets up are based on aggression, awkwardness and absurd conflicts. The main reactions to these scenes are nervous laughter and gasps at both how ridiculous it all is (many hinge around something flatly surreal). But there's also a chilling recognition of human nature laced through everything, picking at our insecurities and those niggling annoyances that get under the skin. That Robinson and his talented cast and crew approach this in such a boldly in-your-face way is properly remarkable. It's one of those shows that feels uncomfortable to watch, but leaves us wanting more. (Netflix)

Lucifer: series 6 
The final season of this nutty show spent most of its time wrapping up story threads involving each of the central characters, while contriving an elaborate conclusion. Thankfully, this included some properly bonkers twists and turns on the way to a protracted, wildly indulgent final act that clumsily strained to be both epic and sentimental. The angels-and-demons premise kept things far more entertaining than the usual murder-of-the-week structure, and Tom Ellis' devilish charm so buoyantly held the entire show aloft that it will be fun to see what he does next. He perhaps spends a bit too much of these 10 episodes singing and dancing, but it's unlikely anyone would complain. (Netflix)

Grace & Frankie: series 7a
The first four episodes of this final season suddenly appeared in August (the rest will follow next year), and they're just as ridiculous as always, centring on the ongoing clashes between these two awkwardly merged families and their long history together. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin continue to build on their astonishingly strong chemistry, having fun playing their actual ages while making jokes that poke fun at their real-life images. And Martin Sheen, Sam Waterston and the ensemble cast of kids and spouses are becoming more grounded with each episode. There are still some loose ends to tie up, so however many episodes are left, we'll be happy to giggle along with them when they turn up. (Netflix)

NOW WATCHING: Only Murders in the Building, Mr Corman, Ted Lasso (2), The Other Two (2), What We Do in the Shadows (3), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (8).

COMING SOON: Foundation, The Big Leap, The Morning Show (2), Succession (3), Sex Education (3), The Conners (4).