Confession:
Okay, it is a lot else. It got cold and I got TV-y. It’s a small confession, but that’s it. When it gets cold, I get lazy. Is that normal? Probably yes.
Silicon Valley (HBOMax)
This show slaps. Jared has my heart. And the thing I love most about this show (aside from the tight-ass writing) is the fact that romance is barely present at all.
I love that. Too many shows, sitcoms especially, rely on romance to keep viewers hooked. Like your career, there is more to life than romance.
When I ask you how you are doing, I really don’t care about your job or your relationship, unless they are things you are super passionate about. I care about YOU. The whole you, not those two tiny parts that make you up.
The same goes for television. Thanks, Mike Judge, for not slipping in an unnecessary romance storyline.
The Morning Show (AppleTV+)
I make new discoveries or latch on to new stories each viewing. This time it is Claire and Yanko. I should be starting season 4 in November, and I can’t wait to see where this show takes me. Good thing I rewatched too, because I completely forgot what Season 3 was about. I remembered it as nothing more than a continuation of the COVID storyline, but that is not true. That was all season 2. Season 3 is more political leaning.
The Chair Company (HBOMax)
Now that ‘The Bear’ is over, Logan and I are tackling this one. I like Tim Robinson. He does not. This should be interesting. (it has been. you can listen here.)
Peacemaker (HBOMax)
Vindicator is kind of like scronch. Skibble? Slippity? You know the crappy ouid that isn’t so much nugs as it is dust? I can never remember the name of it.
Well, I have the same issue with the character of Vindicator, which sucks, because I do so enjoy him as a character very, very much, y’all. But his name does not stick in my brain. My brain has called him Vengance, Variety, Venison. Anything but Vindicator.
This show is dope, and they don’t make it fast enough.
Crowd Control (Dropout)
Episode 3 was the strongest of the season yet! I think the editors are really getting the rhythm of the crowd vs comedians under control. Episode 4 was solid too, although I did NOT agree with he winner.
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC+)
I seent his before. I remembered that it was good and “yay, women!” but not what it was about. I mean, I knew it was about computers and starred Nick Pupo for a bit, but other than that, I’d forgotten.
We are deep into season 2 at the time of this writing, and this show is near impeccable.
We have finished this series, and it remains impeccable. The costume storytelling is some of the best on television.
SNL (Peacock)
The first episode was finding its footing, but still funny.
Second episode is better.
The third episode (Sabrina Carpenter) had me crying with laughter at least twice. Ashley Padilla is gonna be a star.
So is Jeremy Culhane. He is my fave new cast member (because of Dropout, prolly).
John Oliver (HBOMax)
Good. Sobering. Funny. Serious. Silly. Important. Good.
Gen V (Amazon Prime)
Great characters. Fine show. I think I like Garth Ennis’ brain.
Good Omens (Amazon Prime)
Fantastic. Loved the last season and how they solved issues WITHOUT VIOLENCE.
Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy (Peacock)
Watched this at the recommendation of Nick Pupo (of Halt & Catch Fire fame), and I am so glad. It’s so respectful for everyone involved and not sensationalized at all. Michael Chernus is INCREDIBLE. Like, this role is transformative for him.
Please get your ass to your nearest Peacock and watch the Murder Clown Miniseries.
Mandal with John Mulaney, I guess (In person at the Fillmore – Detroit)
You’ve seen me talk about Mandal on here more than once. I’ve been obsessed with his comedy ever since the first time I saw him at the Orlando Indie Comedy Fest. We made the trek to ATL to see him a few years later. He did an episode of our podcast, and he might even be one of my first five friend interviews. You’ll just have to wait and see, I guess. Oh, and also, I’ve been obsessed with his Big Biz by Big Fun Networks interview series this year.
We were planning to see his show when he was in Ohio soon, cause his Detroit dates were sold out when he was up here a few months ago. Then, randomly, one Friday night, I got a message, “I’m in Detroit. Do you want to see my show tomorrow?”
Me (immediately): Yes.
Mandal: “It’s actually John Mulaney’s show.”
Me: “That’s fine, too. He’s secondary to us, tho”
And that was the truth.
We went to the show at the Fillmore in Detroit, and it was fantastic. Mandal’s opening joke was different than the one I call “the best opener I’ve seen at any comedy show ever”, but would still fit into that category. He has a unique gift for getting the audience on his team. A (cool) college-aged kid I know also went to the show and told us afterward, “That opener that you know was SO FUNNY.”
Yes, I know. I have very high (in all the ways) comedy standards.
The other opener, whose name I have forgotten, was also solid as hell.
Mulaney? Well, aside from bad mouthing one of our (janky) local apple orchards (which was fine and hysterical and he used one of my ‘words of the moment’: loose), he had a great set. I’m thrilled that I got to see it early in the work, too. That way, I’ll have some real raw jokes to compare it to when the final version of the new special airs. Watching seeds of jokes turn into gardens is my literal favorite thing. If I could go to every single night of a tour like this, I totally would. Watching the writing of someone who loves words as much as Mulaney does grow and change night after night would be a true gift.
And one I feel that I could learn so much from.
So, yeah, this live show was ACES, and I’m so happy to see a comedian as talented as Mandal get a (small) taste of the attention he deserves. Keep your eyes on this one, y’all. I’ve said it for many years now: Mandal is going to be a STAR.
Other
Oh, also, we went out and played in a bocce ball league the other night, and while we did not win, I had quite a bit of fun. Maybe we will fill in again someday.
